I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
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ISPYSHHHGUY
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Re: I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
yeah, I have that 'squid' episode, Alan; very stylishly done.....it looks more like something out of '2000 AD'.
Re: I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
Thanks for the Davey Spacer annual info, ISPYSHHHGUY and alanultron5. Do you recall if the (mystery?) artist looks the same as from the sample published above as that's rather nice.
Think I might seek those out. You don't half learn about a lot on these forums.
PS: Who'd have thought Puss 'n' Boots would have evolved into those amazing double page flight of fantasy extravaganzas from such humble beginnings?
Think I might seek those out. You don't half learn about a lot on these forums.
PS: Who'd have thought Puss 'n' Boots would have evolved into those amazing double page flight of fantasy extravaganzas from such humble beginnings?
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ISPYSHHHGUY
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Re: I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
I know you are a keen 'PUSS and BOOTS' fan, Raven, and it's a pity I can't show you the early colour single-back page stuff over '69-'70, as it's really quite different to the later double-spreaders from 1973 onwards that are usually shown.......
-------the artwork on this strip is definately more polished later on, but the sheer diversity of the earlier one-pagers was more intruiging, in my view [I recently enjoyed a beut where they visited the 'SPARKY' office and turn out their own crude comic-strips]: I'll perhaps start another 'P+ B' theme at some stage, and exhibit some of the more unusual items.
Regarding 'DAVEY SPACER': both annuals utilize the same artist, I'm sure, however the '71 annual is possibly less 'groovily psychedelic' than you are hoping for, as it's set on an ASTEROID where DAVEY has to make an emergency- landing, and tiny metal-eating robots he encounters form the central theme. The fantasy imagery of this strip was well superceded by '2000 AD' later on, but as retro-sci-fi, this earlier strip works fine.
Talking about discovering info on this site: look at these 2 [very] similar strips:
-----for almost 40 years, I have convinced myself that the top-illustrated 'SAM'S SNAKE' out of SPARKY was a blatant rip-off of 'SID'S SNAKE' from 'WHIZZER and CHIPS', which started in late 1969. The similarities between these 2 strips from both THOMSON and IPC are striking: however, studying these comic dates reveals that the SPARKY' creation [debut: SEP 20, 1969] just pips IPC'S strip---barely, by the skin of the teeth-------'W+C' issue number one dates from OCT 18 of the same year.
The MIKE LACEY creation remained uppermost in my memory, possibly because it was rendered in full-colour: but this just goes to prove how easy it is for your memory to play tricks on you [I bought both of these comics weekly during '69-'70].
Allowing for the weeks of behind-the-scenes preperation required before the comics went on sale, it's a dead-cert these 2 extremely similar strips were purely co-incidental in their conception.
-------the artwork on this strip is definately more polished later on, but the sheer diversity of the earlier one-pagers was more intruiging, in my view [I recently enjoyed a beut where they visited the 'SPARKY' office and turn out their own crude comic-strips]: I'll perhaps start another 'P+ B' theme at some stage, and exhibit some of the more unusual items.
Regarding 'DAVEY SPACER': both annuals utilize the same artist, I'm sure, however the '71 annual is possibly less 'groovily psychedelic' than you are hoping for, as it's set on an ASTEROID where DAVEY has to make an emergency- landing, and tiny metal-eating robots he encounters form the central theme. The fantasy imagery of this strip was well superceded by '2000 AD' later on, but as retro-sci-fi, this earlier strip works fine.
Talking about discovering info on this site: look at these 2 [very] similar strips:
-----for almost 40 years, I have convinced myself that the top-illustrated 'SAM'S SNAKE' out of SPARKY was a blatant rip-off of 'SID'S SNAKE' from 'WHIZZER and CHIPS', which started in late 1969. The similarities between these 2 strips from both THOMSON and IPC are striking: however, studying these comic dates reveals that the SPARKY' creation [debut: SEP 20, 1969] just pips IPC'S strip---barely, by the skin of the teeth-------'W+C' issue number one dates from OCT 18 of the same year.
The MIKE LACEY creation remained uppermost in my memory, possibly because it was rendered in full-colour: but this just goes to prove how easy it is for your memory to play tricks on you [I bought both of these comics weekly during '69-'70].
Allowing for the weeks of behind-the-scenes preperation required before the comics went on sale, it's a dead-cert these 2 extremely similar strips were purely co-incidental in their conception.
Re: I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
ISPYSHHHGUY wrote:I know you are a keen 'PUSS and BOOTS' fan, Raven, and it's a pity I can't show you the early colour single-back page stuff over '69-'70, as it's really quite different to the later double-spreaders from 1973 onwards that are usually shown.......
I do have quite a few 1971 issues which feature colour single back page Puss 'n' Boots strips. Quite good but still nothing like how good it would become later when the imagination became fully unleashed.
I'd wondered about the snakes, too. (One could come up with the conspiracy theory that DCT had a spy at IPC who leaked info about the forthcoming Whizzer and Chips comic and fiendishly tried to take away some of the thunder by putting out a snake strip a few weeks earlier!)
I've always much preferred the Mike Lacey art on Sid's Snake - I never really liked the Sam's Snake art at all; that's one reason Sid and Slippy's adventures are the superior snake sagas for me. The Sam's Snake artist Philip Millar's and Albert Holroyd's work were two things I could never enjoy in Sparky. Much of the other work though I thought was really good.
Thanks for the further Davey Spacer info. Pity that colour one wasn't a mindblowing psychedelic space freakout.
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alanultron5
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Re: I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
Anyone remember "I. Fly"? My sister was scared by the drawing of `Spider`
My favourite Puss & Boots story was the one in the Doctors waiting room which ended with P&B chased down the streets by enraged patients! P&B both on Boots `wheelchair` Puss shouting "Can't You Make This Thing Go Faster? They're Gaining On Us" Boots replies "Then Get Out And Push".
My favourite Puss & Boots story was the one in the Doctors waiting room which ended with P&B chased down the streets by enraged patients! P&B both on Boots `wheelchair` Puss shouting "Can't You Make This Thing Go Faster? They're Gaining On Us" Boots replies "Then Get Out And Push".
A Face unclouded by thought.
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ISPYSHHHGUY
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Re: I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
'SPIDER' out of 'I FLY' was a pretty repulsive specimen, Alan! This strip will be covered later, when 'SPARKY' works through 1970.
I am interested in other fields of UK comic-art, and PHIL MILLAR'S work I find collectible, in the following field; [I've had to choose these images very carefully, and edit out the captions due to the conservative image-hosting service I use]:
---quite a long way from 'SAM'S SNAKE/ I FLY!'------sadly, the more genuinely funny ones I have refrained from showing: Phil's work in this field stretches back to the early 50s, and indeed 'KORKY' artist CHARLIE GRIGG turned out loads of these items.
I am interested in other fields of UK comic-art, and PHIL MILLAR'S work I find collectible, in the following field; [I've had to choose these images very carefully, and edit out the captions due to the conservative image-hosting service I use]:
---quite a long way from 'SAM'S SNAKE/ I FLY!'------sadly, the more genuinely funny ones I have refrained from showing: Phil's work in this field stretches back to the early 50s, and indeed 'KORKY' artist CHARLIE GRIGG turned out loads of these items.
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ISPYSHHHGUY
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Re: I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
okay, finally back to 'I SPY':
serial seven: MEGALOMANIA, inc:
MR. MASTERMIND
above: surely an influence?
SERIAL SEVEN sees yet more twists and turns in the SPY-SAGA, that heralds in a brand-new, major villian, and also the first instalment of a new chapter in 'I SPY'S' history; this was the first of the new 3-page episodes [part of a 'semi-revamp', but not on the scale of the previous year, including new characters/free gift......more on this later]:
Recent editions of the strip had started to look slightly cramped, with 5 rows of frames cropping up increasingly frequently, and since the strip was faring well in reader's opinion polls, the decision had been taken to expand the format to give it the space it needed to 'breathe' [the main reason, in fact, it had progressed from a one to two-page concern some months back].
The strip definately benefits from the new format, and more experimental layouts become evident: the storytelling too, was evolving further, this tale refreshingly being totally unlike anything else in the canon that had preceded it. MR. MASTERMIND was to prove a memorable villain potent enough to give even MR. X a run for his money: totally different in conception, inasmuch as he is already ultra-rich in legal terms; a springboard he intends using as a platform to world-domination.
above: MASTERMIND'S debut, in which he cuts a suitably-suave dash.
MR. X was demented, to be sure, but after counting his losses, he would usually utter; 'CURSES!', lick his wounds, then move onto his next diabolical idea; MASTERMIND, however, is totally crushed and humiliated by defeat or failure, flying into fits of fury if his plans go awry: he has something of the 'spoilt-brat' non-quality about him.
A strikingly-designed character, with diamond-encrusted cigar-holder [this was the free-smoking very early 70s] and exquisitely-coiffured hairdo, MASTERMIND'S groomed appearance was unlike that of any other I SPY villain [or any other comics villain].
Our hero, himself has undergone a subtle visual transition, inasmuch he has a slightly less streamlined, 'lived-in' appearance; his hat, for example starts looking 'softer' than the abstract design of earlier episodes.
This tale is another EPIC quest that takes in demonic robotics, spectacular imagery, and for the first time, the mayhem spans the entire globe.
PART ONE begins on here shortly.
serial seven: MEGALOMANIA, inc:
MR. MASTERMIND
above: surely an influence?
SERIAL SEVEN sees yet more twists and turns in the SPY-SAGA, that heralds in a brand-new, major villian, and also the first instalment of a new chapter in 'I SPY'S' history; this was the first of the new 3-page episodes [part of a 'semi-revamp', but not on the scale of the previous year, including new characters/free gift......more on this later]:
Recent editions of the strip had started to look slightly cramped, with 5 rows of frames cropping up increasingly frequently, and since the strip was faring well in reader's opinion polls, the decision had been taken to expand the format to give it the space it needed to 'breathe' [the main reason, in fact, it had progressed from a one to two-page concern some months back].
The strip definately benefits from the new format, and more experimental layouts become evident: the storytelling too, was evolving further, this tale refreshingly being totally unlike anything else in the canon that had preceded it. MR. MASTERMIND was to prove a memorable villain potent enough to give even MR. X a run for his money: totally different in conception, inasmuch as he is already ultra-rich in legal terms; a springboard he intends using as a platform to world-domination.
above: MASTERMIND'S debut, in which he cuts a suitably-suave dash.
MR. X was demented, to be sure, but after counting his losses, he would usually utter; 'CURSES!', lick his wounds, then move onto his next diabolical idea; MASTERMIND, however, is totally crushed and humiliated by defeat or failure, flying into fits of fury if his plans go awry: he has something of the 'spoilt-brat' non-quality about him.
A strikingly-designed character, with diamond-encrusted cigar-holder [this was the free-smoking very early 70s] and exquisitely-coiffured hairdo, MASTERMIND'S groomed appearance was unlike that of any other I SPY villain [or any other comics villain].
Our hero, himself has undergone a subtle visual transition, inasmuch he has a slightly less streamlined, 'lived-in' appearance; his hat, for example starts looking 'softer' than the abstract design of earlier episodes.
This tale is another EPIC quest that takes in demonic robotics, spectacular imagery, and for the first time, the mayhem spans the entire globe.
PART ONE begins on here shortly.
Last edited by ISPYSHHHGUY on 28 Mar 2009, 15:20, edited 8 times in total.
Re: I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
ISPYSHHHGUY wrote:
I am interested in other fields of UK comic-art, and PHIL MILLAR'S work I find collectible, in the following field.
I think his saucy postcards are much more appealing than his Sam's Snake/ I Fly strips. His style really suits them.
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alanultron5
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Re: I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
Mr X had been `THE` villian of 1969. 1970 ushered in a villian who would very much make his mark in 1970 "I. Spy".
The moment he entered, I just knew that this character would be something special. In fact by this stories final episode I had written my second ever letter to Sparky in fervent praise of the `Mastermind` character and hoped very much he would return. Boy! was his `return` some story!!
I really loved the extra page which allowed the strip larger panels! It was a `look` the `Tempest` story would have benefitted from.
In one bound the "I. Spy" strip had upped another gear with a villian that, for me, would actually eclipse Mr X himself! WONDERFULL STUFF!!
The moment he entered, I just knew that this character would be something special. In fact by this stories final episode I had written my second ever letter to Sparky in fervent praise of the `Mastermind` character and hoped very much he would return. Boy! was his `return` some story!!
I really loved the extra page which allowed the strip larger panels! It was a `look` the `Tempest` story would have benefitted from.
In one bound the "I. Spy" strip had upped another gear with a villian that, for me, would actually eclipse Mr X himself! WONDERFULL STUFF!!
A Face unclouded by thought.
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alanultron5
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Re: I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
And now! To give a flavour of 1970 `Top Pops` here are the No1s (Singles) in The three other major chart in 1970. I left the BBC chart out as everyone knows that one via Guinness Book Records! These other three charts were no less accurate or inaccurate than BBC one! In fact; they represented a wider spectrum of the record buying public.
NEW MUSICAL EXPRESS
1970
Date Title Artist (Brackets) Weeks At No 1
31 January Reflections Of My Life (Marmalade) 1
7 February Love Grows (Edison Lighthouse) 3
28 February I Want You Back (Jackson Five) 1
7 March Wanderin’ Star (Lee Marvin) 3
28 March Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon and Garfunkel) 4
25 April Spirit In The Sky (Norman Greenbaum) 2
9 May Back Home (England World Cup Squad) 3
30 May Question (Moody Blues) 1
6 June Yellow River (Christie) 1
13 June In The Summertime (Mungo Jerry) 4
11 July All Right Now (Free) 3
1 August Lola (Kinks) 1
8 August The Wonder Of You (Elvis Presley) 3
29 August The Tears Of a Clown (Smokey Robinson and The Miracles) 4
26 September Band Of Gold (Freda Payne) 5
31 October Black Night (Deep Purple) 1
7 November Woodstock (Matthews Southern Comfort) 3
28 November Voodoo Chile (Jimi Hendrix) 1
5 December I Hear You Knocking (Dave Edmunds) 3
26 December When I’m Dead And Gone (McGuinness Flint) 1
MELODY MAKER
1970
Date Title Artist (Brackets) Weeks at No 1
31 January Reflections Of My Life (Marmalade) 1
7 February Love Grows (Edison Lighthouse) 3
28 February I Want You Back (Jackson Five) 1
7 March Wandering Star (Lee Marvin) 3
28 March Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon and Garfunkel) 4
25 April Spirit In The Sky (Norman Greenbaum) 4
23 May Back Home (England World Cup Squad) 1
30 May Yellow River (Christie) 3
20 June In The Summertime (Mungo Jerry) 4
18 July All Right Now (Free) 3
8 August The Wonder Of You (Elvis Presley) 5
12 September The Tears Of a Clown (Smokey Robinson and The Miracles) 2
26 September Band Of Gold (Freda Payne) 5
31 October Black Night (Deep Purple) 1
7 November Woodstock (Matthews Southern Comfort) 3
28 November Indian Reservation (Don Fardon) 1
5 December I Hear You Knocking (Dave Edmunds) 2
19 December When I’m Dead And Gone (McGuinness Flint) 3
MUSIC NOW
1970
Date Title Artist (Brackets) Weeks At No1
31 January Reflections Of My Life (Marmalade) 1
7 February Love Grows (Edison Lighthouse) 3
28 February I Want You Back (Jackson Five) 3
21 March Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon and Garfunkel) 5
25 April Spirit In The Sky (Norman Greenbaum) 4
23 May Back Home (England World Cup Squad) 1
30 May Yellow River (Christie) 3
13 June In The Summertime (Mungo Jerry) 4
11 July All Right Now (Free) 4
8 August The Wonder Of You (Elvis Presley) 3
29 August Tears Of A Clown (Smokey Robinson and The Miracles) 4
26 September Band Of Gold (Freda Payne) 5
31 October Black Night (Deep Purple) 1
7 November Woodstock (Matthews Southern Comfort) 3
28 November Indian Reservation (Don Fardon) 1
5 December I Hear You Knocking (Dave Edmunds) 2
19 December When I’m Dead And Gone (McGuinness Flint) 3
NEW MUSICAL EXPRESS
1970
Date Title Artist (Brackets) Weeks At No 1
31 January Reflections Of My Life (Marmalade) 1
7 February Love Grows (Edison Lighthouse) 3
28 February I Want You Back (Jackson Five) 1
7 March Wanderin’ Star (Lee Marvin) 3
28 March Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon and Garfunkel) 4
25 April Spirit In The Sky (Norman Greenbaum) 2
9 May Back Home (England World Cup Squad) 3
30 May Question (Moody Blues) 1
6 June Yellow River (Christie) 1
13 June In The Summertime (Mungo Jerry) 4
11 July All Right Now (Free) 3
1 August Lola (Kinks) 1
8 August The Wonder Of You (Elvis Presley) 3
29 August The Tears Of a Clown (Smokey Robinson and The Miracles) 4
26 September Band Of Gold (Freda Payne) 5
31 October Black Night (Deep Purple) 1
7 November Woodstock (Matthews Southern Comfort) 3
28 November Voodoo Chile (Jimi Hendrix) 1
5 December I Hear You Knocking (Dave Edmunds) 3
26 December When I’m Dead And Gone (McGuinness Flint) 1
MELODY MAKER
1970
Date Title Artist (Brackets) Weeks at No 1
31 January Reflections Of My Life (Marmalade) 1
7 February Love Grows (Edison Lighthouse) 3
28 February I Want You Back (Jackson Five) 1
7 March Wandering Star (Lee Marvin) 3
28 March Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon and Garfunkel) 4
25 April Spirit In The Sky (Norman Greenbaum) 4
23 May Back Home (England World Cup Squad) 1
30 May Yellow River (Christie) 3
20 June In The Summertime (Mungo Jerry) 4
18 July All Right Now (Free) 3
8 August The Wonder Of You (Elvis Presley) 5
12 September The Tears Of a Clown (Smokey Robinson and The Miracles) 2
26 September Band Of Gold (Freda Payne) 5
31 October Black Night (Deep Purple) 1
7 November Woodstock (Matthews Southern Comfort) 3
28 November Indian Reservation (Don Fardon) 1
5 December I Hear You Knocking (Dave Edmunds) 2
19 December When I’m Dead And Gone (McGuinness Flint) 3
MUSIC NOW
1970
Date Title Artist (Brackets) Weeks At No1
31 January Reflections Of My Life (Marmalade) 1
7 February Love Grows (Edison Lighthouse) 3
28 February I Want You Back (Jackson Five) 3
21 March Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon and Garfunkel) 5
25 April Spirit In The Sky (Norman Greenbaum) 4
23 May Back Home (England World Cup Squad) 1
30 May Yellow River (Christie) 3
13 June In The Summertime (Mungo Jerry) 4
11 July All Right Now (Free) 4
8 August The Wonder Of You (Elvis Presley) 3
29 August Tears Of A Clown (Smokey Robinson and The Miracles) 4
26 September Band Of Gold (Freda Payne) 5
31 October Black Night (Deep Purple) 1
7 November Woodstock (Matthews Southern Comfort) 3
28 November Indian Reservation (Don Fardon) 1
5 December I Hear You Knocking (Dave Edmunds) 2
19 December When I’m Dead And Gone (McGuinness Flint) 3
A Face unclouded by thought.
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ISPYSHHHGUY
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Re: I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
I loved the 'TOP of the POPS' album covers from this period, Alan: they always depicted a striking 'looker' on the cover, in seductress mode. The contents were almost certainly cheaply-recorded bogus versions, however!
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ISPYSHHHGUY
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Re: I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
'SPARKY' issue 261, January 17, 1970;
' I SPY and the AMAZING MASTERMIND MACHINES'; [part one of 6]:
'The Boss is attacked......by the OFFICE COFFEE MACHINE!'
SYNOPSIS: SPY HQ: BOSS presents the brand-dazzling-new COFFEE MACHINE just installed into the office to a disinterested I SPY, and the peace is shattered by the unannounced arrival of 4 bouncer-like thugs in expensive suits. They spray the air with freshener, then roll-out a lush RED CARPET, which totally covers BOSS.
A well-groomed stranger, the until-now recluse-like MR MASTERMIND makes his entrance, flanked by his thugs. Boasting to I SPY that he is an ultra-rich successful inventor with a global franchise, he intends initiating the next phase of his plans: that of WORLD-DOMINATION, with he as ruler of the planet, and is offering I SPY the post of second-in-command.
Scoffing at this assumption [I SPY'S heard all this, countless times before], I SPY is flanked at either side by two of the heavies, who attempt to bully-boy him into submission.....they reckon without the old 'release-the-super-hungry-wood-eating-termites, however, which sees the thugs plunge into the basement. MASTERMIND instructs his remaining two heavies, CECIL and ANDREW [a satire on 'RON', REG' or 'FRANKIE', which would have suited their appearence a lot better] to tackle our titular hero.
I SPY'S 'rocketing boxing-glove' delivers a well-targeted blow, prompting MASTERMIND to increase the stakes by ordering his geezers to simply SHOOT their deadly adversory........the classic gag in which he simply ducks,----leaving his suit still-standing, is wheeled out to cool comic effect, which is topped with the added slapstick visual of I SPY whipping the carpet, causing a ripple effect that ends up with these uncouth undesirables flicked out into the street, into MASTERMIND'S awaiting ROLLS-ROYCE.
The ROLLER screeches away, with a truly furious MASTERMIND declaring ALL-OUT WAR on I SPY, and on the world in general [his lackeys are seen, as was typical in this tale, ironing and dusting down their boss' SAVILE ROW suit, during his many traumatic tantrums]. I SPY is cautious enough to take this threat seriously, and he nips into a nearby PILLAR-BOX, which is actually a 'standby' device that transforms into a motorized 'disguise'. Back inside SPY HQ, a recovering BOSS [who has spent much of this episode trapped underneath the RED CARPET, as the mayhem unfolded] seeks relief in a quick cup of COFFEE from the newly-installed DISPENSER: uncharacteristically venting his fury on the malfunctioning device [but hey, his temper has been stretched recently] by booting it.
However, the large COFFEE-DISPENSER [a product of MASTERMINDS' worldwide conglomorate] now reveals it's internal ROBOTIC capabilities, complete with robotic voice [' DE-FEND! DE-FEND!] extending, steel gripper which throttles BOSS, and gun-like extensions.......poor BOSS is having difficulty reaching the HQ radio-system, to alert I SPY to this danger.
MASTERMIND'S entry into the saga was to have a profound influence over the events, as a more paranoic tone was to take over the scripting from about this point on. The events from heron in would take on a slightly more sinister, apocalyptic tone, and indeed at one point, this story will resemble something akin to a futuristic WORLD WAR III scenario. [there was still a dash of welcome absurdity added to the mix, however].
The artwork in this episode is especially good; as if LES BARTON was aiming for a real 'tour-de-force' in this debut 3-page opener.
The location of SPY HQ appears to have shifted during the events of this tale: before and after this, HQ is always situated within it's own grounds, but for this story, it appears to form the lower floor of a city-centre [more than likely LONDON] office block.
I SPY'S DEVICES: termite-release capabilities, rocket-powered boxing-glove. Also with: standby pillar-box vehicle, which has motorized wheels, telescope and 'tooting-horn' capabilities.
'SPARKY' underwent a slight overhaul with this issue: new strips from heron in were: 'WYATT TWERP and BUGSY', 'BUSHBOY', which occupied the colour centre, and 'ALI and his BABA' by MALCOLM JUDGE.............these strips will be illustrated on here later. This issue also had a free gift,in the shape of the 'free BIFF BALLOON'.
'WILL ISPY HEAR BOSS'S S.O.S?
will he be there to rescue him in time? Find out NEXT WEEK'
' I SPY and the AMAZING MASTERMIND MACHINES'; [part one of 6]:
'The Boss is attacked......by the OFFICE COFFEE MACHINE!'
SYNOPSIS: SPY HQ: BOSS presents the brand-dazzling-new COFFEE MACHINE just installed into the office to a disinterested I SPY, and the peace is shattered by the unannounced arrival of 4 bouncer-like thugs in expensive suits. They spray the air with freshener, then roll-out a lush RED CARPET, which totally covers BOSS.
A well-groomed stranger, the until-now recluse-like MR MASTERMIND makes his entrance, flanked by his thugs. Boasting to I SPY that he is an ultra-rich successful inventor with a global franchise, he intends initiating the next phase of his plans: that of WORLD-DOMINATION, with he as ruler of the planet, and is offering I SPY the post of second-in-command.
Scoffing at this assumption [I SPY'S heard all this, countless times before], I SPY is flanked at either side by two of the heavies, who attempt to bully-boy him into submission.....they reckon without the old 'release-the-super-hungry-wood-eating-termites, however, which sees the thugs plunge into the basement. MASTERMIND instructs his remaining two heavies, CECIL and ANDREW [a satire on 'RON', REG' or 'FRANKIE', which would have suited their appearence a lot better] to tackle our titular hero.
I SPY'S 'rocketing boxing-glove' delivers a well-targeted blow, prompting MASTERMIND to increase the stakes by ordering his geezers to simply SHOOT their deadly adversory........the classic gag in which he simply ducks,----leaving his suit still-standing, is wheeled out to cool comic effect, which is topped with the added slapstick visual of I SPY whipping the carpet, causing a ripple effect that ends up with these uncouth undesirables flicked out into the street, into MASTERMIND'S awaiting ROLLS-ROYCE.
The ROLLER screeches away, with a truly furious MASTERMIND declaring ALL-OUT WAR on I SPY, and on the world in general [his lackeys are seen, as was typical in this tale, ironing and dusting down their boss' SAVILE ROW suit, during his many traumatic tantrums]. I SPY is cautious enough to take this threat seriously, and he nips into a nearby PILLAR-BOX, which is actually a 'standby' device that transforms into a motorized 'disguise'. Back inside SPY HQ, a recovering BOSS [who has spent much of this episode trapped underneath the RED CARPET, as the mayhem unfolded] seeks relief in a quick cup of COFFEE from the newly-installed DISPENSER: uncharacteristically venting his fury on the malfunctioning device [but hey, his temper has been stretched recently] by booting it.
However, the large COFFEE-DISPENSER [a product of MASTERMINDS' worldwide conglomorate] now reveals it's internal ROBOTIC capabilities, complete with robotic voice [' DE-FEND! DE-FEND!] extending, steel gripper which throttles BOSS, and gun-like extensions.......poor BOSS is having difficulty reaching the HQ radio-system, to alert I SPY to this danger.
MASTERMIND'S entry into the saga was to have a profound influence over the events, as a more paranoic tone was to take over the scripting from about this point on. The events from heron in would take on a slightly more sinister, apocalyptic tone, and indeed at one point, this story will resemble something akin to a futuristic WORLD WAR III scenario. [there was still a dash of welcome absurdity added to the mix, however].
The artwork in this episode is especially good; as if LES BARTON was aiming for a real 'tour-de-force' in this debut 3-page opener.
The location of SPY HQ appears to have shifted during the events of this tale: before and after this, HQ is always situated within it's own grounds, but for this story, it appears to form the lower floor of a city-centre [more than likely LONDON] office block.
I SPY'S DEVICES: termite-release capabilities, rocket-powered boxing-glove. Also with: standby pillar-box vehicle, which has motorized wheels, telescope and 'tooting-horn' capabilities.
'SPARKY' underwent a slight overhaul with this issue: new strips from heron in were: 'WYATT TWERP and BUGSY', 'BUSHBOY', which occupied the colour centre, and 'ALI and his BABA' by MALCOLM JUDGE.............these strips will be illustrated on here later. This issue also had a free gift,in the shape of the 'free BIFF BALLOON'.
'WILL ISPY HEAR BOSS'S S.O.S?
will he be there to rescue him in time? Find out NEXT WEEK'
Last edited by ISPYSHHHGUY on 29 Mar 2009, 08:57, edited 4 times in total.
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alanultron5
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Re: I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
Great opening episode indeed! Mastermind makes an immediate impression and the idea of deadly dispencing machines is terrific! Slightly Dalek-like!
"Hot Hits" No2 has a great cover Rab! It came out in Nov 70 and its cover is a model in a sky blue micro-dress posing alongside of a car! Nice!
"Hot Hits" No2 has a great cover Rab! It came out in Nov 70 and its cover is a model in a sky blue micro-dress posing alongside of a car! Nice!
A Face unclouded by thought.
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stevezodiac
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Re: I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
Sorry I haven't been following this topic as I Spy was not popular with me. I wasn't keen on Les Barton's artwork. Having said that I was in my storage unit yesterday going through an Aladdin's Cave of boxes and bags filled with comics, magazines and cuttings I haven't seen for twelve years. I came across this copy of BCW (British Comic World). It has a nine page article on the strip. I don't know if you've all seen it before, if not I can scan in the other pages. (Have already scanned them but some are missing bits of text at top or bottom so will need to do again). If you've already mentioned this i apologise but i wasn't keen on reading through a dozen forum pages to find out. The article has an index of all the stories.
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stevezodiac
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- Location: space city
Re: I SPY--------- THE FIRST EPIC SERIAL
Speaking of the two Sid's Snake's I remember there was a strip called Me and My Shadow in Whizzer and Chips and later on a another "Shadow" strip in something like Buzz or Nutty? Please provide details someone.