BATMAN '66 & ANDY WARHOL

Fans of the 1966 Batman television series are looking forward to a new monthly comic book coming out this summer called Batman '66. Inspired by the pop-art sensibility and camp of the cult classic TV show, writer Jeff Parker has said that he is committed to creating a solid comic for contemporary readers. Parker: "I'm more concerned with getting the feel right through character. If we did everything the same way, use the same story structure, same Batmobile power-up sequence and so on, what you would have is pastiche, not a book that lives and breathes on its own. Then the whole dynamic would be 'ha, that's the way they always did it on the show,' and that would get old really quick. Instead we sprinkle out most of those bits so they're fresh again, you don't feel you know where everything's going. But sure, of course we're doing Dutch angles." DC will debut the new book on July 17th in both print and digital editions. Interview with writer Jeff Parker here. More Batman news below.

Fans gathered in LA last March with Batman star Adam West in an official launch event for the comic. The original Batmobile was there, along with a collection of upcoming merchandise based on the TV show. One item that caught my eye is a Batusi-edition action figure housed in box art depicting a retro soiree by artist, Shag. Keep your eyes peeled and your bat-dancing-shoes handy!

The mythology and graphics of Batman have been celebrated by artists for decades, generating dramatic and musical plays, books, fine art, pop art, toys, animation, music, and of course comics. But did you know that Andy Warhol himself was a huge fan? Inspired by the serials from the 1940s, Warhol made a short movie in 1964 called Batman Dracula, featuring The Nothing Song by the Velvet Underground and Nico. By arrangement for the rights to use the Caped Crusader, the movie was only screened at exhibits and has remained largely obscure. Below are some photos that Esquire ran in 1967 of Andy Warhol and Nico dressed as the Dynamic Duo, along with Warhol's piece based on the Batman logo. Spy Vibe has an extensive image archive devoted to The Batman here.

I have a spy novel coming out. Get ready to meet MIKI ZERO, a Japanese fashion model and spy from 1965! More info at Jason Whiton's website here.

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Ian Fleming on Spy Vibe: recent posts include Fleming birthday tribute, Ian Fleming Music Series links: Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, and our Ian Fleming image archive link here.

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