Holy heartthrob! Spy Vibe returns to those school days, when friendships were solidified over valentines cards and candy hearts. February brought a crop of card-packs to stationary stores around the country, luring young buyers with designs based on the pop icons of the day. In 1966, kids were in the throes of Batmania! Sales of the Batman comic book had dwindled to an all-time low by the mid-1960s, but the Adam West TV show conquered the airwaves and reinvigorated DC publishing. It was a Bat-merchandising phenomenon! Children were soon brushing their teeth with Bat-brushes, waking up to Bat-alarm clocks, and carrying their peanut butter sandwiches to school in Bat-lunch boxes. Even Valentines Day quickly fell under the Bat-spell. The TV series made its debut on January 12th, 1966. By February 14th -one month later- little shoppers found cards designed by Doubl Glo and Hallmark. The Doubl Glo set sold for .59 and included envelops and a "special card for teacher." Thanks to cartoonist Mark Anderson for posting these (and more!) on his site. Related post: Soviet New Years, Batman 66 Exhibit, Interview: Batman '66 Book, Interview: Ralph Garman and Ty Templeton, Interview: Animation Designer Shane Glines, Interview: Ryan Heshka, Batman TV and Manga releases, Batman 66: The TV Stories Book, Batman in Swinging London, Julie Newmar, Batman 66 posters, Adam West Sings!, Adam West spy ad, Spy Vibe visits the Batcave, James Bond & Batman Robots, Andy Warhol Batman, Man From UNCLE & Batman Manga. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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.
As we enter our seventh year, I'm so grateful to our community for making Spy Vibe such a fun place to meet and share our passion for 1960s Style in Action. When my schedule has allowed, I've had the pleasure to chat with a number of fellow writers, artists, and collectors. In celebration of the New Year, I'd like to spotlight some of our best interviews and give our new readers a chance to catch up. This is also a time of year when I have to invest in the various costs of running the site: domain names, web forwarding, etc. If you can contribute even a few bucks, it will help this high school art teacher continue the website and I'd be so grateful. There is a Paypal donation link at the top left of the page. Thanks to everyone for being a part of Spy Vibe! Now, look who's been talking in the lair.
Fergus Fleming on his uncle Ian Fleming and editing the James Bond Letters.
Jaz Wiseman on producing many 1960s spy series DVD and Blu-ray releases.
Jon Gilbert on his Ian Fleming Bibliography.
Alan Stephenson on his world-class James Bond collection.
Mike Richardson on writing the ultimate history of The Avengers.
Shane Glines on designing for Batman animated shows.
Raymond Benson on collecting and writing James Bond.
Richard Sala on classic spies, pulps, and his Super Enigmatix graphic novel.
Bunny Deana on the London Playboy Club in the 1960s.
Trina Robbins on Honey West, Wonder Woman, and women in pop culture.
Ian Dickerson on The Saint and writing the Leslie Charteris biography.
Jeremy Duns on collecting Ian Fleming.
Ralph Garman and Ty Templeton on Batman 66 Meets the Green Hornet.
Rodney Marshall on writing about the history of The Avengers.
Win Scott Eckert on writing Honey West, T.H.E. Cat, and Green Hornet.
Kevin Dart on Yuki 7.
Bosko Hrnjak on Tiki art.
Richard Sala on classic spy/pulp conventions, The Avengers, Dick Tracy & more!
Set Designs w Lee Pfeiffer, Wesley Britton, Stephen Bissette & others.
John Buss on his world-class collection of spy TV memorabilia.
Peter Lorenz on collecting James Bond books and art.
Mike Richardson on writing The Making of Casino Royale.
Alan Hayes on writing the early history of The Avengers.
Odysseas Constantine on designing The Avengers Pop Art collection.
Rob Mallows on collecting Len Deighton.
Jim Wilson on Code 3 Corgi toys.
Piper Gates Design on designing with retro cult TV.
Katharine Boyd on Mod Tales comic #1.
Ryan Heshka about his pulp and sci-fi-inspired art.
David Foster on collecting spy and pulp books.
Kevin Dart on designing Powerpuff Girls and working with Ringo.
Roger Langley on collecting Danger Man/The Prisoner.
Big Fun Columbus on vintage toys.
Craig Arthur on collecting classic spy fiction.
Matt Maranian on 60s style and writing Pad.
Matt Sherman on collecting rare James Bond books and props.
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fritz Lang Spies, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, 007 SPECTRE Comics, Casino Royale Folio, New James Bond Comic, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Callan Documentary and Set, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Early Saint Box Set, 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.
New Release: Set your Bat-timers for November 11th! After decades of legal acrobatics, the 1966 Batman series starring Adam West will finally arrive on home video. All of the episodes have been remastered in hi-definition and a cool assortment of bonus features, cards, and toys have been produced to mark this special event. If you grew up with the Miller, Burton, Nolan interpretations of the Dark Knight, the 60s version may appear overly campy, but you are in for a treat, old chums! The show was a masterpiece of Pop Art design and featured sharp performances that kept adults laughing and kids on the edge of their seats. Blu-ray and DVD sets available now on Amazon. Spy Vibers can also look forward to seeing the Blu-ray release of Season 5 of The Avengers on the same day!
Vintage photo below: Batman co-creator Bob Kane strikes a Hefner pose with painting and Catwoman model. Dig those shoji-inspired walls! Bob Kane was born on October 24th, 1915. He passed away in 1998. Although often credited as the sole-creator of the Caped Crusader, it is more widely known today that his collaborators, Jerry Robinson and Bill Finger, invented much of the Batman mythos. Learn more about Bill Finger. Related posts: Spy Vibe interview with Batman animation designer Shane Glines here;
Batman '66 Meets Green Hornet interview with Ralph Garman Ty Templeton;
Spy Vibe's Batman image archive on Pinterest; Batman and Andy Warhol here;
Teen Titans and Secret Agent here;
My visit to the original Batcave here; Batman TV and Manga releases;
Batman 66: The TV Stories Book;
Batman in Swinging London;
Julie Newmar;
Batman 66 posters;
new comic and Adam West Sings!;
Adam West spy ad;
James Bond & Batman Robots; Man From UNCLE & Batman Manga.
Selected Spy Vibe posts: Flint Scores!, Bond Danish, Louis Feraud, Roger Moore Day, Home Movies, New Richard Sala Book, New 007 Comics, Unseen Fleming in new 007 by Horowitz, Designing Bond Books, Foster Spies, Green Hornet Manga, Margaret Nolan Art, No 6 Festival, Barbarella Returns, 007 Audio Books Return, Harry Palmer Blu, One Million Prizes, Designer: Gene Winfield, Avengers Blu-Ray, 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.
A number of Mystery/Adventure and Pulp properties were licensed in Japan in the 1960s to be adapted into manga series. Saito's pre-Golgo 13 work on James Bond and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is legendary (and remains untranslated), and Kuwata's Batman has had a resurgence due to the loving efforts of designer Chip Kidd (the complete collection will finally be published in English this Dec). Adventures of The Green Hornet and his Karate-master chauffeur, Kato, were released in Japanese by Toru Yamazaki in 1967 (a contemporary creator named Toru Yamazaki published Octopus Girl). Few images of the Hornet manga have surfaced outside of the collector's market, but here are some samples that might spark your interest. The Green Hornet has also appeared in the pages of Harvey, Gold Key, Now, DC, and Dynamite Comics. Kevin Smith, Ralph Garman, and Ty Templeton are currently publishing a series through DC that continues the Batman/Green Hornet TV crossover from March, 1967. You can read my interview with the creative team here. Related posts: Interview with Green Hornet writer Win Scott Eckert, Solo by Saito, UNCLE and Batman manga. Learn more about the history of The Green Hornet. Happy weekend, Spy Vibers!
Selected Spy Vibe posts: Margaret Nolan Art, No 6 Festival, Barbarella Returns, 007 Audio Books Return, Harry Palmer Blu, One Million Prizes, Designer: Gene Winfield, Avengers Blu-Ray, 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.
