U.N.C.L.E. Cartoons

MARVEL COMICS, 1966 — Spider-Man was the hippest of Marvel’s hip new 60s super-heroes, so of course he watched “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” A scene from “The Amazing Spider-Man” #37, dated June 1966 (which means it was on sale by the end of March), with art by the inimitable Steve Ditko and dialogue by none other than Stan “The Man” Lee.

MARVEL COMICS, 1967 — Marvel launched its humor title “Not Brand Echh” in 1967, spoofing comics heroes (their own and others), movies and television in the style of the original comic-book version of “Mad.” A story in the second issue (written by Marvel staffer Gary Friedrich and illustrated by “Mad” veteran Marie Severin) had Knock Furious, Agent of SHEESH (Marvel’s own Nick Fury of SHIELD) battling the BLUNDER Agents (from “T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents,” published by the short-lived Tower Comics company) over available office space for a secret HQ. After defeating the villain who wants to socialize property ownership (really), they return to the rental office to find...