Dust off your favorite Christmas special and celebrate the day. Not only is it the Eve of Christmas Eve, but it’s National Christmas Movie Marathon Day.

   After nearly a month of holiday traditions, we can finally incorporate a non holiday with our Advent calendar.

     My personal favorite is A Christmas Story. I was first exposed to the Yuletide rib tickler courtesy of my parents. They had recorded it offa HBO sometime around 1985.

   It was always welcome and when TBS began with the 24-hour marathon it fast became the soundtrack to Christmas Day.

    The exploits of Ralphie and family is closely followed by Christmas Vacation. As I mentioned a few days ago, mom’s favorite was White Christmas.

     And, let us not forget those beloved specials that we waited all year to see each holiday season. The first was Mister Magoo’s Christmas Carol that aired in 1962.

    Rankin/Bass tossed it’s animated hat into the mix with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer in 1964. A Charlie Brown Christmas premiered the following year. The Grinch That Stole Christmas first aired in 1966.

   And, more followed.

   To this day new specials are offered as are holiday themed movies.

   So, join us, and this Funko snowman-themed Penguin from Batman’s rogues gallery who bears an unsettling resemblance to Rudolph’s narrator.

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.

With today National Umbrella Day, the Penguin is the obvious choice to act as ambassador.

Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot originally bore some resemblance to his current countenance, but was a doughier rapscallion in Detective Comics (1937) 58.  Mr. Cobblepot has firmed up a bit over the past 70 years. He has also moved on from his days of out-and-out larceny to become more of an underworld consort, catering more than cavorting.

Detective Comics (1937) 58

In his first appearance, the Penguin begins his criminal career as an art thief, stealing under the noses of Batman and Robin themselves. He moves on to jewels in a crime spree that not only confounds the Caped Crusaders, but implicates them.

In the final showdown, Penguin manages to elude Batman, though the Dark Knight does clear his name.

Penguin does little with his bumbershoot other than spray some acid this issue. It is in subsequent appearances he and his decorative accessory earn its spot in the pantheon of weapons. Of all his assorted implements of violence, the Bulgarian umbrella is his favorite.

The umbrella has been in use since 21 AD, first seen in China as a useful and decorative cover for a four-wheeled carriage. The invention has evolved little over the years having been perfected right out of the gate.

Fan favorite Mark Dos Santos looks at life in Gotham City from Norman Rockwell’s point of view. Santos tips his hat to artist Rockwell who captured American life on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post for five decades. For more information on Santos and his other creations, click here.

The Saturday Evening Post – not