Department store Santa’s used to be a dime a dozen. Now, they’re kind of a thing of the past. Like Santa’s who stood on street corners ringing bells asking for loose change for their charity of choice.

They still show for a special day or two at the mall. Kids still queue for a stop on his lap and a quick photo op. Santa stills ride herd on Christmas parades. Once designed to kick off the shopping season, these loiters along sidewalk streets are now more ornamental and traditional.

Yet there was a time when a visit to Santa Claus at the store was an event. He was the destination. It was your opportunity to get that wish list to the man responsible for making it come true.

And, all this started sometime about mid 19th century. Not in department stores, but candy shops.

Whatever the case, candy store owner James Parkinson is credited with hiring the first commercial Santa. His Philadelphia shop hosted the man in red for Christmas 1841. By 1846 three other Philly shops were sporting Santas.

As department stores began to pop up on the urban landscape in the 1860s and ‘70s, so did Claus clones.

As the new century dawned, so did a new tradition.

With store Santa’s became the norm during the holiday season, department stores began to up the ante. By 1920 Gimbel’s sponsored the first Christmas parade in Philadelphia.

Another followed in 1923, but the granddaddy of all holiday parades began in 1924 when Macy’s entered the field.

Post World War II and increased disposable incomes brought more and more shoppers to stores. To lure them in, department stores built larger and more elaborate displays even using real reindeer.

If these faux Kris Kringle’s ever return is not something we can answer now, hopefully they won’t be anything like Santa Joker here.

Art theft closes out International Clown Week.

The Joker attempts to divert attention from his painting pilfering by tossing pies at the police.

Spoiler alert: it doesn’t work.

While Laugh, Clown, Laugh is a fictional piece of art the Joker attempts to steal, there are many famous clown paintings.

Master of modern art Pablo Picasso crafted Harlequin Head, a piece stolen in 2012 as part of the heist of the century. Stolen from the Kunsthal Museum, the Picasso piece was the most famous of the seven works still missing. The thieves were apprehended, but the Harlequin is feared to have been destroyed.

The master is also known for his The Blue Clown. Appropriately enough, it is symbolic of Picasso’s Blue Period.

Other well known artists noted for their work regarding the joyful jesters include Antoine Watteau, Claude Gillot, Francisco Goya, Honore Daumier, Gustavo Courbet, George’s Seurat, James Ensor, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Andre Derain, Vino Severini, Max Beckmann, Pa Hooper and Walt Kuhn.

Maybe the most notorious was John Wayne Gacy. His penchant for portraying a clown – Pogo – prior to his arrest may have led to his choice of subjects while painting on death row.

Convicted of murdering 33 adolescent males, the infamous serial killer used a portion of his 14 years behind bars creating over 2,000 paintings.

His somewhat self portrait, Pogo the Clown, sold for $12,800 Oct. 31, 2022.

Gacy received his lethal injection May 10, 1994.

Continuing with International Clown Week the Joker seeks revenge on the circus that turned him down.

In all the origins of the Joker, I don’t remember him ever attempting employment with a circus. Dick Grayson, yes. Jason Todd – pre Crisis – yes.

Even Geoff John’s premise never postulated a career under the big top.

Yet, here he is, taking revenge for a slight that may have never happened. To add insult to injury, the Joker’s plan is foiled by the ring master and common clowns working the three rings.

Though first introduced in Batman (1940) issue one, his origin wasn’t revealed until Detective Comics (1939) 168 in 1951. Alan Moore would expand and expound on that origin further in 1988’s prestige one shot The Killing Joke. John’s The Three Jokers is only the latest attempt to explain the Joker.

An interesting fact is DC Comics wouldn’t allow its stars to be seen chowing down on any of the Hostess goodies so as not to endorse the product.

Guess it was all right to shill for ‘em.

So as not to be confused, there is such a thing as International Clown Day AND International Clown Week. We’ve celebrated before in 2020 with Obnoxio and Man-Thing.

For a little fun let’s go with International Clown Week. Plus, I’ve got a few Joker ads to toss in for good measure.

International Clown Day is celebrated the first day of August each year. It may be expanded by local government to encompass the whole week, as we’re observing.

Clown Week had its beginnings sometime in the mid 20th century. Walt Savage has been attributed with its creation. It wasn’t until 1966 Frank “Kelly the Clown” Kelly the president of the Clown Club of America, became the first International Clown Week chairman. American Clown Week chairman Bill “Boom Boom” Baily” lobbied Congress to recognize the event. President Richard M. Nixon declared the first recognized National Clown Week Oct. 8, 1970 as Public Law 91-443 as ratified by the 91st Congress. JJR 26 was passed by both the House and Senate. The joint resolution was signed into law by Nixon Aug. 2, 1971.

It wasn’t until 1988 it became an international happening. International Clown Week is observed from August 1 to August 7 each year.

Let’s celebrate with the Joker. He’s even brought the pie.

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.

December 24th: One day and counting…

Almost. Just one more day. Instead of watching the minutes crawl by, break out a Christmas cartoon. At most sites that would mean Frosty or the Grinch and there’s nothing wrong with those cozy chestnuts.

But, here at Four Color we mean Batman: The Animated Series season one, episode two Christmas With the Joker.

You can hear Mark Hamill purring his lines as the Clown Prince of Crime makes his debut on Fox Network’s soon to be sensation. This originally aired Nov. 13, 1992.

The Joker performs a rendition of “Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, Robin laid an egg…” as he christens the Yule tree with a Star. All this to trigger the rocket hidden inside allowing him to escape Arkham Asylum once more.

Producing and airing an unauthorized holiday special via a pirated feed, Joker promises to kill his special guests and hostages Commissioner Gordon, Detective Harvey Bullock and local television personality Summer Gleeson. Batman and Robin save Christmas Eve, but Joker gets the final say with a dispirited “Merry Christmas” back at Arkham.

This 2024 release is, yes, my favorite and first purchase this year. Why Hallmark didn’t offer a Christmas With Joker version, I can’t say, but this is still a welcome addition to my – or any – Christmas conifer.

Hallmark offered earlier Joker incarnations with the 2008 version similar to Jim Lee’s Hush depiction. Heath Ledger was immortalized in 2013 as the Joker from The Dark Knight Returns. In 2015 Ceaser Romero once again personified the Harlequin of Hate from the 1966 television series.

Finally, the Joker appeared in his Lego form in 2018.

But, Mr. J never looked better than for 2024.

December 7th: 18 days and counting…

Also known as the Jackie Chan Batman (based on the animation house), The Batman had the misfortune to appear as the heir apparent to Batman: The Animated Series being the first to follow the highly touted fan and critic fav.

The Batman began airing Sept. 11th, 2004, on Kids WB, then moved to Cartoon Network (remember them?).  Even in the wake of B:TAS, The Batman did earn six Daytime Emmy Awards. The series also spawned a direct-to-DVD Batman vs. Dracula feature length animated film.

The series makes it to the tree with five mini ornaments including Batman, Joker, the Batmobile, logo and Penguin.

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.

If you’re reading this, you’ve survived another Christmas.

There’s still the New Year to ring in, but today is Boxing Day.

Celebrated the day after Christmas, Boxing Day originated as a day to give to the poor. Since then, it has morphed into a shopping holiday.

Boxing Day is primarily celebrated in Great Britain, where it was birthed, and former colonies of the British empire and other parts of Europe including Spain, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway and the Republic of Ireland.

As a shopping holiday, Boxing Day is recognized in the UK, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and New Zealand. Sales are featured in many stores with dramatic savings offered.

Our boxing day has nothing to do with shopping or giving to the poor. Our boxing day features Batman and Wildcat duking it out in the square circle at the behest of the Joker.

So, we’re really boxing for Boxing Day.

The Brave and the Bold (1955) 118

The Brave and the Bold began in 1955 as an anthology comic book. The Silent Knight, Viking Prince, Golden Gladiator and Robin Hood were featured on a turnstile basis in the early issues.

The format changed to showcase new characters with issue 25. The Justice League of America debuted with issue 28. Following the team’s third appearance, they received their own title.

With issue 50, the book became a team-up title featuring mainly Batman and co-stars from the DCU. By issue 74 the Dark Knight was in the spotlight full time as he became the star.

Issue 118 sported the Caped Crusader along side Wildcat and the cover tag: “Co-Starring The Joker.”

To keep a former minion’s mouth shut, the Joker doses a prison with a highly infectious tropical disease. The antidote is in a very unlikely carrier. To save the host, Batman and Wildcat must battle to the death in The Best Man Must Die.

A great cover for a Bronze Age bore, but still worth a read. ‘Sides, in the hangover of Christmas no one really wants a lot of excitement anyway.

As the first Monday of November, today is Color the World Orange Day.

Harley Quinn/Gossamer (2018)

Today is a day set aside to educate the populace on an illness still poorly misunderstood. Today is a day to better understand Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, also classified as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), a rare ailment that targets society’s middle-aged members.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a neurological discomfort that includes heightened nerve impulses in a specific body site. Medical specialists speculate the condition is a result of a dysfunction in the central nervous system. An injury to the leg or hand can also bring on the syndrome. A triggering of the immune response can cause injury-related CRPS, which may lead to symptoms such as redness and swelling in the affected area.

The first known situation was documented in 1812 by a British surgeon who published a case report of a soldier wounded by a bullet in his upper arm.

Commemorating the day is Warner Bros. Looney Tunes’ hulking orange monster: Gossamer.

Gossamer debuted in the 1946 animated short, Hair-Raising Hare. Created by Chuck Jones, the legendary Mel Blanc voiced the mainly silent, shaggy monster.

He returned in 1952’s Water, Water Every Hare, reprising his henchman role. Gossamer had along layoff not appearing until 1980 in Duck Dodger’s and the Return of the 24½ Century. It also marked the introduction of his name.

Gossamer would next appear in 1996’s feature film Space Jam.

Harley Quinn/Gossamer (2018)

In A Hairy Predicament! Gossamer is found washed up on the beach following Hurricane Randy. Harley’s fondness for all things fuzzy moves Gossamer in with her menagerie of misfits.

An attack by an oversized robot leads Harley to believe the Joker has made another attempt on her wellbeing. Visits to the Scarecrow, Penguin and Mr. Freeze finally lead her to the Joker’s lair where the Prince of Pranks has Batman in another death trap.

A second attack by a mammoth mechanical manbot frees the Caped Crusader, disposes of the Joker and leads Harley and Gossamer to the real threat: his creator, the mad scientist introduced in Hair-Raising Hair and returned to reprise his role in Water, Water Every Hare.

Harley Quinn/Gossamer (2018)

A shared meal and ride home bring the story to a close with a very special guest star.

Writer Sholly Fisch seals the book with a flourish to the animated shorts from the Golden Age of both comic books and Looney Tunes in Monster Crush.

With a nod to the lighthearted mascot of the day, the more important aspect is CPRS has no cure. Correct medication and counseling help, but with some patients’ symptoms can last for years and even worsen.

To commemorate the day, wear orange, learn more about the ailment and donate for continued research.