Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy - trailer

                

The Monster's Bones (2022) David R. Randall

In 1905 a man named Barnum Brown changed the world.  He discovered the first fossilized Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.  Nothing in modern times had ever prepared humans to see a creature of this status and magnitude.  We didn't even know it existed, though other dinosaurs had been discovered by then.  It was colossal, stupendous and otherwise completely astounding to everyone who saw the skeleton once it was mounted in the American Museum in NYC.  This book is the story of how it all came about.

HOTW- Na Cha the Great

 Sometime around 2000 BC Na Cha was born.  He was originally human, born into a military family.  Depending on the version of the myth you see or read, he was already divine, or he was human.  He eventually went to war with less beneficial deities and sacrificed his life for his people.  He was then reincarnated with more powers, including a flame throwing spear as well as fiery wheels to fly with.  He then takes care of several of those evil beings, finally ending up in eternal battle with his father.

The Runaways - School Days (1977)

                       

Ambassador Magma (1993)

 

This cartoon OVA or OAV or cartoon series or whatever you want to call it was released in 1993, and then sometime later in the US.  It was released on VHS, and in dubbed form.  I haven't found it available on DVD or Blu Ray, but there are laser discs out there.  I never watched it all those twenty years ago, but it looked good.  After having seen the first episode, it is pretty good.  There are 13 episode in total.  I like it more than the Giant Robo cartoon, which was far too ponderous for its own good.

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022)

 

Mrs. Ada Harris, a war widow and charwoman (that's a house cleaner to us US folk) becomes obsessed with a haute couture Dior dress.  It was from one of her snobby client's collection. The dang thing cost the client 500 pounds, in 1957!  In a suspiciously coincidental series of events, Ada receives are large sum of money all at once.  She heads to Paris to procure one of those hoity toity dresses.  She then meets new friends, chooses her dress, kinda falls in love, helps the top model of Paris find and fulfill her destiny.  Once she returns to England with her almost dream dress, she lends it to a wannabe actress who sets it on fire.  Then she finds out the impact she has made in Paris.

Heroes of the East DVD review

 

 A Chinese kung fu expert marries a Chinese karate expert.  They love each other, but there are some cultural issues that have to be addressed before they have their happy ending.  To get there, we get to see a wide variety of martial arts from China and Japan.  The best part is all of the fighting is mostly realistic, with some cinematic license thrown in to add spice here and there.  No one dies, no one gets seriously damaged- what a nice change of pace for a movie from Hong Kong in this time frame.

The * Ultraman

In 1979, Tsuburaya Pros made an Ultraman cartoon.

This Ultraman comes from U40.  His name is Jonias, and he joins with Choichiro Hikari to battle a sudden influx of monsters and aliens on the planet Earth.    Hikari accepts this destiny, and battles these menaces alongside the Science Defense Squad.. He changes to Ultraman when needed.  Eventually, he travels to U40 and meets more of those Ultras, who are very friendly and powerful.  This is where Hikari learns of Ultraman's actual name.  Once he comes back, more Ultras come to visit Earth, especially when renegade members of their race menace the galaxy.  They are called the Heller.  Once these villains are defeated, Joe and Hikari split apart.  With peace established, Joe and his sister tour the Earth.

Trailer: Blood of Dracula (1957)

                

Filmation Batman DVD set

 

I have talked about this version of the Bat before, but not since the entire run was released on DVD (and now, Blu Ray).  The DVD was released a few years ago, and the Blu Ray set late last year.  Both are identical, i.e. just the episodes and no extras.  The 17 cartoons are complete, and I sort of knew they had a two-parter and then a second shorter cartoon in each episode.  The credits are all there, which is nice as well.  It is always fun to hear those very familiar cartoon voices of Batman and Robin, Olan Soule and Casey Kasem, again.  The villain voices are good, but the actors try to hard to sound like the live action versions, and that comes across as a bit forced.  Jane Webb plays both Catwoman and Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, and does much better with Batgirl.

Impossible! Xenorama #52

 

They make the scene, the scene is green... Impossibles!  All of the heroes here do the impossible, though.  This includes Atom Ant, The Arabian Knights, Sinbad, Jr and Frankenstein, Jr.  Aside from the Knights, the rest of these cartoon series are far less serious than the other cartoons reviewed in previous issues.  They are just fun, overall.  The writing and timing of these cartoons are top notch as well.  There is one episode of Frankenstein, Jr. that makes me laugh out loud every time I watch it.  Yes, It is mentioned in this issue, and even gets a capture to illustrate it.  It is hilarious, but buy the issue and you can see for yourself.

HOTW- Doc Savage

 

Clark Savage, Jr. was raised by his father to be superhuman.  He would work to eradicate crime and other human miseries all over the world.  His plan was to eradicate evil, but of course, that can never happen.  He had help from the Fabulous Five, who were all top in their respective fields.  Doc could do just about anything physical, as he was trained to be nearly a super man from birth.  It is a good thing, as Doc and his aides have to stop a lot of madmen and madwomen from trying to take over the planet.  Or at least, some portions of it.  He has a unending supply of gold supplied to him from an undiscovered country called Hildago, in Central America.  He also should have been rich from the multitude of patents from his inventions.

The Dollyrots - Come Out and Play (Keep 'em Separated)

             

Salty Batman

 

This is from an issue of The Brave and the Bold, and danged now if I remember which story it was.  I actually had a copy of the comic book, I think I purchased it in North Carolina of all places.  It was at a thrift store in Asheville.  Dang, that was a while ago.  I remember this very panel.  That line Batman is saying is kinda famous.  The book was #74, and the guest stars were the magnificent Metal Men.  That explains why I purchased the comic.  I love me some Metal Men.

Sven- Konga (1961)

 

Dr. Dekker returns to Britain from a year long stay in Africa.  This was the result of a crash landing.  He brings back a baby chimp as well.  He has named the chimp Konga, for some reason.  He also brings a ton of insectavorous plants back, and discovers he can make them larger.  Once he injects Konga with the serum he goes mental and uses the ape to kill his "enemies".  Much soap opera stuff ensues, and all the principles end up dead, by the end of the movie.

WW 1984 (2020)

 

 "Be careful what you wish for."

Diana makes a wish on an ancient "wish stone".  Since she's been moping for dead Steve Trevor she wishes he would return to her.  The Wish Stone is an ancient device from the Duke of Deception, and it takes a terrible toll on the wisher.  Her new friend Barbara Minerva also makes a wish, to be more like Diana.  Of course, she doesn't know about Diana's background.  Finally, Maxwell Lord wishes HE could be the stone.  This is ALL bad for everyone involved.  Once Diana figures things out, the cure is to renounce the wishes.  This is difficult for Max and Barbara, who has changed into the Cheetah.  The Lasso of Truth helps Max, while the Cheetah gets shocked to slow her down.  Oh yeah, and Steve has said goodbye to Diana again.

Konga Trailer (HQ)

                   

Little Norse Prince (1968)

 

Hols ends up with an ancient, giant sword from a living mountain, and has to fight the dreaded Grunwald.  Ol Grunny wants to takeover the world, or at least that unnamed part of Norway the story is set in.  Complicating matters is an odd woman named Hilda, who is more and less than she seems.  She sows mistrust against Hols in the village they are in.  Naturally, Grunwald attacks the village with his ice mammoth, the sword is sharpened and the final battle begins.  Rockoar shows up as well.  All the things combine and our heroes get a happy ending.

HOTW- Wonder Woman

 

 Diana was made of clay, and brought to life by the Greek Goddesses.  At least, in one version of of her origin.  She possessed great physical power, and was well educated.  It helps to be immortal.  She brought a downed American soldier back to the States in WWII, and then stayed there to help defeat the Nazis and other such villainous scum.  Later on she joined various teams and even met more than one version of herself.  She is still unique and original.

The Interrupters Take Back The Power (Perform on Jimmy Kimmel 2018)

              

Big Trouble In Little China (1986)

 

"We really shook the pillars of Heaven, didn't we, Wang?"

 Ol' Jack Burton sure knows a thing or two.  Too bad he generally doesn't know what he needs to know when he has to fight a deadly Chinese magician hell bent on reincarnation.  It IS a good thing he has friens to help him with this quest.  It isn't even his quest, it is his friend Wang Chi's.  They need to retrieve Wang's girlfriend from the evil Lo Pan.

Sven- Island of Lost Souls (1932)

 

 A mad scientist, Dr. Moreau, creates human/animal people on his island.   A shipwreck survivor gets dropped off on the island- much to everyone's chagrin.  Then the bad doctor has an insidious idea- he will see if he can mate his greatest creation, Lota the Panther Woman, to Edward Parker.  He also can't help but brag about his work to Parker.  Later, Parker's fiancee ends up on the island, and all hell literally breaks loose.  The animal men revolt, and would kill all the humans, but settle on getting Doc Moreau first.  Lota sacrifices herself for the others and they leave the island on a small boat.

Xenorama #50 black and white variant

Here is the finalized cover for Xenorama #50, black and white variant.  I really like this cover, maybe more than the color version.  It was the second one I did, so practice makes better, right?  This is the budget edition, as the color one is a bit more expensive, though it will look great IN color.  It really is a great issue overall, and well worth the expense (he said ever so humbly).

Island Of Lost Souls HD Theatrical Trailer

              

Xenorama #50 is a go-go!

 

We are celebrating the 55th anniversary of my favorite Godzilla movie, Destroy All Monsters.  It just so happened to fall on the 50th issue spectacular of Xenorama, so we are presenting a rare full color issue and a black and white issue.  The covers are different, and there are slight differences inside the book itself (pictures, the text is all the same).  I am very happy with the whole issue.  The usual gang of geniuses has contributed to the issue, and these articles are amazing.  The color edition is on sale now (though it has a slight typo on the cover at the moment, which is being taken care of, so if anyone purchases it now they will have a collectable) and the black and white edition should be available soon.

HOTW- Ultraman

 

Ultraman, a monster fighter from the Nebula M78, crashes into Hayata's VTOL and mortally wounds him.  Ultraman transfers his life force into Hayata.  Together they battle monsters and aliens intent on harming the Earth.  It is a good thing Ultraman is around, as the planet is besieged by all of the above on a regular basis.  It is also a good thing the Science Patrol is around as well.

Devo - Jocko Homo | Live in Santa Ana | Moshcam

    

The mysterious dinosaur poem

 

Here is something I created in October of 1972.  I am thinking I did not write the actual poem, but I have never seen it anywhere else.  I did do the drawing of the theropod, in all its tail dragging glory.  I am quite sure it was supposed to be a Tyrannosaurus rex, but it does look like it has three fingers, which would make it something else.  Be that as it may, it has been framed for a long time.  Gotta love mothers who think everything their kid does is worthy of existing forever.

Sven- Curse of the Werewolf (1961)

 

Leon, born of a rape, is cursed to be a werewolf.  IHe was also born on Christmas Day, which is bad luck with some people.  He falls in love with an upper class woman and cannot marry her.  He seems a pretty nice fellow, though.  The local priest is the expert on lycanthropy, and informs Leon's foster parents what is going on.  He tells them love is the only cure, but alas, Leon is denied his true love, Christina.  This leads to him becoming a werewolf for the final time before being shot by a silver bullet fired by his father.  The end.

The Adventures of Sinbad, Jr.

 

This fun if inconsequential series ran in syndication starting in 1965.  I saw various episodes on the local kid show Noel and Andy.  It was rare, and I am a bit surprised I ever remembered it.  It was the magic belt though, that stayed in my mind.  It also was something that many of my grade school friends remembered.  It was a pretty cool gimmick.  I didn't remember the wisecracking parrot at all, nor any individual episodes.

The Curse Of The Werewolf (1961) Trailer

                 

Moon Girl 01- Landing

 

Incredibly smart 13 year old Lunella Lafayette opens a time portal in her super secret subway lab and brings Devil Dinosaur into the present time.  She is supposed to be the smartest person in the world, but doesn't know what a tape recorder is.  Anyway, she and Devil Dinosaur decide to be superheroes, and with the "help" of new pal Casey, they eventually succeed.  Casey is the PR specialist, you see, and makes Moon Girl and Devil heroes on social media.  The problem now is Aftershock, another electrical based hero who needs power to stay awake.  She has chosen the Lower East Side (because everything is in NYC) as her feeding ground.  Much like Livewire in the DCAU, water is her nemesis.  Moon Girl has to ground her, which takes away Aftershock's powers.  All is well, though how does MG's family not recognize her?

HOTW- Miss Black Fury

 

From the wiki-

The character's real identity is wealthy socialite Marla Drake. She has no innate superpowers, but gains increased strength and speed when she dons a special skintight catsuit when fighting crime. The panther skin was bequeathed to her by her uncle, who said that it was used by an African witch doctor in voodoo ceremonies.^[4]  She was originally the Black Fury, then when the comic strip was turned into a comic book they changed her name.  I like the original better, but I suppose the times were what they were.  She fought nazis and mad scientists.