For Spy Vibers who grew up in the States reading comic books, it's especially fun to see how other countries approached sequential art- especially when it comes to classic 1960s tie-in projects. TV 21 and other UK titles featured beautifully painted pages and the British comics overall tended to use more of what Americans might call an illustrative style. IDW has been publishing a 3-volume set of books to collect the UK Star Trek comics, and I bring it up today because Bud's Art Books just announced a sale that includes Vol. 1 in the series at a discount price. From the press release: "In 1969, six months before the Star Trek TV series premiered in England, British comics readers were introduced to the characters in an original comic book series. The stories were serialized, generally 2 to 3 pages at a time, in 257 weekly magazines spanning five years and 37 storylines. Handsome painted artwork in the style of Frank Bellamy. 17 complete adventures. These extremely rare comics have never been published in the United States. Star Trek fans will quickly note that the comics were not written with strict adherence to Star Trek's core concepts. The Enterprise frequently traveled outside our galaxy, and the crew committed many violations of the never-mentioned Prime Directive along the way. Spock shouted most of his lines and often urged Kirk (or "Kurt," as his name was misspelled in early issues) to shoot first and ask questions later. But it's precisely that "offness" that makes them so eminently readable and deserving of a proper reprinting. They're unique in the annals of Star Trek and fans have gone without them for far too long." More details at Bud's Art Books. You can read a review at 13th Dimension. Related post: Star Trek 50th. In other news, I have a new book out (over 700 pages!) about one of America's great cartoonists. Check it out! Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Laika Calypso, Lost in Space Japan, Spy Dust Calypso, Atomic Cafe, John Barry Mono, Interview: John Barry Book, Land of the Giants Score, Skyfall Concert, Dearest Emma, Spy Vibe Radio: Upperseven, Ogilvy at Elstree, Mabuse Propaganda, Bond Beatles Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Liquidator, 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, 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: Egmont UK has an exciting new book coming out that will interest fans of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. Gerry Anderson: The Comic Collection is a 288-page hardcover anthology of illustrated stories about characters from Captain Scarlet, Stingray, Thunderbirds, Fireball XL5, and boy-spy Joe 90. It also features essays about artists Frank Bellamy and Mike Noble and a brief history of the strips. Gerry and Sylvia Anderson cooked up the quintessential adventures of the 1960s, capturing Space Age thrills and Cold War intrigue. For Spy Vibers still looking for more Anderson, these comics offer additional tales that didn't appear on-screen. First-generation fans who read the comics will remember that The Man From U.N.C.L.E. appeared in Lady Penelope comics in the UK. I don't believe it is included in either this collection or in the Thunderbirds comic set. Likewise, the TV Action/Countdown titles included cult-classic strips like Star Trek, Land of the Giants, Doctor Who, and Burkes Law. Perhaps more treasures to mine in the future, so stand by for action! Gerry Anderson: The Comic Collection will be published on February 1st. More info at AmazonUS, AmazonUK, and Bud's Art Books. Related posts: Inside Gerry Anderson, New DVD Collections, Anderson documentary, Thunderbirds Comic Collection, License to Kill Puppets, Anderson Models, Sylvia Anderson Fashion, The Prisoner and Captain Scarlet, Set Design Countdown #9, Nehru Jackets. Learn More: Anderson comic history, Graham Bleathman, Gerry Anderson, Mike Trim, Mike Noble. Images below: The cover design for the new book; Archive images of Mike Noble with one of his strips and one of his illustrations of Captain Blue from Captain Scarlet. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe posts: 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.
Gerry Anderson fans in the States will be happy to hear that the Thunderbirds Comic Collection is finally being released here. First printed in October, 2013 in the UK, this hardcover anthology compiles about 200 pages of Thunderbirds strips and 60 pages of Lady Penelope adventures. These 2-page color strips originally appeared in TV Century 21 and TV21 comics in England. In addition, the collection also includes cut-away illustrations of Tracy Island and the many cool vehicles from the series. The release date is August 1st, but I saw an advanced copy today. The pages appear to be sourced from printed comics, so the reproductions have a nice vintage vibe. The book is a cool addition to your Gerry Anderson library, and will have definite nostalgia-appeal for folks who grew up reading the comics. From Amazon: "Featuring original comic artwork from the 1960s and 1970s, this definitive collection from the cult classic TV series comes at the cusp of the show's 50th anniversary. 2015 is the 50th anniversary of the Thunderbirds, which debuted in 1965 and has had a cult following ever since. Devised by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, the show became famous for its marionette puppetry, which Gerry Anderson dubbed "Supermarionation." This beautifully presented collection of original 1960s and 1970s Thunderbirds comic book stories is packed full of Tracey Island comic adventures which can be enjoyed by fans both young and old alike. It includes a special section of cutaway images of Thunderbirds vehicles and buildings, facts about the illustrators, and a tribute to Gerry Anderson." Learn more: Fanderson website, illustrator Frank Bellamy. Stand by for Action and Enjoy!
Recent Spy Vibe posts: 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.
