HAPPY JULY 4TH (2020), FROM UNCLE SAM!!!

ANOTHER LAST OMEGA MAN TEASE (FOR WHAT EVER! #3)

I can't help myself. Jim Main has shared another image for What Ever! #3, and now I must share on "bizarrechats". 

It's a Marc Haines tribute to "The Omega Man", which will accompany my comparative article, "The Last Omega Men".

Haines does an outstanding job recreating the faces of Charlton Heston, Rosalind Cash, Anthony Zerbe and Lincoln Kilpatrick (each surrounded by fiery trimming) in what could be taken as an alternate, theatrical poster for the 1971, horror/science-fiction release, based on Richard Matheson's acclaimed novel, "I Am Legend".  

Haines' striking image, along Kevin Duncan's superb "Omega Man"/"Last Man on Earth" crossover illustration (see June post), has me most excited for What Ever! #3's big, post-apocalyptic premiere. 

It's coming soon, Main claims, and when it hits, it's certain to be a real doomsday stunner. (Keep checking "bizarrechats" for updates.)

PIN-UP TIME: JULIE MICHAELS--TIME TO SALUTE!!!

Collection Recommendation: Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia ("Set" #7) on Alpha DVD

Just in time to hit a much needed "misunderstood" chord, Alpha DVD (through oldies.com) has released a new "Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia" entry. The film this time is writer/director/producer Glenn Berggoetz's irreverent "Midget Zombie Takeover". 

The film's premise is basic yet engaging, with "older teens" stripping down for some hot-tub fun, only to encounter an onslaught of zombified, little people set to bloody the deck. (Actually, the kids do get forewarning of the predestined doom from a insightful neighbor, but being smart-ass kids, just shrug it off.)  In any event, it seems the wee (though sometimes more-or-less tall) flesheaters have manifested due to some ineffable, lunar activity and won't cease until every last youngster is gobbled up.

Structurally, "Midget Zombie Takeover" is "Night of the Living Dead", though with a sardonic twist. As such, the kids goof around, make love and even theorize on the mini apocalypse's ambiguous hows and whys as they follow that trusty, splattered-bricked road. In other ways, the story plays like a modernization of Jerry Warren's "Teenage Zombies", give or take a plot point or two. 

The makeshift mishmash makes Berggoetz's spoof ideal for Mr. Lobo's cool wit and downsized ingredients. The result is one that misunderstood-film fans are destined to devour with shameless voracity.  

Consume a copy today at
https://www.oldies.com/product-view/1145D.html.

GOODBYE, TARYN POWER...

You followed in the footsteps of your parents, Tyrone Power and Linda Christian and even wedded one of Soupy Sales' sons, solidifying your place among Hollywood royalty. 

Fans enjoyed you in "The Count of Monte Cristo '75", "House of Pleasure for Women" (aka, "Bordello"), "Tracks" and Armando de Ossorio's underrated "The Sea Serpent" (aka "Hydra").

However, for Ray Harryhausen fans, your crowning achievement is that of Dione in the stop-motion classic, "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger". 

With your golden mane and amiable smile, Ms. Power, you sure made many a heart go pitter-pat and because of such, you'll remain one of fantasy's best loved leading ladies.  

FAREWELL, LINDA CRISTAL...

You distinguished "The High Chaparral" with your character, Victoria Cannon, but you also elevated many other adventure sagas, on both the big and small screen.

There was "Legions of the Nile" (where you were ideally cast as the captivating Cleopatra); "Slave Girls of Sheba": "The Pharaohs' Woman"; "Mr. Majestyck"; "The Alamo '60"; "Rawhide"; "The Dead Don't Die '75"; "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (the series)"; "Police Story" (the series); "Cade's County"; "Two Rode Alone"; "Cry Tough '59"; "Comanche"; "El diablo desaparece"; "The Last of the Fast Guns"; and "The Fiend Who Walked the West".

You were sensual, sophisticated and to those in the special know, an icon of supreme skill and extraordinary enchantment. Your place on Earth will long be revered and so now will your reign among Heaven's deities. 

SO LONG, JOE SINNOTT...

A comic-book artist's work is best complemented by an expert inker's hand. You proved that time and again, Mr. Sinnott, doing justice to the artistry of such titans as Jack Kirby, Gil Kane and John Romita Sr and Jr.

The magic that flowed from your hand can be found among such icons as the Fantastic Four; the Silver Surfer; Captain America; the Falcon; Black Bolt; the Avengers; the Defenders; the Invaders; Ms. Marvel; the Hulk; Thor; Spider-man; and even Ed Sullivan with the Fab Four.

The comic-book world has, indeed, lost one of its precious greats, but what you placed upon paper will continue to captivate for generations of grateful fans.