MI6 looks back at the issues of comic book "James Bond, Agent 007" published in Sweden by Semic Press in 1975...

Semic James Bond Comic Books - 1975
29th February 2008

Whilst the James Bond comic strip series was first published in UK newspaper The Daily Express from 7th July 1958, fans in Sweden had to wait seven years until the first translated versions of the strips landed on their shores. Rather than finding a national newspaper to run the daily strips, Swedish publisher Semic collated the stories in to a comic book titled "James Bond, Agent 007", releasing issues periodically through the years. Due to the switch from long narrow strips of 3 or 4 cells to a portrait comic book, Semic reformatted the original artwork by John McLusky and Yaroslav Horak - sometimes crudely adding artwork where needed, and sometimes removing redundant cells due to the shift away from the daily serialization. Semic continued to use the original strip material up until 1981, when it started to introduce original adventures for the Swedish readership. As the newspaper strip came to an end in 1985, Semic increasingly relied on their new stories, and this spelled the beginning of the end due to their varying quality. After merging with fellow ailing comic "The Saint", the comic book ceased publication in Sweden in 1996.

 

Jakten På Det Svarta Guldet ("Hunt For The Black Gold" - The Girl Machine)

Data Stream
Issue: #33 (1967+ series)
Released: March 1975
Format: 17cm x 26 cm
Pages: 52
Publisher: Semic Press AB
Cover Price: 2.75 SEK
Cover Artwork: Jordi Penalva

Featured Story
Original story "The Girl Machine" by Jim Lawrence, artwork by Yaroslav Horak. Reprinted from the comic strips published by the Daily Express from 19th June 1973 (strip #2257) to 3rd December 1973 (strip #2407)

Non-Bond Additional Stories
Den Svarte Riddaren (The Man From U.N.C.L.E.)

Miscellaneous
One page photo of Roger Moore as James Bond and Yaphet Kotto as Dr Kananga in "Live And Let Die", one page photo special on "Casino Royale" (1967)


 

Mannen Med Dengyllene Pistolen (The Man With The Golden Gun)

Data Stream
Issue: #34 (1967+ series)
Released: 6th June 1975
Format: 17cm x 26 cm
Pages: 52
Publisher: Semic Press AB
Cover Price: 2.75 SEK
Cover Artwork: Jordi Penalva

Featured Story
"The Man With The Golden Gun" by Ian Fleming, adaptation by Jim Lawrence, artwork by Yaroslav Horak . Reprinted from the comic strips published by the Daily Express from 10th January 1966 (strip #1) to 10th September 1966 (strip #209)

Miscellaneous
One page 'pinup' photo of Sean Connery as 007 in "Diamonds Are Forever".


 

Risicologan! (Risico)

Data Stream
Issue: #36 (1967+ series)
Released: 1975
Format: 17cm x 26 cm
Pages: 52
Publisher: Semic Press AB
Cover Price: 3.00 SEK
Cover Artwork: Jordi Penalva

Featured Story
"Risico" by Ian Fleming, adaptation by Henry Gammidge, artwork by John McLusky. Reprinted from the comic strips published by the Daily Express from 3rd April 1961 (strip #850) to 24th June 1961 (strip #921)

Non-Bond Additional Stories
Jag Stal Världens Största Diamant (Gang Busters)
Ödets Dagbok (The Man From U.N.C.L.E.)

Miscellaneous
One page photo of Dr Kananga, Baron Samedi and Solitaire in "Live And Let Die".

Missing In Action
#32 (On Her Majesty's Secret Service)
#35 (Beware Of Butterflies)
#37 (The Nevsky Nude)

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