1966 PEP SPIES

When I covered the 1960s spy issues of Archie Comics (Archie, Cold War Archie, R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E.), I focused mainly on issues of Archie and Life With Archie, which famously payed homage to James Bond and spoofed The Man From U.N.C.L.E. series. So it was a cool surprise the other day when this issue of Pep crossed by radar via the groovy efforts of my pal, Jhalal Drut. This 1966 cover of issue #190 sports a number of wonderful gags and references to the spy boom. As Archie and friends lounge around in trench coats, Jughead sips quietly from the "Goldfinger Punch" bowl. The "U.N.C.L.E. File" cabinet includes drawers for Top Secrets and Bottom Secrets. And the red phone is "tapped by agent 007 1/2." If they had chosen "003 1/2" they would have achieved an even deeper level of appreciation from Bond collectors. It's curious that the couch has sleek lines and bold red fabric (to match the publication's masthead), but the curved feet and trim looks pretty Victorian. Pep also included pinups that now serve as fun time capsules spotlighting Mod fashions. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview:Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School.