12.23.2008

Chronicle #17: Jungle Drums!

Sorry to have been away so long, Jungle Bunnies; but a fella has to make a living and, well, chronicling the adventures of a globetrotting man-of-action pays about as well as crawling through the jungle looking for rare plants.


So, where were we? Ah, yes, Action Comics #41 finds Bill, Prof, and nosy tag-along Sheila "headed for the coast". Along the way, they stop at a British military post, where...

Who could be whipping the blacks into a frenzy? A huge white man, naturally!

Bill is going to get to the bottom of this in no time, and loyal Professor Kent will brook no argument, he's going with him! But, next morning, as on so many mornings before, a groggy Joe Kent rolls over to find a tear-stained note....

Well, Bill, suit yourself. But mark my words, your action-hungry ways might just cost you the security of a life on the fringes of academia if you're not careful!
The "huge white man" hears of Congo Bill's coming, and we find out his underlying motives for stirring up the natives...he's a dirty kraut!


When Bill arrives at the native village, Scheller dishes out the hospitality but our man of action ain't buying!

Bill challenges the Ratzi swine to hand-to-hand combat, in order to prove to the natives that no force is stronger than good ol' American brawn!

What follows are several scenes reminiscent of the fevered late-night dreams of yours truly, usually involving gladiators and/or at least three of the Baldwin brothers; suffice it to say the German sweinhund, though larger and stronger, is no match for the lithe American athleticism of Congo Bill!

Everyone knows the only way a Nazi can subdue one of our American boys is via teutonic trickery, and in a sneak attack Bill is pinned to the ground!

Just then, Professor Kent arrives by plane and rushes toward Bill's prostate...oh wait, no, I read that wrong....

Bill is safe, thanks to the sudden burst of manhood from Professor Kent, but what of Herr Scheller? Auf wiedersehn, Ratzi! Say 'guten tag' to a little something we like to call Jungle JUSTICE!

What's next for our heroes, will they ever make it to the "coast"? STAY TUNED!

11.02.2008

Chronicle # 16: The Prehistoric Valley!

Welcome back, Congophiles! This week, from Action Comics #40, Congo Bill braves the dangers of The Prehistoric Valley!

The adventure starts, as such adventures often do, with the thrilling quest for rare fl...aw, Jeezus, Kent, I warned you once...you'd best mind yourself or Bill's going to find a rare flower of his own. Yes, that's foreshadowing.

Next morning, Prof seems to have dyed his hair and mustache and lost about thirty pounds...too little, too late Kent, to keep Congo Bill from adventuring!

"Lay" of the land indeed. How about a little mammarian symbolism? Careful, Bill....once you pass the mounds of Venus, things can get hairy!

Oh, my friend, your nightmare's just beginning. How about a little more of that symbolism we discussed earlier, hmmm?

You're in it now, buddy. But where was I? Oh, yes, inside the cave, Bill finds a mad scientist and his neice, reminiscent of Chronicle 8's Scientist/Step-daughter duo.

Seems Dr. Hanlen is keen on getting back to civilization and claiming credit for discovering the Prehistoric Valley, but Sheila thinks he's lost his marbles! She pulls Bill aside to plot their takeover of the cave when:

Bill tries to disarm the crazed scientist but as everyone knows, the strength of the insane is not to be underestimated!

Enjoy the embrace of a man, Bill, it may be the last one you get for a while. Oh, look, more foreshadowing!
The Professor darts out of the cave, not having the benefit of knowing, as all true Congophiles do, that THE WAYS OF JUSTIC ARE OFTEN STRANGE.

Wow, that's an amazing story, don't you think so Professor Kent?

I warned you Kent, and now look - all you can think about is your damn plants, and CONGO BILL IS MAKING EYES AT LITTLE MISS SHEILA HANLEN, AND TOSSING OFF SEXIST 1940'S "COMPLIMENTS" TO BOOT!
What could this possibly mean, dear readers? Has the blonde minx Sheila Hanlen finally accomplished what others before her have failed to do, destroy the fabled "companionship" of Congo Bill and Professor Kent?!?!? STAY TUNED!
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Action Comics #40....



Clark Kent reveals the secret of his success!












Zatara goes someplace together with his boys!










The Black Pirate leaves his poopdeck unguarded!











Pep Morgan makes his mark with a quick "job"!










Mr. America sneaks out of a hotel!








And the Three Aces confirm all my suspicions!




10.19.2008

Chronicle #15: The Secret U-Boat Base!

August 1941, and Action Comics #39 lets us know that even the Jungle isn't safe from the machinations of those Nazi swine! Bill is summoned to Cairo and a meeting with the British Army!

Ha ha, you tell 'em, Bill! But first, a sad farewell!

Bill makes his way across the Mediterranean towards Gibraltar, but then......!

Bill survives the crash, as if there was any doubt, and he makes quick work of the Nazi patrol!
That's what she said!


But what's this....?

Bill breaks into the wireless shack and notifies the RAF!

Unfortunately, Bill is captured by the Ratzis and before long.....

Never fear, Congo Billions - for the third time in as many adventures, Bill is saved in the nick of time by an Explosion! This time, courtesy of His Majesty's Daring Doughboys!



You can say that again, CB!



Elsewhere in Action this month...
Superman gets ready for some cosplay!











Mr. America returns a favor!








Pep Morgan, Athletic Ace, spends a
nervous night in the pokey!









...and Zatara pays a visit to a queen!




10.16.2008

Chronicle #14: The Mines of Ophir!

We join Congo Bill and Professor Joe Kent in Action Comics #38 (July 1941) on a quest for rare plants!

Jesus, Kent, enough with the plants. No wonder Bill's itching to cut bait and run. Here's a tip - if you want to find rare tropical plants that no one's seen before, you might want to try someplace besides the middle of the African savannah.

Ah, but if it's men you're after....


Bill shows his tender, caring side as he cradles the dying man and pumps him for information!


Seems the unfortunate chap was on an expedition with his brother, in search of the fabled mines of Ophir. But the brother went crazy, shot his brother, and stole the map! Once Bill hears the whole story...
The very soul of compassion. You should volunteer for Hospice, CB!


Now, why doesn't someone who's good at expostulation tell us about these mines of Ophir?


Thanks, Prof! I'll just add that Ophir is mentioned in the Bible as the source of much of King Solomon's wealth, and has been theorized to be located in Zimbabwe, as well as Pakistan, India, and even Australia. Adventure writer H. Rider Haggard, in King Solomon's Mines, placed it in South Africa, scene of many of Congo Bill's own adventures!

Following clues given them by the dead man, Bill and Prof go in search of the Red Cliffs!

Just then, they are ambushed by some vicious savages! Luckily....


(Of course, being a savage, he doesn't know that the proper spelling is B'Wana. Ha ha stupid savages!)
I can think of no explanation for Professor Kent having "lost ten pounds" other than that he shit his pants.

Bill tracks the evil brother to the edge of the cliffs, where the brother opens fire! But Bill is saved by the jungle tracker's best friend, the lucky break!


Unfortunately, Bill is unable to exact personal revenge, as the brother suddenly explodes. Yes, that's right, I said explodes. What's the explanation for this mysterious explosion?


Well, thank goodness that's settled. And look - - next month we have an unusual adventure to look forward to!


Elsewhere in Action Comics this month...




Mr. America lures a man into an alley!




The Black Pirate is invited to a ball!




The Three Aces wonder what to do with a girl!




Pep Morgan, athletic ace, cruises the park!






Zatara is surpised by a premature ejection!


And Superman discovers the secret behind Lois Lane's moxy!