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.

The Beatles sang about ‘em. We’ve all read ‘em. Today we celebrate ’em. Today is Paperback Book Day.

Paperbacks have been around since the 19th century. Reduced manufacturing costs allow for a smaller price point and more affordability. This has made paperbacks popular since their introduction to a mass market. They also allowed publishers to offer books that normally wouldn’t be top sellers without fear of big losses.

Again, we’re not worried about marketing trends other than how they benefit our collecting habits.

Newspaper strips were the first to receive the paperback treatment. Reprints of favorites became spin rack fodder at drug stores and other non traditional outlets. Mad Magazine followed offering a huge library including both original material and reprints.

I looked and couldn’t find much information for Signet’s Batman reprints. They are, really, the forerunners of the trade paperbacks that didn’t become popular until the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Signet’s first outing capitalized on the popularity of the 1966 Batman television show. Batman, the initial book, was released the same year as the TV series using Golden Age material to fill the interior. First up is/was a brief origin as originally told in Batman (1940) issue one. Next, The Batman Wars Against the Dirgible of Doom from Detective Comics (1939) 33, Web of Doom from Batman 90, Fan-Mail of Danger! from Batman 92, Crazy Crime Clown! from Batman 74, The Crime Predictor! from Batman 77, The Man Who Could Change Fingerprints! from Batman 82 and The Testing of Batman! from Batman 83.

Signet’s second outing was the novelization of three previous comic books: The State-Bird Crimes! From Batman (1940) 58, The Crime Parade from Detective Comics (1939) 124 and The Black Cat Crimes from Detective Comics 122.

For the third and fourth volumes, Signet returned to reprinting comic books. The third book featured Joker stories including The Challenge of the Joker from Batman (1940) 136, The Joker’s Winning Team (Batman 86), The Joker’s Millions (Detective Comics 180, The Joker’s Journal (Detective Comics 193) and Batman, Clown of Crime (Batman 85).

Penguin took top billing for book four with a Catwoman tale to finish the book. Stories included The Parasols of Plunder (Batman [1940] 90, The Golden Eggs (Batman 70), The Penguin’s Fabulous Fowls (Batman 76), The Return of the Penguin (Batman 155) and The Sleeping Beauties of Gotham City (Batman 84)

A fifth book was released adapting the 1966 Batman movie.

Other books would follow, Marvel with Lancer Publishing the same year. Both comic companies would continue to release paperback reprints through the 1970s and into the 1980s with Tempo, Pocket, Tor and others.

Each foray is a curious venture offering previously hard to find books to fans as well as tapping markets maybe untouched before.

Slap a gorilla on the cover and the book will sell three times as many copies.

That was DC Comics Editor and Chief Julius Schwartz’s philosophy for the 1950s and 60s.

While it might seem insane today, it certainly seemed plausible at the time. Profits proved the fact as sales rose significantly when apes appeared on comic book covers.

Which may be how our hosts for the day got their start.

Angel and the Ape debuted in DC Showcase issue 77 in 1968, about the time comic books and apes were dissolving their unlikely and improbable relationship. The duo would star in seven self-titled issues before retiring to guest appearances and mini series.

Showcase 77 (1956)

E. Nelson Bridwell and Bob Oksner were the creators. The premise was simple and 1960s. Considering Batman was camping it up twice a week on television with high ratings, a blond model and comic book artist gorilla moonlighting as private detectives weren’t beyond the realm of possibility.

Angel O’Day was the brains. Fluent in 12 languages, but still capable of kicking butt without chipping a nail. Sam Simeon was the brawn. His gorilla dialect often mistaken for unintelligible gibberish and hairy demeanor just part of the current style; both served to mask the real truth that Sam was an ape.

After disappearing for six years, DC printed a previously unreleased story in its Limited Collectors’ Edition C-34 Christmas With the Super-Heroes cover dated 1975.

We’ve already discussed this hidden treasure, but for continuity we’re adding it to their list of appearances.

Angel and Sam were thrown a bone here and there guest starring in other titles. It wasn’t until 1991 writer/artist Phil Foglio revived the pair in a four-issue mini series. Foglio expanded their existence in the DC universe making Sam the grandson of Flash rogue Gorilla Grodd. Angel’s pedigree proved her to be half sister to Inferior Five member Dumb Bunny.

Howard Chaykin and David Tischman chose to sex the two up in 2001 for another four-issue mini that just missed the mark all the way around.

A one-page story in the DC Holiday Special ‘09 wrapped up their time prior to The New 52. What remaining ‘60s charm they had left was completely stripped away leaving one running to eBay or back issue bins to wash the taste away.

What a sad way to close out a promising career.

As I stated when reviewing LCE C-34, Angel and the Ape have an allure born of the times they were created. Their short legacy is worth a visit; it won’t take long and may actually prove to be fun.

Oh, and today? It’s National and International Private Investigators Day. July 24 commemorates the birth year of Eugene Francois Cidocq, the first private investigator. His birthday is July 24, 1774 or 24/7 using the European method of placing the year before the day. There are an estimated 80,000 PI’s in the United States alone. 

Fifty six years ago today man proclaimed his independence from Mother Earth by stepping foot on a neighboring celestial body.

Today is Space Exploration Day, commemorating the 56th anniversary of man’s first walk on the moon.

For one day the inhabitants of this planet watched in unison as the culmination of centuries of dreaming and decades of work became reality.

Today, we will celebrate with a visitor from beyond and his creation to aid him in the betterment and protection of his adopted people. Today will be remembered with technology as fanciful and far fetched as the Apollo 11 rocket was not 50 years before its historic journey.

Our host is Superman and his contribution is the Supermobile.

You read that right, the Supermobile.

Action Comics
(1978) 481

Not even the Man of Steel, capable of leaping tall buildings and outracing speeding locomotives, is immune from commercialism.

Corgi Toys took advantage of its Superman license and the popularity of the 1978 Superman movie to manufacture a line of die cast vehicles. Thinking out side the box (office), Corgi asked DC Comics to create a vehicle for Superman to use in his endeavors. Writer Cary Bates concocted the Supermobile.

Debuting in Action Comics (1938) 481, the Supermobile was launched. The rocket is constructed of an invulnerable metal called, yes,  Supermanium. Issue 481’s plot saw Superman powerless after exposure to red sun radiation. To battle Amazo, Superman crafted the Supermobile.

In addition to flight and invulnerability, the Supermobile channels Superman’s other abilities using large mechanical arms, his enhanced vision-related powers, super breath and super hearing.

No lie.

The Supermobile made limited appearances following its debut, but that didn’t stop Corgi from producing a 1/36 and 1/64 scale die cast model for store shelves.

Corgi die cast Supermobile

When DC and Kenner toys launched the multi media Super Powers campaign in 1984 the Supermobile concept was dusted off again for the toy line. The design differed a bit with a few modifications to lower production costs.

McFarlane Toys resurrected the Super Powers line in 2022, but adhered to the original design this time.

So, when looking to the skies today, remember, “…one giant leap for mankind.” And, even Superman isn’t as powerful as the almighty dollar.

Kenner’s Super Powers Supermobile

We’re a little ahead of ourselves as I’ve been jumping around with postings. So, instead of offering you a history of primates on the covers of DC comic books, we’re gonna jump right in with World Chimpanzee Day. A history of apes and DC Comics will be forthcoming in about 10 days.

Sorry.

Rex, the Wonder Dog

Anyway, World Chimpanzee Day is a celebration established in 2018 through members of the Jane Goodall Institute. July 14 was chosen to commemorate the exact date Dr. Goodall first sat foot into the Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania in 1960. Goodall dedicated 30 years of her life studying chimps and their culture.

While we applaud the good doctor’s work, we’re gonna delve into stories involving one of the most intelligent of the species – though fiction – with Detective Chimp.

Originally dubbed Bobo the Detective Chimp by owner Fred Thorpe, the sleuthful simian is mainly known as just Detective Chimp these days. He was transplanted from the equatorial region of Africa by Thorpe in 1953. He was to be used as a sideshow attraction, answering predetermined questions via signals. However, Detective Chimp was given higher cognitive reasoning and the ability of speech when Rex, the Wonder Dog, showed him the Fountain of Youth in Florida.

His first appearance is in Rex the Wonder Dog issue four.

Detective Chimp became a detective for hire following the death of Thorpe.

Former Bobo assumed a more child-friendly appearance and demeanor as time passed. Detective Chimp would piggyback with other headliners and DC stars such as John Jones, the Martian Manhunter, a detective himself. The private eye primate was pulled out of retirement on different occasions to retain the copyright.

He was even granted a (very) small cameo on an episode of Teen Titans GO!

Not only did it happen once, or even twice, but three times. DC Comics and KFC Corporation, doing business as KFC, partnered to bring justice by forming an alliance between franchise food founder and four-color heroes.

We’ve already examined the third volume in this trilogy of travesty. While somewhat non linear in our approach to this trio of non-traditional team-ups, Four Color is committed to bringing the whole story – no matter how ludicrous.

The Colonel of Two Worlds (2015)

This time around, Flash rogues Captain Cold and Mirror Master welcome Colonel Sunders from Earth 3. Together they are to use their criminal genius to plunder as never before.

Working from Sunder’s cleverly disguised base of operations, a fast food restaurant called Easy Fried Chicken, robberies, muggings and other sundry foul deeds erupt.

Neither the cheap chicken nor criminal activities go unnoticed. Both the real Colonel Harland Sanders and Justice League founders Flash and Green Lantern come to the rescue.

The Scarlet Speedster and Emerald Gladiator take a back seat to the Colonel’s wrath. The discount franchiser beats a hasty retreat leaving Cold and Mirror Master to receive their just desserts. Sanders takes pity on the pair of felons, offering them a job at a local KFC.

KFC is the second largest restaurant chain with over 30,000 locations around the world. Only McDonald’s outpaces the chicken franchise.

The first location opened in 1952 in Salt Lake, Utah. Sanders sold the company in 1964, though he remained the figurehead.

So, join in some southern fried goodness whether it be homemade or just brought home. Make sure to wipe your fingers before reading the DC Comics/KFC saturated cheesiness, it does bring a few dollars on the collector market.

Happy Fourth of July!

We’re looking to Scooby and Mystery Inc. for another holiday and what better ambassadors than the two chow hounds themselves to celebrate a day known for outdoor cooking and bright lights.

The gang just has to solve a mystery to earn their supper first.

However you observe, have a safe one.

Scooby-Doo (1997) 146

Both Scooby-Doo and Batman have a long history together and with Four Color Holidays.

It’s no secret I’m a huge fan of both. Combine ‘em and it’s like peanut butter and jelly. Like chocolate and peanut butter. Like bacon and peanut butter toast sandwiches.

Don’t judge.

As they have a history with me, they have a history with each other. A history that dates back to the early 1970s and The New Scooby-Doo Movies.

Hanna-Barbera paired the two in what may have been a demo outing seeing as the animation studio would debut The Super Friends less than a year later.

Their first outing, The Dynamic Scooby-Doo Affair, aired as the second episode of the series in 1972. They would team again the 15th episode, The Caped Crusader Caper.

Each episode featured Scooby, Mystery Inc., Batman and Robin. Their common foil, Joker and Penguin.

Batman: Brave the the Bold would pay homage to the team up nearly 40 years later with Bat-Mite Presents: Batman’s Strangest Cases! The episode aired April 1, 2011.

They would reunite in the direct-to-DVD Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold in 2018.

That was followed by What a Night for a Knight during the first season of Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? the following year.

And, that was just in animation.

Mystery Inc. would join the DCU(?) in November of 2013 with Scooby-Doo! Team-Up. The series ran 50 issues with Batman and Robin appearing in the first three.

The remainder of the run would feature various characters from DC and Warner Bros. including Ace the Bathound and Harley Quinn.

Most recently – and ongoing – are The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries published in 12-issue cycles.

All this to celebrate National Take Your Dog to Work Day.

Much to Scooby’s chagrin, “What rog?” we’ve used him as our, ahem, spokesperson. But, it’s all for a good cause.

Each year, the Friday after Father’s Day, employees across the country are urged to celebrate with their canine and workplace friends. There is an ulterior motive however.

National Take Your Dog to Work Day is to be used as an inspiration to adopt these four-legged besties from shelters and human societies.

The day began in the United Kingdom in 1996 and was adopted in the United States by the Pet Sitters International in 1999.

What better way to commemorate and cement a relationship with a furry friend than bonding with some Scooby Snacks and reruns of the mutt of the hour.

Unless you’re me and have two incredibly handsome and fuzzy cats who spend more time on my lap than they do on their feet.

Even with the emergence of National Black Cat Day and Cuddly Kitten Day and any others we may have covered, there can never be enough days to honor our feline friends.

Case in point, Hug Your Cat Day.

Today is another chance to show your fuzzy companion how much they mean to us. These low-maintenance roommates can provide stress relief, improve cardiovascular health and sleep quality. Cats have been found to increase self-esteem and relationship skills.

That’s not including how adorable they are.

Currently dogs are the more prevalent pet, but cats are close behind, so it should come as no surprise “man’s best friend” may have some concerns and animosity toward these nocturnal neighbors.

Sooby-Doo (1997) 150

Even our pal Scooby has hard feelings for the fairer, four-legged Felis Catus. Enough so, he and the gang find their monthly mystery in Scooby-Doo (1997) 150 almost more than they can handle in The Black Katz.

This lucky clowder has inherited a fortune from their deceased matriarch allowing them to live out their nine lives in comfort. Yet, the fiction of a black cats bad luck prejudices the public’s opinion who want them gone.

Mystery Inc. soon discover it was a matter of theft and superstition that caused the town’s animosity toward the glaring.

So, take the time today to show your loved one how much they mean to you.

Coin flips have decided presidential candidates, history and names of cities so it’s only fitting the practice have its own day.

Welcome to Coin Toss Day.

Today’s master of Ceremonies was one of the easiest to choose since Jeff and I have been hosting this site. Who better to host than a man who bases all his decisions on the flip of a coin? Today’s Man of the Hour could be none other than Harvey Dent, aka long-time Batman nemesis Two Face.

Batman (1940) 66

First introduced in Detective Comics (1938) issue 66, Harvey Dent wasn’t Harvey Dent. He was still Harvey, but he was Harvey Kent. His surname was tweaked to avoid confusion with Superman’s alter ego Clark Kent.

Both the original creation and later incarnations had their faces scared with acid and became obsessed with the number two.

Following his debut in The Two Crimes of Two-Face, written by Bill Finger and illustrated by Bob Kane, in 1942, Harvey was retired for the remainder of the Golden Age.

   And, the Silver Age.

Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams would resurrect Two Face in 1971 for Batman issue 234, Half An Evil.

Given a new life, Harvey Returned with a vengeance appearing in Detective Comics, Justice League of America and Teen Titans during the Bronze Age.

Frank Miller entered Harvey into the Modern Age of comicdom following Crisis on Infinite Earths during his Batman: Year One story arc.

He would continue to thrive in each of the following rebirths of DC’s universes until finally receiving his own solo series in 2024.

As stated earlier, flips of coins have long been responsible for life altering decisions.

History was made when Orville and Wilbur Wright decided who would take the first manned flight with the flip of a coin.

    Country singer Waylon Jennings lost his plane seat to J.P. Richardson, aka The Big Bopper, when they flipped a coin. The ill-fated flight ended in a crash that killed all aboard including fledging rockers Richie Valens and Buddy Holly.

Portland, Oregon, was founded over a coin toss.