In Memorium: Al Rio

Dawnstar of the Legion of Super-Heroes by Al Rio

Details are certainly unclear at this point, but it is being reported that popular Brazilian artist Al Rio died yesterday, reportedly by suicide. The highly talented Mr. Rio worked for a variety of American publishers over the years including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Chaos Comics, Image Comics, Zenescope Comics, Malibu Comics, Wildstorm Comics, Crossgen, and Vertigo on such series as Dungeon Siege, Grimm Fairy Tales, Avengelyne, Voodoo, Grifter and the Mask, Secret Files,WildC.A.T.S., X-Men Unlimited, Captain America, Star Wars - A New Hope, Purgatori, Titan A.E., Exposure, Knockout, Mystic, Peter Parker - Spider Man, Spider-Man, Threshold, Jungle Girl and New Mutants Forever. In addition to voluminous amounts of prints or sketch books, Rio stayed perpetually busy on private commissions of mostly beautiful cheesecake type imagery of established media or genre characters. The Catacombs extends its sincerest condolences to his family, friends and worldwide fans.

Wild Boy in "The Slavers" (Ziff-Davis;1951)

Wild Boy stars in “The Slavers" from Wild Boy #4 (Oct.1951); originally published by Ziff-Davis, and featuring the artwork of Paul Parker. Today, Wild Boy falls victim to that staple of the jungle adventure genre, a roving band of Arabs who specialize in human trafficking. His regular animal pals are present too, but the panther "Timba" is referred to as "Dara" for this outing. 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 belong to the original publisher and/or the creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!

Bantor, Monarch of the Jungle in "Revolt of the Jungle Monsters" (Star Publ;1953)

 “Revolt of the Jungle Monsters” is taken from Terrors of the Jungle #6 (Sept.1953), originally published by Star Publications. Briefly billed as the erstwhile "Monarch of the Jungle", Bantor (and his mate, Zenta) actually proved merely to be a one-shot couple; so this was their only golden age appearance. The artist on this feature was Jay Disbrow. 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 belong to the original publisher and/or the creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!

"Gal" Friday! Claudia Bassols

Oh, baby! Check out this luscious Spaniard, currently featured as "Maggie" on the sit-com "Rob" (opposite comedian Rob Schneider). Claudia Bassols appeared with Amber Tamblyn in the 2007 film Blackout; and in 2008 was featured in the PBS series “Spain... on the road Again” alongside diverse celebrities such as Mario Batali, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Mark Bittman. In 2009, Bassols filmed a lead role in the The Eagle Path with Jean-Claude Van Damme. Although the film was screened at Cannes in 2010, it will finally be released on home video in 2012. As a student, her drama studies carried her to such locales as Paris, London, Los Angeles, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. She also studied English language and literature at the University of Barcelona. It's doubtful that her gig on "Rob" will stick around too terribly long, so if you want to get a peek at this smoking hot "gal", better hurry.

Dr. Voodoo in "The Castle of Doom" (Fawcett; 1942)

In the jungles of Brazil, Dr. Hal Carey's parents gave their lives tending to the natives of a tribe called the Blancas (because they were “white Indians“), and raised their son Hal to take over for them after they died. Shortly after this happened, Hal (later christened Dr. Voodoo) became the leader of the tribe. During his golden age career Dr. Voodoo's adventure were very well drawn by noted golden age artist Mac Raboy. The stories were like those of Prince Valiant, only set in a jungle, with Hal facing everything from headhunters to tribes of giants and dragons. This short tale is listed as "The Castle of Doom" in the Grand Comics Database, and was chapter nine of the extended “Golden Flask Quest” from Whiz Comics #26 (Jan.1942); originally published by Fawcett, with art by Mark Schneider; but the story title is also used in the next issue blurb at story’s end. 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 belong to the original publisher and/or the creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!

The Tarzan Cover Gallery!

In the early 1970s, DC Comics acquired the license to publish comics starring Tarzan of the Apes, and then continued the numbering from the previous Gold Key Comics series. Here are the first fifteen covers starring the classic Edgar Rice Burroughs creation from #207 (Apr.1972) through #221 (Jul.1973); all illustrated by the legendary Joe Kubert, and with perfectly muted and sensational coloring by Tatjana Wood. Believe me, you'll see nothing of this caliber in the new Dynamite Entertainment series, "Lord of the Jungle" title. Enjoy!

In Memorium: Dick Tufeld

“Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!”

You probably don't recognize the face, but the voice is iconic. DICK TUFELD, the voice of the “Lost in Space” Robot has died at eighty-five, his long time friend and costar Bill Mumy announced today via Facebook. In addition to voicing the Robot, Tufeld was a familiar voice actor having announced the exploits of the super-sub Seaview on “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea”, “Time Tunnel”, and in commercials for the bubble bath Mr. Bubble. Tufeld also was the announcer on  various Disney TV shows including the 1957-59 series, Zorro, which starred future Lost in Space lead actor, Guy Williams. He also reprised his role as the Robot in the 1998 feature "Lost in Space" which starred Gary Oldman, William Hurt, Mimi Rogers, Heather Graham and Matt LeBlanc. The Catacombs extends it sincerest condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Kara, The Jungle Princess in "Inescapable Disaster" (Standard;1946)

This golden age tale called “Inescapable Disaster” starring Kara, Jungle Princess is from Exciting Comics #44 (Feb.1946); originally published by Better/Standard/Nedor. Artist Al Camy, was a regular artist for Better Publications titles on such features as 'Jill Trent', 'Crime Crushers', 'Grim Reaper', 'Phantom Detective' and 'Spectro'. Before she became a jungle princess called Kara, she was regular army nurse Jane Howell who stumbled upon a lost civilization in the jungles of Africa. There she was elevated to ruler of the Arohitans, a people possessing a charm against physical harm, where she must always stay alert for the evil machinations of the priest Targala. Thankfully, Major Kit Kendall was along to help out with the tougher problems. 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 belong to the original publisher and/or the creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!