I. Spy - the `years of decline, Sparky & Champ

Raven · Post by **Raven** » 27 Apr 2010, 19:50

I'm pretty sure it's originally from around the mid-70s-ish as I'm sure I remember reading it as a boy.

ISPYSHHHGUY · Post by **ISPYSHHHGUY** » 27 Apr 2010, 20:02

I will take your word for it Raven.

Lew Stringer · Post by **Lew Stringer** » 27 Apr 2010, 20:34

ISPYSHHHGUY wrote: Every creative enterprize undergoes changes over time, it's all quite natural; just look how TOM and JERRY evolved over the years, or DAVEY LAW'S work, for example.

Very true. I just took exception to Alan's statement that Brian's work had suddenly "declined" in 1972. It's quite a harsh thing to say about any artist and, as Brian isn't on this group to defend himself, I felt some balance was needed. I'm all for people airing opinions but there's a huge difference between "I didn't like that style because I prefer more detail" and "That work had declined and was less able".

As it seems from Alan's opinion that this "decline" took place as soon as the strip went to colour it would suggest to me that Brian merely changed his technique so it wouldn't look too clogged up once flat colour was added. Therefore it was a change for production reasons, not because of diminished artistic ability.

Perhaps I'll change my opinion once Alan shows us the strips that he finds the weakest, but from the 1972 ones I've seen on this thread so far, and in the January - March issues I have myself, the work was still high quality material.

Back to the drawing board...

ISPYSHHHGUY · Post by **ISPYSHHHGUY** » 28 Apr 2010, 07:57

The quality of the artwork is fine to me, Lew: it's just the approach to the strip in general is markedly different.......comic cavortings were merely an overtone to the b/w stories, but here in this colour series they are upfront, and have elbowed out the sense of deadly drama we used to see in this strip, making this new stuff look more like a 'farce', speaking of which, here's a French one:

THE DEADLY ONIONS: [18/3/72]:

this 'travelogue' serial in which I SPY encounters 'Johnny Foreigner' enemy agents is a bit of a corker in my view, and this episode in which he is confronted by an un-named French assailant is a superior offering, with top gags from start to finish. There are stereotypical references to be sure, but SPARKY in this period also served up images of cannibals and other xenophobic symbols, and though nobody batted an eyelid in 1972, this stuff leaps off the page when viewed today.

Still a fine episode though; I loved this tale first time around, and I still enjoy it today.

Alan: you are obviously a committed I SPY fan, and indeed a fanatical SPARKY collector........anyone who puts in a bid of over 100 quid for SPARKY number one as you did recently is clearly dedicated to the memory of the comic. However, I feel there is still some quality in this colour series, even if the overall tone is more 'juvenile' .

alanultron5 · Post by **alanultron5** » 28 Apr 2010, 11:21

alanultron5 · Post by **alanultron5** » 28 Apr 2010, 11:29

What happened there? Oh dear! I don't have a scanner! Oh well! Lew don't have the issues and I don't have a scanner- there you go! Frankly if I were buying the comic in 1972 I would have written in asking why such a `downturn` in one of its strips took placeÂ¬ I had written two letters of support re the I. Spy strip back in 1970. I would ask Brian Walker what happened if I saw him face to face and try my best to be polite about it or any of that!

All I know is I was awfully puzzled at an artist who I reckoned had done great work-seemingly go down a notch or two! - As I see it! Wether or not everyone else might think I am wrong-I would have liked to know if said Artist (and Writer) did indeed decide to - shall we say for arguments sake- take a different course!

I feel a bit mystified at Lews last comment to me - surely this is why we have this site!

alanultron5 · Post by **alanultron5** » 28 Apr 2010, 11:34

There was a very good Story in the `Fox` run where Mr X gets one armed bandits to be just that-rob people at gunpoint! A bit `Mastermind Machines` there! X gets away again! Good One!

Lew Stringer · Post by **Lew Stringer** » 28 Apr 2010, 11:53

alanultron5 wrote: All I know is I was awfully puzzled at an artist who I reckoned had done great work-seemingly go down a notch or two! - As I see it! Wether or not everyone else might think I am wrong-I would have liked to know if said Artist (and Writer) did indeed decide to - shall we say for arguments sake- take a different course!

It's hard to say without seeing the actual strips you're talking about. Starting a topic to condemn an artist for doing "extremely poor", "declining" and "deteriorating" work without actually showing us any examples to back up your opinion is just asking us to take your word for it. Hardly fair on Brian Walker is it? The 1972 strips I've seen look great to me.

alanultron5 wrote:I feel a bit mystified at Lews last comment to me - surely this is why we have this site!

Sorry to ask you for specifics again Alan,

but which comment in particular mystified you?

alanultron5 · Post by **alanultron5** » 28 Apr 2010, 12:35

Carrying on with my review of the James Fox `era` there were some very good concepts in some stories. "Supercharge" with his electric gun. "The Shrinker" with his device that could not only shrink anything, but enlarge it too! This story got the I. Spy strip its one and only full cover feature!

There was "The Playboy" who made his house into a series of game related traps a bit like an "Avengers" ep called "Game" in 1968. I will see what more intersting eps from the 1974-76 series I can dig out!

alanultron5 · Post by **alanultron5** » 28 Apr 2010, 12:42

I `STILL` missed out on that No 1 Sparky too! AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!!

ISPYSHHHGUY · Post by **ISPYSHHHGUY** » 29 Apr 2010, 07:54

'GAME' was one of the most bizarre Avengers episodes of all time...a beauty!

Following last week's slapstick cavortings in France, our hero encounters Swiss non-delicacy VILNOTT TELL in this mayhem-charged mountaineering offering. MR EE's agents sometimes wear a skull-and-crossbones insignia, as had a martial arts expert in the first episode of 1972. Not quite as memorable as last week's travelogue excursion, but a great visual setup at the end, as I SPY unwittingly hitches a ride via MR EE'S private jet:

25/3/ 72:

alanultron5 · Post by **alanultron5** » 29 Apr 2010, 14:51

Mr X appeared again in a one of ep about I. Spy's suit bieng sent by his Auntie (not! Granny Spy) to be cleaned and Mr X took his chance to eliminate I. Spy when `suitless` but he failed!!

The best I. Spy/Mr X story of the `Fox` drawn era was when Mr X has escaped jail and Boss & I. Spy expect him to be causing them trouble soon! Instead though-the Janitor enters and sprays some fresh air spray about. Soon, I. Spy and Boss to on a trip by train to Jungles, Deserts, Oceans and Ice Caps which makes Boss want to resign!

I. Spy realises none of it is real and they are still in Spy H.Q. Meanwhile, Mr X has changed out of his Janitor `guise` and is now donning a Tea Lady/Cleaner one! As he attempts to spray more of his `Dream Spray` disguised as fresh air cannister, I. Spy blows it back at him and Mr X is happily esconsed in jail thinking he has become rich.

A great concept which would have made a superb 4-6 parter in the 1969-71 hey-day! Mr X in `drag` quite a sight too! A very good story indeed! more anon!

alanultron5 · Post by **alanultron5** » 01 May 2010, 12:02

The only other returning `foe` in the Fox era was `The Time traveller` he was a bespectaclled bald fellow who possessed a time machine and used it to send I. Spy & Boss back through time! Luckily I. Spy knew how to construct his own `time` device to get them back!

The only other four part story featured a villian weidly called "King Vandal" he looked like a younger long haired Mr X!! King Vandal had a supply of Invisible pills to enable him to commit crimes! As in the "Dr Spook" story, I. Spy swapped them for harmless aspirin!

ISPYSHHHGUY · Post by **ISPYSHHHGUY** » 03 May 2010, 08:16

the mayhem reaches the desert sands for the first time, in this lively continuation of the MR EE travelogue......typically complex gags and glorious chaos at this point;

[1 April, 1972]:

alanultron5 · Post by **alanultron5** » 04 May 2010, 14:35

The last eight issues of the James Fox period were in colour and to my eyes, James' art suits colour better than Brian Walkers! Maybe there is technical reasons-but the colour shading looks far better to me and somehow makes Fox` work look very pleasing! No! this isen't another dig at Brian and I must apologise again for not having a scanner!

Perhaps the barmiest I. Spy Sparky story ever came in these few colour eps "Little Bounder" in which a naughty schoolboy decides to leave the classroom while esconced in the pouch of his pet kangaroo and go on a crime spree! I. Spy has to tackle what must be his daftest case ever!

Next up will be the final James Fox and Sparky I. Spy story- One featuring old enemy Mr X! Stay tuned!

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I. Spy - the `years of decline, Sparky & Champ

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