Journey into Mystery 62

 

"Here Comes the Hulk!" Xemnu, the living Hulk, first showed up in 1960, a few years before the green (and more famous) Hulk appeared.  He was later renamed The Living Titan.  It is a convict from an intergalactic prison world.  It turns up on Earth, with its energy severely depleted.  Good ol' Joe Harper (who looks a lot like Dr. Robert Bruce Banner), your friendly neighborhood electrician, is hypnotized by the Hulk.  He helps it revive, and then it wants to take over the Earth.  It actually does, and makes the enthralled people build it a new spaceship.  Joe is not hypnotized, so Xemnu can gloat, but hubris is its downfall.  Joe crosses the wires and sends the Hulk on an endless jaunt around our sun.  The people of Earth are freed!  No one but Joe knows what happened.

ZATS - "Prom Night"

            

Sven- Count Yorga, Vampire (1970)

 

Or is it?  Count Yorga talks a lot during this movie.  He is a bit funny, which helps.  The rest of the cast talks a lot as well.  The narrator talks a lot.  The Count holds a seance and starts looking for more prey. He does like the ladies, and has two or three of them stashed away already.  It takes our heroes a while to realize that he is a vampire, and then they rush off without any preparation.  No garlic, no holy water, no crosses, not even any stakes.  And they go at night, each time.  They sure could have used Peter Vincent, or any horror fan from that time period for help.  Finally, the Count is destroyed, but alas, his last lady was not.

does whatever a spider can?

Spider-Man does a lot of things a spider does, sort of.  He can crawl on walls, spins webs, has the "proportionate strength" of a spider and that eerie spider sense.  Too bad spiders are not strong like ants.  Be that as it may, Peter must not have suffered from acrophobia, since he is always floating about in the air, or crawling up the sides of the many tall buildings in NYC.  The first time he jumped onto a wall, he didn't even think about how high up he was.  Now, perhaps the sudden strength increase helped, or the spider DNA took over, but he never had a problem with heights.

Black Adam (2022)

 

A long time ago, movies started with the title of the film.  No, that's not what happened here.  The Council of Wizards chose a hero to help save his land and free his people.  According to legend, Teth-Adam does that, but then disappears.  Some 5000 years later, Khandaq is still oppressed by invaders, and Teth-Adam returns.  This is sort of a mixed blessing to everyone, since he is full of rage and power.  No one should make him mad, though he seems to be mad all the time.  InterGang has taken over the country, and we all know who funds that group.  Amanda Waller, of Task Force X, sends the JSA to contain Teth-Adam.  This group consists of Dr. Fate, Hawkman, Atom Smasher and the Red Tornado.  After many battles, Teth-Adam finds and fulfills his destiny and defeats Sabbac.  The JSA departs and lets the newly christened Black Adam ponder his future.

Count Yorga, Vampire (1970) - Trailer

              

Batman and Captain America (1996)

 

There is a plot afoot in Gotham City in early 1945.  Batman and Robin are on the trail of the Joker and after he escapes, Batman finds some disturbing clues about what the Clown Prince of Crime's plan is.  Cap helps Rock and Easy Company dispose of a War Wheel (I think that is what is is) and gets summoned back to the States.  He and Bucky run into Batman and Robin during a rescue of Robert Oppenheimer.  The big brass suspect a spy on the Manhattan Project.  They think they spy is Bruce Wayne, and Private Rogers is set to watching him.  Steve and Bruce have a quick tussle, and Bruce figures out who he is fighting.  They join forces to stop the Joker, and find out the Red Skull is behind it all.  Big surprise there, right? 

Robot MOTW- Mechagodzilla

 

Strange ape-like aliens create a robotic clone of Godzilla, and not surprisingly name it Mechagodzilla.  It is loaded with a massive array of weapons, including lasers, missiles, eye beams and an incredible force field.  Those aliens from the third planet in the black hole weren't messing around.  Mechagodzilla can even fly!  It is a wonder that Godzilla wasn't killed d-e-d dead during the battle.  Mechagodzilla almost did destroy the King of the Monsters.  Fortunately, Godzilla had an ally in King Shisa and was able to prevail over his doppelganger.

Destroy All Monsters ('68): Enter the Monsters

The Times of Monsters #22

 

I never owned an issue of The Monster Times growing up.  I either never saw it or it did not get distributed in my area.  I think I saw one once in WV, but I cannot say for sure at the vintage I now am.  I had read about them here and there, but never read any until the newspaper ceased publication in July of 1976.  Interestingly, the issue I may have seen in a store was probably the last one, but I think I purchased the first issue of Starlog instead (exact same time frame).  The Monster Times was published from January 26th, 1972 until August of 1976, and at first it was biweekly, then monthly.  I think I would have enjoyed it a lot, since it almost always had comic books, movies and television shows featured in it.  It also featured a lot of articles about Godzilla and other Japanese monsters.  That would have caught my attention.

"Burning Bright"

Astronaut Josh Lang returns from a space walk (or something) and is babbling about Andy and also showing increased brain power.  As in telepathy and telekinesis.  His supervisors are worried about him, so they ask his good friend Steve Austin to talk to him.  This goes about as well as it can, since electric space rays have altered Josh's brain.  He can also understand dolphins now, and his power is growing.  It is also burning out his prefrontal lobe at an alarming rate.  He accidentally kills a sheriff, and Steve goes out to stop him.  Unfortunately, he does not succeed and the burning of the brain kills him.  Space exploration will still take place.

Sven- The Bride of Frankenstein

 

Sven aired Bride last night.  It really is a great movie, and I have discussed it here, almost ten years go.  That is kind of hard to believe now.  Sven did his usual fun and great job hosting the movie, and I am willing to bet he has screened it more than one time in the past.  It aired a lot in my area as well, which is what I am going to relate here shortly.  I looked to see if the shot of Frankenstein being in the lab when it exploded was still there.  I didn't see it, and I don't remember if Sven talked about it now.

America's Best TV Comics (1967)

Here is a strange item from the past- a comic book published by... some company.  It was done in conjunction with ABC's new Saturday morning lineup.  It featured characters from all their new series.  Where else would you see several different comic book companies all in one book?  The FF and Spidey were just reprints from older stories, and maybe the Casper story was as well.  The other stories starring King Kong, George of the Jungle and the crew from Journey to the Center of the Earth were almost assuredly originals.  I might have been interested in purchasing this 68 page giant had I seen it on the stands.  I was not quite reading anything yet, though.

Majin, the Monster of Terror - U.S. TV Trailer

Switch On! Xenorama #46- Kikaida!

 

DAI SHARIN NAGE!  Xenorama presents a giant swinging good time with the newest issue featuring the amazing android Kikaida!  This is a great show and it was a pleasure to put this issue together.  We feature both live action shows, Jinzo Ningen Kikaida and Kikaida 01, plus the near remake Chojinki Metalder.  My only real exposure to Metalder had been in the rather... interesting adaption, VR Troopers.  The mechanical violater, Hakaider is also present, though it has tenuous connections to the original series.  Then we take on both Kikaider: The Animation and Kikaider 01: The Animation.  The cartoons sure look great, I gotta say.  Finally, the fun live-action movie, Kikaider: Reboot is examined.   There are episode guides for the shows as well.

"Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster" U.S. theatrical trailer

MOTW- The Thing (FF)

 

Mama Grimm's baby boy Benjy isn't really a monster- at least not after the first 10 issues of The Fantastic Four.  He was kind of bitter about his situation back then.  But since this is the REAL Godzilla vs the Thing, I couldn't resist, and I think Ben would be amused by this post.  He does have a great sense of humor.  This is from the March, 78 issue, #20.  We didn't know there were only four issues left at the time.  Hank Pym's shrinking effect (pre-Pym particles) is wearing off Godzilla, and our heroes, S.H.I.E.L.D. don't know exactly what to do.  The FF show up and fight Godzilla in a museum.  It ends with Ben knocking Godzilla into a shark tank (why is that in a museum with live White Sharks?).  What will happen?  Well, Ben helps Godzilla get out of the tank, Reed slightly suffocates him and they send him back in time to the Cretaceous Period.  

Hulk (2003)

 

Poor Bruce Banner.  He had a lousy childhood, and has had a couple movies that the Hulk just couldn't be the sole star of.  This is the first big screen appearance of the jade giant, and it shows his origin.  Or origins.  He gets pelted with gamma rays, though not from a bomb, but an overheated super collider.  Betty had already dumped him, but they still have to work together.  His long thought dead father shows up (David Banner, of course) and turns himself into either Zaxx or the Absorbing Man.  Naturally, all the father issues come out.

The Heroic Trio Trailer

    

Sven- The Tingler (1959)

 

Dr. Warren Chapin, a local pathologist, thinks he has discovered the reason some people can die of fright.  Every person has a "tingler" that lives in them, and grows larger and more powerful as a person gets scared.  When they scream, the Tingler gets paralyzed and can't affect their host.  It lives on the spine, though how it can be so large and not noticed is not explained in the movie, since it doesn't shrink when removed from the mute and deaf wife.  She's the first victim.  Ollie, her husband, wanted out of his life as a silent film theater owner.  Warren takes a psychedelic trip, his unfaithful wife tries to kill him and the Tingler gets loose in the theater.  SCREAM for your LIVES!

Xenorama #50 Theme

 

Watching this movie the other day made me think that 2023 will be the 55th anniversary of my favorite Godzilla movie.  And since I will be publishing the 50th issue sometime in the next year it has been decided to have that issue celebrate this great movie.  It should be a load of fun!  The release date for the movie in Japan is August 1st, 1968, but chances are this will be released before then.  I know it isn't the bestest Godzilla movie of all time, but it sure it worthy of a whole issue dedicated to it.

The Tingler (1959) - Trailer

   

She-Hulk 09- Who's Show is This?

 

IN which Jen sees herself get arrested and told she can never become Shulkie again.  She also goes to see Emil.  Nikki finds out where the Intelligencia wankers hang out, and sends poor Pug into the midst of a bunch of whining trolls.  Guess who their speaker is?  The Abomination.  Also, "HulkKing", the annoying Todd, takes some Hulk formula (Mr. Hyde in the making?) and sort of hulks out.  Titania smashes through a wall (again) and then THE HULK drops through the roof and we are about to get a battle royale... when Jen stops and climbs out of the story and into the Disney app.  She goes into Avengers: Assembles series in search for Kevin.  She finds K.E.V.I.N. alright, and after some fun dialog everything gets sorted properly.

Toei Spider-Man's song told us everything about SPIDER-MAN NO WAY HOME

MOTW- Krollar

 

Krollar is the final Mega Monster here.  It is rather insectoid, with several pairs of legs.  It has a retractable horn that can be used for attack.  It can also burrow into the ground, and as seen, the horn can be used as an anchor.  It can also vomit earth back out it's maw, using that as a weapon as well.  However, since it has to open it's mouth to attack, that makes it vulnerable to Godzilla's atomic breath.  This finally makes the Megans decide they are tired of war, and may sue for peace with the Betans.

Xenorama #45

 

Here we have another handy dandy guide to the original 1966 Ultraman series.  I had covered the basics in issue #24, but this is expanded, with more info about the cast, crew and music.  And even more pictures!  We cover home video releases as well, at least in the US.  It is such a great show.  There really isn't much new to write about the show, so once again, this is a celebration of what the show means to us here at Xenorama.  I mean, a giant superhero fighting giant aliens and monsters to save the Earth?  How much more perfect can a show be?  The answer is not much at all.

Wonder Woman '77 meets the Bionic Woman

Diana and Jaime team up to fight the villainous and mysterious organization, CASTRA.  This group is comprised of old enemies of both shows, many of which I have little memory of.  Yes, I own the complete runs of both series, but come on, most readers would need a scorecard for all of these characters.  The story goes from Washington DC and to Paradise Island and back again.  It also includes Drusilla, Max and other characters from both shows.  The six issue series does allow for this many characters, and fortunately does focus on the titular heroes.  They didn't even have to fight each other when they met for the first time.  Our heroes do stop CASTA, but ALEX 8000 is still out there, getting ready to strike again.  I will probably never know if that story line was ever concluded.

Legends of the Superheroes (1979)

 

I got this DVD exactly one year ago today.  I watched both specials last week.  Oh my...

When I saw the ad for "Challenge of the Superheroes" in the TV Guide I was really excited.  All those heroes vs all those villains.  Sure, I knew that Mordru had no business being there with most of them, but then, neither did Earth S' Captain Marvel or Dr. Sivana.  It was billed as a battle, and I was looking forward to some good fisticuffs between the "Justice League" and the Legion of Doom.  There would also be live action versions of such heroes as Green Lantern and Hawkman, and many others who had never been portrayed before.  I was really looking forward to this.

Werewolf By Night (2022)

 

The heirs of Ulysses Bloodstone (and more monster hunters) gather to see who will receive the Bloodstone.  This will allow them to destroy more monsters.  Jack Russel shows up as well, but he is not there to get the stone.  He is there to rescue a friend from these monster demolishers.  There is also some family drama going on, as Vanessa Bloodstone left the family and doesn't seem to be as bloodthirsty as some of the other hunters.  With the help of Vanessa, Jack does free his friend Ted, also known as the Man-Thing.  Jack and Vanessa get caught.  The hunters use the Bloodstone to bring out the wolf in Jack, who wreaks a terrible amount of destruction on them, but remembers Vanessa and spares her.   Jack leaves and Vanessa assumes the throne of the Bloodstones.

Marvel Studios’ Special Presentation: Werewolf By Night | Official Trail...

           

She-Hulk 08- Ribbit and Rip It

 

IN which Jen represents yet another d lister wannabe hero.  This leads her into conflict with the superhero suit designer, who also makes Shulkie's clothes. Luke Jacobson.  Guess who represents Luke?  One Mr. Matt Murdock, Esq.  Jen loses her case and her designer all at once.  However, she does make a new friend when Matt buys her a drink at Legal Ease (yes, I am slow and just noticed the name).  The sparks fly but suddenly both have to "work".  The Leapfrog has kidnapped Luke, and after Shulkie meets Daredevil and they have the obligatory misunderstanding battle, they join forces and save the day.  Jen and Matt go back to her place, and in the morning she is surprised we are still watching.  Uh oh...

Son of Godzilla (1969) - Restored US TV Trailer (720p)

MOTW- Triax

 

Triax was the first Mega Monster that Godzilla and Red Ronin encountered.  It has two eyes on stalks, a hard shell, a sharp beak and stumpy legs that have been enhanced by jets.  It uses hit and run tactics, but is not powerful enough to stop our heroes.  Hence the reason the Megans decide to send the other two beasts to Earth.  The creature is not very bright, or is rather overconfident in it's abilities, as even after the power enhancement, it confronts Godzilla head on and gets a blast of atomic breath right in the face.  This blast goes all the way through the monster, and that is the end of Triax.  I go with it not being a very smart monster.

The Damned - Video Nasty

The Kikaida clan

I was watching this last episode of Kikaida 01 yesterday, and realized I had not watched the entire series for well over ten years.  I quite enjoyed this episode, and it makes me want to watch the entire series again. I would be willing to bet that I don't remember all of the episodes.  It doesn't live up to the prequel series, but it is a lot of fun and action-packed.  The show meanders about in the middle section a bit, but overall it is a good series.  There will be spoilers ahead for both the live-action series and the cartoon version.

Svengoolie Uncrypted (2022)

 

This documentary aired last night after the regular show.  It was hosted by Sventoonie, sort of, I guess, and it mostly went through how Sven came to be.  The archival footage was really fun to see, along with the original Sven.  Coming from an area that did not have any kind of horror host, I don't have any nostalgia for them.  However, I think I could have a beer with Sven, since he seems to like a lot of the things I do.  The macguffin of the show was Sven was headed to Berwyn (Berwyn).  They had decided to have a Sven Day, and wanted his original hat and rubber chicken.  So he went around Chicago to find his old stuff.  He meets several actors and such along the way.  The celebration is really nice at the end as well.

Sven- Trilogy of Terror

 

Three stories of "terror".  Well, two rather tepid and completely predictable stories, and one pretty scary story. Karen Black is the star of all three stories, and she is amazing in all her roles.  The first part she plays a mousy teacher at a college (I hope, these "students" look to be in their 30s) that a lecherous student starts to date.  He then takes pictures of her in a compromising position and blackmails her.  She is way smarter than he is.  The second story is about twin sisters, each the polar opposite of each other.  Turns out  she could be Moon Knight, or Rose and the Thorn.  The final story is a one woman act, with just Black and that damn Zuni Doll.  Why anyone would want that doll is amazing, but of course it comes to life and tries to kill her.  The ending, at least by modern eyes, is very cliche.

Tatsunoko Pro

Tatsunoko Productions sure made some great cartoons.  They even got two brought over to the US which is pretty great.  They also made a bunch of other cartoons that were never seen over here, like Yatterman, Hurricane Polimer and Casshan.  I guess they were actually heard of in the genre magazines and books, since that is where I had read about them.  By the time anime (AKA Japanese cartoons) got popular in the States, these older cartoons generally got ignored.  How many times could they write about giant Gundam style robots anyway?