Cover Contest 9/8 Thru 9/14 - I Spy

[CaptCleghorn]

Although it worth noting, that Ian Fleming actually based many of Bond's characteristics on a Serbian double-agent named Duško Popov he knew during his time at MI6. In particular, he was promiscuous womanizer who courted women during his missions, including the French actress Simone Simon.

I did not know that about Fleming. I did know he was drawing on his time with MI-6 when writing Bond's adventures, but the Popov connection was unknown to me. More that the captain has learned. When will it end? By the way, thank you for the information.

[seismic-2]

As to what the captain has learned in this peak of the week, he has been reminded that the Bond influence on our view of spies is powerful, indeed. He has read that real spies resemble Drew Carey far more than they do any version of James Bond as spies need to blend in. Bond, like characters in My Cousin Vinny, does not "blend".

The physical description of Bond was given in the first novel in the series, Casino Royale, by Vesper Lynd: "Bond reminds me rather of Hoagy Carmichael, but there is something cold and ruthless." In case you don't remember just what "Stardust" songwriter, pianist, singer, and actor Hoagy Carmichael looks like (he was in lots of noir-ish detective movies and lots of TV Westerns), here he is:



I'll let you morph that image into one more nearly "cold and ruthless", as you wish.

[seismic-2]

Incidentally, many students of the canon believe that Ian Fleming considered Bond to look rather like, well, Ian Fleming:

[foxley]

And for further comparison, here's a photo of Popov from the 40s. Look similar to anyone?

[foxley]

I did not know that about Fleming. I did know he was drawing on his time with MI-6 when writing Bond's adventures, but the Popov connection was unknown to me. More that the captain has learned. When will it end? By the way, thank you for the information.

You're welcome.

I have this vast store of useless trivia in my head. It's always nice when someone else finds it interesting.

[K7P5V]

K7P5V

The sheer logistics of trying to fire a gun accurately (left handed no less) while simultaneously carrying/dragging 3 ppl is very impressive. Blevins is such a great artist.

Thanks for the vote, Riv86672! And I totally agree, would love to see more from Blevins (if he ever returns, of course):