↧
Ka’a’nga in "Valley of the Killer-Birds" (Fiction House; 1941)
↧
"Gal" Friday! Jana Kramer
Actress Jana Kramer appeared as "Alex Dupre" on the CW Network television series "One Tree Hill" from 2009-2012. She went on to become a decent country music singer, but that's not why she landed the gig as this weeks official "gal" Friday selection. I knew nothing of her, until I happened to comment upon the hot chick playing the part of a friendly cat burglar aiding a home that was being robbed in a popular Nationwide Insurance commercial. My daughter set me straight on who Ms. Kramer actually was; apparently my offspring had continued to watch One Tree Hill. The rest of us had given up when most of the original cast left the series in earlier seasons?
![]()
Oh, well! Jana is certainly a sexy girl and she has a nice voice, but don't plan on cozying up to her in any type of romatic scenario. She has had two short term marriages, including one to actor Johnathon Schaech (That Thing You Do) each of which barely lasted a month. Her relationship to another country musician (Brantley Gilbert) apparently endured for eight months, but once it became public ... oops. Can you say "Over?" Cute, sexy and can sing her little heart out, but she drops guys like a hot potatoe when it suits her; and that's nothing but fodder for a sad country music hit.
![]()
↧
↧
Camilla in "The Golden Death" (Fiction House; 1944)
Camillareturns to the Catacombs today in “The Golden Death” written by Victor Ibsen and illustrated by George Tuska from Jungle Comics #51 (Mar.1944); originally published by Fiction House. 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!
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Dagar Desert Hawk in "Vortex of Death" (Fox; 1948)
↧
Wild Boy in "Wrath of the Gods" (Ziff-Davis; 1952)
↧
↧
Cowboy Sahib in "The Cossack Trap" (ACG; 1954)
No new lovelies have really floated my boat lately, so instead of my "gal" Friday feature today you'll have to settle for a jungle comics oddity from the silver age. Joe "Cowboy" King was an American World War II pilot who operated in and around India, who dressed and acted like a cowboy. Even though the military command thought his personal theatrics were quite ridiculous, they could not deny that he was their best pilot. After a series of misadventures involving a cheating sultan, Joe became the ruler of Larijuna and was crowned their new sultan, he then ordered his people to call him Cowboy (to which they added the honorific Sahib and thus he became Cowboy Sahib). This previously untitled tale that I’ve dubbed “The Cossack Trap” is from Hooded Horseman #18 (Nov-Dec.1954); originally published by American Comics Group and illustrated by Leonard Starr. 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!
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
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!
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
"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.
↧
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!
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
↧
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!
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
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!
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
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
↧
"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!
![]()
↧
↧
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:
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.
![]()
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! 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!
![]()
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!
↧
"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
![]()
↧
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! 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!
![]()
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!
.png)
↧
In Memorium: Al Feldstein
After industry and government pressures had forced Bill Gaines to shut down most of his EC titles, Feldstein was only briefly separated from the company. When Harvey Kurtzman left Mad in 1956, Gaines turned to his former editor Feldstein, who spent the next 29 years at the helm of what became one of the nation's leading and most influential magazines. Circulation multiplied more than eight times during his tenure, peaking at 2,850,000 in 1974, although Mad declined to three quarters of that figure by the end of his time as editor.
Many new cartoonists and writers surfaced during Feldstein's editorship as the magazine came to rely on a steady group of contributors. Feldstein's first issue as editor (#29) was also the first issue to display the twisted work of cartoonist Don Martin. A few months later, he hired Mort Drucker, who quickly established himself as their premier caricaturist on movie satires with Angelo Torres drawing the TV parodies. By 1961, with the introduction of Antonio Prohías and Dave Berg, he had fully established the format that kept the magazine a commercial success for decades.The Catacombs extends its condolences to his family, friends and fans. I count myself lucky to have had a chance to meet him just a few years ago.
↧
In Memorium: Dick Ayers
Hall of Fame artist Dick Ayers passed away on May 4, 2014 at the age of ninety. Although his career began in the golden age, he was best known for his silver age work as one of Jack Kirby's regular inkers during the late-1950s and 1960s, including some of the earliest issues of Marvel Comics' The Fantastic Four. He was the primary artist on Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos, drawing it over a 10-year run, and he was co-creator of the 1950s Western-horror version of the Ghost Rider, a character he would draw again for Marvel in the 1960s.Ayers other notable work includes Adventures into Terror, Astonishing, Journey into Mystery, Journey into Unknown Worlds, Menace, Mystery Tales, Mystic, Strange Tales, Uncanny Tales, Amazing Adventures, Journey into Mystery, Strange Tales, Tales of Suspense, Tales to Astonish, Rawhide Kid and early appearances of Thor and The Incredible Hulk.
I 'm very glad to have to spoken with Mr. Ayers in person two or three times over the years and he was always very nice to his fans. The Catacombs extends its condolences to his family, friends and fans.
 |
| Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #23 [Oct. 1965] |
↧