Grant Morrison to Write New James Bond Comic Series for IDW

“Expect to see James Bond in a few unfamiliar situations, facing unfamiliar foes, in a world very like our own as reflected in a deadly funhouse mirror – a world of intrigue, violence, double cross and deception,” writer Grant Morrison said of taking on the iconic British spy.

James Bond is heading back to comic books in a new series written by Grant Morrison, following a newly announced partnership between IDW Publishing and Ian Fleming Publications, The Hollywood Reporter reported.

The six-part opening story will carry the title Sunbreaker. The project brings the agent created in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel Casino Royale into contemporary conflicts. According to the announcement, Morrison’s version of the character aims to present 007 as charismatic, ruthless, and unstoppable, facing modern threats such as artificial intelligence and fake news alongside an ultimate villain inspired by current headlines.

IDW Secures the License and Plans a Bold New Era

The publishing deal marks a strategic transition for the intellectual property in the comic book medium. Previous publishers holding the James Bond license included Dynamite Entertainment, as well as Dark Horse Comics, Eclipse Comics, and Marvel in earlier decades.

“Our goal isn’t to simply provide supplemental and optional stories,” IDW CEO Davidi Jonas stated in remarks covered by AIPT. “We strive to take radical swings which celebrate and stay true to the very qualities that make the franchise special while also reinventing it for the modern comic book landscape.”

Ian Fleming Publications publishing director Simon Ward noted that comics offer a distinct avenue for storytelling that may not fit other formats. Ward praised IDW’s vision during early discussions for keeping the character relevant across books, films, video games, and comics.

Creative Direction and Unresolved Details for Sunbreaker

While the initial six-part story arc has a title, neither IDW Publishing nor Ian Fleming Publications has disclosed a specific release date for Sunbreaker. Additional creative team members, including the artists, remain unannounced.

Morrison compared the weight of the assignment to handling figures of British folklore like King Arthur, Robin Hood, or Sherlock Holmes. The narrative will introduce fresh vehicles, gadgets, and antagonists while retaining the core tenets of the espionage franchise established on the page in 1953 and on screen since Sean Connery starred in 1962’s Dr. No.