Rayboy's Review: Haunted Horror #1 (IDW/Yoe Books)

Pre-code horror is the province of fellow blogger Karswell over at “The Horrors of It All” blog (see my links section) and his efforts extend beyond posting classic comics too. Check out the recent collection from IDW / Yoe Books’ to see what Steve Banes and Craig Yoe have culled from those not necessarily gentler, but oh so fun years in Haunted Horrors #1, which came out this very month. Six topnotch tales of terror from various early anthology series drawn by the likes of Jack Cole, C.A. Winter, Bernard Baily, Mike Sekowsky, Jay Disbrow and Jack Kirby & Joe Simon. Trust me on this, folks!  Forty-five, full-color pages of vintage horror from the pre-code era by truly talented masters of the comic art form is a "terror-ific" way to treat yourself to some quality reading material on Halloween, of all days. In other good news, this is the first issue of an ongoing title, so subsequent volumes will be more than welcome, and at a measly $3.99 a copy - pardon my French - but this is a hell of a better way to spend your hard earned sheckles than on the puerile drivel that the big two keep turning out on a quarterly cycle that reboots everything two to three times a year. I mean, c’mon! How many Spider-Men, Batmen, and X-Teams does your average comic reader actually need?  I highly (or is that “horror-ly”) recommend this fine book on any day (not just Halloween). Buy this!!

Catacombs Chillers Presents: "Ghost of the Un-Dead" (Story; 1951)

Today I’m serving up another seasonal “Catacombs Chillers” which comes courtesy of Mysterious Adventures #4 (Oct. 1951); originally published by Story Comics. No creator credits exist for “Ghost of the Un-Dead”, and that’s always frustrating. I’m also hoping that Karswell hasn’t already posted this sort of supernatural Gunga Din tale over at his “The Horrors of It All” blog. Lemme know if that happens to be the case! The Catacombs acknowledges "Fury Comics", as the online source of this classic comic 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! Meghan Ory (better late, than never)

I’ve taken the past several days off from most activities other than a little housework and logging some video game hours, and I regret missing out on posting this earlier. We’ll call this one a “Should’ve been Gal Friday.” Canadian television and film actress Meghan Ory has appeared in The Crow: Stairway to Heaven, Vampire High, The Outer Limits, Dark Angel, Smallville, Merlin’s Apprentice, Flash Gordon, Knight Rider (2008), Sanctuary, and she portrayed “Claire Thompson” in the horror-thriller film Dark House. Beginning fall 2011, Ory portrayed “Red Riding Hood/Ruby Lucas” on the ABC fantasy television series Once Upon a Time. She was featured in most episodes of the first season, and was added to the main cast for the second season of the series. I haven't watched a single episode, but I can now see why that might have been a mistake.

Lance Storm in "The Seance of Horror" (Ribage; 1952)

Criminal psychologist and crime-hunter Lance Storm, returns with another case from the 1950s as part of this years “Catacombs Chillers”. “The Seance of Horror” is from Crime Mysteries #3 (Sept.1952); originally published by Ribage; minus any available 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 the creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!

Catacombs Chillers Presents: "Curse of the Jabberwock" (Trojan; 1954)

Today I’m offering up a seasonal “Catacombs Chillers” which comes courtesy of Crime Mysteries #12 (March 1954); originally published by Trojan. No creator credits exist for “Curse of the Jabberwock”, and that’s a shame since it is a really cool looking story. The Catacombs gratefully 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!

Tales of the Mystery Master: "The Mystery of the Eccentric Collector" (Croydon; 1946)

As promised here is the second (and final) appearance of the Mystery Master from Variety Comics #3 (1946); which is also the last issue of this short golden age series originally published by Croydon. Like our horror hosts previous outing, “The Mystery of the Eccentric Collector” is surprisingly tame for what seemingly is meant as a thriller, but at least the work by illustrator Leo Bachle isn’t shabby. The Catacombs gratefully 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!

Marga the Panther Woman in "Ivory City" (Fox; 1940)

Marga the Panther Woman stars in “Ivory City” from Science Comics #4 (May 1940); originally published by Fox and illustrated by Emil Gershwin. This story marks the first appearance (and death) of the villain Ishta. The Catacombs gratefully 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!

Catacombs Chillers Presents: "Death Ship" (Star Publ.; 1954)

The Walking Dead premiered to record setting ratings on AMC for its third season opener last weekend, and since I’m really glad to have it back on the tube, Sunday seems like a good day to present another of this years “Catacombs Chillers” courtesy of Ghostly Weird Stories #122 (Mar.1954); originally published by Star Publications. “Death Ship” is written and illustrated by Jay Disbrow. The Catacombs gratefully 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! Christina Iannelli

 Christina Iannelli is a former NBA courtside dancer/cheerleader (Sixers & Nets) who’s become the new face of “Second Button”, a company that offers custom men’s shirts. When not lifting spirits courtside, she managed a few appearances on  ’SNL’ and ’30 Rock’, scored photo shoots for Esquire, Maxim and Playboy, and was featured in music videos for Timbaland and Chris Cornell. Now, knowing all that jazz is really nothing but a bunch of sauce; just focus on these eye-popping pictures, and go surf the web for more. You’re welcome!

Update: AZ Powergirl [WINNER]!

Sorry for the delay in announcing the name of the person chosen to receive a copy of the AZ Powergirl promo book (signed by her own buxom self) from this years Baltimore Comic-Con. The name that was actually drawn on October 15, 2012 happened to be known personally by me, so this fine individual declined receiving the book with one stipulation, that he be allowed to choose the winner. Thanks to his patriotic photo in uniform standing in front of the Stars & Stripes, Gary Carroll got the nod. Congratulations, Gary! Shoot me your mailing address and the book will be on its merry way before you know it! I extend my appreciation all of the nice folks who tossed their name into the hat. Better luck next time!

2012 Halloween Film Festival: Underworld: Awakening (2012)

Underworld: Awakening is the fourth installment in the Underworld film series, with Kate Beckinsale reprising her role as Selene, a vampire known as a “Death Dealer.” The film series depicts a secret war that has raged for generations between vampires and Lycans (an ancient species of werewolf). Awakening picks up nine days after events in Underworld: Evolution, passing over the third film which was a prequel story for the entire series (minus Beckinsale).  Following a neat intro using news broadcasts detailing how humans have initiated "The Purge", a global military action to exterminate Vampires and Lycans, Selene races to join her lover, the lycan-vampire hybrid Michael Corvin (actor Scott Speedman digitally imposed over a stand-in) at the docks. She arrives just in time to see armed forces shoot Michael, who falls overboard. Selene dives in and just as she reaches him, an ultraviolet light bomb tossed into the sea, explodes between them.

Twelve years later, in 2015, human governments have concluded their campaigns against the vampires and lycans. They have annihilated 95% of the vampire race and believe the lycans to be extinct. Selene is freed from cryogenic suspension and escapes from the medical corporation, Antigen which is trying to make an antidote for the virus that creates vampires and lycans. Selene has strange visions that she believes are linked to Michael. The visions lead her to a building where she discovers a young girl, Eve (India Eisley) who is revealed to be the hybrid that she had been sensing, and the genetic daughter of both Selene and Michael created by Antigen. David, a fellow vampire intervenes after Eve has been injured by the rabid lycans (not as extinct as expected) and is not healing, and he takes her and Selene to his coven. Unfortunately David's father, Thomas, does not welcome them, blaming Selene for provoking the destruction of the vampires. Thomas tells her that Michael died twelve years ago. A vampire woman offers her blood to the wounded Eve, who appears unaware of the effects of drinking it. With Selene's encouragement, she accepts the gift and quickly heals. Almost immediately lycans attack in large numbers, and numerous vampires are slaughtered, dealing a huge blow to the coven as they assume that humans and lycans are now working together. Selene battles a "super lycan", whose body was changed by injections containing Eve's genetic material. After Selene is knocked unconscious during the fight, Eve is turned over to the lycans by Thomas (Charles Dance) in exchange for their departure. Using her ultra-rarefied immortal blood (given to her by Alexander Corvinus in Evolution) to heal the mortally wounded David, Selene tells Thomas that hiding isn’t existing, and she heads out to recover her daughter.

The film was co-directed by Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein from a screenplay partially written by former director Len Wiseman and others, including J. Michael Straczynski. Underworld: Awakening continues the legacy of the earlier films, all of which are basically fun escapist fantasies that allows viewers to simply turn their brains off and have a rollicking good time. All of these movies have made decent money, despite mixed critical reactions, and this film is currently the highest grossing entry of the entire series (which is great since the ending allows for a continuation) and if nothing else it is well worth catching the sexy and always impressive Kate Beckinsale as she issues righteous ass-kicking to hordes of lycans. Recommended!

Jungle Jo in "Valley of the Demon Monsters" (Star; 1952)

Jungle Jo returns in an adventure from Blue Bolt Weird Tales #116 (Dec.1952); reprinted by Star Publications, but originally published as "Forbidden Valley" in Jungle Jo #2 (July 1950) which had been issued by Fox. No story credits exist for the writer or artists behind "Valley of the Demon Monsters" and with that title it’s just got to be dinosaurs, right? Jo might be a lame excuse for a Cold War jungle lord, but this is easily the best looking of his stories that have appeared here. The Catacombs gratefully 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!