Wambi the Jungle Boy in "The Elephant's Graveyard" (Fiction House;1943)

Today's exciting golden age story is taken from Jungle Comics #44 (Aug.1943); originally published by Fiction House.

Henry Kiefer is the artist on "The Elephants Graveyard" starring Wambi 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 belongs to the original publisher and/or creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!

"Gal" Friday! Jaime Edmondson

Here is a heck of a resume for anyone to brag about: model; 2002 graduate of Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Criminal Justice; former police officer (two years on the night shift); Miami Dolphins cheerleader (six seasons); contestant on competitive reality TV series - The Amazing Race (finishing in 9th place); and if none of that grabbed your attention, how about this for a finale, Playmate of the Month for January 2010.

Luscious Jaime Edmondson was born in Florida, but grew up in Georgia. She’s also an avid animal lover, and does volunteer work at a non-profit shelter for dogs. That's not the only reason that she makes me want to howl at the moon (you should google her centerspread), but it easily lets me declare her this weeks “gal” Friday selection with a smidgen of dignity. 

Princess Pantha in "The Trail of the Sacred Ox" (Standard;1947)

Lest we forget that Princess Pantha (and her companion, Dane Hunter) were somewhat more than your average skin-clad jungle adventurers; here is a nice golden age tale that begins under the big top of their paying circus gig. "The Trail of the Sacred Ox" is from Thrilling Comics #62 (Oct. 1947), originally published by Better/Standard/Nedor (and according to the Grand Comic Database drawn by Art Saaf), however the splash page is clearly signed by Ralph Mayo (so I'm leaning that way myself). 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 belongs to the original publisher and/or the creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!

The Red Panther in "The Leopard Men" (Fiction House;1941)

The Red Panther stars in “The Leopard Men” from Jungle Comics #20 (Aug.1941); originally published by Fiction House. The story is credited to "J.J. King" on the splash page, but Al Gabrielle was the artist on this previously untitled six page adventure, so I've christened it accordingly. The Catacombs is grateful to Don "Zu-Gogo" Falkos for providing the scans for this story. Note: The copyright for this issue, all contents and artwork belongs to the original publisher and/or the creators and are reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!

In Memorium: John Severin

Veteran comics artist John Severin passed away on February 12, 2012 at the age of ninety. His extensive resume included classic work on such titles as Two-Fisted Tales, Frontline Combat, MAD, Incredible Hulk, Conan the Barbarian, Captain Savage, Blazing Combat, Creepy, and a couple of silver age series that remain among my favorites: Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos and his collaboration with his sister Marie on Kull the Conqueror. Severin never rested on his laurels over almost six decades in comics. His work just in the past decade garnered attention for a revisionist version of The Rawhide Kid, and his work also appeared on The Punisher, Suicide Squad, American Century, B.P.R.D. and Witchfinder. Whether as primary illustrator or inker, John Severin was really one of the true legends of the comic book business and I regret never having had an opportunity to meet him in person. The Catacombs extends its sincerest condolences to his family, friends and worldwide fans.

Samar in "The Snake Country Peril" (Quality;1942)

This golden age thriller from Feature Comics #58 (Jul.1942); originally published by Quality, was selected solely for the terrific snake battle that serves as the story's centerpiece. Since there was no official title listed, I’m going with "The Snake Country Peril”. Rafael Astarita [as John Charles] illustrated this Samar adventure. Check out the cool way that the artist used a slithering snake in the "Samar" logo at the top of the splash page. 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 belongs to the original publisher and/or creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!

Judy of the Jungle in "The Bull Roarer" (Standard;1949)

Birthday bash behind me, it's now time to proceed with this months "all-stars" posting. The great Ralph Mayo is credited with providing full art duties on “The Bull Roarer” starring Judy of the Jungle. This golden age adventure was originally published in Exciting Comics #67 (May 1949) by Better/Standard/Nedor. 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 belongs to the original publisher and/or the creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!

Lá breithe 50 sásta liom!

I've been having a perfectly fine 50th birthday celebration, but in all fairness I should say that I cheated and started the festivities as early as yesterday, and will probably continue on throughout the entire weekend.

Which brings me to this extraneous birthday post, solely to make an appeal to select commenter's. Anyone is welcome to post their thoughts on whatever stories or subjects I feature in the Catacombs, but over the last week, I've been peppered with more than a dozen random comments - under a variety of names - and over a wide field of previous Catacombs postings. Despite this, all of these comments have included an attached link for a range of goods, products or services. If for a single minute, I felt like these comments were truly genuine, I would allow them, but given the unusual degree of advertising to which this sudden influx of comments seems to be affiliated with, I have no intention of approving them to be seen on my blog.

Please refrain from commenting on my posts if your thoughts, feelings or criticisms are accompanied by advertising links or product placement attachments. I'm not interested in helping perpetuate Internet sales. If you just want to share your personal appreciation for something you find enjoyable here in the Catacombs, then those types of comments will be more than welcome. Please kill the spamming!

Thank you!

"Gal" Two-For-Friday!! Katharine McPhee & Maria Menounos

Tomorrow is my 50^th birthday, so as an early present for us all; I’m doubling up the fun this week with TWO official “gal” Friday picks. Lovely American Idol season 5 runner-up, Katharine McPhee rolled out her new TV series this week. “Smash” is a musical drama on the NBC network that revolves around a group of characters who come together to put on a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. But before that can happen, the people who will try to bring it all together must deal with their own personal acts. McPhee stars as Karen Cartwright, alongside veteran performers Anjelica Huston, Debra Messing, Megan Hilty and Jack Davenport. My daughter actually made me watch the premiere, but I’ll admit to liking it for the most part, and Katharine McPhee was quite good in her role.

Menounos, with Mario Lopez

True to her word after losing a bet, Maria Menounos appeared (albeit briefly) wearing a Giants-themed bikini in Times Square on Monday during coverage of the newly crowned New York Giants Super Bowl Champions parade. Had the Patriots won, male co-host A.J. Calloway would have had to wear a Patriots cheerleader outfit in Times Square while hosting "Extra Live" from Times Square in the chilly New York City weather. Although she proved herself to be an able trooper, Maria was visibly uncomfortable for at least a few moments during the broadcast, and she certainly deserves props for following through with her “reveal”. Give it up for a gorgeous knockout, because who doesn’t want to see that in a bikini?

Tabu, Wizard of the Jungle in "The Lake of Sadness" (Fiction House; 1948)

Tabu, Wizard of the Jungle stars today in a previously untitled story from Jungle Comics #100 (Apr.1948); originally published by Fiction House. Maurice Whitman was the artist on this golden age adventure that I've dubbed "The Lake of Sadness". 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!

Fantomah, Daughter of the Pharaohs in "The Death of a Thousand Cuts" (Fiction House; 1942)

At this point in her golden age career, Fantomah had discarded her original super-powered, fright-masked "Mystery Woman of the Jungle" guise and had been effectively rebooted as the "Daughter of the Pharaohs." It is in this role that she stars today in a previously untitled tale that I've labeled "The Death of a Thousand Cuts" from Jungle Comics #30 (Jun.1942); originally published by Fiction House and written by ["W.B. Hovious"] and illustrated by George Appel. The great river devil splash panel really gets the action started off nicely, too. 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 belongs to the original publisher and/or creators, and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!