PHANTOM NOVELS

New releases: Spy Vibe announced a while back that Hermes Press was re-printing the original Phantom novels from Avon (first published 1972-1975). Hermes began the project last fall and the publisher is releasing the entire series of fifteen paperback books with their original painted covers by artist George Wilson! From the press release: "Coming soon from Hermes Press: The Phantom the Complete Avon pocket books! The Phantom: The Complete Avon Books Volume 1; 6 x 9 inch; starting in August 2016, every other month; $14.99. For the first time ever, the Avon edition of The Phantom is back in print! Hermes Press is proud to announce that they will be publishing all fifteen Avon pocket books, starting in August 2016, every other month! Book one starts off with Lee Falk explaining, via the twentieth Phantom, the histories of the Phantoms that came before the current Ghost Who Walks. Famed artist George Wilson (Dr. Solar, Magnus Robot Fighter, The Phantom) painted all of the covers used for the Avon series, and they are reproduced beautifully to keep all of the details from the original books intact for a new generation of Phans to enjoy! This first exciting book in the series, titled “The Story of The Phantom: The Ghost Who Walks,” tells the story of the childhood and adolescence of the twenty-first Phantom. His father, the twentieth Phantom, regales the reader and young Kit Walker of the men who came before him: the fighter who beat Redbeard the Pirate, while gaining the heart of Queen Natala; the harrowing actions that the twentieth Phantom took to regain the friendship of the Rope People, and many more stories! In this opening to the series, we also meet Diana Palmer– the love of the Phantom, the woman who always can count on the Phantom to rescue her, even before he becomes The Ghost Who Walks. This thrilling beginning shows the man behind the mask, as Kit and Guran, his confidant and friend, embark on the first of many adventures. Be sure to tune in, because you’d hate to come in late to this tale!" Many are now out and others are available for pre-order. Hermes has also been releasing all of the original Phantom comic strips and comic books, so dive in! Below: Some of my favorite covers from the original Avon Phantom series. See the Hermes website soon for ordering info. Related post: Check out their new Dark Shadows comic strip collection. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: ITC Elstree Event, 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.

PHANTOM NOVELS RETURN

Breaking news: Hermes Press has unveiled some exciting news today that will please Spy Vibers and fans of classic Pulp. Beginning this August the publisher will be re-printing the original Phantom novels from Avon (first published 1972-1975). Hermes will release the entire series of fifteen paperback books with their original painted covers by artist George Wilson! From the press release: "Coming soon from Hermes Press: The Phantom the Complete Avon pocket books! The Phantom: The Complete Avon Books Volume 1; 6 x 9 inch; starting in August 2016, every other month; $14.99. For the first time ever, the Avon edition of The Phantom is back in print! Hermes Press is proud to announce that they will be publishing all fifteen Avon pocket books, starting in August 2016, every other month! Book one starts off with Lee Falk explaining, via the twentieth Phantom, the histories of the Phantoms that came before the current Ghost Who Walks. Famed artist George Wilson (Dr. Solar, Magnus Robot Fighter, The Phantom) painted all of the covers used for the Avon series, and they are reproduced beautifully to keep all of the details from the original books intact for a new generation of Phans to enjoy! This first exciting book in the series, titled “The Story of The Phantom: The Ghost Who Walks,” tells the story of the childhood and adolescence of the twenty-first Phantom. His father, the twentieth Phantom, regales the reader and young Kit Walker of the men who came before him: the fighter who beat Redbeard the Pirate, while gaining the heart of Queen Natala; the harrowing actions that the twentieth Phantom took to regain the friendship of the Rope People, and many more stories! In this opening to the series, we also meet Diana Palmer– the love of the Phantom, the woman who always can count on the Phantom to rescue her, even before he becomes The Ghost Who Walks. This thrilling beginning shows the man behind the mask, as Kit and Guran, his confidant and friend, embark on the first of many adventures. Be sure to tune in, because you’d hate to come in late to this tale!" Below: Some of my favorite covers from the original Avon Phantom series. See the Hermes website soon for ordering info. Enjoy!

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MID-CENTURY MODERN MYSTERY

Mystery Sunday: a Mid-Century Modern Murder? This fantastic illustration appeared on the cover of Agatha Christie's The Moving Finger in 1957. The story was first published in paperback by Avon in the US in 1948. A Miss Marple mystery never looked so stylish! Avon cover browser here. Rare Agatha Christie editions at Adrian Harrington here. 

Did you know that Spy Vibe has a Pinterest page? You can see Spy Vibe graphics, dynamic vintage action, cliffhanger serials, Japanese designs from the 1920s, vintage mystery novels, and more! Visit our Ian Fleming Image Archive here. Also in Spy Vibe news, I have a spy novella coming out soon! Stay tuned for more info. 

Check Spy Vibe for recent posts about 60th Anniversary of Casino Royale events, Cold War Photography, Operation Kid Brother (MST3K), the discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, PG Tips Brooke Bond, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, 1960s espionage writers, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, my review of SKYFALL, 007 at the Intnl Spy Museum, Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot and more. Here are the links from my recent series about Ian Fleming's music: Noel Coward,Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr. 

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