Encyclopedia of Weird Westerns
Page 43
At a voodoo sacrificial rite, West is forced to shoot Tiny John in the heart but the man simply walks away. The next day Tiny John is found dead but his body mysteriously glows in the dark. Dr. Articulus is behind the strange happenings.
Season Four [SFW episodes]
“THE NIGHT OF THE SEDGEWICK CURSE” (4:04)
Air date: October 18, 1968; Guest Stars: Jay Robinson as Dr. Maitland, Sharon Acker as Lavinia Sedgewick; Story: Paul Playdon; Director: Matrvin Chomsky.
In search of an eternal youth serum, Dr. Maitland has been conducting experiments on the Sedgewick family with the result of rapid aging and death before they reach the age of 40. Lavinia Sedgewick seeks eternal youth and the family inheritance.
“THE NIGHT OF THE KRAKEN” (4:06) [WMW]
Air date: November 1, 1968; Story: Stephen Kandel; Director: Michael Caffey.
When West and Gordon investigate a series of deaths by sea monsters, they discover a sinister plot to sink America's latest battleship.
“THE NIGHT OF THE AVARICIOUS ACTUARY” (4:11)
Air date: December 6, 1968; Story: Henry Sharp; Director: Irving J. Moore.
West and Gordon investigate the mystery of palatial homes being destroyed by sound waves from a gigantic tuning fork and its connection to the Cyclops Insurance Company.
“THE NIGHT OF THE SPANISH CURSE” (4:14) [WMW]
Air date: January 3, 1969; Guest Star: Thayer David as Cortez; Story: Robert E. Kent; Director: Paul Stanley.
The townspeople of Soledad, New Mexico, are convinced they are being haunted by the ghosts of Cortez and his Conquistadors.
“THE NIGHT OF THE WINGED TERROR: PART 1” (4:15)
Air date: January 17, 1969; Guest Star: Christopher Carey as Tycho, Bernard Fox as Dr. Occularis / Jones, Jackie Coogan as Mayor Cecil Pudney; Story: Ken Pettus; Director: Marvin Chomsky.
Mayor Pudney destroys a new railroad bridge after seeing a raven. West investigates but remains mystified.
“THE NIGHT OF THE WINGED TERROR: PART II” (4:16)
Air date: January 24, 1969; Guest Star: Christopher Carey as Tycho; Story: Ken Pettus; Director: Marvin Chomsky.
Tycho, a man with a big head, is in charge of a group of mad scientists who go under the collective name of Raven. When West is captured, he undergoes mind control programming to assassinate the Mexican Ambassador.
2. Comic book. First publication: June 1966; Publisher: Gold Key.
Based on the TV series. A second series of TV-based comic books was published in 1990 by Millennium Publications.
The Wild Wild West, a television series starring Robert Conrad (right) as James West and Ross Martin as Artemus Gordon.
Wild, Wild West
(1999) [Film; SPW]
Premiere: June 30, 1999; Main Cast: Will Smith as Captain James West, Kevin Kline as U.S. Marshal Artemus Gordon, Salma Hayek as Rita Escobar, Kenneth Branagh as Dr. Arliss Loveless, Musetta Vander as Munitia; Executive Producers: Barry Josephson, Tracy Glaser, Kim LeMasters, Joel Simon, Bill Todman Jr., Story: Jim Thomas, John Thomas; Screenplay: S.S. Wilson, Brent Maddock, Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman; Director: Barry Sonnenfeld; 107 min.; Warner Bros. Pictures; Color.
Captain James West (Will Smith) and master-of-disguise Artemus Gordon (Kevin Kline) team up to thwart Arliss Loveless (Kenneth Branagh) from assassinating President Grant. The beautiful Rita Escobar (Salma Hayek) further complicates matters as West and Gordon contend with a gigantic steam driven metallic spider piloted by Loveless.
Based on the original television series.
Wild Wild West, a film starring Will Smith as Captain James West, Kevin Kline as U.S. Marshal Artemus Gordon and Salma Hayek as Rita Escobar.
The Wild, Wild West Revisited
(1979) [Telefilm; SFW]
Premiere: May 9, 1979; Main Cast: Robert Conrad as James West, Ross Martin as Artemus Gordon, Paul Williams as Dr. Michelito Loveless Jr., Rene Auberjonois as Capt. Sir David Edney, Harry Morgan as Robert T. Malone, Jo Ann Harris as Carmelita, Trisha Noble as Penelope; Executive Producer: Jay Bernstein; Story: William Bowers; Director: Burt Kennedy; 96 min; CBS Television; Color.
James West and Artemus Gordon are called out of retirement to track down Dr. Michelito Loveless Jr. before he replaces President Grover Cleveland and leaders of England, Spain and Russia with doubles in his quest for world domination.
See: More Wild, Wild West
Williams, Lon
(1890-1978) [Pulp fiction author]
Born, March 17, 1890, Lon Thomas Williams spent most of his life in Andersonville, Tennessee, working as an attorney. His short stories for Real Western Magazine included the supernatural Western adventures of Lee Winters, deputy sheriff of Forlorn Gap. His other continuing series, Judge Steele, was featured in Western Action magazine. The stories centered on Judge Wardlow Steele of Flat Creek and his dealings with various criminal cases.
Judge Steele tugged at his straw-colored mustache. When an innocent man was brought to trial for murder, only one conclusion could be drawn—namely, that he had been framed by some scoundrel lower than a snake. Possibility of such present villainy filled Steele with fury.
—“The Finger of the Beast,” Western Action, April 1955
Williams was also the author of several paperback novels, including Hill Hellion!, Shack Baby and Hill Hoyden.
Selected works (series): Lee Winters, Judge Steele.
The Winged Colt of Casa Mia
[Juvenile book; WW]
Author: Betsy Cromer Byars; First publication: New York: Viking Press, 1973; Illustrated by Richard Cuffari.
Young Charles spends the summer at the Texas ranch of Uncle Coot, whom he idolizes from his life on the silver screen as a cowboy stunt man. A winged colt named Alado brings Charles and Uncle Coot to a new realistic understanding of each other.
“With Forked Tongue”
[Short story; WW]
Author: Ken Rand; First publication: Talebones #4, 1996.
Following a presidential rally, a PR man picks up a Native American hitchhiker in the Utah desert. The Indian tells the man of an ancient Indian curse that will bring a new meaning to the well-worn phrase “He speaks with forked tongue.”
“Wizard of Forlorn Gap”
[Pulp fiction; WW]
Author: Lon Williams; Character: Lee Winters; Real Western Stories (April 1954).
In returning twilight he saw a form that might have been a man speeding northward, on foot. To his amazement that form rose and seemed to settle upon an invisible horse; seconds later this rider, or apparition, had disappeared into nothingness.
Wizard of Forlorn Gap artwork from Real Western Stories (April 1954).
Wolf in Shadow
[Novel; SFW]
Author: David Gemmell; First publication: New York: Ballantine Books, 1987.
Three hundred years into a new world order following the end of civilization, John Shannow searches for the holy city of Jerusalem and a new era of peace. But Abaddon, the Lord of the Pit, and his Hellborn army seek his death and the triumph of evil.
The first in a series of books featuring post-apocalyptic gunslinger John Shannow, the Jerusalem Man.
See: The Last Guardian; Bloodstone: A Jon Shannow Adventure
The Woman Who Owned the Shadows
[Novel; WW]
Author: Paula Gunn Allen; First publication: Splinters: San Francisco, 1983.
A woman leaves the New Mexico Indian reservation and a bad marriage behind her as she seeks a new life in San Francisco. But her new relationship and subsequent marriage falter with the death of her twin son. Divorce and attempted suicide follow. But a meeting with an old Indian woman gives her hope as she retraces her life and Indian ancestry through self-awareness and spiritual visions that link her with her past and present.
Wonder Woman
[Comic book]
The adventures of Diane Prince alias Amazonian ambassador and Wonder Woman, Princess Diana.
“THE WINDS OF TIME PART 2: THE REDSKIN'S R
EVENGE” [SFW]
First publication: #17 (May-June 1946); Creator: William Moulton Marston; Story: Joyce Murchison; Art: Harry G. Peter; Publisher: DC Comics.
Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor journey back through time the 1840s and help Native Americans get their revenge on cheating trader Silas Sneek.
“MYSTERY OF THE INDIAN TOTEM POLE” [SFW]
First publication: #47 (May-June 1951); Story: Robert Kanigher; Art: Harry G. Peter; Publisher: DC Comics.
Wonder Woman travels to the Old West from 1951 to discover why a totem pole bears her likeness.
See: Sensation Comics
Worms!
[RPG book; WW]
Author: John Goff; First publication: 1999; Deadlands: The Weird West Dime novel #10; Publisher: Pinnacle Entertainment Group.
When Ronan Lynch bumps into Texas Ranger Hank Ketchum in Hilton Springs, Nevada, they join forces to combat Mojave rattlers.
Wounded Heart
[Comic book character; France; SFW]
English title for the comic strip Coeur Blessé.
Wynonna Earp
[Comic book; WW]
First appearance: December 1997; Creators: Beau Smith, Brad Gorby; Publisher: Wildstorm, Image Comics, Eclipse, IDW Publishing.
Wynonna Earp, great granddaughter of famous lawman Wyatt Earp and special agent for the U.S. Marshal Special Operations Unit, battles supernatural threats in the modern-day and the Old West.
Cover of Wynonna Earp #1 (December 1997). Creators: Beau Smith, Brad Gorby. Copyright 2009 Beau Smith and Idea and Design Works, LLC. Used with permission.
X-Files
(1993) [TV series]
Two opposing FBI agents investigate the paranormal and become involved in government conspiracies.
“FIRST PERSON SHOOTER” (7: 13) [SFW]
Air date: February 27, 2000; Main Cast: David Duchovny as Special Agent Fox Mulder, Gillian Anderson as Special Agent Dana Scully; Guest Cast: Krista Allen as Jade Blue Afterglow / Maitreya, Dean Haglund as Langly, Tom Braidwood as Frohike, Bruce Harwood as Byers; Chris Carter; Story: William Gibson, Tom Maddox; Creator-Director: Chris Carter; 45 min.; 20th Century–Fox Television, Ten Thirteen Productions; Color.
Virtual reality mixes with reality as Mulder and Scully investigate murders at a video game design studio where players are dying at the hands of the sexy game character. Mulder and Scully enter the virtual world of an Old West town to face a showdown with virtual gunslinger Maitreya.
X-Force
[Comic book]
The militant mutant superhero title featured three Science Fiction Western characters: Apache X-Force member Warpath, Cheyenne X-Force member Danielle Moonstar and Externals member Absalom.
“THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS” #37 (AUGUST 1994) [SFW]
Story: Fabian Nicieza; Art: Paul Pelletier, Harry Candelario, Scott Hanna, Charles Barnett; Publisher: Marvel Comics.
Absalom recalls the time he was hanged for murder in the Old West of Wyoming and first discovered that he possessed mutant powers, including the ability to extend razor-sharp spines through his body.
“Q & A” #54 ( MAY 1996)
Story: Jeph Loeb; Art: Adam Pollina, Bud LaRosa; Publisher: Marvel Comics.
Weakened by the Legacy Virus, Absalom loses his life when fellow External Selene drains his life force on the Rockefeller Center ice rink in New York City.
Yado
[Comic book character; Italy; WW]
First publication: 1957; Story: G. L. Bonelli; Art: Francesco Gamba; Publisher: Sergio Bonelli Editore.
The son of a Piute witch doctor, Yado is sent into exile after he marries a white woman. Yado possesses powers of magic and the ability to talk with his coyote Kerr and stallion Hund. His energy is devoted to seeking revenge for the hostility his parents received.
Yasuhiro Nightow
(1967-) [Comic book artist]
Born in Yokohama, Japan, Yasuhiro admits to having no formal art training and to learning his craft by copying manga artists such as Leiji Matsumoto, Rumiko Takahashi, Katsuhiro Ohtomo and Fumiko Takano. Abandoning his early career of selling apartments for Sekisui House, Yasuhiro became a professional comic artist at the age of 26.
He is best known for the creation of Trigun for Shounen Captain magazine and its subsequent anime adaptation.
The Year the Cloud Fell
[Novel; SFW]
Author: Kurt R. A. Giambastiani; First publication: New York: New American Library, 2001.
Following the crash of the spy dirigible A. Lincoln in a thunderstorm over Unorganized Territory, President George Armstrong Custer's son is captured by the Cheyenne Alliance. One prophetic woman sees a future where Custer's son is at odds with his own father.
Book one of the Fallen Cloud Saga set in an alternative America of 1886.
See: The Spirit of Thunder
Yellow Back Radio Broke-Down
[Novel; SFW]
Author: Ishmael Reed; First publication: 1969; Publisher: Doubleday: New York.
A traveling circus troupe, including the satanic African-American HooDoo gunslinger the Loop Garoo Kid and Zozo Labrique, a HooDoo mambo from New Orleans, arrives in the Western town of Yellow Back Radio.
A mix of HooDoo, Voodoo, Be-Bop and science fiction, this Western satire has been described as the first HooDoo Western.
Yogi's Space Race
(1978) [Animated TV series]
Premiere: September 9, 1978; Executive Producers: William Hanna, Joseph Barbera; Directors: Ray Patterson, Carl Urbano; 90 min.; Hanna-Barbera Productions; Color.
This 90-minute animated show consisted of four segments including Yogi's Space Race, Galaxy Goof-Ups and Buford and the Galloping Ghost. The latter was broadcast as an independent series in 1979 despite the fact that the episodes originally aired on Yogi's Space Race.
Yuma Kid
[Comic book character; Italy; WW]
First publication: 1953; Story: G. L. Bonelli; Art: Mario Uggeri; Publisher: Sergio Bonelli Editore.
Stranded by a sandstorm in the Gila desert, a youngster is rescued by Yuma Indians who take him into their care. Adopting the name Wind of Death, the Yuma Kid returns to his own world after hearing the prophecy of Wa-No-Tah, the witch who lives with her cougars in a cave.
“Yvala”
[Pulp fiction; SW]
Author: C. L. Moore; First publication: Weird Tales (February 1936).
Northwest Smith and his Venusian friend Yarol become embroiled in an illegal slave trade when they are hired by an Irishman to discover the truth behind the myth of the beautiful sirens of Cembre.
Lakkdarol is an Earthman's town upon Martian soil, blending all the more violent elements of both worlds in its lawless heart...
Zagor
[Comic book character; Italy; WW]
1. First appearance: Zagor #1 (1961); Creator: Guido Nolitta [Sergio Bonelli]; Art: Gallieno Felli; Publisher: Sergio Bonelli Editore.
The lone survivor of a brutal attack by Abenaki Indians that killed his parents, Za-Gor-Te-Nay, the Spirit with the Hatchet, swears revenge. He later discovers that his father had also slaughtered the Abenaki, and comes to realize that violence only continues the cycle of hatred.
Zagor decides to devote his life to helping the oppressed from his base in the marshy forest of Darkwood. Pot-bellied Mexican sidekick Cico brings humor to a strip that mixes traditional Western adventure, horror and the weird.
2. (1970) [Film; Turkey; WW] Main Cast: Cihangir Gaffari as Zagor; Producer: Nami Dilbaz; Story-Director: Mehmet Aslan; Özdeyis Film; Color.
Film adaptation of the Italian comic book characters.
Zagor kara bela
(1971) [Film; Turkey; WW]
Main Cast: Levent Cakir as Zagor, Yavuz Selekman, Muzaffer Temma, Sirri Elitas; Producer: Hasan Tual; Story: M. Nuri Seybi; Director: Nisan Hancer; Yerli Film; Color.
Film adaptation of the Italian comic book characters with Iranian actor Levent Cakir as Zagor.
Zagor kara korsan'in hazineleri
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(1971) [Film; Turkey; WW]
Main Cast: Levent Cakir as Zagor, Kazim Kartal as Kara Korsan, Kadir Savun as Fenerci; Producer: Hasan Tual; Director: Nisan Hancer; Yerli Film; Color.
Based on the Italian comic book characters.
Zeppelins West
[Novel; SFW]
Author: Joe R. Lansdale; First publication: Burton MI: Subterranean Press, 2000.
Alternate history novel featuring Buffalo Bill Cody's battery-powered head preserved in a jar of pig urine and whisky as Wild Bill Hickok, Annie Oakley and Sitting Bull travel on a zeppelin to Japan. Their mission is to rescue Frankenstein's monster and therefore learn the secret of reattaching Buffalo Bill's head to his body. This bizarre tale also includes the Tin Man, Dracula, Captain Nemo and Charles Darwin, among others.
Zombie Powder
[Manga; Japan; SFW]
First appearance: Weekly Shounen Jump #34, 1999; Story-Art: Tite Kubo; 27 chapters; Publisher: Shueisha.
Powder Hunters Gamma Akutabi, C.T. Smith and John Elwood Shepherd seek the twelve “Rings of the Dead” that lead to the elusive, immortality-granting Zombie Powder in this action tale with clear Western influences. Due to weak sales, this action-orientated manga was cancelled before completion of the series.