Britain’s stylish saviours are back in action; check out our round-up of the critics’ comments…
Available to buy and download now, The Avengers – Steed and Mrs Peel: The Comic Strip Adaptations Volume 1 comprises four full-cast audio adventures of the crime fighting duo that brought stylish spills and theatrical thrills to ITV in the 1960s!
Julian Wadham and Olivia Poulet star as John Steed and Mrs. Emma Peel, specialist agents dedicated to defending the United Kingdom from the world’s most colourful criminals. This new box-set presents four escapades adapted from the classic comic strips of Diana magazine; pitting our heroes against miserly megalomaniacs, dastardly dressmakers, vicious Vikings and pernicious pirates! Listen to the trailer below:
Since its release earlier this month, reviewers have been enjoying the new-box set – read some of the comments below!
‘In these gripping tales we get strange Scottish ghosts, mysterious spies, a new meaning to the idea of a sleeper train, blackmail threats to London’s banks and maddest of all actual Vikings on the Norfolk broads. Steed is suave, Peel is an action hero, fully capable of besting any number of petty thugs, and life is sunny afternoons, open top cars and enjoyment. Happy days!’ 5/5
Tony Jones, Cultbox
‘The exceptional writing captures the mood, pace tone and setting of the original show and adds a slightly modern twist, which lends The Comic Strip Adaptations an almost timeless quality. Then there’s the magnificent performances all of which are more than worthy of mention, but are, as expected, led by Julian Wadham’s suave, sophisticated and determined Steed and Olivia Poulet’s confident, debonair and forthright Mrs Peel. The whole thing is… Well, it’s simply astounding. And that’s that.’ 10/10
Tim Cundle, Mass Movement
‘Authenticity is the watchword with this set, from the chemistry between Steed & Peel, to the “We’re Needed” scenes to the “tag” scenes at the end of the episodes – everything is as it should be… Big Finish have taken the comic books off the page, made them three dimensional and given them heart, soul & joy – just as they should be. Now excuse me whilst I furl my brolly, crack open a bottle of Bollinger 1934 and award this exceptional box set 10/10 – Mrs Peel, were needed and with this sort of quality I hope that Wadham & Poulet are needed for a VERY long time.’
Ed Watkinson, Planet Mondas
‘Director Ken Bentley keeps everything moving at a cracking pace, with the requisite speed for the repartee nailed. Alistair Lock and Steve Foxon’s sound design and music are spot on (particularly the reworking of the various Scottish folk tunes into the score). It’s very late night on Channel 4 in 1982 again (oh alright, early evening in 1966 for those who weren’t three or less at the time), as the Bowler Hat and Leather Booted pair make a very welcome return in this excellent opener.’
Paul Simpson, Sci-Fi Bulletin
Featuring Julian Wadham, Olivia Poulet, Shelia Reid, Simon Greenall and Jacqueline Pearce, The Avengers – Steed and Mrs Peel: The Comic Strip Adaptations Volume 1 is available to buy and download today!
A free 17-minute preview of the release is also available to download now, lifted from Simon Barnard and Paul Morris‘ The Miser. Download the preview here, or listen via the player below:
The box-set can also be enjoyed alongside Volume 2 and a graphic novel collection of the original strips (both due for release in November 2016). Click here to order all three titles as a bundle. Don’t forget, when you purchase the CD version of this Big Finish release, you’ll also receive a complimentary digital download you can access as soon as it’s available!
The Avengers – Steed and Mrs Peel: The Comic Strip Adaptations Volume 1 is available now exclusively to the Big Finish website. It will be available through other retailers from May 31st 2016.
The earliest days of the Avengers can also be found with our Lost Episodes box-sets; audio recreations of the missing first TV series, starring Anthony Howell as Dr David Keel and Lucy Briggs-Owen as Carol, alongside Julian Wadham as Steed.
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