Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Ken Shannon vs. The Venusians

We’ve seen Ken Shannon tackle supernatural spooks in a couple of escapades so far, but nothing from our neighboring planets has yet to ruffle his bow tie--- until now! I will admit up front that there’s not much in the way of “horror” with today’s story, but the writing here is so hysterically excellent you probably won't even care about the lack of goose bumps.

From the April 1953 issue of Ken Shannon #10







Also, this one goes out to my pal Chuck over at the The Comic Book Catacombs, and everyone else who has commented or emailed me begging for more Ken Shannon. Hmmm, maybe I should just start a crime comic blog someday too?

12 comments:

The Vicar of VHS said...

Okay, the story here is pretty lame imo,even light on Ken's trademark banter--but it has its moments! I especially like the line "Uh-oh! I've walked into a smooching session!" Then a moment later Ken hits him so hard he knocks the lipstick prints off 'im!

These are some meticulous nutjobs, though--coming up with those intricate, identical costumes. And where did ANOTHER escapee get three large, huh?

While the story didn't do it for me, the casting possibilities are intriguing--I see Christopher Lee as Mr. Pinchot, Michael Madsen as Ken Shannon, and as the Venusians, The Missing Link!

Anonymous said...

"KING SIZED GRADE A PISTACHIOS, EVERY ONE OF THEM!" HA HA HA!

THESE SHANNON STORIES BLOW ME AWAY! I JUST LOVE THE DIALOG TO DEATH, YOU CAN TELL GREAT CARE WAS TAKEN WITH THE SCRIPT JUST AS MUCH AS THE EXCELLENT ART.

Anonymous said...

The last panel on page 6 is both hilarious and disturbing, the look on the Venusians's face as he gets stabbed cracks me up. IAAA!

I pick Vincent D'Onofrio to play Shannon in the movie version.

Tim Tylor said...

There was a story very close to this in a 1955 episode of the X Minus One radio show ("The Embassy"), written by Donald Wolheim. (It's online at OTR.net with a lot of other good old radio stuff.)

Mr. Karswell said...

>I pick Vincent D'Onofrio to play Shannon in the movie version.

I think I'd take D'Onofrio over Madsen too, he's just the right amount of lumbering lunkhead mixed with tough guy bad ass. Madsen would play him to chilled out and cool and squinty eyed. Plus D'Onofrio is a dead ringer for Shannon!

>X Minus One radio show

Thanks for the tip Tim! I'll definitely give it a listen... I love the old time radio shows.

The Vicar of VHS said...

Madsen's underrated, imo. I think he could totally pull it off. But Vince is good too. :)

Hey, waitaminnit...wasn't Ken supposed to have been kept off the force because he was underweight?

Anonymous said...

Another great Shannon tale. I was hoping to see the Yellow Menace opium story or the Ugliest Man in the World but fake aliens are always good for a punch or two.

I think the Vicar is mixing up Ken Shannon with Rex Lane.

Mr. Karswell said...

>Madsen's underrated, imo.

I like Madsen but think he's kind of a one trick pony. I imagine he gets hired for a film mostly when they need someone to play a role that Deniro is now too old for.

>I think the Vicar is mixing up Ken Shannon with Rex Lane.

Yeah, well The Vicar is mixed-up, that's why we love him so! If you haven't checked out his MAD MAD MAD MAD MOVIES blog then you're missing out on some smartly written and very funny horror movie reviews. You go now:
http://mmmmmovies.blogspot.com/

And check out his sweet new blog banner too!

Chuck Wells said...

I could see D'Onofrio as Shannon, in fact I would really like to.

Thanks for this one, Karswell. Ken is always welcome. I may have to pick up some of these oldies for my very own.

I was under the weather again yesterday, so I read this one a day late, but not a dollar short.

The Vicar of VHS said...

Ah, yes, I see my mistake now. Rex != Ken. They should have had a crossover!

>>And check out his sweet new blog banner too!

My designer is aces! Although he does tend to enjoy tooting his own horn a bit... ;)

Mr. Karswell said...

> Although he does tend to enjoy tooting his own horn a bit...

Hey, it's an awesome horn, somebody's gotta toot the thing!

Anonymous said...

Make it all the way to earth and alls you got is a blade? classic!