She had learned long ago to take whatever time necessary,
whenever possible, before arriving at any conclusion. As has been said,
"Don't jump to confusions, haste makes waste, and fools rush in," to quote
the song.
Destiny tried
to thoroughly investigate questionable incidents before deciding upon a
course of action, to avoid snap judgements, unless she was forced into
a real emergency situation, which she could react to with lightning speed.
So it was she sought incontrovertible evidence in the
manner of Johnny Roland, the alleged wanton killer of wildlife, sea creatures,
and even possibly tourists who he'd been hired to guide for.
This case had been thrown out of court for lack of evidence,
though he still had a record of offences as long as his arm, he never answered
for.
He'd always been able to make enough profits from his
very shady practices to engage the best lawyers, who also had questions
of ethics hanging over them.
When she'd first heard of his wildlife abuses among the
Florida Everglades months ago, she followed a trail that led to the Seminole
Indians being callously mistreated, one of whom almost killed "Grease"
for his poaching protected 'gators.
He'd beaten that rap, claiming self-defense as an excuse.
Further inquiry revealed that Roland was notorious throughout Miami among
the honest fishermen, had intimidated former employees of his with threats
of violence, and had a reputation among the underworld for always delivering
whatever contraband sea creatures he'd set out to capture or kill, illegally.
There'd always been a lucrative black market in Asia for
exotic aquatic life, since many believed such things to be aphrodisiacs,
cures, or essentials to vitality.
Destiny had
already broken up a ring of elephant killers in Africa who slaughtered
the gentle animals solely for their tusks, which brought a fortune to whoever
could supply them to wealthy, ignorant peoples.for the same reason, and it looked like Johnny was the number one offender.
Now she was after the major procurer of sea creatures. He'd finally had enough evidence piled up against him
for Port Authorities in Florida to "invite" him to leave the country, so
she tracked him through South America to the land down under, where he
apparently felt he could get away with more, faster.
The Aussie Coast Patrol already suspected him of infringements
against their ecology laws, but they couldn't seem to catch him with any
evidence, because he earned his "Grease" moniker, always one step ahead.
In her mermaid form, Destiny
followed his deep-sea cruiser out beyond the Great Barrier Reef, staying
just below the hull until he was well away from land, where there were
few prying eyes.
Johnny finally cut the engine in an area known to be shark
habitat, and dove in wearing his scuba gear, armed with the deadly spear
gun.
She was already thirty feet below him, just out of his
range of vision (though not hers), and it wasn't long before a lone shark
swam casually between them.
The diver lowered his gun and
the shark swam on, unmolested. She moved closer to him, enough to be seen,
then away again, and he followed hurriedly.
What a prize, he thought! Surely, such a unique specimen
would insure more fortune than he could ever poach in a lifetime otherwise.
A genuine living mermaid would be worth far more than a dead one, so he
decided to aim to wound it rather than kill.
Destiny was
counting on her superior speed and maneuver ability to avoid the deadly spear,
plus she had something else going for her, as she swam deeper with him in
pursuit.
Closing in, as she'd let him, he fired, and the razor-tipped
shaft rushed at her in a burst of high-pressure air bubbles, barely missing
her thigh as she twisted to avoid it. Johnny was close enough now to see
her smiling, instead of looking fearful at his approach.
Suddenly he realized why! She'd lured him on and on, now
too deep for his human lungs to process the nitrogen gas build up in his
system. So, she did what was natural to her and bit his throat.
As his blood stained the surrounding sea crimson, she knew it would preserve
and protect all the diminishing ocean creatures from at least one person
who had no respect for life other than his own.
When she swam away from his sinking body, many sharks
were circling near him. -end
Ron Foss has been
creating comics since the 50's. While other artists and writers were doing
out work for DC and Marvel, Ron was working in underground comics, paving
the way for independent comics today.
His work regularly appeared in the pages of fanzines like
The Sentinel and Alter. With his critically acclaimed Eclipse Ron
Foss became one of the most prominent figures in underground comix.
Ron is currently working on Destiny,
Vampire Mermaid.
Destiny can
be found quarterly in Scary
Monster Magazine, a publication featuring stories and articles on monsters
in movies, television and magazines throughout entertainment history.
Ron
Foss also recently released a set of Scary
Monster Magazine Movie Parody Cards.
RF: When I was
a child, my uncle gave me lots of Fawcett comics (Whiz,Master, etc.), although
I most liked D.C. titles. I wrote to fans who had letters in Brave &
Bold (Hawkman) expressing my interest in drawing comics since mid-50's high
school, and began doing art comic books winning Best Artist and Original
Hero Alley Awards (for Eclipse) in '63. These led to dozens of other fanzine strips thru '68,
including six that became the names of autos in the 80's and 90's: Eclipse,
Excel, Viper,Laser, Fox and Storm.
CC: You use a variety of styles to create distinctive
moods for different stories. Did you study the styles of different artists,
or does this simply come from years in the industry?
RF: Both. I like
variety and to experiment with the medium, trying different techniques
as moods atmospheres as the story warrants.
RF: In '69 I did
4 pages of pencils for Marvel Comics and Roy Thomas asked me to try Conan.
While I was working on it, he phoned back to say they'd hired an, 'English
kid who'd work for 1/2 the page rates," which I couldn't, having a family
to support.
At that point I also became disillusioned with NYC comics
editorial restrictions, including owning all titles and originals, as well
as the arbitrary changes they made and was inspired by the freedom of underground
comix to tell other than super hero stories.
CC: Since you first began drawing Destiny
in 1995 you have tackled socially relevant issues such as abuse, alcoholism
and illiteracy as well as mixing in fun stories with historic bits and
parodies of famous movies. Was Destiny
a
result of a fondness for monsters and maidens, or a convenient vehicle
for your current creative desires and how did you become acquainted with
Debbie
D?
RF: Again, both.
I dislike being locked into any single genre and wanted to explore myriad
possibilities, which Destiny
provides. I wanted a woman to appear as Destiny
in photos and was considering several possibilities when I saw Debbie
D's mermaid pix. I wrote her detailing my interests and ideas, and she was
very enthusiastic about it all.
The proliferation of super-heroes has created a demand
for more diversity of other sorts as well, which can lift panel art from
heretofore -juvenile entertainment to adult literature.
I think this is monumentally important to our country
of 20% functional illiteracy. Parents and schools can't do it all in this
age of media over kill, aimed at the lowest common denominator. While story
telling and illustrations have come a long way since the cave paintings,
there's practically unlimited potential for even more variations on themes
in the future.
Philadelphia's Delaware Valley's rising star Debbie
D recently took PULSATlON's by storm The large and crowded club could barely
contain the 3000 plus fans. I was lucky enough to catch her show or the
most crowded night, Teen Night Sunday. Armies of Fans pushed their way to
the stage for a better look at Debbie
as she performed her new single "I WANT YOU" on Oceans Wide Records.
This song has a great hook, and a superb underlying dance
beat- two things that are a must in today's dance music world.
Topped off by Debbie's
excellent performance of the song, it certainly has a better than average
chance of breaking through the radio payola barriers. This was evidenced
by the strong positive reaction she drew from the under-21 crowd
that night.
Debbie would
like you to know, and you can order her low-budget movie, Burglar From Hell,
or her single, "I Want You" or her six-song original promo tape," or her
official autograph pen," or her special symbol-a three inch blue rose,
in water, encased in glass-as well as her sexy photos, posters and T-shirts
(this gal is a merchandising colossus) by asking for her brochure.
Starring in many independent feature films and videos,
usually horrorand sexy comedy, as most alluring femme fatales in direct
to video films and video today; having appeared on the Daily Show on Comedy
Central as well as interviewed by Howard Stern.
Blessed with a beautiful face, photographic charisma,
instinctive ability to "strike just the right pose" with a multitude of
expressions, and an body.
The stunningly sensuous and sexy Debbie
D has appeared in over 100 cult movies, genre, and mainstream publications with
more appearing each and every month.
Costumed as one of her alter-egos, "Destiny-
Vampire Mermaid", the "in the flesh" embodiment of comic artist Ronn
Foss's nefarious shape-shifting vampire mermaid.
Debbie D has
appeared with the fantasy comic strip in every issue of Scary Monsters
Magazine, during the past four years, and has a new model kit featuring
her as Destiny.
She has also recently been the cover model and centerfold
for Vamperotica #4, Girls of Outlaw Biker #32, and Crossroads, Biker Magazine
#16.
A professional singer-- songwriter-- recording artist,
Debbie D has released a hit
single, toured the U.S. with more than a dozen bands, and been described
in Billboard Magazine (the music industry bible), as possessing a "sweet
voice..".
To learn more about Debbie
D, visit her website DebbieD.com
or write to Debbie D InternationalFan
Club 1657 The Fairway - Dept. 106 Jenkintown, PA 19046 U.S.A. E-mailDebbie
D UltimateScreamQn@aol.com
or DestinyVampMer@aol.comor
contact New Faces Productions. Phone:- (215) 745-7669. E-mail BillNewFaces@aol.com
*Legal Entrapment
Double Feature 3 * EatenAlive!
Thereafter, the bell rang repeatedly until it had to be
dismantled, one less game of chance, one less macho display.
Madam Jade, studying her crystal ball, said "Ah-ha, now
I see!"
"Hurry, hurry," another shouted, "The big show is about to
begin, all on the inside," while Fatima sashayed about streaming her diaphanous
veils and smiled at the open-mouthed men and teen-age boys near her stage.
Above all the colored lights of spinning rides and hubbub,
a full moon silhouetted a large bat, its wings slowly flapping silently
to hover as if drawn to the scene by curiosity, then dropped near the ground
behinda quiet tent amidst shadows at the edge of the midway.
Destiny coalesced
from the darkness, adjusted her black cloak to cover much of her lithe form,
and stepped into the light.
The Vampire-Mermaid thought to herself that it was quite
obvious she wasn't your average girl."Your past is dark, too dark for me to see," went on the
fortune teller, "But your future is - is also beyond my vision!"
The old woman blinked at Destiny,"Who
are you? What are you, that is so hidden I can't see it?"
Strolling the midway, she passed a stout young man who
had just rung the bell of a tall-tower by slamming a heavy mallet onto the
lever at the bottom.
The girl found a teddy-bear shoved into her arms, and
turned to see the youth grinning at her, extending her open hand, "I'm Charlie
Baxter,"he said, "And I'd be right pleased if you'd let me escort you 'round the
carny? A
lovely lady like yourself would stir the blood of the
rowdies who come here looking; for someone such as you."
Destiny tilted
her head slightly sideways, "Such as yourself?" he laughed and replied "You sure
got my number, but the difference is, I'm a gentleman.
After a ride on the Ferris Wheel to get an overview of
the midway, Charlie took Destiny
to a large tent serving meals. "But I'm not hungry - yet," she begged off.
Then they went to the House of Horrors and meandered among
the spooky displays of various monsters. "You're not scared at all," the
man said,"I've never known a girl before who wasn't!"
Destiny replied,
"Then you've been here before" He smiled, "I work for the carny, on the bell-ringer
where we met, it's my job to make it look easy, luring the suckers to spend
their money.
One skinny old guy could hardly lift the mallet, much less swing it, but
wegoaded him into it, and he had a heart attack, died on the spot!" he laughed.
The girl's eyes narrowed, "For half-dollar, you contributed to someone's death?"
The man looked blank, "Hell, he had one foot in the grave
already. I wasn't blamed." Minutes later, a woman screamed in the semi-darkness when
she tripped over what was thought to be a fallen monster display, but an
attendant's flashlight revealed the body of Charlie Baxter, drained of blood. Thereafter, the bell rang repeatedly until it had to be
dismantled, one less game of chance, one less macho display. Madam Jade,
studying her crystal ball, said "Ah-ha, now I see!" -end.
The Vampire Mermaid decided she might take up the attorney
affairs later, but for now she wanted to nail "Grease" Roland, who'd slipped
through so many charges of foul play off the coast of Australia.
Now, he'd been killing relatively harmless sharks which
some even deemed beneficial to other sea life, just to cut off their fins
for Asians who paid extremely well to use them in soups and "vitamin and
mineral" supplements.
Worse, the gentle sharks were often stripped of their
fins and tail while still alive, then left to slowly die from blood loss
or to be attacked by others of their kind, unable to escape anymore.
Such had become his bad reputation that he couldn't even
hire helpers among the lawless element of Sidney's harbor, so he had to
pilot his own boat as well as do his own diving to impale with a spear
gun.
"Grease" raised his spear gun to fire, just as Destiny
began to hum her siren song, an alluring series of high-pitched tones, which
carried underwater for miles, similar to whale song.
The difference was, the girl's voice had been used as
far back in history as there was life, to lure sailors, half-mesmerizing
them, though also out of sheer curiosity.
The narcotic effect made him giddy, spiraling out of control,
giving him the "bends" which all-divers dread. If he survived surfacing
from this depth, he'd never be able to dive again, if he could even walk
hereafter.
Destiny had
considered that this feared malady alone might be sufficient punishment
for all his wrong doings, yet he could still direct others later, to carry
out his nefarious orders.
CC: How did you become interested in comics and how did
you first become involved with fanzines like Scary
Monster Magazine?
Destiny
with Iyrics by yourself How would you describe the music?
RF: Haunting, alluring,
mysterious, ominous and memorable.
RF: Dozens of independent
publishers willing to try different ideas, thanks to the foundation of
60's fanzines and 70's undergrounds, compared to relatively limited venues
of 40's-60's NYC comics.
I'm delighted to see such a variety of titles and styles
available to writers and artists today that didn't exist when I was just
beginning which I feel is very healthy for the medium to continue growing
and developing.
Mr.
Foss we look forward to many hours of reading pleasure in the future
thanks to you and your fine work.-end
Debbie
has been busy performing in clubs suchas Franchine's, Breakers, Renegade
(Rehobeth Beach), Club 22 and Pulsations.
Debbie's
song "Night Has No Color" was recently featuredon Philly's Magic 103's
Magic After Dark program.
One thing Debbie
wants everyone to know is that she wants to reach out to her fans, and be
one big family with the world. She wants her fans to contribute and influence
what she does.
Her desire to be close to her fans was demonstrated on
the night that we saw her perform. After her performance she could be seen mingling with
the large crowd, and even getting up on a platform to dance with members
of the audience.
Partial Filmography
* Chloroformed Model 2
* Destiny: Vampire Mermaid
*Lawyer Luau
Slaughtered Socialites*Son of Psycho Charlie
Sorority Slaughter 2* Strangled 2
Strangled 3: Blood Test* Strangled 6
The Go-Go Girl Strangler
The Time Travelers * The Vampire's Curse
Wave's Gruesome Quicksand Deaths
A Tasteful Revenge
In The Hood *Lawyer Luau *Legal Entrapment
Kidnapped and Chloroformed Again* Naval Maneuvers
Play Dead* Retribution* Slaughtered Roommates
The Gypsy by Ronn
Foss
An old-time automatic player organ sounding like a slightly
off-keyone-man band was booming over the other assorted music coming from
various colorful tents and carny rides. A heavy smell of cotton-candy, hot dogs, and popcorn wafted
through the shifting crowd, as pitchman hawked their respective games of
chance.
"Pitch
'til you win," yelled one, but the stuffed animals mostlystayed hanging
where the rubes could see them from afar to lure them in, then they'd win
a plastic comb or paper Japanese miniature umbrella.
"Death?" The man looked blank, "Hell, he had one foot in
the grave already. I wasn't blamed."Minutes later, a woman screamed in
the semi-darkness when she tripped over what was thought to be a fallen
monster display, but an attendant's flashlight revealed the body of Charlie
Baxter, drained of blood.
She faced a banner which read: MADAM JADE, FORTUNE TELLER
EXTRAORDINAIRE, PALMISTRY, TAROT, HOROSCOPES, an old woman moved aside the
gossamer veil from the opening to her tent, looking very much like Maria
Ouspenskya of the Lon Chaney, Jr. Wolf Man movie series.
Destiny half
expected her to recite the lines about a mysterious river running to the
sea, but she said: "Come in, my dear, and let me tell you about your future,"
the girl smiled and followed the older woman back into her domain.
Incense wafted in tendrils upward from a brass Buddha,
and glass beads strung in hanging strands arced from corner to corner. In
Madam Jade indicated a chair for Destiny
and took her own place across a table with a five inch crystal ball
in the center, which she peered into, eyes widening, "You are not like most
women who seek me out...or any of them at all!" she intoned.
Destiny was gone.
Cover Page Index
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