Spy-fi

Spy-fi is a genre of spy fiction that includes elements of science fiction.

Definition and characteristics

It often uses a secret agent (solo or in a team) or superspy whose mission is a showcase of science fiction elements such as technology and ideas used for extortion, plots for world domination or world destruction, futuristic weapons, gadgets and fast vehicles that can travel on land, fly, or sail on or under the sea. Spy-fi does not necessarily present espionage as it is practiced in reality. It is escapist fantasy that emphasizes glamour, adventure and derring-do. Note that not all spy-fi includes all elements mentioned.

Examples

• The spy protagonist may discover in his or her investigation that a mad scientist or evil genius and his secret organisation are using futuristic technology to further their schemes. Examples of these include the James Bond film series, use of advanced scientific technologies for global influence or domination in Baroness spy novels, using space travel technology to destroy the world as in Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die, weather control in Our Man Flint, using a sonic weapon in Dick Barton Strikes Back, a death ray in Dick Barton at Bay, replacing world leaders with evil twins in In Like Flint, or brainwashing assassins in The Manchurian Candidate and Cypher or world leaders in the Italian spoof The Amazing Dr. Goldginger (aka Due Mafiosi Contre Goldginger).

• The spy protagonist may be issued and use their own futuristic technology such as weapons, exotic means of transport, and detection devices that have not been invented as of yet. An example of this are secret agents Jeffrey Hunter and France Nuyen issued time travel devices to thwart a plot in Dimension 5 (1966).

• The setting and the spy protagonist, may actually be in the future. An example of this is the Honorverse character Victor Cachat, or his sometime partners and potential adversaries, Anton Zilwicki and Ruth Winton.

• The science fiction device may be a Macguffin such as the antigravity device in Licensed to Kill.

Films and television series

• Alias
• Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
• The Avengers
• The Bionic Woman
• Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
• Charles Vine
• Chuck
• CQ
• Cypher
• Danger Man
• Department S
• Dick Barton
• Dimension 5
• Fortune Hunter
• Get Smart
• G.I. Joe
• The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.
• Jake 2.0
• James Bond
• Kim Possible
• Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die
• La Femme Nikita
• The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
• M.I. High
• Matt Helm films
• Mission: Impossible
• Our Man Flint
• The Prisoner
• The Secret Service
• The Six Million Dollar Man
• Team America: World Police
• Totally Spies!
• The Wild Wild West

Books and novels

• The Baroness

Games

• Alpha Protocol
• Deus Ex
• Global Agenda
• Haven: Full Metal Zero
• Metal Gear
• No One Lives Forever
• Silent Storm
• Splinter Cell
• Spycraft
• Syphon Filter
• Top Secret/S.I.

Anime

• 009-1
• Agent Aika
• Najica Blitz Tactics
• Read or Die

See also

• Spy film
• Parodies of James Bond
• Eurospy films

References

• Biederman D, Wallace R, Einstein S (2004). The Incredible World of Spy Fi. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. ISBN 9780811842242