It may be hard to comprehend, but there was a time before super hero movies opened the floodgates to merchandising.

1977 7-Eleven Spider-Man Cup

Since Superman first rocketed to Earth, there have been crossover promotions and toys and apparel. Not on the scale it is today, but enough to allow the fanboy faithful to show their allegiance with the four-color counterpart of choice.

In the 1970s Marvel proved masters of merchandising. Just on the fringe. Superman the Movie may have proved popular at the box office, but the collectibles were still not forthcoming.

Let’s face it, if you wanted a super hero shirt, it was purchased from the ad pages of a comic book. You weren’t buying off the rack at the local department store.

That’s why promotions like the Marvel Slurpee cups were so welcomed. They provided another dimension to our worlds. We could not only read about our heroes, but drink from cups with their likenesses plastered on the front.

And, it was something our parents would buy us without much fuss. It was like a reverse Trojan Horse; you got your Slurpee, but it came in a super hero cup. A two-fer.

There were only 40-drinking glasses in the 1977 series. The 1975 collection featured 60. However, the ’77 offerings were visually more stimulating with an action sequence. Like the 1975 predecessors, the more popular characters are featured on more than one cup.

National 7-Eleven Day was first celebrated in 2002. The convenience store is widely regarded as the first of its type, established in 1927, then known as the Southland Ice Company. When the company expanded its hours in 1947, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., it changed its name.

Drink responsibly, don’t risk a brain freeze.

Need we say more?

Well, we’re gonna.

There’s no real history for the day, but there are a plethora of games that can be sampled. Rather than bore you with a lengthy dissertation, we’ll let Nixian’s YouTube offering on the Evolution of Superhero games give you a sampling.

,center.,/center.

Here’s a non-holiday most of us can really sink our teeth into, Cow Appreciation Day; no offense to the vegetarians in the audience.

Bad puns aside, this calendar traveling day is celebrated seemingly at the whim of…I don’t know. This year it’s observed on the first, but it can be moooved (boo) to other days based on the wishes of the calendar gods.

Originally Cow Appreciation Day began as a Chik-Fil-A gimmick. Heff R. Jones (sound it out) started the “Eat More Chikin” billboard campaign in 1995. Even allowing for the attention span of most Americans, the first observance of Mr. Jones’ promotion wasn’t celebrated until 2004.

To commemorate, Chik-Fil-A passes out free meals on the day.

As for Four Color, well, Mr. Jones may be the original mascot, but he doesn’t work for the Web page. The Man-Eating Cow does.

The Man-Eating Cow first appeared in Ben Edlund’s Tick issue seven, The Moon Menace. Inside, the Tick seeks Pez, but finds himself the beefy sidekick to a back-alley detective. They are soon at the mercy of the underworld and a pit of man-eating alligators and cows under the employ of Chairface Chippendale.

In addition to introducing the Man-Eating Cow, the Tick also utters his “Spoon!” battle cry for the first time. Also making inaugural appearances were Angus MacGuire and Professor Chromedome.

By battle’s end, the Tick and Arthur have triumphed and depart for New York City, leaving The City in the hooves of the Man-Eating Cow.

The Man-Eating Cow would prove popular enough that she spun off into her own book that ran from 1992 to 1994 for 10 issues. The Tick would return for guest appearances.

A two-issue mini ran in 1996 called Man-Eating Cow Bonanza.

The Man-Eating Cow also made an appearance on the Tick’s two-season Fox network’s Fox Kids block animated series.

Happy Cow Appreciation Day, no matter how you celebrate.

This is the last time this month we will use a Spider-Man villain to represent the day.

Mainly ‘cause it’s the last day of the month and, well, that’s why.

Today is National Meteor Watch Day. Yes, June 30 is the night we are to turn o

Amazing Spider-Man (1963) 36

ur eyes heavenward with hopes in seeing a falling star.

Does that always happen?

No, but it does make for a romantic evening under the stars.

Less romantic is the host for the day/evening. Norton G. Fester was originally called The Looter. He began his crooked career seeking funding for his scientific endeavors.

Spider-Man defeated him in Amazing Spider-Man 36. After his escape from prison, Fester laid low until he could steal another meteor. Valkyrie and Spider-Man tackled the rechristened Meteor Man whom they recaptured.

In a scathing indictment of the prison system, Fester escaped again. This time he faced off against Bill Foster/Giant Man (II) and Spidey. Meteor Man’s then current invention literally blew up in his face causing the appearance of his death.

He, of course, did survive and battled Spider-Man – again. The Web Head went it alone this time and sent Meteor Man back to prison – again.

Before we all become dizzy from this merry-go-round of imprisonment and release, let’s remember the day for more interesting hot gasses.

Meteors are debris from space, often rock, the enter Earth’s atmosphere. The friction as they enter causes the surrounding air to burn. The flaming hot air around the debris is what laymen call a shooting star.

Meteors are usually seen at night when they are between 34 to 70 miles above the Earth. They usually disintegrate between 31 and 51 miles. Their glow time is about a second.

National Day Calendar has created a nine-step program for optimal meteor viewing.

Let’s all wish upon a falling star that Marvel finds a more interesting villain and quits trotting out Meteor Man.

Today’s non-holiday adds a little mystery with its unknown origins and dark lenses. Today is National Sunglasses Day.

Since 2009, June 27 has been set aside for a subject lauded in song and popularized in film. From ZZ Top’s Dark Sunglasses to Arnold’s trademark shades in the original Terminator, sunglasses are a fashion statement and a health recommendation.

Each year National Sunglasses Day gains momentum from organizations such as The Vision Council. Humans may love the sun, but it doesn’t always reciprocate. Harmful UV rays cause our eyes to be at risk while we have fun in the sun.

Four Color Holidays’ spokesman for the day wears his shades for a completely different reason. Or, he used to before he donned his red and black singlet.

When Simon Williams first appeared, his green and red togs seemed a cross between nightmare and Christmas. Later he would don a red safari coat, black tights and boots. No matter what his fashion fau

Avengers (1963) 9x pas, Simons, aka Wonder Man, would have his red sunglasses.

In the beginning they resembled lenses in his facemask, but by the 1970s and his Marlin Perkins-inspired ensemble, they were definitely red sunglasses.

Williams began his career in what appeared to be a one-and-done as a villain in Avengers issue nine. Having appeared to have died, Williams did not return until Avengers 58 four years later.

The Avengers had conveniently saved his mind in a computer.

Oh, yeah, Simons had already been transformed into a being of ionic energy, seeking revenge against Tony Stark.

Anyway, following his reappearance in Avengers 58 the character was shelved for another few years only to return in a comatose cameo in Avengers 102. Kang the Conqueror would revive Simons/Wonder Man in the Avengers story arc 132-34.

Simon would finally become an Avenger after two more guest appearances with Avengers issue 160. Simon would pal with Hank “Beast” McCoy, even trying their hands at Hollywood.

He became a founding member of the West Coast Avengers in 1984, then joined Force Works a decade later. In 1994 he starred in his own series for 29 issues. Simons rejoined the Avengers in 1998. He has remained with the team since in most of its incarnations.

Now, to celebrate today, grab your favorite shades, head over to your local comic book shop and pick up some Wonder Man issues.

Enjoying a cool and refreshing beverage is the order of the day as we observe National Hydration Day.

This non-holiday was founded in honor of football Coach Victor Hawkins, the creator of a mouthguard that releases electrolytes that kept his players hydrated during practices and games. SafeTGard Corporation founded National Hydration Day to increase awareness of the importance of proper hydration to athletes. It also honors the coach who has contributed to the wellbeing of his players.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963) 212

While the hero of the day was looking out for others, our host is much more self-serving. Morris Bench was a crewman on the U.S.S. Bulldog way back in Amazing Spider-Man 212. His villainous origins began when Spider-Man accidently knocked him overboard and he took a swim in an irradiated section of ocean.

As a result, Bench found himself the watery equivalent of the Sandman; able to transform his body into water and water-shaped weapons. Blaming Spidey for his condition, the newly minted Hydro-Man sought revenge.

Using the heated day and lack of moisture, Spider-Man was able to – literally – dry up his hot-headed opponent. Bench eventually evaporated into the New York skyline.

Like any good villain, Hydro-Man would return. Over time he would seek help and join such groups as the Sinister Syndicate, Frightful Four and Masters of Evil.

Bench participated in a minor role in the Civil War and Spider-Island storylines. Later he was defeated and handed over to the employees of Horizon Labs. He is utilized in a blackmail plot to drown New York City. Spider-Man and Deadpool teamed to defeat him.

Hydro-Man knocked around for a bit in the Marvel U to finally be used by Namor against the surface world.

Bench has seen action on the small screen in Spider-Man: the Animated Series, the Fantastic Four cartoon and back to Spider-Man in The Spectacular Spider-Man episode Shear Strength. His final small-screen appearance was on the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series.

He has also been used as a major villain on the big screen in Spider-Man: Far From Home.

So, enjoy the day. Make sure to replenish with fluids and make time for a little Hydro-Man.

Check the HMO and co-pay before strapping on the helmet and elbow and knee pads to celebrate the non-holiday du jour, Go Skateboarding Day.

Someone in the 1950’s decided it was a good idea to use a board braced with four wheels as a mode of transportation. Others decided it was a good idea to challenge gravity and hard surfaces by performing tricks on this same board.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963) 172

Years, and mounds of medical bills later, the skateboard is still considered a recreational device.

For those of us not accustomed to this primarily urban form of entertainment, maybe Spider-Man’s throw away villain was our initiation into skateboarding.

The first of two daredevils on wheels was Robert Ferrell. This Brooklyn, NY, native was the oldest of seven children forced to become the breadwinner after his mother became sick.

Ferrell ran afoul of both Spider-Man and powerful characters not above seeking revenge. The Web Head saves the day and finally convinces Ferrell to turn his back on his life of crime and go back to school.

He would return several times over the years, this time as a hero, before being replaced by Henry Sleeman. Sleeman would pose as Ferrell’s friend then steal the Rocket Racer gear. The second Racer’s career ended faster than it began.

Ferrell further appeared in an episode of Spider-Man: The Animated Series. His origin was tweaked a bit and the story subtly changed for the different format, but was basically the same as his first appearance.

Now, if you’re still set on celebrating today, remember to wear the appropriate safety apparel. And, be careful.

Go Skateboarding Day was founded in 2004 by the International Association of Skateboard Companies in California. The first skateboards were stunted versions of surfboards with wheels. Over time they have been modified to accommodate the needs of users.

The once simple wish for mobility has morphed into a competition of sophisticated tricks and gravity defying leaps.

Depending on your sweet tooth, and maybe your cheat day, today, tomorrow or even the day after tomorrow is National Cherry Tart Day.

We’re gonna call it today. Or, as National Day Calendar recommends, make three of the desserts just to be on the safe side and go on a confectionary bender.

However, we do warn today’s Master of Ceremonies is for the adult collector in the audience. Cherry, or Cherry Poptart as she was originally known, is a promiscuous, perpetual 18-year old blond star of her own title. Her story plots are male fantasies brought to the page by creator Larry Welz. They have been likened to adult Archie Comics due in no small part to Welz’s simplistic drawings.

Cherry Poptart (1982) 1

Cherry first graced the black-and-white comic world in 1982, published by Last Gasp for the first 13 issues. Kitchen Sink Press picked up issues 14 and 15 and Welz self-published under Cherry Comics for the remainder of the series. The original run was 22 issues.

The title was changed to simply Cherry beginning with issue three. Kellogg’s threatened legal action due to its trademark on the Pop-Tart title.

In 1992, the series produced a spin-off, Cherry’s Jubilee, running four issues. A one-shot included a story by Sandman creator Neil Gaiman in Cherry Deluxe.

A collection of stories is also available.

The non-holiday’s origins aren’t as documented as our emcees’. The best we can do is offer some recipes and hope you enjoy your just desserts.

Bet you didn’t know – or care – there was a peak to strawberry season. Well, this is it. Today is the day. It’s also National Strawberry Shortcake Day.

June 14 has been designated by those in the know as the height of strawberry season. So, who better than Strawberry Shortcake herself to commemorate the day?

The fictional representation of the non-holiday dessert began as a cartoon greeting card character created by Barbi Sargent. With a good agent, Shortcake was able to branch into dolls and posters. Eventually, she broke into television with, first, specials then a series and even films.

Strawberry Shortcake (1985) 1

Her stock continued to rise courtesy of her self-aggrandizing Shortcake IP Holdings LLC.

In 1984 Marvel Comics Group came knocking. Under its Star Comic imprint, Shortcake crossed over into the comic book field in 1985. Stories were short and simple as evidenced in issue one. Shortcake, Huckleberry Pie and Blueberry Muffin enter a pie-baking contest. They learn in the second part of the story it is a ploy by the villainous – and alliterative – Peculiar Purple Pieman of Porcupine Peak.

Further, she would spawn a line of toys including a Berry Bake Shoppe, Garden House, Big Berry Trolley, etc.

Eventually her fame faltered and Shortcake merchandise was relegated to yard sales and Good Will. Yet, her star would shine again.

As the children who watched, read and played with Strawberry Shortcake in the early years matured, many started to rebuy those playthings from the past. She experienced a resurgence in the early part of the new millennium and, again, in 2009/10.

In 2018 DHX Media and WildBrain Studios rebooted the franchise yet again using YouTube as its stage.

Now, for the day itself, celebrate however you wish. Use it as an excuse to indulge in a number of guilty pleasures; both visceral and tangible. Provide proof by using #StrawberryShortCakeDay.

June 12 is a day to see red. Today is National Red Rose Day.

The red rose is a symbol of love and romance. It’s also the June birth flower.

However, the Rose can also be villainous. At least in the Marvel Universe.

Tom DeFalco penned Marvel’s first Rose story in Amazing Spider-Man 253. The original Rose was the son of the Kingpin of Crime, Richard Fisk. If that’s confusing, Wilson Fisk is the Kingpin and Richard is his son.

Young Fisk wanted to overthrow his crime lord father. He would later adopt a vigilante persona known as Blood Rose only to be shot by his mother.

The second Rose was another vengeance motivated vigilante. New York Police Officer Sergeant Blume went after the Kingpin for the murder of his brother. He, too, was shot and killed.

Jacob Conover became the third Rose. This incarnation was a former reporter for the Daily Bugle. He found himself a capo of crime lord Don Fortunato during one of the Kingpin’s absences from New York’s underworld. He would survive his tenure and be imprisoned by Spider-Man.

The fourth and, to date, final Rose is Phillip Hayes. He is currently jailed following his drug career that led to murder.

In the real world, red roses are known for their beauty and traditionally associated with love. They have adorned many a wedding and opened even more hearts when presented by a young lover.

To observe National Red Rose Day, plant a red rose shrub or vine, learn more about the types of red roses, visit a rose garden and/or show that special someone how much they mean by giving them one or a dozen.

Or, just do what we’re gonna do and pop open Amazing Spidey 253 for the nitty gritty.