Written by: Andy Diggle
Art by: Luca Casalanguida
Publisher: Dynamite
Last October, Andy Diggle (The Losers) kicked off a brand new take on James Bond for Dynamite. This first issue introduced us to a younger, far more serious spy that combined futuristic tech with bullets to the enemy’s brains. James Bond: Hammerhead #1 also introduced a new villain that seemed to be extremely deadly and more than a match for Bond.
Diggle’s new take on the classic character was extremely refreshing, and he is continuing that sentiment with an all-new issue. While Diggle keeps the action and seriousness rolling, he also adds in some classic elements to further the story. Some of these elements, like the witty comments and alcohol discussions, are more subtle. Others, like Bond’s carnal relationships, are a bit more on the nose. The changes may have been unexpected, but they fit well within the established fiction.
James Bond: Hammerhead #2 continues Bond’s search for a villain known as The Kraken during a weapons expo in Dubai. Technically, he’s not allowed to continue this search, so Bond is tasked with protecting a weapons dealer. As part of this babysitting process, the suave spy is teamed up with Victoria, the vice president of one of the biggest weapon manufacturers around and the daughter of the target in question. Unfortunately, things turn out like you would expect with Bond involved, leading to an entertaining action sequence in a unique setting.
Following the trend set by Hammerhead #1, the second issue takes a fair amount of dialogue and mixes in a whole lot of action. This blend works surprisingly well, especially when discussions of proper tea etiquette are juxtaposed with someone getting shot in the face. Sure, the copious amount of blood could definitely be off-putting for younger readers, but it actually makes the comic pretty fun.
One interesting aspect of this story is how Diggle bounces from Bond’s assignment in Dubai to a seemingly unrelated event across the world. Granted, it’s still too early to tell how everything ties together, but the journey is enjoyable. I’m just a little disappointed that I didn’t get to hear the end of the joke.
I would like to say that James Bond: Hammerhead #2 is a fun continuation of what is turning out to be a solid series, but I don’t know if “fun” is the correct word. Don’t get me wrong, Hammerhead is super enjoyable. It’s just hard to call something fun when Bond is roaming around shooting folks in the head. Turns out, he’s kind of a brutal sumbitch. Despite not being fun per se, Hammerhead #2 is a solid second issue. This search for The Kraken is an intriguing story, and hopefully the big baddie’s reveal doesn’t disappoint. Until The Kraken shows up, we can kick back and enjoy Bond’s continuing adventures in murder and romance.
