“Agent of Influence”
Fascinating article on thriller writer Dennis Wheatley’s role as a planner of deceptions for WWII British Intelligence and his influence on Ian Fleming and James Bond. (via @driveinmob)
Art Deco and Japanese Design
Images from the Japan Society’s “Deco Japan: Shaping Art and Culture, 1920-1945.” (Thanks, Cyril!)
Russian Avante-Garde Design
Abebooks has a gorgeous gallery of Russian Avant Garde book cover illustration from the end of the Czarist era through the 1930s.
Michael Chabon of Barsoom
Wired and io9 interview Michael Chabon on his screenplay for John Carter, his love of Edgar Rice Burroughs and writing genre fiction.
Shatner on Shatner’s World
William Shatner talks about his book on CBC Radio’s Q and his world on NPR’s Fresh Air.
RIP, Ralph McQuarrie
Ralph McQuarrie has died. McQuarrie was an artist best known for his conceptual work for Star Wars. 24 Frames has a brief obituary with links to some of McQuarrie’s work. McQuarrie’s personal site has more galleries and a place for tributes.
The Cultural Gutter 