Event Alert: Join the Spy Museum's closing celebration of their current exhibit on October 5th, 2018 with James Bond actor, George Lazenby! From the press release: "Say goodbye to the Spy Museum’s Exquisitely Evil exhibit with George Lazenby, the 007 star of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Join the youngest Bond ever for cocktails after hours in the Museum on Global James Bond Day! He’ll share his favorite memories of tangling with Blofeld while mingling with guests. Real spies will also be on hand to keep it real, while you take a last look at our fantastic collection of Bond movie props and prepare to pepper Lazenby with the tough questions: like which was his favorite Angel of Death and did he really ski the Swiss Alps? Come as your favorite Bond villain: was it Irma Blunt? Or give Lazenby a run for the money and sport a tux or kilt. Or can you pull off lace pants like his ill-fated bride Tracy di Vicenzo? Prizes will be awarded for the best Bond costumes. This is your chance to party like it’s 1969!" The event will also include a screening of OHMSS, cocktails, and special exhibits. More info at The Spy Museum. Thanks to agent Henderson for the heads up! Spy Vibers, also please check out my new book (over 700 pages!) about one of America's most successful cartoonists. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Diabolik LP, Fab Dresses, Eurospy Music Collection, Beetle Bailey in West Berlin, Why Mort Walker?, Spy Vibe radio: The Beatles Help!, Avengers Critical Guide, The Spotnicks, Benny Spies, James Pond 0017', Satire Stones, Annette Andre Book, Cat Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Get Smart, Caine: My Generation, Interview: Ian Ogilvy, 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.
New release: MGM and 20th Century Fox have announced they will release a Blu-ray edition of Spectre on February 9th. The 24th James Bond film hit theaters last fall. Although the project saw the return of most of the dream-team who created Skyfall, an artistic height for the series, Spectre seemed to come and go without any weight or memorable elements. After the screening I found I had little to say about the film, other than the story seemed uneven and the style inconsistent. There was a kind of return to the happy ending days of Bond-past, but the ending seemed unearned and clumsily tacked on. An awkward balm to Skyfall's weighty emotions? If I could re-edit the movie, I would certainly sow seeds early in the story that 007 longs for a break from his path so that his final actions have emotional pay-off (ala pre-wedding On Her Majesty's Secret Service). With all of the depth and thematic richness masterfully woven into Skyfall, it was astonishing to see the missed opportunities in Spectre. If I could keep revising, I'd also nix that theme song, which seemed filled with an odd longing that wasn't present in the actual film. I did enjoy the fashion and set design, which tended toward urban elegance throughout. There was also some interesting comparisons between Bond and White as assassins, but again, the weight of that comparison was not fully explored. Despite my criticisms, I do look forward to seeing Spectre again- if only because I often enjoy movies more the second time around. I'm hoping this one will grow on me. The Blu-ray edition will include video blogs about the director, female stars, cars, action sequences, music, as well as an image gallery. Perhaps a later edition will include additional features. Let's all check it out and see if it gets better with age! Available for pre-order from Amazon and AmazonUK. UK Steelbook edition here. Spy Vibers can re-visit my review of Skyfall here.
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fritz Lang Spies, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, 007 SPECTRE Comics, Casino Royale Folio, New James Bond Comic, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Callan Documentary and Set, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Early Saint Box Set, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Diana Rigg Event, Ian Fleming Letters, New Gillette 007 Covers, Pirate Radio, Spectre Advanced Poster, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Radiophonic Exhibit, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, Jeremy Duns on Bond, John Buss interview, Avengers Season 5 Titles, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Art of Modesty, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, No 6 Festival, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan 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: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.
New release: With the return of the evil organization, SPECTRE, in the new James Bond film (stay tuned for our review), a number of new book collections have been released to help viewers catch up on 007's missions against these notorious baddies. Vintage recently released The SPECTRE Trilogy, an omnibus of Ian Fleming novels featuring Thunderball, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and You Only Live Twice. Thomas and Mercer, an Amazon imprint, published The SPECTRE Trilogy as an eBook on October 6th in the US. Titan has also joined the celebration with a new hardcover edition of classic comic strip adaptations drawn by John McLusky and Yaroslav Horak. From Titan: "The daring James Bond is back, this time in a lavishly put together collection celebrating the iconic SPECTRE storylines. Featuring Thunderball, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me. These fully restored and thrilling stories are based on the original Ian Fleming James Bond novels." Titan's cover design is an interesting collage of elements taken from a few different strips: Bond (SWLM panel #696 by Horak), Viv dressing (SWLM inverted panel #808 by Horak), and the car (OHMSS panel #272 by McLusky). Although I prefer McLusky's artwork, I imagine the publisher was going for the slightly modern look of Horak's work for the main image, with McLusky adding a classic vibe to the motorcar. The release date for James Bond: SPECTRE: The Complete Comic Strip Collection is November 6th (UK) and January 19th (US). More info on Amazon and AmazonUK. Learn more about the history of 007 comics with Alan J. Porter's excellent book here. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Casino Royale Folio, New James Bond Comic, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Callan Documentary and Set, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Early Saint Box Set, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Diana Rigg Event, Ian Fleming Letters, New Gillette 007 Covers, Pirate Radio, Spectre Advanced Poster, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Radiophonic Exhibit, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, Jeremy Duns on Bond, John Buss interview, Avengers Season 5 Titles, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Art of Modesty, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, No 6 Festival, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan 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: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.
Greetings, Spy Vibers! I've been out on a special mission recently to organize a writers festival at the school where I teach. About fifteen writers from different fields visited classes all this week to share their work and to talk to students about their careers. I headed up the special events, which featured folks like Jonathan Rinzler (Star Wars books), Fred Schodt (Japanese culture & Manga), Geeta Dayal (music journalist), Rebecca Coffey (science writer and novelist), and Trina Robbins (graphic novels and Wonder Woman writer). We had an amazing week of lively discussions and inspiration! But I do apologize to readers who have been waiting patiently for our next post here on Spy Vibe. The sad news came today that Leonard Nimoy has passed away. His work is so iconic and influential to our culture, I will post a tribute to him over the weekend. The other news on the radar is the exciting announcement that the new issue of MI6 Confidential is now available- and this one is all about Spectre and Blofeld! From the press release: "Ask anyone with a passing interest in Bond and they'll recall the terrorist organisation SPECTRE pulling the strings on some of 007’s most dangerous missions; but not because they have been a regular fixture of recent times. However, the organisation will be back (and just possibly its ubiquitous leader, Blofeld) in the 24th screen adventure. This issue pays tribute to the legacy that went before it. Packed with trivia, and historical data, we recount the rise of Blofeld from the germ of an idea from author Ian Fleming and producer Kevin McClory to his most recent filmic appearance in For Your Eyes Only. We also explore the little-told history of Roger Moore’s seventh and final outing, A View To A Kill – celebrating its 30th anniversary by catching up with several of the film’s alumni. In This Issue: Snowbound - An early look at the production of Bond 24, now known as SPECTRE, The Many Faces of Blofeld - The master villain and his organisation on screen, Kevin McClory Interviewed - When the Thunderball producer reflected on 007 in 1979, SPECTRE In Print - Charting the organisation's involvement in the Fleming and Gardner novels, Dance Into The Fire - The complete history of Roger Moore's final outing as Bond, Steamy Rendezvous - Fiona Fullerton on spending a day in the hot tub with co-star Roger Moore, The Final Cut - Editor Peter Davies remembers the global shoot for A View To A Kill, The Bond Connection - Traditional cool meets modern street grit in Kingsman."Packed with images and well-researched articles, Spy Vibers shouldn't miss an issue of MI6 Confidential. More info here. See my interview with Trina Robbins here.
Selected Spy Vibe posts: Bond LEGO, Deadlier Than the Male, Spectre Report, Music For Spies, Thai Bond Design, Brian Clemens RIP, Bond vs Modernism, Imitation Game, New Avengers Books, Road to Hong Kong, Inside Gerry Anderson, Ringo Does Goldfinger, Sixties Beat Wear, SPECTRE Announced, Popular Skullture, New Gerry Anderson Sets, New SECRET AGENT set, Art of Modesty, Avengers Blu-ray update, Tokyo Beat 1964, Polaroid Spy, Modesty Monday, Feraud Mod Fashion, Flint Scores!, Bond Danish, Home Movies, New Richard Sala Book, New 007 Comics, Designing Bond Books, Green Hornet Manga, Margaret Nolan Art, No 6 Festival, Barbarella Returns, 007 Audio Books Return, Designer: Gene Winfield, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan 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: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Rare Avengers Scripts, Man From Uncle UK Comics, Mattel X-15, Thunderbirds Comics, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Avengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky Boots, George Lois Design & Mad Men, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, The Saint books return, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.
