PINUP TIME: YVONNE CRAIG AS MARTA (WHOM GODS DESTROY?)

 

PIN-UP TIME: YVONNE CRAIG

 

FILMFAX #159: A NEW FIVE-OUNCE TON OF INTELLIGENT FUN

 

Holy Cheesecake, Batman! Filmfax #159 is a Bat-tastic one, highlighted by a Yvonne Craig/Batgirl salute, featuring a racy rundown of the actress' stand-out episodes and all the melodramatic ups and downs that go along with her classic role. 

And get this! Issue #159 even presents the first part of an interview with Brett Halsey, star of such fan favorites as Return of the Fly; Twice Told Tales; the Atomic Submarine; Revenge of the Creature; Demonia; and High School Hellcats; plus there's an overview of reviews for Bela Lugosi's Dracula: the Play; unearthed Ed Wood fiction; Buck Rogers in print; Cold War scares; and the third chapter of Son of Kong's construction, including Willis O'Brien's woeful trials and tribulations, buffered by the movie's amazing, comic-strip publicity. 

Lots of bonus additives round out the issue, establishing Filmfax #159 as another grand, nostalgic gem. 

Purchase #159 at your nearby book shop, comic store or online hub. You're guaranteed a rapturous time!

TERRIFIC TEAM-UP: NIMOY, WEST & CRAIG

PIN-UP TIME: YVONNE CRAIG (XMAS CHARMER)

PIN-UP TIME: YVONNE CRAIG (BIKINI UNCAGED!)

Collectible Time #83: Moebius Yvonne Craig/Batgirl and Suicide Squad Batmobile Model Kits

My friends at Z&Z Hobbies, Harvey and Mike, received a back-order on the resin release of Moebius' Yvonne Craig Batgirl kit. 

When assembled (see above images), the 1:5 scale costumed Barbara Gordon stands an awesome 17", with base. The kit was sculpted by the masterful Jeff Yagher and comes in a large, heavy-duty box, with cool-blue graphics, which of course, feature the fetching Craig. 

Moebius has been releasing styrene versions of the Batman '66 characters, which I've featured in several previous posts, like "Collectible Time #71": Oct '16. The figure featured here is a more expensive, deluxe entry, which though probably out of my price range, nonetheless satisfied my urge to get a Craig Batgirl for my collection. The kit goes between $125 - $150 through most hobby sources. (Z&Z gave me a loyal-customer discount, I'm pleased to report.)

Also through Z&Z, I obtained a Moebius "Suicide Squad" limited-edition, Ben Affleck Batmobile. The company actually released a version of this model last year (see "Collectible Time #56, April '16) to coincide with "Batman v Superman", so it's the crimson-backdrop packaging that primarily distinguishes this (re)release. Also, if one doesn't add the front guns, the Batmobile can better reflect the style featured in the villain-rally hit.

The Batmobile is an impressive 1:25 (12") scale, so no matter which release one goes for, one will get a decent chunk of plastic with which to tinker for about $30-$40, at the present price range.

Anyway, it was sure fun to get a couple Batman collectibles that span both the new and old cinematic realms.

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!!!

FOCUS ON FILMFAX #142!!!

...Alerting folks of Filmfax #142 (Oct-Dec '15), which just hit the newsstands. It’s a particularly significant edition, catering to three legendary performers we've recently lost--Yvonne Craig, Christopher Lee and Patrick Macnee--in adoring retrospectives by Jan Alan Henderson and Daniel Savino. 

Though these legendary performers act as #142's headliners, the issue also features the second half of an interview with Donnie Dunagan (young star of "Son of Frankenstein", "Tower of London" and voice of Bambi) and an insightful first-part essay on George Pal's controversial "Doc Savage".  

While other so-called pop-cultural mags cater exclusively to the drab here-and-now, Filmfax isn't afraid to embrace the past, to celebrate the individuals who've enriched our lives over the decades. 

Grab your copy of Filmfax today. You're guaranteed hours of sterling sentiment and informative fun.  

RIP YVONNE CRAIG...

GOODBYE MS. CRAIG...You truly meant the world to me. 

You'll be missed more than mere words could ever convey. 

Collectible Time #30: Mattel Batgirl '66 Yvonne Craig figure

Just special-ordered an advance release of the latest 6" entry in the Mattel Batman '66 action-figure line...Yvonne Craig's Batgirl!!! (It's offered via "Toys"R"Us, in honor of the San Diego 2015 Comic Convention celebration.)

I have all the prior Batman '66 figure releases in this series and do intend to go down the line with any additional ones that are produced. So pleased that Ms. Craig was chosen to kick off a new spree: nothing short of a dream come true!!!