National Flower Day won’t make most people’s radar. It’s doubtful any of you reading this even know there is such a thing. But, for the one who would embrace the day as her own, we’ll look at Poison Ivy’s debut.

Bob Kanigher, the man behind the Silver Age Flash’s origin and three decade’s worth of Sgt. Rock tales, spins Beware Of—Poison Ivy! Sheldon Moldoff handles the pencils. Of the two, Shelly can at least hold his head a little higher.

Batman (1940) 181

Not wishing to speak ill of the dead, it’s still hard not to bash the accomplished writer for the horrid tale introducing such an acclaimed character. Much like a young actress breaking into movies, Ivy has to be embarrassed by the dialog she is forced to mouth.

Batman and Robin are even worse. There’s no evidence of the Dark Knight to come as he pines for the leggy flower child. Robin can chalk part of his verbiage to age. It’s not much worse than Bob Haney’s hip mid-60s rap for the teens in the original Titans book.

The less said about the book, the better.

National Plant a Flower Day is celebrated March 12 each year. It is a time to begin thinking about what flowers are to be planted in the spring garden. If Batman 181 didn’t cost so much, it would make good compost.

Today we celebrate the stereo-typed Italian plumber in his primary colored coveralls. Today is National Mario Day.

Mario first appeared without fanfare in 1981 as the unnamed hero in Donkey Kong. He wasn’t christened until 1983 when he shared the spotlight in Mario Bros. with sibling Luigi.

Nintendo Comics System

Over time Mario, and to a lesser degree, Luigi would become the face of Nintendo. With the Nintendo Entertainment System all the rage in homes, Mario and the subsequent population of the Mushroom Kingdom would be appearing in the Nintendo Comics System series published by Valiant Comics from 1990 to 1991. Also featured in four color were Super Mario Bros. and Adventures of the Super Mario Bros.

Stories from Valiant’s NCS were reprinted in text form in England. These were the basis for the Nintendo Adventure Books in which readers could choose their own endings.

In addition to the comic book medium, Mario has starred on television and the big screen as well as live performances.

National Day Calendar suggests inviting friends over to play video games, do something nice for those named Mario and/or to use #NationalMarioDay to post best wishes.

Those are all well and good, but we think maybe a well-read issue of your favorite Mario comic book might also be in order.

Not an endorsement for orthodontists, Action Comics (1938) 434 is still our choice to recognize National Dentist’s Day.

Action Comics (1938) 434

Cary Bates and Curt Swan authored “The Krypton Connection” for April 1974. Together they conjure a pair of Kryptonian villains from Superman’s past, Dr. Xadu and his wife, Zeda. Both originally appeared in Superboy 100.

As the boy of steel, Superman was able to exile the Phantom Zone escapees to a red-sun planet. Over time they found a way to return to Earth and exact their revenge.

Issue 434 is the set up. The antagonists fashion a way to give Clark Kent a toothache. His visit to the dentist’s office allows Xadu and Zeda to reveal their identities and plans.

Clark awakes to embark on the secret orders embedded in his subconscious: destroy the Earth.

Of course he doesn’t, but you have to buy the next issue to find out why.

Dentist’s Day is celebrated March 6 each year as a way to bring awareness to dentistry.

For more information on how to celebrate, honor or on tooth care, visit the official National Dentist’s Day site.

Joker (1975) 2

Doesn’t everyone wanna be happy?

Well, today is your day. Today is National I Want to be Happy Day. To commemorate we turn to Joker’s solo-series, specifically issue two, with Willie the Weeper. Or, ‘The Sad Saga of Willie the Weeper’ as it is titled.

Willie has aided the Harlequin of Hate in his latest departure from Arkham. To repay the favor, Joker wishes to help Willie in his criminal endeavors. One thing; the mewling criminal mastermind bungles his burglaries with tears.

The compulsive crier cannot escape without being racked with guilt; hence the tears.

Willie finally finds the misery of others is the antidote to his abnormal behavior.

The Joker ran from May 1975 to September 1976, a total of nine issues. A 10^th and final issue was completed, but didn’t see print until 2019 in The Joker: The Bronze Age Omnibus and a stand-alone issue later.

Welcome to National Pig Day; according to National Day Calendar.

National Pig Day is celebrated on March 1 annually, recognizing the domesticated pig. It is – supposedly – celebrated with pig games, pig parties and gatherings with pig collectibles.

Go figure.

Marvel Tails Starring Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham (1983) 1

For those tuning in today, we’re gonna focus on the anthropomorphized-fictional character of Peter Parker.

Peter Porker first appeared in the Marvel Tails of his namesake in November of 1983. The web-slinging swine was created by Larry Hama, Tom DeFalco and Mark Armstrong.

What began as a one-and-done became an ongoing series two years later with Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham as part of Marvel’s Star Comics subdivision. The series lasted 17 issues on a bimonthly schedule before cancellation in 1987.

Mr. Porker wasn’t in literary hiatus long. Ol’ Ham Head became a backup in Marvel Tales beginning with issue 201. Later he would headline in the short-lived What the…? issue three in a parody of Kraven’s Last Hunt.

He has continued to float around the Marvel Universe(s) with a 25^th-anniversary special in 2010.

Fry up your bacon and sit down to an adventure on Earth-8311 today.

Today is National Tooth Fairy Day.

Yes, the sprite who steals into our children’s bedrooms at night, taking spent teeth and leaving money in their stead.

When you think about it, the concept is kinda creepy.

The origins may begin in northern Europe where a tooth fee was enacted. A reward was left for the loss of a child’s first tooth.

America’s version first appeared around 1927 when Esther Watkins printed an eight-page pamphlet for children called The Tooth Fairy. In the booklet, children learned the benefits of healthy teeth and how to care for them.

Over the years the concept morphed into what it has become today. On average, each child receives three to four dollars per tooth; a healthy increase over the silver coins associated with lost baby teeth of years past.

To celebrate, enjoy this short as the Teen Titans tackle the Tooth Fairy.

Uncanny X-Men (1963) 153

‘Kitty’s Fairy Tale’ celebrates National Tell a Fairy Tale Day today.

Chris Claremont was firmly in the driver’s seat by the time this tale was told in January 1982. Readers had been treated to the ‘Dark Phoenix Saga’ and ‘Days of Future Past.’ Magneto had returned and been retired for the 150^th issue. Kitty had just escaped the clutches of the White Queen. It was time for a breather.

Claremont and Pryde took readers to the world of Nhu Yorkh as she and first mate Colossus joined forces with doppelganger X-Men to save Jean Grey from Dark Phoenix in a less lethal manner.

To observe, share some short stories with the small fry in the audience. Use #TellAFairyTaleDay to post on social media.

With today National Umbrella Day, the Penguin is the obvious choice to act as ambassador.

Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot originally bore some resemblance to his current countenance, but was a doughier rapscallion in Detective Comics (1937) 58.  Mr. Cobblepot has firmed up a bit over the past 70 years. He has also moved on from his days of out-and-out larceny to become more of an underworld consort, catering more than cavorting.

Detective Comics (1937) 58

In his first appearance, the Penguin begins his criminal career as an art thief, stealing under the noses of Batman and Robin themselves. He moves on to jewels in a crime spree that not only confounds the Caped Crusaders, but implicates them.

In the final showdown, Penguin manages to elude Batman, though the Dark Knight does clear his name.

Penguin does little with his bumbershoot other than spray some acid this issue. It is in subsequent appearances he and his decorative accessory earn its spot in the pantheon of weapons. Of all his assorted implements of violence, the Bulgarian umbrella is his favorite.

The umbrella has been in use since 21 AD, first seen in China as a useful and decorative cover for a four-wheeled carriage. The invention has evolved little over the years having been perfected right out of the gate.

Today is National Thank a Mail Carrier Day. That said, Willie Lumpkin is the most deserving master of ceremonies for the day in our universe.

Fantastic Four (1961) 11

Willie was originally created by Stan Lee and Dan DeCarlo for a newspaper comic strip. Stan resurrected the character in Fantastic Four (1961) 11 in ‘A Visit With the Fantastic Four.’

Readers are treated to a more idyllic story as the famous foursome go about daily activities. They are greeted by Willie as he delivers a bag of fan mail. The short introduction ends with an offer by Mr. Lumpkin to join the team; his hidden power is the ability to wiggle his ears.

The mail carrier makes a final appearance in the last panel of the first story with an even larger bag of mail to be delivered.

Mr. Lumpkin would continue to make cameos in The Fantastic Four through the ensuing years. In 1989 Willie was given his own short in Marvel Comics Presents issue 18 in a parody of ‘A Christmas Carol.’

He would later become a beau of Aunt May Parker until one of her many perceived deaths.

After his retirement, Willie became a biology teacher for the Future Foundation with the FF.

In a touching tribute to his creation, Stan Lee portrayed the beleaguered mailman in the 2005 Fantastic Four movie.

In honor of Super Sunday, Four Color Holidays brings you Action Comics 388 and Supergirl’s victory over fixed football games.

With the big game to prepare for, we’ll keep the synopsis to a minimum: Supergirl stops a gang from threatening the star player into throwing games.

Instead, lets focus on Super Sunday, the most popular single day of sports in America.

Action Comics (1938) 388

The Super Bowl, or AFL-NFL World Championship Game, was first played Jan. 15, 1967. It is now played on the first Sunday of February.

Since most of us won’t be able to afford tickets – let alone the trip to Miami, FL, for Super Bowl LIV, we can do the following:

First, read a copy of Action Comics 388. Forget issue 388 since it’s not really a good read.

Stock up on favorite snack foods and beverages. Order pizza and sandwiches.

Make sure the front door is unlocked to allow friends and family over to share the game with.

Make sure the front door is locked so as not to allow friends and family entrance and enjoy the game alone.

Finally, have a good excuse for work the next morning when you come dragging in late because of excessive celebrating/disparaging of the previous night’s game.

So, whoever you’re rooting for, remember:  it’s only a game.