Molly O'More and Scoop Scanlon in "The Murder Rap" (Holyoke; 1946)

Molly O'More and Scoop Scanlon appear courtesy of Cat-Man Comics #32 (Aug.1946); originally published by Holyoke. Ken Fitch wrote this short filler piece and Nina Albright illustrated this tale; which was the last golden age appearance of these characters.

In keeping with today's detective-theme, a one page text story, "Killer's Swap" is included from the same issue - as a bonus.

Enjoy!

Tim Dawson, Soldier of Fortune in "The Adventure of Capt. Cragget" (Nedor;1944)

Friends, it has been six months since our blogging buddy, Kid Terror, has posted anything over at his "Nedor-A-Day" blog (in the links section). Long-time followers of the Catacombs know that yours truly is a dyed-in-the-wool fan of the golden age company known variously as Better/Standard/Nedor/Pines, so I'm going to devote a little effort to filling that particular void. Starting today and continuing on subsequent Saturdays, expect some fun golden age stories that will allow me to scratch at the door of superhero stuff, although I'm skewing towards some jungle-flavored action today in order to ease into the groove.

My initial "Nedor-A-Weekend" post is from Wonder Comics #1 (May 1944). Sadly while artists Bob Oksner and Al Camy are credited on the other stories from this classic issue, nobody has been identified in the GCD for "The Adventure of Capt. Cragget", starring Jim Dawson, Soldier of Fortune. That doesn't mean that I'm not gonna post it, I'm just saying. The remaining stories from this issue will be forthcoming, but in no particular order.

Enjoy!

"Gal" Friday! Jennifer Garner

We're experiencing a bit of an extended heat wave down south and while I'm not minding the steady change of pace that Mother Nature is fielding for those of us below the Mason-Dixon Line, it is currently pretty, damned HOT.

Sadly I'm not attending Comic-Con in San Diego this week, but that hasn't kept me from being busy. I have several reviews pending, I'm cursing as I await a couple of promised interviews and my daughter is due back from London on Sunday AND I am about to embark on an eight day work week, since two of my full-time workers are heading out for vacations.

Yeesh!

Let me quickly cut to the chase and correct an old wrong. I simply can't believe that Jennifer Garner hasn't been inducted as one of my "Gal" Friday's until now, but there you go. Sometimes things just roll along all pell-mell and stuff just manages to elude you.

Mrs. Ben Affleck is of course known for her television role as CIA agent Sydney Bristow in the thriller drama series Alias, which aired on ABC from 2001 to 2006. She has also appeared on screen in Pearl Harbor, Daredevil, 13 Going on 30, Juno and The Invention of Lying. Jennifer may have floated a "foul ball" when she reprised her superhero role from Daredevil in 2005's Elektra, but she still looked pretty smoking hot while doing so.

The former Ms. Garner is also a tall Texan, so she gets extra credit for that. I mean - come on - look at that face!

Jo-Jo Congo King in "Tahnee's Trail" (Fox;1948)

Although "Stan Ford" had erroneously been as identified as Matt Baker (who had previously been credited with providing the art chores on this tale), a Grand Comics Database update has identified the actual artist as Bob Webb, however the same listing also states that Webb had some help from other Fox Features Syndicate hands; so perhaps Baker helped after all. "Tahnee's Trail" is from Jo-Jo Congo King #22 (Dec.1948).

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 purpose

Enjoy!

Mastermind M'Ginty! (Holyoke;1946)

It has been a while since I ran a "non-jungle" strip, so enjoy this bonus!

This short subject is from Cat-Man Comics #32 (Aug.1946); originally published by Tem Enterprises/Holyoke and the GCD lists no credits for this humorous strip. The artwork is amusing, slightly different from the norm and I actually like it. Unless someone out there has better information, I'm going to take a stab and say that this is the work of writer/cartoonist Bert Whitman.

Let me know if I'm wrong?

South Sea Girl in "Echoes of an A-Bomb!" (Leader Ent.;1947)

This comics story is credited to "Thorne Stevenson", but I believe that it's Matt Baker art all the way through, although I'm not sure if Mr. Baker gets the writing credits too (doubt it). Published by Leader Enterprises / Universal Phoenix Features in late 1947, "Echoes of an A-Bomb!" is taken from Seven Seas Comics #7 (the last issue of that series). Alani, the South Sea Girl, was created by Matt Baker; the popular African-American artist whose cheesecake artwork during the golden age of comics is always in high demand.

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 purpose.

Enjoy!

Comic-Con International .... in 2 days!!

Comic-Con International is just about to kick off in sunny San Diego, California and the special guest list is representative of the entirety of the comics and genre-fiction industries: Neal Adams, Sergio Aragones, Peter Bagge, Brian Michael Bendis, Ray Bradbury, Berkeley Breathed, Kurt Busiek, Chris Claremont, Howard Cruse, Samuel R. Delany, Dave Dorman, Mark Evanier, Matt Fraction, Hunter & Stan Freberg, Nicholas Gurewitch, Charlaine Harris, Kathryn & Stuart Immonen, Phil Jimenez, Jenette Kahn, Jim Lee, Stan Lee, Paul Levitz, Milo Manara, Larry Marder, Carla Speed McNeil, China Miéville, Dennis O'Neil, Robert M. Overstreet, Tom Palmer, Sean Phillips, Ivan Reis, Jerry Robinson, Steve Rude, J. Michael Straczynski, Drew Struzan, Doug TenNapel, Gerard Way, Al Wiesner and Michael Zulli.

Of course just about every upcoming television series, motion picture and gaming product will have huge roll-outs at this "mega-sized" media event too. Movie stars, celebutantes and tons of other notables will be in attendance also. Hope you've got your tickets, because the thing has "sold out" several times over.

I've begun doing my homework for 2011, since my brother says that we are finally going to take the plunge and go to San Diego next year. Thank god there are so many blogs and websites with helpful hints to prepare a nascent visitor to the biggest comic book convention on the planet (apparently I really do need the prep work to maximize the experience).

To those en route to the west coast, have a great time at the show (and I'll keep my fingers crossed that the whole state doesn't drop off into the ocean).

1980's Flashback: Aztec Ace

Aztec Ace was written by Doug Moench and pencilled by Dan Day, originally published by Eclipse Comics, the series lasted for 15 issues between 1984 and 1985 (although the characters reappeared in the 1988 Total Eclipse mini-series).

The title chronicled the journey of a time traveller called Ace (his real name was actually "Caza"), whose goal was to save the time stream from unraveling through various intricate adventures. Ace was from the 23rd Century, yet he maintained his base of operations in pre-contact Aztec Mexico and he often visited ancient Egypt. His main enemy was Nine-Crocodile, who created time paradoxes in an attempt to save his own home dimension at the expense of other realities, especially, the modern world as we knew it.

The series played fast & loose with many facets of time travel including the use of cultural icons such as political figures, historical situations, songs, and cult movies in unexpected situations, and philosophical musing. Historical renderings of ancient cultures were often detailed and imaginative. Careful reading, broad knowledge, and patience were required of the reader, as well as some understanding of the ongoing storyline, all of which possibly prevented it from gathering a larger following.

Other contributors on Aztec Ace were inkers Nestor Redondo and Ron Harris & artists Michael Hernandez (Bair), Mike Gustovich and Tom Yeates. The first issue cover (pictured; left) is from July 1984.

"Gal" Friday! Melina Kanakaredes

Sadly, the talented Melina Kanakaredes has just announced that she is leaving CSI: NY after six seasons. As Det. Stella Bonasera, Kanakaredes added both brains and beauty to the second spin-off series from the long-running CSI franchise.

Her other major television credits include NYPD Blue (in a recurring role as reporter Benita Alden during that shows second season) and Providence (which ran for five seasons between 1999 and 2002).

On the big screen she has appeared in The Long Kiss Goodnight, 15 Minutes and she played the role of the Greek goddess Athena in Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. I love the Greeks, particularly the ladies and at forty-three, Melina puts many younger gals to shame. Now if only, I could find one like this to bring home to mama?

Superboy in "The Adventure of Jaguar Boy!" (DC;1947)

This story is from Adventure Comics #115 (April 1947); originally published by DC Comics (at that time known as National). "The Adventure of Jaguar Boy" was written by Don Cameron and drawn & inked by John Sikela.

I've sat on this one for quite a while since the scans aren't very clear, but posting an actual golden age superhero yarn that still fits within the "jungle-theme" motif of the bulk of the Catacombs stories is a rare treat.

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!

Rayboy's Review: Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! #17 (DC)

Art Baltazar & Franco serve up a full issue of fun in DC Comics Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! #17. "Space Ghoul" picks up the chapter that was included in May's FREE COMIC BOOK DAY Kids Sampler that DC previously published.

The rural area outside of Fawcett City has been plagued by mysterious crop circles and cow abductions, until young Billy, his sister Mary and their reporter friend Helen Fidelity arrive to ferret out the unearthly goings-on. Since this is an all-ages title, the "Space Ghoul" is ultimately revealed to have less than nefarious intentions and the whole affair is truly light-hearted in nature. This is action that is very reminiscent of the golden age whimsy for which the "Big Red Cheese" was originally famous.

Mike Norton's lovely artwork brings to life the "World's Mightiest Mortal" in far better fashion than many other recent efforts and proves that Captain Marvel need not dwell exclusively in the larger DC Universe.

Try giving this title a chance and you may be surprised to find just how much you like it. This standalone issue is a great jumping on point for new readers. Recommended!

Tamaa, Jungle Prince in "King of Beasts" (Holyoke;1943)

Today's classic golden age adventure is taken from Blue Beetle #27 (Nov. 1943); originally published by Holyoke. Tamaa, a very minor, blond "Tarzan-style" jungle prince first meets his lion-companion, Augo in this story. After an extremely brief set-up detailing the raising of the orphaned cub, Tamaa must then free Augo from a native tribe after the lion is captured as part of a ritual to choose their next chief. Of course, since Tamaa is a prince after all, he helps the better candidate win. The artist on this feature was Bob Kipler.

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!