COLD WAR COMICS

New release: The climate of the Cold War in the early 1950s was defined by an ever-growing fear of the bomb. Those old Duck and Cover cartoons might seem quaintly naive today, but the era was gripped by paranoia of annihilation. Spy stories at the time often focused on counter-espionage and protecting secrets from foreign powers- a theme not too remote even today. Hermes Press will publish a collection of very rare Cold War comics this fall in a book called Nuke 'Em: Classic Cold War Comics Celebrating the End of the World. From the press release: "Back in the 1950s during the “Cold War” every new day beckoned the possibility of the end of the world. Kids grew up in the shadow of bomb shelters and were treated to daily lessons at school on what to do in the event of a nuclear attack. Americans were besieged by constant reminders to police our borders, to carefully watch out for “foreigners” who might be spies, and to be ever vigilant in preparing to combat the “red” menace of communism. Comic books of this era played on these fears with stories of atomic war and world war III. This new historic reprint looks back at those good ole days, which can be viewed in the perspective of today’s political climate. This volume reprints the complete runs of Atomic War! and World War III and can be read merely as great action/adventure stories, classic “war” comics or as an eerie, unanticipated commentary on today’s tribulations. Deluxe hardcover with printed laminated cover; historical essay and documentary materials; reprints the complete run of Atomic War! #1-4 (November, 1952-April, 1953) and the complete run of World War III #1-2 (March, 1952 and May, 1953)." More info at Hermes and Amazon. Check out my latest episodes on Cocktail Nation radio. Related posts: Cold War Comic Strips, Mort Walker Celebration, Mid-Century Modern Schulz, Beetle Bailey in Berlin, Mort Walker's James Bomb, Comics Week: Archie, Cold War Archie, Archie: Man From Riverdale, Cold War Materials, Atomic Art, Spyman, Jimmy Olson: Agent Double 5, 1966 PEP Spies, Comic Books and the Cold War, UNCLE School, German UNCLE, Danger Man Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Agente Secreto. 

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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.

SOLAR AND BIONIC MAN RETURN

Dynamite is known for publishing new comics based on Pulp-era properties like The Shadow, The Green Hornet, Miss Fury, Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon, The Phantom, The Lone Ranger, Zorro, and The Spider. They have also reintroduced former Gold Key titles like Magnus, Robot Fighter. This spring they will be rolling out two additional stars from the 1960s-1970s: Solar: Man of the Atom and The Six Million Dollar Man. Both properties found their roots in Cold War fear and fascination with atomic weapons and energy. 

Gold Key produced the original Doctor Solar: Man of the Atom during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962. In an era when technology symbolized modernity, patriotism- and possible armageddon- the comic fused these elements together into a perfect time-capsule. In the story, an evil mastermind named Muro sent an agent to blow up a nuclear power plant. Unable to "duck and cover" effectively, Doctor Solar absorbed massive radiation, giving him the power to convert into pure atomic energy. Where the main character in the series was liberated by technology to become a hero, his arch-nemisis, Muro, eventually lost all humanity by transferring his mind into a Darth Vader-like robot. Solar also appeared in a series by Valiant Comics and Acclaim Comics in the 1990s and by Dark Horse in 2009. Dark Horse has also printed collections of the original Gold Key editions. 

Dynamite's Solar will continue the basic origin story, and they plan to explore Solar's humanity as he struggles to maintain family within the fallout of his new powers. Will the stories take on Cold War themes? I don't know the answer, but one of the variant covers depicts Solar flying through a sky filled with ballistic missiles. From Dynamite: "'Flooded with experimental radiation that grants him unbelievable powers, the brilliant-and-obsessive Dr. Phil Seleski seeks to unlock the secrets of the universe, begrudgingly becoming a 'hero' along the way. But can a single man be trusted with near-limitless abilities? What will this mean to the ones he loves? And will his choices lead to utter chaos and destruction? Brilliant writer FRANK BARBIERE (Five Ghosts) and JOE BENNETT present the Man Of The Atom as you've NEVER imagined!" Wonderful cover art above from issue #1, shipping this April. 

The original Six Million Dollar Man (1974-1979) featured the adventures of Steve Austin, an astronaut-turned-agent, who was rebuilt with atomic-powered technology after an accident (note the common theme with Solar). In a 40th anniversary comic series dubbed Season Six, the Cold War hero will return in stories by James Kuhoric with art by Juan Antonio Ramirez. Issue #3 covers include a variant photo of actor Lee Majors in a 007-style tux (see above). Speaking with Comic Vine, Kuhoric said, "The new SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN SEASON 6 comic is a direct continuation of the classic television series. We are picking up right after the last weekly episode and starting up a new 'season' of stories that follow the episodic adventures of Steve Austin. To do this we discounted the handful of reunion movies that were made (which is no big loss – those things were like the Galactica 1980 of bionics) and are going back to the time when kids were running in slow motion and pretending to be a cyborg on the playground. As a fan, I really enjoy Dynamite’s Bionic Man series, which is Kevin Smith’s modern day reboot of the franchise. But our SMDMS6 is the original groovy 1970s continuity." The character originally appeared in comics by Charlton between 1976-1978. He was rebuilt for a run by Kevin Smith and Dynamite between 2011-2012. Issue #1 of this new retro-style series arrives in stores this week! Dynamite page here. 

Solar Gold Key panel below from Dial B For Blog. I've always loved the Pop Art style of his costume, with its Flash-like red, eye visor, and radiation symbol. If the members of DEVO ever became super heroes... Enjoy! Learn more: Gold Key collections by Dark Horse and Hermes Press. Doctor Solar spotlight here. Spy Vibe Posts: Cold War Comics, Win Scott Eckert Honey West Interview, Shane Glines Interview, William Maynard Fu Manchu Interview, Richard Sala Interview, Mod Tales Interview, Batman '66 and Andy Warhol, Spies: the World Around Us, Man From UNCLE pages, Six Million Dollar Man records and toys, SHIELD Artist Editions. 

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