Perils of Nyoka: "Vultura's Vengeance" (Fawcett;1942)

Today we continue the golden age adventures of Nyoka with "Vultura’s Vengeance" or Chapter III from Jungle Girl #1 (1942), originally published by Fawcett Comics (which adapted Republic's PERILS OF NYOKA movie serial). As a reminder, in true cliffhanger fashion I'm presenting this story in its entirety over the course of several posts. The writer of this adventure is credited as "Rod Reed" and the artwork is by Harry Anderson. 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!

Jo-Jo, Congo King in "The Doctor of Doom" (Fox;1948)

Nyoka takes a break today, but the next chapters of her saga will continue tomorrow (and Thursday). Today's classic tale starring Jo-Jo, Congo King is from All Top Comics #14 (July 1948); originally published by Fox and illustrated by Jack Kamen. "The Doctor of Doom" is a riff on “Frankenstein” with the evil Dr. Barba (a female) turning the locals into mindless beasts. She pays the price for tackling the Congo King, who has some beastly friends of his own to save the day. 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!

Perils of Nyoka: "Valley of Sacrifice" (Fawcett;1942)

Today we continue the golden age adventures of Nyoka with "Valley of Sacrifice" or Chapter II from Jungle Girl #1 (1942), originally published by Fawcett Comics (which adapted Republic's PERILS OF NYOKA movie serial). As a reminder, in true cliffhanger fashion I'm presenting this story in its entirety over the course of several posts. The writer of this adventure is credited as "Rod Reed" and the artwork is by Harry Anderson. 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!

In Memorium: Ernest Borgnine

Me and "Ernie"; Atlanta 2011

Iconic actor and Navy veteran, Ernest Borgnine passed away yesterday at the age of ninety-five from kidney failure. His unconventional career spanned more than six decades running the gamut between winning an Oscar in 1955 for his dramatic turn as "Marty" to his prominent television roles in the 1962–1966 comedy series McHale's Navy, and the mid-1980s action series Airwolf; plus Borgnine was also known for his voiceover role as “Mermaid Man” for the animated series “SpongeBob SquarePants”. He played plenty of “heavies” or bad guys in cinema (usually with gusto), but he was beloved by his costars, friends, and fans for being a down to Earth and easily approachable guy who rarely took his onscreen image too seriously. They really don’t make them like Ernest Borgnine anymore, and he will be missed. I’m very glad that I got a chance to meet him in person (see photo; above) and consider many of his films personal favorites. The Catacombs extends its sincerest condolences to his family, friends and worldwide fans.

"Gal" Friday (and "Classic Cutie")! Susan Strasberg

The late actress, Susan Strasberg enjoyed an almost forty year acting career in popular Hollywood films such as Picnic and Stage Struck, but she also regularly appeared in various genre flicks like Taste of Fear (1961), Rollercoaster (1977), The Manitou (1978) and Bloody Birthday (1981). Strasberg had a prolific career in television with guest roles in The Virginian, The Invaders, Bonanza, The F.B.I., Breaking Point, Burke's Law, The Streets of San Francisco, Night Gallery, McCloud, Alias Smith & Jones, The Big Valley, Remington Steele, and The Rockford Files. Strasberg wrote two best-selling books. “Bittersweet” an autobiography and “Marilyn and Me: Sisters, Rivals, Friends” about Strasberg's friendship with Marilyn Monroe, whom she considered a surrogate sister. After battling breast cancer for a number of years, lovely and talented Susan Strasberg passed away in 1999.

Perils of Nyoka: "Doom in the Desert" (Fawcett;1942)

Nyoka Gordon returns to the Catacombs with today's golden age adventure, "Doom in the Desert" from Jungle Girl #1 (1942), originally published by Fawcett Comics (and beginning their long association with this character). This story is also the opening chapter of a longer story arc which adapted Republic's PERILS OF NYOKA movie serial and in true cliffhanger fashion, I'm going to present it in its entirety (albeit over the course of several posts). The writer of this adventure is credited as "Rod Reed", but the artwork is by Harry Anderson. 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!

Joe Barton in "Jungle Guns" (Ziff-Davis;1950)

Happy Independence Day! As you may have noticed, I’ve been enjoying these wonderful Joe Barton stories, so let me back up just a bit, and present his very first outing from Wild Boy #10 [1] (1950); originally published by Ziff-Davis, and illustrated by industry legends Irv Novick and Bernard Sachs. “Jungle Guns” tasks our intrepid jungle adventurer with leading Mr. Heinlin and his wife, Olga, into the Congo to sow revolution amongst the African colonies. Of course, Joe Barton thinks that he has only been hired to guide them through the jungle on safari. Trouble ensues. This story appears courtesy of "Comic Book Plus" [formerly goldenagecomics.co.uk; please go donate to their worthy endeavor] 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!

In Memorium: Andy Griffith

Four Color #1252 (Jan-Mar;1962) & #1341 (Apr-Jun;1962) Dell Comics

Native North Carolinian and beloved actor, Andy Griffith passed away this morning at his home in Dare County, NC. He was eighty-six years old. Griffith transformed himself from a comedic monologist into a manipulative and power-hungry drifter who becomes a television host that uses his show as a gateway to political power in his dramatic film debut,1957s A Face in the Crowd. He followed up that success with No Time for Sergeants, and beginning in 1960 Griffith starred as “Sheriff Andy Taylor” in perennially popular The Andy Griffith Show. The series was set in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, where widower Taylor, was the town sheriff. It was an immediate hit. Although Griffith never received any writing credit for the show, he worked on the development of every script, and while co-star Don Knotts was frequently lauded and won multiple Emmy Awards for his comedic performances (as Deputy Barney Fife), Griffith was never nominated for a single Emmy Award during the shows run. Griffith left the show in 1968, spinning it off as “Mayberry RFD” (with some new and continuing characters), but he remained as producer. Griffith enjoyed a long career in television, films and recording, and also experienced a late career resurgence as a Southern lawyer in "Matlock" (from 1986-1995). The Catacombs extends its sincerest condolences to his family, friends and fans.