James Bond creator’s lost 1958 note reveals his bizarre rules for 007

Every fan has their own distinct vision of how James Bond should look. Some prefer a charming demeanor, while others want him to look rugged and tough. But long before the franchise evolved into the cinematic juggernaut it is today, the 007 creator Ian Fleming held a fiercely uncompromising picture of his secret agent, paired with some bizarre aesthetic demands. These details recently came to light after a lost cache of Fleming's 1958 correspondence with comic-strip illustrator John McLusky resurfaced, as reported by the Hollywood Reporter on August 5, 2026. 

The Daily Express adaptation

Back in 1957, London's Daily Express approached Ian Fleming to adapt his popular espionage thrillers into a syndicated daily comic strip. Although initially he was a bit concerned that a cartoon-format strip would cheapen the integrity of these novels, Fleming eventually agreed to a deal. That is because he was eager to introduce his secret agent to a wider audience. To ensure the character was not lost in translation, he maintained direct editorial oversight over every visual prototype.  

Fine-tuning the 007

To steer the project in the right direction, Fleming exchanged an extensive sequence of typed memos with the illustrator John McLusky throughout 1958. But unfortunately, these exchanges between the pair were lost and only surfaced recently. They revealed just how closely Fleming managed the spy's aesthetic. He drew heavily from a Russian SMERSH dossier in the novel that cataloged 007 as "6 feet tall, 168 pounds, with black hair and blue eyes and a thin scar down his right cheek." Seeking a real-world double, he also repeatedly pointed McLusky toward Hoagy Carmichael. 

His bizarre request

Despite using Carmichael as a tonal benchmark for his character, Fleming was also particular about preserving Bond's British appearance. As a result of which he issued strict aesthetic guardrails. Among these was one of the most bizarre requests. "In general, I think the artist should avoid giving Bond an American-shaped head and a duck's haircut," he said. This small exchange, discovered by McLusky's son, offers a rare glimpse of how Fleming imagined James Bond.

The people's choice

As for the American people, they seem to love James Bond. According to a YouGov survey, almost 8 out of 10 Americans have seen at least one 007 movie. Of these people, a staggering 71% love or like the franchise in general. Furthermore, the study revealed that America's favorite Bond is Sean Connery, with 46% naming him as the best actor to have played the character. He is followed by Roger Moore (17%) and Daniel Craig (16%).

Fans pick their Fleming-era Bond

At the same time, a person (u/Kim_Smoltz_) sparked a debate regarding who is the closest 007 according to Fleming's requirements. u/Mulliganasty "Definitely Dalton...Fleming never wrote Bond as a sort of smooth-talking lounge lizard, as he was often portrayed in film. Dalton really nailed that balance. Alternatively, I will accept Craig's 'James Bourne,' who was definitely inhumanly athletic but only occasionally turned on the charm. All that said, in my mind, he's Connery." Meanwhile, u/glassarmdota commented, "Nobody is going to agree with me, but Lazenby is the closest in appearance."

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