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MI6 looks back at Simon Jowett & John M. Burns
"A Silent Armageddon" released in March
1993...
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James Bond 007: A Silent Armageddon #1 Review
16th July 2005
The Story
Having established its James Bond layout with the previous adventure
"Serpent's Tooth", Dark Horse publishes its third Bond
story - with a technological twist! Using the criminal group Cerberus,
established earlier in the comic series, this first of four issues
sets things moving in the story arc.
| Prologue ‘First Strike’ opens
the story with a high ranking military personnel being escorted
to a secured US location. While being given a briefing on
the systems, an electronic intruder is detected which raises
security questions.
The story then jumps to a police raid which James Bond
is observing under escort by Felix Leiter. After successfully
entering the building, the SWAT team is blown to pieces
as Bond realises something is not right a second prior to
the blast.
Bond sends a memo to M which moves the story in a fresh
direction. The memo explains what Bond is currently investigating
and gives the reader clues as to the explosion and who could
be responsible.
The story jumps once again, 10 years in the present, and
introduces Eddie who is interrupted from planning a computer
game by the arrival of thugs. They want to get their money
off him for the drugs they have been supplying him. He works
for Troy - the supplier of the drugs by hacking into computer
systems.
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Above: Front cover
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Eddie has discovered a computer worm called Omega which he offers
information on to Troy in payment. After convincing Troy of the
potential of the worm, Eddie discovers who could be responsible
for its creation and puts the wheels in motion to acquire the
virus. The story steps ups a notch with a short phone call between
Professor Garrard and a stranger who has killed some of his friends.
Above: Opening cell from A Silent Armageddon
Part 1 |
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As the killer draws closer, a student of Professor Garrard
is murdered, another is killed and the reader is left with
the distinct feeling that they were not the only two. Shifting
back to the school, Troy prepares to raid the facility in
order to locate the creator of the computer virus.
A short discussion between Terri and Garrard follows, just
before the thugs enter the school and begin to dispatch
people. The violence is a little heavy, even in the Bond
universe, with the villains culling adolescents.
Upon hearing all the commotion, the Professor leaves to
investigate allowing our heroin the chance to escape. As
the thugs proceed through the school, Terri falls into a
river which carries her to safety. Pulling herself out of
the river she witness the school explode.
The story then moves on to an irate Troy, who is insane
with rage at the failing of the mission and takes his anger
out on Eddie. Back at the gutted school, Bond arrives and
looks over the carnage. He come to the conclusion that this
was a Cerberus attack, and links the activity to the blast
in the USA 10 years previous. On the way to the hospital
to visit a shaken Terri, Bond advises M to send someone
who can deal with children and to get him off the case.
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The computer issues are dealt with in descriptive box outs and
are just on the edge of character monologue. Through the use of
a memo to M, we learn Bond's inner monologue which is a fresh
device in this era of 007 comics. Bond is just a secondary character
in this first issue as the story is setup for the forthcoming
parts.
Above: Cell from A Silent Armageddon
Part 1 |
Cover
Using the established Dark Horse layout, this cover places a newly
realised Bond supporting the leading female. She is standing on
crutches, and both figures are over shadowed by the Cerberus logo
which is set off by bright yellow flaming out. The high contrast
colours (yellows, blues, oranges and greens) makes it one of the
most dynamic. Jowett and Burns vision of James Bond is a cross
between the classic Fleming figure and the lighter shades of actor
Timothy Dalton.
Artwork
Burns has create a memorable mini series with well defined characters
and realistic environments to accommodate them. The opening full
page panel introduces us to the concept of a computer virus via
the use of the military. The hues set the mood. The opening also
features large amounts of detailing, including the often overlooked
backgrounds. The characters are softer compared to the later comics,
but still capture good form. With this series being cut in half,
only the first two issues were printed. Art for issues 3 and 4
is available but hard to come by.
Dialogue
Writer Simon Jowett injects some sharp, smart and witty dialog
in to the fast moving story. From the opening of this issue, the
story is moved equally in dialogue and visuals, with the occasional
use of report style notes in the cells to convey plot points.
Best Line
"I didn’t hear no recess bell"
Above: Dark Horse Comics promotional
brochure |
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MI6 Briefing
Title: James Bond 007: A Silent Armageddon #1
Publisher: Acme Comics LTD, Dark Horse Comics Inc,
Glidrose Publications LTD
Released: Issue #1 - 1st March 1993
Writer: Simon Jowett
Artist: John M. Burns
Cover: John M. Burns
Letters: Ellie de Ville
Editors: Dick Hansom, Jerry Prosser
Data Stream (Issue #1)
| Villain: |
Cerberus, Mr Lefleur, Eddie Byle, Troy |
| Plot: |
Criminal organisation Cerberus, is willing to kill
anyone who stands in their way of controlling Omega
- a computer program with the most valuable possession
of all - a consciousness. |
| Bond Girls: |
N/A |
| Allies: |
Terri Li, Felix Leiter, Professor Garrard, Legget |
| Locations: |
Military base and various, USA; Oxford, UK |
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MI6 Rating
Images courtesy Dark Horse Comics.
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