[Ian Fleming] John McLusky | 12 original James Bond comic strips, Daily Express, 1958-66

John McLusky

Twelve original three- and four-panel James Bond daily comic strips by John McLusky, for the Daily Express' serialisation of Ian Fleming's novel series.

[comprising:]

(i) Goldfinger. "So Goldfinger was running true to cheating form....". 1960/61. No. 727 (of a run from 698–849), some dampstaining to upper left corner;

(ii) Casino Royale. "The French police have been alerted". 1958. No. 39 (of a run from 1–138);

(iii) Live and Let Die. "Thank you for trusting me". 1958/59. No. 166 (of a run from 139–225);

(iv) From a View to a Kill. "Bond watched the girl narrowly as she approached his table.....". 1961. No. 929 (of a run from 922–987), some dampstaining to upper left corner;

(v) Moonraker. "Rules of Blade's Club". 1959. No. 238 (of a run from 226–339);

(vi) For Your Eyes Only. "It wasn't long after he'd had the Havelocks murdered that von Hammerstein left Cuba.". 1961. No. 1004 (of a run from 988–1065);

(vii) Diamonds are Forever. "Smoked salmon and brizzola. Twice". 1959/60. No. 364 (of a run from 340–487);

(viii) Thunderball. "So much for the collection and disposal of the hundred million pound ransom money.". 1961/62. No. 1108 (of a run from 1066–1128);

(ix) From Russia, with Love. "A bomb?". 1960. No. 511 (of a run from 488–583);

(x) On Her Majesty's Secret Service. "Having prepared the bait, James Bond cast it over his prey". 1964/65. No. 102 (of a run from 1–274);

(xi) Dr. No. "What are you doing, honey?". 1960. No. 640 (of a run from 584–697)some dampstaining to first panel;

(xii) You Only Live Twice. "Mr. Tanaka opened a drawer and took out a file.". 1965-66. No. 297 (of a run from 275–475);

illustration in black ink, pencil and correction fluid, paper onlays (with some resulting adhesive residue), all twelve mounted together, framed and glazed (1290 x 1160 mm)

THE FIRST VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF JAMES BOND.

Ian Fleming was approached by the Daily Express in 1957 about the potential adaptation of his James Bond stories into comic strips. Though initially reluctant, Fleming eventually agreed, and the Daily Express assigned the job to illustrator John McLusky.

Fleming's conception of Bond did not align with that of McLusky; the author's idea of the fictional MI6 agent, according to McLusky, was outdated and too feminine. McLusky's Bond prevailed, and on the 7th July 1958, the world saw the face of James Bond for the very first time. Over the next eight years, McLusky worked personally with Fleming to illustrate ten of his James Bond novels, and three of the short stories included in For Your Eyes Only: McLusky's original drawings thus form a corpus of the oldest visual history of James Bond.

McLusky's illustrations of Bond superseded Fleming's literary depictions, primarily by informing the cinematic representation of James Bond. Striking similarities can be remarked between some of McLusky's comic strips and the later film scenes, suggesting that his illustrations were sometimes used as storyboards for the films. Numerous tales have been circulated about how Sean Connery's agent noticed a resemblance between his client and the cartoon Bond, which led him to encourage Connery to audition for the 1962 film Dr. No. Rumours aside, Connery's Bond paved the way for over 60 years of cinematic success, and established the agent as a British icon.