Lazarus Bale

''Kiss Kiss Bang Bang'' is an American comic book series published by CrossGen Entertainment from February to June 2004. It ran five issues before it was forced to finish because of the bankruptcy of CrossGen in 2004.

Set in the 1960s, the series featured many of the cultural aspects of the period as well as recurring allures to the James Bond mythos such as exotic locations, 1960s-style action scenes and sex. The series was one of the few CrossGen comic book series set in the Sigilverse that occurred during the modern era. The series also predated most of the events seen in the core CrossGen titles.

Publication history

Based on the James Bond 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 several Crossgen titles returning as a five-issue limited series, with Peter Milligan writing the story and Ramon Rosanas on art duties. As of January 2013, the miniseries has yet to be published.

Plot synopsis

Charles Basildon is the name given to the best spy working for MI6. His name has garnered a reputation over the years for invoking fear in those who hear it, with the current incarnation adding to the mythos in his own way. The title "Sir" is 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 who ended 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, assigns him a new apprentice, Stephanie Shelly, hoping she might curb Basildon's flagrant disregard for danger and the safety of civilians. Also, Shelly was to eventually become the next Sir Charles Basildon.

The two are partnered up and are sent on their first mission to Siberia. On the search for a prisoner, the couis are attempting to verify a connection the prisoner may have to a Lazarus Bale, deemed "alpha" level threat by MI6. As the pair arrive, they find that the prisoner's hands have been cut off, his tongue has been removed, and that there is a bomb strapped to his chest. She lays she can cease the bomb from going off, but Basildon is only worried about for himself. Annoyed by this remark, Shelly hits Basildon in the nose with the back of her head. They both fall backwards through a grate and into the prison's fuel tunnels. With no time left, the pair makes a run for it as the bomb explodes. Later, what seems like Adolf Hitler, Stalin, and an albino character later identified as Lazarus Bale, are leaving the prison as the bomb explodes. Bale is confident that the agents have been handled.

Notes

References

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Comics)
Marvel Comics titles
Defunct American comics