APES IV: 50 YEARS OF CONQUEST

Fifty years ago (June 30, 1972), Conquest of the Planet of the Apes premiered. 

Written by Paul Dehn and directed by J. Lee Thompson, this fourth installment in the original, movie franchise depicts a different 1990 Earth (a time in which cats and dogs have perished and simians have become the primary "pets"). In addition, Conquest, along with its predecessor, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, managed to twist the mythology full circle, making audiences ponder if history was being branched into a parallel plane or cemented for the threatening fate depicted in the 1968 original. 

To its further benefit, Conquest features Roddy McDowall as Caesar, son of Cornelius, the resourceful, time-traveling father he portrayed. The simian son is  complex and identifiable, an unforgettable successor for this generational stretch (and one who's influenced the recent, revisionist Apes movies, where Andy Serkis seizes the freedom-fighting reins). 

To complement McDowall's nuanced performance, Natalie Trundy plays Caesar's spouse-to-be, Lisa; with Don Murray as Governor Breck; Harry Rhodes as MacDonald; Severn Darden as Kolp; John Randolph as the Chairman; and Ricardo Montalban as the compassionate Armando: an extraordinary cast that few sequels (of any genre) could ever surpass.

I love Conquest to no end, but then I love the entire Apes franchise with unparalleled zeal. Conquest, however, carved a special turn in the series, taking its emancipation concept into a number of deep, philosophical paths that tackle justice, communal survival and social angst. In other words, what it offers is heavy duty and resonates to this day. 

Why not (re)watch this sterling chapter today or better yet, conduct an all-out "Go Ape" marathon this Fourth of July weekend? It'll be an excellent way to celebrate the thought-provoking legacy of one of the most significant, science-fiction sagas ever conceived.  

MAIN ENTERPRISES' HEROIC #5: NOSTALGIC HEROISM AT ITS BEST

Main Enterprises keeps producing the best of the best, as Heroic (Vol #3) #5 (Fall 2022) conveys, with ingredients that are both edifying and downright exciting.

As grand cases in point, we are treated to an in-depth interview with artist supreme Steven Shipley on his inspirational comic, Peacemakers, conducted by the skillful Mr. Main. In addition, there are comprehensive articles on Innovation's Hero Alliance by M.J. Moran; Gerry Anderson's Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons by Thomas Wheeler (capped by a fulfilling episode guide); and DC's Metal Men by Mike Waggoner. Yeah, quite a heroic lineup, indeed!

To accompany these top-drawer submissions, Heroic #5 parades spectacular art by John Lambert; Gary Barker; Verl Bond; Scott McClung; Troy Boyle; Tom Ahern; Carl Bonasera/Dick Limacher; and Mark Haines (who gives us that wild, retro cover). And thanks to Doug Pelton, this issue also flaunts a number of spiffy photos.

To order this nostalgic-packed edition, please send $7.00, per check/money order, to Jim Main; 130 Wellsville Av; Back of House; New Milford CT 06776. Mr. Main also accepts Paypal funds through jmain44@aol.com. Remember to include your mailing address to ensure that this fantastic compendium soars straight to your door.  

TERRIFIC TEAM-UP IMAGE: NOEL NEILL & GEORGE REEVES/LOIS & CLARK

 

PIN-UP TIME: SUSAN ANTON

THE THING RETURNS (40TH ANNIVERSARY)

John Carpenter's The Thing returns to cinemas for Father's Day, June 18, 19 & 22, courtesy of Fandango Events.

As with the Howard Hawks '51 production, Carpenter's skillful retelling, as scripted by Bill Lancaster (Burt's son), is considered a classic and closer in tone to John W. Campbell's pioneering '38 paranoia novella, Who Goes There?.

Interestingly enough, The Thing '82 was a box-office disappointment in its time (like Blade Runner and Tron, eclipsed by E.T. and Wrath of Khan). It has since become emblematic of science-fiction/horror crossovers, and Rob Bottin's grotesque, animatronic effects are regarded as the greatest ever to creep onto celluloid.

The Thing's cast is also as virile as one can get, with Kurt Russell leading the pack as the intrepid R.J. MacReady. This makes the remake all the more suitable for dad's big day.

Give The Thing another silver-screen whirl while the opportunity lasts. Its chills are iconic, masterful and worthy of that special, patriarchal bonding we all crave. 

WELCOME SUMMER 2022

SO LONG, TIM SALE...

 

You struck gold by adding shadowy elegance to both DC and Marvel universes.

And with writer, Jepf Loeb, you proffered such classics as Batman: The Long Halloween; Batman: Dark Victory; Catwoman: When In Rome; Superman for All Seasons; Captain America: White; Daredevil: Yellow; Hulk: Gray; and Spider-man: Blue. 

You even invested your talents into television, blessing Loeb's Heroes with your splendid artwork, and on the big screen, your impact was undeniable in Matt Reeves' The Batman, not to mention the aesthetic heights you achieved with those great Batman/The Shadow crossover covers for DC. 

Your contributions were monumental and invigorating, graceful and empowering, and for that, Mr. Sale, your name--and magnificent gallery--will not only live on, but grow evermore influential with the passing of years. 

Collectible Time: John Febonio's Here's Johnny (Jack Nicholson/Torrance) Print

 

John Febonio keeps those great horror images coming with an amazing portrait of Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance from Stanley Kubrick's big-screen adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining. 

Nicholson's inimitable madness surely does shine (pun intended) in this striking, Here's Johnny print. I purchased my copy in a 16" x 20" format on sturdy matte paper, and boy, does it ever pop!

Nicholson's performance may have been too over the top for King, but for me and a legion of fans, it was perfection personified. To have this famous movie moment represented by Febonio's artistic hand makes it all the more special, not to mention collectible.

To order the above, or any number of Febonio's outstanding prints, visit

https://febonio.bigcartel.com/products

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 2022

 

AIRSHIP 27 PODCAST (JUNE '22): READY FOR LIFTOFF

It's time for a next-generation Man of Bronze, and Ron Fortier and Rob Davis deliver the brawny goods in their latest Airship 27 podcast.

As such, they discuss Airship 27's Doc Atlas (Vol 1), by Michael A. Black, Raymond Luis and James Lovato, with sprawling Ed Catto artwork.   

The Atlas adventures take place beyond Doc Savage's, being designated to the Cold War era. Like those of Lester Dent's erudite adventurer, Doc Atlas is strong, resourceful and cultivated. He's also surrounded by colorful companions and ruthless antagonists. (This will be the first of several Airship releases on the two-fisted hero.) 

Also on the bountiful agenda is Richard Kellogg's Barry Baskerville submission, "Fishing Adventure", with buoyant imagery by the aforementioned Kato. This is the eighth in Kellogg's Sherlock-ish series, and like those before it, the story is joyous on every investigative level, which only ensures more Baskerville mysteries are the way.

And then there's Wayne Carey's ambitious extrapolation, Yokai, where space-hauler Captain Tony Michaels and copilot, Jiin, discover a Japanese colony that labels them smugglers and where certain inhabitants experience Bradbury-esque visions of ancient aliens. Ted Hammonds supplies the radiant cover, and Don Simpson's marvelous illustrations enhance the exciting text, making Yokai another triumph in Airship 27's ever expanding, science-fiction queue.  

In addition to the above releases, Ron discusses his successful Kickstarter campaign for his developing comic, Beyond the Stars, which captures the courageous spirit of Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica and Space Cruiser Yamato. How can it lose with those swell ingredients, not to mention Ron rendering the script and Andrea Bormida and Mike Belcher fashioning the artwork? Without question, astral history is about to be made. 

Also on the comic-book front, our hosts throw light on Rob's prolific Redbud Studio, which has just released a stylish, Black Lion compilation, which includes all four issues of the introspective, military hero, Jamal Lyon. (Ron grants an edifying analysis of how Lyon sprung from John Rambo for a potential series that Ron worked on in the early '90s.)

Tune in for all the enthusiastic commentary at 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_NE0QgrQEw