PHANTOM LADY #17 (APRIL 1948)

 A great example of Good Girl Art (also commonly referred to as GGA) in comic books.

From Wikipedia:  "As published  by Fox Feature Syndicate in the late 1940s, Phantom Lady is a notable and controversial example of 'good girl art', a style of comic art depicting voluptuous female characters in provocative situations and pin-up that contributed to widespread criticism of the media's effect on  children.  The character was ranked 49th in Comic Buyer's Guide '100 Sexiest women in comics' list."

Created by Arthur Peddy of the Eisner & Iger Studio for Quality Comics' anthology title Police Comics #! (August 1941, the same issue that would introduce Plasticman and the Human Bomb), Phantom Lady was the alter ego of Sandra Knight, the daughter of Senator Henry Knight.  Back then, her costume was a green c ape and what could be considered a one-piece yellow bathing suit -- already sexy enough for 1941 audiences.  She carried a "black light projector" that could blind her enemies and make her invisible.  (Over time, she also had the powers of intangibility, casting illusions, and teleportation,)

After Quality stopped publishing the adventure of Phantom Lady, the Iger Studio believed it held ownership of the character and assigned it to Fox Feature Syndicate, which began running her in Phantom Lady #13 (August 1947, taking over the numbering of Fox's Wotalife Comics).  At Fox, as drawn by Matt Baker, this was not your mother's Phantom Lady -- her costume was significantly altered to reveal some awesome cleavage; instead of a bathing suit, she wore a bandana-like contraption tied around her upper torso, and added high-cut loose shorts, and her costume had switched from yellow to red and blue.   Her mammalian attributes were heavily emphasized to the point that a normal woman would insist on the support of a quality brassiere; the fact that she did not have one and did not jiggle or flop as she went through extensive battles indicate a hereto before unsung superpower -- one heartily endorsed ( I assume) by her male teenage readership.  The cover of this issue (#17) is famous for being and example reprinted in Dr. Frederick Wertham's notorious Seduction of the Innocent, the controversial anti-comic book screed that led to Congressional hearings and to the industry's Comics Code Authority in 1954.  (That cover was reprinted in a very special limited edition booklet for the London Super Comic convention for 2013 by PS Artbooks.)  Later in her adventures, it was revealed that Phantom Lady had deliberately designed her costume to distract the bad guys -- if it worked for her male audience, it surely would work for the bad guys.  

Alas, with the introduction of the Comics Code Phantom Lady covered up her cleavage and switch to a skirt instead of those shorts.  But fear not, true fans,  Phantom Lady has jumped from publisher to publisher over the years and has changed her identity and origin story several times and has bounced back to skimpy and revealing costumes.

In this issue:

• Phantom Lady discovers that a protection racket had killed a friend of hers because she would not pay, and that made Phantom Lady mad, in "The Soda Mint Killer!"
• In "The Stinging Whip!", Sandra's fiance, Don Bordon, invites her to the racetrack to see the horse he had just purchased.   don's jockey is killed when he refuses to throw the race and Sandra rides Sugar Girl instead.
• The issue ends with a ten-page non-fiction story about "Evelyn Ellis, Queen of Gangster."  Evelyn "remade a gang of two-bit crooks into a high powered mob of dangerous killers" in 1937 San Francisco.  SPOILER ALERT:  It did not last long; several members of the gang were killed in a shootout with police, the other members were sentenced to life in prison, and Evelyn was given fifty years in the slammer.  C'est la vie.  Crime does not pay -- in comic books.

Enjoy.

https://comicbookplus.com/?dlid=96261

FORGOTTEN BOOK: LAY DOWN MY SWORD AND SHIELD

 Lay Down My Sword and Shield by James Lee Burke  (1971)

This is the first of thirteen novels (thus far) about the Holland family.  

Hackberry Holland is a Korean War veteran and an alcoholic whose life is spiraling out of control.  A lawyer and a member of a prominent Texas family, he has been persuade to run for the House of Representatives from Texas in an election he is sure to win, his father having held that seat earlier.  As a lawyer, he is brilliant; his skills have won him many rich, powerful, and influential clients, although he leaves most of the work of his firm to his older brother.  As a husband, he is a failure, having married a beautiful society girl who places prestige and position over all else.  As a person, he is haunted by his time in Korea, where he served briefly as a medic before being captured and place in a Chinese prisoner of war camp.  What was done to him there, and what he had to do to survive, has scarred him.  He returned as a hero, but Hack knows that what he had to do was anything but heroic.  He lives on the family ranch once owned by his grandfather and namesake, Hackberry Holland, a tough Texas lawman most noted for defeating and jailing gunslinger John Wesley Hardin.

Hack's life is fueled by alcohol, blackouts, fast cars, cheap Mexican whores, and regret.  He knows he is being used by political forces.  He dislike the people he has to contend with and curry up to in order to advance his political career.  He loves his brother but hates that his brother is more concerned about financial and political success than anything else.  He doesn't hate his wife, but he regrets having married her; she, in turn, despises him for his weaknesses and his occasionally refusing to play the political game.  And then there's his experiences as a prisoner of war, where his captors  reigned over him and his fellow prisoners with cruelty, hatred, and violence, thinking nothing of randomly slaughtering some of his fellow prisoners.

"I stared through my eyes at the wall.  The lines in the room looked warped, glittering with moisture,, and the old stove burned brightly red in one corner of my vision.  Deng nodded to the sergeant, an indifferent and casual movement of maybe an inch, and Kwong brought my head down with both hands into his knee and smashed my nose.  the blood burst across my face, my head exploded with light, and I was sure the bone had been knocked back into my brain.  I was bent double in the chair, the blood pouring out through my hands, and each time I tied to clear my throat I gagged on a clot of phlegm and started the dry heaves"

At one point, Hack and some of his fellow prisoners were ordered to dig their own graves ("Deep.  no smell later.:"):

" 'Who first?'

" 'Do it, you goddamn bastard" O. J. shouted.  then his eyes watered and he stared at this feet,

" 'You first, then, cocksuck.'  Kwong raised the burpgun to his shoulder and aimed at O. J.'s face, his eyes bright over the barrel, a spot of saliva in the corner of his mouth.  He waited seconds while O. J.'s breath trembled in his throat, and suddenly he swung the gun on his strap and began firing from the waist into the Turk.  the first burst caught him in the stomach and chest, and he was knocked backward by the impact into the grave, with his arms and legs outspread.  The quilted padding in his coat exploded with holes, and one bullet struck him on the chin and blew out the back of his head.  His black eyes were dead and frozen with surprise before he hit the ground, and a piece of broken tooth stuck to his lower lip.  Kwong stepped to the edge of the grave and emptied his gun, blowing the face and groin apart while the brass shells ejected into the snow.  When the chamber locked open he pulled the pan off, inserting a fresh one in its place, and slid back the loading lever with his thumb.  The other two guards began to kick snow and dirt from the edge of the grave on top of the Turk's body.

" 'You next, corpsman.  but you kneel.'

"The wire fence and the empty faces behind it , the wooden shacks, the yellow brick building where it had all begun, Kwong's squat body and the hills and the brilliance of the snow in the sunlight began to spin around me as though my vision couldn't hold one object in place.  My knees felt weak, and I felt excrement running down my buttocks.  The wind spun clouds of powdered snow into the light.

"Kwong shoved me backwards into the hole, then leaned over me and pushed the gun barrel into my back.  His nostrils were wide and clotted with mucus in the cols."

The novel itself takes place in the late Sixties.  Hack gets a call from an old army buddy, a man who saved his life at least once in the war, Arturo Gomez, who was now involved as a labor organizer in South Texas.  Art had jailed for assault in a picket line arrest.  Because of the political volatility of the situation and powerful influence of wealthy farmers in the area, Art is looking at a long prison stretch.  Hack agrees to help him, and soon finds himself facing much of the same ignorance, hatred, violence,  and bigotry he had experienced in Korea.

This time, he has a chance at redemption.

James Lee Burke is one of the best writers of our time and is a master of the suspense. crime, and historical novel.  He is best known for his many novels about Louisiana detective Dave Robicheaux.  His novels about various members of the Holland family take us from 1835 to today:

• Son Holland escaped from a Louisiana chain gang and fought for Texas independence, earning him a large tract of land in that state (Two for Texas, 1982)
• Sam Morgan Holland was a confederate soldier, former gunman, and a Baptist saddle preacher who was a lover of Cimarron Rose
• Hackberry Holland was a Texas Ranger and lawman who jailed John Wesley Hardin (The House of the Rising Sun, 2015)
• Ismael Holland. Hackberry's son, fought in World War I, also featured in The House of the Rising Sun
• Bessie Holland, Hackberry's daughter, accidently killed a man while protecting her father, and fled to New York (Don't Forget Me, Little Bessie, to be published June 3, 2025)

Hackberry Holland had four grandsons:

• Hackberry Holland, former Navy corpsman, lawyer for the ACLU, and a sheriff on the Texas- Mexican border (Lay Down My Sword and Shield, 1971; Rain Gods, 2009; Feast Day for Fools, 2011)
• Billy Bob Holland, former Texas ranger and lawyer (Cimarron Rose, 1997; Heartwood, 1999; Bitterroot, 2001; In the Moon of Red Ponies, 2004)
• Weldon Holland served in the Ardennes during World War II (Wayfaring Stranger, 2014)
• Aaron Holland Broussard, author (The Jealous Kind, 2016; Another Kind of Eden, 2021; Every Cloak Rolled in Blood, 2022)

At least one character from the Holland family saga has spilled over to Burke's Dave Robicheaux series.

All of Burke's Holland family books are highly recommended.

SUSPENSE: THE CAVE OF ALI BABA (AUGUST 19, 1942)

A classic mystery story by Dorothy L. Sayers, featuring Romney Brent as Lord Peter Wimsey.

Sayers' story, first published as "The Adventurous Exploit of the Cave of Ali Baba" in Lord Peter views the Body (1928), has been anthologized a number of times including by Sayers herself, H. Douglas Thomson, Howard Haycraft, Lee Wright, John Ernst, Maurice Richardson, Saul Schwartz, Herbert van Thal, Rex Burns & Mary Rose Sullivan, and Peter Haining.

This radio version was scripted by Peter Lyon.  Suspense ran on CBS radio from 1942 to 1962.  It was produced and directed by William Spear; the "guest director" for this episode was Robert Lewis.  In addition to Romney Brent, the cast included William Moulton, Ira Gerard, William Padme, Ian Martin, Kathleen Cordell, Victor Becroft, Roland Bottomly, and J. W. Austin.  Barry Kroger was the announcer.

As for the story, let's just say it concerns forty thieves and two magic words...

Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW4NccD_NPM&list=PLvu2oOrWFl_NykNNccUdjcSUFk0tuXPkG&index=3&t=7s

SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: THE BLACK STONE OF AGHARTI

 "The Black Stone of Agharti" by "Murray Leinster" (Will F. Jankins)  (first published in Short Stories, September 10, 1930; reprinted in Empire Frontier, January 1931; in Leinster's collection Guns for Achin, 1936; in Adventure Yarns, August 1938; in Leinster's collection Malay Collins, Master Thief of the East, 2000; and in High Adventure #140, January 2015)

This is the third and final story about Malay Collins, the greatest thief of the East.  Collins has been summoned to Urga by the Bogdo Khan, the Living Buddha of an Eastern religion.  The Bogdo Khan was a drunkard, a poisoner, a shepherd to his people, and a benevolent despot and the god to whim several millions of people say their prayers.  A blind old man, Bogdo Khan was the incarnation of a portion of Gautama Buddha's soul.  The Bogdo Khan wanted Collins to steal the Black Stone of Agharti from the Hotuku of Kemchik.  

The stone was a flat piece if black stuff, most likely a black diamond of unparalleled size -- about four inches by six, and the a palm's breadth in thickness. Intrinsically, it was worth many millions.  "But aside from the intrinsic value it was beyond all price.  To the Yellow Faith it was -- and is -- the most holy object in all the world  And each and every follower of Lamaism believed devoutly that the engraved figures upon the Black Stone changed by day, so that prophecies, fortunes, secrets, and all knowable matters generally could be read from its adamantine surface.  To say that it was the greatest treasure of the Living Buddhas of Urga is to phrase the thing too mildly.  To every layman, lama and monk of the Yellow Faith, it was the most holy thing on earth.  It is a matter of history that literally thousands of men devoted their lives to searching for it, after it was stolen.'  But now, the Hotuku of Kemchik has found it, and is prophesizing by it, speaking of a holy war against the white races, commanding that the Yellow Faith to rise against the White Race.  The Bogdo Khan needs to gain the Black Stone to see if this is what was actually prophesized.  If so, he would accede to what the Stone says; if not, he may be able to avoid a racial war.

Collins's task will not be easy.  The stone is within a monastery in the city of Kemchik.  'Within the monastery is a great courtyard.  In the center of the courtyard is a tower, which is of solid stone.  there are no steps within it.  At the top of the tower there is a roofed platform with movable screens,  Upon an altar upon the platform the Black Stone is kept.  Twelve men, armed with swords, remain there night and day.  they can ascend only by ladders, which it takes ten men to lift.  Even when prophecy is made the Black Stone is not removed.  Its signs are read by the Hotuku of Kemchik, standing upon the balcony of the monastery, while monks hold up the stone for him to see.  The stone is in an iron frame, which is bolted by four chains to the tower itself.  No thief can steal the stone."  Five times before, the Bogdo Khan has sent thieves to capture the stone, and five times those thieves had been caught and executed.  But Malay Collins is no ordinary thief.

From the beginning of this adventure, Collins, who used all his skills to maintain secrecy, has had his every move seemingly predicted by the Black Stone.  Even as he traveled to Kemchik, he came across this notice painted on a large stone:  "The Hokutu of Kemchik sends words to Collins Kahn that he is expected and will be welcomed according to his just deserts.  The Black Stone describes his progress and has revealed his plans/"  A lesser man -- and certainly any Oriental -- would consider this and similar encounters proof fo the magical powers of the Black Stone.

"But in spite of having been raised by a benevolent old scoundrel in a distinctly Oriental fashion, Collins was a white man; and a white man does not believe in magic, whatever he may see."

An intriguing, clever tale, filled with the derring-do and local color of the best of Leinster's adventure tales of the far-East.  Even the racial sensibilities so rife in 1930s pulp fiction is held at a minimum to make the tale worthwhile for modern readers.  As I have mentioned elsewhere, it is a pity that Leinster did not go to write more adventures of Malay Collins.

(Malay Collins, by the way, has been "inducted" into the Wold Newton family -- a literary crossover concept developed by Philip Jose Farmer which showed that various characters, heroes, and villains from popular literature were related, including Sherlock Holmes, Tarzan, the Scarlet Pimpernel, Fu Manchu, Bulldog Drummond, the Shadow, Travis McGee, James Bond, Allan Quatermain, Mr. Moto, and Sam Spade.  Malay Collins is part of the Wold Newton universe due his distant relationshuip to Barnabas Collins, and the Collins family of Collinswood, Maine.  Neat, huh?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SLIM WHITMAN!

 Ottis Dewey Whitman Jr.(1923-2013) had a musical career that spanned more than seven decades and included more than 100 albums and some 500 songs.  Best known as a country-western singer, Whitman also recorded gospel, show tunes, love songs, and standards.  He was given the name "Slim" after signing with Colonel Tom Parker (yes, Whitman toured with Elvis in the early days) after Canadian singer Wilf Carter who was billed as "Montana Slim."  Whitman was an early influence on George Harrison and Paul McCartney, and was listed as one of Michael Jackson's ten favorite vocalists.

"Indian Love Call"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBuk1HXcz1k

"Red River Valley"

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

"I Remember You"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXOcRe7E5kA

"Rose Marie"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZIKbJziquk

"Beautiful Brown Eyes" (with Connie Francis)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZIKbJziquk

"A Fool Such as I"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W42fEyMFGiI

"I'm Casting My Lasso Toward the Sky" -- his first recorded song (in 1948)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W42fEyMFGiI

"Singing Hills"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ilTmtBjYtA

"Cattle Call"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bZS1-en398

"What'll I Do?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loFAEwvz3OM

"Una Poloma Blanca"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y78dtSvzWc4

"The Wayward Wind"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4LTK8npFMk

"That's How the Yodel Was Born"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FJ2QbM6wlQ

"Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8cWZgTIxFI

"Whippoorwill Yodel"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRycMph86RA

"Tennessee Waltz"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9OY9rQZbhU

Channeling his inner Gene Autry -- "Back in the Saddle Again"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1esuJZ2tek

And his inner Roy Rogers -- "Happy Trails"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdyttO3hLoo

There, now isn't that better than watching the Inauguration today?

HYMN TIME

 Holy Ghost Sanctified Singers, from 1930.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtmL4peMVFc

BLUE CIRCLE COMICS #4 (FEBRUARY 1945)

Blue Circle is actually Len Stafford, a criminal mastermind who has seen the error of his ways, and now pretends to be a semiretired crook while secretly battling the criminal underworld he was once part of.  He is aided by the Blue Circle Council, a group of former criminals.  He first appeared in Blue Circle Comics #1 (June 1944) and lasted for only five issues in that comic, ending in March 1945.  He then made one appearance in Roly Poly Comic Book #1, December 1945.  Blue Circle could at best be considered a failed comic book hero. a fact  amplified by his fate more than five decades later -- he had remained dormant until 2001 when he was resurrected along with other comic book heroes who had fallen into the public domain for a story in issue #1 of Blowjob, a comic book dedicated tot he art of fellatio -- it is safe to say that this appearance was not considered part of the canon.  Sic transit gloria mundi.

In this penultimate issue, Blue Circle investigates a banker's son who has developed a gambling problem and may have embezzled funds to pay for his habit.

Then, Gail Porter, Girl Photographer, is assigned to interview Toots Sweeney, a gun moll accused of shooting two of her boyfriends, and learns that a female can be ore dangerous than a male.

Toreador is invited to take part in a Pan-American rally in Rio de Janiero.  Accompanied by his sidekick Pedro and his bull, Toreador ends up catching a Japanese agent.

Maureen Marine, the undersea queen of Atlantis, takes part in an undersea derby.  King Neptune is leading her in the race but Maureen is determined to win.  then, her frog beast trips over a wire, Maureen it thrown, and the Miro Men capture her!  Can she escape?

Driftwood Davey and Iron Head Harmon, two "knights of the road," attempt to milk a cow and run into a group of cattle rustlers.

A gambling ring attempts to pit a stranglehold on war material production, but they do not reckon on The Steel Fist, secret identity of Tim Slade!

Slaphappy Grandpappy is a fire warden in his district and takes his job seriously and ends up rolling bandages and (gasp!) sewing for the Red Cross.

A run of the mill magazine, sadly.  Still, perhaps worth a look.

https://comicbookplus.com/?dlid=96212&comicpage=&b=i