The Origin of Madam Satan (Harry Lucey, 1941)

Pep Comics #16; Archie Comics, 1941
Story: Abner Sundell: Art: Harry Lucey

Slightly delayed by the goofy new Blogger formatting...., The Origin of Madam Satan:

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Who Is Madam Satan....!?

 

 Read the entire Atomically-Remastered Storyline starting Friday!

The Human Time Capsules (Carmine Infantino, 1953)

Strange Adventures #31, DC Comics, April, 1953 Script: John Broome; Pencils: Carmine Infantino; Inks: Sy Barry

Another unsettling Sci-Fi story by Broome and Infantino. I'm surprised that "The Sleepers" have never turned up again in the DC Universe. They would have been a natural inclusion in the 'One Million' storyline, or for a guest appearance in the LSH.

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Pencils: Gil Kane; Inks: Joe Giella

Atomic Surgery in Action: left (before); right (after)

The Giant Eyes of Giant Squid

All art by Gary Gianni. Get Gary's 20,000 Leagues book HERE

It's no surprise that giant and colossal squid are big, but it's their eyes that are the real standouts when it comes to size, with diameters measuring two or three times that of any other animal. Now, researchers report that the giant squids' 10-inch eyes allow them to see very large and hungry sperm whales from a distance in the pitch darkness of their deep-sea home.

According to the researchers' calculations, animals living underwater would have no use for such large eyes if the goal were to see an average object, such as prey smaller than themselves. That's why even the eyes of large whales aren't much more than 3.5 inches across.

Giant squid may also be unique in that they are powerful enough to escape a sperm whale once they've spotted one, Nilsson says. But how can giant squid see a sperm whale at depths beyond daylight's reach?

"The answer is bioluminescence—light produced by small gelatinous animals when they are disturbed by the whale moving through the water," Nilsson says. "It is well known that bioluminescence can reveal submarines at night, and diving sperm whales will become visible for the same reason."

Prince Valiant by Mark Schultz and Gary Gianni; © King Features Syndicate.

The findings may also explain the large eyes of prehistoric ichthyosaurs, giant marine reptiles that looked something like dolphins, the researchers say. Although ichthyosaurs lived long before whales came along, they would have had to contend with giant predatory pliosaurs. link

Ref.: A Unique Advantage for Giant Eyes in Giant Squid. 2012. D.-E. Nilsson, et al. Current Biology.

Wally Wood LP Covers

Some great scans of old comic book-related viynl lps from the '60 Here. These are all by Wally Wood.

Discovered This Day (1896): Radioactivity

In 1896, Henri Becquerel reported his discovery of the penetrating rays of a uranium compound to the French Academy of Sciences. The photographic plate, fogged by these rays, showing the outline of a metal cross lying between the compound and the plate, is the first recognition of the effects later known as radioactivity. link

FF © Marvel Comics

The Joker's Utility Belt (Dick Sprang, 1940)

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From Batman #176, reprinted from Batman #73 (1940). DC Comics
Script David Vern; Art Dick Sprang
Those 25 cent annuals were treasure chests!