August 11, 2015

JACK OF EAGLES

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 AvengersThe 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 PhotosDoctor Who ExhibitFarewell SteedPussy Galore ReturnsDiana Rigg birthdaySherlock at 221BInvisible AgentSaint Interview: Ian DickersonSaint DoppelgängerFleming's TypewriterRare FlemingFleming's MusicIan Fleming's JapanJim Wilson Corgi InterviewFantomas DesignJeremy Duns on BondJohn Buss interviewDiana Rigg eBookAvengers Season 5 TitlesSaint VolvoMod Tales InterviewAgente Secreto ComicsDanger Man Comics 2Danger Man ComicsJohn Drake ComicsDer Mann Von UNCLEGolden Margaret NolanMan From UNCLE RocksteadyPussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P.Edward Mann FashionLeonard Nimoy TributeShatner at 84Bob Morane seriesNew Saint PublicationsThe Saint Complete box setGerry Anderson Box SetsMusic For SpiesThai Bond DesignBond vs ModernismPopular SkulltureArt of ModestyAvengers Blu-ray updateTokyo Beat 1964Polaroid SpyFeraud Mod FashionGreen Hornet MangaNo 6 FestivalAvengers Interview: Michael RichardsonIan Fleming: Wicked GrinJane Bond Hong Kong RecordsRyan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E.Comics Week: ArchieComics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMANComics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana RiggShakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny InterviewThe 10th Victim Japanese and KindleU.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Trina Robbins InterviewCatsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.