Pop Focus: The Man from U.N.C.L.E.


With a new "Man from U.N.C.L.E." film opening this week, we take a look back at the 1960s TV series that inspired it all.

Starring Robert Vaughn as American spy Napoleon Solo and David McCallum as his Soviet counterpart Ilya Kuryakin, "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." ran on NBC from 1964 and 1968 and, along with the James Bond films, spearheaded the mid-Sixties spymania phenomenon.

Numerous imitators followed in the show's wake, and, along with the "Batman" TV series running on ABC around the same time, "U.N.C.L.E." spawned hundreds of merchandising tie-ins, from a comic book series and toys to lunch boxes, paperback novels, board games and more.

U.N.C.L.E. stood for United Network Command for Law Enforcement, an international group formed to take on the larger threat of T.H.R.U.S.H., a criminal group bent on taking over the world.

While often considered a James Bond knock-off, it's interesting to note that 007 author Ian Fleming was involved in U.N.C.L.E.'s creation and came up with the character and name of Solo.

Here is a selection of pics from the program and associated products. More U.N.C.L.E. here next week.



























































    

Coming soon: Gil Kane's Undersea Agent

Out in November from IDW Publishing.


After the job was done for the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, a new force was revealed in UNDERSEA AGENT! Helmed by comics master Gil Kane, this special hardcover collection includes all of his work from the short-lived series. A must-have for Kane fans and Tower Comics collectors.

Pop Artifact: Vintage Superman neck tie and display

Via Hake's Auctions:


Upcoming from Marvel Comics - new batch of Epic Collections, Masterworks, Omnibi

Some recent listings on Amazon:

Captain America Epic Collection: Man Without a Country

Marvel Masterworks: Captain America Vol. 8

Daredevil by Frank Miller Omnibus Companion (New Printing)

X-Men: Age of Apocalypse Omnibus (New Printing)

Marvel Universe by John Byrne Omnibus

Captain America Omnibus Vol. 2

Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor Vol. 15

Elektra by Frank Miller Omnibus (New Printing)

Daredevil by Frank Miller & Klaus Jason Omnibus (New Printing)

Marvel Masterworks: The Champions Vol. 1

Howard the Duck: The Complete Collection Vol. 2

The Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Vol. 3

Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham Book 1: The Golden Age

Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Return of the Sinister Six

Marvel Masterworks: Daredevil Vol. 10

The Superior Foes of Spider-Man Omnibus

Captain America: The 75th Anniversary Vibranium Collection Slipcase

Pop Artifact: Vintage Superman character transfers

Via Hake's Auctions:






Pop Culture Roundup: Jack Kirby; Big Little Books

Booksteve shares a rare Jack Kirby-illustrated parody piece from Mad Magazine knock-off Crazy Man Crazy (1954)


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Meanwhile,  Kirby Without Words looks at the disconnect between Kirby's visual storytelling and Stan Lee's scripting in their Marvel Comics work.

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The Golden Age presents a spectacular gallery of Big Little Books.


New Music Friday: Elvis Presley; Simon and Garfunkel; Dusty Springfield, more

Click the links to order new CDs, vinyl or downloads from Amazon.