In Memorium: Brittany Murphy

Actor Brittany Murphy passed away due to cardiac arrest yesterday at the age of 32, and folks that's just way too damn young. She made a name for herself in popular films and on television from the tender age of fourteen, but some of her lifestyle choices also made her an easy mark for comedians. Considering her unfortunate death this weekend, it's really sad to read that just within the last few weeks, her supposed addiction to drugs was again parodied on Saturday Night Live.

Despite being raised in New Jersey and California, Brittany Murphy was a true Georgia peach having originally been born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1977. I wanted to say farewell to this lovely lass for her fine (but brief) performance in Sin City and her voice work on the animated series, King of the Hill, but since Christmas falls this week, I didn't want a downer-style post for this weeks "Gal" Friday; so many condolences go out to her family, friends and fans. She will be missed!

At the Movies: Avatar

I watched director James Cameron’s Avatar in awesome 3D and really can not strongly enough stress how incredible it was seeing this film in that format. Even more astonishing was how quickly this science-fiction story flew by, despite clocking in at two hours and forty minutes long.

Cameron’s singular vision and dedication in getting this movie made over an extended period of years from when he first thought up the basics of the storyline is truly mind-blowing, and it’s too bad that a handful of snobby genre critics feel the need to minimize Avatar with comments that the story utilized here is nothing new under the sun (as if much of anything really is) or that there are clichéd elements present. Maybe so dumbasses, but the difference here is also remarkably obvious. There are terrific characterizations by a topnotch cast underneath the landmark performance capture techniques that have helped bring the fictional world of Pandora to life. At the films conclusion, I realized that I could have sat through it even if it had run twice as long. I just didn’t want to leave the world of Pandora behind.

What the actual dollar cost of making this film supposedly totals matters not to me. I’m just in awe that something like Avatar also made it into theaters in the very same year that brought us a phenomenally successful reboot of Star Trek. Blockbuster genre features have become an accepted staple of our times, with each one ramping up fans expectations, and these movies never fail to attract naysayers whose only desire is to flaunt their own limited opinions on the rest of us.

But enough of that, before I forget, let’s just agree with those folks who HAVE praised the outstanding cast which includes Sigourney Weaver, Sam Worthington, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, Zoe Saldana, Wes Studi, CCH Pounder and perhaps the real lynchpin of an already great group, Stephen Lang as the villainous Col. Miles Quaritch. Lang (pictured above; middle) is devastatingly effective in his role and the film is superior for having him onboard as the heavy.

I hope that Avatar finds a huge audience to recoup some of the cost of making this gem of a flick, and then justifiably takes its place as an instant classic. It really is that good, but try to catch it in 3D. You really will feel like you’ve visited an actual alien planet.

"Gal" Friday! Holly Weber

As promised, here is this weeks sultry "Gal" Friday selection. Holly Weber is a 25 year old actor and model who has appeared on the big screen in such films as Click, You Don't Mess with the Zohan, Frost/Nixon, Tropic Thunder, Fast & Furious, Crank: High Voltage and The Ugly Truth.

Holly's television appearances on such shows as CSI: New York, Las Vegas, Life, Shark, Nip/Tuck, Criminal Minds and the premiere episode of the cancelled sitcom, Cavemen, have earned her additional fans.

Ms. Weber funded her undergraduate education by go-go dancing at popular venues in Hollywood and Las Vegas. She has either graced the cover or pages of over 25 different calendars and was featured in magazines such as Glamour, Muscle and Fitness, and FHM.

It's almost sad to say that this luscious lass was displaced for an entire week by Penelope Cruz, but as you can see, she was well worth the wait.

Tom-Tom the Jungle Boy (Magazine Enterprises; 1947)

The twelve days of Christmas continue in the Catacombs as we switch over to some lighter comics fare for the final run to the holidays, and don't worry, my regular "Gal" Friday feature will be posted later today.

Tom-Tom the Jungle Boy ran in numerous issues of Tick Tock Tales, published by Magazine Enterprises during the golden age of comics. In today's featured story from Tick Tock Tales #15 (Mar. 1947), Tom-Tom and his friends, Itchi (a monkey) and Tree-Trunk (an elephant), look after a lost baby hippo who ends up saving them from a tiger. Tom-Tom also had his own self-titled series and appeared in a spin-off book from Tick Tock Tales called The Pixie's.

I have no credited information on who the writer or artist was on this well-drawn strip, so if anyone knows, please speak up. 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!

In Memorium: Dan O'Bannon

Dan O'Bannon passed away yesterday at the age of 63. O'Bannon began his influential motion picture career in 1974 when he and fellow movie veteran, John Carpenter, adapted their student film Dark Star into a cult-favorite, feature-length theatrical movie. As either a writer, special effects technician, editor, or director, Dan O'Bannon worked on the following genre-busting favorites: Star Wars, Alien, Dead & Buried, Heavy Metal (animated), Blue Thunder, Lifeforce, The Return of the Living Dead, the 1986 remake of Invaders from Mars, Total Recall, The Resurrected and Screamers.

O'Bannon was also the writer of the influential comic book story "The Long Tomorrow", which was originally published in Metal Hurlant (and later in Heavy Metal) magazine, with art by Jean "Moebius" Giraud. This work heavily influenced director Ridley Scott's science-fiction film Blade Runner, director John Carpenter's film, Escape From New York and cyberpunk author William Gibson's stories.

Condolences go out to O'Bannon's family, friends and fans.

Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen in "The Bride of Jungle Jimmy!" (DC Comics; 1966)

The twelve days of Christmas continues in the Catacombs with even more non-holiday specific gifts from yours truly. Today's classic story is taken from Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #98 (Dec. 1966). This fun tale was written by Leo Dorfman and drawn by the great Pete Costanza. This wacky story is a typical example of the kind of goofy stuff that the Superman universe characters were mired in for many years, and these days that certain level of charm is deeply missed by older fans who've grown tired of the darker, endlessly angst-driven, supposedly "mature" drivel that passes itself off as comic books.

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 DC Comics and/or the original creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes.

Enjoy!

1980's Flashback: Best of DC #4; Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

The twelve days of Christmas continues in the Catacombs with this seasonal 1980's Flashback. Best of DC #4 (aka Blue Ribbon Digest; Mar-Apr. 1980) is a full Sheldon Mayer extravaganza, although Mayer is aided by Tenny Henson on inks & Joe Orlando edited this fun-filled holiday issue.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer had been a staple of DC's tabloid-sized Limited Collectors' Edition series, with an impressive five individual volumes. That was more than Superman, Shazam, The Justice League of America and Tarzan in that format, but with that high issue count Rudolph did manage a tie with The Batman. Rudy also starred in his own twelve issue series for DC back in the 1950's, plus he had at least one annual released in 1962.

This issue is special in that although much of it reprints earlier Limited Collector's Edition material, two stories, "Will a Stitch in Time Save Christmas?" and "The Secret of the Lucky Dragon Egg" were originally intended for publication in the Limited Collectors' Edition tabloid format, but never made it to the stands due to the infamous 1978 company-wide cancellation known as the DC Implosion.

Zudo the Jungle Boy vs. "The Menacing Medicine Man (Standard; 1944)

The twelve days of Christmas continues in the Catacombs with another promise fulfilled. During the recent "Week of Jungle Girls" event, I mentioned another obscure jungle character that operated under the Better/Standard/Nedor banner during the golden age. I have already posted stories featuring Judy of the Jungle, Kara Jungle Princess, Tygra and Princess Pantha, so as I promised, here for your amusement is a tale starring Zudo the Jungle Boy, from Mystery Comics #2 (1944), with art by Ken Battlefield. I have no credit for the scripting chores. All I know about this character is that apparently after the loss of his parents, a Prof. and Mrs. Knight, their unnamed young son grew up orphaned in the jungle and eventually became Zudo the Jungle Boy.

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!

Jann of the Jungle in "Jungle Vengeance!" & "The Fangs of the Black Orchid!" (1957; Atlas Comics)

The twelve days of Christmas begins in the Catacombs today with a few gifts from ye olde editor. Following up on a promise to at least one regular follower, here are the remaining two Jann of the Jungle stories from Jann of the Jungle #16 (Apr. 1957). I ran another Jann adventure ("Cry Danger!") during my recent crossover 'Week of Jungle Girls' event with Pappy's Golden Age Comics blog; and just like that fine classic, "Jungle Vengeance" is written by Don Rico, drawn by Al Williamson and inked by Ralph Mayo. Today's second bonus Jann adventure was also written by Mr. Rico, but full art on this tale is provided by the great Bill Everett (creator of the Sub-Mariner).

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!

"Gal" Friday! Penelope Cruz

Spanish actor Penelope Cruz is truly one of God's gifts to humanity. At the tender age of 35, she has already racked up an impressive string of award-winning (or nominated roles) in foreign language films like Jamón, Jamón, La Niña de tus ojos, Belle époque, Don't Move, Broken Embraces, Volver and All About My Mother. American films that have earned her additional acclaim include Blow, Vanilla Sky, Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Best Supporting Oscar), Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Gothika, Bandidas, Sahara and the recent CGI-animated film, G-Force (voice only).

I spotted this sexy photo of Cruz (from the upcoming musical film, Nine; left) on MSN this morning and immediately displaced my planned selection in favor of this ravishing Latina. With the recent life-change that has left me happily single, I've embarked on a blond quest, but I've just gotta tell you kind folks that the only other femmes on the planet that could easily dissuade me from acquiring a hot blond companion are Latin lovelies like Ms. Cruz. Now if only I can convince her that I'm a better option for her than Javier Bardem.

In Memorium: Gene Barry

Known for his suave manner, Gene Barry was featured on numerous television series during a career that spanned more than fifty years. In 1955 he was featured in a recurring role during the final season of Our Miss Brooks and then went on to star in three of his own popular TV series -- Bat Masterson (his most famous role), The Name of the Game, and Burke's Law. He won a 1965 Golden Globe for Burke's Law. That series, featuring homicide investigations by a millionaire police captain, surprisingly returned in 1993-94, with Barry once again appearing in the title role.

He also starred in the classic 1953 science-fiction film War of the Worlds, directed by George Pal and made a cameo appearance in Steven Spielberg's 2005 version of War of the Worlds, along with his original 1953 co-star Ann Robinson (both are pictured; right). Other television series that he appeared in include Suspense, Science Fiction Theatre, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Charlie's Angels, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, The Twilight Zone and Murder: She Wrote. Barry was cast as the killer on the original Columbo TV pilot, Prescription: Murder.

Gene Barry passed away on December 9, 2009, at the age of 90. Condolences go out to his family, friends and many fans.

From the Dust Bin: The Silver Surfer #5 [Rejected Cover]

I love to see unused/alternate covers from days gone by. This one by the late John Buscema was intended for The Silver Surfer #5 (Apr. 1969). The original cover is also posted for a comparison basis, but with respect to the terrific image that actually was approved back then, there is something much more powerful about seeing the massive figure of The Stranger stomping down on poor Norrin Rad. At least in my eyes, this rejected cover would have been better!

It would be nice to see one of the surviving inkers from those days finish this baby up! What do you guys think?