We jump again into the wayback machine for today’s roundup of two vintage animation compendiums: first up is the wacky Cultoons! – Ads And Oddities, a collection of some sometimes simply nuts cartoons long thought forgotten and transferred from some of the last known remaining prints. This was something of a last-minute addition to the site, which I slotted in after reviewing the very recent second collection.

And speaking of which, if it was possible, I think I enjoyed Cultoons! – Animated Education, the new Volume 2, even more! Steve Stanchfield’s Thunderbean is one of only a couple of companies out there that really create first rate editions of these “rare, lost and strange cartoons”, without the benefit of deep pockets and armies of restoration teams, making their achievements that much more remarkable, and I encourage and of you serious about animation history to seek them out and support future releases. We’ll have more vintage animation reviews coming up soon.

We come a little more up to date, but still stuck in the oddball past, for Randall’s latest review, of the live-action Filmation show The Secrets Of Isis: The Complete Series, a spin-off from Shazam! which sounds like tremendously bonkers fun! Coming shortly before Jamie Summers and Diana Prince provided female-powered super heroics on TV, and way before Xena suited up, Rand points out that Isis was a success in its time and a unique show, demonstrating that Filmation “was interested in doing more than attracting cereal advertisers for the network”. Plus, Isis didn’t look too bad in her Egyptian getup, right?

Lastly today, I just wanted to let you know I’m outta here for a few days, but leaving you in the capable hands of Rand, who I’m sure will drop in for an update or two and his anticipated Popeye: 1933-1938 review. In the meantime, don’t forget to check out our Romeo & Juliet: Sealed With A Kiss content, especially Josh’s exclusive interview with creator Phil Nibbelink, who hand animated each and every frame of the movie on his own. When you’re done there, my own thoughts on the result can also be read here.

Back soon, and stay tooned! – Ben.