Originally published in 007 James Bond #1 as “Operacion Riesgo” and based upon the short story Risico by Ian Fleming

Writer: Germán Gabler

Artist: Hernan Jiron (opening splash page by Germán Gabler)

Translator: Clinton Rawls

Notes: Based upon the short story of the same name from Ian Fleming’s For Your Eyes Only, Risico is in many ways an inspired choice for the first issue of a new series. Firstly, the story is self-contained with a healthy amount of action, romance, and intrigue. Secondly, the plot centers around a grounded, down-to-earth tale of drug smuggling, providing a counterbalance to the more fantastic film series. Finally, EON had not yet adapted this particular story, and would not until the 1981 film For Your Eyes Only in a remarkably faithful adaptation, so film viewers looking for more Bond adventures may not have been familiar with this story.

One element of the EON films that writer Germán Gabler appropriates right off the bat is the notion of a pre-title sequence, something which he would continue throughout the series.

Originally published in 007 James Bond #2 as “La Rareza de Hildebrand” and based upon the short story The Hildebrand Rarity by Ian Fleming

Writer: Germán Gabler

Artist: Hernan Jiron (opening splash page by Germán Gabler)

Translator: Clinton Rawls

Notes: Gabler and Jiron once again adapt an Ian Fleming short story, and one of the more atypical ones at that. Although some plot elements found their way into the 1989 film Licence to Kill (the name Milton Krest and his yacht Wavekrest, along with the stingray tail whip being used to torture a kept woman), The Hildebrand Rarity has never truly been adapted into a film and to do so would prove a genuine challenge given that an accurate adaptation would have more in common with Roman Polanski’s Knife In the Water (1962) rather than a typical Bond film. Thankfully, Gabler and Jiron once again create a faithful adaptation though given the introspective nature of the original, I find myself missing Fleming’s prose more than usual with this one.

Originally published in 007 James Bond #3 as “Solo Para Tus Ojos” and based upon the short story For Your Eyes Only by Ian Fleming

Writer: Germán Gabler

Artist: Hernan Jiron

Translator: Clinton Rawls

Notes: Gabler and Jiron mine the Fleming well once more for a faithful adaptation of the short story For Your Eyes Only, from the collection of the same name. Although the plot of Fleming’s original is closely adhered to, writer Germán Gabler tones down M’s personal struggle after the murder of the Havelock’s and the careful dance of words that he and Bond engage in during the mission briefing, one of the highlights of the original text. More interestingly, Gabler and Jiron display a rather pointed antipathy toward British colonialism, a view that Ian Fleming most certainly did not share.

Artistic Licence: In the course of events, a character is wounded but the original colorist seems to have not noticed this small detail. I’ve taken the liberty of recoloring the offending panel to add further clarity to the story.

Originally published in 007 James Bond #4 as “Oro Mortal” with elements inspired by the novel Casino Royale by Ian Fleming

Writer: Germán Gabler

Artist: Hernan Jiron

Translator: Clinton Rawls

Notes: Zig-Zag takes a bold, new step in their 007 series by using Fleming’s work as a springboard to create their own original tales. It would be a few more issues before a direct adaptation of Casino Royale, but this prequel story helps set the stage nicely and builds some anticipation for an eventual showdown between Bond and Le Chiffre.

In addition to taking liberties with the source text, Gabler also drew inspiration from the 007 films as evidenced by the inclusion of a certain iconic gadget in this story, and Jiron models Le Chiffre after Orson Welles from the 1967 Casino Royale parody film!

Originally published in 007 James Bond #4 as “Oro para Le Chiffre” with elements inspired by the novel Casino Royale by Ian Fleming

Writer: Germán Gabler

Artist: Hernan Jiron

Translator: Clinton Rawls

Notes: Germán Gabler once again uses Fleming’s work as a springboard to spin a larger tale. Although he doesn’t make an appearance outside of a few brief mentions, Le Chiffre’s inner circle is greatly expanded and Gabler slowly lays more groundwork for an eventual proper adaptation of Casino Royale in issue #8. It’s an interesting idea, making Le Chiffre less of an underling in over his head and more of a mastermind with power and influence of his own.

Originally published in 007 James Bond #6 as “Ultrasecreto”

Writer: Germán Gabler

Artist: Germán Gabler, cover art by Jernan Hiron

Translator: Clinton Rawls

Notes: Germán Gabler continues his slow build up to a proper adaptation of Casino Royale. Despite only a brief cameo, Le Chiffre is frequently invoked and the stage is nearly set for an eventual showdown in the upcoming issue #8. As I’ve mentioned in previous issues, it’s an inspired choice to make Le Chiffre less of an underling and more an overarching villain in his own right.

A somewhat less inspired choice however does occur in this issue, beginning with Bond on leave in Marseille, then being called back to London, only to be given orders to return to Marseille for his mission! Perhaps the decision was made to include a scene in M’s office, though I feel it’s a missed opportunity. After all, it’s always fun in the movies when MI6 has their own ad hoc compound in other countries, or even show when Bond least expects them.

On perhaps a minor note, Bond’s reaction to being called back by M does ring a tad false for me. When reading Fleming and watching the films, Bond is not one to turn his back on duty in favor of leave, and his respect for M is typically unwavering. To have Bond lose his temper and hurl an insult via Moneypenny just feels grossly out of character.

Originally published in 007 James Bond #7 as “Juego de Niños” with elements inspired by the novel Casino Royale by Ian Fleming

Writer: Germán Gabler

Artist: Hernan Jiron

Translator: Clinton Rawls

Notes: The penultimate chapter in Zig-Zag’s lead up to a proper Casino Royale adaptation is sadly the weakest of the preludes and features Bond investigating a case that should be left to Scotland Yard or MI-5. That said, the notion of M asking Bond to investigate the murder of a close friend does recall Fleming’s For Your Eyes Only. All told, “Child’s Play” is a fun story that helps set the stage for Le Chiffre’s ultimate act of desperation next issue.

Originally published in 007 James Bond #8 as “Casino Royale” and based upon the novel of the same name by Ian Fleming

Writer/Artist: Germán Gabler

Cover Artist: Herrera Carter

Translator: Clinton Rawls

Notes: While it pains me to say so, the final chapter of Zig-Zag’s adaptation of Casino Royale falls a bit flat and lacks Fleming’s tragic pathos and philosophical musings. That said, writer/artist Gabler manages to be quite faithful to the story—despite one major change—and impressively condenses the narrative into a single issue.