Showing posts with label canada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label canada. Show all posts

April 28, 2015

DANGER MAN COMICS

Comics Week: After our look at German, Dutch, and Spanish comics based on Danger Man (Secret Agent), Spy Vibe continues with cool comic treasures from the world of Patrick McGoohan's John Drake. Today we feature a larger collection of covers from the 1965-1966 French comics (where the series was called Destination Danger) printed for the French, Belgian, Swiss, Canadian, and Moroccan markets. Some of the scenarios look like they could have been adapted from older comics and updated with Drake as the hero. The design was less dynamic this time around (though fun!), with a simple red banner, white typeface, and the Tele Serie Bleue logo. Most covers listed stories as "Une adventure de John Drake", but some did not. Tele Serie Bleue/O.Z Odez published similar series under the same graphics scheme, most notably Les Hommes Volants. What they lacked in graphic design was countered by some very cool illustrations of McGoohan-as-Drake in action. My favorite? How can anything beat Drake in skinny suit and tie controlling a retro-futuristic robot on a rampage? Don't make this guy angry! I love the pulp vibe. Images sourced from the internet, but many came from ComicBDFrance and bedetheque. Enjoy!












Selected Spy Vibe posts: John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLEGolden Margaret NolanMan From UNCLE RocksteadyPussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P.Edward Mann FashionLeonard Nimoy TributeShatner at 84Bob Morane seriesNew Saint PublicationsThe Saint Complete box setGerry Anderson Box SetsMusic For SpiesThai Bond DesignBrian Clemens RIPBond vs ModernismImitation GameNew Avengers BooksRingo Does GoldfingerSixties Beat WearPopular SkulltureArt of ModestyAvengers Blu-ray updateTokyo Beat 1964Polaroid SpyFeraud Mod FashionFlint Scores!Bond DanishNew Richard Sala BookNew 007 ComicsDesigning Bond BooksGreen Hornet MangaMargaret Nolan ArtNo 6 FestivalBarbarella ReturnsDesigner: Gene WinfieldAvengers Interview: Michael RichardsonIan Fleming: Wicked GrinJane Bond Hong Kong RecordsRyan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E.Comics Week: ArchieComics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMANComics Week: Jimmy OlsenRare Avengers ScriptsMan From Uncle UK ComicsThunderbirds ComicsShakespeare Spies: Diana RiggShakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers InterviewAvengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky BootsGeorge Lois Design & Mad MenRichard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny InterviewThe 10th Victim Japanese and KindleU.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The Saint books returnTrina Robbins InterviewCatsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

April 5, 2015

PARTY: BEAT GIRL

The Spy Vibe weekender continues with more music for secret agents! The Kingpins formed a Ska band in Canada in 1995. They released their album, Watch Your Back, in 1996 and included some thumping spy grooves like "Beat Girl" and "Mata Hari." "Beat Girl" by the John Barry Seven was originally released as the theme song to the 1961 film Beat Girl (alternate title Wild For Kicks), starring Christopher Lee, Adam Faith, and Oliver Reed. Full movie here. Opening credits below. Spy Vibers might also enjoy "Spy Vs Spy" (Stomp Records #003) by The Kingpins, from their 1995 CD single, On The Run (Stomp Records #003). Keep dancing!


Selected Spy Vibe posts: Cynthia Lennon R.I.P.Edward Mann FashionLeonard Nimoy TributeShatner at 84Bob Morane seriesNew Saint PublicationsThe Saint Complete box setGerry Anderson Box SetsBond LEGODeadlier Than the MaleSpectre ReportMusic For SpiesThai Bond DesignBrian Clemens RIPBond vs ModernismImitation GameNew Avengers BooksRoad to Hong KongInside Gerry AndersonRingo Does GoldfingerSixties Beat WearSPECTRE AnnouncedPopular SkulltureNew Gerry Anderson SetsNew SECRET AGENT setArt of ModestyAvengers Blu-ray updateTokyo Beat 1964Polaroid SpyModesty MondayFeraud Mod FashionFlint Scores!Bond DanishHome MoviesNew Richard Sala BookNew 007 ComicsDesigning Bond BooksGreen Hornet MangaMargaret Nolan ArtNo 6 FestivalBarbarella Returns007 Audio Books ReturnDesigner: Gene WinfieldAvengers Interview: Michael RichardsonIan Fleming: Wicked GrinJane Bond Hong Kong RecordsRyan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E.Comics Week: ArchieComics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMANComics Week: Jimmy OlsenRare Avengers ScriptsMan From Uncle UK ComicsMattel X-15Thunderbirds ComicsShakespeare Spies: Diana RiggShakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers InterviewAvengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky BootsGeorge Lois Design & Mad MenRichard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny InterviewThe 10th Victim Japanese and KindleU.N.C.L.E. Japanese BooksThe 10th Victim German EditionThe Saint books returnTrina Robbins InterviewCatsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

March 25, 2013

COLD WAR PHOTOGRAPHY

Looking through various historical materials recently, I came across an interesting book from 2011 that Spy Vibers might enjoy. A Cold War Tourist and His Camera features a collection of color slides by Warren Langford. The book was created by his children, Martha Langford (Concordia University Research Chair in Art History) and John Langford (professor at the University of Victoria). From McGill-Quenn's University Press: "Cold War-era imagery is defined by the striking contrast between the ideal of the nuclear family and the nightmare of nuclear annihilation. In 1963, Warren Langford, a Second World War air force veteran and career public servant, travelled through Europe, North America, and Africa as part of the National Defence College's curriculum of Cold War training. Langford, never before much interested in photography, bought a camera and produced some 200 slides of his travels. In A Cold War Tourist and His Camera, his art historian daughter and political scientist son bring his photographs - an unexpected combination of iconic images of Cold War dangers and touristic snapshots - back into view."


"Martha Langford and John Langford examine their father's apparently innocuous photographic experience, revealing the complexity of both the images and their creator. An intelligent and personal look at the ways that the historical and the private are represented and remembered, A Cold War Tourist and His Camera stages the family slide show as you've never seen it before." Here is a sample of the book from Youtube:


"A book full of observations and pointed comments about Canada's role in NATO and in world politics of the time. Indeed, the text can serve as a brief introduction to Cold War politics." -The Montreal Gazette. Read the review at 49th Parallel here. More info at Amazon


have a spy novella coming out soon! Stay tuned for more info. Did you know that Spy Vibe has a Pinterest page? You can see our Ian Fleming Image Archive, dynamic vintage action, cliffhanger serials, Japanese designs from the 20s, vintage mystery novels, and more! Ian Fleming Archive link here.

Check Spy Vibe for the Ian Fleming Music 
Series links: Noel Coward,Whispering Jack SmithHawaiian GuitarJoe Fingers Carr, and recent posts about 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, new Beatles bio from Mark Lewisohn, tributes to Donald Richie and Tony Sheridan, the Les Vampires serial on Blu-ray, Lucy Fleming, The Beatles first record session, Ian Fleming's desert island interview, new Ian Fleming book designs, FantomasSpy SmasherBarbarella tv show, British spy comics, Piper Gates retro designs, Cinema Retro, and more. 


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