''SpyBoy'' is a

comic book A comic book, also called comicbook, comic magazine or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are of ...

series created in 1999 by writer

Peter David Peter Allen David (born September 23, 1956), often abbreviated PAD, is an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films and video games.Buxton, Marc (March 29, 2014)"From 'Future Imperfect' to '2099': Peter David's Greatest Hits" Co ...

and artists

Pop Mhan Pop Mhan (October 5, 1973) is a comic book penciller and inker. Biography Pop Mhan was born in Bangkok, Thailand, and immigrated to the United States at the age of three. He joined Wildstorm Productions in San Diego and studied sequential art un ...

and Norman Lee, and published by

Dark Horse Comics Dark Horse Comics is an American comic book, graphic novel, and manga publisher founded in Milwaukie, Oregon by Mike Richardson in 1986. The company was created using funds earned from Richardson's chain of Portland, Oregon comic book shops known ...

Publication history

The basic idea for ''SpyBoy'' came from

, who hired

to develop the concept, including the cast, their backstories, and the series bible. However, David has lamented that the ideas he had for the series' run were not completed, as Dark Horse did not continue with it.Bill Mitchel. "In-Depth: Peter David"; Comic Book Resources; June 24, 2009
/ref> Between 1999 and 2004, SpyBoy ran for 17 issues, 2 miniseries (''The M.A.N.G.A. Affair'' in 2003 and ''Final Exam'' in 2004), various one-shots and a crossover 3-issue miniseries with

DC Comics DC Comics, Inc. (doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with thei ...

, called ''SpyBoy/

Young Justice Young Justice is a fictional DC Comics superhero team consisting of teenaged heroes. The team was formed in 1998 when DC's usual teen hero group, the Teen Titans, had become adults and changed their name to the Titans. Like the original ''Teen ...

'' (David is also creator of this DC team) published in 2002 and later compiled in one volume.

Plot

This is the story of Alex Fleming, a young boy who was bullied in his school and had a normal life. But he doesn't know that he's a sleeper agent, codenamed as "SpyBoy", who works for secret organization S.H.I.R.T.S. (

acronym An acronym is a word or name formed from the initial components of a longer name or phrase. Acronyms are usually formed from the initial letters of words, as in ''NATO'' (''North Atlantic Treaty Organization''), but sometimes use syllables, as ...

for ''Secret Headquarters International Reconnaissance, Tactics, and Spies''), in order to stop criminal organization S.K.I.N.S. (acronym for ''Supreme Killing Institute'').''SpyBoy'' #4; January 2000

Characters

* Alex Fleming: The titular SpyBoy, a seemingly regular teenager endowed with a superspy

split personality Dissociative identity disorder (DID), better known as multiple personality disorder or multiple personality syndrome, is a mental disorder characterized by the presence of at least two distinct and relatively enduring personality states. The di ...

. * Bombshell: A veteran S.H.I.R.T.S. teen agent with a knack for explosives. Bombshell is sarcastic and abrasive, and much to her chagrin she gets assigned to help Alex, although she ends up developing feelings for his SpyBoy persona. She joined the agency after accidentally falling into their secret base while she was trying to commit suicide. Her true name is Phyllis, though while in Alex's school she goes under the identity of " Marta Hari". * SpyGirl: SpyBoy's Japanese counterpart, a teen agent for M.A.N.G.A. (Middle Asian Network for Global Activities). Much like Bombshell, she gets later assigned to assess Alex's skills, though she is much more comfortable with it. Her civilian identity, Yukio, is Japan's top

tarento Television personalities in Japan, known as in Japanese, are celebrities who regularly appear in mass media in Japan, especially as panelists on variety shows. During the Golden Age of Hollywood, bankable stars in America were described as "tal ...

and

action film Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feats. The genre tends to feature a mostly resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include life ...

star, which helps her covering up her missions. She also has feelings for Alex. * Dominic "Butch" Moody: A former bully turned into Alex's self proclaimed best friend. He dreams of becoming a spy like the rest.

Issues released

Compilations

* Volume 1: The Deadly Gourmet Affair (''SpyBoy'' #1–3) * Volume 2: Trial and Terror (''SpyBoy'' #4–6) * Volume 3: Bet Your Life (''SpyBoy'' #7–9) * Volume 4: Undercover Underwear (''SpyBoy'' #10–12) * ''SpyBoy: The M.A.N.G.A Affair'' (also known as ''SpyBoy'' #13, compiled The M.A.N.G.A Affair miniseries #1–3) * Volume 5: Spy School Confidential (''SpyBoy'' #14–17) * ''SpyBoy Special'' 01: A Manchurian Candy Date (one-shot) * ''SpyBoy: Final Exam'' (compiled Final Exam miniseries #1–4) * ''SpyBoy/Young Justice'' (compiles #1–3 DC crossover)

External links

''SpyBoy'' in Dark Horse Comics

''SpyBoy'' in Grand Comics Database

''SpyBoy'' in Comic Vine

''SpyBoy'' in Comic Book Database

References

1999 comics debuts Comics by Peter David Spy comics Fictional secret agents and spies {{DarkHorse-Comics-stub