Ramblings and previews

Not much time left in the year, so I'll spare you lot a hastily written article.

In 2018 we can look forward to a few things. The Horror Countdown will shamble forth again, as well as Bring on the Bad Guys. There'll be horror hosts aplenty and a few more reviews (and the Summer of Love(craft) shall rise from the deep for the third and for now final time).

Some more art, maybe. Chills, thrills, and maybe a few conventions if we're all lucky. Possibly even some pro wrestling, but we'll see.

In any event, time to watch a bunch of freezing people watch a lighted ball drop. Good luck and happy trails folks.

The Big City: Or Why I Don't Write for a Living

Having only recently discovered the film Streets of Fire, I was quite taken with director Walter Hill's version of a rock and roll fable. You can only imagine my surprise when I read that Hill intended to make a trilogy, but the lackluster profit of the film killed those ideas.

So I thought why not take a crack at it?

Temple of Doom: Or Why I don't Write for a Living

Merry Christmas and all assorted holiday and holy days.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull gets a lot of flak, but I personally never saw the point of Temple of Doom. Why make it a prequel? And why make Willie Scott the most irritating character in the film?

So, as an early Christmas gift from me to all of you, what would happen if I could slip back to the early 80's?

Nouveau 52, part 8

Winding down a bit, but there might be a question about some of the other heroes. DC's always been big on buying out other companies, so where would they be in my take on the 52?

Nouveau 52, part 7

Main books are out of the way, as are the teens. So why not take a trip to the EDGE?

Nouveau 52, part 6

Now that we've finished the JLA and Trinity section, what about the rest of the DCU?

So let's take a look at the Young Justice section and see the heroes of tomorrow!

Nouveau 52, part 5

Still on the Justice League kick.

Nouveau 52, part 4

We did the trilogy, so how about the rest of the Justice League series? Or least the first half. 

Nouveau 52, part 3

I hope everyone had a decent Thanksgiving.

With the holiday bit out of the way, let's focus on the last part of the DC Trinity.

Nouveau 52, part 2

Ok, Superman is more or less out of the way for the First Wave. How about the Dark Knight?

Nouveau 52, part 1

A bit late I know, but if DC can screw around with their characters, why can't I?


This is basically what I'd do, assuming the higher ups at DC lost their damn minds and put me in charge of the new 52.

Overall, I'd keep the staff 50/50. Half veterans (Morrison, Simone, Ennis, etc.) and half new comers. Why? Because George Perez wasn't George Perez until someone gave him a chance. Also, with a few series aside, most of them would be set around the same time. No alternative Earths, no twenty different versions of Batman running around, etc. We'd start simple. Expand to crazy if you have to, but simple first.


On to the series and a few running plot threads. Right now we'll take a look at the First Wave.

Updates and future stuff

I hope everyone enjoyed this year's Horror Countdown. All the ghouls and ghosts have been laid to rest for another year, and hopefully they will rise again in 2018.

For the rest of the year, random updates and such. Had another series in mind, comic related. It might be a bit late, true, but then I've always been a bit late to the party.

Horror Countdown 2017: Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Dawn of the Dead (1978) dir. George Romero, Laurel Group Inc.

And now we reach the end my friends. Horror aplenty this past year, so why not close it out with one good scare?

Sequels can be a tricky thing. Too many and you risk diluting what made the first one good. This one, however, is not one of those. It is bit a odd. Looking at the Universal and even Hammer films, one tends to notice they had sequels out as little as the same year the previous ones, yet Romero waited a full ten years before coming back to the world set up in Night of the Living Dead. 

His exact reasons aren't known, but modern cinema can agree it was good he waited.  

Horror Countdown 2017: Videodrome (1983)

Videodrome (1983) dir. David Cronenberg, Canadian Film Development Corporation

Now this is when things get weird. Cronenberg, never one to shy away from the grotesque, might have created one of the most horrific films made in the 80's. I know the term visionary might be a bit clichéd, but this is one film that can only be described as such.

Horror Countdown 2017: Poltergeist (1982)

Poltergeist (1982) dir. Tobe Hooper, SLM Production Group/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Taking a look at Tobe Hooper's next film, and wow. In the early 80's if you told me the guy behind the Texas Chainsaw Massacre would do a film with the guy behind E.T., I would have called you crazy. Of course, if one goes by the scuttlebutt around this film, Hooper didn't do anything more taxing than making sure the cameras were turned on and pointed at the actors. After watching it, I'm inclined to believe it. 

Horror Countdown 2017: Swamp Thing (1982)

Swamp Thing (1982) dir. Wes Craven, Swampfilms

Wes Craven had been slumming in made for television flicks for a while, but would DC's Swamp Thing be enough to put him back in the cinema?

Funny aside, this was the first film to made on a DC character that wasn't Superman. The Swamp Thing first showed up in House of Secrets#92 (June-July 1971), with the revamped take Swamp Thing (October-November 1972) published a year later. The scientist mutated into a muck encrusted mockery of a man proved to be fairly popular, but was finally canceled in 1976. The second series, the Saga of the Swamp Thing, came out on the heels of this film. 

Horror Countdown 2017: The Thing (1982)

The Thing (1982) dir. John Carpenter, the Turman-Foster Company

John Carpenter, during the 80's, might have been one of the most underrated directors around. His remake of the Thing, for example, was utterly derided by critics at the time. Now? Considered one of the best horror films of the 80's and easily one of Carpenter's best. 

Horror Countdown 2017: The 'Burbs (1989)

The 'Burbs (1989) dir. Joe Dante, Imagine Entertainment

Joe Dante, by this point in his career, had moved more into comedy and science fiction, but his return to dark comedy would prove to be bit uneven.

Horror Countdown 2017: Rock All Night (1957)

Rock All Night (1957) dir. Roger Corman, Sunset Productions

An interesting one. Is it suspense? Film noir? Rock and roll musical? Why not all three?

Horror Countdown 2017: Homicidal (1961)

Homicidal (1961) dir. William Castle, William Castle Productions

William Castle has been considered the low rent version of Hitchcock, and his film Homicidal has been compared (sometime unfavorably) to Psycho. I never thought that comparison was very fair, and that Castle's effort is easily equal to Hitchcock.

Horror Countdown 2017: Sabotage (1936)

Sabotage (1936) dir. Alfred Hitchcock, Gaumont British Picture Corporation

Moving into the director section of this year's countdown, we take a look at the work of Alfred Hitchcock. The man's work and reputation was growing by this point, churning at least one film a year. 

Horror Countdown 2017: The Phantom of the Opera (1983)

The Phantom of the Opera (1983) dir. Robert Markowitz, Robert Halmi Productions

And here we end our look back at the Phantom. I wasn't even aware of this version until fairly recently, but for a made for television movie it manages to be a fairly decent take on the tale, although there are some problems. 

Horror Countdown 2017: Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

Phantom of the Paradise (1974) dir. Brian de Palma, Harbor Productions

My first Brian de Palma film. Before Mr. de Palma was obsessed with copying Hitchcock, he was doing some pretty innovative work. Phantom of the Paradise is his take on Phantom of the Opera, and brother, it is a take for sure.

Horror Countdown 2017: The Phantom of Hollywood (1974)

The Phantom of Hollywood (1974) dir. Gene Levitt, MGM Television

Inspired by the films, no doubt, but as the years wore on the tale of the Phantom started to move away from the Paris Opera house. This was one of the first American takes on the story that changed the setting, but the overall theme is similar.

Horror Countdown 2017: Song at Midnight (1937)

Song at Midnight (1937) dir. Ma-Xu Weibang, Xinhua Film Company

Taking a break from the slashers, right now we'll switch the focus to one particular of horror. Last year we focused on Bela Lugosi. This year we'll look at the Phantom of the Opera. 

We covered the first cinematic appearance of Gaston Leroux's most famous creation, as well as Universal's first follow-up and Hammer's remake.

Next we'll look at the second look at the novel, plus the first sound version, China's Song at Midnight.

Horror Countdown 2017: Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker (1991)

Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker (1991) dir. Martin Kitrosser, Still Silent Films Inc.

We started with a crazed Santa, moved to the awe and glory that is Garbage Day, then went pagan. How would the Silent Night series follow that up?

Horror Countdown 2017: Howling V: The Rebirth (1989)

Howling V: The Rebirth (1989) dir. Neal Sundstrom, Allied Vision/Lane Pringle Productions/Mafilm Studios

We started with Joe Dante, to Christopher Lee doing his best...to parts 3 and 4. Surely they could only go up?

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Dr. Atomic

Real name: Jeremy Savage
Years active: Mid-1980s to 1990


And here we end the look back at horror hosts for another year. This time we look at the first and only host from Connecticut (Madd Frank did host for here for a bit, but he started in North Dakota, so we'll take a look at him when we get out west).

From WHCT Channel 18, Dr. Atomic featured mostly AIP films instead of the usual Universal or public domain flicks. He seemed to be a goofy scientist, although I've yet to find a picture of him.

Horror Countdown 2017: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) dir. Marcus Nipsel, Next Entertainment/Platinum Dunes/Rader Pictures

After the strange mess that was the Next Generation, how would a new generation handle the saga of Leatherface? Although the last two takes had been practically remakes themselves, I suppose someone else deserved the right to screw things up.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Dr. Death

Real name: Ted Knight
Years active: Late 1950's


Now here is an interesting example. Most hosts stay hosts, or a channel might hire an actor (see William Shatner), but it rare for the host to move onto other things. Ted Knight, who you might remember as Ted Baxter from the Mary Tyler Moore Show or the announcer of the Superfriends, was the only horror host from Rhode Island, and as near as I can tell was the very first.

Dr. Death, from what few accounts I could find, seemed to be mostly a mummy with a pinch of Dr. Phibes thrown in.


I can't seem to find anything on the show's name, but Knight was employed by WJAR-TV Channel 10 in Providence for most of the late 1950's until he moved onto bigger things, mostly fame on various televisions shows of the 1970's.

He passed away in 1986.

Horror Countdown 2017: Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) dir. Dominique Othenin-Giard, Magnum Pictures/Klasky Csupo/Trancas

If you recall the end of part 4, Michael Myers (Don Shanks) was filled full of lead and dumped down a mine shaft and dynamited for good measure. Little Jamie (Danielle Harris) seemed wiling to take up the family business though, as she stabbed her adaptive mother while Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence) screamed in horror.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Dr. Mongo

Real name: Unknown
Years active: 1991 to 1993


As we continue our look into the hosts of New England, we move into the Ocean State of Rhode Island. The smallest state in the union managed to produce two hosts, of which Dr. Mongo is one.


Like a few previous hosts, Dr. Mongo was given a backstory. Formerly Dr. Montague B. Gourley, the host with the most came into possession of Marcucci Manor; which was quickly renamed into Mongo Manor, upon the passing of his film obsessed grandfather. Mongo swore to show only the finest movies from the massive vaults under the manor, but first he had to show all the crap that was blocking the door. Thus, Dr. Mongo's Midnight Movie was born. Later, the show was moved to Saturday afternoon and renamed Dr. Mongo's Sci-Fi Cinema on Providence's WNAC Fox Chanel 64.

There seemed to be fairly decent sized cast, with Dr. Mongo playing most of the manor's guests and Larry Lechan playing the bucked tooth hunchback assistant Qusio.

Horror Countdown 2017: A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989)

A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989) dir. Stephan Hopkins, Heron Communications/Smart Egg Pictures

When we last left our heroes, Alice (Lisa Wilcox) and her boyfriend Dan (Danny Hassel) were the only survivors of Freddy Kruger (Robert Englund)'s last rampage. Surely everything would be fine by now, right?

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Misstress Raven

Real name: Unknown
Years active: 2006 to unknown


And this one almost totally slipped under my radar. Honestly, I wouldn't even have heard of her if I hadn't been looking through the internet one day.

The whole affair seems to be either a student production or maybe a school channel. After Dark with Raven (three episodes as near as I can tell) focused on public domain flicks like White Zombie. Decent acting and the focus was more on the movies.

I'm putting them with the Massachusetts hosts as the production company, Mad Z Productions, seems to be based out of Easthampton.

Mad Z Productions

Horror Countdown 2017: The Nanny (1965)

The Nanny (1965) dir. Seth Holt, Associated British Picture Corporation/Hammer Film Productions-Seven Arts

Here we have another prime example of the psycho-biddy genre. Bette Davis, no longer shackled to Joan Crawford, is given a whole film to chew.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Uncle Death

Real name: ?
Years active: 2011-present

We have a current host, or do we? Uncle Death seems to be the host of the Uncle Death Show, which seems to be aired only on the Fright Channel, which seems to still be in business, although aside from references on Twitter I can't seem to find a listing for the show, although it seems the network seems to have undergone a makeover and now seems to be more internet based than regular television. I did find a listing for the show back on a few years ago, saying it aired in Melrose and Somerville.


Horror Heaven

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988)

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988) dir. John Carl Buechler, Friday Four Inc./Sean S. Cunningham Films

Given this is Friday the 13th, why not keep the tradition going? We've seen Jason die, come back, and die again. Jason Lives showed Jason chained up under the murky waters of Crystal Lake. How would he come back?

Horror Countdown 2017: Demons of the Mind (1972)

Demons of the Mind (1972) dir. Peter Sykes, Angelo-EMI/Frank Goodwin Productions/Hammer Film Productions.

Moving back into the gothic horror for a bit, the 1970's saw the beginning of the end for Hammer, but they manages to produce some pretty darn interesting films in the meantime.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Simon

Real name: Gary Newton
Years active: 1970-1973

Here's a host who managed to be in two states at the same time. Simon, of Simon's Sanctorum, was aired in both Boston on WCVB Channel 5 and in St. Louis on KPLR Channel 11. He was very much cut in the Edgar Allan Poe mold, often speaking poems to his unseen 'Devoted'. There doesn't seem to be that much footage of the show, but fans remember.  

Horror Countdown 2017: The Phantom of the Opera (1962)

The Phantom of the Opera (1962) dir. Terrence Fisher, Hammer Film Productions

Hammer by this point had a winning formula with their take on the Universal Monsters. They nailed Dracula, charged up Frankenstein...so why not tackle the earliest Universal Monster? With their best director at the helm, how would they do Gaston Leroux's madman of the opera?

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Feep

Real name: Ed T. McDonnell
Years active: 1960's

Another first. Feep might have been the first animated host. Ed McDonnell actually played quite a few characters for WNAC-TV Channel 7 out of Boston. He played the space suited Major Mudd for the afternoon cartoon block and Lord Brumblebook for the Saturday afternoon jungle picture features. 

Feep, on the other hand, was a six inch high doll chromo-keyed against a backdrop and usually menaced by giant hands, that is when he didn't stumble into the films themselves. Another odd thing, is that Feep hosted Allied Artist features, rather than the traditional Universal Shock package. 

Ed McDonnell passed away in 1979. 

Horror Countdown 2017: Quartermass II (1957)

Quartermass II (1957) dir. Val Guest, Hammer Film Productions

What with the success of the first Quatermass serial and film, plus the sequel serial airing on the BBC after the first film, author Nigel Kneale found himself with a bit more clout, something Hammer used when they did a film version of the second sequel.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Eddie Frame

Real name: Frank Kane
Years active: Late 1980's


A difficult one to classify. As best as I can tell, his show, Horrible Night at the Movies, was aired in Boston, but it seems it was syndicated out of New York. So would he be a Boston host or a syndicated one?

A different character at least, if we go by the opening crawl. It seems young Eddie Frame was your typical square-headed youth growing up in 1950's Eisenhower era America. Utterly typical, save for his love of bad movies. When his best gal dumps him, Eddie revs his motorcycle and drives towards a CGI computer screen, plunging himself through time and space.

From there he hosts the old and the weird with a showgal and a gorilla in a dress. Because you need a gorilla. Also, Commander USA did the writing.

Horror Countdown 2017: Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969)

Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969) dir. Terrence Fischer, Hammer Film Productions

As this was made at the height of Hammer's power with their best director and one of their best stars, a review would almost be superfluous.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Dr. Rabies

Real name: Arthur DeLuca
Years active: 2002 to ?


Yet another lost host, this time we look at the host of Dr. Rabies' Mad Movies Experimentorium, namely Dr. Rabies.

I'd like to have a full picture and video clip, but so far I've found nothing. As best as I can tell he hosted his show out of Medford, Malden, and Melrose on Comcast Channel 3, but his website seems to be deader than the subjects of his films. He looked like a had a decent sized cast of characters, but again no photos.

Horror Countdown 2017: Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970)

Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970) dir. Peter Sasdy, Hammer Film Productions

Now we're moving into the world of Hammer, and specifically the early 70's. Taste the Blood of Dracula really seemed determined to fix the problems that Dracula Has Risen from the Grave. Does it succeed?

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Two Fat Ghouls

Real names: Ray Tracy, Victor Tracy
Years active: 2003 to present (?)

Otherwise known as Scruffy McGhoul and Chester the Werewolf, these two guys (brothers as best as I can tell), hosted Two Fat Ghouls on Comcast Public Access Channel 15 out of Westfield, again hosting public domain flicks. Unfortunately that seems to be all I can find, as their website has long since gone silent.

Horror Countdown 2017: Strange Confessions (1945)

Strange Confessions (1945) dir. John Hoffman, Universal Pictures

And now we end the Universal portion of the month with the next to last Inner Sanctum Mystery. Based on the film the Man Who Reclaimed His Head, how would Lon Chaney handle this version?

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: The Debaser and Cherry Payne

Real name: Matt Sanborn and Cherry Payne
Years active: 2004 to present (?)


This is an odd one. According to the handful of sites I was able to find, the Midnight Hour staring the Debaser and Cherry Payne aired (airs?) on Public Access Channel 22 in Haverhill and that's about it. I honestly would never have even heard of the show if I hadn't skimmed through Vampira and Her Daugthers by Robert Cotter.

In fact the only info I could actually find was on a Cherry Payne, who's a wrestler from the same state. Is she the same? Is there another wrestling horror host besides the Night Shadow? You got me folks, no idea. Any Haverhill residents remember this show?

Horror Countdown 2017: The Invisble Man's Revenge (1944)

The Invisible Man's Revenge (1944) dir. Ford Beebe, Universal Pictures

And here would be the last serious Invisible Man film Universal made, but this was a fine effort before chucking the monster alongside comedians.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Dr. Dreck

Real name: Michael Legge
Years active: 2004 to present

Now, here's a different one. Still in the Massachusetts area, but the difference here is that the dear doctor is still active.

The Dungeon of Dr. Dreck aired on ABMI Channel 8 in Bellingham and the surrounding areas. The dear doctor and his zombie cheerleader Moaner Johnson treat their audience to only the finest in public domain films, alongside a rather decent sized cast of kooky characters. The doctor also seems to be fairly active online, so feel free to drop him a line.

His Facebook

Horror Countdown 2017: The Mummy's Curse (1944)

The Mummy's Curse (1944) dir. Leslie Goodwins, Universal Pictures

By this point, the Mummy series was solidly in the B side of things. If you recall the end of the Mummy's Ghost, Aminia was the reborn soul of Princess Ananka and Kharis the Mummy (Lon Chaney) finally got ahold of his lost love and dragged her aging body into the swamps of New England. How did they come back for this penultimate round?

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: The Ghoul

Real name: Ernie Boch, Jr.
Years active: 2006 to present (?)

Bit of a late entrant here, and one I didn't know about until fairly recently. It seems local car dealer Ernie Boch, Jr. brought back Creature Feature Double Feature (and on the same channel no less), with himself acting as the Ghoul. I found information on four shows, airing in 2006

From Autonews

That seems to be it, as the show doesn't seem to have a website. Any current viewers care to drop a review?

Horror Countdown 2017: Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943)

Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943) dir. Roy William Neil, Universal Pictures

Now here is a genuine first. The very first monster crossover. Before Godzilla threw down with King Kong, before the Aliens ran around with the Predators, we had Frankenstein meeting the Wolf Man.

If you recall the ending of their previous films, the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney) was beaten to death with a silver tipped cane wielded by his father, while the monster (Bela Lugosi) had the brain of Ygor put in his skull, went blind, and was then trapped in the burning remains of Dr. Frankenstein's lab. How do they come back?

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Uncle Dale

Real name: Dale Dorman
Years active: 1972-1983


The next Boston host we look at is Uncle Dale, or Dale Dorman. His career was fairly long, but he was better known for his radio and other TV work. He hosted Creature Feature and Creature Double Feature for WLVI-Channel 56, but my understanding he did mostly voice-over work and didn't show up in a costume.

The man had a remarkable career and is rightly considered a legend in Boston radio. The horror host aspect is only a small part of his lengthy body of work, but it is still worth consideration.


He passed away in 2014.

Horror Countdown 2017: The Mystery of Marie Roget (1942)

The Mystery of Marie Roget (1942) dir. Phil Rosen, Universal Pictures

Moving into more mystery and suspense, we take a look at another adaptation of an Edgar Allan Poe tale. Inspired by an unsolved murder that plagued New York City in 1838, the mystery brought Poe's detective Dupin back for another round.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Cecil

Real name: Unknown
Years active: 1970s


We've seen Maine and Vermont, so now let us move further south towards Massachusetts. Cecil ran on Channel 56 in Boston sometime in the 1970s and that's about all I managed to find. From a few reviews I managed to dig up suggested he was pretty similar to Simon, another host active around that time and who'll be the focus on another profile.

Horror Countdown 2017: Black Friday (1940)

Black Friday (1940) dir. Arthur Lubin, Universal Pictures

While we are staying with the mad scientist for a bit longer, this one is a genuinely new take on the concept, namely the brain transplant. Plus Karloff and Lugosi, so that's a bonus.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Davey Horror

Real name: David A. Parietti
Years active: 1996-2006 (?)



Having finished Maine, I figured we would move south towards New Hampshire, but sadly that state has never had a horror host. So we head west and find Davey Horror, the first and to date only horror host from Vermont.

Airing on Public Access Chanel 15 in Burlington, Davey Horror sat on his ornate throne and hosted thirty minute versions of classic and not so classic films, ranging from the Giant Claw to the Return of Doctor X. The Davey Horror Show certainly looked cool, although the most recent thing I can find was dated 2006. He also did the nearly forgotten art of the spook show (live performances, music, etc.) called Spookarama, although I was unable to find any footage of that.

His main website seems to have gone dark, but a brief archive of his work is included below.





His website

Horror Countdown 2017: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931), dir. Rouben Mamoulien, Paramount Pictures

Going back to the well again, this time with the first proper sound version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The story was well told by this point, but with sound Paramount set the stage for all future versions.

Horror Host 2017 Retrospective: Eddie Driscoll

Real name: Eddie Driscoll
Years active: 1962 to 1980's

Kicking off 2017, we take a look at the horror hosts of New England, and who better represents the hard working Northeasterners than the host of a million faces Eddie Driscoll?

Perhaps I exaggerated a bit, but while it is not uncommon for hosts to change names (Count Gore de Vol would change into a spaceman for his kids show) or just change the name but keep the costume (see Roland's transformation into Zachlery), Driscoll would go all out.

Uncle Gory was a one eyed hunchback who hosted horror films, but when the film screening on WLBZ Channel 2 in Bangor was a sci-fi production, viewers would be treated to KRANDALL the MARTIAN! A three eyed alien who joked around from his spaceship.

Weird, and later Weird II would focus on the Universal monster films, as well as a few Mexican treats too, that is when Driscoll wasn't also hosting Dialing for Dollars. 

The man had a thirty year run as a host, which is darn impressing no matter where you are. 

Sadly Eddie Driscoll passed away in 2006. 

Resident Evil 2, or why I don't write for a living

Given that Resident Evil: Apocalypse was more of the same as the first film, why not do another take on it?

Resident Evil, or why I don't write for a living

Well, since we'll have some time before the time of the dead those who host, why not take another stab at a film series that has always bothered me.

Video game movies have been around for a while, but while comic book films may have some similarity with the source material, video game films might be lucky if the main characters even have the same name.

Resident Evil at a glance should have been a slam dunk film. Zombies attack, heroes fight, hell, you even had George A. Romero doing the script...so naturally they dumped all that nonsense for Paul W. Anderson's wife showing up everyone and ending with a set up for a sequel. My take would be a be bit different.

In Search of Lovecraft (2008)

In Search of Lovecraft (2008), dir. David J. Hohl, HohloGraphic Productions



And now our lights are dim and the curtains are falling for this summer of Love(craft). How will it end? With a maddened shriek after glimpsing some eldritch horror, or with a shrug as we're carried off by patchwork men?

Chill (2007)

Chill (2007), dir. Serge Rodnunsky, Rojack Films

The 00's were proving to be less than kind to the work of Lovecraft. The Tomb was hot garbage, but surely another yarn based on "Cool Air" would be good or at least acceptable? There actually was an earlier attempt in 2006, directed by Albert Pyun of all people, but seeing as to how that wasn't released until 2013, I think that will keep until the next Summer of Love (craft)

The Tomb (2007)

The Tomb (2007) dir. Ulli Lommel, the Shadow Factory/Boogeyman Movies International

Well, a Lovecraft film from the infamous Ulli Lommel. Surely the creative genius behind 1980's the Boogeyman and the Devonsville Terror would craft a half-way decent story, filled with shock and horror aplenty? Short version: no

Cthulhu (2007)

Cthulhu (2007) dir. Daniel Gildark, Arkham Northwest Productions/Cascadia Film Collective

The Call of Cthulhu set the bar pretty high, but there is always room for improvement, so why not another take on the story set in modern time? Well...

The Call of Cthulhu (2005)

The Call of Cthulhu (2005) dir. Andrew Leman, the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society

We've seen the Great Old portrayed a few times before, but they were usually not so great. Here though makes up for everything, and honestly might be the best Lovecraft adaptation around. The film was the brainchild of the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society, a group of LARPers who went to the next level. 

Beyond Re-Animator (2003)

Beyond Re-Animator (2003) dir. Brian Yuzna, Castelao Productions/Via Digital/Fantastic Factory/Filmax

When we last left Dr. Herbert West, he was being buried under his secret lab with hordes of zombies running amuck. If he could survive a pile of sentient intestines, would zombies be enough to take him out?

Dagon (2001)

Dagon (2001) dir. Stuart Gordon, Castelao Productions/Estudios Picasso/Fantastic Factory/Generalitat de Catalunya/ICF/Televiso de Catalunya/Televiso de Galicia/Via Digital/Xunta de Galicia

Now we're in the twenty-first century proper. Lovecraft's work was growing in popular culture terms, so when Stuart Gordon came back to the well, would it be on par with Re-Animator?

George Romero

Not much I can add about this. George Romero was a director I've had some regard for. His films were workman like, but I always thought they were generally well made.

His contributions to horror (and cinema) can't be overlooked. He took zombies from cursed souls to the flesh eating ghouls we know and love today. He did plenty of other films, but his Dead series would probably what he's best know for, and what would inspire thousands of homages and straight up rip-offs.

Personally I always liked how smart his films were. Casting an African American actor in the lead during the 1960's? Pretty darn bold. His zombie films weren't just mindless munchers, they actually had social commentary that was handled rather brilliantly. He made horror films more than half naked teens being killed.

I'd suggest kicking back and watching the Tales of Hoffmann and Day of the Dead.

Cthulhu (2000)

Cthulhu (2000) dir. Damien Heffernan, Onara Films






We end the 90's with a surprising entry. "The Call of Cthulhu" was possibly Lovecraft's best known work, but until this point the ancient sleeping old one had never been seen on film before. Would this attempt be a success?

Cool Air (1999)

Cool Air (1999) dir. Bryan Moore, Beyond Books

We now see the third proper version of Lovecraft's "Cool Air" and frankly it might be the best version of the bunch.

Out of Mind: The Stories of HP Lovecraft (1998)

Out of Mind: The Stories of HP Lovecraft (1998), dir. Raymond Saint-Jean, Cine Qua Non Films

As the 90's wore on, so did the works of Lovecraft. By now it seemed the theaters had seen the last of Providence's favorite son, but the small screen was still an option. 

Kolchak: Or why I don't write for TV

Some of you folks might recall a series by the name of Kolchak: The Night Stalker (currently airing on ME TV, so check your local listings), about a down on his luck reporter who tended to get involved in odd cases usually dealing with the supernatural.


They remade it back in 2005 with the young and hip Stuart Townsend playing lead, which seemed to be missing the point by about a mile. So, assuming I was hired to run the show, what would I do?

Bleeders (1997)

Bleeders (1997), dir. Peter Savtek, Fries/Schultz Film Group

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And so we once again venture into Lovecraft country for the Summer of Love(craft). This, the third and final adaptation of the Lurking Fear, was a standout for me, although that had more to do with the VHS box cover than the story. The cover was pretty much what I posted here, but it was three dimensional, with a clear plastic cover and thick red slime on the inside, so the monsters would look nice and bloody when you picked it up.

Animation Block: Sherlock Hound/Famous Detective Holmes

Funny as it may sound, I was never a huge anime fan as a youth. Of course, back in my day it was called Japanimation, and the only things that came to mind were Voltron and Robotech. I wouldn't really get into the whole scene until the 90's, but even today my exposure and knowledge of the medium is sadly lacking.


So, when I heard that famed director Hayao Miyazaki did a Sherlock Holmes series in the 1980's, well, that's something you need to track down.

The show itself was a joint production between Tokyo Movie Shinsha and the Italian company RAI. Thanks to issues with the Doyle estate, Miyazaki left after six episodes by the time the issues were cleared up, with the rest of the series being handled by director Kyosuke Mikuriya.

As for the show itself, it isn't the most faithful adaptation of Sherlock Holmes. If anything it seems more inspired by the Universal series than the Doyle stories. Sherlock Hound is still the droll consulting detective, whereas Dr. Watson is clearly inspired by Nigel Bruce's Col. Blimp take on Watson. Inspector Lestrade similarly draws on Dennis Hoey's portrayal as the bumbling Scotland Yard inspector. Mrs. Hudson is probably the biggest departure, here portrayed as a young widow with a past as an aviator and quick with a pistol.

As for the episodes themselves, not terrible but nothing really stays with you. Hound and Watson usually get dragged into solving seemingly impossible crimes, usually carried out by Professor Moriarty, here seen as far more comedic than most portrayals. Thanks to Miyazaki though we do get to see plenty of light aircraft fighting over the English countryside.

A pity that Miyazaki didn't stay with the series, but overall not bad. The entire series was released on DVD, so worth a shot if you can get it from a anime standpoint. If you're a Holmes fan, it might be worth a rental at least.

Wild, Wild West 2: Or Why I Don't Write for a Living

Assuming the first film did alright, let's talk sequels. The cast is more or less the same unless noted.


1879-time has moved more or less normal. President Grant has given way to President Rutherford B. Hayes (James Brolin). Hayes wants to clear some of the deadwood out from the Secret Service, which suites agents James West and Artemus Gordon just fine. West wants to retire out west, while Gordon has been eyeing a return to the stage.

There's just one last mission. West is tasked to captured the rogue Mexican agent Rita Escobar. Escobar has gone crazy, apparently, and according to intelligence is looking to do in several world leaders.

West and Gordon don't believe it, but orders are orders. Besides, better for her if they take her in rather than some hotshot Pinkerton agent, right?

They catch her trying to slip into the French embassy with a satchel of dynamite. She swears there is a good reason though, just as the aforementioned Pinkertons show up. West gets suspicious when the dozen or so agents open fire with Gatling guns instead of trying to arrest her.

Now on the run, Rita explains what she was doing. She was placed undercover in the traveling circus of  Count Carlos Mario Vincenzo Robespierre Manzeppi (Maury Chaykin). The Count's circus is actually a front for a ring of assassins. The Count is also rumored to be a sorcerer. Rita swears that last one isn't a rumor.

What the Count has done has killed the heads of various states and replaced them with magically created doubles. Rita has a list and dozen hired killers on her tail.

Naturally West and Gordon aren't going to let this slide. Can they stop the Count in time? 

Bring on the Bad Guys: Jimmy McCoy

Real name: Jimmy McCoy
A.K.A.: Red
First Appearance: Batman I#4 (Winter 1940)
Abilities: Gangster
Weapons: guns
Quotes: "I'm not going to jail anymore! You're a little too late!"
Worst Act: Being labeled public enemy#1 must have warranted something
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson/George Roussos(inks)

We spend most the story on Jimmy McCoy and his rise from low level punk to gang lord. A series of pranks ends with him going to reform school, which only teaches Jimmy how to be better crook, but only to extent. His next caper gets him a year in prison, which teaches him more, but he gets picked up on tax evasion next.

Out after ten years, Jimmy wants to retake the streets. The problem is that while he was away, crime continued. "Big" Costello has moved into Jimmy's old rackets and taken most of his old gang. Jimmy aims to settle the score and make himself the big man once again.

Pretty good, although Batman and Robin come across as more extras than anything else. This particular yarn could just as easily been told in any 'Crime Does Not Pay' mags that were sold at the time.

Bring on the Bad Guys: Blackbeard

Real name: Thatch
A.K.A.:
First Appearance: Batman I#4 (Winter 1940)
Abilities: Pirate captain
Weapons: guns, saber
Quotes: "Ho-ho What a prize catch this is!"
Worst Act: Piracy
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson/George Roussos(inks)

A fairly weak character and story. A pirate shows up and attacks a yacht, robbing the people and holding them hostage. Batman and Robin show up, they fight, and Blackbeard is exposed as a run of the mill gangster.

Which begs the question of why go to all the trouble? He and his men are dressed as your stereotypical pirates (cutlasses and all), but he makes no effort to pass himself as the legendary Blackbeard. If his goal was pure robbery, why bother with the dress up?

Bring on the Bad Guys: Big Boy Daniels

Real name: Daniels
A.K.A.:
First Appearance: Batman I#3 (Fall 1940)
Abilities: Gang ringleader
Weapons: guns
Quotes: "So, you ratted to the Batman, eh 'Pockets'! I'll teach ya to double cross me!"
Worst Act: Murder
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson/George Roussos(inks)


Another Robin feature. While Gotham is plagued by yet another gang, Batman discovers this one uses kids as a members. Sending Robin undercover ferrets out the big man-Big Boy Daniels.

Daniels is fairly plain. He's yet another gangster, and the kids as criminals bit isn't even a year old. Repeating storylines isn't unique to comics

Bring on the Bad Guys: The Ugliest Man in the Wolrd

Real name: Carlson
A.K.A.: Larry Larrimore
First Appearance: Batman I#3 (Fall 1940)
Abilities: Chemical master
Weapons: chemical cocktails of unknown ingredients
Quotes: "So, my face is ugly to you!"
Worst Act: Murder
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson/George Roussos(inks)


An interesting villain. While we've seen villains inspired by popular media (Joker, Catwoman), the Ugliest Man in the World seems to predate the 1946 Rondo Hatton vehicle the Brute Man.

 Bruce Wayne is meeting with businessman Larrimore and his partner when one of them drops dead, his face horribly distorted. From there a wave of riots hits Gotham City, the mob of disfigured people being by the titular man. When a doctor named Ekhart (who shares a similar name to the doctor who said be the best doctor in the world in 1942's Detective Comics#66) claims to be able to treat the victims of the mob.

Captured at the group's lair, we learn that Larrimore is in fact Carlson. It seems that some years ago in collage Carlson was participating in a fraternity hazing when he was injected with an unknown amount of chemicals, twisting his features horribly. Shunned by friends and dumped by his fiancé, Carlson went underground, building an army of similarly distorted people to destroy all things deemed beautiful.

Not a terrible story and a fairly compelling villain. A pity this was his only appearance.

Bring on the Bad Guys: The Puppet Master

Real name: None
A.K.A.: none
First Appearance: Batman I#3 (Fall 1940)
Abilities:  Hypnosis
Weapons: drugs
Quotes: "Soon Dr. Craig will become a mere slave-a human puppet!"
Worst Act: Theft
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson/George Roussos(inks)


This particular yarn begins with Dr. Craig being the victim of a seeming accident, yet later he later steals his top secret formula and hands it over to a gang. Only with the intervention of Batman is the formula saved.

It seems the slight wound enables the Puppet Master to place the victim under an extreme state of suggestion, which is a problem as Batman himself was scratched. Can Robin stop his partner from committing unstoppable crimes?

Not a terrible villain, although his 'leftover peasant costume from a high school play' leaves something to be desired. The idea of hypnotizing people and forcing them to commit crimes would be better used by the Mad Hatter some time later.

Bring on the Bad Guys: King of the Giants

Real name: None
A.K.A.: none
First Appearance: Detective Comics I#44 (October 1940)
Abilities:  Giants
Weapons: Giant sized everything
Quotes: "Pepper! Oh my eyes!"
Worst Act: Being a cop-out
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson/George Roussos(inks)

I suppose one can forgive a copout. Batman had only been around for little over a year at this point, but the 'it was all a dream' was getting a little old even by 1940.

Basically Robin is reading a book on dwarves and giants. He starts to nod off when Batman arrives and whisks him off to a mad scientist who sends the two of them into the fourth dimension. Captured by a giant, they end up in a massive war between the giants and the dwarves. It looks like curtains for the caped crusaders when Robin wakes up.

Not the best yarn, but I suppose that can be forgiven given the time period.

Bring on the Bad Guys: Two-Face

Real name: Harvey Dent
A.K.A.: Harvey Kent, Apollo, Janus, Mr. Duall
First Appearance: Detective Comics I#66 (August 1942)
Abilities:  Extensive knowledge of criminal law, hand to hand combat
Weapons: .22 pistol, two pistols at once, double-barrel shotgun
Quotes: "Two sides...handsome, like mine once were! Now one is scarred, ugly like mine!"
Worst Act: murder, stealing anything two related
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson/George Roussos(inks)

Breaking with the order somewhat, but given the date I felt this was the most appropriate choice.


Harvey Dent (Kent in the first few stories) was the dashing and crusading district attorney of Gotham City when "Boss" Moroni threw a bottle of acid into his face during his hearing. Batman deflected the bottle, making strike only one side of Dent's face, but the damage was done...

The early stories were the better ones I think. Two-Face was a character split right down the middle. With this two-headed coin, he could rob a jewelry store first then pay off a mortgage the next. The character had a proper end, with plastic surgery (and presumably a good lawyer) giving him a happy ending.

Two-Face would be brought back a few times, first with imposters, then Harvey himself getting scarred again (this time thanks to dynamite). The 60's would be coin free, although there were some plans to bring Two-Face onto the 1966 series.

Two-Face would make his big return in the 1970's and would stay more or less at the same level to the present day.

Personally I always enjoyed the idea of Two-Face more than the actual stories. A character that could be equally good or evil but with the flip of coin should be a pretty good story engine, yet with the start of the 80's the writers seem to turn Dent into just another thug, most of the time just flipping the coin and stealing things dealing with 2.

Frank Miller did introduce the concept that Dent, Gordon, and Batman were sort of the first hero team in Gotham, although Dent's role in Batman: Year One was shamefully short.

Bring on the Bad Guys: Bugs Norton

Real name: Bugs Norton
A.K.A.: none
First Appearance: Detective Comics I#43 (September 1940)
Abilities:  knows politicians
Weapons: city government
Quotes: "If the Batman comes looking for trouble, he's going to get it!"
Worst Act: Corruption
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson/George Roussos(inks)


Superheroes tackling corruption in politics wasn't new (Superman made pretty much his first year going after lobbyists and others), so it's a bit odd that Batman would take so long before going after such a figure.

The story has been before (and after too), hero blows into town run by  a corrupt boss figure and by various means ends up saving the simple townsfolk. That's pretty much the entire story, as Bugs Norton is the power behind the mayor Harliss Greer and Batman takes them down. The use of messages via bat is a fresh twist though.

Bring on the Bad Guys: The Prophetic Killer

Real name: Wylie
A.K.A.: none
First Appearance: Detective Comics I#42 (August 1940)
Abilities:  Just a normal murder
Weapons: poison darts, knives
Quotes: "I've killed so many one more won't make any difference!"
Worst Act: Assault, murder
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson/George Roussos(inks)

Another proper mystery this time out. Mr. Ryder is your typical starving artist who has been forced to make portraits of various members of Gotham society just to keep the lights on.

Things are going fine, that is until the subjects of his paintings end up dying in ways that mirror the way the paintings are defaced. Can Bat man solve the case? He's better solve it fast, as Bruce Wayne's portrait has just been defaced...

Decent yarn all told.

Bring on the Bad Guys: Hackett & Sneed

Real name: Hackett and Sneed
A.K.A.: none
First Appearance: Batman I#2 (Summer 1940)
Abilities:  Crooked businessmen, poor business sense
Weapons: Guns
Quotes: "If we could exhibit that giant we could make a million dollars! "
Worst Act: Assault, murder, stealing a giant
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson/George Roussos(inks)

Bit of an odd caper here. The whole story has a scientist named Drake being attacked by pygmies. Why is he being stalked? Because he stole their god, a giant living in the wilds of Africa that Drake believes is the missing link.

Naturally Drake does the most responsible thing and steals him away to America and makes him wear tuxedos. Crooked promotors Hackett & Sneed hear of this giant and think he'd be the perfect act, and they intend to get him be it hook or crook.

Not the worst Batman story ever, but at this point certainly the oddest. Hackett and Sneed are simply too plain to really stand out, although their plan to kidnap the giant and (somehow) make him work for them is original if not particularly thought out.

Bring on the Bad Guys: Clubfoot

Real name: Ward
A.K.A.: none
First Appearance: Batman I#2 (Summer 1940)
Abilities:  Just a normal murder
Weapons: Fake hook hand
Quotes: "Where are your smart quips now boy?"
Worst Act: Murder
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson/George Roussos(inks)


Now here we move back into the traditional murder mystery. The story kicks in when Harley Storme is murdered by a clubfooted man with a hook in lieu of a hand. The victim's will is read and that's when the other killings begin in earnest. Can Batman and Robin solve the case?

Pretty good, and the mystery actually plays pretty fair (if simple as there are only so many suspects).

Bring on the Bad Guys: Wolf the Crime Master

Real name: Adam Lamb
A.K.A.: none
First Appearance: Batman I#2 (Summer 1940)
Abilities:  Criminal genius at night
Weapons: Walking stick
Quotes: "No one can help you now!"
Worst Act: Murder, theft
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson/George Roussos(inks)


Certainly an interesting case here. Adam Lamb, meek curator for a private museum, is heading home one night when he trips on a rug, the last thing he sees before passing out is a portrait of a bat and a mystery novel called the Crime Master. When he comes to, he's now Wolf, a homicidal maniac and criminal genius.

Lamb is unaware of this though, only transforming at the stroke of midnight. Can Batman and Robin put a stop to his rampage?

A nice twist on the werewolf/Mr. Hyde archetype. This would be revisited a few more times at DC throughout the years, but I believe this was the first one.

Bring on the Bad Guys: Dr. Hugo Vreekill

Real name: Hugo Vreekill
A.K.A.: none
First Appearance: New York World's Fair#2 (July 1940)
Abilities:  mad scientist
Weapons: steel melting machine
Quotes: "With my machine I can become the most powerful man in the world!"
Worst Act: blackmail
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), George Roussos(inks)


Here may be one of the more obscure villains. For a brief period of time DC made special time in comics to promote the World's Fair. When it was held in New York in 1940, a group of heroes were included to talk about how neat everything was, Batman included.

While visiting New York to take in the World's Fair, the Dynamic Duo hear about the Great West River Bridge collapsing. Investigating, they discover a scientist (Vreekill) who's developed a machine capable to melting steel. Vreekill is blackmailing the city by threatening over bridges plus he's going to free all the prisoners in the local pen. Can our heroes stop him in time?

Not terrible, but Vreekill is pretty much your standard mad scientist. He's motivated by money (and not 'making those fools pay') and that's it. He doesn't even survive the story.

Bring on the Bad Guys: The Masked Menace

Real name: Graves
A.K.A.: none
First Appearance: Detective Comics I#41(July 1940)
Abilities:  Counterfeiter
Weapons: knife
Quotes: "Yeah, and now so that this kid won't talk I'll fix him!"
Worst Act: Murder and sabotaging a movie
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson (inks)

This particular yarn is the first Batman story where Robin takes the focus. After hearing of a murder at a boy's prep school, Dick Grayson goes undercover to ferret out the killer. Is it the local escaped lunatic? Or is the faculty hiding a secret?

Not a bad little mystery, with more than a few red herrings thrown in for good measure.

Bring on the Bad Guys: Clayface

Real name: Basil Karlo
A.K.A.: none
First Appearance: Detective Comics I#40 (June 1940)
Abilities:  Master of disguise
Weapons: knife
Quotes: "The scene is finished-for death is the director!"
Worst Act: Murder and sabotaging a movie
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson (inks)


Here we have the last of the first year villains who's still active today. He's taken a few different shapes over the years, (in fact I think he is the first proper legacy villain Batman ever tangled with, fake Joker notwithstanding), but for this entry's sake we'll focus our attention on the first, Basil Karlo.

We're introduced to Karlo as he (and others) are on the set of the Terror, a talking remake of an early silent film which stared Karlo. Someone is bumping off the cast and crew, someone dressed like the character of Clayface, another character from another silent film which also starred Karlo.

Clayface is Karlo, so the mystery aspect is a bit lacking. The guy's motivation was still pretty unique, if underdeveloped. Did Karlo do other roles besides horror? Was he bitter at sound? Did he pal around with any of the other old time actors in the DCU? And why disguise himself as character that people identified with him anyway?

In any event, that was pretty much it for Karlo for a while. Professional scumbag Matt Hagan would take over the mantle in the 1960's, but Karlo would return sometime later now leading the Mud Pack. Thanks to Batman: The Animated Series most versions now combined Karlo with Hagan, but the original is still an interesting read.

Bring on the Bad Guys: The Green Dragon Tong

Real name: N/A
A.K.A.: none
First Appearance: Detective Comics I#39 (May 1940)
Abilities:  not many
Weapons: hatchets
Quotes: "Capture him! You are many! He is one man!"
Worst Act: Smuggling opium and murdering Mr. Wong
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson (inks)

Bit of a let-down when compared to the previous subjects. The Green Dragon Tongs (no member's names are given, nor backgrounds) are pretty much generic Chinese gang#2. The most notable thing they do, aside from kidnapping and smuggling opium (because of course they deal in opium) is murder Mr. Wong. Wong only had appearance before this issue, but he was shown as an ally of Batman in Gotham's Chinatown. Pity they killed the character off, as there could have been some story potential.

Back to the gang. They have no motivation other than being criminals and even the fight scenes are pretty basic. Truly a forgotten footnote.

Bring on the Bad Guys: Catwoman

Real name: Selina Kyle
A.K.A.: the Cat
First Appearance: Batman I#1 (Spring 1940)
Abilities:  thief
Weapons: whips, guns
Quotes: "You and I- a king and queen of crime!"
Worst Act: Stealing anything feline related is generally frowned upon
Created by: Bill Finger (writer) and Bob Kane (artist-credited), Jerry Robinson (letters)


Once again character of whom much as been said.

Catwoman has been many things; out and out villain, anti-hero, and sometimes even a hero, yet she always goes back to stealing.

Even in the Golden Age there was clearly something intended, as at the end of her first appearance the Cat escaped (possibly with Batman's help). The idea of a villain flirting with a hero wasn't new at this point (see the Dragon Lady or the Princess Aura), but I personally felt it humanized Batman a bit.

She has been a steady in the series and the DC Universe overall since 1940. She even officially reformed in the 1950's (while saying she was a former air hostess who got amnesia) before changing her spots again. The 1966 TV series did a heck of a lot to cement the idea of a flirty yet dangerous thief (Julie Newmar in a skin tight bodysuit didn't hurt either). Lee Merriweather and Eartha Kitt chipped in too.

The 70's say her more or less where she was, not wholly evil yet not good. It would be the 80's and Frank Miller who would define her for the next ten years. Batman: Year One showed a Selina Kyle who was very much the opposite of Bruce Wayne, yet no less dangerous. The 90's would see her getting her own 94 issues series where she was more anti-hero than a pure villain.

She has been around as long as the Joker and had even more faces. The dance across the rooftops will continue for another generation.


We don't talk about the Halle Berry movie.