Jo-Jo, Congo King in "Mistress of the Apes" (Fox Feature Syndicate; 1948)

Here is a quick golden age history lesson: Fox Feature Syndicate's "Jo-Jo" first got his name from the original title of the comic series in which he starred, Jo-Jo Comics. The publishers decided to change the format of the title, but kept the name for their new adventure hero. Even Jo-Jo's love interest was called Gwenna in her first appearance, and that name was soon replaced with "Tanee" (Gwenna was never mentioned again). The last issue of Jo-Jo, Congo King was #29 (July 1949) and the title was then changed to "My Desire" (a romance comic). Jo-Jo reappeared in 1950, but he was renamed Jungle Jo. That version ran for four issues. Fox Feature Syndicate also declared bankruptcy in 1950, selling off many of its creative assets. Versions of Jo-Jo appeared in comics produced by various publishers. Star Comics reprinted several Jo-Jo stories under the name "Bombo", and Ajax Comics reprinted a single story in 1954 with the character renamed "Kaza." Today's classic tale from Jo-Jo, Congo King #12 (July 1948), is titled "Mistress of the Apes". Ignore the credit for "Stan Ford" (that's a company pseudonym). The artwork is by the great Jack Kamen. 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 publishers and/or the creators and is reproduced here solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!

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1980's Flashback: Dazzler

Dazzler #1 (Mar.1981); cover by Bob Larkin

Marvel Comics superheroine, Dazzler first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #130 (February 1980). A mutant with the ability to convert sound vibrations into light and energy beams, Dazzler was originally developed as a cross-promotional, multi-media property between Casablanca Records and Marvel Comics. The character was created by a committee of Marvel staffers, including Tom DeFalco, John Romita, Jr., Louise Simonson, and Roger Stern.

She later starred in her own solo series which ran for 42 issues, plus a Marvel Graphic Novel titled Dazzler: The Movie, and a limited-series co-starring "The Beast", before finally joining the extended cast of X-Men.

Originally conceptualized as a "disco queen" with abilities to make people tell the truth; her powers were changed and the disco connection diminished, as the creators recognized that the fad itself was fading. The initial character was also intended to resemble model, actress and singer Grace Jones, however, movie representatives wanting to promote model and actress Bo Derek, insisted on design changes to reflect Derek's Caucasian features.

 Constant conceptual changes to the character's appearance and personality, led to several cancellations of the project before it even got off the ground and eventually, Casablanca Records backed out altogether due to financial concerns. Marvel Comics, left with a much-publicized new character, decided to launch the project as a monthly series.

In a revolutionary move at the time, Marvel decided to release Dazzler #1 exclusively to comic specialty shops, bypassing the wider circulation market. This was the first comic exclusively delivered to comic shops - a relatively new industry for 1981 - and over 400,000 copies of issue #1 were pre-sold (more than double the average comic sales amount).

Dazzler #20 (Oct.1982); cover by John Romita, Jr. & John Romita

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Star Wars: The Clone Wars [Season 4]

The Complete Star Wars Saga hit stores on Friday in Blu-Ray, but before you start griping about the latest digital farting around that George Lucas has perpetrated on "his" classic films or millions of unfortunate fans desperate for a similar treatment of the original theatrical releases of the "real" trilogy. Forget about what is included, what ain't, what outta be or what the hell is up with that whole "Nooooo..." business anyway. Skip it!

The animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars debuted its fourth season also on September 16, 2011 on Cartoon Network. Set between the events of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, the series deals with the various conflicts between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, both being secretly manipulated by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine aka Darth Sidious, who plans to turn Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker into his next Sith apprentice. The series produced in high-definition, has made a far better use of the world of Star Wars than anything depicted in the prequel trilogy. We can at least thank Lucas for that, of course the talented animators, writers and voice actors have more to do with that than brother George and thus far, he hasn't opted to make additional changes between the earlier seasons of Clone Wars.

This season kicks off with three episodes set on the home world of the Mon Calamari race. Return of the Jedi fans will remember Admiral Ackbar, who is featured here in a supporting role as his younger self. Star Wars: The Clone Wars has gone a long way towards restoring my faith in the terrific fictional universe that Mr. Lucas created a long time ago, in universe far, far away, and certainly way back when he didn't constantly change things around every time one of his children breaks wind. Although seeing a fully CGI Yoda replace the crappy puppet in The Phantom Menace might actually coax me into watching that movie again.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars airs on The Cartoon Network every Friday at 8pm!

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"Gal" Friday! Ines Sainz

Are you ready for some football?

As one of Mexico's most experienced sports journalists, Inés Sainz Gallo de Pérez has covered tennis, baseball, basketball, soccer, boxing and football from the sidelines. Her skills as an interviewer are often overshadowed by her phenomenal good looks, which to be fair, she accentuates with the right type of clothing for her slender frame. The girl really shows off her stuff to great effect!

Apparently undaunted by a 2010 media brouhaha where Ms. Sainz was subjected to "catcalls and rude comments" while waiting to conduct an interview with quarterback Mark Sanchez in the New York Jets locker room, she has returned to the arena which has made her a celebrity darling. According to Sainz, it was other media sources who made more of the incident than she did.

I say if she can let testosterone fueled behavior slide, so can I. Let's give a big round of applause for the Latina hottie, even as we add her to the Catacombs gallery (where the catcalls are truly heartfelt).

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DC Comics #1's [9/14/2011]

The relaunch of the DC Comics Universe continued unabated for titles arriving on September 14, 2011. As a reminder for any mythical "new" readers out there, my breakdown of how I personally view these "nu" 52 books as a longtime reader, consists of yours truly assorting them three ways based on how I viewed them as I window shopped in the store. Stuff that I liked will be categorized as BEST OF THE BATCH (with a single favorite choice highlighted in *bold each week). Titles worthy of trying out, that didn't prompt me to purchase, will be categorized as "EASTER EGGS", and relaunched books that weren't worth the money, were poorly thought out to begin with, or that sucked fumes, well, these are unfortunately considered "GOOSE EGGS". This week I was forced to add a fourth categorization, since two titles were lost in the shuffle and I missed seeing them on the shelves. There are a hundred other titles jockeying for space, so I have no opinion to offer on stuff that I'm gonna label "M.I.A." (missing in action; nuff said).

BEST OF THE BATCH
* Green Lantern #1 (a tough call between these two)
Red Lanterns #1

EASTER EGGS

Batwoman #1

Demon Knights #1

Legion Lost #1

Mister Terrific #1

GOOSE EGGS

Batman and Robin #1

Deathstroke #1

Resurrection Man #1

Grifter #1

Superboy #1

M. I. A.

Frankenstein, Agent Of Shade #1

Suicide Squad #1

See ya' next week, and remember not to hate - To Each His Own!

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White Princess of the Jungle in "The Witch Doctor Murder Cult" (Avon;1951)

It has been a while since I posted two of three tales from the second issue of White Princess of the Jungle #2 (Oct.1951), starring Taanda (the titular White Princess of the Jungle). The artwork on both of those Avon Publications stories was firmly credited to Everett Raymond Kinstler, and I know that artists Gene Fawcette & Vince Alascia also worked on this feature; but there are no creator credits listed for this specific tale entitled, "The Witch Doctor Murder Cult". My guess would be for Fawcette & Alascia, but only as a guess. Don't let the fact that the last panel does not say "The End" fool you. This is the complete seven page golden age story.

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!

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In Memorium: Cliff Robertson

Academy Award winner Cliff Robertson (Best Actor; 1968) for his role in the movie Charly, passed away from natural causes on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011 (the day after his 88th birthday). His final film role was a cameo as “Uncle Ben” in Spider-Man 3.

Robertson was personally chosen by John F. Kennedy to portray the then-Lt. Kennedy in PT 109. Some of his other films included Picnic (1955), Gidget (1959), Sunday in New York (1963), The Devil's Brigade (1968), Too Late the Hero (1970) and Three Days of the Condor (1975). He also appeared on television series such as The Twilight Zone, sci-fi series Rod Brown of the Rocket Rangers (1953–54) and he was the villainous gunfighter "Shame" on Batman.

In one of the biggest Hollywood scandals of the 1970s, Robertson was blacklisted for several years after he reported that his signature had been forged on a $10,000 check that was not due him. He learned that the forgery had been carried out by Columbia Pictures head David Begelman; it was several years before he finally returned to film in Brainstorm (1983).

A certified private pilot who owned several de Havilland Tiger Moths, a Messerschmitt Bf 108 and a genuine World War II era Mk.IX Supermarine Spitfire MK923, Robertson was airborne and piloting a private Beechcraft Baron directly over New York City on the morning of September 11, 2001. He was directly over the World Trade Center, climbing through 7,500 feet, when the first Boeing 767 struck and he was subsequently ordered by air traffic control to land immediately at the nearest airport following a nationwide order to ground all civilian and commercial aircraft following the attacks.

The Catacombs extends its sincerest condolences to his family, friends and fans.

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