David Foster, author and host of our sister-site Permission To Kill, has recently released his new spy novel, The Danakil Deception. Published by Pro Se Productions, the book is the first full-length adventure featuring his protagonist, Jarvis Love. Love was introduced in the 2012 novella, The Librio Defection, which Spy Vibers can read for free TODAY through a promotion on Amazon here. Design-wise, I really like the new brand image for his series! The silhouette of the secret agent over a yellow circle connects his work with the great tradition of fast-paced espionage adventures. Writing under the moniker James Hopwood, Foster has penned a number of novels in the Fight Card series and has been a contributor to a number of New Pulp anthologies. Behind the scenes here at Spy Vibe, he's also provided me with valuable editorial notes as I wrap up my first Miki Zero novel (and it's close, folks!). You can check out Foster's Amazon author page here. More about his Jarvis Love books below. Enjoy!
The Librio Defection: "A fast paced novella filled with international intrigue and espionage. 1966: The world's greatest violinist, Soviet, Alexander Stanislas wants to defect to the West after the violent death of his half-brother. But he has one condition; he wants his Italian mistress, Belladonna Librio to come over with him. Jarvis Love works for the Global Intelligence Network. He is young, inexperienced and about to be thrust in the explosive world of Cold War espionage for the first time. His assignment seems simple enough; locate Belladonna Librio and escort her back to London. Major Sacha Vorinski, of the Fifth Chief Directorate has other plans. Filled with brutal fights and wild chases, The LIBRIO Defection is a white knuckle action adventure which harks back to the great spy novels of the '60s and '70s, but infused with the high-octane punch of a modern thriller. In this edition, also included is a sneak peek at Jarvis Love's first full length adventure, The Danakil Deception."
The Danikil Deception: "When archaeologists at the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia – the hottest place on Earth – discover a ruby measuring six feet in diameter, the world's scientific community is thrown into a spin. But it's not only scientists who are interested in the discovery. In the wrong hands, the ruby could be used to power a terrifying weapon – a weapon that could change the fate of the world. Meet Jarvis Love, the young operative assigned to investigate the find. Thrown into a harsh unforgiving environment, Love finds himself battling a neo-Nazi with a diabolical plot to assassinate the top world leaders in one massive attack... ...the clock is ticking, and only Love can stop the madman. Filled with hair-raising action and wild chases, The Danakil Deception is an edge-of-your-seat adventure that harks back to the great spy novels of the sixties, but infused with the high-octane punch of a modern thriller. The HOTTEST place on Earth just got HOTTER! The Danakil Deception by James Hopwood. From Pro Se Productions."
A number of Mystery/Adventure and Pulp properties were licensed in Japan in the 1960s to be adapted into manga series. Saito's pre-Golgo 13 work on James Bond and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is legendary (and remains untranslated), and Kuwata's Batman has had a resurgence due to the loving efforts of designer Chip Kidd (the complete collection will finally be published in English this Dec). Adventures of The Green Hornet and his Karate-master chauffeur, Kato, were released in Japanese by Toru Yamazaki in 1967 (a contemporary creator named Toru Yamazaki published Octopus Girl). Few images of the Hornet manga have surfaced outside of the collector's market, but here are some samples that might spark your interest. The Green Hornet has also appeared in the pages of Harvey, Gold Key, Now, DC, and Dynamite Comics. Kevin Smith, Ralph Garman, and Ty Templeton are currently publishing a series through DC that continues the Batman/Green Hornet TV crossover from March, 1967. You can read my interview with the creative team here. Related posts: Interview with Green Hornet writer Win Scott Eckert, Solo by Saito, UNCLE and Batman manga. Learn more about the history of The Green Hornet. Happy weekend, Spy Vibers!
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. first aired 50 years ago today! After the series debut, kids in the States traded in their cowboy six-shooters for silencers and followed the new wave of young, slim secret agents into the future. The series, which was developed with some help from Bond author Ian Fleming, had a sense of reality that brought viewers into the action. This was achieved in early episodes by using cinema verite-style footage, which is, by nature, energetic and dynamic, and by placing relatable civilians into the narrative. And then there was the U.N.C.L.E. gun, which is reported to have received more fan mail at times than the actors! Anyone who hadn't caught the spy bug after tonight was certain to come down with the condition by December of 1964 with the US release of Goldfinger. A new feature film based on the series is currently in production. U.N.C.L.E. stars below (photos credited to Jerry Schatzberg). Related posts: U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Editions, UK Comics, U.N.C.L.E. Gun, Manga, David McCallum Music.
Goldfinger was released 50 years ago this week. The movie's perfect cocktail of girls, guns, and gadgets established the winning formula that launched a spy craze around the world. Some of the most indelible memories from Goldfinger come from the film's title sequence and promotional imagery (posters, LPs, etc), which featured actress Margaret Nolan painted in gold. She also appeared as Dink in the opening Miami sequence. Nolan has a website that features signed photos and really cool photomontage pieces inspired by her career. Her style of collaging is beautifully rooted in a 1960s aesthetic you would find in work by other artists from the era. She prefaces her work with an excellent quote by John Berger (Ways of Seeing), which I've included in my review below. My sister site, Illustrated 007, recently chatted with her about shooting the Bond title sequence with Robert Brownjohn. Congrats to Nolan and the Goldfinger team on their anniversary! Fans can meet Margaret Nolan today at the London Film Convention, Classic British Film & Television Day (Sept 20th).
Margaret Nolan shares the distinction with actress Shirley Eaton as an iconic Bond girl, remembered as a partially nude figure covered in gold. The image is stunning (and stirring), but also speaks to the complex nature of female roles in society. Isn't it odd that would should love this image of woman-as-statue, a kind of kinky cybernaut, frozen forever in the state of distant allure. Nolan's own artwork reflects this dichotomy of beauty and self-appraisal. She quotes John Berger (Ways of Seeing/1972) in the introduction to her gallery page: "To be born a woman has been to be born,
within an allotted and confined space, into the keeping of men… this has been
at the cost of a woman's self being split into two… she must continuously
watch herself… and so she comes to consider the surveyor and the surveyed
within her as the two constituent yet always distinct elements of her identity
as a woman. Men look at women, women watch themselves being looked at… her own
sense of being in herself is supplanted by a sense of being appreciated as
herself by another… thus she turns herself into an object- and most
particularly an object of vision; a 'sight'." Her method of cutting reminds me slightly of self-image drawings I've seen made by women in therapy, which often depict two selves: the sparkly partner ready to please and the private inner-self watching from within. Below: "Stars in Her Eyes" by Margaret Nolan.
Thanks to all the Spy Vibers who entered our contest to celebrate one-million visitors. I heard from agents all over the US, Canada, and Europe. Winners will be chosen today- look for a direct transmission from Spy Vibe. And stand by for action as we gear up for a new series of interviews with writers and collectors and spotlight more treasures from the Spy Vibe vaults. Best, -Jason
Today is the last day to enter the current contest. Spy Vibe passed one million visitors recently and I'm celebrating by giving away cool vintage prizes. Enter to win by sending an email to me at spyvibe[at]gmail.com with the name of your preferred prize in the subject line (names are in italics below). Add your name and mailing address in the body of the email. I will choose winners in a random drawing. All emails and info will be deleted after the drawing. Spy Vibe will cover postage, but won't be responsible for any snafus that might occur during shipping. One prize per winner. Now, here's what you can win: OSS117: Lost in Rio (DVD/former rental), The Phantom: Slam Evil (DVD/former rental), Heil Harris: The Avengers (vintage TV cover paperback), Laugh Was on Lazerus: The Avengers (vintage TV cover paperback), Moonraker (vintage Signet 007 paperback), Dr No (vintage Signet 007 paperback), The Saint: Sees it Through (vintage Roger Moore cover paperback), Spy Ghost (vintage Norman Daniels paperback), Man From UNCLE #8 (comic book). Good Luck!
