Spy-fi (subgenre)

Spy-fi is a genre of spy fiction that includes elements of science fiction or fantasy. 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 destruction, weapons in science fiction, 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.

For example:

• The spy protaganist 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 this are attacks on the NASA space program in several James Bond films, 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 (film) or world leaders in Due Mafiosi Contre Goldginger / The Amazing Dr. G.

• 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 (1965 film)

Examples

Films and television series

• The Avengers
• The Bionic Woman
• Charles Vine
• Chuck
• Cypher (film)
• Danger Man
• Dick Barton
• Dimension 5 (film)
• Get Smart
• The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.
• Jake 2.0
• Kim Possible
• Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die
• The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
• The Manchurian Candidate
• Matt Helm films
• Nick Fury
• La Femme Nikita
• Our Man Flint
• The Secret Service
• The Six Million Dollar Man
• The Wild Wild West
• Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons

Games

• Global Agenda
• Haven: Full Metal Zero
• Metal Gear
• Splinter Cell
• Spycraft
• Syphon Filter
• Silent Storm

Anime

• 009-1

References

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