Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (comics)
Encyclopedia
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is an American comic book
series
published by CrossGen Entertainment from February to June 2004
. It ran for five issues before it was forced to end by the bankruptcy of CrossGen in 2004.
Set in the 1960s the series features many of the cultural aspects of the period as well as recurring allurements to the James Bond mythos such as exotic locations, 1960s type action scenes and sex. Uniquely, this series was the only CrossGen comic book set in the Sigilverse
that takes place during the modern era. Set in the 1960s, the series predates most of the events seen in the core CrossGen titles.
archetype Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was the brainchild of penciller Mike Perkins
who was also influenced by the 1960s show The Avengers
, with Tony Bedard
fleshing out other aspects of the series.
The series finished prematurely when Crossgen went bankrupt but the company was bought by Marvel Comics
, who announced in August 2011, that the series was one of a number of Crossgen titles returning as a five-issue limited series
, with Peter Milligan
writing the story and Ramon Rosanas on art duties.
With little regard for his partner's well being the current Charles Basildon, described as an amoral snake among other things, has gone through six partners, each of them ending up dead. The Prime minister, concerned with his fitness for duty, requests that Basildon be assessed. In response to this the director of MI6, Sir Richard Pilchard, aware of Basildon's attitudes decides to assign him a new apprentice, Stephanie Shelly, in the hopes that she might curb Basildon's flagrant disregard for danger and the safety of civilians. Also, it seems, that Shelly was to eventually become the next Sir Charles Basildon.
The two are partnered up and are sent on their first mission to Serbia. On the search for a prisoner, the couple are attempting to verify a connection the prisoner may have to a Lazarus Bale
, deemed an Alpha level threat by MI6. As the pair arrive they find that the prisoners hands have been cut off, his tongue has been removed and that there is a bomb strapped to his chest. Shelly suggests that she can disarm the bomb but Basildon is concerned only for himself. Annoyed by this remark Shelly smashes Basildon in the nose with the back of her head. Consequently they both fall backwards through a grate and into the Prisons fuel tunnels. With no time left the pair make a run for it as the bomb explodes. Later we see, what seems like, Adolf Hitler, Stalin, and an albino character later identified as Lazarus Bale leaving the prison as the bomb explodes. Bale confident that the agents have been dealt with.
American comic book
An American comic book is a small magazine originating in the United States and containing a narrative in the form of comics. Since 1975 the dimensions have standardized at 6 5/8" x 10 ¼" , down from 6 ¾" x 10 ¼" in the Silver Age, although larger formats appeared in the past...
series
Ongoing series
The term "ongoing series" is used in contrast to limited series , a one shot , a graphic novel, or a trade paperback...
published by CrossGen Entertainment from February to June 2004
2004 in comics
-February:*February 6: Marvel Enterprises and Electronic Arts announce a multi-year agreement in which EA will develop a new generation of fighting video games pitting Marvel superheroes against a new, original set of EA heroes....
. It ran for five issues before it was forced to end by the bankruptcy of CrossGen in 2004.
Set in the 1960s the series features many of the cultural aspects of the period as well as recurring allurements to the James Bond mythos such as exotic locations, 1960s type action scenes and sex. Uniquely, this series was the only CrossGen comic book set in the Sigilverse
Sigilverse
The Sigilverse, also known as the CrossGen Universe, is a fictional shared universe which served as a setting for most titles published by CrossGen Comics. Except for El Cazador, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and a handful of flashbacks, all CrossGen Universe titles are set in the future...
that takes place during the modern era. Set in the 1960s, the series predates most of the events seen in the core CrossGen titles.
Publication history
Based on the James BondJames Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
archetype Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was the brainchild of penciller Mike Perkins
Mike Perkins
Mike Perkins is a British comic book artist known for both his inking work and full art duties on comic books such as Captain America, Ruse and Stephen King's The Stand.-Career:Mike Perkins began drawing at a very early age...
who was also influenced by the 1960s show The Avengers
The Avengers (TV series)
The Avengers is a spy-fi British television series set in the 1960s Britain. The Avengers initially focused on Dr. David Keel and his assistant John Steed . Hendry left after the first series and Steed became the main character, partnered with a succession of assistants...
, with Tony Bedard
Tony Bedard
Antony "Tony" J. L. Bedard is a writer and editor who has worked in the comic book industry from the early '90s through the present. He is best known for his work at CrossGen Comics, where he was under exclusive contract, and for his run writing Marvel Comics X-Men spin-off Exiles.-Career:Tony...
fleshing out other aspects of the series.
The series finished prematurely when Crossgen went bankrupt but the company was bought by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
, who announced in August 2011, that the series was one of a number of Crossgen titles returning as a five-issue limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
, with Peter Milligan
Peter Milligan
Peter Milligan born in London, a British writer, best known for his comic book, film and television work.-Early career:Milligan started his comic career with short stories for 2000 AD in the early 1980s. By 1986, Milligan had his first ongoing strip in 2000AD called Bad Company, with artists Brett...
writing the story and Ramon Rosanas on art duties.
Plot synopsis
Charles Basildon is the name given to the best spy working for MI6 at any given time. The Charles Basildon name has garnered a reputation over the years invoking fear in those who hear the name with the current incarnation adding to the mythos in his own fashion. The title 'Sir' is at times added to the name.With little regard for his partner's well being the current Charles Basildon, described as an amoral snake among other things, has gone through six partners, each of them ending up dead. The Prime minister, concerned with his fitness for duty, requests that Basildon be assessed. In response to this the director of MI6, Sir Richard Pilchard, aware of Basildon's attitudes decides to assign him a new apprentice, Stephanie Shelly, in the hopes that she might curb Basildon's flagrant disregard for danger and the safety of civilians. Also, it seems, that Shelly was to eventually become the next Sir Charles Basildon.
The two are partnered up and are sent on their first mission to Serbia. On the search for a prisoner, the couple are attempting to verify a connection the prisoner may have to a Lazarus Bale
Lazarus Bale
Lazarus Bale is the main antagonist in the American comic book Kiss Kiss Bang Bang published by CrossGen Entertainment. Lazarus Bale is the tangential connection between Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and the Sigilverse.-Character details:...
, deemed an Alpha level threat by MI6. As the pair arrive they find that the prisoners hands have been cut off, his tongue has been removed and that there is a bomb strapped to his chest. Shelly suggests that she can disarm the bomb but Basildon is concerned only for himself. Annoyed by this remark Shelly smashes Basildon in the nose with the back of her head. Consequently they both fall backwards through a grate and into the Prisons fuel tunnels. With no time left the pair make a run for it as the bomb explodes. Later we see, what seems like, Adolf Hitler, Stalin, and an albino character later identified as Lazarus Bale leaving the prison as the bomb explodes. Bale confident that the agents have been dealt with.