Ty-Gor, Son of the Tiger in "Captured by the Dyaks" (MLJ; 1940)

Taken as a baby, Tyrone Gorman was offered as a living sacrifice to tigers in the jungles of Malaysia. Instead, the tigress Malma raised him. "Ty-Gor" was unknowingly an heir to a vast fortune back home while he lived the Tarzan bit as a young lad accompanied by Malma. In this story taken from Blue Ribbon Comics #5 (July 1940); originally published by MLJ/Archie Comics, he is found and taken in by an explorer named Davis and his daughter Joan (who are both making their first appearance) leading to more adventures for Ty-Gor outside the jungles.. The script on "Captured by the Dyaks" is by Joe Blair and the art is by Mort Meskin.

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: Planet of the Apes #20 (Marvel Comics)

Writer Doug Moench and artist Tom Sutton serve up an odd little episode of the ongoing "Terror of the Planet of the Apes" serial called "Society of the Psychedrome" in Marvel Comics black & white, magazine Planet of the Apes #20; originally published in May 1976.

I never bought this mag back in the 70's and it's a title that I've been curious about ever since. At this summers Heroes Convention, I lucked into a seller with plenty of black & white Marvel mags, and I nabbed this pristine mint gem in order to give it a look see. I'm glad that I got to finally check it out, but this first - of two - serialized stories inside didn't really do it for me. The characters highlighted are new ones that were not featured in any of the "Apes" films, so that was one thing. The other was the drugged out, hippy-style goings on within the titular "Psychedrome" itself. A gorilla general called Brutus is in pursuit of a human Jason and his not-quite companion, the chimpanzee known as Alex; the two temporarily aligned in order to rescue other friends trapped inside the underground facility. The psychedrome turns out to be a crashed alien vessel controlled by a being whose face is comprised of multiple eyeballs on stalks, swirling around a squid-like beaked maw. If that doesn't get your nuts in a knot, the pair must also battle through a squadron of flying monkey-demons. Oh yeah! The early artwork by Sutton isn't godawful, but it doesn't really appeal to me and Moench must have been smoking weed at the time, because this tale is just bizarre.

After a nice article on the special effects used to bring the various "Apes" films to the big screen, the issue concludes with part 5 of Marvel's adaptation of the fourth Apes movie, "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes". Again written by Moench but illustrated this time by Alfredo Alcala, "Army of Slaves" picks up right about where Caesar leads the apes in revolt against mankind, setting up what will eventually occur in the remaining Apes film series. This story was a bit more like it for my tastes, since I could at least remember the original film itself and the artwork was more serviceable and entertaining. This issues decent cover is by someone billed as Micheal McN. (Don't ask me?)

Miss Independent!

This "gal" has certainly had a controversial week, but that's primarily because the folks/dumbasses over at DC Comics conveniently forgot one simple little fact.

"You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, you don't pull the mask off that ol' Lone Ranger and you don't mess around with Wonder Woman's iconic costume."

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!

Rayboy's Review: X-Men Forever 2 #1

Nothing quite says "I badly want a sales spike" like a top publisher cancelling a book, only to immediately restart the very same title, with the very same creative team and continuing the very same storyline - for instance - like Marvel Comics X-Men Forever 2 #1.

This utterly ridiculous gimmick blows smoke up the asses of the intended audience, while at the same time artificially boosts sales on a new "#1" issue, at least long enough for the great and powerful Wizard of Claremont to enjoy his extra shekels, spinning his alternate-continuity X-festivities.

Here's a bit of the double speak used to sell this turkey to the fanboys who can't accept the fact that they are the peanut inside Marvels ongoing shell game:

"CHRIS CLAREMONT CONTINUES HIS LANDMARK SERIES WITH A NEW STORY, A NEW TEAM, AND EVEN MORE TWISTS AND TURNS! With the drastic events from the end of Volume 1, the X-Men are shaken to their very core. As they start to pick up the pieces, they are confronted by a new enemy, more powerful than any other they've ever faced. With original series artist TOM GRUMMETT, these are two issues you won't want to miss."

I've just gotta ask if anybody out there really enjoys playing king of the hill on top of such a huge pile of bullshit? I gave the first couple of issues from last years initial volume a try because I liked Tom Grummett's artwork, and admittedly out of curiosity over what Claremont intended to do with the X-Men after so long an absence from the title. Well, he started the ball rolling by killing off Wolverine in the first issue of volume one, then rather than focus his energy on some of the remaining cast and how this seminal event would shift the interpersonal dynamics of the entire team, Claremont shoehorned Sabretooth in as a De facto replacement for Logan. Yeah. I see that glimmer in your eyes already; he basically hit the easy button! Adding insult to injury, Chris made so many bizarre changes to the other remaining X-Men, that even this title - which was pitched as a return to the original X-team, freed from three dozen ongoing other "X" series gobbledygook brouhaha's - seems just as out in the left field of the twilight zone as any other current Marvel series.

I also have to say that Grummett's decent art efforts aren't well served by the inking of Cory Hamscher, but Wil Quintana partially salvages the package - a bit - with his nice coloring work. I can't say that this unnecessary relaunch gets my attention any more than last years model, but maybe 2011's X-Men Forever 3 #1 will finally do the trick. Stay tuned!

"Gal" Friday! Jessica Palette

Jessica Palette was a contestant in the 2008 VH1 reality show, Scream Queens; which featured ten contestants competing in challenges including working with bugs, gore and stunts as they participated in a horror-acting boot camp. Prior to that short-run series (eight one-hour episodes), Jessica supported herself by working as a waitress while she pursued an acting career.

I was contacted last week by writer and director Travis Legge, who is currently in preproduction on a web television series called "The New Adventures of Miss Masque", starring Jessica Palette (pictured; left & above) as the granddaughter of the golden age heroine, Miss Masque.

Here is a brief summary of the series: "Diana Bowman, granddaughter of the original Miss Masque, discovers the truth of her family heritage upon inheriting her grandmother’s worldly possessions. Seeing how awful the world is, and inspired by her grandmother’s youthful crusades, Diana adopts the identity of Miss Masque and begins patrolling the city as a vigilante hero. With the assistance of a retired superhero form the 1940’s the new Miss Masque begins a series of adventures fighting crime and standing for justice."

The New Adventures of Miss Masque will be the pilot for an ongoing web series featuring various public domain superheroes from the 1940’s. Episodes will be available online for free in standard definition, with HD versions (including exclusive behind-the-scenes content) available for a paid download. If the first four webisode story arc performs well, "The New Adventures of Miss Masque" will become an ongoing web series.

Travis is seeking crowd funding in support of his efforts to make this web series. If you would like to help him out with any size donation, please follow this link for additional information. I know that any help would be greatly appreciated.

The Catacombs is pleased to help spread the word and to have Jessica serve as this week's duly elected "Gal" Friday. I can't wait to see her in costume!

Daredevil and Lance Hale in "Fighting Hitler and His Jungle Hordes" (Lev Gleason;1941)

Today's classic golden age story comes from Daredevil Comics #1 (July 1941); originally published by Lev Gleason. The original Daredevil (a death-defying chap if ever there was one) joins forces with a handful of other Lev Gleason action stars to take on Der Fuhrer himself and the third chapter of that epic battle called "Fighting Hitler and His Jungle Hordes", co-starred a jungle lord of a different stripe, the colorfully-clad Lance Hale. The credits all seem to belong to the late Charles Biro for this fine tale, and the memorable cover illustration is included as a nifty bonus in honor of this weekends 4th of July celebration..

Today is also my youngest daughters seventeenth birthday, so "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STACY!!"

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!

Profile Antics: Sergio Cariello & Chuck Dixon and "Akota: Wargod of the Lost"

The Catacombs is pleased to present the final part of a dual interview with artist Sergio Cariello (pictured; right) and writer Chuck Dixon. Today we will discuss the second of two exciting new projects these seasoned pros are hoping to place with a publisher; “Akota: Wargod of the Lost”.

Q) Sergio, you’ve been both a student and an instructor at the Kubert School. Whose work do you look to for inspiration or which classic artists influenced your own work?

Cariello: The list can be long: Jesus Blasco, Alex Raymond, Alex Kotsky, John M. Burns, Milton Caniff, Uderzo, Jack Kirby, John and Sal Buscema, All Cap, Frank Frazetta, Gray Morrow, Dan and Sy Barry, Mort Drucker, Jim Aparo, John Romita Sr, Gil Kane, Hal Foster, Joe Kubert, Jose Luis Garcia Lopez, and many more.

Q) Chuck Dixon says that you are an “upbeat” and “eager” guy who is willing to draw anything, and that trait is too rare these days? So, what motivates you as an artist?

Cariello: I get motivated by the story first. Then I imagine how a movie of that story should be done. I get excited, as I read it, by similar themes and characters and scenes I've seen before in movie of other art form that resembles what I've just read and my brain starts working and getting creative on how I want to portray/draw the comic. I try to gather enough reference. Either a book or/ Internet and even toys and miniature replicas or the real elements to help me do a good job on it.

Q) Give me some insight into your relationship with Chuck Dixon?

Cariello: Chuck is like an older brother to me. We enjoy talking about everything and going to conventions together. We can talk for hours. We have a lot in common. I learned a lot from him in this business and other matters. He's very smart and knowledgeable. As strong willed and self-confident as he is, he’s also fun and a gentleman. Always kind and courteous. Very pleasant to be around .I feel safe when I'm with him.

Q) Now, “Akota: Wargod of the Lost” looks like it could have been informed by something like the old Gold Key series, Turok Son of Stone. Is that a valid comparison?

Dixon: Akota is the story of the first peoples to cross the land bridge from Asia to North America. These are the people who would populate the continent as Native Americans. The growing cold of the second Ice Age forces mass migrations and genocidal tribal warfare among the people of Central Asia. Akota leads his tribe on a trek across the globe to new lands with strange animals and new challenges. It’s a kind of Neolithic Lord of the Rings, very violent barbaric action in a real historical setting that’s hardly touched on.

Q) On the sample pages that Sergio has drawn, there is a creature called an "entelodont". Is that an actual historical beast or only something made up?

Dixon: We made nothing up. Early man (as recently as ten thousand years ago) co-existed with wildlife that we can barely imagine. The entire Eco-scape was vastly different then and man was NOT at the top of the food chain. We’re working to present a world alien to anyone living today that was very real for mankind not that long ago.

Q) Tell me a little bit about how you see stuff like “Akota” and why a non-superhero book seems to be such a tough sell?

Cariello: I don't know why something I like doesn’t sell, but no one knows until one tries. Many books that sell - I wouldn't buy, so that's the way it is. Some like yellow, others like red. Italians love westerns. Brazilians and French love humor. Americans love super-heroes.

Q) Both of these “possible” series appeal to me far more than the latest spin-off, mega-crossover event, and each is reminiscent of types of comic books that typically don’t get served anymore, but that used to be well-represented on the stands. What is the difficulty of interesting potential publishers in fronting these kinds of non-superhero books today?

Dixon: Yeah. It would be easier to sell a mini-series about a superhero daycare center (anyone want to lay odds that’ll be in the next Diamond Previews?) than something different. But I’m not interested in chasing down the spiraling rat hole that is the crowded super folks market.

Q) If something that you’ve created doesn’t find an available outlet; do you set it aside for a rainy day, work to “hone” it until it becomes more palatable to the market or just toss it into the circular file?

Dixon: Never throw anything away! I get asked by agents all the time if I have anything that’s not optioned. Today, you can get someone from outside the comics market to fund the production of a comic with an eye toward TV and movies. So, you never know what might have legs.

Q) How and when to you produce your writing? Do you observe a standard workday model or simply write when the mood strikes you?

Dixon: I “write” all the time. No matter where I am. But actual time at the keyboard is less than an eight hour day. To me, it’s pages not hours. Seven to eight pages is a good day and I do that no matter how long (or short) it takes. Five pages if it’s Simpson's.

Q) Sergio, what fact about you would surprise people the most?

Cariello: I might enjoy fun and be perceived as a total easy going guy ... but I am deeper than I appear and have very strong convictions by which I live. At the same token, when you think you've figured me out I might just prove you wrong.

I thank each of you for stopping by the Catacombs and wish you the very best. Hopefully we will see “Geneva of the Jungle” and “Akota: Wargod of the Lost” in the comic shops to read and enjoy someday. Take care!

At the Movies: The A-Team

I was never a fan of the original 1983-1986 television series, The A-Team, about a group of ex-Army Special Forces who work as soldiers of fortune while on the run from the military after being branded as war criminals for a "crime they didn't commit". That NBC series starring George Peppard, Dirk Benedict, Dwight Schultz and Mr. T, was a bit too cartoonish for my tastes.

I did however feel that it was exactly the type of old show that could make a terrific theatrical film. With an update setting it within the real world context of the Iraq War, The A-Team is back and now I am a fan.

Col. John "Hannibal" Smith (Liam Neeson), Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck (Bradley Cooper), Capt. H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock (Sharlto Copley) and Cpl. Bosco B.A. Baracus (Quinton “Rampage” Jackson) are a highly-regarded, elite combat unit stationed in Iraq. After being set up as fall-guys in an elaborate internecine theft, the guys are busted in rank and sent to separate military prisons. Of course, Hannibal is always three steps ahead of his enemies and plans the ultimate escape and revenge scheme. Meanwhile DCIS agent Charissa Sosa (Jessica Biel; yummy) intends to recover the missing items that the team is believed to have taken and see them all returned to prison.

I am aware that the film has received a mixed response from critics. But I don’t understand that at all. The A-Team is a topnotch revival of this concept, with a terrific cast (wonderful chemistry between the four team members) and all the slam-bang special effects of any other summer blockbuster.

Ignore the bluster and go see this one in the theaters. I highly recommend it!

1980's Flashback: Alien Worlds

Alien Worlds was a bi-monthly science-fiction anthology series originally published by Pacific Comics between December 1982 and April 1984 (eight issues; which included an offshoot Three-Dimensional Alien Worlds special released in July 1984). Eclipse Comics & Blackthorne Publishing later continued the title for a total of fourteen issues through 1985.

The title was edited by Bruce Jones and April Campbell. Nearly all of the stories in Alien Worlds were written by Jones, with only a few exceptions. Jones had developed a talent for writing short genre tales with a twist ending, during his years with Warren Publishing on titles such as Creepy and Eerie. He was also influenced by horror and sci-fi movies of the 1950s, but Jones added copious amounts of graphic violence, sexuality and female nudity into the mix; several issues sported a “Recommended For Mature Readers” warning on the cover. However, for the most part Alien Worlds avoided the more intensely gruesome subject matter of Jones' other Pacific comic, Twisted Tales, which was published at the same time.

John Bolton, Dave Stevens, Frank Brunner, Joe Chiodo, Al Williamson, Richard Corben, Roy Krenkel, Val Mayerik, and Rand Holmes all contributed work on the series.

Trivia: April Campbell was the model for Pacific Comics character, Somerset Holmes.

Profile Antics: Chuck Dixon & Sergio Cariello and "Geneva of the Jungle"

Today the Catacombs is pleased to present the first part of a dual interview with writer Chuck Dixon (pictured; left) and artist Sergio Cariello. We are going to discuss two projects that these fine and talented gentlemen are currently shopping around to publishers.

Chuck Dixon broke into comics in the mid-1980’s, writing Evangline for Comico before moving on to Marvel Comics where he scripted titles such as The Savage Sword of Conan, Alien Legion and Marc Spector: Moon Knight. It was while Dixon was working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal, that he caught the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. That project proved so successful that Chuck became DC's most prolific Batman-writer during the 1990s, posting long runs on Detective Comics, Robin, Nightwing and Batgirl, as well as creating Birds of Prey.

In 1992, Sergio Cariello worked on his first comic book, "Dagon, the Worlds of HP Lovecraft," while still attending the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art. During his second year at the school, he was hired as a letterer for Marvel Comics and he subsequently received pencilling assignments on Daredevil and Marvel Comics Presents: Spellbound. When Pat Garrahay moved to DC, he offered Cariello pencilling duties on Deathstroke. At DC Sergio also worked on Guy Gardner, Steel, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash,Young Heroes in Love, Blue Beetle, Batman and Azrael, among others. When work slowed down, he began teaching at the Kubert School and taught several courses over seven years. Currently, Cariello is pencilling and inking The Lone Ranger for Dynamite Entertainment.

Enjoy!

Q) Chuck, since the mid-1980’s you’ve worked for a wide variety of publishers including DC, Dark Horse, Crossgen, Eclipse, Marvel, Moonstone and Wildstorm. Which of these companies’s was the most comfortable “fit” for you personally as a writer?

Dixon: I find that the individual editors are more relevant to me than the companies themselves. It used to be that the editor had a fiefdom and a core collection of talent he relied on. I was the go-to guy for a lot of editors. Archie Goodwin, Denny O’Neil, Scott Peterson, Jordan Gorfinkel, Don Daley and others. A creator’s career rises and falls with the amount of faith his editor has in him. For all practical purposes I was “over” at Marvel and DC as soon as my editors either resigned or were fired. I think the editorial feudal system is still in place at Marvel. At DC it’s been replaced with micro-management from the top down.

Q) You’ve produced long runs on various Batman series over the years, but since I’m curious about two of your behind-the-scenes “works in progress” that pair you up with artist Sergio Cariello, tell me when the two of you first crossed paths?

Dixon: I ran into Sergio years ago at a San Diego con. He was a Kubert School graduate and knew my buddy Graham Nolan. Sergio and I like the same kinds of comics and it’s impossible not to like Sergio. There’s not a more upbeat, eager guy in comics. And he makes me laugh even when he doesn’t mean to. Especially when he doesn’t mean to.

Q) Sergio, where do you think you are at in terms of your current comics career and what are your future goals in the industry?

Cariello: Where exactly I am in my career I don't know, but I'm thankful to have been in it for so long, having the chance to draw so many different genres and so many characters. I am still drawing comics now and making a living with it and I enjoy doing it. I hope the Good Lord will keep me healthy, creative and able to keep at it for as long as live.

Q) What kind of art tools do you use to produce your work?

Cariello: 2B Pencil, sable brush, pen nibs, black India ink, 2 ply Bristol board and Photoshop.

Q) Okay, Geneva of the Jungle looks like it could be a really fun book to read. Based on the sample pages that Sergio has produced, “Geneva” appears to blend pulp-oriented adventure with classic jungle girl elements. Is that accurate?

Dixon: It doesn’t move far from the jungle adventure sub-genre of comics. But Geneva is more capable and cynical than Sheena or Jann or Lorna or that bunch. She’s not a man-hater but she’s not about to let a guy tell her what to do or trust in his judgment to save the day. She’s also less grave and more of a smartass than your typical mistress of the wild. Above all, she’s a survivor.The story is of the “lost valley” variety with all the attendant primordial dangers. But there’s much more to it than that as the mystery unfolds. We also have a raft of bad guys from the scheming intellectual to the thuggish brute. And, of course, all the dangers and rising threats that the Amazonian jungle can produce.

Q) Sergio, give me your version of what “Geneva of the Jungle” is all about?

Cariello: I did not get too far into it to have a complete profile of the character but she seems like a female Indiana Jones to me.Very smart and sure of herself, pretty but unafraid and determined to achieve her goals .

Q) Is “Geneva” intended as an ongoing title, a mini-series or a one-shot? What’s the current likelihood that we might see this book make it into the shops?

Dixon: We need a publisher. Selling a creator-owned deal is harder in this market than it was a few years ago. But there’s also more ways to get this kind of thing financed. We’re looking into all of that. Of course, if there’s any Dixon and Cariello fans who are recent lottery winners reading this [hint] … and I see it as a series of mini-series.

Q) Sergio was both a student and an instructor at the Kubert School, and he definitely brings that sensibility to his work. What about his “art-style” resonates with you?

Dixon: That he’s willing to draw anything. That’s a taller order than it would seem to be. There’s fewer and fewer artists around who are willing, or capable, of drawing convincing animals or natural background. Being a devotee of Joe [Kubert], Sergio’s work is organic and raw. He can tackle the big scale, grandiose stuff which makes him perfect for this kind of story.

Q) Sergio, do you have a personal favorite among these two projects (Geneva of the Jungle & Akota: Wargod of the Lost) that you and Chuck are currently collaborating on?

Cariello: Both are favorites to me but if had to choose one...probably Akota. Animals, Indians and nature in general are fun to draw.

Q) You've worked on The Lone Ranger, Deathstroke & Crossgen stuff like (Sojourn, Scion, Lady Death, The Path & Crux), but did you like those properties or were they just jobs?

Cariello: Loved doing them all!! Some of them were more fun than others but each gave me pleasure to draw. Certainly none of them were just jobs.

(Part II of this interview, covering Akota: Wargod of the Lost, will be posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2010). Thanks for stopping by!

"Gal" Friday! Lucy Pinder

In the summer of 2003, Lucy Pinder was spotted by a freelance photographer while sunbathing on Bournemouth beach (Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the county of Dorset, England). As a result of the photographs taken that day, she signed a professional modelling contract with the Daily Star.

Although Lucy initially shied away from exposing her upper torso during what was fast becoming an active modeling career, she eventually relented and the rest is history (you'll have to seek those incredible photos out on the world-wide web; well-worth the effort too). Lucy is one of my very favorite British pin-up queens. In the interests of complete disclosure, I must admit that I wouldn't trust myself around anyone involved with her. Think foul play!

[Now let me set aside the empty six pack and tamp out the doobie. Let's just pretend it's a few hours later and I've gotten better control of myself. Yeah! That's more like it.]

Admittedly Lucy Pinder was featured in the Catacombs at some point in the past, but it's my party and I'll cry if I want to. Sigh, I just love British pin-up "gals".

Things to Come!

I've got four interviews waiting in the queue or rather, I am waiting on four interviews to post here in the Catacombs. I have an upcoming dual interview of writer Chuck Dixon and artist Sergio Cariello, that touches on a pair of exciting projects these fine creators are currently shopping around - hoping to be published. Chuck Dixon's portion of that posting is already in my hot little hands, and I'm hoping that Sergio will forward his half in the next few days. Um, pretty-please-with-sugar-on-top.

Francesco Francavilla has also agreed to a crossover interview, but he just got hit with some new work that may delay that one - at least for a short while. In the meantime, check out his "Pulp Sunday" blog over in my links section.

Now, if only Joe Jusko would "finally" uncork his interview and send it on over. Joe is a busy guy. BUSY!! Still, he promised that he would get it to me when I spoke to him at the Heroes Convention earlier in the month. PS: I've only been waiting on that one since last year.

And you guys think that I sit on my dead arse deep in the Catacombs twiddling my thumbs. Not really! For today, console yourselves with this awesome new commission piece by the great John Byrne. The lucky owner requested Batman versus some of Spidey's most fearsome foes. Enjoy!