SKY MASTERS

Greetings, Spy Vibers! I've been super busy lately teaching my art classes. Students get most of my time (they deserve it!), but I've also been chipping away at the upcoming Spy Vibe book. One little corner of research this week will be looking at Jack Kirby's science fiction work inspired by the Space Race. Spy Vibers will surely know how this theme tied in with the strip he co-created with Stan Lee that launched the Marvel Age in the 60s, The Fantastic Four! In fact, space travel was one of the many themes Kirby was already exploring during the late 50s and early 60s. Readers can look for reprints of Race For the Moon and Challegers of the Unknown. There's even a collected edition of Simon/Kirby Science Fiction. Kirby also worked on a strip called Sky Masters of the Space Force, which has been collected by Hermes Press. The hardcover has sold out, but you can pick up the softcover edition (currently on sale) at HERMES. From the press release: "Sky Masters was created at the beginning of the space race — when who would get into space and to the moon first —was a national obsession. The strip takes place in the not to distant future where the United States sends men into space but hasn’t ventured much further yet. The series in clearly anchored in the late 1950s/early1960s so it serves as a highly stylized period piece that still holds up very nicely. The material used in this archival edition ranges from original art, to press proofs, to tear sheets, and boasts the best reproduction of the strip ever." Someone has set a Sky Masters story to John Williams' original soundtrack to Lost in Space (see below). I also want to recommend a documentary streaming on Amazon Prime called Kirby at War, which chronicles Jack Kirby's harrowing experiences during WWII. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Ray Cathode, Spy Vibe Radio: Johnny Staccato, Matt Helm Blu, Cold War Auction, Avengers Francavilla Prints, Avengers 60th Event, Irma Vep Blu, Avengers Keel Design, Ronnie Scott's Doc, The Avengers 60th Design, New Year, Art of Pan Books, John Le Carre R.I.P., Sean Connery R.I.P., New 007 Vinyl, Burke's Law Ska, Dieter Rams Complete, 2-Tone Doc, Spy Vibe Radio: Vendetta Part 2, Diana Rigg R.I.P., Moog Micky Dolenz, Beetle Bailey 70th, RSD Spies Vinyl, Ian Fleming Tribute, Fellini Box Set, Spy Vibe Radio: Vendetta, The Saint Podcast Bonus, The Saint Podcast, Barber Lotus, Diana Rigg at 82, Trad Roots, Morricone R.I.P., Fleetway Spy Designs, John Steel Casebooks, Paul at 78, ITC Podcast: The Persuaders, Dazzle Ships, Spy Vibe Radio: Raumpatrouille, Remembering Richard Sala, Crime & Spy Jazz books, Soviet Space Graphics, Numan is FAB, Bruce Lee Blu, John Barry Event, RSD Vinyl Spies, James Bond's DB5, UFO CD Set, Spy Vibe radio: Phantom Agents, Steranko is Revolutionary!, Interview: The Saint I Ain't, Diabolik Interview, New 007 Song, Diabolik Figures, Diabolik Sounds, Diabolik Set Design, Diabolik Park Ride, Danger Diabolik Blu, Count Arthur Strong, Honey West Title Cards, Bowie Day, New Year Cosmonauts, Neil Innes R.I.P., Claudine Auger R.I.P., OHMSS at 50, Italian Job 50th OST, Charles Schulz Modern, Paul Desmond, Python 50th, Randall Hopkirk 50th, Thunderbirds Day, Lazenby Returns to MI6, Dr. John R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio: Lupin III, Lupin Ska, Spy Vibe Prime, Zigomar Translation, The Village: Part 1, Monkey Punch R.I.P., Bubble Girl 63, 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.

NEW S.H.I.E.L.D. BOOKS

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E..L.D., Marvel will release two books later this month. S.H.I.E.L.D. The Complete Collection will compile the first missions from Strange Tales #135-150, Fantastic Four #21 and Tales of Suspense #78. From the press release: "Having revolutionized everything from super heroes to war and Westerns, in 1965 Lee & Kirby set their sights on the spy game (and their own vision of James Bond), starring Nick Fury. Cold War covert ops had been dominating headlines, so they created an international organization to protect the Marvel Universe. Headed by Agent Nick Fury, S.H.I.E.L.D. featured amazing gadgets, world-dominating villains and the debut of the awesome Helicarrier! It also brought back members of the original Howling Commandos, still appearing in their World War II adventures in Sgt. Fury, and co-starring Captain America and other surprise guests. Additional artists include the superlative John Severin for three issues, and outstanding inking by the likes of Joe Sinnott (who was simultaneously doing The Fantastic Four), John Buscema, Don Heck, Ogden Whitney, George Roussos, Frank Giacoia, and Mike Esposito." 256 pages. The collection (cover below) hits the shelves on October 20th. If that's not enough Nick Fury for you, Marvel will also release a 960-page S.H.I.E.L.D. OMNIBUS on the same day. From the press release: "In a single complete volume, one of the Marvel's most-innovative series- S.H.I.E.L.D.! With international threats on the rise, Tony Stark and a council of global powers tapped Nick Fury to protect the U.S. from Hydra, A.I.M., Baron Strucker and the Yellow Claw. The greatest team in comics, Stan Lee & Jack Kirby, dove into the world of covert ops, mixing Cold War drama with the mighty Marvel manner. They set the tone, but when Jim Steranko took over, he rewrote the entire rulebook. Steranko turned S.H.I.E.L.D. into one of the most visually innovative comic books ever published and every issue, every story is presented in oversized glory! Collecting Strange Tales (1951) #135-168, Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (1968) #1-15, Fantastic Four (1961) #21, Tales Of Suspense (1959) #78, Avengers (1963) #72, Marvel Spotlight (1971) #31 and material from Not Brand Echh (1967) #3, 8 & 11." The S.H.I.E.L.D. comics of the 1960s were revolutionized in their early run by innovative artist, Jim Steranko, who brought a modern, dynamic energy to the series with his his unique synthesis of op art, 60s fashion, advertising graphics, technology, and James Bond flair. Marvel has published Steranko S.H.I.E.L.D. collections in the past, most recently in 2013. IDW has also included S.H.I.E.L.D. in their catalog of Artist Editions, treating fans to an up-close look at Steranko's original art. Their first volume was published in 2014. The Marvel Masterworks series included S.H.I.E.L.D. volumes in 2009. If readers have not picked up any these editions in the past, now is a great time to explore the missions of Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Read more about the new S.H.I.E.L.D. Collection and OMNIBUS at Marvel Comics. Related posts: Steranko's Spy Man, Archie, Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Ryan Heshka Interview, Richard Sala (Cat Burglar Black), Richard Sala (Super Enigmatix), Shane Glines (Batman Animated), Ralph Garman and Ty Templeton (Batman 66 Green Hornet), Trina Robbins (Wonder Woman, Miss Fury, Honey West), Cold War Comics, Cold War Materials, Agent Double 5, Cold War Archie, Beetle Bailey in Berlin, Spies the World Around Us. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe posts: Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Diana Rigg Event, Ian Fleming Letters, New Gillette 007 Covers, Pirate Radio, Spectre Advanced Poster, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Radiophonic Exhibit, 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, Jeremy Duns on Bond, John Buss interview, 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, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Art of Modesty, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, No 6 Festival, 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, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.