Depending on who you ask, John Drake may be Number 6 but he is certainly no 007! Despite this, an image of Bond in From Russia With Love managed to make an appearance on the back cover of this World Distributors publication.
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Published by World Distributors
Artist Alfredo De La Maria clearly used an image of Roger Moore from the 1981 film For Your Eyes Only as a photo reference for the December 1995 issue of Editorial Columba’s Nippur Magnum #132. While the face is obviously Moore’s, the figure looks a bit like a mix of Moore and Steve McQueen.
Additionally, the cover for the November 1981 issue of Nippur Magnum #24 depicts a figure who looks remarkably similar to Roger Moore, though it is unclear if a specific photo reference was used.
To the extent of my research no Bond stories appear in these issues. These images of Nippur Magnum are courtesy of the blog Mis Inolvidables Tebeos.
Promotional image from For Your Eyes Only (left) and cover to Nippur Magnum #132 (right)
Marvel Comics’ Sgt. Nick Fury, leader of the Howling Commandos, was rebranded in the 1960s as a spy and leader of an international espionage unit, SHIELD. The series was full of gadgets, girls, and excitement, and was expertly handled by the team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby before soaring to greater heights under the expert hand of Jim Steranko.
In this gallery, you’ll find pages from the Marvel series Strange Tales which drive home a deeper connection between Commander Bond and Colonel Fury.
As always, support comic shops and collectors everywhere by seeking out back issues and comic collections to enjoy these stories yourself and support the legacy of these characters and their creators!
Fury gets an invisible car and his mechanic, The Gaff, directly mentions Bond! Consequently, Bond wouldn’t get an invisible car until 2002’s Die Another Day. Written and illustrated by Jim Steranko with inks by Frank Giacoia, and published by Marvel Comics.
Picking up from last issue’s cliffhanger, the villainous Yellow Claw lures Nick Fury into a vicious battle with an octopus! This recalls a similar deathtrap by Doctor No in the titular novel by Ian Fleming. Written and illustrated by Jim Steranko with inks by Frank Giacoia (although it has been surmised that Steranko inked this splash page himself), and published by Marvel Comics.
James Bond is denied the services of a barbershop when a more important client “drops in.” Written and illustrated by Jim Steranko with inks by Bill Everett, and published by Marvel Comics.
After being inspired by a thinly veiled spy thriller film, Jimmy Olsen adopts the identity of Agent Double-5 and embarks on a pair of adventures in Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #89 and #92.
In this gallery you’ll see covers and a sampling of pages and panels from these respective issues to illustrate the Bond connection. As always, support comic shops and collectors everywhere by tracking down back issues!
The cover is a bit misleading since Jimmy Olsen never takes on Superman in this issue, but it does provide a nice pun and a reference to The Man From U.N.C.L.E on the cover blurb. In this issue, Jimmy Olsen and Lucy Lane witness an assassination so Jimmy adopts his own secret agent moniker and, with the help of Professor Potter’s gadgets, journeys to South America to save a scientist. Cover art by George Klein.
“Bolder Than Bond” is quite a bold statement in and of itself! In panel 2, take note of the striking resemblance that actor Sam Connolly as Jamison Baird bears to Sean Connery’s 007. Finally in panel 3, we can see a reference to the ejector seat from Goldfinger. Written by Jerry Siegel and illustrated by Kurt Schaffenberger. Note: this story was also reprinted in Superman Family #166.
An obvious callback to Bond’s attache case in the film version of From Russia With Love, right down to the twisting locks. Written by Jerry Siegel and illustrated by Kurt Schaffenberger.
Agent Double-5 is born and leaps into action! Written by Jerry Siegel and illustrated by Kurt Schaffenberger.
Not content to take on only Superman in his last appearance, now Agent Double-5 takes on Batman as well! Cover art by Curt Swan and George Klein.
U.N.C.L.E. villains THRUSH and Bond villains SMERSH are referenced on this title page, although certain elements of this story have much more in common with an episode of Mission: Impossible. Written by Leo Dorfman and illustrated by Pete Costanza.
Jimmy (and editor Mort Weisinger) reminds the readers what his alias means as he leaves behind his evil doppelganger. Written by Leo Dorfman and illustrated by Pete Costanza.
Beginning with Black Dossier and continuing through Century and Tempest, the long-running ode to the literary greats and pop culture features appearances by James Bond (or is that Bonds?) filtered through the lens of writer Alan Moore’s dry wit and acid tongue, and illustrated in a variety of styles by the versatile Kevin O’Neill. I’d rather not spoil all of the surprises, so here’s some images to whet your appetite and I encourage you to seek the books out yourself.
Cover art by Kevin O’Neill
Art by Kevin O’Neill. Fans of The West Wing may appreciate this one.
Art by Kevin O’Neill
Cover art by Kevin O’Neill
Art by Kevin O’Neill
Art by Kevin O’Neill
Art by Kevin O’Neill. Note the credit above to Novek, no doubt a reference to Daily Express comic strip artist Yaroslav Horak.
Art by Kevin O’Neill
Artwork from 1990 by the great Joe Jusko was used as the cover for Punisher War Journal #31 and Blofeld’s former lair on Piz Gloria can clearly be seen in the background. To further satiate your appetite for Bond, I wholeheartedly recommend Jusko’s work on Marvel’s super spies like Black Widow, Silver Sable, and Nick Fury.
You can learn more at Joe Jusko’s own website!
