EDDIE IZZARD

Eddie Izzard is one of my favorite people on the planet. His standup shows have been hilarious and fascinating in equal measure. If you saw his documentary, Believe, you'll know his has been an interesting journey of self-discovery and empowerment. His curiosity typically leads him down interesting rabbit holes about history and language, and he performs his shows in English, German, and French. Plus, his riffs on James Bond and Star Wars (Jeff Vader!) have been brilliant. I was once lucky to see one of his shows in NYC from the front row. I'm currently immersed in Izzard's autobiography, Believe Me. Although I was psyched to get a signed copy, the real thrill has been listening to the audiobook version during my commute to work. Consistent with his style of thought and humor, his audio footnotes and asides during the reading actually outweigh the text itself, making for a richer, in-depth experience. I'm really loving it! I highly recommend the CD set to Spy Vibers. Do you guys still have CD players? Maybe it's available as a download. Izzard has dubbed himself an "action transvestite." He recently ran 27 marathons in 27 days for charity! This guy has my greatest respect. As a transgender, he embraces aspects of both his male and his feminine sides, and he prefers active wear over frilly bits- as he will tell you in a funny story about swimming as a kid. He even thought seriously as a child about military training because of the running, jumping, adventure of it all. And spies have crossed his creative radar a few times. James Bond featured in the Definite Article show back in 1996 (he also appeared in The Secret Agent in 1996 and The Avengers in 1998). In this funny segment below, Eddie looks at the world of James Bond gadgets and explores how 007 always seems to have the right tool for the right situation. Check out current tour dates. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: 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, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review.

SUMMER BLU-RAY SPIES

Summer Blu-ray releases: The 1998 adaption of The Avengers starring Uma Thurman, Ralph Fiennes, and Sean Connery hits shops on August 12th. Although the movie was a pale reflection of the original series, it might be fun to revisit if only for some of the design work. From Blu-ray: "THE AVENGERS, the hip secret-agent series from '60s TV, is reinvented for the movies with a stylish blend of wit, fabulous retro fashions and effects-packed action. Ralph Fiennes is the very dapper John Steed and Uma Thurman is the smartly catsuited Emma Peel, two secret agents who fight crime with style. Sean Connery portrays Sir August De Wynter, an evil genius out to control the world with his high-tech weather machine. This madman poses quite a threat with his raging icestorms, scorching temperatures, and mechanical buzz-bombing bees. But come cold, heat or dreaded plight, our two heroes never lose their cool. Tea anyone?" You can pre-order on the Best Buy site, but no Amazon page has appeared yet on our radar. 

A new Blu-ray edition of Michael Caine's classic spy film, The Ipcress File (1965), will be released this summer from Network. Often hailed as the "Criterion Collection" for cult TV and movies, Network has been working on a Hi-def upgrade to their DVD. Highlights porting over to Blu-ray include interviews with Michael Caine and designer Ken Adam. From the press release: "Featuring a quintessential performance from multiple Oscar-winner Sir Michael Caine and an iconic score from the legendary John Barry, this stylised and compelling Cold War spy movie won multiple awards on its theatrical release - including three BAFTAs. The Ipcress File is featured here in a High Definition transfer made from original film elements in its as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratio. Harry Palmer, a stubbornly insolent sergeant working for the Ministry of Defence, is less than thrilled to be transferred to an elite counter-intelligence unit under threat of blackmail. Palmer and the rest of his unit follow the trail of a missing scientist, but when he finds a piece of tape marked "IPCRESS" in an abandoned warehouse he suddenly becomes a marked man…" The Ipcress File is often out-of-print in the States. And with Anchor Bay's Harry Palmer box set also available, it may be time to add a multi-region player to your Spy Vibe lair! Street date is July 28th. Marketed as "the thinking man's Goldfinger," Len Deighton's seminal story was brought to the screen by talent from the James Bond circle, including John Barry, Harry Saltzman, Ken Adam, and Peter Hunt. Learn more at the Deighton Dossier. Spy Vibe's post about the creative cinematography and depth-staging in The Ipcress File here.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Michael Caine is Harry Palmer - exclusive interview with Sir Michael Caine

Exclusive interview with production designer Sir Ken Adam

Commentary with director Sidney Furie and film editor Peter Hunt

Michael Caine Goes Stella comedy short

1969 documentary: Candid Caine

Original theatrical trailer and US radio commercials

Stills gallery

British distributors Eureka will release Fritz Lang's classic Frau Im Mond (Woman in the Moon) in the UK on August 25th. Starring the cast of his must-see SPIES, this Sci-Fi story sports an espionage set-up. From Blu-ray: In this, Lang's final silent epic, the legendary filmmaker spins a tale involving a wicked cartel of spies who co-opt an experimental mission to the moon in the hope of plundering the satellite's vast (and highly theoretical) stores of gold. When the crew, helmed by Willy Fritsch and Gerda Maurus (both of whom had previously starred in Lang's Spione), finally reach their impossible destination, they find themselves stranded in a lunar labyrinth without walls- where emotions run scattershot, and the new goal becomes survival.

"A modern Daedalus tale which uncannily foretold Germany's wartime push into rocket-science, Frau im Mond is as much a warning-sign against human hubris as it is a hopeful depiction of mankind's potential. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present in a Dual Format (Blu-ray + DVD) special edition the culmination of Fritz Lang's silent cinema, restored to its near-original length."

Special Features:

• Gorgeous 1080p transfer on the Blu-ray of the F. W. Murnau-Stiftung restoration
• Original German intertitles with newly-translated optional English subtitles
• The First Scientific Science-Fiction Film – a German documentary about Frau im Mond. made by Gabriele Jacobi [15:00]
• 36-page booklet which includes a newly revised analysis by Michael E. Grost on the film, and on Fritz Lang's body of work as a whole — and more!

Recent Spy Vibe posts: Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, The Spotnicks, Gerry Anderson Models, Model Spy Gear, Model Secret Agents, Remo Williams Blu-ray, Bunny Yeager and Ursula Andress, Danger Mouse, Lost Avengers Episodes, Big Fun Toys, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Bruno Nicolai CD, Mother's Day (Avengers), Mod Fashion Dolls, Wild Wild West Blu-ray, Cold War Archie, New Avengers Comic, Ipcress File Blu-ray, Honor Blackman Tour, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, UNCLE Gun, The Saint books return, Spy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

NEW AVENGERS COMIC

Boom! Studios has announced a new Avengers mini-series called Steed and Mrs. Peel. The six-issue comic will be penned by Ian Edginton (Hinterland), with art by Marco Cosentino (Grimm Fairy Tales) and covers by Stacey Lee. Boom! published new Avengers comics in 2012, and even reprinted Grant Morrison's Steed & Mrs. Peel. Although I supported these projects as a life-long fan of the show, I could never really get behind the look of the drawings. Perhaps it was because of my familiarity with the original series, but I found the character designs brittle and lacking in flair. According to the press release, the new comics from Boom! will sport more stylized artwork. This sounds like a wise move, as the original program was quite stylish and owed some of its look to the pop art movement in the 1960s. If the cover image below is any indication, we might finally see The Avengers spirit and aesthetic in comic-form. So, why am I nervous? Story continues below.

Yes, the cover looks fun! This version of Emma Peel looks like she has charm, humor, and energy that could fit nicely into Swinging London. The fluid form and features do a great job capturing the youthful spark that Rigg brought to the role. It is very Emma Peel. But I'm nervous that they are watering down the series with a typical modern approach to female characters. You can see it in the exaggerated physicality. The changes are subtle, but they are there if you know what to look for. It comes down to chest volume, and Boom! seems to think Rigg needed some work done. Compare with the TV stills below and you'll see a slight shift in bust proportion, weight, and location in relation to the length of the head. They have also lowered her hairline slightly to give her a younger, feline look.

The appeal of Rigg's character was generated by her confidence, brilliant mind, charm, and her youthful Mod beauty- not to mention the fashion! She could fence like a master while writing articles for cutting-edge science journals. An action heroine with a genius-level IQ! This design change might not be so big, but it does point to a larger issue that concerns me. I admit I may be overreacting in this case, but I do see a trend. Why are we constantly sold this idea that a woman's power and value is only in relation to the size of her assets and the degree of her cuteness and availability? Why is female strength typically portrayed as flirtation? Did the women's liberation movement never happen? I know we're just looking at a comic, but Mrs. Peel once stood as a true role model for girls -albeit a role model in kinky boots and leather. I just don't want to see that deeper power lost. The choice to outfit her with an oversized gun on the cover also points to an effort to add cute sex-appeal. Rigg's guns in the show, when used, were often quite small. I wonder if the big gun infantilizes the character somewhat? But Boom! shouldn't feel singled out. The 1998 Avengers film also got Mrs. Peel wrong. Not sure what I mean by the exaggerated physicality and sexual tone? Compare Thurman's costume and stance to Rigg's (with tiny gun) below.

The interior art of the new comic will have a different look. I'm not sure what we're in for, but Cosentino's work can be slightly stiff and he seems to be known for drawing curvy women (from behind)- another bad sign for our Mrs. Peel? Maybe I'm jumping the gun, so to speak. Maybe it will be fantastic! I hope so! I'd love to see a successful pop-art inspired Avengers comic that preserves the original power and charm of the characters. I'm all for a sexy Emma Peel (producer's code for Man Appeal), but don't forget that Smart is sexy, too. Fingers crossed and bowler adjusted. Boom!'s Steed and Mrs. Peel will hit stores this July. Interested in this topic? Check out my interview with writer/cartoonist/historian Trina Robbins (Miss Fury, Honey West, Wonder Woman) here.

Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: SE Asian 007, Cumberbatch as Ian Fleming, Fleming Jamaica Book, Bond Japanese Editions, Fleming Chinese Edition, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50th, Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan, Collecting Fleming, Live and Let Die 60th, new poster announced, 007 Audio Books Update, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Fleming Letters Mystery, The Goldfinger Variations, Double 007 Book Designs,  Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Ian Fleming Letters, Erno Goldfinger, Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming image archive.

Recent Spy Vibe posts: Ipcress File Blu-ray, Honor Blackman Tour, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, UNCLE Gun, The Saint books return, Spy exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton, DC Fontana Prisoner Video, Edward Gorey's 1960s, Ipcress File cinematography, 007 SOLO cover designs, Gloria Steinem and Denny O'Neil on MOD Wonder Woman, Win Scott Eckert interview, Siegel and Shuster's SPY, David McCallum: Son of Batman, Wonderwall comes to Blu-ray, Kevin Dart talks Ringo & Powerpuff Girls, Fu Manchu history panel, Mod Tales Interview, Atomic Art, Shane Glines Batman.