In Review: James Bond (2019-) #4

Synopsis: Agent 007 is a loner, by nature. But finally, he accepts that he needs help. But will trusting someone else help his mission…or lead to the deaths of innocents?

The Story

Having returned from his last assignment. Bond is ordered to be more discrete while dealing within the art world, given that he made a little too much noise on his last mission.  Following a lead Bond finds himself at an arts ceremony where a well-known patron of the arts is being presented with a rare painting for his services. What Bond doesn’t count on is bumping into Brandy Keys, who he finds himself once again working with. Only this time she is officially on the MI6 payroll and is a bit concerned about why ‘M’ hasn’t returned her calls.

The Artwork

This issue is a little light on the action, but heavy on expositional stuff. That said though Eric Gapsture is somehow able to deliver a feast for the eyes with his panels. The opening panels see an assassin sneaking around backstage during a production of Othello where we get some nice cut scenes of the rogue doing her thing and then flashes of what is happening on the stage. The scene then changes to Bond sneaking around shipyards somewhere and eavesdropping on a conversation before having a brief scuffle with security. From that point in we are office bond and then it’s onto some fun panels of Bond getting some new toys from Q Branch before he heads off for his mission.

Capture is great with the detail here and does a great job of capturing the mood.

Overall

Much of this issue is setting up the mission and having Bond and Miss Keys meet each other again as they coincidently or not as the case may be. Find themselves on the same mission. Some stuff does happen, but it is basically stuff that needs to happen to introduce us to some of the key players. Which is why Miss Key’s art expertise is needed. It gives bond cover in which to operate. Bond is written quite well and the dialogue between him and Brandy Keys is in keeping with the clipped banter that we normally see bond use when he is around the ladies.

Overall. A new story, which kind of feels like a continuation of the last story arc in some ways. But I will keep with it to see where it goes.