Coming this Wednesday! DC and Archie Comics teamed up for a fun crossover between the Archie crew and Batman '66. We've seen many titles in the last couple of years that have partnered Adam West's TV Batman with great classic properties like The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Green Hornet, and The Avengers. But this kind of genre-bending and playful fantasy has been a staple in Archie comics ever since the Silver-Age days when the Archie universe embraced the 1960s mania for monsters, spies, and superheroes. The Archie franchise got a major boost a few years back when the company reconnected with these fantasy roots by publishing the amazing titles Afterlife With Archie and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (both highly recommended!). In the wake of these successful horror titles, the Archies have also met up with rock and roll heroes like KISS and The Ramones, and even the old R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E. spy days are sneaking back into the main character books. And now fans can look forward to seeing 60-style Batman join the fun. From the press release: "Two iconic comic book characters meet up for the first time in this historic crossover mini-series! A battle in Gotham City extends its reach into Riverdale – with Mr. Lodge becoming enemy #1 of the dynamic duo! Now it’s up to Veronica to recruit some help and place a call… to the Batcave! On July 18th, join the titanic talents of co-writers Jeff Parker and Michael Moreci, artists Dan Parent and J. Bone, colorist Kelly Fitzpatrick, and letterer Jack Morelli and gear up for comic crossover fun in ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN ’66 #1!" Coming this week to your local comic shops. Great cover variants below. Enjoy! And please stay tuned for news about my upcoming book about Mort Walker (Beetle Bailey)- a whopping 420+ page celebration of his prolific career. Related posts: My interview with Ralph Garman and Ty Templeton about Green Hornet Batman '66, My interview with Batman animation designer Shane Glines, Comics Week: Archie, Cold War Archie, 1966 Pep Spies, Comics Week: R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Agent Double 5, Cold War Comics, Siegel & Shuster's SPY, Cold War Comic Strips, Mort Walker Celebration, Mid-Century Modern Schulz, Beetle Bailey in Berlin, Mort Walker's James Bomb, Cold War Materials, Atomic Art, Spyman.
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Horror of Party Beach, Sylvie Vartan Renown, Ringo At 78, Dark Shadows Strips, Spy Vibe Radio: Flint, Archie Batman 66, Paul at 76, Beatles Pac-Man, Spy Vibe Radio: Jerry Cotton, The Invaders, 007 Horowitz Book Tour, McGoohan/Prisoner Event at Elstree, The Prisoner Interviews Vol 1, British Underground Press, Interview: Fab4 Mania, Bond Cocktail Book, Bond at Bletchley, Spy Smasher, Spy Vibe Radio: Peter Gunn, Agent Zero M, New Prisoner Comic, Dr. No Villains Edition, Spy Vibe Radio: Danger Diabolik, Dr. No 60th, Oy-Oy-Seven, Spy Vibe Radio (UFO), Cold War Comic Strips, Thunderball Event, Mission to India, Mort Walker Celebration, Peter Wyngarde Celebration, Batman 66 Exhibit, Prisoner Fifty Event, Ian Fleming Publications 2017-2018, Interview: Ed Hulse Pulp, Avengers Audio Drama, Interview: Callan At 50, Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private Eyes, TWA Returns, Spy Vibe Radio 8, Interview: Ryan Heshka, Mid-Century Modern Schulz, Agent Werewolf, Mata Hair Exhibit, Johnny Sokko 50th, Interview: Trina Robbins, Eddie Izzard, The Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50th, Hugh Hefner R.I.P., Jack Good R.I.P., Interview: Shaken Not Stirred, Callan 50th, Spy Vibe Radio 7, The Prisoner 50th Event, Spy-Fi Event, Kaho Aso 007, Two Million, Bo Diddley, Carnaby Pop, Le Carre Events, Billy Bragg Skiffle, Elvis 68, Jack Kirby The Prisoner, Casino Royale Concert, Review: The Prisoner Vol 2, Interview: The Prisoner Essential Guide, Maud Russell Mottisfont, Spy Vibe Radio 4, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, 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, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review.
New release: DC and Archie Comics have teamed up for a fun crossover between the Archie crew and Batman '66. We've seen many titles in the last couple of years that have partnered Adam West's TV Batman with great classic properties like The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Green Hornet, and The Avengers. But this kind of genre-bending and playful fantasy has been a staple in Archie comics ever since the Silver-Age days when the Archie universe embraced the 1960s mania for monsters, spies, and superheroes. The Archie franchise got a major boost a few years back when the company reconnected with these fantasy roots by publishing the amazing titles Afterlife With Archie and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (both highly recommended!). In the wake of these successful horror titles, the Archies have also met up with rock and roll heroes like KISS and The Ramones, and even the old R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E. spy days are sneaking back into the main character books. And now fans can look forward to seeing 60-style Batman join the fun. From the press release: "Two iconic comic book characters meet up for the first time in this historic crossover mini-series! A battle in Gotham City extends its reach into Riverdale – with Mr. Lodge becoming enemy #1 of the dynamic duo! Now it’s up to Veronica to recruit some help and place a call… to the Batcave! On July 18th, join the titanic talents of co-writers Jeff Parker and Michael Moreci, artists Dan Parent and J. Bone, colorist Kelly Fitzpatrick, and letterer Jack Morelli and gear up for comic crossover fun in ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN ’66 #1!" Coming mid-July to your local comic shops. Great cover variants below. Enjoy! And please stay tuned for news about my upcoming book about Mort Walker (Beetle Bailey)- a whopping 420+ page celebration of his prolific career. Related posts: My interview with Ralph Garman and Ty Templeton about Green Hornet Batman '66, My interview with Batman animation designer Shane Glines, Comics Week: Archie, Cold War Archie, 1966 Pep Spies, Comics Week: R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Agent Double 5, Cold War Comics, Siegel & Shuster's SPY, Cold War Comic Strips, Mort Walker Celebration, Mid-Century Modern Schulz, Beetle Bailey in Berlin, Mort Walker's James Bomb, Cold War Materials, Atomic Art, Spyman.
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Paul at 76, Beatles Pac-Man, Spy Vibe Radio: Jerry Cotton, The Invaders, 007 Horowitz Book Tour, McGoohan/Prisoner Event at Elstree, The Prisoner Interviews Vol 1, British Underground Press, Interview: Fab4 Mania, Bond Cocktail Book, Bond at Bletchley, Spy Smasher, Spy Vibe Radio: Peter Gunn, Agent Zero M, New Prisoner Comic, Dr. No Villains Edition, Spy Vibe Radio: Danger Diabolik, Dr. No 60th, Oy-Oy-Seven, Spy Vibe Radio (UFO), Cold War Comic Strips, Thunderball Event, Mission to India, Mort Walker Celebration, Peter Wyngarde Celebration, Batman 66 Exhibit, Prisoner Fifty Event, Ian Fleming Publications 2017-2018, Interview: Ed Hulse Pulp, Avengers Audio Drama, Interview: Callan At 50, Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private Eyes, TWA Returns, Spy Vibe Radio 8, Interview: Ryan Heshka, Mid-Century Modern Schulz, Agent Werewolf, Mata Hair Exhibit, Johnny Sokko 50th, Interview: Trina Robbins, Eddie Izzard, The Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50th, Hugh Hefner R.I.P., Jack Good R.I.P., Interview: Shaken Not Stirred, Callan 50th, Spy Vibe Radio 7, The Prisoner 50th Event, Spy-Fi Event, Kaho Aso 007, Two Million, Bo Diddley, Carnaby Pop, Le Carre Events, Billy Bragg Skiffle, Elvis 68, Jack Kirby The Prisoner, Casino Royale Concert, Review: The Prisoner Vol 2, Interview: The Prisoner Essential Guide, Maud Russell Mottisfont, Spy Vibe Radio 4, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, 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, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review.
New release: While I continue to work on a Spy Vibe book (stay tuned), a number of folks have contributed to an upcoming collection of essays, Hero-A-Go-Go, that will be of interest to Spy Vibers. From the press release: "Welcome to the CAMP AGE, when spies liked their wars cold and their women warm, good guys beat bad guys with a pun and a punch, and Batman shook a mean cape. HERO-A-GO-GO celebrates the camp craze of the Swinging Sixties, when just about everyone―the teens of Riverdale, an ant and a squirrel, even the President of the United States―was a super-hero or a secret agent. Back Issue magazine and former DC Comics editor MICHAEL EURY takes you through that coolest cultural phenomenon with this all-new collection of nostalgic essays, histories, and theme song lyrics of classic 1960s characters like Captain Action, Herbie the Fat Fury, Captain Nice, Atom Ant, Scooter, ACG’s Nemesis, Dell’s super-Frankenstein and Dracula, the “split!” Captain Marvel, and others! Featuring interviews with Bill Mumy (Lost in Space), Bob Holiday (It’s a Bird … It’s a Plane … It’s Superman), Ralph Bakshi (The Mighty Heroes, Spider-Man), Dean Torrence (Jan and Dean Meet Batman), Ramona Fradon (Metamorpho), Dick DeBartolo (Captain Klutz), Tony Tallarico (The Great Society Comic Book), Vince Gargiulo (Palisades Park historian), Joe Sinnott (The Beatles comic book), Jose Delbo (The Monkees comic book), and many more!" Sounds like fun! Watch out for the book launch in May! More details at Amazon and TwoMorrows. Thanks to Jhalal Drut for putting this on my radar. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 1966 Pep Spies, 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.
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.
