Spies Signatures

In the early 2000s, spies and secret agent media was everywhere. My main exposure of this theme was through Club Penguin. Although I liked that theme as a kid., I never found myself watching any of the main spy movies (James Bond, Mission Impossible, etc).

As I find the spy aesthetic to be interesting, I decided to compile the signatures for this theme:

Visual	Name	Image source
	Secret agent (Type A) / Spy / Man in black	FriendlyStock (edited)
	Secret agent (Type B) / Detective	3D1viner (AI)
	Anonymous person	Death Note
	Inventor	Spy Kids
	Wealthy antagonist	The Godfather
	Three-letter agency	Club Penguin
	Agency badge	Danger 5 (season 2)
	Briefing room	Club Penguin
	Ear piece	iStock
	Technology with LEDs	Psycho-Pass
	Spy gadget	Men in Black
	Night vision goggles	Club Penguin
	Advanced vision headgear	Club Penguin
	Grappling hook	Club Penguin
	Jet pack	Club Penguin
	Holographic interface	Facebook post (AI)
	Grid pattern	Club Penguin
	Dectection laser	Club Penguin
	Bomb	Fortra
	Detection light	Club Penguin
	Alarm	Club Penguin
	Vault door	Club Penguin
	Idented metal door	Club Penguin
	Wall vent grill	Club Penguin
	Wall vent interior	Club Penguin
	Vent ventilator	iStock
	Hazard floor tape	Club Penguin
	Fortified door	Club Penguin
	Security camera	Club Penguin
	Secret gadget container	Club Penguin
	Keypad	Club Penguin
	Laser	Club Penguin
	Computer terminal	Club Penguin
	Cryogenic tube	Club Penguin
	Surveillance monitors	Club Penguin

As you can see, there is a heavy emphasis on technology being used as a means of power. Unlike the cyberpunk genre and a large chunk of the science fiction media, technology is almost always depicted in a good light.

I do sometimes wonder if this genre is a form of propaganda for actual three-letter agencies (intentional or not). While it is pretty obvious that the "spy life" depicted in media is pure fantasy, it still cultivates the idea that governments have access to technology that the public doesn’t. It also promotes the idea of the agencies of being "the good guys".

Regardless, I must admit that I really like this theme. I wish there was more media in this genre that are not just simple "good guy vs. bad guys". I like nuances and debatable motives. Perhaps I will revisit this theme in a future game of mine.

Written by manpaint on 05 November 2025.