If readers have ever scanned a shelf of vintage Star Trek books, the name James Blish will probably sound familiar. Blish (1921-1975) penned about 16 Trek novels, including numerous adaptations of original episodes. Among his many publications, Jack of Eagles (1952) may be of interest to Spy Vibers. The premise could have sat very comfortably in the world of The Avengers, The Prisoner, and other shows that were able to blend intrigue with science-fiction elements. Jack of Eagles centered around Danny Caiden, a young man who developed ESP and became embroiled in a web of conspiracy, parapsychology, and mathematical philosophy. If that doesn't sound cool enough, his talents came to the attention of an evil secret society who were determined to alter the course of history and dominate the world. Luckily there was an opposing society on the side of good, but readers will have to find out for themselves what happened in the end. Jack of Eagles was reprinted as Der PSI-Mann in 1962 in Germany with a fantastic cover featuring a proto-Op Art design with shades of retro Space Age fashion (see below). Spy Vibers can find old copies of Blish's short novel on-line at booksellers and auction sites. In the meantime, I prescribe a few minutes with this cover and let your imagination do the rest. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe posts: Radiophonic Exhibit, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, Jeremy Duns on Bond, John Buss interview, Diana Rigg eBook, Avengers Season 5 Titles, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, New Saint Publications, The Saint Complete box set, Gerry Anderson Box Sets, Music For Spies, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Popular Skullture, Art of Modesty, Avengers Blu-ray update, Tokyo Beat 1964, Polaroid Spy, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, No 6 Festival, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.