Diamond Eye vs Satan Bat

           

Diamond Eye- Warrior of Light (1973)

Kotaro Rai ends up with a magic ring that can summon the magical hero Diamond Eye.   This is fortunate, since Kotaro has stumbled onto a bunch of jewel thieves who turn out to be demons.  Kotaro can hold his own with humans, but against monsters?  He needs an ally.  Diamond Eye is as close to a genie or djinn as Japanese heroes got, so that makes him more unique than most of them.  That is saying something.  He carries the Diamond Stick, which has a wide variety of magical weapons in it.  He uses this to make the demons change back to their original forms.  King Cobra is the boss baddie, and it takes a good half year to stop him.

Sven- Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956)

 

Something in the waters of the Pacific around Japan is destroying boats.  Reporter Steve Martin has a layover in Tokyo, and becomes involved in the mystery.  Turns out it is a giant radioactive monster, who first shows up on Odo Island.  Seems like the natives know of this monster, and had made regular sacrifices to it for a long time.  That is all the origin we get, though Dr. Yamane puts forth a few thoughts about it.  Godzilla immediately goes into Tokyo and wipes out the city in a blaze of dynamic violence.  Finally, a weapon even more terrible than Godzilla, the Oxygen Destroyer, is used to kill Godzilla.  Or did it?

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962

Mostly from Wiki- Sometime in the early 20th century, U.S. Senator Ransom "Ranse" Stoddard and his wife, Hallie, arrive in Shinbone, a frontier town in an unnamed western state, to attend the funeral of Tom Doniphon. When asked by the local newspaper editor why a senator would attend the funeral of a poor rancher, Stoddard answers with a story that flashes back 25 years.  The whole story then shows how big ol' bully Liberty Valance gets his just rewards and how the legend of the man who shot said bully begins.

"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."

Raymond Burr-Bob Costas interview on Godzilla.flv

 

RIP Sal Piro

           

HOTW- El Santo

 

From Wikipedia- Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta (23 September 1917 – 5 February 1984), known professionally as El Santo or in English The Saint, was a Mexican luchador enmascarado (Spanish for "masked professional wrestler"), actor and folk hero. He is one of the most famous and iconic Mexican luchadores, and has been referred to as one of "the greatest legends in Mexican sports". His wrestling career spanned nearly five decades, during which he became a folk hero and a symbol of justice for the common man through his appearances in lucha films and comic books telling fictionalized stories of El Santo fighting for justice.^[2][3] He starred or co-starred in at least 54 movies between 1958 and 1982.^[4]

Phantom 2040

 

Kit Walker is the 24th person with that name.  He has no idea about his ancestry, since his mother never told him.  They no longer live in Bengalla, but in Metropia, formerly known as New York City.  The world is rather forlorn, and many corporations try to strong arm the government into doing what they want.  Wait, what year is this happening?  Anyway, Guran shows up to have Kit fulfill his destiny as the 24th Phantom.  Kit is reluctant, but eventually takes over and battles many weird foes.

Freedom Force (1978)

 

From Wikipedia- The Freedom Force is a 1978 animated television series produced by Filmation and aired on CBS as a segment of Tarzan and the Super 7.^[1] It showcased a superhero team gathered by the heroine Isis from around the world to help fight evil.^[2] Isis had previously appeared in the live-action television series, The Secrets of Isis, although the actress who portrayed her, Joanna Cameron, did not reprise the role for the cartoon.  Nor did George DiCenzo voice Hercules.  He was voiced by Michael Bell, who also did four other male voices as well.

Sven- Kiss of the Vampire (1963)

 

From Wiki- Gerald (Edward de Souza) and Marianne Harcourt (Jennifer Daniel) are a honeymooning couple in early 20th-century Bavaria who become caught in a vampire cult led by Dr. Ravna (Noel Willman) and his two children Carl (Barry Warren) and Sabena (Jacquie Wallis). The cult abducts Marianne, and contrives to make it appear that Harcourt was travelling alone and that his wife never existed. Harcourt gets help from hard-drinking savant Professor Zimmer (Clifford Evans), who lost his daughter to the cult and who destroys the vampires through an arcane ritual using the Seal of Solomon that releases a swarm of bats from Hell.

The Kiss Of The Vampire (1963) - Official Trailer

Kaida the Shredder

 

Kaida the Destroyer has become the Shredder as well.  There is a cat tree right behind this poor chair, and the little stinker loves to sharpen her claws on the chair.  And with thirteen front claws she can really tear into it.  She's been here for almost two years and the chair is toast.  I really did need a new one, so I'm not that unhappy.  She is really cute, which is why she gets away with such shenanigans.  I also think she knows just how cute she really is.

Earth vs. The Spider (1958) Trailer

              

Night Court 2023

 

Night Court was a hit in the 80s, and I watched it sporadically over the course of its network run.  It was never a rerun priority for me.  I liked the cast and the humor was generally pretty funny.  It was something fun to watch, but I was never a big fan.  It ended, the stars moved on and several passed on from this mortal veil.  I would never have thought it would get a direct sequel.  And here we are.

HOTW- Golden Bat

 

From Wikipedia; Ōgon (Golden) Bat is a being from ancient Atlantis who was sent forward in time 10,000 years to battle evil forces threatening the present day.^[3][5] He has a golden skull-shaped head, wears a green and white swashbuckler outfit with a high-collared red cape, and carries a rapier. He lives in a fortress in the Japanese Alps. His superpowers include superhuman strength, invulnerability, and the ability to fly.^[1][2][3] Ōgon Bat has an evil counterpart known as Kurayami Bat (暗闇バット "Dark Bat").^[3] His main enemy is Dr. Erich Nazō (ナゾー), the leader of a crime syndicate bent on world domination, who wears a black costume and mask with bat-like ears, a red eye and a blue eye.^[3]

Space Sentinels (1977)

 

An alien race takes three Earthling to their planet, gives them superpowers and eternal youth.  Then sends them back to Earth to help protect it from threats internal and external.  Sentinel 1 is there to guide them and provide information as well.  The Maintenance Operator, a robot that provides upkeep and repairs for S1.  It has a crush on Astrea and is generally the "comedy" relief.  The other two heroes are Hercules and Mercury.  You can guess the powers they have.  They have several adventures all over the galaxy and the Earth, even going to other dimensions and times.

Into The Spider-verse (2018)

On Earth 1610 (as near as I can tell) The Kingpin wants to contact his dead wife and son.  Somethings never change, no matter what universe you are in.  Spider-Man tries to stop him, but fails.  Really fails.  The Kingpin kills Spidey.  It is a good thing that Miles Morales has been bit by another radioactive spider and gains similar spider powers.  The Kingpin's gizmo to open other universes causes five more Spider people to enter Earth 1610, and they all have to work together to stop Wilson Fisk and return each of them to their proper homes.  Miles also has to come to terms with his powers and new role.

Sven- The Invisible Man (1933)

 

Dr. Jack Griffin manages to make an invisibility formula from monocane, and dangerous drug, and a variety of other chemicals.  He rents a room in an inn, and is trying to find a way to make him visible again.  Unfortunately, the innkeepers nosy wife makes his life difficult, and between her and the drugs he loses his mind.  He then decides he is superior to regular people and goes on a murder spree.  A snowstorm brings about his undoing, as he cannot wear clothes and must take shelter in a barn.  He is discovered sleeping in the hay by the farmer, and as he tries to escape he is fatally shot.  He returns to visibility on his death.

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - A Woman In Love (It's Not Me)

giant Inframan!

 

Coming soon to an issue of Xenorama!  Well, perhaps in the next two years, as 2025 would be the 50th anniversary of the man beyond bionics... Inframan!  So in two years we will have an issue dedicated to this fun movie.  There will be a few of these anniversary issues appearing in the next couple years.  I have written quite a bit about this movie over the years, so it is only fair to finally give the movie an entire issue.

Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

 

The legendary Puss In Boots has now used eight of his nine lives.  Death has come a calling, and Puss runs.  He runs into an crazy lady home, but ends up making a new friend, a dog pretending to be a cat.  And then it gets weirder. Death is still on his tail, but he runs into Kitty Softpaws again, who immediately gives him a boot to the head.  It is well deserved.  After more and more adventures with Goldilocks, and little Jack Horner, Puss gets his wish.  I think.  Maybe everyone does, except Jack.  Puss and pals head off to visit some old friends, but that should do, donkey, that should do.

HOTW- Zorro

 

A rich young man returns to Mexico from Spain.  He sees injustice and wants to do something about it.  He dons an indolent posture during the day, but then becomes a dark avenger at night.  Beneath his manor, or hacienda, if you prefer, is a large cave with many entrances.  His house also has many secret passages.  The young man has a faithful servant who aids him in his mission.  He has the fastest ride as well, the horse called Toronado.  Zorro is incredibly athletic, smart and the best fencer in the new world.  He wears a cloak or a cape and a mask to prevent his enemies from trying to harm his family.

PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH | Official Trailer

           

Warlords of Atlantis 1978 theatrical trailer

    

Svengoolie- now 2.5 hours!

 

Since Sven aired The Raven (1963) last night, and I have already talked about it a lot here, I thought I would review the new, longer format.  I really enjoyed him showing older segments.  There was a shot from the last time he aired this movie, some 13 years ago.  It was full screen.  The print looked far more beat up.  I know that wide screen TVs were not as big back then.  Boy I don't missed pan and scan in the least.  Be that as it may, I am glad that he can show longer movies without trimming them.  I was surprised when the movie ended about 9:10 PM, leaving a whole 20 minutes left for schtick.

Inside the Mind of a Cat (2022)

Watched this fun little documentary last night.  It didn't tell me too much that I didn't already know, but come on, it's cats being cats.  It is always fun to see them doing stuff, like bossing around big dogs and such.  It is about 67 minutes long, and talks about new studies with cats.  It shows scientists talking about cats from all over the world and then lots of cats doing some experiments with them.  That is some pretty good work if you can get it.

The Cramps - Bikini Girls With Machine Guns

                            

Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future (1987)

This show ran for one season of 22 episodes in 1987.  There was some controversy about the toys being produced for it at the time.  It was aimed at kids, ostensibly.  Watching it now, without worrying about toys, it is a pretty good show.  It is not surprising, since J. Michael Straczynski was the head writer.  There are some slight line delivery problems, but that is the largest problem.  Some of the CG is a little jarring, but considering the time frame, it is acceptable.  They are robots, after all.  The show is full of laser battles and some fight scenes.  I am about two thirds of the way through the show.

Hero of the Week- Superman

 

Today marks the first Hero of the Week post, as the MOTW posts are taking a bit of a sabbatical for maybe two years.  Naturally, we will start with the first true superhero- Superman.  Sure, he wasn't the first strongman hero, or the first invulnerable hero, or even the first hero with a costume.  But he was the one who combined all of those and more into one amazing hero.  DC Comics sure did not see that exploding like it did in 1938.  They also got it for a steal, literally, from writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which is another story that has been well documented.

DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (ゴジラ電撃大作戦 怪獣総進撃) - Official Japanese Trailer

                     

Xenorama #50- DAM!

 

For our next issue we are featuring the ninth Godzilla movie, Destroy All Monsters.  It is my favorite of them all, and it happens to be the 55th anniversary of the movie as well, so it works out.  I have already got some great articles from my usual gang of geniuses, and it should be a rocking issue!  I have some nifty pictures as well, and may even offer this as a full color issue.  We haven't had one in a while, but this seems like an auspicious enough occasion.  Who knew Xenorama would ever make 50 issues?  Most of them have happened in the last 10 years!

Sven- Earth vs the Spider (1958)

 

A giant spider emerges from an underground cavern to terrorize a small town in the middle of the USA.  The existence of the spider is a mystery.  This mystery is never explained, and they don't even offer a theory.  Some dumb "kids" go searching, and of course find the creature.  Naturally, the police don't believe them, though mysteriously the "cool" science teacher does.  He has the local constabulary drop a load of DDT into the cavern, which "kills" the arachnid.  Then they are dumb enough to bring it to town.  The local musical combo brings the spider back to life with their swinging sounds, and it goes on a rampage.  Then heads to the cave, gets electrocuted and impaled on the stalagmites and dies.  Or does it?