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"Thames House and Legoland are where all the boring meetings happen."
- Rupert Greaves
"Kingsman: The Secret Service", which was based on "The Secret Service", was a dashing version of "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery". Anyone familiar with spy films wouldn't doubt it, as Dave Gibbons and Mark Millar published their smashing comic book thirteen years after Jay Roach's comedy hit the theaters. Austin Powers, the archetype of Swinging London, was what film enthusiasts (and fans of spy fiction) would think of Harry Palmer and James Bond. Together. True enough, Matthew Vaughn's feature showed how a young lad from the working class could get a chance to ride on a classy car and sleep with an attractive princess from the continent. The film was slightly over two hours of running time, which seemed like a pleasant ride. But the script by Jane Goldman and Vaughn lacked the roughness and cheekiness that made the comics such a treat.
"The Secret Service" would be for every type of a reader: film enthusiasts who were getting sick and tired of prequels, laddies who would like to learn a thing or two on how to date a woman (and she must be beautiful), passionate environmentalists who believed that global warming was a natural reaction. If you think the population explosion would have an adverse effect on anyone, then you're right on. Gibbons and Millar kept it grounded, thanks to their sense of humor. Let's not forget the blood and gore.
My name is Luke Skywalker
Mark Hamill was getting annoyed at the questions on prequels, sequels, and spin-offs on "Star Wars". The questions were coming from his kidnappers, and he wanted to be anywhere but Switzerland. A British spy agent came to the rescue, but a defective parachute killed them instantly. (It must have been made in Vietnam.) A mass wedding was held in Hawaii. Instead of sealing the ceremony with a kiss, the tens of couples ended up killing each other. David Beckham, Pierce Brosnan, and Patrick Stewart were also kidnapped.
Jack London, a veteran agent of M16, was briefed about it. But his mind was elsewhere. Sharon, his sister-in-law, called to ask him to bail Eggsy, his son, out of trouble. It would be the last time, Jack said. The old chap noticed how his nephew could be instinctively intelligent especially during distressing situations. Could the apple not fall far from the tree?
"The Secret Service" was written for the Quentin Tarantino fans, but this wasn't the sole motive of Gibbons and Millar. The masses adored celebrities. Jack happened to save them on many occasions. He didn't get any credit, which his job would require. He was fine with it. There were redeeming values that could be learned after looking at dead bodies, but this comics would lose its edge if it took these lessons seriously. Gibbons, a Londoner, and Milllar, a native of Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland, knew wry humor too well. It would turn this espionage story into a joyride, which readers wouldn't mind doing it again.
The violence could put anyone off, but it was all about image. Think of Harry Palmer who was too good for anyone. They can also be envious of James Bond's luck with women.
