Shaken, not stirred: John McLusky's James Bond

On the 28th October the Illustration Gallery was proud to host an evening celebrating the opening of The James Bond Exhibition which runs from 27 October - 14 November.

John McLusky's original artworks for the Daily Express, spanned 18 James Bond adventures, producing a whopping 2,250 comic strips between 1958 - 1983 and we are very fortunate to be able to have some of the original cells on display and for sale, illustrating various scenes from a number of the books.

John McLusky

It was wonderful to be joined for the evening by  Sean McLusky, son of John McLusky.

Sean McLusky

The illustrations first featured in the Daily Express in 1958, and covered Fleming's first James Bond novel: Casino Royale.

Street Banner designed in collaboration with Turnbull & Asser

McLusky's Bond with his square face and chiseled features led to the appointment of Sean Connery as the first ever Bond on screen, in the critically acclaimed Dr No.  One anecdote notes that "Sean Connery, appearing in a theatre production, was sitting in his dressing room with another fellow actor who was reading a copy of the Daily Express.  This gentleman remarked to Sean how he felt that he should play the part of Bond, as he looked remarkably like the face in the strip cartoon."

We were very lucky to have sponsorship from The East London Liquor Company  who were on hand providing Bond-appropriate refreshments, naturally shaken, not stirred:

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the celebration and made the evening such a success; we look forward to welcoming you back to the gallery again soon.

The exhibition is for your eyes only (!) so you must visit the Illustration Cupboard to experience the action for yourself. The exhibition is on until the 14 November.