Thousands of years' [sic] in the days of the great reptiles, there existed a race of people known as the Terraboolies. The centre of this empire was at Terr. These warlike people were ruled by a king named Naisagood, whose armies were forever terrorizing the neighbouring countries. [sic] Con quering [sic] and enslaving them [.] The time came when a section of Naisagood's army. [sic] which disliked him, decided to revolt. They planned that in the event of war, those of the army who are discontented, should revolt and desert to the enemy.
The basic thing we have to unpack here is that proofreaders in 1945 Australia were in short supply.
Okaie, Master of the Jungle was printed by the Offset Publishing Company and contained three stories, the first of which featured Okaie. The remaining two stories featured Jimmy Weston, Ace animal Cameraman and The Outlaws. Okaie was the only character to have any further adventures -- which is just as well, since the story ends mid-stream. Okaie and The Outlaws were both created by Geoff Litchfield, a commercial artist who worked mainly in animated advertising and the theatre, Litchfield, who sign the Okaie story as "Golly" and The Outlaws as "Gosh," would draw only two other Okaie stories.
The artist for Jimmy Weston was Len Lawson (1927-2003), a best-selling comic book artist who created The Lone Avenger, Diana, Queen of the Apes, and the Hooded Rider. Lawson comic book career essentially ended in 1954 when he took five models for a remote photo shoot, bound them, sexually assaulted them and raped two. He was sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to 14 years once Australia ended the death penalty; Lawson had asked to continued writing The Lone Avenger, but the publisher wisely refused. Lawson was released from prison in 1961 after serving half his sentence. The following year, he assaulted and killed a 16-year-old girl, then took several hostages at a girls grammar school, killing one 15-year-old girl. For this he was sentenced to life in prison, where he attacked a female member of a dance group for inmates; the woman was severely traumatized and ended killing herself six years later. Lawson died in prison, certainly none too soon.
AUSTRALIA...WHERE IF NATURE DOESN'T KILL YOU, THE COMIC BOOK ARTISTS MAY.
Anyway, back to Okaie. He's one of those who is revolting against the king. Word of the rebellion gets to Prince Karrakar of of the Wiebakkie, who decides to consult the jungle witch doctor -- the High Priest of Terr -- who, in turn, decides to employ magic. (This is all done in a very vague and confusing manner.) Okaie rides a zebra into battle, with the rebel army riding brontosaurs. Did I mention that Okaie has enlisted the help of the ape men? If can follow the plot threads and the l;ack of logic, you're a better person than I am. The artwork is pretty nifty in areas, though.
Jimmy Weston has a pencil-thin mustache and wears a pith helmet. Working for the Australian Imperial Film Corp., he is in Africa to get some special shots for an upcoming film. With him is Doc Harvey, a jungle explorer, and Betty Winthrop, Jimmy's pretty new assistant. A lion sneaks into camp and attacks Doc but Jimmy shoots it in the nick of time. The next day, Jimmy and Betty see a giant ape being crushed by a huge python. Since jimmy doesn't like snakes, he shoots the python, the ape is grateful and motion Jimmy and the group to follow him into the jungle, where -- after Jimmy is almost devoured by a crocodile -- the ape leads Jimmy to the cave city of his tribe and show him a treasure of gold and gems. Well, hot doggies! That treasure sure can do some good for people in need. However, a German (this is just after WWII, remember) guide decides to get the treasure for himself. The German makes the mistake of pointing a gun at Jimmy, who is now the giant ape's best friend... Some pretty nifty artwork from a not-so-nifty artist.
As the result of a temporary breakdown of social life which followed the Second World War, outlaws have become. [sic] active on a large scale: [sic] and well organized. In the farming districts of the great Out-back, certain progressive elements of society have organized themselves into peoples committees to deal with the menace. "Jack the Officer" has been appointed chief of the secret police, and is hard on the trail of the "Kellymen", a small gang of whom, have slipped away, after a futile attempt has been made to bomb them in their hide-out on the river.
In the meantime, Sheriff Joe Donz is shot and killed and Jack the Officer is tasked with finding the killer...
This story is not quite as confusing as Okaie's, and the artwork is acceptable.
Throw a shrimp on the barbie and settle down to enjoy: https://comicbookplus.com/?dlid=90864&comicpage=&b=i
No comments:
Post a Comment