This was a hard choice. At least as to when to use the comic book.

It’s very suited for anytime in December if no other reason for the cover alone. Events take place beginning December 23 and culminate on Christmas Eve makes it a candidate for December 24.

I guess what made my mind up is the fact it also serves a greater purpose by commemorating a day that’s much harder to find a comic book related for: International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

We’ve done it before. Not once, but twice, but it doesn’t make it any easier finding a third example in the world of four color.

So, when I happened across Superman (1987) 64 and started reading the book, I had to take advantage of the opportunity.

Each December Superman is faced with the impossible task of answering letters of help from persons around the world. For 1991, the Man of Steel has allowed Lois Lane to chronicle the Herculean task.

The first few are from treasure hunters asking Superman to lend his talents in the search for oil or making of diamonds. There are others that can’t be helped, though their woes are worthy of his attention.

What he can do is help a 65-year old Auschwitz survivor be reunited with her sister.

Mrs. Agnes Schommer is a widow of limited means living in Chicago. She had only recently learned her older sister, Ellie, is still living, but is not well. Superman is able to clear her stay at the American Embassy in Germany so the two can reunite.

The reunion only takes three pages of the book, but are poignant when it is remembered approximately 60 percent of the Jewish population was liquidated by the Nazi’s between 1933 and 1945. That’s an estimated six million people.

This does not include the others targeted and considered Holocaust victims. They would number an additional 11 million people.

January 27 has been chosen as a day to commemorate victims as it is the day Auschwitz was liberated.

Clement Clark Moore is one of America’s earliest influencers.

With his hastily jotted poem, The Night Before Christmas/‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, the 19th century professor of Greek and Hebrew literature at General Theological Seminary imbedded many of our current holiday beliefs in ourselves.

The precept of presents was one of the major contributions. Santa Claus’ appearance was another. Along with jolly St. Nick’s use of reindeer as transportation and his modus operandi for entering and exiting an abode.

A Visit from St. Nicholas, as the verse was originally titled in 1823, cemented his use of a magical sack to hold all the gifts. It also moved Santa’s visit from Christmas Day to Christmas Eve. The slight time shift removed some of the religious stigma from the forming holiday.

Here Batman, having settled in for a long winter’s nap complete with cap, looks disgruntled at having been woken.

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

Welcome to Father’s Day.

Raising children isn’t easy. Just imagine if they had super powers.

That’s what Stan Lee and Jack Kirby did when they decided to bless Reed and Sue Richards with a child. The first couple married in their own title, the Richards also appear to be the first couple to also have a child. Which they did in their sixth anniversary issue.

Lee and Kirby couldn’t just have Marvel’s first family get stuck in a traffic jam for suspense. No, they decided on something much more dramatic. Reed must travel to the Negative Zone for Element X, the only element that can save Sue and their unborn childs’ lives from the Cosmic Rays that gave her her powers.

Fantastic Four (1961)
annual 6

He does not go alone.

Undertaking the dangerous task are Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm, the Human Torch and Thing, respectively.

Negative Zone despot Annihilus does not willingly give up his Cosmic Rod, the source of the Element X. Though the trio are able to secure the rod, they are then chased about the Negative Zone. They are allowed to escape after Reed secretly secures some of the needed element and returns  the rod to Annihilus.

With the Element X, Sue gives birth to a healthy baby boy. It would take another two years before he was officially named Franklin Benjamin Storm in Fantastic Four (1961) 94. As a two-fer for Father’s Day, Franklin was named for his maternal grandfather.

Franklin would guest in his parent’s book over the following 15 years until finally earning a spot in Power Pack issue (1984) 17. The title ran 62 issues.

He would float in and out of the FF in various incarnations and ages, but maybe the only real stories to worry about are the Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius out-of-continuity books. Teamed with the ever faithful H.E.R.B.I.E. the two are almost Calvin and Hobbes clones at times.

Their adventures began as back up strips in various Marvel comic books before progressing to periodic oneshots. Fourteen have been printed to date.

As for the day itself, we’ve covered that in Lobo: Infanticide way back in 2019. Rather than rehash, click back for the history of Father’s Day. Go ahead and read the page while there.

And, don’t forget to thank the man in your life for, well, life. Life and lessons taught, no matter how hard they’ve been. Though he’ll never read this, I’ll wish my dad a big ol’ Happy Father’s Day from Four Color.

Don’t worry, I told him in person, too.

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.

With flags at half mast, today is a day of remembrance for the American military men and women who died while in the service of their country.

Memorial Day is commemorated the last Monday of May each year. The day is used to visit the fallen in their resting places, where possible, around the country. Graves are adorned with flowers and markers ensuring those who have passed and their sacrifice is not forgotten.

Originally called Decoration Day, what is now Memorial Day was first observed May 30, 1868. to honor the fallen Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. The National Cemetery Administration, a division of the Department of Veterans Affairs, credits Mary Ann Williams with the idea of laying flowers on the graves of the fallen, both Union and Confederate.

According to the Richmond-Times Dispatch, the first Civil War grave to be decorated with flowers was John Quincy Marr who died June 1, 1861, during the Battle of Fairfax Courthouse in Virginia. His grave was showered with flowers June 3, 1861. Other southern states followed during the War Between the States. In 1868 some of the southern states added Confederate to the memorial name as related in G.I. Combat (1952) 87 post.

By 1890, all of the Union states were recognizing the day and in 1968, Congress moved its observance to the final Monday in May.

Four Color honors the fallen with Unknown Soldier 216 and the cover story Taps at Arlington.

The Unknown Soldier was first introduced in Our Army at War (1952) 168. Appropriately enough, the character is given his name based on The Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.

Arlington National Cemetery was Acquired by the federal government following a tax dispute with Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s family. It was established May 13, 1864, and, as of this writing, the final resting place for over 400,000 persons. It is comprised of 639 acres.

Unknown Soldier was created by comic book veteran Joe Kubert and Robert Kanigher. His first appearance was Our Army at War (1952) 168 in 1966.

He was granted his own feature in Star Spangled War Stories beginning in issue 151 through 204. The title changed to The Unknown Soldier with issue 205 lasting to the final issue 268 in 1982.

The decorated veteran returned before the end of the decade in a,12-issue mini simply titled The Unknown Soldier spanning 1988 to 1989.

Garth Ennis revived him for another four issues in 1997.

The Unknown Soldier took shelter under the Vertigo imprint for 25 issues before low sales retired him a final time.

Thank you to all who served and take time to remember those who  never came home.

Continuing the Star Wars celebration this month is today’s quirky Talk Like Yoda Day.

Star Wars 41 (1977)

While the history of the day is muddled, the choice for the day is not. May 21, 1980, was the release date for the much anticipated sequel to Star Wars. Opening weekend box office receipts tallied almost $5 million for 126 theaters. That translates to nearly $20 million in 2025 dollars.
Yoda was a result of Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi’s death in Star Wars. Writer and director George Lucas realized he had nothing for Ben to do for the last quarter of Star Wars, so he had Darth Vader kill him.
Kenobi’s death meant Luke Skywalker had no one to teach him in the ways of the Force. Enter Yoda and his odd syntax. Rather than the more common subject-verb-object American’s use, Yoda spoke in objective-subject-verb. While highly uncommon – only found in 0.3 percent of known languages – it does occur.

So, remember the excitement as the saga continued with a rereading of Yoda’s first appearance in comic books or a rewatching of The Empire Strikes Back or both.

The official trailer for Peter Gunn’s eponymous epic slated for July 11 drops (or, depending on when you read this, dropped) today.

Donning the cape for the 11th live-action film is David Corenswet. His incarnation is to be the cornerstone of what DC is touting as movie one of its new cinematic universe.

To celebrate, we’re dusting off Superman’s Last Christmas from

Superman (1938) 369

Superman (1938) 369. The book hit spin racks way back in December 1981 though cover dated March 1982.

A festive cover proves to be the most excitement the issue offers with a pedestrian Parasite story set against a red and green backdrop.

Maybe the most laudable mention is Superman 369 marks the end of an era with DC Comic’s final Hostess Cupcake ad featuring licensed comic characters.

Superman (2025) will be premiering in theaters July 11.

Proposal Day is not one, but two days each year. It’s celebrated on both the vernal and autumnal equinox when the day length is equal. The equality of the day is to symbolize the harmony of the marriage.

If this seems too prearranged, not to worry. Only about 35 percent of all brides to be are surprised by their proposals. And, when it comes to the ring, it’s more the cut, shape and setting of the stone rather than the actual carat.

How to propose is still a tradition. Over three quarters of the, “Will you…” are conducted on one knee. And, publicly to boot.

Today’s emcees are comic book’s first power couple, Clark Kent and Lois Lane. Both were introduced in Action Comics (1938) number one. Yet they go back at least four years before that when Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster began crafting the world’s first true super hero.

Superman (1987) 50

Superman’s success was overnight and his stardom shown on cast members Lois, pal Jimmy Olsen and boss Perry White.

        Lois proved popular enough to earn her own title, Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane in 1958. By the 1960s the title was one of the top 10 selling books for DC Comics. Following the book’s cancellation, she would return in the 1970s with a back up feature in The Superman Family series that ran from 1974 to 1982.

          These stories, issues 195-99 and 201-22, pursued the events of Earth-Two’s Clark and Lois as husband and wife. The two were married in Action Comics 484.

After over half a century of pining, the Clark of our universe finally worked up the nerve to ask Lois to marry him in Superman (1988) issue 50. The engagement proved to be longer than originally planned. It was decided to coincide the event with television show Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman so the two would marry simultaneously on both TV and in the comic book.

The literary marriage was held in Superman: the Wedding Album in 1996.