Warren Ellis, acclaimed writer of Planetary, Nextwave, and about a hundred other comic book series, has been announced as the writer for a new series about that most famous of British spies, James Bond. James Bond 007 will launch in November (just in time for the new movie) from Dynamite Entertainment. Art on the series will be by James Masters (Guardians of the Galaxy, Batman Incorporated).

The first story arc will be six issues long and be titled “Vargr.” The story will feature Bond returning to London to follow up on work of a fellow 00 agent, only to find out a trap has been laid for him.

The series is being published by Dynamite in partnership with Ian Fleming Productions, and while it may be coming out at the same time as the next James Bond movie, Spectre, the comic is not connected to the film.

From Dynamites press release:

Great-nephew of Ian Fleming, Diggory Laycock says, “We were thrilled when Warren agreed to write the first story in this exciting new chapter of literary James Bond. Warren’s style is gritty, dark, and unique, and we can’t wait to see James Bond embroiled in an adventure of his creation.”

“Warren Ellis is one of the most brilliant writers of the 21st century, not just in comics but across all media,” says Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. “When we approached him for the launch, we hoped he could make time in his very busy schedule, and we are fortunate and thankful that he was able to. We met with Warren and everyone at IFPL, and Warren’s passion for the novels showed. He really is the perfect writer for Bond, and I can’t express how excited we are that he is tackling the ongoing series. This will be James Bond unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, true to Ian Fleming’s source material yet bursting all preconceptions of what a Bond story should be.”

Senior Editor Joseph Rybandt says, “I’ve long been a fan of Warren, going back to his earliest works (for instance, Lazarus Churchyard when it was first published), and pairing his creative mind with the iconic James Bond will make it the most talked about and exciting comic of 2015.”

“We have the extraordinary opportunity to create the very best James Bond stories that you’ve never read, and we have one of the most extraordinary contemporary adventure writers in the world to launch with,” says Editor Mike Lake. “After more than 40 years in the business, this is the best project I’ve ever had a hand in, and am very proud to have helped bring it about.”

“I’ve wanted to draw something Warren Ellis wrote since I first read his work on The Authority,” says artist Jason Masters. “Each of his carefully composed pages is filled with wonderful ideas that make you wish you were smarter. More ingenious than Warren’s writing might be Dynamite’s decision to have him write James Bond.James Bond by Warren Ellis! I’d buy that sight unseen if I wasn’t lucky enough to be the guy drawing it.”

This will be the first comic series featuring James Bond in over 20 years, and with Ellis at the helm, it should be very good. Ellis excels at writing tough characters, particularly British ones, so this is right up his alley.

Check out the first cover for the series by Dom Reardon and let us know if you’ll be picking up this series when it is released in November 2015.

[Source: Dynamite]