Yep, another Hostess ad for Pi Day.

But, it’s so cool.

I promise.

A big thanks to Brian Cronin over at CBR for this National Pi Day gem.

Mr. Cronin did the leg work, so give him all the credit by visiting his article on a Hostess Fruit Pie villain who became part of the Marvel Universe.

Here’s the link to Brian’s article and here’s the original ad.

There’s a little confusion on this one. National Action Figure Day is supposed to be the first Friday in March, Sideshow’s self serving Take Your Action Figure to Work Day seems to fall on the same day. Yet, there’s no real determination on which is the official non holiday.

   National Action Figure Day is the first of the two I found, so let’s go with that one.

   To showcase the point this handsome two-pack of Spidey and Mary Jane is the focus of the day. Done for Christmas 1997, it fits the bill perfectly.

   These were released toward the tail end of ToyBiz’s run of Spider-Man the Animated Series action figures. The line featured seven series of figures from 1994 to 1998.

   ToyBiz originated north of the border as Chantex, Inc. It became Charon Industries in 1980 when it merged with Takefman’s Randim Marketing, Inc.

   The toy division would be rechristened ToyBiz in 1988 and become an American firm.

   Ike Perlmutter acquired Charon in 1990 with Avi Arad joining in 1993. That marked the same year ToyBiz for “exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free licenses of Marvel characters for 46-percent of ToyBiz equity.”

   When Marvel Entertainment Group filed for bankruptcy in the late 1990’s, ToyBiz helped save the company. They merged in 1998 becoming Marvel Enterprises. ToyBiz served as a subsidiary.

   In 2006 Hasbro and Marvel Entertainment signed a five-year licensing agreement for $205 million. 

   ToyBiz attempted to continue producing toys, but failed to remain solvent without the Marvel franchise.

   While short lived, it was a magical time offering such prizes as the holiday-inspired  Spidey-Mary Jane featured today.

Not that we really need an excuse for an Oreo cookie, but today is National Oreo Cookie Day anyway.

March 6 commemorates the sale of the very first Oreo over 100 years ago in 1912.

While we’ve celebrated with Earth’s adopted son, J’onn (Martian Manhunter) J’onzz, today we focus on a Marvel Team-Up between Monodelez International and Disney Consumer Products. Those who have been visiting the grocery portion of your local (fill in shopping place of preference), more specifically the cookie aisle, may have noticed Marvel heroes adorning Oreo packaging.

Cookie and comic enthusiasts are given the opportunity to buy three collectible packages under the Stuf of Legends branding. When placed side by side, and the fourth package placed above, the wrappers offer a hidden illustrated scene as created by artist Todd Nauck.

The fourth package was only released as National Oreo Cookie Day approached, featuring Marvel Comics’ reigning bad guy Doctor Doom.

The Stuf of Doom Cookies feature a new flavor called Masked Decadence, combining graham cookies with toasted marshmallow-flavored cream. Doom’s personage will be featured on each cookie and will be required dessert throughout Latveria.

Not really, but it sounds about right.

However, the new sandwich cookie will offer a little fun as the black crème is designed to turn the eater’s tongue green. Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, no less.

This may be part of a promotion for December’s Avenger’s: Doomsday.

Stuf of Legends

Stuf of Doom

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.

Been a year already and time to celebrate(?) another National Polka Dot Day.

Faithful followers will remember we initiated our recognition of the day with the Spot, a Marvel Comics villain, known for his dust ups with Spider-Man and Daredevil. This year’s emcee is none other than Minnie Mouse.

But, first, a little bit about the holiday.

   National Polka Dot Day’s history and origins are a little ambiguous. For some reason polka dots became associated with the Black Death through the 19th century. Then, the polka dance craze struck. About the same time, fabric makers discovered how to produce polka dot patterns on fabrics and the pattern has never looked back.

   The dotted revolution was in its hey day during the 1950s.  As with fashion it waned over the next two decades until a resurgence in the 1980s and ’90s.

In 2016 Walt Disney World chose to commemorate polka dots with the inaugural National Polka Dot Day. That may have come as a result of the company’s mouse fashionista, Minnie.

Minnie, or Minerva, Mouse first appeared with her counterpart, Mickey, in the iconic Steamboat Willie in 1928. Her first illustrated appearance was a comic strip entitled Mr. Slicker and the Egg Robbers that ran from Sept. 22 to Dec. 26, 1930. It also introduced her father Marcus Mouse and an unnamed mother.

While more of a plain Jane in the beginning, Minnie blossomed with her polka dotted style that has become a trademark.

Other uses of polka dots include Shirley Temple’s dress in Stand Up and Cheer from 1934. Marilyn Monroe sexed it up a bit with her white polka dotted dress in the film Seven Year Itch. Julia Roberts launched her career with a polka dotted dandy in Pretty Woman.

So, let’s celebrate with a little Disney fantasy. Donald Duck & Co. may be the first comic book appearance of Minnie.

A Renaissance man before the term was coined, Benjamin Franklin is the focus of today’s non-holiday. January 17 is a day to celebrate an American polymath, a founding father, newspaper editor/publisher, inventor, scientist, revolutionary and more.

   In addition to creating Little Richard’s Almanac, Franklin helped author the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

   Not bad for a Boston-born boy with little means.

   For Benjamin Franklin Day we take you back in time courtesy of Superboy to the beginnings of America. In addition to the boy of steel, ma and pa Kent tag along to clear up a (then) modern-day mystery.

   The (spoiler alert) parallel universe adventure allows the Kent’s to meet not only Franklin, but other Revolutionary War heroes.

Adventure Comics (1938) 296

   In short, Adventure Comics 296 is a four-color trope of the Silver Age. Back when America was still great, before the pre-Vietnam and Watergate era.

    Before branding meant something outside of cattle drives, Marvel was slapping its label on any product they could license outside of the four-color field.

   One of those companies that came calling was Topps.

   Under the Comic Book Heroes moniker, Topps produced a set of 40 stickers, each featuring a Marvel character. Each reprinted image sported the equivalent of a “dad joke.”

   Turned over and placed together, nine of the cards reprinted the cover of Fantastic Four 100.

   All for a dime.

  Our trip down memory lane today is sponsored by the non-holiday National Sticker Day.

   January 13 is National Sticker Day in observance of R. Stanton Avery, credited with the creation of the adhesive label with removable back. Happy posthumous birthday R.

   Stickers, so called because they, well, stick, are said to have first been utilized by European merchants. They stuck labels to their products, beginning in the 1880’s, so buyers would notice.

    The first National Sticker Day was celebrated in 2015.

Dust off your favorite Christmas special and celebrate the day. Not only is it the Eve of Christmas Eve, but it’s National Christmas Movie Marathon Day.

   After nearly a month of holiday traditions, we can finally incorporate a non holiday with our Advent calendar.

     My personal favorite is A Christmas Story. I was first exposed to the Yuletide rib tickler courtesy of my parents. They had recorded it offa HBO sometime around 1985.

   It was always welcome and when TBS began with the 24-hour marathon it fast became the soundtrack to Christmas Day.

    The exploits of Ralphie and family is closely followed by Christmas Vacation. As I mentioned a few days ago, mom’s favorite was White Christmas.

     And, let us not forget those beloved specials that we waited all year to see each holiday season. The first was Mister Magoo’s Christmas Carol that aired in 1962.

    Rankin/Bass tossed it’s animated hat into the mix with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer in 1964. A Charlie Brown Christmas premiered the following year. The Grinch That Stole Christmas first aired in 1966.

   And, more followed.

   To this day new specials are offered as are holiday themed movies.

   So, join us, and this Funko snowman-themed Penguin from Batman’s rogues gallery who bears an unsettling resemblance to Rudolph’s narrator.

Today has nothing to do with the board game.

Today’s mascot has nothing to do with the actual day.

So, what are we talking about?

National Checkers Day.

National Checkers Day is the second non-holiday inspired by the 37th president of the United States. But, this time he was running for the 36th vice presidential office.

On this day in 1952 Richard M. Nixon delivered what became known as his Checkers Speech. When confronted with allegations of receiving improper election funds, Nixon trotted his family out in front an estimated 60-million viewers and orated his now famous 30-minute speech. During his talk Nixon announced his intention that his children would keep Checkers the dog though it had been gifted to he and his family.

Presidential hopeful Dwight D. Eisenhower chose to leave his running mate to the whims of public opinion. The result was Nixon expertly maneuvering the new medium to his own ends. The same medium that would help propel his competition to the the White House in 1960.

For our purposes, checkers represents National Periodicals, later DC Comics, marketing strategy beginning in February 1966 through August 1967. Known as the checkerboard stripe, DC branded its most popular titles so consumers would recognize their books on newsstands and spin racks.

Common belief is the campaign wasn’t as eye catching as hoped.

To celebrate, wear some checkered clothing, learn more about Nixon, play the board game or simply read some Silver Age DC.

Oh, and this is also known as National Dogs in Politics Day. Woof.

Remember when you really noticed comic books? Not just as bathroom reading material or a quick way to pass a lazy summer evening. No, I’m talking about when you actually started collecting them; putting together story arcs. Seeking out what came before.

For me it was the late 1970s. By the early 80’s I was smitten. The life-long affair was underway.

Amazing Spider-Man was always a first choice. This was about the time Spidey was celebrating his bicentennial. Today that era isn’t highly regarded, but will always be part of my literary pantheon.

I followed his adventures through Mesmero and Kraven and Fusion to the first Hydro Man. The Black Cat made her second appearance and Madam Web began to help our hero.

Along the way we were introduced to Peter’s neighbors. One of which had a hankering for some country and western and would caterwaul loud enough to keep Pete up at night.

Amazing Spider-Man 213

Peter couldn’t be sure who it was, but he had his suspicions. Namely a tall, lanky gentleman with a penchant for cowboy shirts.

Imagine Peter’s surprise when he accidentally knocked a hole in their shared wall only to find the culprit was a short, bearded man he’d seen around the building in a business suit: Joseph Pincus.

Though he went by the stage name Lonesome Pincus.

The awkward meeting led to a passing friendship. When Pincus landed a gig at the Brooklyn western hotspot, Mickey’s, he slipped Peter an invitation and a pass.

The initial outing could not have gone worse. Pinky’s set was booed and jeered until broken up by villain of the week Ramrod. Mad he’d been denied a chance to perform at the same bar, Ramrod had poisoned the beer causing patrons to riot. Switching genre’s, Pinkus turned off the country and poured out the blues. The old adage of music calming the savage beast proved true and Pincus saved the day.

This took place between Amazing Spider-Man issues 213 and 221.

All this to set up today’s non-holiday, International Country Music Day.

International Country Music Day was established some time around 2003 on September 17 to commemorate the birth date of Hank Williams.

Williams is considered one of the most influential country and western recording artists. In a short 29 years, Williams recorded 35 singles, each reaching a top 10 spot on the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart. Eleven of them topped the list.

Even if you don’t turn the dial over to some honky tonk, pick up those Spidey issues and give ‘em another try.