RAR 101: SANCHO THE YAQUI

 I've only read the opening of the Mex-western "Yaqui Gold" (CHAMPION COMICS #3, 1940), but probable sidekick Sancho makes a forceful debut. ADDENDUM: This ongoing serial petered out in three episodes, as if the author was told by his editor to wrap things up, in order to make room for a new feature. The muddled ending states Sancho's not just a sidekick, but "The Black Panther," the ruler of a new Aztec rebellion, albeit one that never gets started. He covets the lead White girl for a potential bride, but she doesn't accept him or the lead White suitor either-- which is so atypical an ending that I think the author meant to elaborate some more involved plot and was forced to just throw up his hands and whip together the existing conclusion.         

RAR 100: APACHE CHIEF

 APACHE CHIEF is technically the first RA superhero to join any version of the Justice League.

   

MINING POLITICAL MINEFIELDS

 More comment-preservation, re the Iran conflict.

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It's the Libs on this thread showing irrational paranoia. You want to celebrate Iran as the "good guys" in this geopolitical contest, simply because "they didn't attack first"-- even though Iran sent agents to assassinate a sitting US president, which in your world is not an "attack." 

And then there's the rush to assume that whatever Iran says is an honest representation of the facts on the ground, that they control the Straits because they say they do. Here's what they control: drones that can attack cargo ships if those ships don't pay up. Can other European and Middle Eastern countries choose to fight? Sure, but apparently, according to Louis Vittert (on a recent O'REILLY SHOW), they won't because Euro insurance companies have already rolled over, stating that they won't pay for cargo ships being attacked, but they will pony up for extortion. Vittert has a refreshingly practical take that you Libs could benefit from-- don't assume that either Iran or the US is telling the unvarnished truth, but judge what happens from the actual results. The constant carping of the media, Vittert points out, has strengthened Iran's position, not anything Trump did, because thanks to the Menace of the Midterms, the Iranians feel they can ask for more stuff despite their having been the aggressors in the conflict. To Trump it's like, "I'll use American resources to protect American interests, but I'm not doing squat for Europe. They can roll over and show their bellies, or they can fight."     

CROSSOVER MADNESS

 I've just reviewed the 1951 pirate-spoof DOUBLE CROSSBONES, which includes such legendary pirates as--

Blackbeard.

Anne Bonney.

And Alan Napier as Captain Kidd.

MONSTER MASHUPS #158

 I gave the 1984 SHE a negative review eight years ago, but I'll admit, after a re-screening, that it isn't as unimaginative as most post-apoc films, which, if they have monsters at all, usually keep it down to some stumbling zombie-mutants. SHE does boast--

THE NOOKS, mutants who are totally okay after their arms get sliced off.

GODAN, a psychoknietic mutant who tries to build a cult around his godhood.

 A colony of vampires who appear on the surface to be high-society types.

A self-regenerating fellow named Xenon, who can not only rebuild any body part (arm, head) out of nothing, the severed parts also grow into duplicates of Xenon-- though this monster's real threat is that he sounds like Robin Williams on speed.

There's also a mad scientist (assisted by a big bearded guy in a tutu) and a gang of warriors called "Norks," but I consider both of these "villains" rather than "monsters."       

CROSSOVER MADNESS

 I wouldn't have bothered noting the Beagle Boys (in issue #20 of their own title) interacting with Clarabelle Cow, but the line predicting their getting nabbed by Scamp is a keeper.

 Next issue has the Beagles hoaxing Super Goof into stealing the Brooklyn Bridge for them.

MONSTER MASHUPS #157

 

Here's Kirby's monster-hero The Demon taking on a super-werewolf, The Howler. It's one of the King's best fight-scenes in that title, though he avoids having his were-beast transmit his curse with something as visceral as causing wounds with fang or claw.