Arguably the greatest swimming champion of the 20th century , Johnny
Weissmuller was as big , if not bigger , than Michael Phelps. In the
1920s he stood on equal ground with such sports legends as Red Grange ,
Jack Dempsey and Babe Ruth. He of course would become a movie star
portraying a variation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan of the Apes in
six movies for MGM. And then in another six pictures for RKO. But I knew
Weissmuller first as Jungle Jim from the syndicated television series.
Later I would discover the 13 Jungle Jim movies he made for Columbia
Pictures. And from 1954 to 1955 Weissmuller would play himself in three
more flicks for Columbia, CANNIBAL ATTACK , JUNGLE MOON-MEN and DEVIL
GODDESS. All of which would have been great adapted to the comic book
page.
Considering just how little Columbia's Jungle Jim movies had to do
with Alex Raymond's comic strip , which they were based on , you could
have taken the stories from the movies and translated them into comic
books without anyone ever noticing. With art by the likes of Frank
Frazetta , Al Williamson and Wally Wood. That trio would have been great
illustrating some of the sexy sarong-clad native girls that appeared in
the movies. As well as the adventures of "America's No.1 Jungle Hero".
And as I could easily imagine a Johnny Weissmuller comic book I can
just as easily imagine a Johnny Weissmuller adventure digest magazine.
Just like with the Johnny Weissmuller comic book I can't understand why
some
publisher didn't give it a shot.
And now....Dave Goode and Vance Capley present:
Do you love comics?! We do too! We love them so much we made Judo Comics!! Don't be a CHUMP, grab your copy of Judo Comics by clicking this Link!
Watch Dave Goode and Vance Capley discuss this blog and comic on youtube:
Great page by Mr.Vance Capley.
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