A Dull Pain

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.