Audio drama creators Big Finish have released the fourth of their The Avengers: The Comic Strip Adaptations, available now only from their official web site until the end of July, before going on general release.
The Avengers: The Comic Strip Adaptations Volume 4: Steed & Mrs Peel – available to order here – features four more thrilling episodes based on the adventures of Steed and Mrs Peel in the TV Comic strips, adapted by John Dorney, Robert Khan, Tom Salinsky, Dan Starkey and Gemma Langford, and starring Julian Wadham and Olivia Poulet.
The 1960s’ most iconic investigative team is back to foil evil plots and espionage with a glass of champagne in one hand and a bowler hat in the other.
The impressive cast includes Julian Wadham as stylish agent John Steed, Olivia Poulet as his trusty sidekick, Mrs Emma Peel, and estimable ensemble support from Paul Putner, Jeany Spark, Jessica Martin and Corrinne Wicks, to name but a few.
“My dad used to love Diana Rigg as Emma Peel and I’d seen some of them,” actor Olivia Poulet said of taking on the iconic role of Mrs Peel. “But to be honest, I wasn’t massively well acquainted with the show, so I went and watched some.
“Once I’d got an idea of who she was, I stopped watching because I didn’t want to do an imitation of Diana Rigg – I didn’t think it should be a case of simply copying her, as I wanted to get a feel for the relationship between her and Steed and bring a new slant. There’s no point in going out and trying to copy someone else’s delivery, especially when it’s so well known and loved.
“It’s been really fun. I’ve watched quite a lot of it being recorded, which has been a really nice experience. I haven’t actually done that before, and I found it very entertaining. And theatrical, which I love. It feels like such a romp to be a part of.”
The new release comes shortly after Big Finish re-opened its warehouse and commenced the shipping of back-orders. The mailout of collector’s edition CDs will still be delayed, but purchases of these CD titles will unlock a digital copy that can be downloaded or played on the Big Finish app immediately from the release date.
ON THIS RELEASE…
4.1 Listen Hear… by Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky
Steed gets an earful, Emma sees the light.
An agent has been lost at sea shortly after getting hold of a revolutionary new device that the Ministry is very keen to acquire. Steed and Peel are sent to retrieve it, but the enemy agents also on the trail are the least of their worries. Someone is listening in on their every move. But who?
4.2 The Clown Has Two Faces by Dan Starkey
Steed has his cake and eats it, Emma flies through the air.
Top secret plans have been stolen, and all signs point to a travelling circus. Infiltrating, Steed and Mrs Peel find themselves in the middle of a deadly serious plot. When you take on clowns, can you be certain of having the last laugh?
4.3 White Heat by Gemma Langford
Steed goes North, Emma feeds the flames.
Fireballs are descending upon London and a ransom is being demanded. Steed and Peel have a single lead – an agent badly injured in a similar attack. If she can lead them to the person responsible, they might just have a chance to stop the destruction… but if not, they will soon witness the second great fire of London!
4.4 Now You See Him… by John Dorney
Steed opens the box, Emma does a disappearing act.
Scientists are defecting and no-one is entirely sure how or why. With their quarries disappearing on the street, Steed and Peel are baffled. Surely a night out at the theatre can’t provide the solution?
• The Avengers: The Comic Strip Adaptations Volume 4: Steed & Mrs Peel – available to order here | General Release Pre-Order (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
Director: Ken Bentley, Samuel Clemens
Written by John Dorney, Robert Khan, Tom Salinsky, Dan Starkey, Gemma Langford
Cover Artist: Anthony Lamb
Executive Producer: Nicholas Briggs, Jason Haigh-Ellery
Music: Jamie Robertson
Producer: David Richardson
Script Editor: John Dorney Roland Moore
Sound Design: Steve Foxon
Theme Music by Laurie Johnson
Product Format: 4-disc CD (jewel case in slipcover)
Number of Discs: 4
Duration: 229 minutes
Physical Retail ISBN: 978-1-78703-748-9
Digital Retail ISBN: 978-1-78703-749-6
Production Code: BFPPEELAVENGE004
• More about the Big Finish The Avengers range on the official Big Finish web site
ALSO AVAILABLE …
• Check out the The Avengers: The Comic Strip Adaptations releases on AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
• The Avengers: The Comic Strip Adaptations Volume 01: Steed & Tara King
Adapted by Simon Barnard, Paul Morris, Paul Magrs and John Dorney
Starring Julian Wadham and Olivia Poulet
Recreations of the comic strip adventures of Steed and Mrs Peel which appeared in Diana magazine in 1966 and 1967.
1. Return to Castle De’ath by Simon Barnard and Paul Morris
Steed is left hanging, Emma pays the piper.
Steed and Peel return to the scene of an earlier adventure to find it much changed. Now a ski-resort, Castle De’ath is playing host to many new visitors – including a wealthy Prince targeted by assassins. Assigned as bodyguards, the Avengers have to keep the Prince alive and discover which of the Castle’s guests are behind the murderous plot – before they succumb to it themselves.
2. The Miser by Simon Barnard and Paul Morris
Steed has a nasty scare, Emma has a pressing engagement
When the phrase ‘sleeper train’ takes on a very literal meaning, Steed and Peel witness the first action of The Miser, a terrifying extortionist. The race is on to stop his ambitious scheme – but in this case, appearances can be deceptive.
3. The Golden Dresses by Paul Magrs
Emma hits the heights of fashion, Steed plumbs the very depths.
The ladies of society can’t get enough of Madame Zingara’s Golden Dresses. Especially now their husbands have gone missing. Steed and Peel look into the world of haute couture to discover the dark secret of this latest craze. Can they pull it off with style?
4. The Norse Code by John Dorney
Steed has the horns of a dilemma, Emma milks her moment.
An agent has gone missing whilst holidaying in the Norfolk Broads. With an American nuclear bomb being stored in the region, Steed and Peel can’t take any risks. But the last thing they expect to find on their boating trip is a Norse longboat. What are Vikings doing in East Anglia?
• The Avengers: The Comic Strip Adaptations Volume 02: Steed & Mrs Peel
Adapted by Robert Khan, Tom Salinsky, Paul Morris, Simon Barnard, Matt Fitton and John Dorney
2.1 Playtime is Over by Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky
Steed gets toyed with, Emma has an admirer.
A series of impossible robberies have plagued London. Called in to investigate, Steed and Peel find themselves up against some very deadly children. Or do they?
2.2 The Antagoniser by Paul Morris and Simon Barnard
Steed catches a bite, Emma is a little cowed.
Several noted scientists have died in unusual circumstances, and Steed and Peel find themselves up against a deadly weapon. But who is behind it? Does an old TV broadcast hold the answer?
2.3: The Mad Hatter by Matt Fitton
Steed charms a princess, Emma buys a hat
When Princess Helga of Varania comes to England, all the nation is charmed. Well, nearly all. A dastardly assassination plot is being prepared and only Steed and Peel can stop it. Who wants to be a milliner?
2.4: The Secret Six by John Dorney
Steed hits a boundary, Emma shall go to the ball
When an invitation to a fancy dress party leads to murder, Steed and Peel face the fight of their lives. The world’s six deadliest criminals want them dead – and will stop at nothing to make sure of it!
• The Avengers: The Comic Strip Adaptations Volume 03: Steed & Tara King
Adapted by Robert Khan, Tom Salinsky, John Dorney and Phil Mulryne
Based on the adventures of Steed and Tara King in the TV Comic strips:
1. It’s a Wild, Wild, Wild, Wild West by John Dorney
Steed is quick on the draw, Tara gallops away.
After reports suggest a series of robberies in the New Forest were committed by cowboys, Mother sends the Avengers into action.
The trail leads to the Western style ranch known as The Lazy J. But will it be high noon for Steed and King?
2. Under the Weather by Phil Mulryne
Steed is put on ice, Tara is blown away.
Steed, Tara and Mother visit an air show to see a demonstration of a new aircraft.
But the plane is stolen from under their noses… and seemingly… by a storm! Something strange is in the air. And it needs the Avengers to sort it out.
3. Spycraft by Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky
Steed meets his equal, Tara gets the cream.
When a visiting dignitary is kidnapped on British soil, Steed and King have to leap into action.
But with questions of diplomatic immunity getting in the way, they may need help from an unusual pair.
4. …Now You Don’t by John Dorney
Steed finds things get tricky, Tara takes the stage.
A strange gift leads to Steed and Tara King spending a night in the theatre. But who brought them there? And why?
An old enemy of the Avengers is on the scene. And he will stop at nothing to get his revenge!
• The Avengers: The Comic Strip Adaptations Volume 4: Steed & Mrs Peel – available to order here | General Release Pre-Order (AmazonUK Affiliate Link) – more information above…
• The Avengers: The Comic Strip Adaptations Volume 05: Steed & Tara King
More details to come – again starring Julian Wadham as John Steed and Emily Woodward as Tara King
• The Avengers: The Diana Comic Strips
A reprinting of the comic strip adventures of Steed and Mrs Peel which appeared in Diana magazine in 1966 and 1967, introduced by David Richardson and also including interviews with The Avengers audio drama stars Julian Wadham (John Steed) and Olivia Poulet (Emma Peel).
Reprinting Return to Castle De’ath, The Miser, The Golden Dresses, The Norse Code, Playtime Is Over, The Antagoniser, The Mad Hatter and The Secret Six
• Check out the The Avengers: The Comic Strip Adaptations releases on AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
• More about the Big Finish The Avengers range on the official Big Finish web site
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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