Tangi in "The Idol with Four Paws" (Fox;1948)

Unseen in the Catacombs since 2010, Tangi originally appeared in golden age issues of Dagar and Jungle Jo, published by Fox Feature Syndicate. She makes her welcome return today in this tale called “The Idol with Four Paws” from Dagar, Desert Hawk #16 (Jun.1948); illustrated by the great Jack Kamen. 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!

South Sea Girl in "The Vanishing Isles" (Leader Ent.;1946)

Matt Baker draws "South Sea Girl" from Seven Seas Comics #1 (April 1946),originally published by Leader Enterprises/Universal Phoenix Features, and written by Manning Lee Stokes. South Sea Girl was also known as Alani, and she differed from most jungle girls in both her location and her usual garb, a sarong (inspired by the popular Dorothy Lamour films). 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!

Zago, Jungle Prince in "The Silver Spear of Death" (Fox; 1949)

Zago stars in "The Silver Spear of Death" from Zago, Jungle Prince #3 (January 1949); originally published by Fox and with artwork by his creator, Jack Kamen. Zago was a short-lived jungle adventurer, very much like the more popular Tarzan and he was accompanied by his mate Wana, who bore a more than passing resemblance to Sheena. 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! Danielle Lloyd

British glamour model, Danielle Lloyd first rose to prominence when she was stripped of her Miss Great Britain 2006 title after posing for nude pictures featured in Playboy magazine and her alleged affair with one of the pageant's judges, her then-boyfriend, soccer player Teddy Sheringham, although her title was reinstated in 2010.


She was also accused of using bullying tactics and making racist comments directed against the Indian actress Shilpa Shetty during filming of Celebrity Big Brother in 2007, but even Shetty acknowledged that the offensive remarks were attributable to “heat of the moment" and peer pressure among the other contestants. Lloyd has also dated a string of soul brothers, from athletes to deejays, in the UK, so let’s dispense with that idea. She is currently married to soccer player Jamie O' Hara.

Since it's been a while since I highlighted any British pin-up babes, and since that is against my policy, Danielle gets the nod this week as the Catacombs official "gal" Friday selection.

Zegra, Jungle Empress in "The Destiny Pearl" (Fox;1948)

Zegra is up to her lovely ears in trouble today as she finds herself caught between battling family members for possession of "The Destiny Pearl" in a thrilling jungle adventure from Zegra, Jungle Empress #3 (Dec.1948); originally published by Fox Feature Syndicate and credited to ['Jed Lewis'] who was actually John Lanier. 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!

Kirby: Genesis

Let me tell you up front that Kirby: Genesis has been one of my favorite new comics of 2011. Written by Kurt Busiek (Marvels, Astro City) and illustrated by Jack Herbert & Alex Ross (Marvels, Kingdom Come, Justice), the Dynamite Publishing series blends together a plethora of characters, unused concepts, and forgotten character designs created by the late Jack "King" Kirby. 


I've been entertained by the degree to which Busiek and his co-creators have integrated a wide variety of material into a seamless whole thus far, and the initial story arc hasn't yet run its course. Told through the eyes of Kirby Freeman, we've been witness to an event involving the original Pioneer 10 space probe that has inexplicably revealed the existence of fantastic beings, from ancient civilizations right here on Earth to far-flung galaxies populated by races with superpowers. The current issue is finally bringing this diverse group of characters into conflict over control of something called the Proto-Seed. Will Silver Star, Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers, the Glory Knights and Galaxy Green succeed in preventing Roag, the Lightning Lady, Sundance and Darius Drumm from accomplishing their nefarious ends or are we all doomed? What is happening with Kirby Freeman on the Phantom Continent and will Reptar & Thunderfoot be revealed as friend or foe? Which Kirby creations will be introduced next? Yikes!


Frankly, it has been equally bemusing to read established reviewers less than favorable comments about this really fun title. Although some like the overall tone of Kirby: Genesis, far too many take the title to task for having various perceived failings. Look folks, virtually all of those "critics", whether entrenched at AICN, Comic Book Resources or elsewhere routinely praise the shit-in-a-bottle that Marvel or DC spins on a quarterly basis, even as the "big two" publishing titans incessantly relaunch, reboot, rinse & repeat till hell freezes over generic-cyclic swill. Forget which version of whatever maligned former hero holds the field for the moment, their just gonna change it again in short order anyway.


The most obvious thing that stands out to me about Kirby: Genesis is the forgotten concept of four-color "fun". The book is just steeped in fun, and I have no doubt that Busiek and company are having a blast creating this series. All that I can say is that Kirby: Genesis takes me to my happy place, and increasingly that's the back issue boxes, OR this book. Recommended!

"Men and Fire" (Standard;1952)

Well, same old blog, different day AND a classic golden age story of a different sort. Here's a nifty science-fiction adventure from Lost Worlds #6 (Dec. 1952); originally published by Standard Comics (aka Better-Nedor-Pines) and illustrated by future bronze age Spider-Man artist Ross Andru.

"Men and Fire" casts Commander John Drake into the void of our own solar system in search of his true lady love, lost somewhere within the rings of Saturn, and under peril by mutated colonists. Enjoy!

2011 Halloween Film Festival: The Resident

Happy Halloween from the Catacombs!

The little ghosts, ghouls and goblins will be out in force tonight to relieve you of the burden of some sugary treats, unless you’re planning a slate of nifty tricks to offset their cravings. Here is the last of my 2011 Halloween Film Festival reviews, and of this years grouping, this surprisingly turned out to be my personal favorite. Remember, I chose a handful of genre films, both old and new, that I had never actually seen before.

When a beautiful young doctor, newly estranged from her unfaithful boyfriend, suspects that something is just not right in her new Brooklyn loft, she discovers that her landlord has formed a frightening obsession with her. The Resident, from the reconstituted Hammer Films studio banner, is co-written by Finnish director Antti Jokinen and stars Hilary Swank, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Christopher Lee. Although it was shot in New York City, New Mexico and New Jersey in 2009, The Resident was only given a limited worldwide release in 2011, primarily going direct to DVD. That’s a shame, since although the movie has received a primarily negative response from some critics; others have praised Swank’s performance in a taut, slow-simmering thriller.

I would have to agree with the latter. This film marks a reunion for Swank and Morgan, who previously starred in the romantic comedy-drama "P.S. I Love You" in 2007. Morgan too, is particularly strong as a disarmingly charming, but ultimately gonzo psycho-killer opposite the – let’s face it – sultry, slim and sexy Swank (who's also a two-time Academy Award winner). Charges that The Resident is too generic and rife with plot holes and lack of originality ring false as well, the voyeuristic film is still an effective, atmospheric edge-of-your-seat experience with topnotch camera work and great performances by both leads, plus for genre geeks, it’s nice to see Hammer veteran Christopher Lee featured in a prominent supporting role.

Yes, movie-goers have seen stuff like this before, but The Resident is perhaps so good, that jaded critics simply don’t want to give it a pass based on familiarity alone. Hey, dipshits go watch Halloween 5 or Friday the 13^th VII or A Nightmare on Elm Street (whatever) or just waste even more time suffering through their various recent memory reboots. The Resident is highly recommended by the Catacombs. To the friendly folks at the revived Hammer Films, if you guys ever make anymore throwback cave woman thrillers, and stand in need of a suitable replacement for pin-up queen Raquel Welch; please consider giving Swank a call. 

"Gal" Friday! Anneka Vasta

As I struggled to choose an appropriate "gal" this week, things took a turn into the eerie & bizarre as a notable celebrity cold case murder/suicide/death from January 2011 reared its head in the form of a new public appeal by police charged with investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the 1975 Penthouse Pet of the Year. Born Marjorie Lee Thoreson, Anneka Vasta (aka Anneka di Lorenzo) was a 70s & 80s pin-up model and actress. She portrayed Messalina in the infamous softcore-porn film, Caligula in 1980.

Vasta & Penthouse Pet Lori Wagner in "Caligula" (1980)

Nine months after her death, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service is asking for public help as they continue to probe her death. Vasta's body washed up in San Diego County, and authorities want to know if anyone say Anneka Vasta before joggers found her naked body on a Marine training beach at Camp Pendleton on January 4 this year. She was apparently in such good physical shape that they initially believed her to be a teenage victim. The 58 year old was discovered with a broken neck and back, although she had wounds in her neck - possibly from a steak knife in her car (which was later found at a popular scenic overlook). Vasta was know to be a fragile personality type and was believed to suffer from paranoia, but her family insists that she was not suicidal. Federal agents are not able to say how Vasta got from a vantage point 60 feet above sea level, to the rocky sand below, more than a mile south.

Investigators believe that if Vasta had jumped from the bluffs below her car, her body would not have hit the water, because the tide is not high enough at the location. Although I truly hope that a solution to her unfortunate death can ultimately be determined, lets all take a moment to recall a lovely, vibrant and sexy woman, no matter what name she went by during her brief career.