New Sucker-Footed Bat Discovered In Madagascar

The Brain-Bats of Venus by Basil Wolverton from Mr. Mystery #7

Scientists have discovered a new species of bat, Myzopoda schliemanni, that has large flat adhesive organs, or suckers, attached to its thumbs and hind feet. This is a remarkable find because the new bat belongs to a family of bats endemic to Madagascar--and one that was previously considered to include only one rare species.

Myzopoda are often found in association with broad-leaf plants, most notably Ravenala madagascariensis or the Travelers' Palm, a plant that is endemic to Madagascar but has been introduced to numerous tropical countries. Myzopoda are found in association with such plants because they can use their suckers to climb and adhere to the leaves' flat, slick surface. They are presumed to roost in the leaves during the day. link

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The Evolution of Homo mermanus

By Jack Kirby & Stan Lee. FF & Sub-Mariner © Marvel Comics.

And in colour:

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The Hyborian Age: Chapter Three

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Script by Roy Thomas; Art © Walt Simonson; The Hyborian Age and Conan © their current copyright holders.

Read:Chapter One
Chapter Two

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

The enchanted World of Rankin & Bass Blog

“THE LIFE & ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS… was the last ANIMAGIC TV Special from RANKIN/BASS and originally aired on CBS in 1985. It is based on a story by FRANK L. BAUM (WIZARD OF OZ) and is well loved by a generation of fans that grew up in the 1980's!”

Think of it as a cross between the classic “Rudolph” and “The Mad Monster Party”. “Adventures” has a lot of cool monsters and weird fantasy creatures, and is definitely cut from a darker cloth than the rest of the Rankin/Bass specials. Which is probably why it is rarely broadcast these days. link

An excerpt from “THE LIFE & ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS” is up on Youtube:


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Have A Marvelous Christmas!

Sing along with the Merry Marvel Marching Society:

Vaughn Bodé’s 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: Part 5

Back in the 60’s Vaughn Bodé illustrated a number of classics that had been rewritten for “reading challenged” kids. The books were published by Frank E. Richards and sold exclusively to schools.

Because these books are almost impossible to find at reasonable prices I’ll be posting all the illos from the best book of the bunch, “Jules Verne’s ’20,000 Leagues Under The Sea” in eight installments.

Read: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

All art © the estate of Vaughn Bodé

This Day In History: 1st Full-length Animated Film Premieres

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In 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Walt Disney's first full-length (83 minutes), animated film opened in Los Angeles, California. Using the story adapted from Brothers Grimms' Fairy Tales, it was the first commercially successful film of its kind.

Taking two years and $1.5 million to create, it was released for its premiere during Christmas of 1937. Disney had to mortgage his house to pay for the film's production. This followed within a span of just 12 years since the first black and white talking Mickey Mouse in Steamboat Willie (1928). link