James Bond is heading back to comics, and he’s got a new writer to chronicle his adventures - none other than The Boys' Garth Ennis. Ennis will be stepping into the sights of the famed gun barrel, writing an all-new series from Dynamite Entertainment. Since 2012, the publisher has put out a steady stream of 007 comics, and Ennis is the latest superstar creator to write new Bond stories, joining the ranks of Ben Percy, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, and Warren Ellis.

Announced via Dynamite’s website, the new series is written by Ennis and drawn by Rapha Lobosco (James Bond: Black Box), with covers by Dave Johnson (100 Bullets, Detective Comics, Deadpool, Punisher). Scheduled for release in January of 2024, the story will see Bond on the trail of a Russian chemical agent that kills without leaving any trace or visible signs of damage. Enjoy a preview of the upcoming story below:

Titled “A Cold, Cold Heart,” the story will also see the introduction of a new character: Archie Tryon, an aging Soviet veteran who snuck the chemical weapon out of Russia in the first place. Bond will have to team with Archie in a mission that leads to a conspiracy that goes "deep into the heart of MI6."

Garth Ennis Is the Ideal James Bond Writer

The series coincides with the 70th anniversary of the character this year, and will arrive in time for Dynamite to celebrate 10 years of publishing 007 comics. With regards to Ennis’ hiring, the publisher states it has "targeted the perfect creative partner to celebrate these milestones in classy, brutal and typical Bond style." According to Ennis, the story will be drawing more from the original novels rather than the long-running film series. He says:

When I took a look at the Bond of the Fleming novels, as opposed to the larger-than-life figure from the movies, I saw a great deal more potential - a much darker character in a more interesting world.

Ennis' Past Work Shows What His Bond Can Be

In the meantime, fans who are interested in what a Garth Ennis James Bond comic might look like can check out several of his past works. Aftershock Comics' Jimmy's Bastards is a direct parody of James Bond, with a secret agent targeted by an army of children born of his many spurned lovers. Meanwhile, Fury MAX is an epic, Cold War-era spy story, while Punisher MAX sees Frank Castle take on several missions worthy of Bond - including a secret mission to recover a flesh-eating bioweapon hidden in a Russian bunker.

One thing’s for sure: fans of both Garth Ennis and James Bond won’t want to miss the upcoming series, hopefully continuing the trend of the strong material that Dynamite has published for the character since acquiring the license. From telling the origins of a young Bond in WWII to spinning off ancillary characters like Felix Leiter and Ms. Moneypenny, the publisher has provided Bond fans with a treasure trove of stories. The opportunity to see what a writer of Garth Ennis’ caliber will do with James Bond looks to continue that proud tradition, and it's a sure thing that the creator of The Boys won't pull any punches when it comes to the dark side of 007.

Source: Dynamite

James Bond #1 will be on sale January 2024 from Dynamite Entertainment