MI6 looks back at the issues of comic book "James Bond, Agent 007" published in Sweden by Semic Press in 1980...

Semic James Bond Comic Books - 1980
8th March 2009

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.

 

Agent 007 Ser Rött ("Agent 007 See Red" - From Russia With Love)

Data Stream
Issue: #62 (1967+ series)
Released: 2nd January 1980
Format: 17cm x 26 cm
Pages: 52
Publisher: Semic Press AB
Cover Price: 4.50 SEK

Featured Story
"From Russia With Love" by Ian Fleming, adaptation by Henry Gammidge, artwork by John McLusky. Reprinted from the comic strips published by the Daily Express from 3rd February 1960 (strip #488) to 21st May 1960 (strip #583)

Non-Bond Additional Stories
Osiris talisman (Gudinnan Isis)

Miscellaneous
Two page of photo special of "From Russia With Love" the movie.


 

Operation Xanadu (The Xanadu Connection)

Data Stream
Issue: #63 (1967+ series)
Released: 26th February 1980
Format: 17cm x 26 cm
Pages: 52
Publisher: Semic Press AB
Cover Price: 4.50 SEK

Featured Story
Original story "The Xanadu Connection" by Jim Lawrence, artwork by Yaroslav Horak. Reprinted from the comic strips (#355-#468) of Series Four not originally published in the UK.

Non-Bond Additional Stories
Död Mans Hämnd (Johnny)
Den Gäckande Skuggan (Simon Smart)

Miscellaneous
One page pin-up photo of Oddjob (Harold Sakata) from "Goldfinger".


 

Goldfinger (Goldfinger)

Data Stream
Issue: #64 (1967+ series)
Released: 22nd April 1980
Format: 17cm x 26 cm
Pages: 52
Publisher: Semic Press AB
Cover Price: 4.50 SEK
Cover Artwork: Jordi Penalva

Featured Story
"Goldfinger" by Ian Fleming, adaptation by Henry Gammidge, artwork by John McLusky. Reprinted from the comic strips published by the Daily Express from 3rd October 1960 (strip #698) to 1st April 1961 (strip #849).

Non-Bond Additional Stories
En Rutinsak (Supergänget)

Miscellaneous
N/A


 

Åskbollen (Thunderball)

Data Stream
Issue: #65 (1967+ series)
Released: 24th June 1980
Format: 17cm x 26 cm
Pages: 52
Publisher: Semic Press AB
Cover Price: 4.75 SEK

Featured Story
"Thunderball" by Ian Fleming, adaptation by Henry Gammidge, artwork by John McLusky. Reprinted from the comic strips published by the Daily Express from 11th December 1961 (strip #1066) to 10th February 1962 (strip #1128). * Series aborted prematurely.

Non-Bond Additional Stories
N/A

Miscellaneous
N/A


 

Man Lever Bara Två Gånger (You Only Live Twice)

Data Stream
Issue: #66 (1967+ series)
Released: August 1980
Format: 17cm x 26 cm
Pages: 52
Publisher: Semic Press AB
Cover Price: 4.75 SEK

Featured Story
"You Only Live Twice" by Ian Fleming, adaptation by Henry Gammidge, artwork by John McLusky. Reprinted from the comic strips published by the Daily Express from 18th May 1965 (strip #275) to 8th January 1966 (strip #475).

Non-Bond Additional Stories
N/A

Miscellaneous
N/A


 

Operation Shark Bait (Shark Bait - Part 1)

Data Stream
Issue: #67 (1967+ series)
Released: October 1908
Format: 17cm x 26 cm
Pages: 52
Publisher: Semic Press AB
Cover Price: 4.95 SEK

Featured Story
Original story "Shark Bait" by Jim Lawrence, artwork by Yaroslav Horak. Reprinted from the comic strips (#469-#636) of Series Four not originally published in the UK.

Non-Bond Additional Stories
N/A

Miscellaneous
N/A

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