Spin Shaw in "The General's Daughter" (Quality; 1942)

Friends, I'm heading to the Lone Star state early in the a.m. to attend my son's graduation from basic training at the end of this week, making a bit of a vacation of the visit too. In my life I've been a bit of a trailblazer more often than not, as my son Ian has followed my fine example, and joined the Air Force. So, this will probably be my final post of the week. Try and hang in there while I'm absent, and trust me to make good on "gal" Friday next week. As a tease, she's going to be a top of the line "classic cutie" and since the photo in question will feature full on frontal nudity - albeit in a tasteful manner - I believe she'll be more than worth the wait. For now here is aviator Spin Shaw starring in "The General's Daughter" from Feature Comics #59 (Aug. 1942); originally published by Quality, and illustrated by Clark Williams.The Catacombs acknowledges "The Digital Comic Museum", as the source of this classic comic 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!

The Fargo Kid in "The Great Ghost Herd” (Quality; 1942)

Tim Turner, aka The Fargo Kid, was an old school cowboy hero who wore six-guns strapped to his side and had a faithful horse, yet rode the range during the 1940s, fighting Nazis and gangsters alike. He stars today in "The Great Ghost Herd” from Feature Comics #59 (Aug. 1942); originally published by Quality, and illustrated by Alex Koda. The Catacombs acknowledges "The Digital Comic Museum", as the source of this classic comic 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! AZ Powergirl

Photo by Dennis Larson

Yours truly and this weeks "Gal" Friday1

Prepping for Baltimore; ooh-la-la.

I spent last weekend in Maryland, enjoying the Baltimore Comic-Con! There was lots of fun to be had, and lots of sights to take in, plus being there gave me an opportunity to bring you this weeks "gal" Friday selection in person (so to speak). Cara Nicole is one of several prominent cosplayers who superbly fill out the classic uniform of DC Comics heroine "Power Girl" at various conventions and shows around the country. At such appearances she bills herself as "AZ Powergirl", and I must say that seeing her in the flesh is quite uplifting. I had only been aware of her fairly recently, and so it was particularly thrilling to happen upon her booth while strolling among the aisles in Baltimore. I conscripted my brother into photographer duty, and the resulting pic (above; middle) is presented here for your edification; oh, and the t-shirt draped over my shoulder wasn't an oversight on my part. It was left there because I was drooling! Cara obviously enjoys having some fun with her genre roles as she travels, and she is a cool chick to meet in person. As a bonus, I have a neat premium item giveaway for anyone who might have missed out on seeing her at a con appearance. For the next month, post your name in this thread, and on October 15, 2012 I will randomly draw one lucky visitors name from everyone who enters to receive a signed copy of her 26 page photo book from Baltimore; which will be mailed free of charge as a courtesy of the Catacombs. It's a nice full-color look at Cara's behind the scenes cosplay, modeling and acting career, and hopefully winning this comic-sized book will warm the cockles of your heart. Good luck to all!

Karth in "Return of the Blue Gorilla" (Avon; 1952)

Here is a special follow-up post for regular Catacombs visitor, Darci! “Return of the Blue Gorilla” from White Princess of the Jungle #5 (Nov. 1952); originally published by Avon and illustrated by Everett Raymond Kinstler. Karth, the titular blue gorilla makes his second appearance in what looks to have been planned as a trilogy of tales. The Catacombs acknowledges "The Digital Comic Museum", as the source of this classic comic 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 "Slaves of the Blood Moon" (Fiction House; 1943)

Sheena, Queen of the Jungle stars in a golden age adventure from Jumbo Comics #53 (July 1943); originally published by Fiction House and illustrated by Robert Webb & Ann Brewster. The title "Slaves of the Blood Moon" 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!

Rusty Ryan in "The Japanese Transformation Drug" (Quality; 1942)

I spent a great weekend in Maryland, attending the Baltimore Comic-Con. As I’ve been out of touch for a few days, here is a cool bonus story for you starring Rusty Ryan and the Boyville Brigadiers. “The Japanese Transformation Drug” is from Feature Comics #59 (Aug. 1942); originally published by Quality, and illustrated by Paul Gustavson. Rusty Ryan was originally an orphaned boy who lived on the streets until retired coastal guard "Cappy" Jenks took him in. Jenks ran Boyvlle, a charitable community for orphaned boys (inspired by Boys Town, a real-life charity founded by Father Flanagan, which achieved world-wide popularity after it became the subject of a 1938 film). After he grew older, and when America entered World War II, Rusty and his friends formed the Boyville Brigadiers, a band of patriotically clad warriors that fought spies on the home front, and eventually saw combat in the Pacific Theater. Rusty had no powers, but was a judo expert and all around skilled fighter/athlete. The group continued traveling around the islands and had adventures after the war. The Catacombs acknowledges "The Digital Comic Museum", as the source of this classic comic 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 Hudson on the "Glee"!

Actress Kate Hudson has appeared in films such as How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), Raising Helen (2004), The Skeleton Key (2005), You, Me and Dupree (2006), Fool's Gold (2008) and Bride Wars (2009). She earned a Golden Globe and received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, for her role in Almost Famous. She is the daughter of Goldie Hawn, a classic cutie in her own right. Kate is set to appear in several episodes of the popular television series "Glee" this season in the role of a dance instructor (the source of the photo; above). I think she's funny, sexy and probably a little dangerous, so she's this week's "gal" Friday selection; made in the nick of time, before I jet out to this weekends Baltimore Comic-Con. See you next week!

Lance Hale in "The Lizard Men" (Lev Gleason; 1940)

I felt like adding a bonus post today, so here it is! Lance Hale went through several high concept revisions back in the golden age. He was conversely a space hero, he was a jungle lord who preferred the wilds to civilization, and he was occasionally more of a superhero. In this appearance from Silver Streak Comics #4 (May 1940); originally published by Lev Gleason, he's a red-headed soldier of fortune/explorer who discovers an underground kingdom imperiled by "The Lizard Men" and he even manages to acquire special powers by stepping into a mystic flame like "Ayesha" in the classic H.R. Haggard novel, SHE. Alas, this pulp-inspired story has no identified creator credits. The Catacombs acknowledges "The Digital Comic Museum", as the source of this classic comic 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!

Camilla, Queen of the Lost Empire in "Assault and Fury" (Fiction House; 1941

I’m edging closer to the culmination of the tales of the “Queen of the Lost Empire” period of today’s heroine, Camilla. Just a few more these posts, and we will start seeing more of her longer running jungle girl adventures (drawn by the likes of Nick Cardy and George Tuska). It's some early work from those silver age legends, but great looking stuff, that I know you’re going to like. This Camilla story is from Jungle Comics #21 (Sept.1941); originally published by Fiction House, and illustrated by Tom Gill. I’m calling this previously untitled golden age classic “Assault and Fury.” 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!