Here is another obscure jungle girl from the catalogue of golden age publisher Better/Standard/Nedor/Pines. Kara the Jungle Princess first appeared in Exciting Comics #39 (1945) and despite most folks never having heard of her, she logged almost a dozen adventures before disappearing in 1946 with her last story appearance in Exciting Comics #49.
This tale is from Exciting #41, and the art is credited to Al Camy who was a regular artist on Better Publications titles with features like 'Jill Trent', 'Crime Crushers', 'Grim Reaper', 'Phantom Detective' and 'Spectro'. Kara was originally army nurse Jane Howell who, along with Major Kit Kendall, stumbled upon the lost civilization of Arohiti in the jungles of Africa. There she was elevated to ruler of the Arohitans, a people possessing a charm against physical harm, but she must always stay alert for the evil machinations of the priest Targala.
The Catacombs is grateful to Don "Zu-Gogo" Falkos for providing the scans for this story. Note: The copyright for this issue, its contents and artwork belong to the original publisher and/or the creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes. This is as good a time as any to mention that beginning on Nov. 30, and running through Dec. 4, I will be participating in a "Week of Jungle Girls" crossover event with Pappy's Golden Age Comics Blog (click on it in my links section). That will double your pleasure for jungle stuff!
Enjoy!
3 comments:
Chuck: Wow! First panel- second page. The pair on the balcony, looking down over the plaza. Wow, what a beautiful thing! Then later, Targala looking down from the balcony in the Temple of Doom - another great work of art.
Al Camy, eh? don't know at all, I have to admit. But wow. Very impressive and great post! -- Mykal
Yeah, this tale's cool! A bit like Tarzan and the Ant Men. Thanks Chuck!
I've always thought Kara had the best physique of any of the Golden Age jungle girls, some of whom were just walking skeletons with breasts except for Sheena. As is mentioned in the story in passing, she was originally Jane Howell, an army nurse who was traveling on a plane that was piloted by Major Christopher "Kit" Walker. They ended up crashing into the river but walking out alive - into the Arohitians' territory underneath it. Using a magical potion given to her by the shaman Baldayo that renders her immortal, she is taken in by the Arohitians who believe she is Kara, their lost princess, who apparently actually died long ago. Assuming the name Kara, Jane becomes the Arohitians' ruler.
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