ow many indelible fictional icons has the 20th century produced? Tarzan? Superman? The Lone Ranger? Batman? Charlie Brown? However many you can name, and however valid their claims to immortality, almost every figure will probably be a human. But let's put species chauvinism aside for the moment, and remember one large hairy member of this corps of immortals: King Kong.
Fans of the great ape who loved not wisely but too deeply will find all their needs met at A. Boyd Campbell's King Kong site. This tribute site is well organized and rich with links. The well-conceived FAQ leads one easily into a wealth of Kong material, answering such vital questions as "What color was Fay Wray's hair?" and "What happened to the famous spider-at-the-bottom-of-the-pit sequence?". The roles of SFX gods Willis O'Brien and Ray Harryhausen are explored. A filmography ranges from the core movies to the obscure (1977's Queen Kong, for instance). Online shopping for these films and other Kong memorabilia is facilitated as well. (If anyone wants to purchase my Christmas present early, I'll take the Aurora model kit of Kong clutching Fay Wray, for a very reasonable $16.50.)
I was particularly enchanted by the portion of the site known as "The Sounds of King Kong." Being able to download Kong's mighty roar provides all sorts of inspiration for telephone answering machine messages!
— Paul Di Filippo
Site of the Week—September 24, 2001
uperheroes like Spider-Man, Batman and the X-Men are instantly recognizable to most science-fiction fans, yet there are hundreds of comic-book champions that—for good reason—are neither famous nor fondly recalled. Gone & Forgotten: The Worst Comics Ever is a witty Webzine spotlighting those publications which represent "the lowest, the most ludicrous, the least memorable and the downright un-funkified of the whole world of comics."
The bulk of the site is devoted to in-depth features filled with droll observations and sharp insights. Second-rate characters such as Skateman, Black Hood and Fast Willie Jackson are suitably scrutinized, while little-known teams like the Champions and the Dingbats of Danger Street receive similarly perceptive and pointed examinations. A series of articles amusingly outline the brief history of Atlas Comics—a company started in the mid-1970s by Stan Lee's brother, Larry Lieber—noted for its lineup of undistinguished titles (Wulf the Barbarian, Ironjaw, Morlock 2001, etc.). Meanwhile, such works as Super-Heroes Battle Super-Gorillas and Strange Sports (both introduced under the DC Super Special banner) and Marvel Comics' Worlds Unknown Presents The Thing Called ... Killdozer (adapted from a made-for-TV movie based on a Theodore Sturgeon story) receive equally acerbic analysis.
Gone & Forgotten: The Worst Comics Ever also contains a small gallery focusing on outrageous covers and splash pages, along with an entertaining FAQ section and a letters column hosted by would-be DC baddie Bee-Boy. Celebrated superheroes may have captured the hearts of comic-book buffs, but, as this site readily proves, it's the heroic failures that tickle funny bones.
— Jeff Berkwits
Site of the Week—September 17, 2001
rom its early life as a goth comic series, The Crow has developed into a dark and multilimbed franchise, spawning films, a TV program, novels ... and an enormous number of fans. A Boy and His Bird is a gathering place on the Web for those interested in James O'Barr's avenging angel, a top-notch source of data and community alike.
The amount of information available on this Web page is, simply put, massive. Surfers will find interviews, fanfic, images, discussion boards and data on where to buy Crow merchandise. The news page is up to date and its archives are extensive, going back to 1996. A Boy and His Bird also has reviews of all the major Crow offerings. While dealing at length with the graphic novels and movies, the site's staff also finds time to offer synopses and individual comments for episodes of the TV series.
Essays and articles abound on the page. The most interesting, at least recently, deal with an ongoing discussion about upcoming Crow films, and rumors that a future project might be female-led. A Girl and Her Bird? The prospect makes for some lively posts and essays, definitely not to be missed.
With the loving attention paid to both look and content, A Boy and His Bird excels on every front. Not only is it superbly designed and endlessly informative, it is also a great deal of fun.
— A.M. Dellamonica
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