December 31, 2019

HAPPY NEW YEAR

As the Cold War seemed to slip even further back into our lives in 2019 (it's been steadily escalating, in fact), I thought it would be interesting to share these Soviets-in-Space cards. Happy New Year! с Новым годом to you secret agents and astronauts! Celebrate the new year with Spy Vibe and Soviet-era New Year card illustrations. May you ride the rocket of progress and efficiency in 2020. The first image is from David Portree's collection and commemorates Voskhod ("sunrise"), the first multi-person mission launched in 1964. You can read about the history behind the image at Wired here, and about the first Soviet spacewalk from Voskhod in 1965 here. There is a nice collection of cards and posters at Retronaut here. 2019 was tough in many ways. The Cold War aspect reached dizzying new heights and societies seemed to be forever scrambling to discern information from disinformation. Claudine Auger (Thunderball) passed -the first of the classic Bond girls to leave us. And Neil Innes (Bonzo Dog Band, Monty Python, The Rutles) left us only days ago. We've had a fun decade of 50th anniversaries to celebrate the swinging 1960s, but time continues to march ahead. Many Spy Vibers were glad to see announcements finally come this year re: the next Bond film. And our friend Ian Dickerson published a new book about Leslie Charteris, creator of The Saint; I meant to post an interview with Ian during the release, so still hoping to find time to do that. I spent the whole summer in the UK with friends and I'm looking forward to sharing more photographs from our adventures. Another highlight for me was spending time with my tribe of antique phonograph enthusiasts (and meeting Dr. Demento). Lots of cool music (and humor) in that world! And a recent highlight was that I finally watched the 1978 Spider-Man TV series from Japan. What's so cool about that, you ask? If you don't know this show, I can only say it's a wonderful mash-up that features acrobatic web-crawling superhero action, rubber-suited kaiju ala Ultraman or Super Sentai/Power Rangers, and a baddie with cybernetic implants called Professor Monster. Oh, and in this version, Spider-Man got his powers from an alien! But that's not all; Spidey really lucked out, because the alien also left him a cool gadget-filled futuristic car called The Spider Machine GP-7 (that flies!) and a spaceship called Marveller! Oh, and the ship can transform into a giant robot called Leopardon! Kids must have loved this! What glorious wish fulfillment. Yes, Supaidaman is really one of the most amazing concoctions I've ever seen and I really can't get enough of it. You can currently see episodes on Youtube. In other news, I'm slowly still making progress on a Spy Vibe book; I'll share more about that when I can. In the meantime, Happy New Year, Spy Vibers! Can you believe we're going into the Twenties?









Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Neil Innes R.I.P.Claudine Auger R.I.P.OHMSS at 50Italian Job 50th OSTCharles Schulz ModernPaul DesmondPython 50thRandall Hopkirk 50thThunderbirds DayLazenby Returns to MI6Dr. John R.I.P.Spy Vibe Radio: Lupin IIILupin SkaSpy Vibe PrimeZigomar TranslationThe Village: Part 1Monkey Punch R.I.P., Bubble Girl 63ITC SoundtracksSpy Vibe Radio: Public EyeUFO PrimeSpaceship to MarsModesty Blaise CompanionSpy Vibe Radio: FantomasGeorge DayFantomas BluDark Shadows DocBedazzled Blu-rayMary Quant ExhibitLaika CalypsoLost in Space JapanSpy Dust CalypsoAtomic CafeJohn Barry MonoInterview: John Barry BookLand of the Giants ScoreSkyfall ConcertDearest EmmaSpy Vibe Radio: UppersevenOgilvy at ElstreeMabuse PropagandaBond Beatles DaySpy Vibe Radio: LiquidatorDiabolik LPFab DressesEurospy Music CollectionBeetle Bailey in West BerlinWhy Mort Walker?Spy Vibe radio: The Beatles Help!Avengers Critical GuideThe SpotnicksBenny SpiesJames Pond 0017'Satire StonesAnnette Andre BookCat DaySpy Vibe Radio: Get SmartCaine: My GenerationInterview: Ian OgilvyHorror of Party BeachSylvie Vartan RenownRingo At 78Dark Shadows StripsSpy Vibe Radio: FlintArchie Batman 66Paul at 76Beatles Pac-ManSpy Vibe Radio: Jerry CottonThe Invaders007 Horowitz Book TourMcGoohan/Prisoner Event at ElstreeThe Prisoner Interviews Vol 1British Underground PressInterview: Fab4 ManiaBond Cocktail BookBond at BletchleySpy SmasherSpy Vibe Radio: Peter GunnAgent Zero MNew Prisoner ComicDr. No Villains Edition,  Spy Vibe Radio: Danger DiabolikDr. No 60thOy-Oy-SevenSpy Vibe Radio (UFO)Cold War Comic StripsThunderball EventMission to IndiaMort Walker Celebration,  Peter Wyngarde CelebrationBatman 66 ExhibitPrisoner Fifty EventIan Fleming Publications 2017-2018Interview: Ed Hulse PulpAvengers Audio DramaInterview: Callan At 50Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private EyesTWA ReturnsSpy Vibe Radio 8Interview: Ryan HeshkaMid-Century Modern SchulzAgent WerewolfJohnny Sokko 50thInterview: Trina RobbinsEddie IzzardThe Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50thHugh Hefner R.I.P.Jack Good R.I.P.Interview: Shaken Not StirredCallan 50thSpy Vibe Radio 7The Prisoner 50th EventSpy-Fi EventKaho Aso 007Two MillionBo DiddleyCarnaby PopLe Carre EventsBilly Bragg SkiffleElvis 68Jack Kirby The PrisonerCasino Royale ConcertReview: The Prisoner Vol 2Interview: The Prisoner Essential GuideMaud Russell MottisfontSpy Vibe Radio 4Batman GallantsAdam West R.I.P.Village TriangleRoger Moore R.I.P.Spy Vibe Radio 3Sgt Pepper 50thSatanik Kriminal OST60s OverdriveMake Love in LondonSpy Vibe Radio 2Spy Vibe Radio 1James Bond StripsPropaganda MabuseInterview: Police SurgeonXTC Avengers1966 Pep SpiesBatman Book InterviewExclusive Fleming InterviewAvengers Comic StripsRobert Vaughn RIPUNCLE FashionsThunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview: Spy Film GuideLost Avengers FoundThe Callan FileMission Impossible 50thGreen Hornet 50thStar Trek 50thPortmeirion Photography 1Filming the PrisonerGaiman McGinnins ProjectIan Fleming GraveRevolver at 50Karen Romanko InterviewMod Tales 2Umbrella Man: Patrick MacneeNew Beatles FilmThe Curious CameraEsterel Fashion 1966Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview007 Tribute CoversThe Phantom Avon novels returnIan Fleming FestivalArgoman DesignSylvia Anderson R.I.P.Ken Adam R.I.P.George Martin R.I.P.The New Avengers ComicsThe Phantom at 80007 MangaAvengerworld BookDiana Rigg Auto ShowThe Prisoner Audio Drama Review.