Number 1918: Volcano sacrifices: Moon Girl and her mom!

I have mentioned before the character of Moon Girl is inspired by Wonder Woman, introduced to the world by publisher Maxwell Gaines. Moon Girl is like Wonder Woman without the kinky stuff. She has a fella (the Prince), like Diana has Steve Trevor. While Wonder Woman comes from a mythical place called Paradise Island, Moon Girl comes from a mythical version of a real place, Samarkand. Here’s a bit of information about Samarkand, from a travel guide on the Internet:

“Samarkand - The Capital of Tamerlane. Samarkand is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan. It is the second largest city of Uzbekistan and is of the same age as the city of Babylon or Rome.”

No mention of a Moon Mountain or the Volcano Kokama, which are key plot elements in “The Spirit of Kokama,” from Moon Girl #3 (1948). There’s a rebellion going on in Samarkand, and Moon Girl’s mom is thrown into a dungeon. She didn’t detect the plot against her, but then I don’t think she is very smart. When the volcano erupts, she claims it is “harmless.” She sounds like a queen in denial.

Despite all of the things about mixing fantasy with real places, I am intrigued by Moon Girl’s plane. It isn’t invisible like Wonder Woman’s, but is controlled by Moon Girl’s moon powers. When it flies from Uzbekistan to America and shows up, unpiloted, to collect the Prince, it reminds me of a drone.

Artwork is by Sheldon Moldoff.

Posted in: Pappy Comics