Collection Recommendation #6: Batman '66 Meets the Man from U.N.C.L.E

In the realm of "if only", a crossover of the Adam West/Burt Ward "Batman" and the Robert Vaughn/David McCallum "Man From U.N.C.L.E." would have been as historic and cherished as the '60s Batman/Robin/Green Hornet/Kato grouping (sequelized recently by DC; see "Collection Recommendation 2": June '15). Now, thanks to DC, we have writer Jeff Parker's dynamic reverie-come-true of spies and caped derring-do: all six exciting installments packaged in one stylish, hardcover volume, which features a steady stream of fantastic, collaborative artwork by David Hahn; Karl Kesel; and Pasquale Qualano. 

"Batman '66 Meets the Man from U.N.C.L.E." (aka, "The Batman Affair") grants each stellar side its proper due. We not only have West/Ward's Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson, but Yvonne Craig's Barbara Gordon/Batgirl; Burgess Meredith's Penguin; and Anne Baxter's Olga, Queen of Cossaks, propelling the action. Robert Vaughn's Napoleon Solo and David McCallum's Illya Kuryakin tangle in particular with Olga in the adventure's initial phases, giving it a Cold War ambiance that's sure to please any '60s spy fan. 

We also witness an early Arkham escape (the story's prelude, in essence) from none other than Pengy, but it's really a ruse that allows other dastardly inmates to fly the coop and assist T.H.R.U.S.H. in its quest for global chaos. 

The T.H.R.U.S.H. inductees include several of Batman's most endearing adversaries, such as Egghead; Mr. Freeze; Sandman; and Siren. Other villains not seen on the television series also appear: Hugo Strange; the Scarecrow; and Poison Ivy (a role that Ann-Margret may have played if only her schedule had allowed).  

Solo, Kuryakin and their boss, Mr. Weatherby, believe Batman can assist them against the T.H.R.U.S.H scheme, but also suspect the Caped Crusader's alter-ego, Bruce Wayne, might be guilty of abetting the villains' breakout, since it appears that many T.H.R.U.S.H. members are of affluence. Of course, the agents' suspicions are wrong. It's instead one of Batman's adversaries (guess who!) who's working with the fiendish organization to implement a wild, mind-control scheme, but can our heroes conquer its psychedelic complexities?

Though the third season of "U.N.C.L.E." evoked a campy, Batman-ish tone, Solo and Karyakin  play it straight through most of Parker's tale. (All the same, there's a swell, tongue-in-cheek nod to Vaughn's "Superman III" Ross Webster, for those in the know). Unlike the Batman primaries, the U.N.C.L.E. agents don't hesitate to kill their opponents, rationalizing their stance at one point to Robin, but thereafter sweeping any further justification under the rug to ensure the story's pace. 

This heartfelt flow makes the adventure a genuine gem throughout, balancing the two, pop-cultural sides seamlessly; and the joyful artwork adds much to this, with the more distinct likenesses favoring the Caped Crusader crowd, though with enough existing resemblance to Vaughn and McCallum to allow the U.N.C.L.E. aspect to click. (Alas, Weatherby looks no more like Leo G. Carroll than Commissioner Gordon looks like Neil Hamilton. As far as the other characters go, there's just enough mirroring for one to get the point, with Freeze leaning more toward George Sanders than Otto Preminger or Eli Wallach. Sandman and Siren, on the other hand, only bear a mild resemblance to Michael Rennie and Joan Collins, but at least the characters' antics appear on target.)

Leafing through the chapters in one, fell swoop is the way to go. At the $20 range, the hardback is a steal that any Batman or T.H.R.U.S.H. villain would dare not evade.

Too bad this crossover didn't enter official, television reality, though I don't see why an animated adaptation couldn't manifest, considering the success of "Return of the Caped Crusaders"; alas, the late Vaughn can no longer be a part.

If you love the '60s Batman series, U.N.C.L.E., or any aspect of the period in which these incarnations reigned, you'll be more than pleased to add this compilation to your library. 

Next up: a hardback edition of the "Batman Meets Steed and Mrs. Peel" series, scheduled for March '17. Holy team-up, indeed!!!

I saw U.N.C.L.E. (Reborn)...

In the mid-sixties there was no spy phenomenon as big as "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.", except of course, James Bond and let's not forget "The Avengers" (John Steed/Emma Peel, that is). "U.N.C.L.E.", however, went through the roof during its early phases, making Robert Vaughn and David McCallum household names, as well as their characters, Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin pop-cultural icons. Incidentally, though the series was developed by the innovative Sam Rolfe, it was conceptually influenced by Bond's daddy, Ian Fleming.

U.N.C.L.E., which stands for United Network Command for Law and Enforcement,  took a stand against the chaotic command of T.H.R.U.S.H.: Tech Hierarchy for the Removal of Undesirables and the Subjugation of Humanity (how's that for a mouthful?). U.N.C.L.E. was a combined agency effort: though Solo was American bred, Kuryakin was KGB connected. Kuryakin was still faithful to Solo, who like Bond, was every inch the suave, lady's man. Their boss (i.e., their version of "M"), was Alexander Waverly, portrayed by renown character-actor Leo G. Carroll: the series' sentimental, supporting lead. 

"U.N.C.L.E." spawned several films (episodes shown theatrically in color during a time when black-and-white television was the norm, with added, sensual footage not seen on the home screen). The films were profitable worldwide, and though "Return of the Man from Uncle" premiered as a high-profile movie-of-the-week in '83, it's odd that a theatrical relaunch of the franchise has taken this long. 

Nevertheless, the "U.N.C.L.E" revival has surfaced: big-budgeted and directed by hipster Guy Ritchie, who co-scripted with Lionel Wigram. It stars Henry Cavill as Solo and Armie Hammer as Kuryakin: yep, Superman and the Lone Ranger together at last (well, sorta). Affable Hugh Grant portrays Waverly, with Jared Harris on hand as C.I.A. agent Sanders, who  keeps us properly cautious in the good ol' fashioned Cold War way. 

Joining the boys is the lovely, mechanically inclined East German, Gaby Teller (Alicia "Ex Machina" Vikander). She's not in the least timid about throwing herself into the action and remains a constant sight-for-sore-eyes: for all intents and purposes, this story's "Girl From U.N.C.L.E.".

The sinister lead is the cool Victoria Vinciguerra (Elizabeth Debicki), who's as fiendish as she is statuesque: a veritable Satan cloaked. Her sadistic motivation is pure T.H.R.U.SH., with a desire to tear down the world via nuclear destruction (and with an connection to Teller's physicist dad, no less). In this regard, she's much like any aspiring terrorist (only lots prettier) and to Solo, far more treacherous than even the most skilled KGB agent could be. After all, Kuryakin is on his side (albeit reluctantly), and together our heroes face a series of outlandish obstacles to defeat their foe.

The circumstances churn lots of comical bickering and sincere camaraderie, making this U.N.C.L.E. more of a buddy movie than a typical, spy/espionage flick. Then again, the principles were always tight-nit on the series, and considering the third season's shameless levity, the film's shenanigans may not be so out of place. 

In other ways, Ritchie's version mirrors his revisionist Sherlock Holmes adventures: a sea-sawing of high-flying danger and unabashed superheroics. Thank goodness the flow never feels awkward, perhaps because its underlying unevenness is charged by movie-serial thrills, quick wit and exotic visuals. Let's face it: for this sort of adventure, that's essentially all one needs.

Also to the remake's benefit, it's an unapologetic nostalgic piece, with a Daniel Pemberton throwback score, which often invokes Ennio Morricone, constantly accompanied by cool cars and colorful clothing. The overall package is an indisputable gift to older fans, but hopefully the film will inspire youngsters to seek out the original, so they might see what all the hub-bub was (and still is) about. Indeed, what was old is new again, and in either case, it's all good fun.