We know that Century 21 had some involvement in the merchandising in the UK, who featured the series in it's comics and specials.
As most of us of a certain age will also know The Man from UNCLE was an extremely popular series during the mid sixties, and it's two stars, Robert Vaughn and David McCallum were treated like pop stars in girls' teen magazines.
As TV Century 21 was more a boy's magazine, with an emphasis on Gerry Anderson's TV universe and futuristic space and spies, a big name like UNCLE might not fit, but although UNCLE and its stars weren't overly featured, they were occasionally mentioned.
This article was a veiled advert for City Magazines new girls publication, Lady Penelope, which appeared in January, 1966.
With Lady Penelope comic aimed primarily at young girls, and without the Anderson universe created for TV Century 21, this comic was an ideal vehicle for an UNCLE comic strip featuring the teen idols, Solo and Kuryakin.
Lady Penelope featured the full colour Man from UNCLE comic strip for 52 issues, ending in issue dated January 14, 1967. After that it was replaced with a black & white Girl from UNCLE comic strip.
A Man from UNCLE comic strip could be seen a month later in the short lived comic Solo, named after one of the UNCLE series' characters.
In spite of the interest we have for this particular comic at Moonbase, it was a bit of an oddity for City Publications, and largely forgotten by most people. It seemed to be more of a vehicle for Disney characters, like Mary Poppins and The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh.
As TV Century 21 was more a boy's magazine, with an emphasis on Gerry Anderson's TV universe and futuristic space and spies, a big name like UNCLE might not fit, but although UNCLE and its stars weren't overly featured, they were occasionally mentioned.
With Lady Penelope comic aimed primarily at young girls, and without the Anderson universe created for TV Century 21, this comic was an ideal vehicle for an UNCLE comic strip featuring the teen idols, Solo and Kuryakin.
There did seem to be more emphasis on Beatle-haired David McCallum rather than smoothy Robert Vaughn, but as McCallum was arguably, the girlies favourite, I suppose that was understandable.
The UNCLE comic strip was in full colour, and drawn by a couple of different artists, The first, I believe was Spanish illustrator Jose' Gonzalez, better known as the primary artist on the horror comic, Vampirella.
The second illustrator was Ron Embleton, a familiar artist to TV Century 21 readers. Ron drew the Stingray, and early Captain Scarlet strips.
A Man from UNCLE comic strip could be seen a month later in the short lived comic Solo, named after one of the UNCLE series' characters.
The Man from UNCLE did feature, but was relegated to black & white.
Solo lasted for just 31 issues, during which time it had gone through a few changes, still unclear as to who it's target readers were.
It was swallowed up by TV Tornado, which already featured The Man from UNCLE. TV Tornado was actually released the same week that Lady Penelope featured its final Man from UNCLE comic strip.
TV Tornado could be summed by just one word - cheap! The front cover, drawn by Mick Anglo was a big pull, but inside, the comic featured too many text stories, rather than comic strips, and apart from the front cover everything was black & white.
The Man from UNCLE did make it nearly to the end of th 88 issuee run of TV Tornado, with a text story right up to issue 86.
The next issue dated September 7, 1968 of TV Tornado featured some photos from the UNCLE TV series.
The final issue (88) of TV Tornado featured no UNCLE features.
The TV Tornado masthead was incorporated into TV21 with UNCLE failing to make the jump. By this time the actual TV series had been cancelled after 4 seasons and 105 episodes, and with interest in The Man from UNCLE waning Century 21 and UNCLE parted company.
The final issue (88) of TV Tornado featured no UNCLE features.
The TV Tornado masthead was incorporated into TV21 with UNCLE failing to make the jump. By this time the actual TV series had been cancelled after 4 seasons and 105 episodes, and with interest in The Man from UNCLE waning Century 21 and UNCLE parted company.
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great post scoop. comprehensive! Yes, its odd who Century 21 Merchandising and Publications picked up along the way. UNCLE were always the cream of those Sixties spy/ special agent shows like Danger Man, The Champions, Man in a Suitcase and so on. It really was a spy craze and toy attache cases were the pinnacle of the toy spin offs. I adored my Secret Sam case and gold James Bond pistol. I don't recall having any UNCLE toys except the die-cast car and the Waverley ring. Oddly though, I have spent years trying to complete an American Marx 1966 UNCLE Counterspy Set. Very nearly there! I understand there was a British version of the set with something called the Big Pen in it, although I've never seen it. Have you?
ReplyDeleteThanks for comment Woodsy. I must say I loved the spy genre when I was a youngster. The Uncle film has rekindled my interest. I had a James Bond set and some loose UNCLE cap guns. I'd love to get hold of the old Lone Star UNCLE set.
ReplyDeleteCould be a Doncaster special in October Scoop! Yay! Keep Channel D [for Donny] open!
ReplyDeleteI like it. Channel D will be open.
ReplyDeleteBack in the day 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' and 'I Spy' were two of my favorite shows although I never had any of the toys. Great stuff Scoop!
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