It’s the origin of what we now call Memorial Day, but was born in the conflict that pitted brother against brother and brought about the most American deaths in a conflict in United States history.

Today is Confederate Memorial Day. Though over 100 years previous, the ghosts of the Civil War are still felt by the descendants of both sides of the Mason Dixon.

Haunted Tank creators Robert Kanigher and Russ Heath offered another ghost in the aftermath of another conflict while yet another brewed.

On the pages of G.I. Combat, General J.E.B. Stuart would lead namesake Jeb Stuart and his M3 tank crew through the African campaign of World War II to its end days in the European Theater.  All the while, “advisors” were enroute to a little country called Viet Nam.

Kanigher would attempt to stir some diversity with Jeb’s ancestry hailing from the north while the rest of his crew would be southern born and bred. As they made their way through the struggles all would come to learn an appreciation and love for each other.

Haunted Tank became a fixture of G.I. Combat’s covers and remained on the stands almost as long as companion WWII comic book Our Army at War/Sgt. Rock.

G.I. Combat (1952) 87

In the year following the end of the War Between the States, the Ladies Memorial Association of Columbus, Ga., passed a resolution to set aside one day each year to memorialize the Confederate dead. Secretary Mary Ann Williams penned a letter to each of the associations in the former Confederate states to observe the day.

April 26 was chosen because it mirrored the surrender of Confederate General Johnston to Union General Sherman at Bennett Place. Many believed this to be the official end of the war. It wasn’t until 1874 the first official public celebration was observed following a proclamation by the Georgia legislature. By 1916, 10 states were commemorating the event on June 3, birth date of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Other states would observe in late April or May 10, the date of Davis’ capture.

Unofficially, the first observance was held in Warrenton, VA, the grave site of the first Civil War soldier’s grave, John Quincy Marr who died June, 1, 1861. He was killed at the Battle of Fairfax Courthouse, in Virginia.

Rather than break out the stars and bars, remember the day with General Stuart and his more modern charges.

Spoiler Alert:

If you haven’t read DC Comics 2004 Identity Crisis, read no further.

If you have, proceed for National Ex-Spouses Day.

The term ex is derived from the Latin word “ex” or out of and from and the Old French word “espous”, meaning to marry. Together they form ex-spouse referring to former husband or wife. 

The day, or non-holiday, is derived from Reverend Ronald Coleman’s desire to spread a message of forgiveness. The Kansas City, Missouri, pastor wished to mend wounds and move past former relationships.

Our four color tie-in is a seven-issue mini series as conceived by Brad Metzler and envisioned by Rags Morales and Michael Blair.

Initially planned as a story arc for the ongoing JLA series, it became a stand-alone mystery tale existing within the DCU, but away from current titles.

From June 2004 to December 2004 readers were invited along  a labyrinthine journey to discover who killed Elongated Man’s wife Sue Dibny. The super hero community finds its foundation shaken by the threats and death of other significant others. That’s in addition to revelations within the ranks of those most trusted.

The series was both praised and denounced for its depiction of rape, un consensual manipulation 

and murder. Let the final judgment be left in the eyes of the reader.

Identity Crisis is a murder mystery first and foremost. Make no mistake the themes are mature and not to be taken lightly.

Identity Crisis (2004) 1

I, for one, found the story riveting. At times Metzler was shocking. Don’t read this if you want the Super Friends as sacred cows are sacrificed for entertainment and realism.

Turning back the hands of time back to when cable and satellite television was in its Golden Age, there was something called the public broadcasting system.

This was, essentially, what many television pioneers believed television was meant to be. It was commercial free, funded by governmental programs and out of public pockets. With no one to answer to, PBS was able to broadcast programs with a more educational agenda.

One such program was The Electric Company.

Part of the American educational children’s television series, The Electric Company aired from Oct. 25, 1971 to April 15, 1977. In total, 780 episodes were broadcast over the six seasons. It would continue in reruns through Ot. 4, 1985.

Marvel Comics formed a free partnership with the Children’s Television Workshop.  By the fourth season, Spider-Man began to appear in live-action segments.

Spidey would save the day by stopping crimes of a lesser nature; usually muggings, hold ups, etc. Viewers were prompted to read Spider-Man’s thoughts that popped up courtesy of thought balloons. Less than 30 segments were filmed.

To compliment the episodes, Marvel printed a comic book entitled Spidey Super Stories. While the television series was short lived, the comic book lasted 57 issues running from 1974 to 1982. The book was geared toward six- to 10-year olds.

Spidey Super Stories (1974)                    1

Young fans were welcomed to the Marvel U with a guest villain each issue. In addition, other members of the Marvel stable made appearances like J. Jonah Jameson, Mary Jane Watson and many others.

Spider-Man was immortalized on vinyl as part of the Children’s Television Workshop and Peter Pan. His recorded adventures included Spidey Versus the Measles and The Queen Bee, both from The Electric Company. Also included were Spidey’s origin story, The Last Laugh, The Leader of the Pack, 20,000 Feet Under the Ground, Deadly is the Doctor Called Doom and Spidey Versus the Sandman.

Some of Spidey’s electrifying adventures can be found on YouTube and are worth a look for the hardcore Spider-Man fan or just morbidly curious. The once dollar-box fodder Spidey Super Stories are gaining a little traction in the collector’s market and can be found in most third-party shopping spots.

Whatever your predisposition, don’t expect too much and you may not be disappointed this National Public Television Day.

You were probably wondering when we were gonna announce today’s non-holiday.

While today is April 1, or commonly April Fools Day, our comic book related confederate is more of an absurdity than prank.

Over a six-year span, Hostess Snack Cakes partnered with comic book moguls DC, Marvel, Harvey, Archie and Gold Key to hawk its sweets. From 1975 to 1981 advertisment strips featured the titans of each publisher using Hostess’ calorie laden confectionery to aid in capture.
Ads began on a bi-monthly basis appearing company wide. The following year the ads became monthly. By campaign’s end a total of 352 known ads were published by the comic book companies mentioned above.

Based on research, this Iron Man April Fools ad appeared in Daffy Duck 108.
Hostess cupcakes hit the market May 10, 1919, and are – reportedly – the first commercial snack cake made available. For a nickel two cupcakes could be purchased. In the 1940s an orange flavor was introduced. In 1950, a cream filling was added and the signature squiggly line was added across the top.

By 2011, over 600 million Hostess cupcakes were being sold each year.

This 1977 ad has Iron Man defeating Monotony Man with the  sugar and cocoa concoction.