Mister 8

Tanner, who runs the excellent Double O Section blog, is having a themed week covering what he dubs “costumed adventurers,” a sort of stepbrother to the 60s spy genre typified by films like Danger: Diabolik. So far, he’s posted excellent, detailed reviews of Diabolik, and Fantastic ArgoMan, and more is in store for the remainder of the week.

We’re thinking of supporting Tanner’s efforts by showcasing some comic characters who straddled the line between secret agent and superhero. Maybe. We’re not sure yet.

In any case, we too at Mister 8 are big fans of these sorts of movies. Danger: Diabolik features our third favorite set designs in an espionage-related film of all time, after all. That’s why we’re excited about the theme of Double O Section this week, and why we were also excited when Docteur Legume, of Docteur Legume et Les Surfwerks, pointed us to his blog, where he features spy films in music videos for his reverb-drenched surf instrumentals. At his blog, you’ll see videos featuring The Prisoner and Dr. Mabuse, but today, we’re featuring our man Diabolik, and the song, “El Supersonico”:

Stay tuned for Tuesday, when we’ll be featuring Ennio Morricone’s theme for Danger: Diabolik, “Deep Down,” as our tab of the week (sorry MFU fans — I’m still figuring out “Meet Mr. Solo”).

Danger: Diabolik! bootleg

Ennio Morricone is perhaps best known, unfairly, for his spaghetti western scores, especially those to movies directed by Sergio Leone.  As Morricone has been quick to point out, these scores represent only a minute fraction of his actual film work.

One of the many films that Morricone scored in the 60s was directed by Mario Bava, the fantastic, perhaps ultimate Eurospy film, Danger: Diabolik! It’s a rich, lush score that reflects the era in which it was created, and features one of the best theme songs ever heard in a fim: Deep Deep Down.

e|---------------|
B|---------------|
G|---------------|
D|-5p4---5p4---4-|
A|-----5-----5---|
E|---------------|

[See full tablature]

Unfortunately, the original master tapes for the score were destroyed in a Cinecittà warehouse fire, and the only copy floating around is a bootleg someone made from their laserdisc. I created this tablature from the English version, and I believe both the English and Italian versions were sung by someone named Christy.

Everyone seems to be crazy for a performance making the YouTube rounds by Mike Patton (of Faith No More and Fantomas), with some even saying they were moved to tears by it. I’m not a fan — it’s too over the top to be truly sincere, with Patton’s crazy eye-mugging, and it aspires to sincerity too much to really be fun.

I’ll tell you who really does a great cover of this song:  Kriminal Hammond Inferno.

Agents of Atlas by Evan "Doc" Shaner

ITEM! Remember how I told you that Agents of Atlas was the best book Marvel was currently putting out, and how you didn’t believe me? Well, you should take my word for it, because you’re missing out on a secret agent super gorilla in a disco lounge suit.

But I know we’re in the midst of a financial crisis. Why should you gamble your hard-earned buck on this comic? Well, luckily for you, Marvel has three Agents of Atlas stories available for free at their website!

ITEM! Danger: Diabolik! fan / comics legend Stephen Bissette kindly linked to our post about Ennio Morricone’s “Deep Deep Down” yesterday. More importantly, this linkage came in the midst of a massive post about the theme, the film, and fumetti, with the highlight being Steve’s commentary for the Paramount DVD (above), and the notes he made to prepare for that commentary.

ITEM! In case you’re interested in other European espionage comics, agent David @ Permission to Kill has just uncovered a treasure trove of Fantomas, Espia 13, and James Bond…

ITEM! The following advertisement for a new Sadistik fumetti & comic, with an accompanying animated web series, as well as a documentary to debut at this year’s San Diego Comicon was emailed to me last week by the folks at Comic Fix:

ITEM! And we might as well share this video by the Charles E. Hall Band for the song Beware: Sadistik!

ITEM! And lastly, because I feel like it, and because we all love Diabolik here at Mister8 HQ, a little homage from the Beastie Boys:

This is sort of another follow-up post to our look at Ennio Morricone’s “Deep Deep Down” from Danger! Diabolik earlier in the week, continuing to spotlight musicians who have Italo-espionage influence in their music.

First, in the comments section of our last post, Nick of DVDTrash pointed out another Diabolik themed video, this one made semi-official by the acting presence of John Philip Law and direction from Mario Bava’s son, Lamberto Bava. Nick writes at his site:

Lamberto Bava has directed a music video for Italian pop group Tiromancino very much in the style of Diabolik, so much so that Diabolik himself John Philip Law is in the video with a small cameo. Also stars Dan McVicar as Diabolik and the lovely Claudia Gerini as Eva Kant.

Next, our new pal Simon from the band Kriminal Hammond Inferno emailed to tell us about his other band, The Lunar Tikis. He writes:

The Lunar Tiki’s began as instrumental surf trio (Luc on drums, Flupke on bass, Roland on guitar) in 2003. When Simon came in 2004 with his Hammond organ, the band slightly changed their direction and covered more 60’s music, including some spy themes like “Man from UNCLE,” “The Persuaders,” “High Wire” (from Danger Man) and “The Money Spyder” (James Taylor Quartet) but also 60’s classics like “She’s Not There” and “Green Onions.”

In 2006, they became “Leo & the Lunar Tiki’s” with a young girl singer, Léonor. They stopped with spy music then.

You can learn more about the Lunar Tikis at their website.

Simon sent along some MP3s from the Lunar Tikis’ early days as an instrumental band. Enjoy!

The Man From UNCLE

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The Money Spyder

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High Wire / Danger Man:

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The Persuaders:

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Simon was kind enough to tell us the chord progression to the last of these songs, and so we’ll soon be featuring the tablature to the Persuaders here at Mister 8!

But that’s not all. Simon also tells us more about his other band, Kriminal Hammond Inferno:

In 2006 Simon had the opportunity to make a side project with Kriminal Hammond Inferno with Daniel Wang on drums, and they included Lunar Tiki’s cover songs plus 2 new scores from Danger:Diabolik , “The Bubble Theme” and “Deep Deep Down.” They played in 2007 in Italy and Belgium with as guest Sarah Bogart for those 2 songs and performed in 2007-2008 in UK , Netherlands and Belgium .

Here is the group, with singer Sarah Bogart, singing the other theme from Danger: Diabolik!:

And here’s the end of a concert in Rome where they do a different version of “Deep Deep Down,” this time with some Italian lyrics (also includes a rocking version of Green Onions):