Rulah Jungle Goddess in "The Mad Sandrow" (Fox Feature Syndicate;1948)

Rulah Jungle Goddess confronts a twisted exhibitionist who gets top billing as "The Mad Sandrow" from Zoot Comics #16 (July 1948); originally published by Fox Feature Syndicate and illustrated by Matt Baker. The terrific golden age cover is included for no extra charge. 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!

"Gal" Friday! Brit Bliss

Oh, ce cul tu as! I first saw this young lady on Facebook and her fan page photos encouraged me to Google her images on the web (highly recommended). Brit Bliss is a twenty-four year old model from Olympia, Washington (per Model Mayhem). She easily meets all of my daily food group requirements, which amounts to diddly-squat since I'm getting too old to compete at this level. More is the pity! Couldn't say if it's true or not, but I also read somewhere that she attended the Air Force Academy and is pursuing a degree in psychology and astronautical engineering. What I can affirm is that this photo speaks for itself, and again, please feel free to conduct a web search for even more evidence that Brit is on fire.

In Memorium: Jonathan Frid

Frid; w/Grayson Hall in "Dark Shadows"

Jonathan Frid was a theater, television and film actor, best known for playing the role of vampire Barnabas Collins on the gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, which ran from 1966 to 1971. He reprised his signature role in the expansion movie "House of Dark Shadows" in 1970 (during production of the television series). Frid was a World War II veteran, having served in the Royal Canadian Navy. He graduated from McMaster University in 1948, and the following year was accepted at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, and then moved to the United States in 1954, where he received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing from the Yale School of Drama. After many years in the theater, Frid later began performing readings at Dark Shadows fan conventions in the 1980s. In 1994, having spent 40 years based in New York City, Frid retired and returned to his native Canada. He spent three days at Pinewood Studios in June 2011 filming a cameo appearance for the upcoming Tim Burton film version of “Dark Shadows” starring Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins. Frid passed away on April 14, 2012 at the age of eighty-seven. The Catacombs extends its condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Dorothy Lamour in "Slave Goddess" (Rural Home;1945)

Actress Dorothy Lamour is best remembered for appearing in a series of successful comedies starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope that were enormously popular during the 1940s, however the role that originally made her a star was “Ulah” (a sort of female Tarzan) in The Jungle Princess (1936), where she first wore the sarong which would become so associated with her. She also had a brief print run of 2-3 issues during the golden age in "Dorothy Lamour, Jungle Princess Comics" dedicated to her movie Jungle Princess persona (featuring screen shots from past movies for the covers). Today’s story is a curiosity called “Dorothy Lamour, Slave Goddess” from Red Circle Comics #4 (Apr.1945); originally published by Rural Home. Contents of this comic vary as the same cover was placed on remaindered and otherwise undistributed comics, including Secret Mysteries #18 (Merit, 1954 series), an issue of Sabu "Elephant Boy" (Fox, 1950 series), and a previously unpublished issue of Dorothy Lamour; Jungle Princess (Fox, 1950 series); so there is no creator information listed for this nice story. 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!

Voodah in "The Spotted Devils" (Golfing/McCombs;1948)

The golden age African warrior, Voodah stars in a previously untitled tale from Crown Comics #13 (May 1948); originally published by Golfing/McCombs. A Leopard Man is killed by mistake, and his brothers prepare for an attack on the village to avenge him in this story which I’ve named “The Spotted Devils” written by Ken Fitch and drawn by Anthony Cataldo. 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!

Mass Effect 3 Figures!

I received a surprise package in the mail yesterday. Last year DC Direct released the first wave of licensed Mass Effect 2 action figures including Commander Shepard, Grunt, Tali and Thane (which I purchased), and almost immediately cancelled their previously solicited second series of figures (which I had on order) based on the popular RPG. DC Direct had its issues, but that is a whole other matter. Now we’re a full year later and Bioware; courtesy of Big Fish Toys has reissued the first wave and finally released the original second set of Mass Effect figures including some of my favorite franchise members like Mordin, Miranda, Garrus and Legion, plus you also get Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer DLC with each purchase. Each figure contains a unique code that can be redeemed for a downloadable content pack for Mass Effect 3 multi-player, slightly randomized during registration which could include powerful new weapons and new characters (or character boosters), weapon modifications, and weapon upgrades to make your multi-player squad stronger. Note, however, that this bonus DLC is only for the Xbox 360 and PC. Individual action figures cost $20, while four-packs cost $75.

ME3's multiplayer is a series of four-player co-op missions. Playing through these missions can affect the outcome of your ME3 single-player campaign. However, the multiplayer and single-player are otherwise completely separate experiences. If toys are your thing or if you like the Mass Effect stuff, give these figures a look. The photo is from last year, and is of the second wave prototypes, so expect the actual product to look better than several of these. My Garrus and Legion figures look much better than this photo image.

Tangi in "The Scarlet Guilt" (Fox;1948)

Tangi is suddenly accused by an entire village of the mass murder of many jungle beasts and she nearly loses her life proving that the village medicine man has actually poisoned the drinking water in "The Scarlet Guilt" from AC Comics Jungle Girls #15 (1993); reprinted from Dagar Desert Hawk #20 (October 1948); which was originally published by Fox Feature Syndicate. This version shows off artist Jack Kamen's nice work in lovely black and white. 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!

Jan of the Jungle in "The Whisper Chamber" (Fiction House;1949)

In the great Indian wilderness, Jan of the Jungle (also known as "The Wolf Boy") encounters many dangers and sometimes he gets a bit testy about unwanted intrusions into his rustic home. In a previously untitled story that I've dubbed "The Whisper Chamber", Jan and his ape friend, Kaang, come to the aid of a beautiful princess in a golden age tale from Rangers Comics #46 (Apr.1949), originally published by Fiction House. The story is signed "Coleman Hart", but the excellent artwork is by Enrico Bagnoli. 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!

"Gal" Friday! Kate Upton

Nothing makes you feel your advancing age like a hot young blond! Since Sheena, Queen of the Jungle appeared yesterday, today I've decided to feature one of my recent favorites. Kate Upton is nineteen years old. NINETEEN [tears me up just thinking about it]. She was named “Rookie of the Year” for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition 2011 and then graced this year’s Swimsuit Edition cover, too. Plus have you seen that Hardees TV commercial where she really sells that jalapeno burger [makes me sweat just mentioning it]!  This double-luscious young lady has added appearances in a couple of big screen comedies to her resume: Tower Heist and The Three Stooges (opening today). Don’t go writing her off simply as a beauty. Ms. Upton is an accomplished equestrian, with her horse Roanie Pony, she has won three APHA Reserve World Championships, in 13 and Under Western Riding, 13 and Under Horsemanship and 14–18 Western Riding and named the 13 and Under Reserve All-Around Champion at the APHA World Championship Show, giving her a total of five championships. In addition, Upton ended up third overall on the APHA youth Top Twenty. With a second horse, Zipped, she won 14–18 Western Riding and was top 5 in 14–18 Horsemanship and 14–18 Western Pleasure in 2009. Oh and check out her very cute viral video where she does the “Dougie” at a sporting event.

Sheena in "Chant of Devil Drums" (Fiction House;1943)

Sheena, Queen of the Jungle stars in a golden age adventure called "Chant of Devil Drums" from Sheena, Queen of the Jungle #3 (Spring 1943); originally published by Fiction House, written by W. Morgan Thomas with artwork by Robert Webb. 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 publishers and/or the creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!