Friday, August 29, 2014

WHO'S SAVING THE WORLD UNDER THE SEA -- TOWER COMICS' UNDERSEA AGENT !!!




Undersea Agent was a great 68 page giant Tower Comics 5 issue series following the exploits of Lt. Davey Jones. Part of a group of scientists who operate out of a secret underwater base, charged with peaceful exploration of the oceans. 

 
 

Although there were supposedly a squad of undersea agents, the only ones who seemed to see any action were Lt. Jones, kid sidekick Skooby, and the beautiful Renata Del Mar. 


 

Jones gained electrical super-powers in Undersea Agent #2 when he was zapped by an electric eel while touching an atomic generator. Several adventures later Jones underwent a process of molecular densification, granting him further powers.






A number of villains wanted to abuse the world beneath the sea, including the perennial villain Dr. Fang, and the obligatory secret organization of would-be world conquerors known as T.H.E.M. (The Host of Evil Motives.)


Handling the writing for Undersea Agent was Gardner (Justice League of America) Fox, Steve (Hawk and the Dove, Sarge Steel) Skeates, Don (Werewolf) Segall.

Artwork for Undersea Agent was in the confident hands of Gil (Green Lantern, His Name is...Savage!) Kane, Mike (Justice League of America) Sekowsky, Sheldon (Batman) Moldoff, John (Fly, NoMan) Giunta, Frank (Magnus) Bolle, Ray (Mandrake, Turok) Bailey.

"Undersea Agent Meets Dr. Fang" in Undersea Agent #1 had a terrific Ray Bailey cover! 


"Return of Dr. Fang" in Undersea Agent #2 & "To Save A King" in Undersea Agent #3 showed off nice Mike Sekowsky covers! 

Unused Gil Kane cover!

"To Save A Monster" in Undersea Agent #4 & "Born Is A Warrior" in Undersea Agent #5 sported dynamic Gil Kane covers!


"Doomsday In The Depths" in Undersea Agent #6, the final issue, displayed a great Wally Wood cover!



Live Large My Friends!

Thank You!

Ray Bailey art!

Thursday, August 28, 2014

GOLD KEY'S CAMPY FUN WITH THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E. !!!


This campy Girl from U.N.C.L.E. series, a spin-off from the popular Man From U.N.C.L.E.  spy series, starred April Dancer and her swingin’ British partner Mark Slate. The pair of secret agents used their wits—and a huge assortment of exotic gadgets—to battle the evil plans of T.H.R.U.S.H. 


Years later, David McDaniel, author of many of the best Man from U.N.C.L.E. (United Network Command for Law & Enforcement) novels, provided to us what THRUSH stood for, Technological Hierarchy for the Removal of Undesirables and the Subjugation of Humanity! 

Never seen the action figure, got the album though!
The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. comic book came along, ran for five issues, written by the extremely talented and prolific Paul S. Newman & finely illustrated by Bill Lignante. The short-lived comic did a fine job of adapting the series, featuring photo covers with the lovely Stefanie Powers, and Noel Harrison.

Better look out!

Did you know April Dancer was a character suggested by Ian Fleming? Fleming consulted on the Man from U.N.C.L.E. television series, creating Napoleon Solo.



Issue #1 presented The Fatal Accidents Affair. Can the Girl from U.N.C.L.E. solve it before she becomes one of its victims?



Issue #2 uncovered The Kid Kommandos Affair, in which kid commandos wage a fun war -- with April Dancer DeaD on TargeT! Jack Sparling also provided artwork for this issue for a back-up feature.

Love the photo covers!

Issue #3 brought us The Captain Kidd Affair. The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. must do or die for a modern day Captain Kidd -- who isn't kidding! Frank Bolle took over the artistic reins.

Love the pin-up back covers too!

Issue #4 provided The One Way Tourist Affair, when a nobleman, THRUSH agent, the U.N.C.L.E. agents keep their cool -- in a dungeon.


The final issue, #5, gave us The Harem Scarem Affair, told in two parts, April Dancer are Mark Slate infiltrate an oil sheik's estate to stop his efforts to undermine the price of oil.


The digests also had great back covers!
Michael Avallone wrote the two U.S. novels!

In addition to the comic books, a series of digests were published with all new novels as well as a couple of original paperback novels in the U.S. and five in the U.K.. 


John Peel compiled two books in this Files Magazine series, covering the television show itself. 

Nice, folksy sound!
He wrote most of the songs himself!

On a personal note, I enjoyed the albums Noel Harrison came out with. He also did a fine job with the Windmills of your Mind theme song for the original Thomas Crown Affair movie. 

Live Large My Friends!

Thank You!