Amid everything that is going on, Christmas is still coming. Hallmark hasn’t forgotten that (especially since it’s a big part of their bread and butter) and is rolling out their first round of superhero ornaments for the year. Included are:

Mini Marvel Studios Ant-Man Ornament, 1.7″

Marvel Captain America Metal Ornament

DC Comics Aquaman and Storm Ornament

Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy O Christmas Groot Ornament

DC Comics Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman Ornament

DC Comics Wonder Woman 1984 Princess Diana Returns Ornament

DC Comics Aquaman and Storm Ornament

The fireworks may have faded, but we can still celebrate the summer with a free Slurpee at 7-Eleven.

Last year I extolled the virtues of a youth spent sucking down half-frozen Cokes – earning a brain freeze every time – and reading the latest Marvel had to offer. The memory is still as fresh and inviting as when I related it 366 days ago.

1975 Captain America Slurpee Cup (slim style)

In 1973, 7-Eleven was all about DC Comics, but by 1975 Marvel was stealing the show. Both at the convenience store and spin racks.

For 1975, 7-Eleven and Marvel partnered to offer 60-different cups. The series featured the character with name and/or logo on the front with a headshot and bio on the back. The bio was cleverly done in a word balloon.

All cups featured a contemporary image of the character. Spider-Man, the Thing and Hulk each had three-different cups.

Like the 1973 DC series, the drinking vessels have become desirable to both those who bought ‘em to begin with and those just discovering the colorful cups. Collectors should beware, though. There are two different sizes. Both feature the same images and information, but one series is more the size of the DC cups while the others are shorter and wider. This is the same style 7-Eleven would use in the 1977 series.

The Slurpee debuted in 1966. Could be why it’s a favorite of mine: 1966 is my birth year. The company modified the Knedik Icee machine to suit their needs and branded the new drink.

A side effect of the beverage is the dreaded brain freeze. To survive, remember the following: put down drink, sip from a warmer liquid, if warmer liquid is not available press tongue to roof of mouth, cover mouth and nose with hand, breath through nose allowing warmer air to circulate through sinus passages. Finally, return to your Slurpee, drinking at a slower pace.

To celebrate, grab your favorite flavor and down at a responsible speed.

1975 Marvel Slurpee Check List

Sugar and Spike find parenting isn’t as hard as grown-ups would have them believe in ‘Santa’s Parents.’

Sugar and Spike (1956) 44

In another misunderstanding, the two tykes find themselves fending for themselves. Finding a remote control only brings more confusion to the holiday season as Santa does his job only too well courtesy of Sugar and Spike.

All is forgiven when the unexpected publicity brings mountains of money.

‘Little Arthur’s War’ is the second act. Santa dispenses justice rather than coal for the bratty Arthur.

Arthur gets his revenge – briefly – as he wreaks havoc with the push of a few buttons in act three. His reign of terror is ended and his destruction tallied in dollars and sense.

The final part of the four-act adventure is a lesson for the parents, who are taught they are never too old to learn.

Tucked between stories are some one-page funnies and a chance to make some greeting cards.

Maybe the sum and total of the book is another December survival.

No real 4^th of July celebration this issue; just three-tired tales to stretch out the 18 pages between covers.

In addition to DC, Elvira also appeared in Eclipse and Claypool comics. Her residence at DC was short-lived, a mere 11 issues and a Christmas special.

Elvira is the alter ego of Cassandra Peterson. The Mistress of the Dark first appeared on KHJ-TV as a horror host in 1981. By 1985 her fame spread as she released a series of VHS tapes of her show. In 1988 she starred in her first film, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark. It wasn’t until 2000 she appeared in a sequel, Elvira’s Haunted Hills.

The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, commemorates the Declaration of Independence. The federal holiday is traditionally observed with picnics, fireworks and patriotic displays.

Smile pretty and polish your lens, it’s National Camera Day.

Action Comics (1938) 6

Last year Peter Parker/Spider-Man emceed festivities. This year we’re tapping Jimmy Olsen as the freckled face of the (non) holiday.

The Daily Planet’s chief shutterbug’s first appearance is questionable. Action Comics issue six has a bow-tie wearing office boy, but his name wasn’t mentioned until the April 15, 1940, episode of the Superman radio show.

It wasn’t until Superman (1939) issue 13 in late 1941 the name Jimmy Olsen appeared in a comic book. His popularity grew enough that by 1954 Jimmy had his own book, Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen. It would last until 1974 when it was merged with The Superman Family book.

Crises and reboots have not been able to dislodge Olsen from Superman’s coattails. His character and (marginal) popularity continue to this day.

To celebrate the day, snap a photo of someone close to preserve the memory. Photos can be shared by using #NationalCameraDay.

This is just a fun looking Christmas comic book. C’mon, Spidey and the Green Goblin duking it out over Santa? How could it get any better?

Maybe with some translation and background?

Good luck with that.

About all I could glean from the cover was the Danish to English translation stating the book has “posters, activity pages and lots of Christmas fun.” Secondly, it’s a Christmas booklet.

Hanging 10 on the ‘Net, I’ve not been able to find much on this comic book. If you have any knowledge, please contact Jeff or I. We’d love to feature this with more information.

Thanks to Yet Another Comics Blog for the heads up.

For Father’s Day, let’s talk about the All-Father himself, Odin.

Thor’s daddy wasn’t part of the Thunder God’s initial Silver Age Marvel appearance in Journey into Mystery 83. Odin wasn’t even mentioned until Journey into Mystery 85 and, finally, revealed the following issue.

Journey into Mystery 86

He is the adoptive father of Loki and sired Balder by another woman. In addition to being the father of Thor, Odin is also ruler and protector of the Asgardian people. He has died three times in defense of Asgard.

Odin has incredible strength, stamina and extended lifespan. He is master of the Odin Force that can create illusions, force fields, levitat, molecular manipulation, telepathy, control of lightening and teleportation.

Sir Anthony Hopkins portrayed the All Father in all three Thor movies.

In the animated Marvel U he has been voiced by Bernard Cowan, The Marvel Super Heroes; Jess Harnell, The Super Hero Squad Show; Clancy Brown, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes; Frank Welker, Avenger’s Assemble and Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.; Dwight Schultz, Ultimate Avengers 2; French Tickner, Hulk vs. Thor; and Christopher Britton, Thor: Tales of Asgard.

Father’s Day was first held July 5, 1908 in Fairmont, WV. It was not until the 1930s it began to gather national support, but it wasn’t until President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a presidential proclamation it became official in 1966. President Richard M. Nixon signed it into law in 1972.

Now that all the 20s have lined up – June 20, 2020 – let’s celebrate the end of another winter and the advent of good weather:  the first day of Summer. Last year we had Franklin Richards kick start the summer months. This year we’re calling upon the Impossible Man.

For those unfamiliar with the green and purple Stan Lee/Jack Kirby creation, Impossible Man is, essentially, Marvel’s Mr. Mxyzptlk. Impossible Man first appeared in Fantastic Four issue 11. He would continue to conjure himself back on Earth primarily a foil for the FF. He eventually branched over to bother Spider-Woman, the X-Men, Excalibur, Avengers and Silver Surfer throughout the ensuing years.

By 1990 he was poised for his own special. Possibly the one promised by Stan way back in Fantastic Four 176. This was the time when Impossible Man invaded Marvel Comics offices. He refused to leave until Stan promised to print a special for him alone. If you have yet to read the book, stop, go find a copy and enjoy.

Impossible Man Summer Vacation Spectacular (1990) 1

The Impossibles – no relation – decide it’s time to vacation. With the family. All however many of ‘em there are.

Anyway, the self-proclaimed summer spectacular is a series of vignettes following an ‘Improlog.’

First up is ‘How Green was my Villain?’ involving Impossible Man taking the guise of a carousal of Spider-Man baddies. Most already sporting the green and purple motif.

‘Girls Don’t Wanna Have Fun!’ features Madcap and Quasar.

Dr. Strange outlasts Impy in ‘Impossible but Strange.’

She-Hulk and Janet VanDyne, aka the Wasp, are beleaguered by Impossible Woman who destroys VanDyne’s fashion show.

‘A Night to Remember’ features the Punisher who is none too amused by Impossible Man’s antics.

Dr. Doom has the last laugh when he sends the Impossible kids packing to Dizzyworld.

Yes, you read that right:  Dizzyworld.

Remember, this was before Disney’s $4 billion Marvel buy out in April 2018.

This is 1990. And, scribe Peter David is having his way with Mickey and company. If you’re gonna pick this issue up, do it for this story alone. David is brilliant with his cracks at the mouse-eared empire. Gotta love a pants-less Howard the Duck in the background thumbing his beak at the legal decree he wear pants lest he resemble a certain Disney mallard.

The issue finally settles down as the Impossibles – again, no relation – make their next stop on the Skrull world to continue their vacation. At present, there has been no follow up.

A year after his comic book debut, Garfield was syndicated in over 2,580 newspapers and journals.

Boom! Studios picked up the feline for a monthly title featuring Mark Evanier as scribe. Evanier supervised the animated Garfield and Friends and The Garfield Show.

The lasagna-guzzling cat began his career in the comic strips. Garfield went nationwide in 1978 and, by 2013, Garfield earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the most widely syndicated strip on Earth.

With his recognition has come the desire to own a piece of the pussycat. The fictional feline is worth a cool $750 million to $1 billion annually in merchandising alone.

All of this has contributed to earning his (un)official holiday, National Garfield the Cat Day. June 19 has become that day.

It was originally celebrated in 1998 to commemorate Garfield’s 20^th anniversary of the comic strip and his birthday.

Celebrate with a pan of lasagna and some favorite strips and comics of the nation’s top ranked cat.

Who better to represent the non-holiday National Smile Power Day than one of comic book’s toothiest characters, the Joker.

No one else in the DCU has made it his mission to make others smile the way the Joker has. Since his first appearance in Batman (1940) issue one, the Harlequin of Hate has set his sights on chaos with a smile.

The Joker began as a psychopath before being toned down for the 1950s and into the ‘60s. The prankster persona was put to rest by Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams in Batman 251, ‘The Joker’s Five-Way Revenge.’

Joker (1975) 1

The Clown Prince of Crime would continue down his dark path with The Killing Joke in 1988. In the prestige one shot, Joker would shoot and cripple Barbara Gordon. A year later he would kill Jason Todd, the second Robin, in ‘A Death in the Family.’

In 2011 ‘Death of a Family’ would exam the Joker’s relationship with not only the Dark Knight, but the rest of the Bat family.

The comic book pictured in conjunction with today’s non-holiday is the first issue of Joker’s all-too-short-lived, self-titled book. Joker ran nine issues beginning May-June, 1975 through September-October, 1976.

Each issue featured a one-and-done story, usually guest-starring a hero or villain from the DCU.

Issue 10 was scheduled to be published, the first part of ’99 and 99/100% Dead.’ It did not see print until Aug. 14, 2019.

To celebrate National Smile Power Day, challenge yourself to smile more often.