AGENT WEREWOLF

It's Halloween season, Spy Vibers! I was lucky to see a double feature last weekend of the original Universal Frankenstein films at the famous Castro Theater. It was so great to see some of those classic scenes on the giant screen. Karloff photographed so well in that dramatic lighting! Of course, the Universal monsters made a huge comeback in the 1950s and 1960s. They appeared in a long-running series with Abbott and Costello, were celebrated in monster magazines, and most kids in the early 1960s built Aurora model kits of their favorite monsters. Although they had started out as terrifying characters, kids from the Cold War era look back at the monsters with fondness, much in the same way Godzilla was eventually adopted as a kind of hero for children. The love of monsters also spawned shows like The Munsters and The Addams Family (inspired by the great comics by Charles Addams in The New Yorker). During the classic horror boom of the 1960s, Dell publishing set out to cash in on a few major characters, releasing comics such as Frankenstein: The Monster is Back!, The Mummy, Dracula, The Wolf Man, and The Creature in 1963-1964. Dell also used some of the character names to launch short comic series about hybrid superheroes (and a spy!): Frankenstein, Dracula, and Werwolf. The most interesting for Spy Vibers was Werewolf, which lasted three issues between 1966-1967. A radical departure from the usual horror adaptation, the comic centered around a pilot who crashed in the arctic circle and was trained by wolves. Once he and his wolf companion were rescued, he was recruited to work as a top spy with the aid of gadgets and a hypnotic treatment that enabled him to change his face at will. Handy! Dive deeper into the series over at 4th Letter here and Gorilla Daze here.  In other news, check out my episodes of the Cocktail Nation radio show, where I introduce classic spy films/TV series and play soundtracks and rare cuts: Episode #1 (Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim), Epsiode #3 (On Her Majesty's Secret Service), Episode #4 (Roger Moore/The Saint), and Episode #5 (The Avengers). Episode #6 (The Prisoner), and Episode #7 (The Ipcress File). Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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.

CARTOONS ON BOND

If your vibe is whimsical satire of spy classics, check out this fun duo below. 007 doesn't always translate to editorial or humor gags well, with Bond-isms often used in trite ways. But it's hard to go wrong with Mac and Roz Chast. The first cartoon was published in 2010, during the auction of one of the 007 Aston Martin cars, by Stanley McMurtry ("Mac") MBE. McMurtry was born in Scotland in 1936 and has been a regular contributor to the Daily Mail for over forty years. He is known for working his wives into his gags, to great effect here spoofing Bond's gadget-filled DB5 from Goldfinger. Wonderful timing! The second is by long-time New Yorker cartoonist, Roz Chast, who shines her quirky sociological lens on the economy and how cutbacks would impact Bond's lifestyle. Enjoy! Avengers fans, don't miss our feature interview with Michael Richardson here.

"My wife wants to know what the little red button is for."

Selected Spy Vibe posts: 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, Diana Rigg at 76, Gerry Anderson Doc, Mr. Hulot's Box Set, Rare Avengers Scripts, Man From Uncle UK Comics, Mattel X-15, Thunderbirds Comics, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Batman News, Monty Python Fathom Spies, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Avengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky Boots, George Lois Design & Mad Men, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Big Fun Toys, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Mod Fashion Dolls, 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.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: DIVA

Spy Vibers shared some of their favorite cinematography this week and discussed the role of color and black and white imagery in our experiences as viewers. How does a film's patina signify its era? Are there images that remain timeless? And what are the most indelible images in mystery adventure stories? I will post a series of clips this weekend from our discussions. Here is the trailer for the brilliant film, Diva (1981). "Every shot seems designed to delight the audience." -Pauline Kael (The New Yorker)