Sandman (1989) 1

Dream, the repository of stories, hosts National Book Lovers Day for you and us.

Escaping the fertile mind of Neil Gaiman, Sandman began publication in 1989. Initially Gaiman wanted to resurrect the Bronze Age Joe Simon and Michael Fleisher incarnation. When that didn’t happen, Gaiman was given free rein to create his own universe. One that enveloped the existing DCU, peeking around the edges.

For 70 issues and one special, Gaiman followed Morpheus as he returned to his realm and sowed the seeds of his own destruction in hubris.

Characters flowed in and out of issues, often times stealing the spotlight from the title character. Family showed as the Endless unfolded. Others became stars or were welcomed back to the literary world.

During its run, Sandman was recognized with the Harvey, Eisner, Inkpot, World Fantasy and Comic Buyers Guide awards. It continues to remain in publication in various hardcover and trade paperback forms.

Celebrate the printed word with – what else? – a book or comic book. Discover far off worlds or the one you live in.

Harvey Comics Richie Rich ran from 1960 to 1991 and was the publisher’s cash cow for three decades. While his self-titled book ran 254 issues, he had over 50-separate books with his name somewhere on the cover.

Richie Rich (1960) 1

The beginnings of “The Poor Little Rich Boy” are clear, but the origins of National Dollar Day’s master of ceremonies, Dollar the dog, is not.

Our Dollar is a hybrid; not a Dalmatian, but a Dollarmation. Rather than have spots, this mutt is marked with dollar signs.

Named after founder Alfred Harvey, Harvey Comics Entertainment, was founded in 1941. In the 1950s the publishing company found its footing with characters like Sad Sack, Little Dot and Little Lotta.

For the next three decades Harvey enjoyed success, but the 1980s brought financial hardships. Enough so the company closed its doors. Harvey Comics found its properties bouncing around before HMH Communications bought the company. It was renamed Harvey Comics Entertainment. In 2001, Classic Media bought HCE and renamed it Sunland Entertainment.

In 2011 Richie Rich was updated and distributed courtesy of Ape Entertainment. He was described as, “A mix of James Bond and Indiana Jones with the bank account of Donald Trump, Richie Rich is an altruistic adventurer who travels the world helping he less fortunate.”

Rich has appeared, as has Dollar, in other media such as 1980’s Richie Rich animated series. Dollar was voiced by none other than Frank Welker. Another animated feature aired in 1996. Only 13 episodes were made.

Richie Rich hit the big screen in 1994 with Macaulay Culkin in the lead role. A live-action sequel followed in 1998 entitled Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish.

National Dollar Day commemorates the day Congress established the U.S. monetary system in 1786. The first dollar bill wasn’t manufactured till 1862. It featured Salmon P. Chase, President Lincoln’s Secretary of Treasury.

To observe this non-holiday, save a dollar, discover some interesting facts about the denomination or visit Where’s George to track your dollar’s trail to your pocket.

Continuing to observe International Clown Week, Four Color Holidays presents Obnoxio the Clown in his first – and only – special.

Obnoxio the Clown (1983) 1

Alan Kupperbert is judge, jury and executioner in this one-shot. He has everyone chewing the scenery like a Stan Lee-scripted comic book in Something Slimey This Way Comes.

A classic misunderstanding has the protagonists pummeling each other for a majority of the book. When the real villain is discovered, he is quickly dispatched in one panel and a witty retort.

Something Slimey is followed by Jury Duty or: “Oy, the Jury.” More slapstick and abusive asides make up the short story. The tale of tropes is not as entertaining as its predecessor, but suffices.

The book is rounded out with a few one-page puzzles and gags and wrapped up in a neat bow of homage in the form of a Marvel Masterwork Pin-Up.

Obnoxio was created by Larry Hama as a mascot to Crazy magazine. He’s described as “slovenly, vulgar and middle-aged.”

His career would cross over into comic books after Crazy. His first appearance in four color was What If..? (1977) issue 34. The second his special recounted above. Following that, the clown was basically forgotten until What The–? in 1992.

Outside of the printed world, Obnoxio made a guest appearance in Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. Fear Itself episode. His likeness was used for robots in the Spider-Man and the X-Men game Arcade’s Revenge video game.

Steve Gerber and Mike Ploog combine for the chilling And When I died…! for our macabre salute to International Clown Week.

Let’s face it, clowns are the yin and yang of our childhoods. They either tickle our funny bones or terrify our souls.

International Clown Week, the first week of August, is to remember them as the fall guys of the circus. Clown week began in the 1950s, courtesy of Walt “Wabo” Savage. At least he’s believed to be the originator.

Man-Thing (1974) 5

Ray Bickford, then president of the Clown Club of America, appointed Frank Kelly as the first International Clown Week chairman in 1966. President Richard M. Nixon proclaimed the first National Clown Week in 1970.

The representative we recognize is a clown named Darrel. His laughter had faded long before the retort of the pistol that took his life. Over the love of a woman. The love of a woman and the mistaken belief she had taken that love back.

His ghost lingered long enough to exact revenge on those who tainted that love and turned the painted crimson grin upside down.

As with many of the Man-Thing tales, the title character is more host to the story than member of it. One swipe of his muck-encrusted arm is enough to bring justice to the villains.

Man-Thing began in Savage Tales (1971) issue one. The swamp creature sloughed his way to Adventure into Fear issue 10 for a solo story. There he remained until issue 19 when he shambled into his own book. The first book ran 22 issues with five giant-size comics from 1974 to 1975.

The second run, 1979 to 1981, ran 11 issues. Afterward, Man-Thing bounced from feature to feature as well as guest starring with the remainder of the Marvel Universe.

To celebrate the week, show the world the clown you are in private.

As the summer blooms, the tans deepen and the grass grows, take a break and enjoy someone else sweltering in the heat.

The Punisher stars in this 48-page attack on peace. Pat Mills and Tony Skinner pen ‘Bombs “R” Us’ while Val Mayerik turns his talents to fleshing out the visuals.

An old acquaintance becomes the Punisher’s agenda. Lots of weaponry jargon as buyers look for the latest in killing modes.

‘Cross Purposes’ is a smart Peter David thriller with more Hitchcock tension than bloodshed. Mark Texeira and Michael Bair take care of the art chores.

Dan Slott does a credible job on a near dialog-free tale in ‘Independence Day.’ Art by Mike Harris who helps the good guys win this time.

Terrorists take on the thinly veiled, happiest place on Earth in Will Murray’s dark ‘Wish Granted.’ Much like a lighter-hearted The Mouse Who Roared, the tale looks at America from outside the box.

Art by Rodney Ramos.

Enjoy the equinoxes and solstices as the days run the longest, the nights the shortest and the temperatures the hottest.

Memories stretch long in this holiday tale of regret and revenge called ‘Rootin’ Tootin’ Christmas.’

The Tick Big Red-N-Green Christmas Spectacle (2001) 1

The City needs a hero to save the season. One more powerful than the Tick. He and Arthur call up a saddle-sore trailblazer to handle the holiday hijacking. In typical Tick fashion, the day is saved as the new millennium takes hold.

Ben Edlund’s creation has peeked around the periphery of comic book fame for three decades.

Not quite an overnight sensation, the Tick did earn a spot in Fox’s Saturday morning line up in 1994. His cry of, “Spoon!” could be heard for two seasons. In 2001 he was given a live-action series on Fox starring Patrick Warburton.

It died after one season.

Amazon Video saw merit in the hero and green lit another live-action, web-TV series in 2016. It ended after two seasons.

But, the big, blue boob has never lacked for holiday specials. His first was in 1997 in Tick’s Big Yule Log Special. The sequel came in 1999 and a third installment in 2000. A fourth Yule Log Special was released in 2001 followed by the Big Red-N-Green Christmas Spectacle and the Tick Big X-Mas Trilogy released Dec. 1 through 3, 2002.

Granny Goodness is our glamor girl for Gorgeous Grandma Day.

Oh, yes, there is such a thing, and has been since 1984. Alice Solomon created the non-holiday to celebrate “women of certain age.” That age is not specified, but the grandmothers in the spotlight are to be honored for their accomplishments and abilities.

Mister Miracle (1971) 1

Jack Kirby’s Phyllis Diller inspired baddie may not be a prime example of what Solomon wanted, but she’s our centerfold.

The villainess is a master of brainwashing and torture used to mold her charges into ruthless warriors. All in the service of Darkseid’s name.

Her one disappointment is the escape of Scott Free from her orphanage. Free, or Mister Miracle, is the son of the Highfather of New Genesis. He had been used as bargaining chip for peace between New Genesis and Apokolips.

Beyond her superhuman strength and endurance, Granny is immortal. She has been schooled at hand-to-hand combat and is resistant to most physical attacks.

Ed Asner was tapped to voice her animated appearances in Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League Unlimited and Superman/Batman: Apocalypse.

According to National Day Calendar, “Gorgeous Grandma Day embraces the age of the nana and encourages all women to flaunt their granny attitudes with purpose and style.”

To celebrate, grandmothers are encouraged to show the world their gorgeous selves.

Before Sgt. Rock was relegated to seasonal stories and minis, he was the Top Kick of Easy Co. from 1959 to 1988.

During his time in service to his country, Frank Rock served from the shores of Italy across the Rhine and into the heart of the Fatherland. All the while shepherded by creator and chief scribe Robert Kanigher.

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Having survived the backlash from the Viet Nam conflict, Rock was moved from Our Army at War to his own title in 1977. He would continue through most of the 1980s to issue 422 only to fall victim to Crisis on Infinite Earths.

But, for the winter of 1980, Rock and Easy were on the front lines in ‘Home for Christmas.’

A missing G.I. takes the sergeant from his men during the holiday season. Most of the story is spent with Rock recounting his interaction with the AWOL soldier.

The missing man’s mantra throughout the war was to be “home for Christmas”. With the holiday fast approaching, Rock fears the wayward private has left the war early to be back with his family.

What he finds is a heartwarming sight that turns heart wrenching. However, in true DC war fashion both soldier and Easy are saved by story’s end.

The book is rounded out with a two-page Battle Album focusing on types of gases. Also included are stories ‘The Last Knight,’ ‘Roman Nose’ and ‘The Men of Easy Co.: Right Arm.’

Following his regular-series run, Rock returned for cameos and seasonal one-and-dones. He was also featured in a 21-issue run of reprints and two specials.

If the idea of ever inking up ever crossed your mind, today may be the day. July 17 is observed as National Tattoo Day.

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Singing the praises of indelible images inked on your body is Green Lantern’s arch nemesis, the Tattooed Man.

Tattooed Man began his career as a sailor-cum-burglar. Abel Tarrant was the victim of undisclosed chemicals bestowing upon him the ability to create three-dimensional objects from his ink.

His initial appearance was less than spectacular. To offset his losses, Tattooed Man joined the Injustice Gang seeking safety in numbers. Later he would be believed murdered by the Goldface mob.

He would return for the third volume of Green Lantern following Crisis on Infinite Earths. His brush with Guy Gardner, in issue two, didn’t deter his determination to go straight. Tarrant was not seen again until Hal Jordan’s funeral in issue 81.

John Oakes was the second to assume the Tattooed Man persona. His powers were of a more supernatural bent.

Mark Richards became the third incarnation. His tattoos bore his sins against humanity. His demise occurred during Heroes in Crisis.

Sailors bearing mementos of their journeys abroad brought the art to America. Early on they carried a stigma. Now there is a new found acceptance of tattoos which have become popular in the past 10 years.

Those considering a tattoo should remember to find a reputable artist. Decide upon a design. Check spelling if any is involved. Be prepared to pay.

To celebrate, share your ink on #NationalTattooDay.

Mr. Yak channel surfs to the cadence of a twisted ‘‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ in this holiday hoot that parodies cable television of the 1990s holiday season.

A stop on ‘The Muddy Mudskipper Christmas Show’ offers a musical that merges with an advertisement, merges with his neighbors, Ren Hoek and Stimpson J. Cat, arguing about commercialism, ad nauseum.

The Ren & Stimpy Show Holiday Special, Yah Lousy Bums! (1994)

Ren and Stimpy’s ‘Yule Time Log’ interlude is a send up – of sorts – of ‘The Gift of the Magi.’ If there is a lesson to be learned, it’s not forthcoming.

Back to Mr. Yak and more of the Muddy Mudskipper Christmas extravaganza followed by flipping through the late-night show, more commercials, trash-talk TV and a surreal look at the Ren and Stimpy Show.

Airing is ‘Black Mail, White Christmas, Green Moulah,’ a dark tale of Ren stealing Santa’s surveillance equipment and using it for evil. It ends with more channel surfing and the ugliest “snowman” conceived.

Dan Slott does a fine job of recreating the madness normally animated on television, but the special is disjointed. The flow would have been smoother had it been a television special.

The Ren and Stimpy Show debuted on Nickelodeon in 1991. Creator John Kricfalusi only lasted one year with the series, but the show ran until Dec. 16, 1995 airing 52 episodes.