I don’t know about you, but I’m already anticipating Halloween. Closing out the month with Frankenstein Day just fuels the desire.

Yes, yes, this is supposed to be about the man, the myth, not the monster. But, it’s gonna be.

First, let’s look at the creation of both man and monster. It starts in the “Year Without a Summer” in 1816. The 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora caused a long, cold volcanic winter. Like many, Mary Shelley, 18, and her lover and husband-to-be, Percy Bysche Shelley were vacationing in the Switzerland Alps by Lake Geneva.

As the log fire radiated warmth and comfort, the small group attempted to make themselves uncomfortable with French ghost stories from the book Fantasmagoriana. Host Lord Byron tasked his charges to write a ghost story of their own.

While spectral tales eluded her, Mary found herself focused on the possibility of a reanimated corpse. 

So began what she believed would be a short story. Percy Shelley encouraged her to bring not only the protagonist to life, but the yarn as well. What began as a day dream soon transformed into a full fledged novel.

Over time, the classic has been adapted into pretty much any medium imaginable. We’re concerned with its first foray into the four color world: Prize Comic’s Frankenstein.

The monster, now named Frankenstein, was first introduced to comic readers in Prize Comics issue seven in 1940. Writer Dick Briefer – using the non deplume Frank N. Stein – brought the good doctor’s creation into the 20th century setting him against the New York City backdrop. Helping with today’s confusion of monster and doctor, Briefer dubbed the monster Frankenstein.

Being a patriotic monster, Frankenstein joined America in its fight against the forces of evil in Europe during World War II. He would join with a female vampire and male zombie for the remainder of the conflict.

Following the war they would return to the states – New York City – and open a hotel for monsters.

Frankenstein (1945) 1

In 1945, the monster was given his own comic book. He would settle in a small town with neighbors Dracula, the wolfman and others of the creature ilk. This humorous take would last three years before Breifer returned the monster to his more horrific roots for three remainder of three title’s run that ended with issue 33 in November of 1949.

Frankenstein Day is celebrated Aug. 30 each year in honor his creator’s birthday. Commemorate with some Universal horror, Hammer color or some simple vintage four color.

Today is not to be confused with National Frankenstein Day celebrated Oct. 31.

Of the 365 days in the year – 366 during Leap Year – today is tailor made for myself, Jeff and most readers of this page.

Today is Find Your Inner Nerd Day.

Most of us need not dig that deep.

If you’re here, it’s probably out of more than curiosity. Hopefully it’s to share in the culture we embrace.

In celebration of Find Your Inner Nerd Day, we’re turning the dial back on our television sets to Dec. 10, 2010, for the 11th episode of the fourth season of Big Bang Theory. More specifically, The Justice League Recombination.

If you tuned in that Monday evening, you were one of 13.24 million viewers.

Even though the episode aired before Christmas, it commemorated New Year’s Eve. The gang, plus Penny’s early on-again, off-again boyfriend Zac, gathered at Stewart’s comic book shop to celebrate with a costume contest. Dressed as the Justice League, Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, Raj, Penny and Zac took first place as the countdown began for 2011.

For 12 seasons – 279 episodes – Big Bang showed us it’s all right to fly that geek flag with pride. We watched kindred spirits live in the spotlight a life many of us hid in the shadows. They moved (super) hero worship, D&D and Japanese animation from the back of the bus to a front row seat. It was a revelation – and revolution – making Star Wars t-shirts fashionable.

Big Bang Theory took a season to gain traction, but by its fifth season had a premiere viewing audience of 14 million. The show was in the top 10 for seven of its 12 seasons. It reached number one during the 11th.

It was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series between 2011 and 2014. Jim Parsons would take home the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series four times and the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Comedy Series.

Coincidentally enough, Find Your Inner Nerd Day was founded a month prior to Big Bang airing, Aug. 23, 2007.

Find Your Inner Nerd Day was founded by Christopher Reaves Messina when he posted a tweet that created the modern hashtag. Since that time, #FindYourInnerNerd has become a digital hotspot to meet and greet those with similar interests and discuss fandoms and other geek topics.

Oh, and the name “nerd” was created by none other than Dr. Seuss in his book If I Ran the Zoo.

Fly the colors high today – and every day – as we celebrate our individual and shared interests. This is a life meant for us.

Welcome to the non-holiday that doesn’t have a specific date. Welcome to National Flying Ant Day. At least in Great Britain.

Flying Ant Day is officially recognized sometime in July or August. Usually when the weather turns sultry. The hot and muggy temperatures seem to bring the Lasius niger for a nuptial flight to start their own colony.

Which is why ants sprout wings; they strike out to colonize when their current community becomes too large to support additional numbers.

While that’s all well and good for the whole circle of life concept, we’re gonna focus on a different species of ant. The Ant (Man) of the Marvel Comics genus. Specifically the one created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby.

Tales to Astonish
(1959) 27

Dr. Henry Pym was first introduced in Tales to Astonish number 27 in 1962. With super heroes retaking the four colored world, Pym was quickly inducted into the spandex society eight issues later.

Pym would battle crime and injustice to avenge the death of his first wife. With the aid of his Pym Particles, that allowed him to alter his size, and a cybernetic helmet to communicate with ants, the shrinking hero became a founding member of the Avengers with his second wife, Janet van Dyne, the Wasp.

Others would adopt the mantle when Pym doffed his original persona for other alter egos including Giant-Man, Goliath and Yellowjacket.

Tying the hero with the day is Pym’s ability to communicate with ants, even the flying variety, and use them as a mode of transportation.

So, if you see the winged insect, don’t worry, they’re not interested in you or your picnic. They’re just off on their honeymoon.

The decade that brought us disco, Watergate and leisure suits wasn’t a complete waste of time.

That same decade also brought us Star Wars, Megos: The Worlds Greatest Superheroes, and any number of new characters from both Marvel and DC. The 70s also brought these heroes to life. Or, Power Records did. Or at least their voices.

An imprint of Peter Pan Records, Power Records served up vinyl platters of adventures straight from the comic books and, later, new stories to thrill over.

The parent company began in 1940 as Synthetic Plastic Company pandering to the youth market with music. Later they formed Peter Pan Records and became known for book-and-record sets.

Peter Pan would license popular trends like G.I. Joe and television shows offering recorded stories complete with voice actors like the old radio shows. The difference being the stories would were accompanied by an illustrated booklet to follow along with.

Peter Pan turned its attention to comic books as their popularity grew. Under Power Records, Spider-Man: Mark of the Man-Wolf (PR 10) was released as a 45 RPM complete with abridged 20-page comic book adapting Amazing Spider-Man (1962) issues 124 and 125.

It would later be re-released on a long playing (LP) 33 1/3 with three other Marvel comic book adaptations.

They would include The Incredible Hulk: The Hulk at Bay (PR 12) from Incredible Hulk (1968) issue 171; Captain America and the Falcon: A Phoenix Shall Arise (PR 12) adapting Captain America (1968) 168; and The Fantastic Four: The Way it Began (PR 13) from Fantastic Four (1961) 126.

Power Records 14 through 17 would celebrate Marvel’s monster mags. The Monster of Frankenstein, Dracula Terror in the Snow, The Man-Thing: Night of the Laughing Dead and The Curse of the Werewolf were adapted stories from each of the titles.

Marvel also retained the rights to the Planet of the Apes franchise, first publishing the movie adaptations in a black and white magazine, then colored versions in comic book format. Four of the five films were used by Power Records: Planet of the Apes: Planet of the Apes (PR 18), Planet of the Apes: Escape From the Planet of the Apes (PR 19), Planet of the Apes: Beneath the Planet of the Apes (PR 20), and Planet of the Apes: Battle for the Planet of the Apes (PR 21).

For PR 24, Power Records and Marvel would release Spider-Man: Invasion of the Dragon Men, an original adventure. 

It was a theme DC Comics would use for its subsequent offerings.

Batman: Stacked Cards (PR 27) was DC’s first outing followed by Superman: Alien Creatures (PR 28). Robin Meets Man-Bat (PR 30) followed.

All were original stories. Each was done either by Neal Adams or he and Dick Giordano’s art house Continuity Associates.

DC also released Superman The Man from Krypton and City Under Siege, PR 32 and 33 respectively. The last outing would be Wonder Woman: The Secret of the Magic Tiara (PR 35).

Marvel’s was Conan the Barbarian: The Crawler in the Mists (PR 31).

Extended Plays, or EPs, also existed. These were usually offered without booklets.

These may seem a bit outdated when multi-million dollar movies adapting these same characters are available to anyone with a cellphone, but they do capture the technology of the time straining to keep up with entertainment desires.

For a taste of the past, click below.

In an effort to de-homogenize the world’s collection of the greatest super heroes, Hanna-Barbera created several new members for the Super Friends. Among the tokens is our emcee, Apache Chief who is heading up International Day of the World’s Indigenous People.

Representing the indigenous population of North America, Apache Chief first appeared in The All-New Super Friends Hour. Regis Cordic voiced the addition before Michael Rye replaced him in Challenge of the Superfriends.

Viewers learned Apache Chief’s origin in History of Doom. The young brave and a tribal elder are attacked by a bear. The elder gives his protege a magic powder allowing the youth to grow to 50 feet when reciting the nonsense words “inee choh.” In Hanna-Barbera Native American, it means “man big.” Translated from true Western Apache, man big or great man is really “nde zhoo.”

Rather than create a villain for Apache Chief, Giganta became part of his lore. Originally a Wonder Woman foe, the towering villainess was written in after she stole the pouch of magic powder from the Chief.

Apache Chief would appear as window dressing in every episode but one, yet only have a speaking part in half of said cartoons.

Other heroes created to flavor the animated cultural melting pot included Black Vulcan, El Dorado, Rima the Jungle Girl and Samurai.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is observed Aug. 9 to raise awareness and celebrate the triumphs and achievements of indigenous peoples. The United Nations adopted a resolution in 1992 to make 1993 the International Year for the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

The following year the UN General Assembly passed resolution 49/214 proclaiming Aug. 9 each year for the following decade as International Day of the World’s Indigenous People for the coming decade.

After the first 10 years had passed, the UN extended the day for another decade. Since then it has been on the calendar each year.

Today, an estimated 2.51-million Native Americans are recorded. An estimate of nearly 60 million were said to have inhabited North American in 1492.

Manifest Destiny fueled relocation and genocide toward Native Americans since the time of settlement by Europeans. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 followed years of conflict between colonists and Native Americans. Over 100,000 indigenous peoples were forcibly removed from their native lands due to the Removal Act.

In addition to relocation, invaders used forced marches resulting in the deaths of thousands much like the Jewish genocide a century later.

Today is a day to remember all indigenous peoples; while we do, maybe we should start at home.

Art theft closes out International Clown Week.

The Joker attempts to divert attention from his painting pilfering by tossing pies at the police.

Spoiler alert: it doesn’t work.

While Laugh, Clown, Laugh is a fictional piece of art the Joker attempts to steal, there are many famous clown paintings.

Master of modern art Pablo Picasso crafted Harlequin Head, a piece stolen in 2012 as part of the heist of the century. Stolen from the Kunsthal Museum, the Picasso piece was the most famous of the seven works still missing. The thieves were apprehended, but the Harlequin is feared to have been destroyed.

The master is also known for his The Blue Clown. Appropriately enough, it is symbolic of Picasso’s Blue Period.

Other well known artists noted for their work regarding the joyful jesters include Antoine Watteau, Claude Gillot, Francisco Goya, Honore Daumier, Gustavo Courbet, George’s Seurat, James Ensor, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Andre Derain, Vino Severini, Max Beckmann, Pa Hooper and Walt Kuhn.

Maybe the most notorious was John Wayne Gacy. His penchant for portraying a clown – Pogo – prior to his arrest may have led to his choice of subjects while painting on death row.

Convicted of murdering 33 adolescent males, the infamous serial killer used a portion of his 14 years behind bars creating over 2,000 paintings.

His somewhat self portrait, Pogo the Clown, sold for $12,800 Oct. 31, 2022.

Gacy received his lethal injection May 10, 1994.

Continuing with International Clown Week the Joker seeks revenge on the circus that turned him down.

In all the origins of the Joker, I don’t remember him ever attempting employment with a circus. Dick Grayson, yes. Jason Todd – pre Crisis – yes.

Even Geoff John’s premise never postulated a career under the big top.

Yet, here he is, taking revenge for a slight that may have never happened. To add insult to injury, the Joker’s plan is foiled by the ring master and common clowns working the three rings.

Though first introduced in Batman (1940) issue one, his origin wasn’t revealed until Detective Comics (1939) 168 in 1951. Alan Moore would expand and expound on that origin further in 1988’s prestige one shot The Killing Joke. John’s The Three Jokers is only the latest attempt to explain the Joker.

An interesting fact is DC Comics wouldn’t allow its stars to be seen chowing down on any of the Hostess goodies so as not to endorse the product.

Guess it was all right to shill for ‘em.

So as not to be confused, there is such a thing as International Clown Day AND International Clown Week. We’ve celebrated before in 2020 with Obnoxio and Man-Thing.

For a little fun let’s go with International Clown Week. Plus, I’ve got a few Joker ads to toss in for good measure.

International Clown Day is celebrated the first day of August each year. It may be expanded by local government to encompass the whole week, as we’re observing.

Clown Week had its beginnings sometime in the mid 20th century. Walt Savage has been attributed with its creation. It wasn’t until 1966 Frank “Kelly the Clown” Kelly the president of the Clown Club of America, became the first International Clown Week chairman. American Clown Week chairman Bill “Boom Boom” Baily” lobbied Congress to recognize the event. President Richard M. Nixon declared the first recognized National Clown Week Oct. 8, 1970 as Public Law 91-443 as ratified by the 91st Congress. JJR 26 was passed by both the House and Senate. The joint resolution was signed into law by Nixon Aug. 2, 1971.

It wasn’t until 1988 it became an international happening. International Clown Week is observed from August 1 to August 7 each year.

Let’s celebrate with the Joker. He’s even brought the pie.