Friday, April 29, 2011

"Gals" Friday! The Girls of Fast Five



I caught the midnight showing of "Fast Five" last night and only managed a power nap before heading to work early this morning. The film is the fifth entry in the blockbuster street racing, action-adventure film series starring Vin Diesel as Dominic Torreto and Paul Walker as Brian O'Connor.

The latest sequel is basically a love letter to fans of the popular franchise, bringing virtually every character from all previous series films together in one stunningly cool international adventure, that also competently takes the whole premise into an entirely different direction for the next film. And there will be another one! DO NOT LEAVE THE THEATER UNTIL AFTER THE CREDITS ROLL. There is an awesome "Easter egg" scene that will knock your socks off!

Joining Diesel & Walker are Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Matt Schulze, Sung Kang reprising their earlier roles and Dwayne Johnson is introduced as Luke Hobbs, a hardcore federal officer tasked with bringing them all to justice. These guys have great chemistry as a group, and nobody gets the shaft in screen time. That itself is a hell of an accomplishment for director Justin Lin, but the whole package is also greater than the sum of its parts, and the parts aren't too shabby to begin with.

Check out the trio of lovelies (above; top) who are on hand for the wow factor. Jordana Brewster returns as Mia Torreto (Dominic's younger sister and Brian's love interest), Gal Gadot as Gisele (former liaison for drug lord Arturo Braga in Fast Four, newly recruited to Dominic's crew) and Elsa Pataky is introduced as Elena Neves (a Rio police officer personally requested by Hobbs to help him and his team capture Dominic's crew). Drool gentlemen, and others, it's expected! Go see Fast Five too. It is one of the best films of the year, and a great start to the summer movie season.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Dr. Voodoo in "The Queen of the Giants" (Fawcett;1941)













This is the next chapter [Part IV) of the golden age Dr. Voodoo adventure serial "Quest For the Golden Flask", which I have available and is taken from Whiz Comics #20 (Aug. 1941); originally published by Fawcett and again featuring lovely artwork by Mac Raboy.

The character called "Nero" is specifically identified as Dr. Voodoo/Hal Carey's native companion in this story titled "The Queen of the Giants". 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 creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes.

Stay tuned for additional chapters of this serial down the pike, eventually. Enjoy!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

10 days until FCBD 2011!!





Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May each year - when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely "FREE" to anyone who comes into their stores. The gold sponsors for 2011 include Ape Entertainment, Archaia Studios Press, Archie Comics, Boom! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, DC, IDW, Image, Marvel, Papercutz, Mad Engine, San Diego: Comic Con International and Transcontinental. Thanks to all of them, the distributors, publishers, creators and thousands of comic’s shops across the globe; in just ten days we’ll all get to enjoy some primo reading material.

With a new film on the horizon, it looks like Green Lantern fans will be experiencing some déjà vu this year. Hal Jordan was the subject of a 2009 FCBD title which also tied into that year’s big summer crossover event. These days these events never seem to end, perpetually rolling over into the next one, so 2009's “Blackest Night” segues into 2011's “Flashpoint”. Oy, vey!

I personally think that some of the best annual FCBD offerings have been the all-age’s books like this years Pep Comics: Betty & Veronica, Darkwing Duck, Kung Fu Panda, The Simpsons, Inspector Gadget, Mickey Mouse, Sonic the Hedgehog and Young Justice/Batman Sampler. Great stuff for the kids to seek out in an Easter Egg Hunt environment, so bring the family out on May 7, 2011, folks!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Dr. Voodoo in "Quest For the Golden Flask:Part II" (Fawcett;1941)













Blogger has been giving me a fit lately as I'm trying to upload posts and I only have enough patience to dick around with these things so much. If a few of the recent entries seem a bit off, for instance too much space in-between panels, be grateful for whats there and don't sweat the minor details. I'll spare you a repetition of the profanity these gaffes elicited from me.

Today's golden age Dr. Voodoo (aka Hal Carey) adventure is Part II of "Quest For the Golden Flask", which is taken from Whiz Comics #18 (Jun. 1941); originally published by Fawcett and featuring lovely artwork by Mac Raboy. The Grand Comics Database says that this chapter introduces someone called "Nero" but unless the old wizard goes by that name, I don't know who that is and a "King Richard" supposedly guest stars too, but doesn't actually seem to be present.

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 creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes.

Enjoy!

Monday, April 25, 2011

1980's Flashback: Dreadstar





Vanth Dreadstar first appeared in Marvel Comics publication, Epic Magazine in the serial "Metamorphosis Odyssey", where he unwittingly aided the Orsirosian named Akhnaton in destroying the Milky Way to spare the galaxy a lingering death from the ever-expanding Zygotean empire. Creator Jim Starlin, then launched a bimonthly Dreadstar #1 (Nov.1982) series for the Epic line which ran for 26 issues, before being picked up by First Comics for 38 more issues.

This series centered on the exploits of Vanth Dreadstar and his crewmates--powerful mystic Syzygy Darklock, cybernetic telepath Willow, cat-like humanoid Oedi, and freebooter Skeevo, in the Empirical Galaxy following the events of Metamorphosis Odyssey. Vanth tried to live a pastoral existence on Oedi's planet of peaceful cat-people, but this peace was disturbed by the arrival of Darklock, who wanted Dreadstar to get involved in the conflict between the two major forces in the galaxy, the Monarchy and the theocratical Instrumentality. Vanth initially refused until the war wiped out most of the planets population and his own family. Only Oedi survived to join Dreadstar and Darklock; Willow and Skeevo came along later, although the full team was in place for the first issue.

Vanth Dreadstar possessed an enchanted sword that provided him with a number of superpowers. He could absorb the sword into his body, and retrieve it when needed. The sword can repel energy blasts, and even redirect them towards an enemy. The sword also gives Dreadstar the strength of twenty men, enhanced reactions, and allows him to rapidly heal from virtually any bodily wound. The sword also grants him immortality, and the ability to speak and understand any language that he hears.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

The Lives of Sacco & Vanzetti



Ferdinando Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were anarchists who were convicted of murdering two men during a 1920 armed robbery in South Braintree, Massachusetts. After a controversial trial and a series of appeals, the two Italian immigrants were executed on August 23, 1927. There remains a highly politicized dispute over their actual guilt or innocence, as well as whether or not their trials were fair. The dispute focuses on small details and contradictory evidence; as a result, historians have not reached a consensus.

Writer/artist Rick Geary tackles this controversial 20th century case for NBM Publishing as part of their "A Treasury of Murder" series. Geary takes on all the historical twists and turns, appeals and dubious evidence, after presenting the human face of the two men who were demonized by many and turned to martyrs by others, in his usual unflappable way.

A Treasury of Murder: THE LIVES OF SACCO & VANZETTI is a 6 x 9, 80pp., B&W, jacketed hardcover for $15.99. NBM is also offering a special signed, limited edition volume with a special bind and a tip in sheet of art specially done by Rick. HURRY! Orders for this will be closed soon, so if you are interested in either copy, visit their website.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Anaglyph Theatre Presents: Tor in "Mammoths of the Raw Earth" (St. John;1953)













Here is the last of the actual "Tor" stories from Tor #2a [3D] (aka 3-D Comics), originally published by St. John in October 1953, with Joe Kubert & Norman Maurer artwork enhanced with spiffy three-dimensional effects, so break out those 3-D specs again.

The single page dinosaur filler page is credited to Russ Heath. I've got one more non-Tor adventure tale set for next week that will complete this presentation. See you then!

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.

Enjoy!

Friday, April 22, 2011

"Gal" Friday! Karina Smirnoff









Karina Smirnoff is a Ukrainian-American professional ballroom dancer, five-time U.S. National Champion , World Trophy Champion, and Asian Open Champion. Additional ballroom crowns that Ms. Smirnoff has won include titles at the UK Open, she is a three-time champion at the US Open, a five-time champion at the Dutch Open, and five-time US National Professional Champion. She has been ranked second in the world, and she took second at the British Open Blackpool Dance Festival. Karina is the first woman to ever make the British Professional Final with three different partners.

Since 2006, she has been seen on Dancing with the Stars and in May 2011 she will add Playboy magazine to her resume. Yes, indeed! Karina is doffing her duds in a pictorial that founder Hugh Hefner calls "unforgettable". I grew bored with Dancing with the Stars quite some time ago, I mean it really should be billed as "Dancing with the Has-Beens", but Karina herself is one of their more delightful dancers.

I look forward to her Playboy debut next month and happily award her a cozy space in the Catacombs as this weeks "Gal" Friday selection.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Dr. Voodoo in "Queen of the Ancient Incas" (Fawcett;1941)













The last time Fawcett Publications original Doctor Voodoo visited the Catacombs was in September 2010 in a story which was part of something called "The Golden Flask Quest", see that one here. I am going to post additional chapters of that terrific serial throughout next week, but first up is this nifty bonus tale based on H. Rider Haggard's classic novel, SHE. This golden age adventure from Whiz Comics #15 (Mar.1941), called "Queen of the Ancient Incas", is written by John Hampton and illustrated by Mac Raboy.

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.


Enjoy!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

In Memorium: Elisabeth Sladen





Elisabeth Sladen, best known for her role as "Sarah Jane Smith" in the classic British television series Doctor Who, passed away yesterday at the age of sixty-three from cancer. She originally appeared as a regular from 1973 to 1976, opposite both Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker, and ultimately reprised her fan-favorite role many times in subsequent decades, and she earned her own Doctor Who spin-off series, The Sarah Jane Adventures, beginning in 2007.


Sladen's familiar role, which cast her opposite seven of the official doctors, truly endeared her to generations of admirers. The Catacombs extends its condolences to her family, friends and fans.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Voodah in "Drums of the Tyrant Priestess" (Golfing-McCombs;1946)






















It must be mentioned that by this point Voodah, who had originally been portrayed as an actual heroic African character, had become just another white jungle lord in a loincloth. Who knows what the reasoning behind this unfortunate change truly was, but needless to say the forward thinking that had first allowed original creator Matt Baker (he also drew the front cover) to present a black adventure hero had long since run its course.

This untitled story from Crown Comics #6 (Summer 1946); originally published by Golfing-McCombs credits "Forte Heames" on the splash page, but the artwork still has a Bob Hebberd kind of look to me. Regardless, I'm calling this golden age classic, "Drums of the Tyrant Priestess".

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.

Enjoy!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery




Late last year, I posted a glimpse at creator Juan Pedro Quilón's "1930: Red Christmas" graphic novel (here). Color me flattered to have done something in the Catacombs that left an impression on him, too.

Juan Pedro recently began a weekly series of sketches inspired by my own classic "Gal" Friday posts. Here are three of those lovely drawings. Please check out his Facebook page each week for more of these illustrated "gals".

Thanks, JPQ!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Anaglyph Theatre Presents: "The Wizard of Ugghh" (St. John;1953)








This is another story from Tor #2a [3D] (aka 3-D Comics), originally published by St. John in October 1953, with artwork enhanced with spiffy three-dimensional effects, so break out those 3-D specs.

"The Wizard of Ugghh" may have been drawn by Joe Kubert or Russ Heath, since both men worked on this issue, but the GCD has no official credits listed for this humor strip. The single page dinosaur filler page is specifically credited to Russ Heath. For the time being, I'm going to feature all of the stories from this terrific comic on successive Saturday's as "Anaglyph Theatre Presents." Wait until you see the Tor post next week; the action sequences in that one really kicks it up to a different level.

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 publishers and/or the creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes.

Enjoy!