The new Steed and Mrs. Peel: We're Needed comic series from Boom! Studios continued this week! Issue #2 (of 6) of the current saga by Ian Edginton and Marco Cosentino was released on Wednesday, August 29th ("Book Day" for the comic fans out there). Synopsis from Boom!: "John Steed continues the quest for the truth about
his fellow agent, uncovering some secrets about the remote seaside resort he's
investigating- and the locals are willing to go to extreme measures to keep
Steed quiet. Meanwhile, Mrs. Peel weaves her way through the
London Underworld before hitting the beach, as the return of Britain's coolest
secret agents continues." Although I love the cover design by Alice X Zhang, I wonder if the face evokes Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow (from Marvel's The Avengers and Winter Soldier films) more than Diana Rigg's Emma Peel? And does the figure stray toward Julie Newmar more than Rigg? I'll have to ask the artist soon about her process. Incidentally, Pat McDonagh, who designed Diana Rigg's original leathers in the 1960s, passed away in May. Stay tuned for an upcoming tribute on Spy Vibe. Comic story continues below.
Script-wise, I've been enjoying Steed and Mrs. Peel: We're Needed so far. Writer Edginton is a true fan and he seems to be doing a good job adapting the original show to the medium. In an interview with Bleeding Cool last May, Edginton said, "The original series, especially the Emma Peel run,
is quirky and quaint; there’s a much lighter, surreal, comic touch to the show
than had what gone before. Steed had previously worked alongside Cathy Gale,
Venus Smith, Dr. Martin King, and Dr. David Keel, and those episodes had a much
harder edge. The show was more a gritty, espionage drama which fitted in with
what was then the post-war mentality. Britain was still in austerity mode and
Russia was emerging as the new threat to world peace. The shadow cast by the
fall-out from the Second World War was being felt politically, socially, and
economically. The Emma Peel era proved to be a unique barometer
of the times. The mood of the show and the country lightened. The show went
from black and white to color. It perfectly matched the feel of Britain and
London in the swinging ‘60s, a colorful mix of optimism and hedonism. The
design and style of Emma Peel’s clothes were a mirror of the times and they’re
often what people remember the show for. Likewise, John Steed’s sharply
tailored gentleman dandy outfits were indicative of Victorian/Edwardian
tailoring at the time. It was all about style.
"It’s not something I’d envisaged ever having the
opportunity to do, so to say I’m thrilled is an understatement. I’m 50, I grew
up with shows like The Avengers, The Prisoner, Danger Man, Man in a Suitcase, The
Champions, Strange Report, Department S, and so on. They’re in my DNA, along
with all the Gerry Anderson shows and Doctor Who. The Avengers holds a very special time, place, and
tone for me. They’re part of a bedrock of British television that has formed
and shaped me as a writer. In one way or another, it informs everything I do.
I’ve now been given the opportunity to come full circle and write about the
characters who inspired me to do what I do in the first place." Cover price is $3.99 and you can find issues #1 and #2 at your local comic shop or on-line at Boom! Studios. Issue #3 and #4 coming up seem to sport especially uninteresting covers, so I'm hoping Boom! will offer some variant designs to entice collectors to keep buying individual issues. They might also consider sticking with Zhang. As a fan of Francavilla, I'd also love to see what he'd do with the characters.
Hey Spy Vibers, want to win cool stuff? Spy Vibe passed one million visitors last weekend! I'm celebrating by giving away vintage prizes. Contest details here.
Selected Spy Vibe posts: One Million Prizes, Designer: Gene Winfield, Avengers Blu-Ray, 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, Diana Rigg at 76, Gerry Anderson Doc, Mr. Hulot's Box Set, Rare Avengers Scripts, Man From Uncle UK Comics, Mattel X-15, Thunderbirds Comics, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Batman News, Monty Python Fathom Spies, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Avengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky Boots, George Lois Design & Mad Men, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Big Fun Toys, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Mod Fashion Dolls, 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.
Spy Vibe Comics Week: NEW RELEASES. Spend the week in our secret lair as we share images and stories from the Spy Vibe collection. Today we look at new releases, including a new comic adaptation of our favorite 1960s spy show! Details below. Spy Vibe's archive of vintage photos of people reading comics here. Updates and reviews below.
Batman Day: DC Comics has organized a nation-wide celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Caped Crusader. The action is happening at comic shops, Barnes & Noble, and at over 1,000 libraries around the country. Fans can find a free edition of Detective Comics #27 with the redesigned story by one of my favorite artists and fellow Batman collectors, Chip Kidd! (see review below). Other promo items include a cape and paper masks from Detective Comics, the 1966 TV show, The Dark Knight Returns, and The Court of Owls. Also check out Grayson (current on-going series): The original Robin, Dick Grayson, in an all new monthly series in which the crime fighter turned super spy fights to clear his name. To the Bat-poles! Related posts: Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton, Interview with Batman Animated designer Shane Glines.
Steed And Mrs. Peel We're Needed #1: Boom! Studios kicks off their new Avengers series today! The story centers around the assassination of one of Steed's associates and the investigation of a grand conspiracy. I hear there is even a seaside Village where one of the spies is a prisoner. Homage to Number 6? I love these variant covers, though I still maintain the artists are making Mrs. Peel too young and/or too sexualized (issues #1 and #2 below). Plus, doesn't the second image seem to be referenced from Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow rather than Diana Rigg? The interior art will be different than the cover designs, so I hope they can maintain a high level of energy and flair. So far it's proven difficult to do The Avengers justice as a comic adaptation. Take a look and let us know what you think (see review below). Stay tuned for more spy thrills during our Comics Week celebration. Enjoy!
Review: I picked up the Avengers comic today, and despite some inconstant artwork, I really enjoyed the writing so far. The dialog seems to capture the characters well, and I'm definitely hooked to find out what happens in the next installment. Recommended! The free Batman 75th issue is pretty cool. Sadly, it only contains a sample of Chip Kidd's redesign of the first story- the full piece is in the new 75 Year hardcover compilation. But the free issue today did include the first story as originally printed, and a new re-imagining of the story in a modern context. Also included in the issue was a cool futuristic Batman tale by Scott Snyder! I was happy to see a huge turnout at one of the shops I visited. Happy Bat-Day and congrats to Boom! on their new Avengers series.
Recent Spy Vibe posts: Comics Weel: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Diana Rigg at 76, Gerry Anderson Box Set, Gerry Anderson Doc, Mr. Hulot's Box Set, Rare Avengers Scripts, Man From Uncle UK Comics, Mattel X-15, Thunderbirds Comics, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Batman News, Monty Python Fathom Spies, Monty Python Returns!, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Avengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky Boots, George Lois Design & Mad Men, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, The Spotnicks, Model Secret Agents, Remo Williams Blu-ray, Bunny Yeager and Ursula Andress, Danger Mouse, Lost Avengers Episodes, Big Fun Toys, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Mother's Day (Avengers), Mod Fashion Dolls, Cold War Archie, New Avengers Comic, Ipcress File Blu-ray, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, UNCLE Gun, The Saint books return, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.
The Avengers are returning to DVD! A&E has announced that they will re-release the complete Emma Peel Megaset on October 8th through their distributor, Lionsgate. In this era of digital products and mass accessibility, this premiere cult classic has surprisingly spent years out in the cold, commanding high prices on the second-hand market. The 16-disc collection will include all 51 episodes starring Diana Rigg packaged in a slim case. During Rigg's tenure on The Avengers, the show transitioned from video to film and hit its stride with a delicious cocktail of humor, youthful flair, action, and Swingin' fashion design. Under the watchful eye of writer/producer of Brian Clemens, The Avengers became a cutting-edge cultural phenomenon that set trends and defined the times. Rigg's Emma Peel sported early Mod designs and was even one of the first, if not the first, characters to introduce the Mini Skirt on national TV. The set highlights what many fans see as the pinnacle of 1960s spy entertainment.
Although the box art is based on a remastered UK set, it is still unclear whether or not these US discs will be an upgrade and if they will include the new UK special features. Like most fans, I long for a complete Blu-ray release of the Cathy Gale, Emma Peel, Tara King, and New Avengers seasons, but for the low pre-order price of $36.99, this is a great opportunity to bring the Diana Rigg seasons back in circulation. Amazon page here. Lost Avengers episodes return as Audio Books here. Emma Peel fashion designer John Bates here. Spy Vibe's look at Avengers fashion here. The Avengers are currently featured in a comic book series by Boom! Studios.
Still need to enter Spy Vibe's summer contest to win vintage prizes? The deadline has been extended to August 16th. Details here. Get ready to meet MIKI ZERO, a Japanese fashion model and spy from 1965! I've written a novel inspired by Spy Vibe. More info at my website here.
