February 6, 2016

AVENGERWORLD BOOK

Spy Vibers celebrate what would have been Patrick Macnee's 94th birthday with the release of Avengerworld, an incredible new anthology about growing up with The Avengers and the impact of the series. Alan Hayes (author of Avengers books and The Avengers Declassified) created the project, for which I contributed a lengthy afterword. It was thrilling to join Alan, Jaz Wiseman, Dave Rogers, Rodney Marshall, and others in the effort and I'm psyched to finally let the cat out of the bag! The book is now available in paperback and deluxe hardcover editions at Hidden Tiger and proceeds go to support a great charity! The jacket sports a beautiful illustrated design inspired by the classic UK TV annuals. A discount code LULURC should save purchasers 25% and gain them free priority shipping. The code may not be valid in some countries, but it did work for me in the US. More details below.


"From its debut in 1961, The Avengers soon became a worldwide cultural phenomenon, rewriting the rulebook of television drama along the way. It was a revolutionary series that led by example, always playfully pushing the boundaries, twisting perceptions and defying those who wished to pigeonhole it. Despite its lofty achievements, it never forgot that its primary objective was to entertain its audience. And entertain it most certainly did, inspiring successive generations to welcome The Avengers into their hearts. Right from its foreword by pioneering television historian Dave Rogers to its afterword by Jason Whiton of Spy Vibe, Avengerworld celebrates the series, its international fandom and its fans. Over the course of more than forty essays, Avengers fans the world over relate how they first encountered the series, how they grew up with it at their sides, forged friendships, engaged with fandom, and were inspired to do extraordinary things. Proceeds from this book will be donated to Champion Chanzige, a charity organisation that exists to improve conditions for underprivileged children at a primary school in Southern Tanzania – and helps them to do extraordinary things, too."

Further words about Avengerworld from Alan Hayes: "I'm delighted to announce that today, to coincide with what would have been the late, great Patrick Macnee's 94th birthday, Avengerworld, a charity anthology that I have co-ordinated and edited is published in his memory. The book's been in the works for more than a year and obviously it didn't start out as a tribute to Patrick, but the news of his sad death last year and the focus of many essays on what an inspiration he was... well, it just seemed to be the perfect thing to dedicate to one of the great heroes of television drama. The essays (and there are 43 of them!) take the theme "The Avengers in my life" and each author approaches the subject from his or her unique perspective. Fans from many nations are represented in the book and they reveal what it was like to grow up with The Avengers in different parts of the world - Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, the UK and the USA. Among the writers are the pioneering television historian Dave Rogers, who has written the foreword - returning to write about The Avengers after more than ten years - and Jason Whiton of Spy Vibe, who delivers the afterword. It wouldn't be fair to highlight specific writers beyond these two, but suffice it to say that the quality of writing is very high throughout the book. There are names that you may well recognise and others that will be new to you. I've worked with all these people over the last year, and I must say it has been a huge pleasure to co-ordinate the Avengerworld book - one of the highlights of my time in fandom. The book is, I believe, valuable in the way that it documents fan experiences in different cultures and environments, but it is doubly important in that it is a charity title which will help improve the lives of underprivileged children at a primary school in Chanzige, South Tanzania. Each book sold benefits our charity partner Champion Chanzige, a small but very worthy organisation which makes a real difference to the children and staff at the school."

Recent related posts: Avengers Pop Art InterviewDiana Rigg Auto Show, Avengers Interview: Alan HayesJaz Wiseman InterviewAvengers Interview: Mike RichardsonCasino Royale Interview: Mike RichardsonThe Saint Interview: Ian DickersonAvengers Interview: Rodney MarshallAvengers Interview Rodney Marshall 2John Buss InterviewFarewell SteedShakespeare Spies: Diana RiggLost Diana Rigg InterviewDiana Rigg BFI ScreeningAvengers Season 5 TitlesThe Avengers SingLost Avengers Vol 2-7Richard Sala Interview: Super EnigmatixAdventures of Richard Sala Interview. Below: duotone/design by Jason Whiton (Spy Vibe).


Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Diana Rigg Auto ShowThe Prisoner Audio Drama ReviewDavid McCallum novelAndre Courreges R.I.P.Who's Talking on Spy VibeUFO Blu-rayAvengers Pop Art InterviewFritz Lang SpiesFergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes InterviewJaz Wiseman Interview007 SPECTRE ComicsCasino Royale FolioNew James Bond ComicDiana Rigg BFI InterviewCasino Royale Interview: Mike RichardsonEarly Saint Box SetLost Diana Rigg InterviewHonor Blackman at 90UNCLE SchoolIan Fleming MemorialRadiophonic ExhibitPortmeirion 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 interviewAvengers Season 5 TitlesSaint VolvoMod Tales InterviewAgente Secreto ComicsDanger Man Comics 2Danger Man ComicsJohn Drake ComicsDer Mann Von UNCLEGolden Margaret NolanMan From UNCLE RocksteadyPussy Galore CalypsoCynthia Lennon R.I.P.Edward Mann FashionLeonard Nimoy TributeShatner at 84Bob Morane seriesThai Bond DesignBond vs ModernismArt of ModestyTokyo Beat 1964Feraud 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: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMANComics Week: Jimmy OlsenShakespeare Spies: Diana RiggShakespeare Spies IRodney Marshall Avengers InterviewRichard Sala: Super-EnigmatixCold War ArchiePlayboy Bunny InterviewThe 10th Victim Japanese and KindleU.N.C.L.E. Japanese BooksTrina Robbins InterviewCatsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.