One of my favorite photography series is the Bubble Girl portfolio by Melvin Sokolsky. Designed for a piece in Harper's Bazaar, Sokolsky's collection captured a wonderfully surreal take on fashion and Paris in 1963. The images were so successfully dreamlike that some viewers have spent the decades wondering how he did it. Sokolsky discussed the approach, and even revealed a bit about ourselves in the contemporary scene, in this 2012 article. 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: ITC Soundtracks, Spy Vibe Radio: Public Eye, UFO Prime, Spaceship to Mars, Modesty Blaise Companion, Spy Vibe Radio: Fantomas, George Day, Fantomas Blu, Dark Shadows Doc, Bedazzled Blu-ray, Mary Quant Exhibit, 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, 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.
It's Live and Let Die-Cast weekend on Spy Vibe! Our garage was filled yesterday with incredible Code 3 replica cars from Danger Man, The Prisoner, The Saint, The Avengers and many other classic shows. Today we feature a very cool Citroen DS 19 used by that arch-villain Fantomas. Long before Scaramanga's airplane car in The Man With the Golden Gun, this French baddie transformed his Citroen into a jet- perfect for those "I'll be back!" escape endings. This resin flying car was produced in 1:43 scale by Provence Moulage and sells for about 80 euros. A master of disguise and one of the original great diabolical masterminds, Fantomas began in 1911 and went on to appear in a series of 43 stories, a thrilling 1913-14 cliffhanger serial by Feuillade (Judex, les Vampires), and a few feature films in the 1930s and 1940s. The character returned in the mid-1960s in a series of comedy/mysteries starring Jean Marais. Learn more at Fantomas Lives. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe posts: John Buss interview, Diana Rigg eBook, 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, New Saint Publications, The Saint Complete box set, Gerry Anderson Box Sets, Music For Spies, Thai Bond Design, Brian Clemens RIP, Bond vs Modernism, Imitation Game, New Avengers Books, Ringo Does Goldfinger, Sixties Beat Wear, Popular Skullture, Art of Modesty, Avengers Blu-ray update, Tokyo Beat 1964, Polaroid Spy, Feraud Mod Fashion, Flint Scores!, Bond Danish, New Richard Sala Book, New 007 Comics, Designing Bond Books, Green Hornet Manga, Margaret Nolan Art, No 6 Festival, Barbarella Returns, 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, 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, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The Saint books return, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.
Bob Morane Week continues with a look in the toy corner. Henri Vernes' pulp action hero generated over 200 books, comic books, TV shows, animation, games, and memorabilia since his creation in 1953 (the same year the Ian Fleming introduced 007). Check out the Modelstories site to also see some fun kit-bashed (fake) models of Bob Morane, Miss Ylang-Ylang, and the Yellow Shadow.
Fans could pick up a series of tiny paper models featuring a number of cars and other vehicles from the adventures of Bob Morane. While searching these kits, I also stumbled across a paper model of the James Bond Citroen from For Your Eyes Only (included below for fun!). Morane's exploits outside of the spy/crime genre inspired a series of quirky animal figurines, including an elephant, white ape, horse, dinosaur, and a golden crocodile! But the real treasure for Spy Vibers is a number of Corgi-style E-Type Jaguar cars, including a really cool recent edition (released in both grey cabriolet and blue) with resin figures of Morane and his secret service pal, Bill Ballantine. Limited and fine-sculpted, these Jags sell for about $550! If you want to see action figures filmed in dioramas with books (who wouldn't?), check out the videos on Youtube here. Spy Vibe's Bob Morane series: Intro, Comics, Toys, Pilote Magazine, Records, Screen. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe posts: New Saint Publications, The Saint Complete box set, Gerry Anderson Box Sets, 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.
Bob Morane week continues! The original action hero by Henri Vernes spawned over 200 novels since 1953 (the same year Ian Fleming introduced James Bond!). And with stories ranging from spies and master criminals to pulp-style science fiction, restless natives, and dinosaurs, you know comic book adaptations weren't far behind! Dargaud published twelve volumes between 1967 and 1974. The most interesting in terns of design is issue #3, Operation Chevalier Noir, printed in January, 1969. The cover art is pure Spy Vibe, featuring a model (at right) dressed in space fashion inspired by Pierre Cardin. I'm certain her outfit and pose originated from a movie poster or fashion shoot, but I can't quite place it. Do any readers recognize the image? The cover also sports visored helmets that remind me of our banner-photo from Danger Diabolik. More below.
The comic covers from the early 1970s began to resemble illustration art from Sci-Fi paperbacks, employing finer detail, wispy backgrounds, and bright colors. Issue #6 from January, 1971, Eyes in the Fog, featured Morane and his female companion on a secret service mission and on the run from super creepy baddies (reminiscent of something from City of Lost Children, Dark City, or Hellboy!). The City of Nowhere from January, 1973, included a very Emma Peel-inspired outfit on the cover, complete with black catsuit, wide purple belt and oversized buckle. The original series was continued by Le Lombard with forty-seven new issues of Morane adventures between 1975 and 2011. The later issues rebranded the "Bob Morane" name in a wavy red font- Spy Vibers will recognize the style as reminiscent of Doc Savage publications. In fact, Doc Savage had joined the roster at Marabout, publisher of Bob Morane books, in 1967. The early Morane comics were reprinted twice, by Lefrancq (1989 to 1997) and by Dargaud (2002-2005). The cover of Atom and Fog, L'Integrale Bob Morane from 1995, harkened back to the wonderful Space-Fashion days of the 1960s. See below for some notable covers. Stay tuned for more Bob Morane, including a classic Spy Vibe design doppelganger! Spy Vibe's Bob Morane series: Intro, Comics, Toys, Pilote Magazine, Records, Screen. Learn more at Cool French Comics. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe posts: New Saint Publications, The Saint Complete box set, Gerry Anderson Box Sets, 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.
