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!

Jo-Jo, Congo King in "The Doomed World" (Fox; 1949)

This fine golden age adventure is from the last issue of Jo-Jo, Congo King (#29; July 1949); originally published by Fox. After this “Hail Mary”, the series changed format to a romance comic. Jo-Jo reappeared in 1950, but he was renamed Jungle Jo. "The Doomed World" is illustrated by the great Jack Kamen. 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 publishers and/or the creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!

In Memorium: Michael Clarke Duncan

Michael Clarke Duncan passed away yesterday at the age of fifty-four, never having fully recovered from a mid-July heart attack. His larger than life presence graced many popular action-oriented genre films including Armageddon, The Green Mile, The Whole Nine Yards, Planet of the Apes, The Scorpion King, Daredevil, Sin City, The Island, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, The Last Mimzy, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, Kung Fu Panda (voice), and Green Lantern (voice of Kilowog). He also turned in fine work in comedy and drama, culminating in his 1999 Academy Award nomination for "The Green Mile" based on the original Stephen King novel, as Best Supporting Actor. He appeared in numerous television guest roles, and provided voice work in many animated series, films and video games. The Catacombs extends its sincerest condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Wild Boy in "The Coming of Daro" (Ziff-Davis; 1951)

Wild Boy stars in “The Coming of Daro” from Wild Boy #5 (Dec.1951); originally published by Ziff-Davis, and featuring artwork by Frank Kramer. This story tells how Wild Boy first found his trusted black panther. I'm including this issues back cover illustration, also of "Daro", which may be the work of Norman Saunders (since he painted the front cover). The Catacombs is grateful to Don "Zu-Gogo" Falkos for providing the scans for these stories. 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!