The Woman in Red in "The Owens Mob Strikes" (Standard; 1942)

Policewoman Peggy Allen debuted as “The Woman in Red” in Thrilling Comics #2 (March 1940). Frustrated by the limitations of her job, Peggy created her secret identity wearing a red, floor-length coat, hood, and mask to get around pesky legalities and actually confront lawbreakers directly, although she did exercise the police officer's prerogative of packing heat. The Woman in Red never made a cover appearance, despite appearing regularly until her last hurrah in issue #46 (February 1945), although she managed to appear in the first couple of issues (plus a headshot on the covers) of America's Best Comics, an anthology title where the publisher got a little extra mileage out of its most popular characters. “The Owens Mob Strikes” is from Thrilling Comics #25 (Feb.1942); originally published by Better/Standard/Nedor; written by Richard Hughes and illustrated by George Mandel & Kin Platt. 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! Marilyn Monroe

Actress, model, and singer, Marilyn Monroe became a major sex symbol in a string of successful films during the 1950s and early 1960s, before her untimely passing at the age of thirty-six in August of 1962. Much has been written about the truly iconic “Norma Jeane Mortenson” but whether your fascination leans towards her fine comedic talents, her smoldering onscreen sexuality, her tempestuous public relationships, or her troubled upbringing as a foster child, Marilyn surely made one hell of an impact. Just a few of her notable movies include The Asphalt Jungle, All About Eve, Monkey Business, Clash by Night, Niagara, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire, The Seven Year Itch, Bus Stop, Some Like it Hot, and The Misfits. She famously became the first pin-up for "Playboy" magazine when a calendar photograph (taken in 1949 while she was a struggling model) was recycled. As I promised last week, here is this “Classic Cutie” immortalized by photographer Bert Stern (originally for Vogue magazine). Published after her death, this image was part of session that became known as 'The Last Sitting'. They don’t really make them like Marilyn anymore, and topless or not, this fine picture is definitely art worth viewing (the entire series of shots is available online; check them out).

Swing Sisson in "Jack Traxe's Leveraged Buyout" (Quality; 1942)

Thanks for your patience lately as I’ve scratched an itch, and posted select non-jungle characters. Other than today’s spotlighted golden-ager, only Doll Man and a few humor fillers remain from this classic issue. Today’s “hero” enjoyed a long comics career (although you might not have even heard of him). Swing Sisson stars in "Jack Traxe's Leveraged Buyout" from Feature Comics #59 (Aug. 1942); originally published by Quality, and illustrated by Phil Martin. Swing was the band leader at The Clover Club whose other performers included singer Bonnie Baxter and sax player Toby Tucker, both of whom usually helped out in the two-fisted scrapes Swing inevitably got involved with in the glitzy but racket-beset night club business of the 1940s. They made occasional forays into other areas of entertainment, but mostly hung around the club where they were the stars. Their act ran for years in the back pages of Feature Comics (the gang was introduced in #49; Oct. 1941). Swing led his band and traded punches with crooks throughout the 1940s. In fact, he stayed on the job as long as Feature was published, outlasting all the title's superheroes, even Doll Man himself. The last issue was #144 (May, 1950), and after that Swing Sisson was finished. 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!

Cave Girl in "The Doom Boat" (AC Comics; 1992)

Cave Girl stars in a nifty black & white reprint courtesy of AC Comics called "The Doom Boat" from Jungle Girls #7 (1992); but this story was originally published in full-color by Magazine Enterprises in Africa #1 (1955). This classic jungle adventure is written by Gardner Fox and illustrated by Bob Powell. 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: Herbert Lom

Czech-born actor Herbert Lom passed away today at the age of ninety-five at his home in London. In a career lasting more than sixty years he largely appeared in character roles, usually portraying villains early in his career and professional men in later years. He was best known for his comedic role as "Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus" in the celebrated Pink Panther film series, but he was also a featured player in War and Peace, The Ladykillers, Spartacus, El Cid, The Dead Zone, and appeared as “Captain Nemo” in Mysterious Island. He received top billing in Hammer Films' 1962 remake of The Phantom of the Opera. Lom also appeared in two different screen versions of the Agatha Christie novel "And Then There Were None" (1975 and 1989). He also wrote two historical novels, one on the playwright Christopher Marlowe (Enter a Spy; 1971) and another on the French Revolution (Dr. Guillotin; 1992). The Catacombs extends its condolences to his family, friends and fans.

The Black Cobra in "Jet-Propelled Justice" (Ajax-Farrell; 1955)

Steve Drake was an FBI Agent, who secretly served as “America's Champion of Justice”

during the Cold War as the Black Cobra. He had no actual superpowers, but his costume was made from a special bulletproof plastic that Drake had invented. Suction cups in his boots also allowed him to run up and down buildings. This adventure from Black Cobra #3 (Mar.1955); was originally published by Ajax-Farrell. Sadly both the writer and artist on this nice early Silver Age tale titled “Jet-Propelled Justice” are unknown. 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!

Camilla in "The Cult of the Black Cobra" (Fiction House; 1942)

“Whoopi-ty-aye-oh
Rockin` to and fro,
Back in the saddle again.
Whoopi-ty-aye-yay
I go my way,
Back in the saddle again!”

I spent a pleasant five days in sunny San Antonio visiting my son as he graduated from Air Force basic training and after strolling various points of the downtown Riverwalk, nearby Sea World, the Tower of the Americas, and the famous Alamo, trust me on this – my ass is tired. I’m skipping past a few remaining tales of the “Queen of the Lost Empire” period of today’s heroine, Camilla, and posting a later "Queen of the Jungle Empire" story from Jungle Comics #31 (Jul.1942); originally published by Fiction House, and illustrated by “Nick Viscardi” a name more familiar to Silver Age DC Comics fans as Nick Cardy (Aquaman, Bat Lash, etc.). I’m dubbing this previously untitled golden age classic “The Cult of the Black Cobra.” 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!

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!