"Gal" Friday! Danielle Gamba

In the wake of my "Week of Jungle Girls" crossover with Pappy's Golden Age Comics blog, I actually struggled with my selection for "Gal" Friday. I considered posting an art gallery of FemForce characters, anchored by their homage jungle girl, Tara (and I will get around to posting that soon), and also considered a few classic cuties who would have been appropriate (they will also show up eventually), but when I happened upon photos of the sexy lass who I did pick; well just see for yourselves if she didn't earn her space as this weeks "Gal" Friday.

Danielle Gamba is a super-hot 27 year old native of California. She has been a model, dancer and an NFL cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders. She has also embarked on a promising career as a luscious pin-up girl for Playboy, FHM, Maxim and Mystique Magazine. Danielle holds a bachelor's degree in Apparel Design from San Francisco State University.

I for one, truly appreciate this lovely brunette's apparent lack of apparel, and trust me on this, google an image search for her to view even spicier pictures than the ones that I am running today. Word to the wise, prepare to sweat.

Fantomah, Mystery Woman of the Jungle (Fiction House; 1941)

With today's post my "Week of Jungle Girls" crossover with Pappy's golden Age Comics blog comes to a close. Our selection for today represents two distinct periods in the publishing life of Fantomah, an odd character from the ranks of publisher Fiction House.

Fantomah started out more like you'll see in my story, which was taken from Jungle Comics #13 (Jan. 1941), when she was billed as the "Mystery Woman of the Jungle". Pappy's tale was chosen from the latter part of Fantomah's historic run, when she was recast as a "Daughter of the Pharaohs". In an odd way, Fantomah's appearance in my featured story puts her ahead of the costumed heroine curve, even before Wonder Woman or the Woman in Red.

This story was credited to Barclay Flagg as writer and Henry Fletcher as artist. Thanks to everyone who stopped by both of our blogs this week, hope you enjoyed your visit. I'm sure Pappy will post more jungle tales from time-to-time, but my own jungle posts will continue unabated. 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.

See you later on today for my regular "Gal" Friday feature. Enjoy!

"The Origin of Princess Pantha" (Better/Standard; 1946)

Welcome back to the "Week of Jungle Girls' crossover between Pappy's Golden Age Comics blog and the Catacombs. Our mutual selection today is Princess Pantha who originally appeared in Thrilling Comics, published by the company known variously as Better/Standard/Nedor.

"The Origin of Princess Pantha" is taken from Thrilling Comics #56 (Oct. 1946), drawn by Art Saaf. This tale sets up Pantha's premise and also introduces us to her companion, Dane Hunter. Since Nedor-A-Day (in my links section) went on sabbatical I've presented Nedor's jungle contingent including Judy of the Jungle, Kara Jungle Princess, Tygra, and now Princess Pantha. That still leaves Zudo the Jungle Boy waiting in the queue, so I will try and post one of his adventure stories soon.

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!

Tomorrows featured jungle girl: Fantomah, Mystery Woman of the Jungle

Tiger Girl (Fiction House; 1945)

Princess Vishnu (aka "Tiger Girl") was a staple of the golden age Fiction House series, Fight Comics and she is also day 4's "Week of Jungle Girls" selection - at least here in the Catacombs. Pappy's choice of the day is Safari Cary, a story that looks really great from Dagar Desert Hawk, so click here to enjoy that tale.

This story is from Fight Comics #36 (Feb. 1945), written by Allan O'Hara and drawn by Matt Baker. 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!

Tomorrows featured jungle girl: Princess Pantha

Camilla in "The Festival of B'Togi" (Fiction House; 1948)

Welcome to the third entry in my "Week of Jungle Girls" crossover with Pappy's Golden Age Comics blog. Today's featured jungle queen is Camilla from Fiction House, and the talented creators of the famous Iger Studios. Click on the link above to read Pappy's Camilla post.

"The Festival of B'Togi" is written by Victor Ibsen (it says so right on the splash page), and fully drawn by the late, great African-American good girl artist, Matt Baker. This tale is taken from Jungle Comics #100 (Apr. 1948). The Catacombs is grateful to Don "Zu-Gogo" Falkos (almost a silent partner in this nifty crossover event) 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!

Tomorrow's featured jungle girl (at least here): Tiger Girl

Jann of the Jungle in "Cry Danger!" (Marvel Comics; 1957)

A "Week of Jungle Girls" continues here in the Catacombs and also over at Pappy's Golden Age Comics blog, where you will find another adventure featuring Jann of the Jungle. Jann was one of Marvels jungle girls during the years that the company was known as Atlas.

My story selection, "Cry Danger!" is taken from Jann of the Jungle #16 (Apr. 1957). The story is written by Don Rico, drawn by Al Williamson and inked by Ralph Mayo. Now that is one fine assortment of terrific storytellers folks. Two additional stories from the same creative team in this issue will be posted here very soon. This Jann adventure was eventually reprinted in September 1974 in Marvel's Savage Tales #6. 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!

Tomorrows featured jungle girl: Camilla.

Sheena, Queen of the Jungle in "The Skull Wearer of A'wando Grotto" (Fiction House; 1953)

This week I will be participating in a crossover "Week of Jungle Girls" event with Pappy's Golden Age Comics Blog. He also has a nifty Sheena story up, so click on the link and enjoy!

"The Skull Wearer of A'Wando Grotto" is taken from Sheena, Queen of the Jungle #18 (Summer 1953), originally published by Fiction House. The story is credited to W. Morgan Thomas, but the Grand Comic Database lists him as writer, whether he also drew the issue is unknown to me. 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! Tomorrow featured jungle girl: Jann of the Jungle

"Gal" Friday! Ali Larter

Today's selection is the final lass to represent my blond celebration month in the Catacombs.

Actor Ali Larter has made memorable supporting appearances in theatrical films such as Varsity Blues and Legally Blonde, but most fans know her from a string of appearances in genre roles ranging from the horror thrillers House on Haunted Hill, Final Destination, Resident Evil: Extinction or since 2006 as one of the stars of Heroes on the NBC television network.

Larter's original Heroes character, Niki Sanders, was a wife and mother, and former Internet stripper from Las Vegas who exhibited superhuman strength, plus an alternate personality who went by the name of Jessica. After being hailed as a creative triumph in its freshman season, Heroes writing staff eventually wrote out her twin role of Niki/Jessica (which had become somewhat ill-defined), and Larter began portraying a new character, Tracy Strauss, with watery-icy-based abilities. Larter has been nominated for "Best Supporting Actress" for the 33rd Saturn Awards, despite the fact that Heroes seems to be fading.

The slim, sexy, beautiful and talented Larter married her longtime boyfriend (together 7 years) over the summer. Damn, what a lucky guy!