The Red Panther in "Fortunate Storm" (Fiction House; 1941)

The Red Panther stars today in a previously untitled adventure from Jungle Comics #14 (Feb.1941); originally published by Fiction House. The artist on what I’m calling “Fortunate Storm” was Arthur Peddy. 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!

Spider Widow in "Death Steals the Show" (Quality; 1942)

Here is something a bit different from my regularly scheduled jungle comics. I acquired this scan file out of curiosity a while back and it's time to clear it out of the queue. The Spider Widow appears in "Death Steals the Show" from Feature Comics #59 (Aug.1942); originally published by Quality and nicely illustrated by Frank Borth. The Catacombs acknowledges "The Digital Comic Museum", an excellent source for classic comics downloads. 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! Krista Ayne

I freely admit that my "gal" Friday options have been accumulating lately, so I've got to get those already in the queue out, just to make room for the next batch. The long and short of this week's selection will spring to mind should you opt to seek out the source that originally put her in my sights. Recently I happened upon a video from rapper Pittsburgh Slim entitled "Girls Kiss Girls", prominently featuring Penthouse model Krista Ayne. While it is definitely worth seeking out (and it even has a catchy tune), my advice is don't watch it. This video will mess with your psyche!

Camilla, Queen of the Lost Empire in "Peril of the Ivory Coffer" (Fiction House; 1941)

Bob Hebberd illustrates a previously untitled thriller starring Camilla, Queen of the Lost Empire from Jungle Comics #20 (Aug.1941); originally published by Fiction House. I’m calling this golden age classic “Peril of the Ivory Coffer.” 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!

Tangi in "The Death Game" (Fox; 1948)

Tangi originally appeared in golden age issues of Dagar, Desert Hawk and Jungle Jo, published by Fox Feature Syndicate. She appears today in a short adventure tale called “The Death Game” from Dagar, Desert Hawk #21 (Dec.1948); illustrated by Jack Kamen. The Catacombs acknowledges "Comic Book Plus", an excellent source for classic comics downloads [please go donate to their site] as the source of 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!

Joe Kubert Tribute [Double Feature]: "Last Chance" / "The Piltdown Man" (St. John; 1954)

With the sad news about the passing of industry legend Joe Kubert, I’ve decided as a tribute to the man, to post a pair of short stories from Tor #4 (July 1954); originally published by St. John. These tales are from the same issue as my recent Tor post called “Red Death”, and as a heads up, an even longer "Tor" adventure still remains from this issue (which will be posted in the Catacombs eventually). Tor himself stars in “Last Chance” and in the regular series back-up strip Danny Dreams of “The Piltdown Man” (my own added title) each written and illustrated by Mr. Kubert. 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!

In Memorium: Joe Kubert

Comic book artist Joe Kubert, who started a Dover, New Jersey school of cartooning in 1976 [The Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art — known internationally as The Kubert School] that cemented his legacy as an industry great, passed away yesterday at the age of eighty-five. Students from all over the world who wanted to make a serious career in the comic book industry have sought training at his school or through correspondence courses that are offered. One day a week, Kubert left his drawing table to teach a class in comic book narrative. He is the father of noted comic book artists Andy and Adam Kubert.

 As a comic book artist, Kubert had a hand in creating Sgt. Rock, a World War II Army soldier that debuted in 1959, as well as the prehistoric Tor, one of the first comics presented in 3-D. He famously drew Hawkman, starting in the 1940s. His long association with DC Comics also produced Viking Prince, The Haunted Tank, Tarzan, Korak, Ragman, and covers for a variety of series and specials. Joe Kubert was one of the last of the true greats, and the Catacombs extends its sincerest condolences to his family, friends and fans.

"Gal" Friday! Cătălina Ponor

Twenty-four year old Romanian gymnast Cătălina Ponor won three gold medals on balance beam, floor, and with her team at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Her athletic career continued, and she usually earned medals in whatever competitions she entered, but she subsequently retired in 2007. That all changed at the beginning of 2011. In August of last year, Ponor had a minor medical procedure to correct a congenital heart defect, and returned to active competition. At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, her efforts helped the Romanian team qualify for the team final, and individually she qualified for the balance beam final and the floor final. She won a bronze medal alongside her team, and a silver medal on floor exercise. Unfortunately on balance beam, Ponor had the same score as American Aly Raisman, but after tie-breaking procedures Raisman was awarded the bronze medal. As a consolation prize, based on her terrific comeback performance alone, she is inducted into the Catacombs as this weeks official “gal” Friday.

Samar in "Primitive Horrors" (Quality; 1942)

Samar stars in a previously untitled golden age adventure that I’ve dubbed "Primitive Horrors" from Feature Comics #53 (Feb.1942); originally published by Quality Comics, written by John Charles and illustrated by Max Elkan. The Catacombs acknowledges "Comic Book Plus", an excellent source for classic comics downloads [please go donate to their site] as the source of 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!

Sheena, Queen of the Jungle in "Cannibal Bait" (Fiction House; 1942)

Sheena, Queen of the Jungle stars in an early golden age adventure from Jumbo Comics #39 (May 1942); originally published by Fiction House and illustrated by Robert Webb. The title "Cannibal Bait" is taken from this issues cover. 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!