May 27, 2014

DASHIELL HAMMETT

Happy Birthday to writer Dashiell Hammett. Born on this day in 1894, Hammett is best remembered for his hard-boiled fiction and screenplays. Many enduring characters sprang from his fertile imagination, including Sam Spade (The Maltese Falcon), The Continental Op (Red Harvest), and Nick and Nora Charles (The Thin Man series). He also teamed with artist Alex Raymond (Flash Gordon) to create the comic strip Secret Agent X9 in 1934. The author's life was loosely depicted in the films Julia (1977) and Hammett (1982).


Here are some groovy images from a Mexican edition of the Secret Agent X9 comic book, which collects strips by artist Bob Lubbers (who signed his work as Bob Lewis for King Features). The strip was created by Dashiell Hammett (Maltese Falcon) and Alex Raymond (Flash Gordon) in 1934, and the character made appearances in the newspaper strips until 2001. Reminiscent of 1960s spy films, this 1963 strip is energized by modern architecture- including the Eero Saarinen TWA building, which opened the previous year in 1962 (see 5th image below/airport scene). From the Spy Vibe collection. Enjoy!



Recent Spy Vibe posts: Bunny Yeager and Ursula AndressDanger MouseLost Avengers EpisodesBig Fun ToysDanger Diabolik SoundtrackBruno Nicolai CDMother's Day (Avengers)Mod Fashion DollsWild Wild West Blu-rayCold War ArchieNew Avengers ComicIpcress File Blu-rayHonor Blackman TourPlayboy Bunny InterviewThe 10th Victim Japanese and KindleU.N.C.L.E. Japanese BooksThe 10th Victim German EditionUNCLE GunThe Saint books returnSpy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, Trina Robbins InterviewCatsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty TempletonDC Fontana Prisoner VideoEdward Gorey's 1960sIpcress File cinematography007 SOLO cover designs, Gloria Steinem and Denny O'Neil on MOD Wonder WomanWin Scott Eckert interview, Siegel and Shuster's SPYDavid McCallum: Son of BatmanWonderwall comes to Blu-rayKevin Dart talks Ringo & Powerpuff GirlsFu Manchu history panelMod Tales InterviewAtomic ArtShane Glines Batman.

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