A new book examines the role of LGBTQ creators in shaping the James Bond films and their cultural legacy.
James Bond has long been seen as the embodiment of straight masculinity: the cold killer, the tailored suit, the woman in the hotel room. But a new book argues that behind the character’s impeccable tailoring and reputation with women lies a far more colourful story, shaped by talents who rarely appeared in front of the camera.
Written by Mark O’Connell, Bond, Queer Bond is a stylish and serious exploration of the influence of LGBTQ artists, designers, writers and performers on 007. Published by The History Press on 14th May 2026, it suggests that what fans often interpret as heightened glamour or flamboyance may in fact be the stamp of creators who were bringing their world to Bond, even if they rarely said so out loud.
O’Connell is no stranger to Bond. His earlier book Catching Bullets: Memoirs of a Bond Fan earned praise for its insight and wit. But with Bond, Queer Bond, he turns his attention to the people in the LGBTQ community who helped build 007 out of the spotlight.
This isn’t about reimagining Bond himself, but rather understanding the world he moves through: its taste, its design, its coded language and exaggerated style. What emerges is a picture of a cultural icon shaped by the lives and talents of people who rarely saw their stories reflected on screen.
The book roams widely, from San Francisco to Paris to London, uncovering how Bond’s creators brought something of themselves to the franchise. It draws a line between identity and creativity, and asks what it means to contribute to a cultural juggernaut while staying just out of frame.
With 60 illustrations and a hardback price of £22, Bond, Queer Bond is as visual as it is analytical.
Bond, Queer Bond is available to pre-order on Amazon UK now.
