News on James Bond comic book series and musical

Publishers Dynamite Entertainment have announced a new James Bond comic book series after securing rights from the Ian Fleming estate.

James Bond 007 cover art by Dom Reardon

The comics will be written by Warren Ellis who said "Ian Fleming's James Bond is an icon, and it's a delight to tell visual narratives with the original, brutal, damaged Bond of the books." 

British writer Ellis has worked for Marvel and DC and also created his own titles, including espionage-themed RED which was adapted into a film and sequel starring Bruce Willis.  

Dynamite's statement reveals:

"The first six-issue story arc in the James Bond 007 comic book series will be entitled "VARGR." Bond returns to London after a mission of vengeance in Helsinki, to take up the workload of a fallen 00 agent... but something evil is moving through the back streets of the city, and sinister plans are being laid for Bond in Berlin."

Great-nephew of Ian Fleming, Diggory Laycock said, "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."

Another spin-off in development is the first James Bond musical!  The executive producer for this surprising new project is Merry Saltzman (daughter of Harry Saltzman who co-produced the first nine Bond films).  She told Playbill.com that her company, Placeholder Productions, had secured the rights to stage a production to be titled simply James Bond: The Musical.  It's original storyline will be written by Dave Clarke with music and lyrics by Jay Henry Weisz .

"Production schedules and trial runs are still being worked out in anticipation of a late 2017-early 2018 opening," on Broadway or in Las Vegas,  Salzman said.  The show will also introduce "our own Bond girl," she said.

UPDATE:  the James Bond musical may not be happening after all according to this post from the official James Bond 007 Facebook page:

"Danjaq LLC and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc confirm they have not licensed any rights to Merry Saltzman or her production company to create a James Bond musical. Danjaq and MGM jointly control all live stage rights in the Bond franchise, and therefore no James Bond stage show may be produced without their permission."