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MI6 looks back at the comic "Serpent's Tooth"
#2 released by Dark Horse Comics in August 1992...
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James Bond 007: Serpent's Tooth #2 Review
13th January 2005
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The Story
Issue #2 picks up at Cruzado' commando training camp, where
Cruzado and Sunny discuss with Bond what he managed to steel
from Indigo's HQ and the kidnapping of local village girls,
by unknown forces. While reviewing a stolen map, the trio
discover that corresponding marks correspond to locations
of kidnapped girls - and a place to start there search.
An original Major Boothroyd then equips Bond for the mission
ahead with a Q 'Boat' and modified machete, watch, explosive
molar cap and ultrasonic transmitter in the form of a ring.
M call's to discuss the now analysed stolen data, photos
of the kidnapped scientist, and a test tube of 009's blood!
Left: Cell from "Serpent's Tooth" #2
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Indigo's evil scheme becomes clear as we get to witness his
insanity and determination to ensure he succeeds - no mater what
the cost. Sunny and Bond set off in the Q Boat and meet with the
remote tribes people who Sunny has previously befriended. Lying
in wait, Bond and Sunny witness the kidnapping of yet another
tribe girl, and in the ensuing gunfight they become separated.
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The chase is on in the first major action sequence of issue
#2. Bond is being pursued by high-speed boats and 'chupa's'
- an airborne hovercraft of sorts. As the dramatic action
unfolds Bond, has several narrow escapes. The final close
shave sees him lose Q's Boat and survive.
Dispatching several more guards, Bond locates a secret
entrance to enclosed area, in which Indigo's base is located.
"Jurassic Park vs Bond"; the ending of issue one
see Indigo's pet dinosaur, which Bond must now face. Bond
comes out of this second action sequence in poor shape.
While fighting the dinosaur, Indigo's base becomes mobile
on the grandest of scales and heads for the safety of the
Ocean floor.
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Above: Cell from "Serpent's Tooth #2"
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Bond finally locates the temple and the kidnapped girls in the
centre of the now submerged environment. Immobilised by an electric
fence, Bond lies at the enemy's gates, unconscious.
Cover Design
The upper two thirds of the cover see Bond go "Action Man",
with gun, machete in each hand sporting terminator sunglasses
and a combat vest. A purple and black sky creates a discoloured
over bearing Bond figure. The lower third highlights the showdown
between the Bond and the dinosaur, Cruzado plus commandos. The
final elements are a halved face of Indigo and two bikini clad
girls. Dark Horse has kept the overall layout the similar to issue
one but using a blue and yellow colour scheme.
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Artwork
Mostly river and forest settings see large quantities of
blues and greens being used. The river fight is a full on,
and the cell's come to life in full glory with the action
and destruction. The weakest point of this issue is the
dinosaur as it has a 1950's B movie feel, but the action
sequences involving Bond and the biped are strong and well
illustrated. A fully original Q is seen with a long face,
athletic build and with swept back white hair.
Putting Bond in commando style attire is a fresh look at
the character, with hints of "The Terminator"
throughout this issue - it seems he is a throw back from
the 80's. In true Bond style all the female characters are
well developed including Sunny who sports a commando swimsuit!
Overall, as a continuation of issue #1's high quality, it
is let down by a poor and extinct dinosaur.
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Above: Cell from "Serpent's Tooth #2" |
Dialogue
Yet again the language and dialogue hit the mark as in issue #1,
sharp and to the point. The two large action sequences are handled
using the correct mix of visual queues and action words.
Best Line
"You are certain it's the British agent James Bond?"
Above: Front cover of issue #2 |
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MI6 Briefing
Title: Ian Fleming's James Bond 007 Serpent's Tooth
Publisher: Acme Comics LTD, Dark Horse Comics Inc,
Glidrose Publications LTD
Released: Issue #2 August 1992
Writer: Doug Moench
Illustrator: Paul Gulacy
Colorist: Steve Oliff
Cover Artist: Paul Gulacy
Letters: Pat Brosseau
Editor: Jerry Prosser
Data Stream (Issue #2)
| Villain: |
Indigo |
| Plot: |
Bond is sent to investigate a missing 00 agent and
discovers more then he has bargained for, when he comes
up against a genetically modified villain. |
| Bond Girls: |
Sunny Vasquez |
| Allies: |
M, Miss Moneypenny, Senor Cruzado, Major Boothroyd |
| Locations: |
Lima, Peru; Pacific Ocean floor |
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MI6 Rating
Images courtesy Dark Horse Comics.
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