Wednesday, November 27, 2024

338. Super DC Giant S 26, featuring Aquaman!

One of my first Aquaman comics was a good introduction to the character!

HOTW- The Comet

 

From Wiki- The Comet (John Dickering) is a character that first appeared in Pep Comics #1 in January 1940. A little over a year later, the Comet was the first superhero to be killed in the line of duty.[1] He died in issue #17 (July 1941), which also introduced his brother, a brutal hero called the Hangman. In Pep #1, in a story drawn by Jack Cole, young scientist John Dickering has discovered a gas fifty times lighter than hydrogen.[3] By injecting small doses of the gas into his bloodstream, he is able to make great leaps through the air. After a number of injections, twin beams come from Dickering's eyes and when he crosses the beams, whatever he is looking at disintegrates. He makes a glass shield (visor) as that is the only thing his beams will not disintegrate, a weakness often used against him from the first story onwards.

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

337. Space Sentinels 13: The World Ship

            Here it is- the ultimate episode of the young Space Sentinels!

Why- Soraia

            I heard this for the first time about eight years ago on Steve van Zandt's Underground Radio.

Sunday, November 24, 2024

335. Pinocchio visits Outer Space, well Mars in 1965!

      

Sven- Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)


 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia- Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein[a] is a 1948 American horror comedy film directed by Charles Barton. The film features Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi), who has partnered with Dr. Sandra Mornay (Lenore Aubert) in order to find a brain to reactivate Frankenstein's monster (Glenn Strange), and they find Wilbur Grey (Lou Costello), the ideal candidate. Larry Talbot makes an urgent phone call to a railway station in Florida, where Chick Young and Wilbur Grey work as baggage clerks. Talbot tries to warn Wilbur of a shipment due to arrive for "McDougal's House of Horrors". However, before he finishes, the moon rises and Talbot transforms into a werewolf, causing Wilbur to think the call is a prank. Meanwhile, McDougal demands the crates be personally delivered to his wax museum. back to me:

Thursday, November 21, 2024

332. Channel 20 WDCA, the Greatest Station Ever!

My praise of this great channel of my youth.

The Nine Demons (1984)

 

Joey and Gary are best friends and highly trained kung fu masters.  The servants of their house betray them, wiping almost everyone out.  Joey gets away, meets the 9th King of Hell, and sells his soul to help his best pal.  He is given nine demons to command.  Nothing about this can go wrong, can it? There is a lot of weird effects, odd camera work and great fights, if sped up a bit, but it is hard to follow.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

331. Bringing Dinosaurs to Life in the Land of the Lost!

I got this on Sunday and it is great!

HOTW- Dracula

From Wiki- Dracula is a modern-day direct descendant of the original Count Dracula now working as a medical researcher in the old family castle in Transylvania. Due to his experiments to develop a cure for brain damage using a serum developed from bat blood, he accidentally gains strange "vampire"-like powers, including the ability to turn into a bat and superhuman sight and hearing. He decides to embark on a superhero career in order to redeem his family name, developing his body through diet and exercise to the peak of physical perfection and designing himself his own distinctive crimson-cowled purple costume with a bat-shaped gold belt buckle, after which he vows to fight evil and superstition in all its forms. Back to me:

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Varan Lobby card

Lobby cards sure are cool, even if the movie isn't that great.  I love Varan, but I am not blind to its various faults.  But I had the 8mm version when I was a small agent, and we watched it a lot, though there were odd things about the digest that made no sense.  I think for 8-10 minutes, there should have been a lot more monster action.  This may be the subject of a podcast- the movie and the monster, that is.  Be that as it may, the movie itself is now an old friend, good or not,  I think we all have movies like this in our history, right?  Unless you don't like movies, and if not, why are you reading this blog?

328. Argoman, A Fantastic Superman!

               

Saturday, November 16, 2024

327. 7 Song Friday 11-15-24, Bad Luck with TV Parties!

                  

Green Lantern: The Animated Series (2012)

From Wiki- Green Lantern: The Animated Series is an American animated superhero television series based on the DC Comics superhero Green Lantern. The series aired on Cartoon Network, as part of their "DC Nation" television block. A one-hour[1] sneak peek aired on November 11, 2011,[2][3] it ran from March 17, 2012, until March 16, 2013.[4][5] A special screening of the first episode was shown at New York Comic Con 2011 on October 15.[6] This was the first Green Lantern television series and the first CGI DC/WB series. The series was cancelled after one season due to poor toy sales after the negative reception and poor box office performance of the live-action film.[7]  Me again:

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

324. Two Martial Arts book reviews!

    

HOTW- Red Raven


 From Marvel Fandom- The small child who was to become the Red Raven was riding with his parents aboard one of the first airplanes to cross the Atlantic Ocean when the plane entered a dense fog bank and struck the island of the Bird People which was concealed within. The Bird People were originally Inhumans who had seceded from their race's city of Attilan. The Bird People instead lived in a city built atop an "island," which, due to powerful anti-gravity drives, floated high above the Earth's surface. Whereas most Inhumans have different powers than the others, all of the Bird People resembled ordinary humans, except for their large, feathered wings, which made them capable of flight. The child who was to become the Red Raven was the only human to survive the plane crash, and the Bird People, who are also known as the Winged Ones, decided to raise him as one of their own.[2]

The Bird People named the child Red Raven because of his flaming red hair, and, as he grew older, gave him a costume that would enable him to fly. The costume contained miniature anti-gravity mechanisms and included large artificial wings which would help him steer himself and negotiate air currents while in flight.  Me again:

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Saturday, November 9, 2024

Kaida 11-08-24

        

King Shisa and Godzilla by Yasushi Torisawa

Here is an action shot by a wonderful artist.  I have talked about him almost 14 years ago,  The first was a picture of King Shisa just waking up, and this one is a bit more dramatic.  I do still want a tattoo of King Shisa, but that will have to wait for a while.  This looks great, I gotta say.  I would love an English language book about Yasushi Torisawa, that would be pretty amazing.  There are probably licensing issues at play for that, but it would make even us lesser G-nerds shell out $50 or so for it.

Friday, November 8, 2024

319. Ultraman vs Red King and Gabora!

         

Xenorama #71- The Heculoids!

The 71st issue of Xenorama has been published, and it is all about the Herculoids!  Yes, we did an issue in black and white featuring the cartoon, but this time, we included the Space Stars episodes, toys, and comic book appearances of the series.  Did I mention it was all in full color?  Well, it is, and it looks smashing, I must say!  I would like to do more of the Hanna-Barbera Super TV Heroes like this, but really, only Space Ghost and the Herculoids have made enough impact.  Well, we do have a Jonny Quest issue that will be out next year, so there is that.  Yes, I am quite aware of the "comedy" shows that have been done, but someone else can write about them, should they like.  I would not like.  Be that as it may, normally I would have a trailer here for Sven's movie, but the next two weeks are the Dr. Phibes movies, and we have reviewed them and seen the trailers already, so I will figure out what to talk about instead of them.

Thursday, November 7, 2024

318. Welcome back to Jurassic Park!

               

Revisiting Jurassic Park (1993)

When this blog first started, it was for a completely different idea than what it has become.  It was to promote my Marine Boy book (in it's third edition now!) but gradually morphed into the beast we all know and love.  It was started in 2007, some 14 years after the first three JP movies had been released.  So they have never been reviewed here properly.  They have been mentioned, and I have watched them several more times, but this is the first time we will talk about that very first movie.

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

317. Godzilla Day (Plus 3) 2024

           

Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen Revisited

             

HOTW- Wonder Girl

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia- Donna Troy is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She is the original Wonder Girl and later temporarily adopts another identity, Troia. Created by Bob Haney and Bruno Premiani, she first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #60 (July 1965). Donna has been commonly featured in stories involving the Teen Titans, which she originally joined during their second adventure and is since depicted as a founding member of the team. Back to me:

Sunday, November 3, 2024

314: Ultraman 06 and 07 Guesra and Antlar!

             

Sven- The Mummy

From Wiki-  The Mummy is a 1932 American pre-Code supernatural horror film directed by Karl Freund. The screenplay by John L. Balderston was adapted from a treatment written by Nina Wilcox Putnam and Richard Schayer. Released by Universal Studios as a part of the Universal Monsters franchise, the film stars Boris Karloff, Zita Johann, David Manners, Edward Van Sloan and Arthur Byron.

In the film, Karloff stars as Imhotep, an ancient Egyptian mummy who was killed for attempting to resurrect his dead lover, Anck-es-en-Amon. After being discovered and accidentally brought to life by a team of archaeologists, he disguises himself as a modern Egyptian named Ardath Bey and searches for Anck-es-en-Amon, whom he believes has been reincarnated in the modern world. Me again:

Saturday, November 2, 2024

pity poor Godzilla 1978

I was rather excited when I saw the ads for The Godzilla Power Hour in the comic books.  It looked pretty good.  There were some interviews published right before the show debuted in Starlog or some genre zine, which made it sound decent.  By then I knew that there would not be a lot of great monster action, so I did not expect that.  Jana of the Jungle looked good, and at age 13, I appreciated it on a whole 'nother level.  The first episode I remember seeing was The Earth Eater, which is technically the second episode.  I am not sure if I missed the first one (seems odd, dontcha think?) or if the local network started differently.  I don't ever remember seeing the first episode at all, though.  There is a reason for that as well, because of course there is.  And I will elaborate more about that reason after the cut, so click on "there's more" please!

313: 7 Song Friday 11-01-24

                   

Thursday, October 31, 2024

311. The Kid With the Golden Arm lives again!

       

Happy Halloween- Rex fears Emi!



Happy Halloween!  Since we talk about monsters year 'round, we thought a picture of the only creature a Tyrannosaurus rex fears would be appropriate.  Here is Emerald Sage letting Rex know who the boss is around these parts.  She was actually giving him a chomp on the head with her leg in the air like she just don't care, but the obstinate tortie in her decided to ruin that shot.  So we get this one, which is still pretty darn cute.  Of course, every shot of her is pretty darn cute, I must say.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

310. The Golden Bat to the rescue!

            

HOTW- Raven

 

From here- origin: When T.H.U.N.D.E.R. developed a flight suit, they wanted someone to wear it who would not suffer any form of vertigo.  Under his professional name of the Raven, Lawson had been an acrobat, sky-diver and gymnast; moreover, he has unusually acute sight and hearing.  Thus, he was tagged for the job.  At first, Lawson intended to steal the suit and sell it to the highest bidder.  However, when Lightning saves his life on an outing, he has a change of heart and decides to work with the agents.  Raven's costume changed virtually with every issue.  Equipped with glider wings, rocket jets, golden bird claws and metal wings to form a bullet-proof pod, to be used as a battering ram or to create an airtight "cone".  Over time, Raven was given "claws," a laser unit on the back of each glove, the rays of which were capable of slicing through metal or stunning adversaries.  Back to me:

Sunday, October 27, 2024

10 27 24 Short- Shocker wins?!

                   

Sven- Invaders from Mars 1953

From Wiki- Invaders from Mars[2] is a 1953 American independent science fiction film directed by William Cameron Menzies and starring Jimmy Hunt, Helena Carter, Arthur Franz, Morris Ankrum, Leif Erickson, and Hillary Brooke. It was produced by Edward L. Alperson Jr. and released by 20th Century-Fox in SuperCinecolor.[3] The film follows David MacLean, a young boy who witnesses a flying saucer behind his home one night. When his father investigates, he returns a changed man; soon David's mother, his neighbors, and others begin to act in the same way. David's panicked story is heard by Dr. Pat Blake, who takes him to astronomer Dr. Stuart Kelston. David convinces Kelston that this is an invading vanguard from Mars.  Invaders from Mars recounts its story from the point of view of an older child in an adult world heading into crisis.[4] It was developed from a scenario by Richard Blake and based on a story treatment by John Tucker Battle, who was inspired by a dream recounted to him by his wife.[5] The film was rushed into production to be released before George Pal's War of the Worlds (also released in 1953), becoming the first feature film to show aliens and their spacecraft in color.[6]  Me again:

Saturday, October 26, 2024

The Lost World 1912


From Wiki- The Lost World is a science fiction novel by British writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, published by Hodder & Stoughton in 1912, concerning an expedition to a plateau in the Amazon basin of South America where prehistoric animals still survive. It was originally published serially in the Strand Magazine and illustrated by New-Zealand-born artist Harry Rountree during the months of April–November 1912. The character of Professor Challenger was introduced in this book. The novel also describes a war between indigenous people and a vicious tribe of ape-like creatures.  Me again:

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

303. Scooby Doo and the Witch's Curse review

             

HOTW- Supergirl

 

From Wiki- Kara Zor-El (Supergirl) also known by her adoptive names of Linda Lee, Kara Kent, Linda Lang, and Kara Danvers, is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She was created by Otto Binder and designed by Al Plastino. Danvers first appeared in the story "The Supergirl from Krypton" in Action Comics #252 (May 1959). Kara is the biological cousin of Kal-El, who went on to adopt the name of Clark Kent and the superhero identity Superman. Her father, Zor-El, is the brother of Superman's father, Jor-El. During the 1980s and the revolution of the Modern Age of Comics, Superman editors believed the character's history had become too convoluted, thus killing Supergirl during the 1985 Crisis on Infinite Earths event and retconning her out of existence.  Back to me-

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Dinosaur Research Center, Woodland Park, CO

I spent two days in Colorado Springs this week, and the first day I went to this very interesting place.  It is about 30 minutes into to the mountains in the very picturesque town of Woodlands Park, population 8000.  The drive up there was lovely, I must say.  It was a beautiful day, and I had a nice lunch before I got there.  I kinda wish I had eaten up there though, but I was the hungry.  There will be a more detailed review on the podcast today (episode 300!) with pictures and video, but here is a brief overview of the place.

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

296. Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965)

                    

HOTW- Devil Dinosaur

 

From Wiki- The young Devil Dinosaur was nearly burned to death by a tribe of Killer-Folk, hostile beings native to his planet, but was rescued by Moon-Boy, a young member of a rival tribe, the Small-Folk. Exposure to the Killer-Folk's fire activated a mutation in the dinosaur which gave him powers greater than others of his species and turned his skin red.[10] Devil's early adventures on his home world include encounters with extraterrestrials and a brief teleportation to modern day Earth.[11]  Later, Godzilla rampages through the Marvel Universe (Earth-616). In an attempt to stop the monster, S.H.I.E.L.D. shrinks Godzilla with Pym Particles and attempts to teleport him via a time machine to the prehistoric past. However, Godzilla's radiation apparently distorts the time machine so that he is transported to the alternative universe of Dinosaur World instead. While there, he briefly unites with Moon-Boy and Devil against a common foe before being pulled back to the main Marvel continuity.

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Monster Challenging!

Sven aired this again last week, as part of the the double feature.  It was the second half, so I didn't watch it.  However, I have seen it plenty, what with owning the DVD.  The stills were omnipresent in monster mags and books, as it is a great looking monster.  Since it was a large prop it could interact directly with the cast, and with skillful editing the attacks looked great.  So the pictures of the mollusc attacking Audrey Dalton always looked scary.  Hence the reason the pictures were used so often.  It sure made me want to see the movie, I will tell you what.

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

289. Jack the Giant Killer (1962)

                   

HOTW- Electric Wave Tackle

 From KamenRiderFandom- Yuriko Misaki was a newly finished cyborg ready to serve the evil Black Satan organization but she was still inactive. Everything changed as her soon-to-be best friend Shigeru Jo entered the room she was staying in trying to find a way out of Black Satan's secret lair, found her on an operating table and awakens her. After some talk he convinced her to come with him and together with a good friend to many Kamen Riders, Tobee Tachibana they fought the Black Satan as Kamen Rider Stronger and the Electronic Wave Humanoid Tackle for quite some time. Over time she fell in love with him. But sadly Yuriko gave her life to defeat the evil Dr. Kate in order to save Shigeru from being poisoned. This would forever haunt him and pushed him to undergo surgery in order attain the even more powerful (and dangerous) Charge Up form.

Saturday, October 5, 2024

King Kong promo!

One of the cool things (and useful things) about the internet is finding promotional material for various movies and shows.  It really helps with the published Xenorama- I can find all kinds of cool illustrations.  The King Kong Show was premiered on night time television- back when the networks could air any show any time.  This was pretty bold, but a great idea.  It was two parts as well, which is also very unique for the time frame.  My father may very well have watched it, which may be the reason my sainted mother knows the theme song.  I do wish the entire series had been released on DVD, instead of just two volumes.  I could live without Tom of T.H.U.M.B. though.  More dinosaurs, giant apes, monsters and robots!

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Batman: Caped Crusader 08 (and 4,6,7)

 

Just finished this 8th episode.  And the series has kept my attention, even if I don't like everything they do with the various characters (Jim Corrigan of all policemen, really?) I do enjoy this version.  This last episode had Batman going to a carnival looking for missing kids, at least three of whom were Robin variations.  Dickie, Jace, Carrie and maybe this Steph.  I dunno.  I didn't know the "villain" in this episode, aside from Rupert Thorne.  I still feel bad for Harvey, though.

283 . T Rex 3D review

                     

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

HOTW- Golden Girl

From Wiki- Betsy Ross is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941).[1] Betsy Ross is Captain America's early love interest and supporting character in American comic books published by Marvel Comics during the 1930-1940s period known to historians and collectors as the Golden Age of Comic Books. She then debuted as the superheroine Golden Girl in Captain America Comics #66 (April 1948).  Immediately before and during most of World War II, Elizabeth (then known as Betty) Ross was a member of the U.S. Army's Women's Auxiliary Army Corps, and had previously worked as a waitress and later an FBI agent. She became a friend and eventual girlfriend of Army Private Steve Rogers, unaware of his dual identity as Captain America, whom she admired and who had saved her on more than one occasion. She was kind and resourceful, but not especially strong at first. Betsy investigated fortune tellers Sando and Omar and exposed them as spies. In issue #6 (Sept. 1941), she was captured by the Imperial Japanese spy known as Fang along with Bucky, but was rescued by Captain America. After the attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States' official entry into the war, she soon became involved in more missions that had her opposing Nazi and Imperial Japanese forces. Over the course of the comics, Ross grows into a tough and capable ally of Captain America and Bucky.  Back to me:

Sunday, September 29, 2024

279. The Super Inframan!

      

Sven- Dead of Night (1977)

From Wiki- Dead of Night is a 1977 American made-for-television anthology horror film starring Ed Begley Jr., Anjanette Comer, Patrick Macnee, Horst Buchholz and Joan Hackett. Directed by Dan Curtis, the film consists of three stories written by Richard Matheson[1] (although the first segment, "Second Chance", was adapted from a story by Jack Finney[2]) much like the earlier Trilogy of Terror. The film originally premiered on NBC on March 29, 1977.  Back to me- Wiki gives all three segments a synopses, but I am not going to do this.  It was a pretty interesting movie, though one can see Dan Curtis was trying to emulate his earlier Trilogy.

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Gatchaman Blu Ray thoughts

Gatchaman Complete   Collection

Sentai
  • Language: English, Japanese with English Subtitles
  • Runtime: 2880 min.
  • Release Date: September 26, 2023
  • Extras: Clean Opening Animation; Clean Closing Animations (x2); Character Profiles; Character Sketches; Episode Sketches; Galleries; Music; Interviews; Audition Footage; Episode Commentaries (x19); OVAs (x3); Movie
  • Rating: TV-PG (V)
  • You Pay: $ 96.99 Retail: $ 149.98

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

HOTW- Wildcat

 

From Wiki- Orphaned during the Great Depression, Ted Grant found himself unemployed in the big city. One night, he saved "Socker" Smith, the heavyweight boxing champion, from a mugging. "Socker" took Ted under his wing, and soon Ted became a heavyweight boxing champion in his own right. He also became tangled unknowingly in his manager's sinister plans. His mentor "Socker" Smith was killed by Grant's managers Flint and Skinner who used a syringe, loaded with poison, in a boxing glove. The dose was only intended to slow down Smith, but the duo misjudged the potency. When Grant was arrested for the crime, Flint and Skinner, afraid that he might know what had really happened, arranged for the young fighter to be killed. Grant escaped the attempt and survived, but the policemen with him were killed. As a result, he became a fugitive. Later, he came upon a child who had been robbed of his Green Lantern comic. The boy, describing the mystery-man Green Lantern, inspired Grant to create the costume of a large black cat. He took the name Wildcat and vowed to clear his name. He brought Flint and Skinner to justice; the criminals were forced to confess, clearing Grant's name, and obtaining justice for Smith. Using the identity of Wildcat, Grant continued to fight crime.[6] By issue #4, Wildcat had a custom motorbike, the Cat-o-Cycle and a comedy sidekick named Stretch Skinner.  Back to me!

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Ramones- It's Alive (1977, released 1979)

From Wiki- It's Alive is the first live album by the American punk rock band the Ramones, titled after the 1974 horror film of the same name. It was recorded at the Rainbow Theatre in London on December 31, 1977, and released in April 1979 as a 2-LP set. The album draws from the band's first three studio albums: Ramones (1976), Leave Home (1977), and Rocket to Russia (1977). Four concerts during the UK tour were recorded, but the New Year's Eve one was chosen because ten rows of seats were thrown at the stage after the concert and it was considered the best of the performances at the venue.   Now back to me, the master of musical mayhem!

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

268 . The Shy Stegosaurus of Indian Springs

HOTW- The Jaguar (original)

 

From The Archie Comics Wiki-  When Zoologist Ralph Hardy was on exploration, he noticed a white jaguar. Before he could pursue it, an earthquake occurred and a huge serpent-like dinosaur emerged from the cracked ground. He ran for safety inside the ruins of an Incan Temple. Once inside, he noticed the jaguar's tracks and followed them to an alter. Hanging off it, was a belt buckle with an emblem of a white jaguar. Hardley began to read the inscription on the wall, which noted only an animal lover could wear the buckle and be transformed into a human Jaguar. He also noticed another large mural depicting the monster serpent. As he continued to read about the history of the temple, he learned that the belt was created to stop the rampage of the creature, and that it was up to him to wear the belt and fulfill that destiny.  back to me!

Sunday, September 15, 2024

265. Museum of Dinosaurs (Geology), Wyoming

          

Sven- The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)


From Wiki- The Incredible Shrinking Man is a 1957 American science fiction film directed by Jack Arnold, based on Richard Matheson's 1956 novel, The Shrinking Man. The film stars Grant Williams as Scott and Randy Stuart as Scott's wife, Louise. While relaxing on a boat, Scott is enveloped by a strange fog. Months later, he discovers that he appears to be shrinking. By the time Scott has reached the height of a small boy, his condition becomes known to the public. When he learns there is no cure for his condition, he lashes out at his wife. As Scott shrinks to the point where he can fit into a dollhouse, he has a battle with his family cat, leaving him lost and alone in his basement, where he is now smaller than the average insect. Back to me:  He fights a spider, and finally shrinks down to sub-atomic size and wanders off to find his place in the universe.

Saturday, September 14, 2024

Kimba-casts

I saw a lot of Kimba when I was in West Virgina (WDCA Channel 20, greatest channel ever).  I have written about the show here, and had been doing episode reviews about 12 years ago.  Since I started the podcast, the Kimba episode overview I did has been the most popular one.   Speed Racer is right behind Kimba as well.  They have more than six times the combined listens than the third place episode.  That makes me think I should talk more about Kimba.  Well, it is only logical.  However, I do not want to do an episode by episode sort of thing, since that would take a year.