Do you remember certain DC Comics of the Silver Age where the editors, writers, and artists would come up with a cover image and then create a story built around it? The adage you cant judge a book by it's cover was often true when applied to these comics. I got the distinct impression this was also the case for the 10 page lead story found in Bettie Page Comics No.1 from Dark Horse in 1996. You start with the cover illustration by the late, great Dave Stevens that itself looks like a homage to Frank Frazetta's cover to Thun'Da No.1 from the 1950s.
With a script by Jeff Gelb and Dave Steven the story is penciled by Bret Blevins with inks by Blevins, Mike Manley, and Dave Stevens. The story itself is a hilarious tribute to B-Movie jungle adventures. And features thinly disguised cyphers for Ed Wood Jr. and Johnny Weissmuller.
The whole thing was most likely inspired by a photo shoot with pin-up model turned pin - up photographer Bunny Yeager and model Bettie
Page done at the Africa U.S.A theme park in Boca Raton, Florida in
1954. The sexy "jungle girl" outfit Bettie is
wearing was in fact made by Miss Page herself.
I like to believe there is an alternate universe where a B-Movie
producer like a Sam Katzman decided to make a jungle adventure flick
starring Bettie Page. Maybe even co-starring Johnny Weissmuller. As
Johnny Weissmuller and not Jungle Jim. And Steve
Calvert as Bettie's faithful gorilla companion. Something that was
missing from the photo shoot with Miss Yeager.
And don't forget the comic!
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