So far this countdown we’ve had the boys showing their feelings, so lets soften the mood with one of the ladies.

While the moniker Ms. Marvel encompasses others, we’re talking about the OG Carol Danvers. She first graced the four color world in Marvel Super Heroes issue 13 in 1968. At the time she was a non-powered United States Air Force officer. The following year she was caught in an explosion with Captain Marvel, courtesy of the Kree. The explosion caused hers and Marvel’s DNA to merge giving her super powers. In 1977 she was given her own self-titled book and became a mainstay on the periphery of the Avengers.

X-Men scribe Chris Claremont would have her memories and powers stolen by the mutant Rogue in Avengers annual 10. Her misadventure would lead her to the X-Men where she would become Binary and, later, Warbird.

Carol officially became Captain Marvel in 2012.

Others assuming the title of Ms. Marvel include Sharon Ventuera, Karla Sofen and Kamala Khan.

Okay, I kinda wanna try these out myself.

DC’s Super Friends was still airing in the 1980s when these hit the shelves. The show’s full tenure ran from 1973 to 1985. It’s original incarnation would premiere and rerun through 1977 when an annual renewal would continue till its demise in ‘85.

Apparently one of the licenses sold would lead to these Uber cool Valentines cards that were almost too good to give away. This sheet features the Joker, Batman, Superman and Aquaman.

Each have had their share of romantic partners, Joker with Harley Quinn/Harlequin. Harley has the distinction of first being introduced on Batman: The Animated Series.

Batman/Bruce Wayne with Julie Madison from way back in Detective Comics 31. Vickie Vale who first appeared in Batman 49. She would go on hiatus from the Bat titles between 1964 and the early 1980s. Selina Kyle/Catwoman who was introduced in Batman issue one. Talia Al Ghul from Detective Comics 411. There would be others, but the above mentioned were the ones who got away.

Unlike his playboy counterpart, Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman has only had eyes for one woman: Lois Lane.

Arthur Curry/Aquaman is pretty much a one-woman hero himself. That honor falls to wife Mera.

Continuing to show some love this February is a Hallmark classic with the ever lovin’, blue eyed Thing.

For anyone who’s ever felt self conscious about their appearance, here’s Yancy Street’s most famous alum, Aunt Petunia’s own Bashful Benjamin J. Grimm.

Ben would spend most of his comic book career dating blind sculptress Alicia Masters. Their romance would be interrupted by teammate Johnny (Human Torch) Storm’s advances. She and Storm would marry only to learn later his Alicia was really a Skrull imposter.

The real Alicia, it was learned, had been in suspended animation during that time.

Ben would propose to schoolteacher Debbie Green only to leave her for fear of retribution by enemies.

Ben and Alicia would finally marry in Fantastic Four issue 650.

So, don’t give up hope, there’s someone for everyone.

Welcome to February.

As with December we’re gonna count down to the big day: Valentine’s Day. Instead of ornaments we’re gonna use the commodity of the month, Valentine’s Cards.

Not those contrived, costly Hallmark cards, either. These are the the meaningful missives passed out in elementary school.

I grew up in the 1970s when you bought those box bound greetings by the dozen in a colorful container, promising puppy love could flourish as your favorite mascot pitched your woo.

The night before handing them out, you sat down with mom and made a list of your fellow classmates. Then came decisions as to who received which of the barely three dimensional greetings.

The following day you were turned loose to drop these sappy salutations into school-made boxes or bags.

I don’t know if this still transpires today, but here’s a memento of days gone by and a good example of what passed for poetry for primary school pupils.

If you’re reading this today, thank you, but turn the computer off and find that special person to really make Valentine’s Day special.

Valentine’s Day.

Also, my wedding anniversary.

New Kids on the Block Valentine Girl (1991)

It’s doubly sweet. Toss in some comic books and, well, it just doesn’t get any better.

Really, the day has been commemorated with many inhabitants of the four-color world. Today we’re going to mix it up a little and remember one of the pioneering boy bands of the 1990s, New Kids on the Block.

Harvey Comics licensed the name and likenesses of the quintet in a fictious fan fest told over 32 pages. Bryce Maritano and Ernie Colon serve up the tweenie heart throbs in story and pin ups.

NKOTB consisted of brothers Jonathan and Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood. Together, with marketing and choreography, they sold an estimated 70-million albums worldwide. In addition, they were named Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group of 1990.

They would perform together until 1994 when they went their separate ways. At least until nostalgia and the promise of easy money brought them back for a new record in 2007. In 2011 they teamed with fellow former boy band the Backstreet Boys for a tour.

Valentine’s Day began as a Christian feast honoring Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. It wasn’t until the 14^th and 15^th centuries the day became associated with romance and love.

On average, Americans spend over $150 a person on Valentine’s Day currently.

Go, spread the love.

And, happy Valentine’s Day.

I just hope no one is snooping around my browser history and finds my research for today.

Before the fools and bunnies; before taxes and fireworks is Valentine’s Day. A day for flowers and flowery words; confection and affection.

It’s also a time for Marvel to march out some of its sweethearts, well and lesser known, to entertain and pass along a little wisdom.

Mary Jane and Peter spend a romantic day in a cocoon of webs and memories.

Marvel Valentine Special (1997) 1

While enjoying a text book and good weather, Peter sees himself. His teenage self when his future wife was still a set up date between their aunts.

Deciding to help, Peter gives the nebbish grad student fashion and dating tips.

The opening Valentine volley – My Fair Spidey – comes to a close when Mary Jane helps Peter realize it wasn’t who he was trying to be, but who he was she fell in love with. Donning his union suit, Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, saves the day and the couple’s future.

Love Hurts is a much more serious look at love.

Daredevil and girlfriend Karen Page work to save a young woman’s life from an abusive boyfriend.

Venus and Goom return readers to more of a comfort zone in Atom-Age Amore. The story is a whimsical stab at world domination through a dating agency.

The Greatest Gift is another fun fable showcasing Absorbing Man and Titania.

Crusher Creel is caught in his past while trying to find the perfect gift for his wife. With her help, together they find what that is; one that doesn’t come in a box nor need wrapped.

Valentine’s Day is coming. Better start thinking of what your main squeeze would love most.

February is almost over, but winter drags on. This second helping of winter whimsy features one Christmas story with the remainder of the book focusing on seasonal activities and other notable days.

The Simpsons Winer Wingding (2007) 2

Not a Groundhog Day clone, The Christmas That Lasted Forever, is a nightmare lived over and live.

Chuck Dixon hired out his talent for the opening salvo in the second winter special.

Bart makes a simple wish that every day would be Christmas. Rather than relive the day over and over, every following day is Christmas.      Industry halts and life entropies.

Otto’s Gnarly Snowbaorder’s Glossary for When You Need to Comp a Boarder’s Lingo is a two page, well, what the title says.

Brave Bart does not mean a smart Bart. His courage outweighed his cranium as he takes on the neighborhood bullies in a snowball fight.

Bart stumbles into a sledding contest that leaves he and Ralph struggling for survival in Junior Camper Snow Sled Jamboree.

That’s so glavin! is a New Year’s resolution turned bad. Fortunately, Lisa is able to save the day.

The middle Simpson child is the focus of the last story as well as Lisa attempts to find her secret admirer in VSI (Valentine Scene Investigators).

This is the story we’re looking at as we lead into the second month and second holiday of the year with Valentine’s Day. This is a head’s up to give you time to find that perfect gift for that perfect person.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Another year, another visit from Cupid. At least there better be cupid in the picture if there’s a significant other.

Valentine’s Day, aka Saint Valentine’s Day or Feast of Saint Valentine, as defined by Wikipedia, originated as a Western Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. It is recognized worldwide as a romantic and commercial non-holiday.

Sugar and Spike (1956) 39

Paper Valentines became popular in 19^th-century England. Despite postage costs, they were even sent via mail. In 1868 Cadbury created what it called Fancy Boxes or chocolates in a decorated, heart-shaped box.

Esther Howland began mass-production of Valentine’s in America about the same time. Currently, around 190 million valentines are sent each year in the United States alone. In 2013 the individual cost of Valentine’s Day per person in America was estimated to be $131.

Costs weren’t as extravagant in 1962 when Sugar and Spike were trying to decipher Valentine’s Day in The Big Mail-Box Mystery.

What began as the discovery and misunderstanding of mail, led to a Valentine’s Day lesson. One that neither grasped by stories end.

For the holiday savvy readers, a page of Valentine’s cards in prose follow.

Included in the book are two non-related seasonal stories of snow and activities. The first is Ski-Wheeee that opens the comic. The New Kid closes.

Again, happy Valentine’s Day. We here at Four Color hope it is as magical as the books that ignited this Web site. Spend it with those you love and cherish.

It’s Valentine’s Day. I’ve gotta get this one right. Not only is it supposed to be the most romantic day of the year, but it is also my anniversary.

Our anniversary.

Sandy’s and mine.

She has nothing to do with the Web site, but she might see it at some point.

So, happy Valentine’s Day from the Looney Tune’s gang.  Issue 171 promised “Heart-Pounding Giggles Ahead!”

Really.

Looney Tunes 171

It does.

Just read the kicker over the title.

While the cover reads ‘There’s Something About Taz,’ the story title is ‘The Debonair Devil.’ Pepe Le Pew steals more than just the spotlight in this torrid tale of love lost and won.

Daffy Duck and Foghorn Leghorn yuck it up for a two-page side tickler.

Bugs gets the girl in ‘Roll Out the Bunny’ for the second and final Valentine’s Day tale in the book.

Elmer Fudd gives up hunting – for this issue – after tackling technology in ‘Reach Out and Bugs Someone.’

If you’re still looking for that perfect last-minute gift, this may do the trick…but, probably not.  Comic books aren’t as cool when girls are looking at them.  If they are, you’ve found a keeper.

Hope your day of romance is a good one.

Cutting this short to spend some time with my Valentine.

Simply put issue 117 is Mystery Inc. meets Valentine’s Day.

“Kingdom by the Sea” is a romantic tale of unrequited love lost in the mists of time and the sea.

“Ravenous” is the first of two Poe-inspired stories, this one in verse. Shaggy is the protagonist as a feverous dream causes him to worry about his friends.

Scooby-Doo (1997) 117

Finally, “The Tell-Tale Heartburn” puts a new twist on the 1843-short Gothic fiction tale. Unlike the original villain the new culprit does commit the crime for greed.

Over the previous 50 years – yes, Scooby and those meddling kids have been around that long – have experienced their share of romance. Mostly flirtations and, as with the lead story, unrequited (pun intended) puppy-love within the gang.

Since the franchise was revitalized in 1998, the various incarnations have offered tongue-in-cheek speculation as to the inter-group relationships. Freddy has proclaimed his love for Daphne over and over in both Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010-13) and even more unabashedly in DC’s most recent comic book take Scooby Apocalypse. Daphne has returned affections, only at different times, most notably in Mystery Incorporated.

Both have shown jealousy when the other has expressed interest in other persons.

Shaggy and Velma were on-again, off-again in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, much to Scooby’s dismay. Shaggy also found a kindred soul in the feature-length animated Scooby-Doo! And the Alien Invaders.

Scooby himself has been smitten throughout the years even having his head turned as early as episode nine of the original series “The Backstage Rage.”

No matter what love triangles – or geometric contortions – there’s no shortage of affection for Scooby-Doo and those meddling kids. Happy 50th and Happy Valentine’s Day.