In “The Moments of Bond” by Tony Bennett and Janet Woolcott, the character of James Bond is analyzed in its different forms. The character of James Bond through the years has become a hero and an icon. I was never really a big fan of the James Bond series so I asked myself, what makes James Bond a hero? If Austin Powers and James bond ever went at it who would win?(just kidding) In the chapter it indicates how Bond became a political hero for the middle classes. The sales revenue between the years of 1956 and 1959 had shown an increasing rate predominantly in the lower middle class readership. The cultural and conceptual ways in which Bond carried himself and faced in the 1950’s was in relation to the issues that had ascended between Russia’s invasions of Hungary in 1956. This imposed Bond as a Cold War Hero because he resembled the integrities of Western Capitalism over the Eastern Communism “As above all, a pre-eminently English hero, single-handedly saving the Western World from threatening catastrophe”(Bennett and Woolcott, 19).The West was seen as having freedom and individualism, while the East had many  administrative inflexibilities. So, for the lower middle class the figure of Bond was created to stand in relation and to face the conceptual concerns of that time period. Bond became much more popular internationally through the films that were created.  There are numerous reason why the films became popular internationally. The movies have scenes that attracted both males and females. Of course for the males they were easy to identify, Bond had all kinds of cool gadgets and weapons, nice cars, two button Armani slim fit tuxedos, along with the professionalism and sophistication that every gentleman should have. Bonds character appeals to men because of his masculine traits; along with the charm, popularity, and his way of being irresistible to women. Even in the trickiest situations Bond was able to compose himself and conquer the almost impossible obstacles that were put in front of him. No wonder every man wants to be like him, he is in a way superman without the cool powers and cape. I believe that for women it was all about romance and excitement. Bond movies were able to play out the fantasies of women. You have your unstoppable good-looking man, who provides the romance women want to see, as well as being able to in a way liberate their sexual desires, simply for lust.  The movies turned away from traditional views of sex being related to marriage. Aside from trying to appeal to both genders, the Bond series were able to accomplish great stunt scenes and explosions using the newest special effects equipment’s. Many of the films settings were also located in exotic countries. Ok, so I guess I do see why Bond is such an icon, especially in the era of his introduction. I’m pretty sure he can take Austin Powers, I love the way they make fun of the Bond films though.