NEW AVENGERS 4K

New release: Spy Vibers will be thrilled to learn The New Avengers is coming to 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD this November from Studio Canal! I must admit that I didn't expect to see The New Avengers pop up like this -and region-free! I guess I can finally retire my old A&E DVDs. The link above will take you to Amazon UK, but I anticipate stateside retailers such as Orbit and Diabolik will eventually list these new sets, as well. Watch the Blu-ray site for info and discussions. From the press release: The New Avengers joins John Steed as he takes a jaunty step forward into a new decade, this time with two sidekicks – the first time a male and female companion join him – Gambit (Gareth Hunt) and Purdey (Joanna Lumley). The mighty trio join forces to fight evil and put a stop to any attempts at world domination. With high kicks and bowler hats aplenty – Series1 and Series 2 of The New Avengers heralded a new direction for the crime fighting series. *UPDATE: Imprint Australia have confirmed their own New Avengers release! 

EXTRAS

SEASON 1

Disc 1 (EPs 1-3) The Eagle's Nest / House of Cards / Last of the Cybernauts?

• The Eagle's Nest commentary by Gareth Hunt & Brian Clemens

• House of Cards introduced by Cyd Child

• House of Cards Audio Commentary with Cyd Child and Henry Holland

• The Last Of The Cybernauts...? introduced by Rocky Taylor

• The Last Of The Cybernauts...? introduced by Nicholas Briggs

• The Last Of The Cybernauts...? Audio commentary by Rocky Taylor, Nicholas Briggs & Henry Holland

• REMEMBERING THE NEW AVENGERS – with guest star Annette Andre

• German Credits Season 1

• German Credits Season 1

Disc 2 (EPs 4-6) The Midas Touch / Cat Amongst the Pidgeons / Target

• The Midas Touch introduced by Dick Fiddy

• The Midas Touch Audio Commentary by Cyd Child & Dick Fiddy

• Director John Hough on The New Avengers (University of Chichester 2011)

Disc 3 (EPs 7-9) To Catch A Rat / Tale of the Big Why / Faces

• Interview with Cyd Child (University of Chichester 2011)

• The New Avengers - screen test

Disc 4 (EPs 10-11) Gnaws / Dirtier by the Dozen

• Gnaws Audio Commentary by Nicholas Briggs & Jonathan Wood

• Gnaws introduced by Nicholas Briggs

• Interview with Raymond Austin (University of Chichester 2011)

Disc 5 (EPs 12-13) Sleeper / The Three-Handed Game

• Intro to Sleeper by Joanna Lumley

• Sleeper Audio Commentary by Joanna Lumley & Cyd Child

• Interview with Patrick Macnee Biographer Marie Cameron (University of Chichester 2011)

• Becoming Purdey: The Woman Who Redefined The Avengers

• Auditioning Purdey (Easter Egg)

SEASON 2

Disc 6 (EPs 1-3) Dead Men Are Dangerous / Angels of Death / Medium Rare

• Dead Men Are Dangerous Audio Commentary by Gareth Hunt & Brian Clemens

• Angels Of Death introduced by Caroline Munro

• Angels of Death Audio Commentary by Caroline Munro & Henry Holland

Disc 7 (EPs 4-6) The Lion and The Unicorn / Obsession / Trap

• The New Avengers x Rover promo

• French credits

• Obsession Audio Commentary by Samuel & George Clemens

• Obsession introduced by Samuel & George Clemens

• K is for Kill Part One: The Tiger Awakes Audio Commentary by Dick Fiddy & Henry Holland

• K Is For Kill Part One: The Tiger Awakes introduced by Henry Holland

Disc 9 (EPs 10-11) Complex / Forward Base

• Complex introduced by Jonathan Wood

• Complex Audio Commentary by Jonathan Wood & Grant Taylor

• Restoring The New Avengers

• Brian Clemens on The New Avengers - THE AVENGERS 50th ANNIVERSARY at the University of Chichester 2011

• Interview with Laurie Johnson - THE AVENGERS 50th ANNIVERSARY at the University of Chichester 2011

Disc 10 (EPs 12-13) The Gladiators / Emily

• The New Avengers series trailer

• The Impact Of The New Avengers: Reinvented for a New Era

• Kicks, Flips & Spy Tricks: The Stunt Magic of The New Avengers

CHINESE AVENGERS

The new collected edition of Avengers Comic Strips from Big Finish is due out this week. I can't wait to see how the project looks in its final form. While we wait, let's take a closer look at some of the Chinese editions of New Avengers comics from the Spy Vibe collection. Having lived in Japan for a number of years, I have a special fondness for rare book editions printed in Asia. I've shared pieces from my archives on Spy Vibe in the past, including Japanese printings of the Ian Fleming and Man From U.N.C.L.E. novels. Last year I acquired two sets of comics printed in China, The Avengers and James Bond- both as boxed book sets. According to the Avengers Anew site, it took quite a while for classic spy shows to break through the Iron Curtain in China. The original Avengers series wasn't aired until the late 1980s and The New Avengers saw transmission in 1990. The characters must have been popular because an eight-volume series of New Avengers comics was published that same year. The art style was quite flat and crude, with few exceptions, but story adaptations appeared to be based faithfully on actual episodes. Skimming through my set, it's been quite fun to notice imagery lifted from 1976 classics such as Last of the Cybernauts and Target. And it's always fun to see Patrick Macnee's John Steed, Purdey, and Gambit in comic form. Our friend in Avengers fandom, Denis Kirsanov, helped to spread knowledge of this comic set back in 2014 and I was able to gather a complete collection last fall. Below are the painted covers for each of the eight volumes, plus a sample of some of my favorite pages. Lastly, I'm including a piece of rare original New Avengers art that was used to produce a Chapeau Melon et Bottes de Cuir comic in France (something I spotted at auction- very tempting). Enjoy! Related posts:  The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, James Bond Japanese Editions, Ian Fleming Chinese Edition. 

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, SPY VIBE Contest, 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, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School.

NEW AVENGERS POP ART

Spy Vibers, if you are redecorating your secret lair this summer, take a look at the new series of prints at Art & Hue. Agent Odysseus has just added a new line to his collection of Pop Art images based on The Avengers. Spy Vibe spotlighted his Steed and Peel posters last year. Now get ready for Purdy! From the press release: Art & Hue is pleased to present Joanna Lumley, a new pop art collection inspired by the absolutely fabulous model, Bond-girl, and Avenger. An official collaboration with Studiocanal, think Andy Warhol meets Patsy Stone in this new range of six stylish pop art prints featuring national treasure Joanna Lumley. For six decades, Joanna Lumley has left her mark in iconic productions that endure to this day, most gaining a cult following and lifelong fan-base, from "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" and "The New Avengers", to "Sapphire & Steel" and of course "Ab Fab". Available in 18 colours and 3 sizes, the collection is printed on 310gsm fine art archival matte paper, made from 100% cotton, using pigment inks which last several lifetimes, and come in three sizes that fit widely-available picture frames. More details below.

Since the 1960s onwards, Joanna Lumley has left her mark on each decade in iconic productions that endure to this day, most gaining a cult following and lifelong fan-base. In 1969, Joanna draped herself elegantly into an armchair on Piz Gloria playing a glamorous Bond-girl in fan-favourite “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, which also starred fellow-Avenger Diana Rigg. Unlike Honor Blackman and Diana Rigg, Joanna Lumley appeared in a James Bond film before becoming an Avenger and working with the quintessential gentleman, Patrick Macnee as John Steed. Purdey kicked her way across our screens, and into our hearts, in 1976 with a fashion-forward haircut which sparked a trend, although the producers weren’t happy initially as the publicity photos to promote “The New Avengers” were taken when Joanna had long hair. Purdey was a strong and modern woman, continuing the legacy of “The Avengers” to empower and inspire young viewers. One of Joanna’s most unique roles was as a Time-Agent with The Man from Uncle’s David McCallum in the sci-fi series “Sapphire & Steel”. Her eerie other-worldly character hitched more fans to the Lumley wagon and with good reason – her captivating performance and shining eyes made the show an instant cult-classic." Read more about Joanna and the new Pop Art series at Art & Hue. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, 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, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, 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, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.