Captain's Library: CAPTAIN VIDEO "Hidden Island"

The return of one of Captain Video's arch-enemies...

...though which one will remain a secret..for now!

Interesting that the Captain and the Ranger discuss Hypnox's previous appearance, but there's no footnote specifying the issue (#1, btw), the way Marvel or DC would do!
Like that earlier Hypnox tale, it's a story that seems to be adapted from a potential tv multi-episode plot, with an emphasis on stuntwork and as little SFX as possible.
This tale from Captain Video #2 features nicely-detailed art by George Evans and Martin Thal, still doing the "generic-look" Captain and Ranger.

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Captain's Library: CAPTAIN VIDEO "Creatures of Doom"

More classic Captain Video action from his first issue...

...with this tale that introduces Video's tv arch-enemy, the evil Dr Pauli!

On the TV series, Dr Pauli was always portrayed by writer Hal Conklin in his only ongoing role in movies or TV.
But just as Captain Video is a generic square-jawed "hero" in the first couple of issues, Dr Pauli doesn't really look like the villain as shown on TV.
But don't blame artists George Evans and Martin Thal!
A couple of issues later, they were instructed to match the actors, and did so for the remainder of the title's run!
Be back with us in a couple of weeks when Dr Pauli returns...

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Captain's Library: CAPTAIN VIDEO "Secret of Sun City"

Captain Video's very first comic appearance.

While the writer is unknown, the art is by George Evans (pencils) and Martin Thal (inks).

 

As far as I can determine, Dr Raphael Hypnox was created for the comic book, but the whole story has the feel of a tv series script, with emphasis on  cliffhanger-type escapes, hand-to-hand combat and minimal use of equipment and scenes (except for the brief look at Sun City) which would've required special effects on the tv show.

Compare this tale with a story from issue #5 we presented in our very first blog entry, which features Cap and the Video Ranger traveling to the Moon and battling green-skinned aliens!

Another thing you'll notice is that Captain Video looks different here than in the later story. That's because the story from #5 used Al Hodge as the model for Cap. This tale has a more "generic" Captain Video who seems to be a cross between Judd Holdren (left), who played Cap in the movie serial and Richard Coogan (right), who was the first tv Captain Video, before Al Hodge.
We'll be presenting the complete Captain Video comic saga over the next few months!
Bookmark us so you don't miss it!

Captain's Library: CAPTAIN VIDEO "Dark Side of the Moon" Conclusion

Read the first part of this tale HERE.

Aliens operating on the Dark Side of the Moon plan to attack Earth, and only Captain Video (with the Video Ranger) can stop them...

You may ask, "What's so special about this? It's typical sci-fi."
And you'd be right.
Except, due to it's low-budget nature, the Captain Video TV show and movie serial showed aliens who looked like this...

The "alien invasion force" from Captain Video; the Serial. Note Captain Video (Judd Holdren) and the Ranger on the left in clever disguises.

Only in the comic, unencumbered by financial or special effect restrictions, was the full, unfettered potential of the show realized.

Tune In Tomorrow for a couple of episodes from the tv show!

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Captain's Library: CAPTAIN VIDEO "Dark Side of the Moon" Part 1

Yes, Ed Norton's idol, TV's first space commander, takes on evil wherever it threatens Mankind!
From Captain Video #5, pencils by George Evans, inks by Martin Thall...

To be continued, tomorrow!

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