James Bond returns this spring… but in comics with Hammerhead, third volume published by Delcourt.
A nuclear threat in the UK
This comic brings together a complete story in one volume. A mysterious anti-capitalist hacker threatens global security by attacking a weapons company, Hunt, tasked with replacing the British army's nuclear warheads. Will James Bond be able to save the world? Hammerhead marks a change in the creative team. Warren Ellis and Jason Masters were replaced by Andy Diggle on the script and Luca Casalanguida on the art.
This very rhythmic story provides a great pleasure to read. The story moves very fast with minimal dialogue. The effective drawing serves the narrative very well by a realistic style but with simplified features. We are immersed in a film with dark colors adapted to the subject. Behind the action, Diggle also slips a political undertone. The hacker initially reminds us of a whistleblower like Snowden. The narrative denounces companies that sell machines of death without conscience. Some politicians participate in these shenanigans – the Secretary of Defense mixes in his words the interests of the state and those of the Hunt company.
A Bond worthy of movies
By this faithful variation, film addicts will not be disoriented. The title striking like a movie is the name of a formidable weapon. From the first boxes, we find the organization of the 007 with an action scene and then a double page with the title as a generic of the mythical series. Diggle points to James' snobbery for his Martini dry. Bond meets a beautiful woman whom he will quickly seduce after danger. He uses a car packed with gadgets, private jets and even a submarine to travel all over the world – Yemen, Dubai, South America – between upper class galas and war zones. But Her Majesty's Agent always remains impeccable. The numerous reversals will delight readers with a well-crafted ending. However, we also find the flaws of the films – a hyper virile James Bond flawless.
Diggle makes its mark
The screenwriter does not just copy the classics but makes his mark. James will have to act without any gadgets but will choose to ally himself with mercenaries. The head of British services M and Moneypenny are black. Moreover, Moneypenny is not a simple secretary without personality but a strong woman who is far from defenseless…
Delcourt offers us the chance to enjoy this hectic adventure by including at the end of the volumes bonuses that reveal the underside of the creation – all the covers, sketches of characters, sketches to the version before inking.
To sum up, this unique narrative is therefore a good introduction to Delcourt's series. The reader is immersed in a hectic narrative that perpetuates the cult of Agent 007… waiting for the next movie.
