Rulah Jungle Goddess in "The Devil's Daughter" (Fox; 1949)

In 1949, Fox Comics repackaged several of their earlier books into a one-shot volume called All Great Jungle Adventures [nn#]. The book contained previously published stories from Jo-Jo, Phantom Lady and our own personal favorite, Rulah Jungle Goddess.

"The Devil's Daughter" had originally appeared in Rulah Jungle Goddess #17 (Aug. 1948), illustrated by Matt Baker. The Grand Comics Database lists this story from All Great as "Man-Eater", but that's not the correct title.

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!

I've had a request for another World-Beater story, so I've got that golden age classic in the queue for this Thursday.

"The First Avenger:Captain America" Has Been Cast!

Ain't It Cool News is reporting that actor Chris Evans has accepted the role of Steve Rogers, Living Legend of WWII aka Captain America.

If so, then I am comforted by the selection of Evans. He was really terrific in the thriller Cellular, the science-fiction actioner Sunshine and he was easily the best thing about Marvels recent Fantastic Four and it's sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer as wiseacre hero Johnny Storm, The Human Torch (not too hard considering how crummy those two movies ended up being overall).

He has also stretched the genre envelope by appearing last year in Push, and upcoming comic book adaptations Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and The Losers.

For me, Evans handily stood out among the narrowing field of performers that were being considered for the part. Hopefully, everyone will have the same reaction now that Cap has finally been chosen and with shooting slated to start fairly soon for the film to be in theaters next summer.

From the Dust Bin: Spectre (TV)

Last year I ran a series of posts on the late Gene Roddenberry's aborted 1970's science-fiction television pilots. If you will recall, post-Star Trek, Roddenberry produced and/or wrote Genesis II, Planet Earth, Strange New World and The Questor Tapes in an effort to launch another ongoing TV series. For one reason or another, all of these efforts failed to take off, but one final attempt by the "Great Bird of the Galaxy" was made to initiate a show and this time it was set within the world of the occult detective sub-genre. If you ever have an opportunity to see this terrific obscure film, it will be well worth your time.

Spectre may have been the best of Gene Roddenberry's busted television pilots. By abandoning his efforts to repeat the success of Star Trek, Spectre became the exception to his earlier cycle of cliche ridden variations on sci-fi themes. Interestingly, Spectre's lead characters William Sebastian and Dr. "Ham" Hamilton were originally meant to be played as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Despite this being changed before going to air, one of the strengths of Spectre is how effectively the action immediately picks up at the start and then continues unabated until the film's conclusion. The exceptional teleplay was written by Roddenberry and his former Trek partner, Samuel A. Peeples.

Renowned criminologist and occult investigator William Sebastian (Robert Culp) has been cursed on one of his adventures, leaving him in constant need of medical attention. Sebastian recruits his old friend Dr. Hamilton (Gig Young) to aid him in his current case, investigating strange happenings in England involving a mysterious Satanic cult and the demon Asmodeus. Anitra Cyon (Ann Bell), the sister of prominent British businessman Sir Geoffrey Cyon (James Villiers), has summoned the famous pair in order to determine if her older brother is dabbling in the black arts. In turn, Sir Geoffrey claims that she is mentally unfit. As Sebastian and Dr. Hamilton travel to the Cyon estate to investigate the matter, they are repeatedly attacked by dark forces. Complicating the issue is Sebastian's debilitating heart condition that was induced by his own early experimentation's with the black arts. The cast is rounded out by recognizable character actors John Hurt as Mitri Cyon, Majel Barrett as Lilith (Sebastian's housekeeper & a practicing witch who cures "Ham" of his alcoholism through a spell of aversion therapy) and Gordon Jackson as Inspector Cabell.

The story is a really entertaining supernatural thriller in the classic Hammer Films mode from director Clive Donner. Of note is that after its rejection by American television, an extended version of Spectre was released in the United Kingdom as a theatrical film with additional footage that included nudity during its black mass finale. This additional footage built upon scenes shot within the Cyon Estate where numerous buxom women were utilized as maids or sexual appendages of Sir Geoffrey's hedonistic lifestyle.

The cinematography was also above par for a standard 1970's telefilm and it's too bad that this never went to series. There was much to like about Spectre, and it should have been better received. This was also the last significant role for Gig Young before his tragic death the following year.

I highly recommend this film to anyone who is willing to track it down and gladly thank Catacombs visitor Jeff McFadden for sending me a copy to watch and review.

"Gal"Friday! Emmanuelle Vaugier

In the halcyon days before I consolidated my cheesecake posts primarily into my weekly "Gal" Friday featurette, I had done a brief post on this smoking hot, incredibly sensual, beauteous actress and am now taking the time to "officially" induct her into the Catacombs.

Emmanuelle Vaugier has appeared in a number of television roles and minor feature films since 1992 when she debuted in a guest role on Highlander: The Series. Her extensive resume of genre fare includes roles on Charmed, Smallville (recurring), Andromeda, Masters of Horror, Supernatural and currently Human Target (recurring). Films that she has appeared in include Mind Storm, Wishmaster 3: Beyond the Gates of Hell, Painkiller Jane (pilot only), Cerberus, Saw II, House of the Dead 2, Unearthed and Saw IV.

She had a long running recurring role on CSI: NY as Detective Jessica Angell until the season five finale episode, during which her character was fatally shot during a kidnapping at a diner.

Ms. Vaugier is one of those women that will make your eyes melt just by looking at her, and kudos to the producers & casting agents who scored her spot on Human Target (a series that seems determined to feature the hottest ladies in the business every week). They worried me this week when it looked like her character had bought the farm, but fortunately it was only a tease and she will be back soon. Thank god! There's not one inch of her that I wouldn't eat breakfast off of, or lunch, or dinner. Mid-day snack?

Oh yeah.

In Memorium: Fess Parker

Actor Fess Parker, a baby boomer idol in the 1950's & 1960's for his portrayals of legendary frontiersmen Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, died today from natural causes at the age of 85.

Parker had retired in 1970 after Daniel Boone went off the air and later become a major California winemaker and real estate developer. His motion picture debut was in Springfield Rifle in 1952. His other films include No Room for the Groom, The Kid From Left Field, Them!, The Great Locomotive Chase, Westward Ho, the Wagons!, Old Yeller and The Light in the Forest.

The 6-foot, 6-inch Parker was quickly embraced by youngsters as the man in the coonskin cap following the debut of "Davy Crockett" in 1954 on the popular Disneyland television series. Boomers gripped by the Crockett craze scooped up Davy lunch boxes, toy rifles ("Old Betsy"), buckskin shirts and his trademark fur caps. "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" which began "Born on a mountaintop in Tennessee..." became a No. 1 hit for singer Bill Hayes.

The Catacombs expresses it condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Tiger Girl in "Out of the Murky Past" (Fiction House;1945)

Princess Vishnu (aka "Tiger Girl") makes a long overdue return to the Catacombs today in a lushly illustrated story with vibrant colors from Fight Comics #39 (Aug. 1945), originally published by Fiction House and written by "Allan O'Hara" and drawn by the illustrious Matt Baker.

Thrill to killers crocs, vicious women-warriors, pit vipers, lethal death-traps and assorted other jungle perils; all stemming from Tiger Girl's timely rescue of a chick that isn't quite as innocent as she appears.

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!

Luck O'the Irish to Ya!

Ka'a'nga in "The Deathmaker!" (I.W. Publishing;1958)

Today's classic silver age jungle comics adventure is taken from Ka'a'nga #1 (1958); published by I.W. Publishing (aka Super Comics). The story herein was reprinted from Ka'a'nga Jungle King #18 (Winter 1953-1954) which had been originally published at the tail-end of the golden age by Fiction House. The artwork is signed "Frank Riddell", but this was actually artist John Celardo. Curiously, the Grand Comics Database culled this tales title from the original Fiction House issues cover and lists it as "The Red Claw of Vengeance", however at least on the Super Comics version (which you've just read), the story is called "The Deathmaker!" I'm gonna stick with that one, since seeing is believing.

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!

Retro-View: Marvel Two-In-One Annual #1 (1976)

Marvel Two-In-One Annual #1 was released in 1976, shortly after Fantastic Four Annual #11 (Jun. 1976) which featured the first part of this continued storyline in which the Fantastic Four returned from the past with only half of a missing vibranium canister. While there the FF encountered the World War II team, The Invaders, comprised of Captain America & Bucky, the Sub-Mariner and the original Human Torch & Toro. The combined groups stopped the Nazis from utilizing the vibranium to advance their rocketry program.

However once back in the present, and while the rest of the team prepares for a celebration, The Thing (courtesy of the timely arrival of The Watcher) discovers that the Nazis may actually still be able to use the missing metal to ultimately win World War II. The Thing takes a second time trip (although solo now, he is the star of Two-In-One after all) back to 1942 where he meets up with another WWII super-team, The Liberty Legion, comprised of the Patriot, Miss America, the Whizzer, Red Raven, Jack Frost, the Blue Diamond and the Thin Man. Together they tackle Skyshark, Master Man and U-Man as Ben Grimm tries to find the stolen vibranium.

"Their Name is Legion!" is well written by Marvel Comics stalwart Roy Thomas and pencilled by the great Sal Buscema. Inking duties are provided on this oversize special by a trio of Marvel veterans including Sam Grainger (pages 1-35); John Tartaglione (pages 36-45); and George Roussos (pages 46-47). The overall effect is quite fun, with their styles meshing well on the art front.

There is an unexpected cameo by Jazzy John Romita, who Thomas wrote into the story as a kid in a few panels, apparently based on Romita's real life childhood experience delivering courier packages to doctors as a boy. Nice!

Of course with the two annuals having already crossed over, this story was so big (at the time) with sixteen heroes and assorted villains, that the story doesn't even end here. It's finally completed in Marvel Two-In-One #20. The Liberty Legion was a favorite of mine when they were introduced earlier in twin issues of Marvel Premiere, and with this storyline, other than a handful of guest spots over in The Invaders own title, this was pretty much their entire published adventures at Marvel during the bronze age.

If you missed this one on the first pass, pick it up if you get a chance. A nice copy can be had in decent grade for less than $10 bucks, and it is well worth it.

In Memorium: Peter Graves

Although he had been featured in several earlier recurring television roles (Fury, Whiplash, Court Martial), it was as Jim Phelps, the leader of the elite Impossible Missions Force in the iconic CBS TV series Mission: Impossible that actor Peter Graves will be best remembered. Mr. Graves passed away yesterday, just a few days shy of his 84th birthday, from an apparent heart attack.

In 1967, Peter Graves was recruited by Desilu Studios to replace Steven Hill as the lead actor on Mission: Impossible. He played Jim Phelps, the sometimes gruff leader of the Impossible Missions Force or IMF, for the remaining six seasons of the series. Graves was awarded a Golden Globe Award in 1971 for his role in the series. In 1988, a Hollywood writers' strike resulted in a new Mission: Impossible series being commissioned for television with Graves as the only original cast member to return as a regular (although others made guest appearances). The series was filmed in Australia and lasted for two seasons, ending in 1990.

Graves appeared in more than seventy films, TV series and TV movies, including a memorable role in the 1980 spoof, Airplane! He also hosted the documentary series Biography on A&E during the 1990's, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding informational series in 1997.

The Catacombs extends heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and legion of worldwide fans.

Rulah Jungle Goddess in "Flames of Fury" (Fox; 1948)

Here's a nifty bonus jungle girl epic starring Rulah Jungle Goddess from All Top Comics #10 (Mar. 1948); originally published by Fox Feature Syndicate.

The Grand Comics Database doesn't have credit information listed to identify the writer or artist of "Flames of Fury", so we'll toss out the possibility that Jack Kamen at least had a hand in the story (he drew the issues cover, which I've also included).

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!

"Gal" Friday! Gemma Atkinson

Gemma Atkinson is a 25 year old British actress, glamour & lingerie model. Although she’s a natural brunette, she often goes blond (and I must admit that finding such lassies is wonderful). Having your cake and eating it too, comes to mind.

She has appeared on popular Brit television shows like Hollyoaks, Comedy Showcase, The Bill and films such as Boogie Woogie, 13Hrs, Baseline and onstage she has portrayed Peter Pan. In 2010 she will appear in the film The Sweet Shop, a romantic comedy about a Hollywood superstar and a small town shop owner.

Luscious Gemma made her video game debut in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (2008) in the role of Lt. Eva McKenna, which she also reprised in Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising (2009).

In an interview, Ms. Atkinson said that after she lost weight due to a strenuous fitness regime, her bust size declined and that she subsequently underwent breast augmentation surgery to restore them to the original shape they once had (bra size 34E). I applaud her efforts and refuse to hold this against her. In fact, thank you Gemma, this earns you a place for posterity in the Catacombs.