Sheena, Queen of the Jungle in "King Crocodile's Domain" (Fiction House; 1949)

Sheena, Queen of the Jungle stars in a golden age adventure from Jumbo Comics #119 (Jan.1949); originally published by Fiction House and illustrated by Robert Webb. The title "King Crocodile’s Domain" is taken from this issues cover. The Catacombs acknowledges "Comic Book Plus", 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!

"Gal" Friday! Seasick Mama

My original plan was to post at least one golden age comics story this week, but that plan got blown all to hell. Since it's "gal" Friday, I will go ahead and stick with this weeks lovely featurette; and make amends by posting an extra jungle girl adventure [or two] next week.

Seasick Mama is a singer/songwriter based out of Brooklyn, NY. After a year in the making, her debut EP “Dead Like Money” has been released. Seasick Mama says that the work truly expresses her desire to not be bound by a single idea. Each song stands on its own as a snapshot of our past, present, and future. Before releasing this first record, Seasick Mama developed a large following by playing major festivals including South by Southwest, Sweetlife, and CMJ, as well as touring with blues-pop sensation ZZ WARD. Onstage, Seasick Mama has emerged as an artist that pushes expression and freedom to new levels. Whether climbing to the rafters or tearing off her clothes (and I'm seriously all for that, at least in her case), she will not be bound by standard conventions. She has also previously curated gallery events, designed apparel and continues to develop new ways to bring creative types closer and closer together. Unfortunately that probably leaves me out of the mix. 

Trust me on this however, do a simple Google search and you will be able to find some generous images of her fantastic nude frame cavorting through various photo shoots. Her actual name is Marial Maher, and despite billing herself as "Seasick Mama", apparently that may also apply to the entire band which includes her as lead vocalist; heck if I know! I do know that she is one smoking hot chick, with an interesting and eclectic personality; plus a nice sultry vocal style that is definitely worth a listen.

Click on this for the larger version!

1970's Flashback: The Human Fly

September 1977

The Human Fly was a young man of unknown identity who was severely injured during a car crash. After a long hospitalization, including a number of reconstructive surgeries in which much of his skeleton was replaced by steel, he took on the masked identity of the Human Fly. As the Human Fly, he performed daredevil stunts to benefit various charities, especially those helping children with disabilities.

His activities often drew him into conflict with criminals, who were often seeking to rob the charity events at which he performed. Additionally, he drew the attention of Spider-Man, who thought he might be the villain who shared the same name.

The character was based on real-life stuntman Rick Rojatt. The comic book carried the tag line "The Wildest Super-Hero Ever — Because He's Real!", and photographs of someone in a Human Fly costume appeared in the books. Jim Shooter, Marvel's former editor-in-chief and a member of their editorial staff at the time of publication, said in a 2007 interview that the photos were indeed of Rojatt.

Art by Eddy Newell

Howard Chaykin's Buck Rogers (Hermes Press)

The adventure that started it all is back! Howard Chaykin’s ground-breaking tale of the new Buck Rogers comes to comic book stores in August!  Before Star Trek and Star Wars, Buck Rogers captivated audiences around the world and made science fiction a national obsession.  Now, over eighty years after the creation of the newspaper strip that became a household word, Chaykin has returned the character and his universe back to basics:  Buck Rogers, former World War I ace is accidentally suspended in time only to awaken to a new and different earth, 500 years in the future, fragmented by war and ruled by an omnipotent force— the Chinese.  Now, Buck along with Colonel Wilma Deering, begin a new fight, to free the United States!  You’re in for the ride of your life with this retelling of a classic tale! Chaykin’s revival of this classic feature sets the stage for new adventures — so stay tuned! Be sure to check out the premiere of this fantastic revival of a beloved pop culture icon, the first sci-fi hero!

If you are in attendance at this weeks San Diego Comic-Con, advance copies of both the regular edition [pictured] and a variant cover edition will be available at the Hermes Press booth; the book will be available in August 2013.

"Gal" Friday! Carrie Underwood

Photo copyright TV Shark.com

Carrie Underwood rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol in 2005; arguably one of the few times that this show actually managed to get it right [but I digress]. The smoking hot Underwood has since become a multi-platinum selling recording artist, a winner of six Grammy Awards, sixteen Billboard Music Awards, seven American Music Awards and ten Academy of Country Music Awards, among several others. As a songwriter, she has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. Underwood is also a two-time winner of the Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year award and the first woman to win such an award twice (2009/10). Underwood was inducted into and became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008. She was also inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2009. She also manages to find to time to act in films and television; plus she's active in several philanthropic organizations. Can’t believe that it’s taken me this long to induct her into the Catacombs, but she has easily blown past many of our previous “gals” and comfortably settled into my personal top ten list for damn certain!

Camilla in “The Long Reach of the Hairy Arm” (Fiction House; 1949)

Today’s featured story starring Camilla is taken from Jungle Comics #109 (Jan.1949); originally published by Fiction House and illustrated by Matt Baker. I’m calling this previously untitled tale “The Long Reach of the Hairy Arm.” The Catacombs acknowledges "Comic Book Plus", 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!

"Gal" Friday! Michelle Hanson

Today is National Bikini Day!

The Catacombs presents bikini competitor and fitness model Michelle Hanson for your viewing pleasure. She is a native Texan, and quite the popular blond bombshell; plus she presents one hell of a nice feast for the eyes. However, one has to wonder how a competing fitness model isn't disqualified for standing in possession of store bought boobs? Apparently the judges in that sporting bracket take their fitness with a grain of silicon.

Frank Frazetta: Art and Remembrances [Hermes Press]!

Finally, the ultimate book about legendary artist Frank Frazetta, Art and Remembrances, is here! Now the definitive work about the twentieth century’s greatest fantasy artist has been crafted by his son, Frank Frazetta, Jr.

Legendary science-fiction/fantasy artist Frank Frazetta created some of the most memorable and iconic images of all time. Filled with insights and anecdotes, this full color art monograph takes readers behind the scenes to chronicle this great artist’s life and work. Follow along and watch Frazetta develop his style and artistic sensibilities with never-before-seen photos, memorabilia, sketches, drawings, paintings, and early comic book work. This comprehensive look at Frazetta’s life is a very personal, detailed portrait of the man who created legendary images of Tarzan, Conan, John Carter of Mars, Buck Rogers, Vampirella, and others.

Regular Edition

Frank Frazetta, Art and Remembrances features 192 pages packed full of original artwork from the author’s personal collection, complemented with book covers, record album artwork, movie posters, comic book and comic strip artwork, and more for $49.99. It also features a foreword by metal god and Frazetta collector Kirk Hammett and an afterword by artist and WWE HoF inductee Jerry “The King” Lawler. An extra-Special limited Edition of 1000 copies with a special plate and different cover art than the regular edition with a special slipcase, and 224 pages, signed and numbered — by Frank Frazetta, Jr. will also be available for $125.

Deluxe Collectors Edition

This new publication will be premiering during the San Diego Comic Con at both Hermes Press (Booth #1821) and Famous Monsters of Filmland (Booth # 1509)! Frank Frazetta, Jr. will be on hand to discuss this historic tome and to sign copies.

Thun'da in "The Killer in the Dark" (Magazine Enterprises; 1953)

Today's jungle story comes from Thun’da #6 (1953); the final issue of this series which was originally published by Magazine Enterprises, and illustrated by Bob Powell. The King of the Congo comes to the aid of a washed up movie actress in the process of filming her big comeback picture and he is reluctantly convinced to participate. Unfortunately this puts him in the crosshairs of a jealous director in a neat thriller titled "The Killer in the Dark!" 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!

Clyde Beatty in "The White Savages" (Dell; 1941)

Lion tamer, animal trainer and circus impresario Clyde Beatty (June 10, 1903 - July 19, 1965) became famous for his "fighting act," in which he entered a cage with wild animals with a whip and a pistol strapped to his side. The act was designed to showcase his courage and mastery over wild beasts, which included lions, tigers, cougars, and hyenas, sometimes brought together all at once in a single cage in a potentially lethal combination. At the height of his fame, the act featured as many as 40 lions and tigers of both sexes. His fame was such that he appeared in films from the 1930s to the 1950s and on television until the 1960s. He was also the star of his own syndicated radio series, "The Clyde Beatty Show", between 1950 and 1952. The weekly programs featured adventures loosely based upon his real-life exploits. However, the stories were more fictitious than real, and Beatty himself actually appeared in name only. In fact, Vic Perrin (not identified as such to the radio audience), actually impersonated him on the show. His "fighting act" made him the paradigm of a lion tamer for more than a generation; however Beatty was once mauled by a lion named Nero. The tamer was in the hospital for ten weeks as a result of this attack, yet he remained undaunted and actually later faced down Nero in a cage for the film “The Big Cage.”

His renown led to a couple of one-shot of comic book adaptations and a long-running serialized adventure published by Dell. Today’s featured story is from Crackajack Funnies #40 (Oct. 1941); originally published by Dell and illustrated by Jim Chambers. I’m calling this previously untitled tale “The White Savages.” Be advised that there are some racist elements in the depiction of his Chinese aide de camp, Wig Wong, that are typical for the period. The Catacombs acknowledges "Comic Book Plus", 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!

Rango in "The Pride of the Rangers" (Dell; 1967)

“Rango” was a Western sit-com starring comedian Tim Conway which was originally broadcast on ABC in 1967. Conway played an inept Texas Ranger who had been assigned to Deep Wells, the quietest post the Rangers had; so as to keep him from creating unnecessary trouble. They apparently had wanted him removed from the service altogether, but were prevented from doing so given that his father was their commander. Unfortunately Rango seemed to bring plenty of trouble with him, as all manner of crime suddenly returned to a post that had seen very little of it over the years.

Also appearing in Rango was the Native American character Pink Cloud (played by Guy Marks), an overly-assimilated Indian who was very fond of the ways of the whites and whose command of the English language was generally better than theirs. (Example: "Rango say him return when sun high over teepee. By that, I presume he meant that he would be back by noon."). Frankie Laine sang the theme song for this goofy series which ran for less than a year.

Today’s classic story titled “The Pride of the Rangers” is from Rango #1 (Aug. 1967); a one-shot published by Dell Comics. The artwork is by Sal Trapani. The Catacombs acknowledges "Comic Book Plus", 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!