Joker 3 (1975)

Happy National Cashew Day.

Saluations out of the way, why? Why a National Cashew Day?

Sadly, I can’t seem to find a good answer. I did learn that the cashew nut is harvested from the cashew tree. The tree itself originates in northeastern Brazil and can soar as high as 32 feet. The flowers are small, green at first, then turning a reddish color.

Other facts include the cashew tree has a fruit called the “cashew apple.” Latin Americans make a fruit drink from the thin-skinned apple.

Maybe a more interesting fact for those with nut allergies is, the cashew causes fewer allergic reactions than other nuts or peanuts. So, it’s got that going for it.

Although native to Brazil, the Portuguese took the cashew plant to Goa, India, between 1560 and 1565. From Goa, it spread throughout southeast Asia and into Africa.

Before you become too overwhelmed with cashew trivia, let’s move on to the book that represents the day: Joker issue three.

Joker (1975) 3

DC Comics published a solo Joker series from 1975 through 1976. The run lasted nine issues, each featuring the Clown Prince of Crime’s exploits. A 10th issue was released in 2019 with the Bronze Age Joker omnibus.

Denny O’Neil was the baby daddy who sheperded the series through its short run. Irv Novik handled pencling chores.

Our choice for the day is a love letter to Charles Schulz and his Peanuts strip. To protect the innocent (if anyone still gets that reference) O’Neil used the fictional Sandy Saturn as the mastermind behind the Charlie Brown newspaper strip clone Cashews.

Wow, that may be a bit of stretch – and, yes, I did remember that was the name of the fictional strip without looking it up – but, something has to spice up National Cashew Day.

Joker kidnaps Saturn and holds the artist for (insert Dr. Evil voice) $1,000,000.

All this and the Creeper, too.

Grab a handful of cashews and Joker issue three. After reviewing the book, I think I’m gonna re-read the series. It’s been a few years. Thanks cashews.