PINUP TIME: NASTASSJA KINSKI

 

LARRY JOHNSON'S SPACE CAT #1

Larry Johnson's Space Cat #1 is a comic headlined by a most extraordinary, cosmic feline. 

In the introductory curation, we see Space Cat land (in his cat-headed-shaped ship) on several worlds, including one that depicts a weird, fishing stint that stars a sea beast, an oversized seagull, an attractive mer-cat, an octopus and a tribe of crimson demons. The accompanying adventures entail insectoid inhabitants, a sorceress who turns Space Cat into a Mr. Hyde, a skeleton-puppeteering ghost, and a medieval-ish realm occupied by a dragon and Merlin-like eagle.  

As always, Johnson's artwork is an absolute treat to behold (colorful and detailed), with our hero's stories flowing in a pantomimed manner similar to the artist's Horseman, where the circumstances hold a dream-like bounce, but also a streamlined coherence, which makes them easy to follow and enjoy. (Johnson's creation is rather like Disney's The Cat from Outer Space, though filtered through the lens of Gene Roddenberry, Picasso and Dali, where the unexpected awaits at every far-out turn.)

Space Cat is a marvelous concept, and its lead ought to give Felix, Courageous Cat, Top Cat, Garfield and Heathcliff a major run for their money. I'm so hoping that Johnson gives us an Issue #2 and many more installments after that. The premise behind this one is pure, entertainment gold, but would one expect anything less from the imaginative and insightful Johnson?

To order Space Cat #1, please Paypal $6.00 to LewBrown1@verizon.net. Mr. Johnson will be sure to get your copy in the mail right away. 

JOIN THE PARANORMAL CIRQUE ITALIA: QUAKER BRIDGE MALL (APRIL 25-27)

FLESH TO STEEL: EIGHTH TOWER'S GIGER, FICTION CURATION

My Eighth Tower Publishing story, "Flesh to Steel, Steel to Flesh," will be featured in an upcoming, Dark Fiction anthology commemorating the artwork of H.R. Giger. (The story is currently being edited by Chris McAuley, who's done a terrific job perusing prior submissions I've penned.) 

As a little background, "Flesh to Steel, Steel to Flesh" acknowledges Giger's macabre influence and does so by touching upon similar, thematic sources. In other words, it's a conceptual overlap that relates to the notorious Carl Jung (notorious because his mystique does, in fact, hold an unfortunate, unpleasant side) and in particular, the metamorphic works of Clive Barker. (Barker's novel, The Great and Secret Show, was a huge inspiration in this regard, in that it demonstrates how a popular concept can be shared in numerous, subconscious ways.)

As such, Hellraiser's Cenobites link to Giger's Necronomicon paintings, but so do Star Trek's nefarious Borg. I reference both the Cenobites and the Borg in my story, plus allude to the sado-masochistic writings of the Marquis de Sade and the Outer Gods of H.P. Lovecraft's fiction, drawing a correlation among the queue. How's that for a menacing blend!

In the end, "Flesh to Steel, Steel to Flesh" is still a forefront, Giger subsidiary, based on the artist's frightful and shocking, biomechanoid compositions. 

As to the precise fashion my fable incorporates such, well, I must keep that a secret until the volume is released, though a few hints may manifest in the upcoming months. Stay tuned. 

TERRIFIC TEAM-UP: SPIDEY, PUNISHER & DAREDEVIL (AKITHEFULL ARTWORK)

 

CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES ANNUAL 2025

The Classic Monsters of the Movies Annual 2025 Magazine is an 84-page volume of varied, macabre mischief, with writers/researchers Nige Burton, Jamie Jones, John Logan and David Huckvale covering the chilling bases, ranging from Universal to Hammer and beyond. 

There's coverage of Universal's "runner-up rogues" (The Invisible Man Returns, The Mad Ghoul, Son of Dracula, The Mummy's Hand ... Man Made Monster); Boris Karloff's enduring (and endearing) Frankenstein Monster; Christopher Lee's next-generation, Curse of Frankenstein Creature and his many assembled, Hammer fiends; John ("the Great Profile") Barrymore's spidery Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde; the gimmicky, lycanthrope mystery of Amicus' The Beast Must Die; the comedic and heartwarming morbidity of Screen Gems' The Munsters; plus Karloff & Bela Lugosi's supplemental, cinematic haunts (The Ape Man, The Haunted Strangler, The Corpse Vanishes ... The Body Snatcher).   

This eclectic combination will put a sinister smile on any fan's face, but be warned: Copies are going fast.

Order today at 

https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/product/classic-monsters-annual-2025-magazine/

FOR THE FUN OF IT:

 

MR. LOBO'S CINEMA INSOMNIA: IN SEARCH OF ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS, SATURDAY NIGHT

This Saturday night (April 12, at 10pm, on Twitch, OSI74/Roku and Amazon Fire) Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia presents the 1973, television production, In Search of Ancient Astronauts: a recut edition of 1970's Chariots of the Gods? adaptation, which also stands as a helpful forerunner to 1975's The Outer Space Connection and is the reputed basis for Leonard Nimoy's In Search Of series. 

The documentary covers all the juicy insights of Erich von Daniken's book, as (re)directed by Harold Reiml and restructured by writer Don Ringe. It's also uplifted by Rod Serling's narration, which gives this special redux a nice brush of credibility. 

The presented theories and their supporting artifacts are, indeed, fascinating, ranging from amazing, ancient batteries to mysterious, landing fields to odd, golden-helmeted figures to weird, high-tech gears found under the sea, all of which fuel the conjecture that extraterrestrials visited Earth long ago.  

Mr. Lobo links the documentary's chapters with alien-orbiting trailers and thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, an investigative prowess that allows him to bypass many governmental secrets. He also takes a stroll through an Area 51, auto-parts spot: a venture that proves a little more terrestrial than not. But fear not, for a "veritable" alien does drop by to conduct a little (ahem) probing, and if that doesn't tickle one's fancy, Mr. Lobo interviews the one-and-only Richard Hatch of Battlestar Galactica. 

The edifying flow of In Search of Ancient Astronauts may differ from other Cinema Insomnia episodes, but that doesn't make it any less "misunderstood" and therefore, every bit worth a view this Saturday night. 

WISE WORDS:

PUPPIES BEHIND BARS: A CHARITIABLE CAUSE

   

For Easter's advent (and Spring's idyllic spread), warm thoughts of giving blossom again. For those who wish to make a positive impact on others, Puppies Behind Bars is a sincere, worth-while way to do so. 

Puppies Behind Bars assists in canine training for wounded war veterans and first responders, who face difficulties with daily functions. In addition, the agency supplies crucial, bomb-detection dogs for police procedures. The canine training is administered by prisoners: a most honorable path toward their redemption. 

The charity ensures that inmates are prepared to the utmost, caring capacity before they commence their meticulous but nurturing lessons. Trainers and dogs are then teamed for two years, at the end of which the adoring animals are dispatched to their designated guardians in need.

I'm a proud contributor of Puppies Behind Bars and do hope that others will contribute as well. The organization is a huge win-win for all involved.

Visit Puppies Behind Bars

at https://puppiesbehindbars.com/. 

You'll find ample information on all activities, with specific steps on how to lend your support. 

PINUP TIME: NASTASSJA KINSKI IS IRENA

R.I.P. JAY NORTH

I identified with you when I was a kid, living through your rambunctious adventures on Dennis the Menace. Little did I realize, the sadness you endured.

You moved right along, though, giving a superb performance in Maya, which continued into the television series, but you also shined in Zebra in the Kitchen, Scout's Honor, The Miracle of the Hills, The Big Operator, Pepe, The Dirty Rebel (Wild Wind), Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star and the controversial, The Teacher.  

Your special, guest spots are comparably swell, which include Cheyenne (with Clint Walker, your Maya costar), Wanted: Dead or Alive, Wagon Train, Sugarfoot, Bronco, Colt .45, Perry Mason, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., 77 Sunset Strip, Rescue 8, Lassie, The Detectives, Jericho, My Three Sons, Queen for a Day, General Hospital, The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Milton Berle Show, The Donna Reed Show, The Lucy Show, The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Eddie Fisher Show, The Red Skelton Hour, Art Linkletter's House Party, The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse and Not Necessarily the News.

You made good use of your cheerful voice, as well, per The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show (as Bamm-Bamm), The Flintstones Comedy Hour, Fred Flintstone and Friends, The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, Arabian Knights, Space Ghost, Here Comes the Grump and years later down the line, The Simpsons (portraying yourself in a heart-to-heart with Bart).  

You slugged it out through thick and thin, Mr. North, even as your health faltered. We can only hope that in those dire hours, you knew how much joy you brought us, how much we all loved you. In truth, for the boundless way you touched our hearts, that love shall never fade.