December 8th: 17 days and counting…

Any comic book devotee will tell you what a turbulent time the 1990s were for comic books and Marvel in particular. The situation was simply a money grab as the company was sold a few times over, based on inflated sales at the comic book shops. When the bubble finally burst, Marvel found itself filing for bankruptcy as it floundered to stay afloat.

Avi Arad, ToyBiz owner and executive producer on the X-Men the Animated Series, showed foresight by licensing out some of the product. Blade saw a return of $70,000,000, but Marvel only received $25,000. Same with the X-Men and Spider-Man movies.

What it did do was set up a formula that brought Marvel out of its financial distress; rather than farm their talent out, Marvel formed its own studio and began utilizing its characters, allowing the company to reap the rewards directly.

Yet, during the strife of the late 90s, Marvel carried on as best it could, licensing out not only its characters to films, but pimping out just about anyone to turn a profit. Three of the biggest – and most recognizable – names at the time were Hulk, Spider-Man and Wolverine. This ornament three-pack housed in a metal lunchbox-type holder showcase that trio.

Wish I had this set.

December 7th: 18 days and counting…

Also known as the Jackie Chan Batman (based on the animation house), The Batman had the misfortune to appear as the heir apparent to Batman: The Animated Series being the first to follow the highly touted fan and critic fav.

The Batman began airing Sept. 11th, 2004, on Kids WB, then moved to Cartoon Network (remember them?).  Even in the wake of B:TAS, The Batman did earn six Daytime Emmy Awards. The series also spawned a direct-to-DVD Batman vs. Dracula feature length animated film.

The series makes it to the tree with five mini ornaments including Batman, Joker, the Batmobile, logo and Penguin.

December 6th: 19 days and counting…

Marvel’s counterpart to DC’s Batman: the Animated Series was, well, X:Men: The Animated Series.

Airing a month behind Batman, the X-Men proved why it’s printed source material had outpaced the rest of the company’s titles.  X:TAS aired from Oct. 31, 1992 to Sept. 2, 1997. In its prime, the series reached 23 million households.

While many of its fellow cartoons proved to be little more than hour-long advertisements for toys, X-Men served a dual purpose. Not only did it hawk merchandise, but it provided quality entertainment as writers were able to pull from over two decades worth of material. Some of the more popular storylines adapted for the small screen included the Dark Phoenix Saga, Days of Future Past and the Genosha Island story arc.

X-Men: The Animated Series began to falter as the fourth season wore on, but producers Saban Entertainment funneled a few extra dollars into the show for a fifth and final season consisting of 11 episodes.

Nostalgia allowed the show to pick up where it left off with a single – to date – season of X-Men ’97. Streaming on Disney+, X-Men ’97 premiered March 20th, 2024 with two episodes. A total of 10 episodes aired.

To commemorate the return, a special, limited edition Wolverine Unmasked ornament was sold by Hallmark at the San Diego Comic Con.

December 5th: 20 days and counting…

Superman is the first of the superheroes, custodian of truth, justice and the American way courtesy of two scrawny Ohio kids. Yet he was four years later than Batman in making his animated Fox TV debut, appearing Sept. 6th, 1996.

In the wake of Batman’s success, Fox execs tapped the Man of Steel for his own animated show. Its final episode aired Feb. 12th, 2000.

Midway through the show’s run, it was combined with the New Batman Adventures to form The New Batman/Superman Adventures. The series further cemented an animated universe including guest stars Batman, Flash, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Hawkgirl. Not coincidently, Justice League Unlimited spun off the series.

This Warner store exclusive was another late 1990s offering selling for a mere $8, less than $16 today.

December 4th: 21 days and counting…

Long the flagship of Marvel, Spider-Man remains part of Stan Lee’s Mount Rushmore of creations. As the comic book collecting market bloomed, collector pieces appeared from every corner of the merchandising market. Hallmark, as we’ve learned earlier this month, started in 1997, but Spidey and some of his friends were given even posher treatment with numbered porcelain ornaments.

This one was offered at the turn of the millennium complete with certificate of authenticity.

December 3rd: 22 days and counting…

There was a time not so long ago superheroes and their source material weren’t as welcomed by the masses as they are today. Superman and, later, Batman, laid the foundation for the phenom that was the 2010s with heroes literally popping off the big screen (in 3-D) and sons and daughters now taking part in conversations of who was more powerful: Superman or the Hulk.

But, as the original Batman franchise was buried with poor decisions and enough camp even Adam West and Burt Ward were embarrassed, an upstart network was forging ahead with original programming that still resonates with the faithful.

Harley Quinn was one of the break-out stars of the never-to-be-topped Batman: the Animated Series. Created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, Quinn debuted Sept. 11, 1992, on the 22nd episode: Joker’s Favor. Initially she was to be a one-and-done, simply entering to serve cake and exit. She proved to be a fan favorite on the series.

It took another seven years before she became part of the print DCU in 1999 in the one-shot Batman: Harley Quinn issue one.

This ornament is another late 90’s homage to the Joker’s former love interest.

December 2nd: 23 days and counting…

Hallmark began producing and marketing ornaments in 1973. It wasn’t until the late 1990s they started giving us what we really wanted with Spider-Man and the Hulk.  Jade Jaws is sporting some uncharacteristic blue jeans as he gallops along the tree.  Still, a nice addition to anyone’s season.

For the month of December Four Color Holidays is celebrating the Chistmas season by counting down the next 24 days with the licensed likenesses that show just who we are.

Every year I put up a Super Hero Christmas Tree. Dangling from its wire branches are representatives from both Marvel and DC as well as an honorary Big Bang Sheldon in his Flash costume – an ornament Hallmark treated us to several years ago.

Another annual tradition of mine is every year I have a new favorite – along with all the past favorites – making me smile in the soft LED glow of primary colors. This year’s newbie is really an old ornament from the now defunct Warner Bros. Stores and the one hero who will always be part of my Christmas.

I believe this is from 1997.