"Gal" Friday! Shelby Carter

Wow! Is this chick smoking hot or what? Her name is Shelby Carter, and I'm uncertain whether she is a model, cheerleader, or softcore porn star. I saved this image quite some time ago, can't recall the source, and really don't feel like wading through the internet today in order to ferret out the mystery of her career habits.

All that I can say is that the Catacombs is adding her name (and this blessed portrait) to the inhouse "APPROVED" list. Now ..... pardon me while I sweat!

In Memorium: Fred Kida

Fred Kida [see photo; inset] was a Japanese-American comic book artist, best known for golden age aviator-hero “Airboy” and his sometime ally Valkyrie, passed away on April 3, 2014 at the age of ninety-three. Kida worked for Marvel Comics between the 1950s and the 1970s; eventually handling the company's The Amazing Spider-Man newspaper comic strip during the early 1980s. Kida also assisted artist Dan Barry on the long-running strip Flash Gordon from 1958 to 1961, and then again from 1968 to 1971. The Catacombs extends it sincerest condolences to his family, friends and fans.

"Gal" Friday! Fernanda Romero

Paste this link to view a banned commercial for an ultimately unproduced food product! Enjoy!http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=E3WBHOeVSSY

"Gal" Friday! Lindsey Duke

University of Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles is only in his junior year and he’s already a hot NFL draft prospect, but his girlfriend Lindsey Duke seems to be getting plenty of headlines herself. Since his Fiesta Bowl victory, even more attention has been heaped upon this stunning blonde, and the numbers certainly add up in her favor. He averages a quarter of a million or so media hits to her six million; and yes, she deserves a look (and there's even a bonus gal who is easy on the eyes too).

Wow! No disrespect to the able football star, but lovely Lindsey can definitely do better (you know, if she’s actually in the market for a fifty+ plus nerd or something). Anyway, since I’ve been slovenly thus far in 2014 and not posted any comics stories, I’ll make up for that by leaving you with a nice view for today as I induct Ms. Duke into the Catacombs as this week’s official “gal” Friday. Enjoy!

Happy New Year!!

Welcome to 2014! The Catacombs hopes that this year proves to be worth the wait for each and every one of you. Before we proceed, let's shake off the effects of too much boozing last night, and remember a few dear friends who left us during calendar year 2013:

Mad magazine artist Bob Clarke passed away on March 31, 2013 at the age of ninety-one. He had worked as an uncredited assistant on the "Ripley's Believe It or Not" comic strip while still a teenager and the label of the Cutty Sark whiskey bottle is his design. Clarke illustrated over 600 features for MAD.

DC, Aspen, and Wildstorm artist Scott Clark passed away on February 21, 2013. His work appeared in features like Justice League, Brightest Day, Grifter and Deathstroke.

Golden age artist Nick Cardy passed away on November 3, 2013 at the age of ninety-three. His most popular work for DC was on Tomahawk, Teen Titans, Bat Lash, and Aquaman. Cardy was the publishers primary cover artist in the 1970s.

Golden age artist Carmine Infantino passed away on April 4, 2013 at the age of eighty-seven. He helped kick off the Silver Age of Comics by drawing the introduction of Barry Allen version of The Flash (1956] and the landmark story "Flash of Two Worlds" in 1961. Infantino co-created Elongated Man, Barbara "Batgirl" Gordon and Deadman, and he also served as editor for a time.

Golden age artist Al Plastino passed away on November 25, 2013 at the age of ninety-one. Although Plastino also worked as a writer, editor, letterer and colorist, he was primarily one of the most prolific Superman artists of the 1950s. He co-created the DC characters Supergirl and Brainiac, as well as the teenage team the Legion of Super-Heroes. At the time of his death, a scandal had just been resolved involving Superman artwork that he had specifically intended to be donated to the John F. Kennedy museum following the late Presidents death, but which had recently turned up for auction from a private collector.

These talented folks are just some of the notables who left us last year, but their fine work is timeless and will entertain us for years to come. See you soon!

"Gal" Friday! Holly - Jolly - Christmas - Edition

[Image copyright & courtesy of Nuts] Don't forget to clean up after yourselves once you unwrap all of those lovely presents today!

Coo Coo in "Christmas Capers" (Standard; 1952)

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Coo Coo the Bird-Brain stars in “Christmas Capers” from Santa’s Christmas Comics #1 (Dec.1952); a one-shot issue originally published by Standard, with no identified creator credits listed. 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

Kaänga in “Master of the Moon-Beasts” (Fiction House; 1943)

Kaänga stars today in a beautifully illustrated golden age adventure from Jungle Comics #42 (June 1943); originally published by Fiction House. “Master of the Moon-Beasts” was written by [“Frank Riddell”] and fully drawn & inked by the legendary Reed Crandall. This is the kind of comics that were meant to be savored, so please consider this an early Christmas treat. 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!

Dotty in "On the Spot" (Ace; 1948)

Al Hartley had barely begun his commercial art career when WWII began, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and flew 20 missions as a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber pilot in Europe. Upon his return he produced a lot of fun, lovely artwork for Ned Pines imprints [Better; Standard; Nedor] and also drew features for Ace, Timely, Atlas, Marvel, Archie and eventually he helped launch the Spire Christian Comics line. “On the Spot” is from Dotty #36 (Sept.1948); originally published by Ace Comics and illustrated by Al Hartley. 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!

Sinistro Boy Fiend in "Too Many Happy Endings!" (Charlton; 1968)

After drinking a potion, Jack Biceps gains super powers and wants to help normal criminals in their battles against various super heroes (including guest stars Blue Beetle and Peacemaker) in “Too  Many Happy Endings!” from Charlton Premiere # 3 (Jan.1968); originally published by Charlton. This chapter is part one of the introduction and origin of Sinistro, Boy Fiend which was written by Grass Green and illustrated by Henry Scarpelli. 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! Julia Voth

Canadian model and actress Julia Voth first served as the character model for "Jill Valentine" in the 2002 video game Resident Evil, and then continued in that capacity for subsequent expansions in the series. She has appeared on television in episodes of Castle and Supernatural, along with a few feature films such as Bitch Slap. Today she joins a select ensemble of cuties as this weeks official "gal" Friday.

Cowboy Sahib in "The Bandit Kingdom" (ACG: 1955)

Cowboy Sahib rides again today in this previously untitled tale that I’ve christened “The Bandit Kingdom” from Hooded Horseman #21 (May-Jun.1955); originally published by American Comics Group and illustrated by Harry Lazarus. 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!