With Marvel Studios having recently unveiled a new trailer for the upcoming ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, it is probably worth clearing something up before anyone becomes terribly confused. This is not that Avengers.
There are no multiverses, super-soldiers or suspiciously expensive digital battles here. We are talking bowler hats, leather catsuits and the wonderfully eccentric world of the classic 1960s television series ‘The Avengers’.
In this latest edition of Geektown Talks To, we sit down with author David Crichton to discuss his new novel, ‘The Avengers: Death in Downing Street’, which brings John Steed and Emma Peel back for a completely original adventure.
There is also a little history between interviewer and interviewee. Long before either of us was talking publicly about classic television or writing officially licensed novels, David and I worked together at a design agency. He was an account handler, while I was the person attempting to explain to clients why they really should not do that to their websites. Somehow, several career changes later, we ended up here.
Published by Titan Books, ‘Death in Downing Street’ takes Steed and Peel, the roles made famous by Patrick Macnee (A View to a Kill) and Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones), back to May 1967.
Prime Minister Harold Wilson is preparing Britain’s application to join the European Economic Community when an assassination attempt and some extremely strange behaviour inside Downing Street suggest somebody has other plans. Steed and Peel are dispatched to investigate, leading them into the sort of stylishly peculiar mystery that could only belong to ‘The Avengers’.
During the interview, David discusses how a lockdown passion project developed into an officially licensed novel, along with the unexpectedly complicated journey required to bring a new Steed and Peel adventure into the world.
We also chat about capturing the unmistakable voices and relationship of the two characters, translating the television series’ striking visual style onto the page, and mixing real political history with the show’s wonderfully eccentric tone.
David also discusses whether the original series could ever successfully return to television, where he would like to take the characters next, and why tie-in novels still offer fans something that television reboots cannot always provide.
There may also be a slight detour involving ‘Doctor Who’, Korean television and the full-size Dalek lurking in David’s office.
You can listen to the full interview below.
‘The Avengers: Death in Downing Street’ is available now in paperback and ebook, published by Titan Books.
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