James Bond 007 is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections.[1] The character has also been used in the second longest running and second most successful film franchise to date, starting in 1962 with Dr. No.[2][3] There have been 21 films in the EON Productions series to date, with the 22nd, Quantum of Solace, due for release in November 2008[4] (although the UK release date has been moved forward to 31st October [5]). In addition there have been two independent feature productions (a 1967 spoof version of Casino Royale starring David Niven in the title role, and 1983's Never Say Never Again) and one Fleming-licenced American television adaptation of the first novel, aired in 1954. In 1956, Moonraker was also adapted into a South African radio play starring Bob Holness as Bond. In 1990, You Only Live Twice was adapted into a 90 minute radio play for BBC Radio 4 with Michael Jayston playing James Bond.web counter

After Fleming's death in 1964, subsequent James Bond novels were written by Kingsley Amis (as Robert Markham), John Pearson, John Gardner and Raymond Benson.	In addition Charlie Higson has begun to write a series of books detailing the "Young James Bond".[6] Moreover, Christopher Wood novelised two screenplays, while other writers have authored unofficial versions of the character.