Greetings, Spy Vibers! I've been out on a special mission recently to organize a writers festival at the school where I teach. About fifteen writers from different fields visited classes all this week to share their work and to talk to students about their careers. I headed up the special events, which featured folks like Jonathan Rinzler (Star Wars books), Fred Schodt (Japanese culture & Manga), Geeta Dayal (music journalist), Rebecca Coffey (science writer and novelist), and Trina Robbins (graphic novels and Wonder Woman writer). We had an amazing week of lively discussions and inspiration! But I do apologize to readers who have been waiting patiently for our next post here on Spy Vibe. The sad news came today that Leonard Nimoy has passed away. His work is so iconic and influential to our culture, I will post a tribute to him over the weekend. The other news on the radar is the exciting announcement that the new issue of MI6 Confidential is now available- and this one is all about Spectre and Blofeld! From the press release: "Ask anyone with a passing interest in Bond and they'll recall the terrorist organisation SPECTRE pulling the strings on some of 007’s most dangerous missions; but not because they have been a regular fixture of recent times. However, the organisation will be back (and just possibly its ubiquitous leader, Blofeld) in the 24th screen adventure. This issue pays tribute to the legacy that went before it. Packed with trivia, and historical data, we recount the rise of Blofeld from the germ of an idea from author Ian Fleming and producer Kevin McClory to his most recent filmic appearance in For Your Eyes Only. We also explore the little-told history of Roger Moore’s seventh and final outing, A View To A Kill – celebrating its 30th anniversary by catching up with several of the film’s alumni. In This Issue: Snowbound - An early look at the production of Bond 24, now known as SPECTRE, The Many Faces of Blofeld - The master villain and his organisation on screen, Kevin McClory Interviewed - When the Thunderball producer reflected on 007 in 1979, SPECTRE In Print - Charting the organisation's involvement in the Fleming and Gardner novels, Dance Into The Fire - The complete history of Roger Moore's final outing as Bond, Steamy Rendezvous - Fiona Fullerton on spending a day in the hot tub with co-star Roger Moore, The Final Cut - Editor Peter Davies remembers the global shoot for A View To A Kill, The Bond Connection - Traditional cool meets modern street grit in Kingsman."Packed with images and well-researched articles, Spy Vibers shouldn't miss an issue of MI6 Confidential. More info here. See my interview with Trina Robbins here.
