Encyclopedia of Weird Westerns
Page 10
“CAPTAIN MARVEL AND THE LAST OF THE BATSONS” [WW]
First publication: #51 (January 1946); Story: Otto Binder; Art: Pete Costanza; Publisher: Fawcett Comics.
When Wild Bill Batson claims Billy Batson is his lost grandson and invites him back to his Bar-B-Q Ranch, Captain Marvel looks further into the claim and helps Wild Bill out of trouble.
“CAPTAIN MARVEL GETS PROMOTED” [WW]
First publication: #53 (February 1946); Story: Otto Binder; Art: C.C. Beck, Pete Costanza; Publisher: Fawcett Comics.
Thrown by his horse head first into a tree, Colonel Blueridge mistakenly believes the year is 1846 and he is about to come under attack, by American Indians. But when Indians actually attack, Captain Marvel (now Colonel Marvel following a promotion by Colonel Blueridge) pursues the Indians into the depths of a cave. To his amazement, he discovers a lost tribe living in an Indian village.
“INDIAN CHIEF”
First publication: #83 (April 1948); Story: Otto Binder; Art: Pete Costanza; Publisher: Fawcett Comics.
Indian chief Captain Marvel proudly stands with arms folded overlooking a snow-capped mountain peak as Indian tribe members watch from a distance.
Captain Marvel Jr.
[Comic book]
Wounded by Captain Nazi, Freddy Freeman's life is saved as he is transformed into Captain Marvel Jr. with the help of Captain Marvel and the spirit of the ancient wizard Shazam.
“CAPTAIN MARVEL JR., DUELS WITH THE OUTLAWS” [WW]
First publication: #51 (August 1948); Art: Joe Certa; Publisher: Fawcett Comics.
Captain Marvel Jr. (Freddy Freeman) comes up against the outlaw Jesse James, Quantrill and Black Rufe.
“THE OUTLAW OF CROOKED CREEK” [WW]
First publication: #75 (July 1949); Art: Joe Certa; Publisher: Fawcett Comics.
“The World's Mightiest Boy Battles the Outlaw of Crooked Creek!”
Captain Video and His Video Rangers
(1949) [Children's TV series; SFW]
Premiere: June 27, 1949; Main cast: Richard Coogan as Captain Video (1949-50), Al Hodge as Captain Video (1950-55), Don Hastings as The Video Ranger, Bran Mossen as Dr. Pauli, Hal Conklin as Dr. Pauli; Creators: James L. Caddigan, Lawrence Menkin; Producers: Olga Druce, Maurice C. Brock; 30 min.; B/W; DuMont Television Network.
This low-budget children's science fiction show set in the year 2254 was broadcast live, five days a week. The “Remote Tele-Carrier” at Captain Video's secret mountain retreat headquarters transmitted the exploits of Captain Video's Special Agents who were earthbound cowboys such as Tim McCoy, Bob Steele and Ken Maynard. This strained cost-cutting segue into old film footage provided an early example of the concept of linking the traditional Western with science fiction.
Halfway through the show, the scene changes to wild west, which still seems to be wild in the 21st century. By employing good old-fashioned cowboy movies, all the kids are satisfied, and for a few minutes the imagination gets a rest. Baffled adults having cowboy movies thrust upon them in the middle of the 21st century, have been known to leave the room muttering to themselves. But the kids take it all in stride.
—TV Forecast, February 9, 1952
Captain Z-Ro
(1951) [TV series]
Premiere: November 1951; Main cast: Roy Steffens as Captain Z-Ro, Bobby Trumbull, Bruce Haynes (Season 3) as Jet; Creator: Roy Steffens; KRON-TV San Francisco; 15 min; B/W; W.A. Palmer Films Inc. for Captain Z-Ro Productions Inc.; 26 × 30 min; B/W
Captain Z-Ro and teenage assistant Jet travel through time and space with the help of his time-traveling rocket ship, ZX-99. The original live format made way for new filmed episodes when the show went into syndication on December 18, 1955.
“THE PONY EXPRESS” (3:07) [SFW]
Premiere: January 29, 1956; Guest cast: John Trigonis as McGowan, Bill Sweeney as Higgins, Michael Donn Random as Slade.
Captain Z-Ro and Jet (Haynes) travel through time and space to 1860 to return a Wells Fargo strongbox containing letters to the Pony Express relay station outside of Fort Bridger, Wyoming. But they uncover a plan by the Butterfield Stage Company to destroy the Pony Express.
“SUTTER'S GOLD” (3:17) [SFW]
Premiere: April 8, 1957; Guest cast: Maurice Argent as John Sutter, John Trigonis as Sam Brannon, Bill Sweeney as William Clark, Sydney Walker as James Marshall.
Captain Z-Ro and Jet become involved in the California gold strike of January 1848 when James Marshall struck gold at Sutter's Mill.
Roy Steffens as Captain Z-Ro and John Trigonis as McGowan face off in “The Pony Express” (1:07), an episode of Captain Z-Ro (1951).
Il Cavaliere del Texas
[Comic book character; Italy; WW]
First appearance: 1953; Creator-Art: Roy d'Amy; Story: G. L. Bonelli; Publisher: Sergio Bonelli Editore.
Rio Kid and sidekick Whisky Bill journey between Texas and Mexico putting wrongs to right and encountering weird and supernatural events.
See: Rio Kid
El Cazador de la Bruja
(2007) [Animated TV series; Japan; SFW]
Premiere: April 4, 2007; Story: Kenichi Kanemaki; Director: Kôichi Mashimo; Bee Train, Project Leviathan; 26 × 30 min.; Color.
After capturing murder suspect Ellis, bounty hunter Nadi becomes intrigued by the young girl. A mysterious gemstone and the “Eternal City” of Wiñay Marka act as their guide to uncovering the secrets of Ellis' past.
Taking place in a contemporary Western setting, this anime uses traditional Western motifs in a story involving intrigue, mystery, adventure and mystical powers.
Season One
Running Girl (1:01); Waiting Girl (1:02); Raining Girl (1:03); Targeted Girl (1:04); Clothed Girl (1:05); Man in Love (1:06); Working Man (1:07); Lying Girl (1:08); Digging Woman (1:09); Man Who Lives With an Angel (1:10); Cursed Woman (1:11); Shot Man (1:12); Hiding Woman (1:13); Maple Leaf (1:14); Opposing Woman (1:15);
Angry Woman (1:16); Cornered Woman (1:17); Disagreeing Woman (1:18); Man Who Protects (1:19); Captured Woman (1:20); Flapping Woman (1:21); Awoken Woman (1:22); Puzzled Woman (1:23); Dead Man (1:24); Saintly Woman (1:25); Shining Woman (1:26)
Chains of Chaos
[Comic book; SFW]
First issue: November 1994; Story: Thomas E. Sniegoski; Cover Art: John Estes; Three-issue mini-series; Publisher: Harris Comics.
The Rook and Vampirella team up to defeat the Chaos-child and meet Dracula, Adam Van Helsing and Pendragon along the way.
A cross-over title featuring The Rook and Vampirella, this series marked the first Harris Comics appearance of the former Warren Publishing Weird Western character. The revised Rook is a half-cyborg who travels through time and alternate universes known as the “reality stream.” The Harris version of the Rook still retains an Old West heritage.
Chanbara Beauty
[Film; Japan; WW]
International release title for OneeChanbara: The Movie.
Charmed
(1998) [TV series]
Air date: February 15, 2001; Main Cast: Shannen Doherty as Prue Halliwell, Holly Marie Combs as Piper Halliwell, Alyssa Milano as Phoebe Halliwell, Brian Krause as Leo Wyatt, Julian McMahon as Cole Turner, James Read as Victor Bennett, Michael Greyeyes as Bo Lightfeather, Kimberly Norris as Isabel Lightfeather, Ed Lauter as Sutter; Producer: Jon Paré; Story: Monica Breen, Alison Schapker; Director: Shannen Doherty; 42 min.; Spelling Television, Paramount Pictures; Color.
Following the death of their grandmother, three sisters discover they have supernatural powers and find themselves under attack from demonic forces in modern-day San Francisco.
“THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE CURSED” (3:14) [SFW]
Phoebe becomes physically linked to Indian Bo Lightfeather in an Old West town. Only Cole and Prue can save Phoebe from a time loop where she continually suffers Lightfeather's mortal wounds and is destined to die.
El Charro de las Calaveras
(1965) [Film; Mexico; WW]
Premiere: July 9, 1965
; Main Cast: Dagoberto Rodríguez as El Charro de las Calaveras, David Silva as El Lobo Humano, Pascual García Peña as Cléofas, Alicia Caro as Alvatierra; Producer: Miguel Barragán Angel; Story-Director: Alfredo Salazar; 78 min.; Spanish; B/W.
Three separate stories re-edited from film serials involving the Masked Rider confronting a werewolf (La Lobo Humano), a bat-faced vampire (El Vampiro Sinistro) and a disembodied head in a box demanding it be reconnected with its headless body (El Jinete Sin Cabeza).
Chase the Lightning
[Novel; WWR]
Author: Madeline Baker; First publication: New York: N.Y. Leisure Books, 2001.
Escaping from a pursuing posse on a mysterious white “spirit horse” in 1869, Trey Long Walker, a badly wounded half-breed Apache, finds himself in a 21st century corral face to face with Amanda Burkett, a beautiful woman engaged to bounty hunter Rob Langely, the great-great grandson of the man who pursued Trey back in his time.
Chickasaw Adventures
[Comic book; SFW]
First issue: March 2005; Story: Jen Murvin Edwards; Art: Tom Lyle; Publisher: Layne Morgan Media.
When Johnny, a modern Chickasaw boy, touches the sacred pole known as the kohta falaya, he travels back in time to witness key events in in Chickasaw history. In “Tears at Fort Coffee” (issue #3) he witnesses the Great Removal of Native Americans from their homelands to the Midwest.
Children o' the Atom
[RPG book; WW]
Authors: Rick Dakan, Jack Emmert, Bill King; First publication: 1998; Setting: Deadlands: Hell on Earth; Publisher: Pinnacle Entertainment Group.
Facts and information about the Cult o' Doom and their disciples and Vegas, the City o' Sin. Doomsayers will also discover new Edges, Hindrances, and more powers. Includes the adventure “Doom Comes to Frogtown.”
Cimarron
[Comic book character; SFW]
First appearance: The Liberty Project #1 (June 1987); Creators: Kurt Busiek, James Fry; Publisher: Eclipse
Rosalita Vasquez is Cimarron, a feisty but troubled Texan cowgirl possessing super-strength. As a member of a U.S. government group of super-villains, The Liberty Project, she combats various aliens and monsters in return for parole.
Cimarron Strip
[TV series]
Air date: November 30, 1967; Main Cast: Stuart Whitman as Marshal Jim Crown, Percy Herbert as Angus McGregor, Randy Boone as Francis Wilde, Jill Townsend as Dulcey Coopersmith, Lola Albright as Stacey Houston, Leslie Nielsen as Rowan Houston, Simon Oakland as Joshua Broom, Royal Dano as Walking Man; Creator: Christopher Knoff; Executive Producer: Philip Leacock; Story: Stephen Kandel, Richard Fielder; Director: Charles R. Rondeau; 72 min.; CBS, Stuart Whitman Corp.; Color.
The adventures of Marshal Jim Crown as he seeks to maintain law and order in land bordering Indian country and Kansas Territory known as the Cimarron Strip.
“THE BEAST THAT WALKS LIKE A MAN” (1:11) [WMW]
When Marshal Crown discovers their butchered bodies of a family of settlers outside of town, the locals believe it to be the work of “The Devil” a mythical creature who growls like a panther. “The Devil” is actually Joshua Broom, an insane one-handed trapper who uses a huge bear claw to kill anyone who enters his territory.
Cinnamon
[Comic book character; WW]
First appearance: Weird Western Tales #48 (September-October 1978); Creator: Roger McKenzie; Publisher: DC Comics
Kate Manser, determined to avenge her father's death at the hands of bank robbers, hones her gunfighting skills and sets off on her quest. As Cinnamon, she becomes particularly adept with the Japanese throwing star, the shuriken.
Her adventures in Weird Western Tales only spanned two issues and displayed no sense that she was a Weird Western character outside of her skills with the shuriken. Subsequent time-traveling stories with the Justice League of America and the knowledge she is the incarnation of ancient Egyptian princess Chay-Ara and the reincarnated Hawkgirl in the 20th century clearly categorize her as a true Weird Western character.
The Circus of Dr. Lao
[Novel; WW]
Author: Charles G. Finney; Illustrator: Boris Artzybasheff; First publication: 1935; Publisher: New York: Viking Press.
In the Depression years in Abalone, Arizona, the townsfolk flock to a weird traveling carnival. The various sideshows, including a medusa, a fortune teller and a reanimated corpse, serve as window to the soul for the people who dare to enter.
In this exchange a widow named Mrs Howard T. Cassan decides to have her fortune told by Apollonius of Tyana, who claims to be almost two thousand years old.
...Now you dream of an oil well to be found on twenty acres of land you own in New Mexico. There is no oil there. You dream of some tall, dark, handsome man to come wooing you. There is no man coming, dark, tall, or otherwise. And yet you will dream on in spite of all I tell you; dream on through your little round of hours, sewing and rocking and gossiping and dreaming; and the world spins and spins and spins...
Despite the prediction of a barren future, Mrs. Cassan refuses to listen and decides to visit the fortune teller again that same evening after recommending him to her friends and telling them he was “frightfully encouraging” about the prospects of an oil strike.
This contemporary Weird Western was the basis of the 1964 film 7 Faces of Dr. Lao. Most critics agree the connection between the book and the film is superficial.
City o' Gloom
[RPG book; WW]
Author: Shane Lacy Hensley; First publication: 1998; Setting: Deadlands: The Weird West; Publisher: Pinnacle Entertainment Group.
Location boxed set for Salt Lake City and sourcebook for the City o' Gloom. Salt Lake City resident Six Hundred Pound Sally is the guide.
The City o' Sin
[RPG book; WW]
Author: Teller; First publication: 2001; Setting: Deadlands: Hell on Earth The Wasted West; Publisher: Pinnacle Entertainment Group.
Silas Rasmussen and his dreaded Doombringers are on the loose in the home to the Wasted West mutants, Lost Vegas.
Cliffhangers
(1979) [TV series; SFW] Each episode featured three 20-minute serials (Stop Susan Williams, The Secret Empire and The Curse of Dracula) broadcast in chapters and each concluding with a cliffhanger.
The show was one of nine mid-season replacement for a disastrous NBC 1978 fall season. The decision to begin each separate serial with chapter numbers Two, Three and Seven added to the confused mix of genres within each show. Ultimately this experiment at reviving the Saturday matinee serial format for network television failed to gain an audience.
The Secret Empire (12 × 20 min)
Premiere: February 27, 1979; Creator: Kenneth Johnson; Main Cast: Geoffrey Scott as Marshal Jim Donner, Carlene Watkins as Millie Thomas, Tiger Williams as Billy Thomas, Mark Lenard as Emperor Thorval; Producer: Richard Milton; Story: Gene R. Kearney; Director: Joseph Pevney; 20 min.; Universal Television; Color.
When Marshal Jim Donner recovers a mysterious key from the Phantom Riders, he unlocks a door to the secret underground city of Chimera.
The episodes, based on the 1935 serial The Phantom Empire, featured scenes based in 1880 Cheyenne, Wyoming, shot in sepia, and scenes taking place in the underground city of Chimera, shot in color.
With the premature cancellation of the show on May 1, 1979, the serial never reached a conclusion on NBC. The two final episodes were only shown on international broadcasts.
Season One
Chapter 3—Plunge into Mystery (1:01); Chapter 4—Prisoner of the Empire (1:02); Chapter 5—The Mind Twisters (1:03); Chapter 6—Seeds of Revolt (1:04); Chapter 7—Attack of the Phantom Riders (1:05); Chapter 8—Sizzling Threat (1:06); Chapter 9—Mandibles of Death (1:07); Chapter 10—The Last Gasp (1:08); Chapter 11—Return to Chimera (1:09); Chapter 12—Powerhouse (1:10); Chapter 13—Partisans Unchained (1:11); Chapter 14—Escape to the Stars (1:12)
“The Clockwork Sheriff”
[Short story; SFW]
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br /> Author: Ken Rand; First publication: Le shérif mécanique, Sciences et sortileges, 2002.
When the townsfolk of Cumberland, Wyoming, hire clockwork gunslinger “Bullseye Bixby” to rid them of local road agents, human gun-for-hire Maurice “Lightning” Epstein must show them that the human hand is more accurate.
Cocco Bill
[Comic book character; Italy]
First appearance: Giorno dei Ragazzi #1, March 28, 1957; Creator: Benito Jacovitti; Publisher: Albi de “Il Giorno”.
Surreal Western parody from renowned Italian cartoonist Jacovitti featuring chamomile tea-drinking gunslinger Cocco Bill and his cigarette-smoking horse Trottalemme. Cocco Bill occasionally ventured into Weird Western territory, including a story featuring ghosts that was reprinted as the comic album Cocco Bill ja kummitukset (Cocco Bill and the ghosts) in Finland.
See: Il Corsaro Cocco Bill