This was a hard choice. At least as to when to use the comic book.

It’s very suited for anytime in December if no other reason for the cover alone. Events take place beginning December 23 and culminate on Christmas Eve makes it a candidate for December 24.

I guess what made my mind up is the fact it also serves a greater purpose by commemorating a day that’s much harder to find a comic book related for: International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

We’ve done it before. Not once, but twice, but it doesn’t make it any easier finding a third example in the world of four color.

So, when I happened across Superman (1987) 64 and started reading the book, I had to take advantage of the opportunity.

Each December Superman is faced with the impossible task of answering letters of help from persons around the world. For 1991, the Man of Steel has allowed Lois Lane to chronicle the Herculean task.

The first few are from treasure hunters asking Superman to lend his talents in the search for oil or making of diamonds. There are others that can’t be helped, though their woes are worthy of his attention.

What he can do is help a 65-year old Auschwitz survivor be reunited with her sister.

Mrs. Agnes Schommer is a widow of limited means living in Chicago. She had only recently learned her older sister, Ellie, is still living, but is not well. Superman is able to clear her stay at the American Embassy in Germany so the two can reunite.

The reunion only takes three pages of the book, but are poignant when it is remembered approximately 60 percent of the Jewish population was liquidated by the Nazi’s between 1933 and 1945. That’s an estimated six million people.

This does not include the others targeted and considered Holocaust victims. They would number an additional 11 million people.

January 27 has been chosen as a day to commemorate victims as it is the day Auschwitz was liberated.

…if for no other reason than to thank the Atlanta-based soft drink giant for giving us the Santa Claus we know and love today.

That jolly elf whose belly is rumored to shake like a bowl of jelly wasn’t always red and round. Much like Wolverine before Hugh Jackman, St. Nick was a more economical size, maybe to better fit down those chimneys.

And, he wore robes.

As a Saint of the Catholic Church, St. Nicholas was depicted in the more traditional robes of gold, red and blue.

When Santa made his way to America in the 19th century he was known to wear fur-trimmed clothing, but in Earth tones or with a patriotic flavor.

Thomas Nast, German-American cartoonist for Harper’s Weekly, is credited with giving Santa his red, fur trimmed suit. It is believed he chose red to contrast with the white snow.

The Santa Claus we know and love today is the by-product of advertising. Artist Haddon Sunblom’s depiction, based on his friend Lou Prentiss, came about in the 1930s.

Sundblom would base many of the characters in his holiday Coca-Cola paintings on those around him. From his neighbor’s daughters to the neighborhood florist’s poodle in 1964.

Here the Man of Steel shows he’s one of Santa’s helpers during his busiest time of the year.

And, if you’re you remember the carbonated nod to an old advertising jingle from the top of the page, I don’t feel so old.

Superman and Batman have been linked to each other since 1941. They first appeared in the same comic book, All-Star Comics (1940) seven in 1941.

They had shared covers on World’s Fair Comics and World’s Finest, but All-Star issue seven paired them on a mission with the Justice Society to raise $1 million dollars for war orphans. However, they would not share the same panel.

It wasn’t for another 11 years that DC’s big two would meet – for the first time.

Superman (1939) 72

It would take an over-booked cruise ship to pair Superman and Batman. Superman (1939) 76 thrust Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne together as they shared a room on an ocean liner. When a tanker exploded near their cruise ship, they were each found out in the moon light’s shine through the portal in their room.

They would promise to keep each other’s secret as the teamed to help with the disaster.

History would be repeated when DC kicked off their New 52. This time in Justice League (2011) one.

In other media, Batman and Superman met at different times and for different reasons.

They would join forces even before their comic book encounters during the Adventures of Superman radio serial story arc Mystery of the Wax Men in 1945.

Another first would be for the Superman: The Animated Series two-parter World’s Finest. Together they thwarted Lex Luthor and the Joker.

Yes, they did meet on the big screen, but the less said about that, the better.

It would be interesting to know when these costumes were paired for sale allowing kids to have their own World’s Finest adventures.

Of the 365 days in the year – 366 during Leap Year – today is tailor made for myself, Jeff and most readers of this page.

Today is Find Your Inner Nerd Day.

Most of us need not dig that deep.

If you’re here, it’s probably out of more than curiosity. Hopefully it’s to share in the culture we embrace.

In celebration of Find Your Inner Nerd Day, we’re turning the dial back on our television sets to Dec. 10, 2010, for the 11th episode of the fourth season of Big Bang Theory. More specifically, The Justice League Recombination.

If you tuned in that Monday evening, you were one of 13.24 million viewers.

Even though the episode aired before Christmas, it commemorated New Year’s Eve. The gang, plus Penny’s early on-again, off-again boyfriend Zac, gathered at Stewart’s comic book shop to celebrate with a costume contest. Dressed as the Justice League, Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, Raj, Penny and Zac took first place as the countdown began for 2011.

For 12 seasons – 279 episodes – Big Bang showed us it’s all right to fly that geek flag with pride. We watched kindred spirits live in the spotlight a life many of us hid in the shadows. They moved (super) hero worship, D&D and Japanese animation from the back of the bus to a front row seat. It was a revelation – and revolution – making Star Wars t-shirts fashionable.

Big Bang Theory took a season to gain traction, but by its fifth season had a premiere viewing audience of 14 million. The show was in the top 10 for seven of its 12 seasons. It reached number one during the 11th.

It was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series between 2011 and 2014. Jim Parsons would take home the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series four times and the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Comedy Series.

Coincidentally enough, Find Your Inner Nerd Day was founded a month prior to Big Bang airing, Aug. 23, 2007.

Find Your Inner Nerd Day was founded by Christopher Reaves Messina when he posted a tweet that created the modern hashtag. Since that time, #FindYourInnerNerd has become a digital hotspot to meet and greet those with similar interests and discuss fandoms and other geek topics.

Oh, and the name “nerd” was created by none other than Dr. Seuss in his book If I Ran the Zoo.

Fly the colors high today – and every day – as we celebrate our individual and shared interests. This is a life meant for us.

Fifty six years ago today man proclaimed his independence from Mother Earth by stepping foot on a neighboring celestial body.

Today is Space Exploration Day, commemorating the 56th anniversary of man’s first walk on the moon.

For one day the inhabitants of this planet watched in unison as the culmination of centuries of dreaming and decades of work became reality.

Today, we will celebrate with a visitor from beyond and his creation to aid him in the betterment and protection of his adopted people. Today will be remembered with technology as fanciful and far fetched as the Apollo 11 rocket was not 50 years before its historic journey.

Our host is Superman and his contribution is the Supermobile.

You read that right, the Supermobile.

Action Comics
(1978) 481

Not even the Man of Steel, capable of leaping tall buildings and outracing speeding locomotives, is immune from commercialism.

Corgi Toys took advantage of its Superman license and the popularity of the 1978 Superman movie to manufacture a line of die cast vehicles. Thinking out side the box (office), Corgi asked DC Comics to create a vehicle for Superman to use in his endeavors. Writer Cary Bates concocted the Supermobile.

Debuting in Action Comics (1938) 481, the Supermobile was launched. The rocket is constructed of an invulnerable metal called, yes,  Supermanium. Issue 481’s plot saw Superman powerless after exposure to red sun radiation. To battle Amazo, Superman crafted the Supermobile.

In addition to flight and invulnerability, the Supermobile channels Superman’s other abilities using large mechanical arms, his enhanced vision-related powers, super breath and super hearing.

No lie.

The Supermobile made limited appearances following its debut, but that didn’t stop Corgi from producing a 1/36 and 1/64 scale die cast model for store shelves.

Corgi die cast Supermobile

When DC and Kenner toys launched the multi media Super Powers campaign in 1984 the Supermobile concept was dusted off again for the toy line. The design differed a bit with a few modifications to lower production costs.

McFarlane Toys resurrected the Super Powers line in 2022, but adhered to the original design this time.

So, when looking to the skies today, remember, “…one giant leap for mankind.” And, even Superman isn’t as powerful as the almighty dollar.

Kenner’s Super Powers Supermobile

We’re tapping Superman for a second time to emcee National Atomic Veterans Day.

Why?

Probably ‘cuz he’s about the only hero that can handle the fallout.

Literally.

The Man of Steel helped usher in the atomic age in Action Comics (1938) 101. By Superman (1939) 393 the Man of Tomorrow had become victim of the established era.

Superman (1939) 393

Overall, issue 393 is nothing to run out and pick up. The premise has The Master Jailer – anyone remember him? – seeking revenge on Clark Kent over his relationship with Lana Lang. To remove Clark from the picture, the Jailer realizes he must first deal with his protector, Superman.

Okay, here’s where today’s theme comes into play:

The Master Jailer launches nukes luring Superman out to stop them. When they explode, Superman finds himself a magnet for Kryptonite causing it to adhere to his skin.

Believing Superman to be out of the way, The Master Jailer next attacks Clark. However, he learns the Clark he encounters is really Superman in disguise.

Superman disables The Master Jailer, explaining how he duplicated the missile attack by creating Bizzaro missiles that reversed the magnetizing process.

While we usually recommend rereading a particular issue commemorating the day, forget Superman 393 and find a good book on the history and how the atomic bomb was created.

For a little background, July 16, marks the 80th anniversary of the detonation of the first atomic bomb at the Trinity test site. 

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers participated in more than 200 nuclear weapons tests between 1945 and 1963. As many as 400,000 veterans qualify as atomic veterans according to the National Association of Atomic Veterans. Exposure to radiation in these cases has led to a wide array of health problems for these people including thyroid problems, tumors and deadly cancers.

Remember and respect both the day and those who were players and pawns during the time.

My mother was a Philatelist and I’m not ashamed to say so.

While there aren’t as many philatelists as in years past, there’s still a core group who will appreciate today. What is today? Today is National U.S. Postage Stamp Day.

The first postage stamp issued in the United States was on July 1, 1847. Prior to the stamp, a letter could be mailed without and paid for upon arrival. That changed in 1855 when stamps became mandatory.

The first two stamps issued featured likenesses of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. Since then, stamps have been adorned with everything from flowers to works of art to, yes, even super heroes.

DC Comics heroes Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Flash, Plastic Man, Supergirl, and Hawkman were featured on a sheet of stamps issued July 20, 2006.

Marvel followed suit a year later, July 25, 2007, with Spider-Man, Hulk, Namor, Thing, Captain America, Silver Surfer, Spider-Woman, Elektra, Iron Man and Wolverine.

Like an excuse is needed for a pizza party, but just in case welcome to National Pizza Day.

We’ve visited this non-holiday on several occasions, usually with the X-Men, but have included those teen heroes in a half shell, too.

Pizza Hut has hosted the party each time and today is no different.

The Wichita, Kansas, native has plumbed the four color field often to entice us comic book fans to stop in for a slice. To date, this is the earliest cross promotion we’ve found.

In 1977 America’s largest pizza franchise partnered with DC Comics to offer six reprints featuring the big three from the Golden Age.

Batman, issues 122 and 123; Superman 97 and 113; and Wonder Woman 60 and 62 were reproduced almost exactly as they were when first published. The main differences being size and advertisements.

If anyone has any information on how these were obtained through Pizza Hut or how they were issued, please let us know.

First, take time out for a pie and some hero worship of your choice.

The official trailer for Peter Gunn’s eponymous epic slated for July 11 drops (or, depending on when you read this, dropped) today.

Donning the cape for the 11th live-action film is David Corenswet. His incarnation is to be the cornerstone of what DC is touting as movie one of its new cinematic universe.

To celebrate, we’re dusting off Superman’s Last Christmas from

Superman (1938) 369

Superman (1938) 369. The book hit spin racks way back in December 1981 though cover dated March 1982.

A festive cover proves to be the most excitement the issue offers with a pedestrian Parasite story set against a red and green backdrop.

Maybe the most laudable mention is Superman 369 marks the end of an era with DC Comic’s final Hostess Cupcake ad featuring licensed comic characters.

Superman (2025) will be premiering in theaters July 11.

Proposal Day is not one, but two days each year. It’s celebrated on both the vernal and autumnal equinox when the day length is equal. The equality of the day is to symbolize the harmony of the marriage.

If this seems too prearranged, not to worry. Only about 35 percent of all brides to be are surprised by their proposals. And, when it comes to the ring, it’s more the cut, shape and setting of the stone rather than the actual carat.

How to propose is still a tradition. Over three quarters of the, “Will you…” are conducted on one knee. And, publicly to boot.

Today’s emcees are comic book’s first power couple, Clark Kent and Lois Lane. Both were introduced in Action Comics (1938) number one. Yet they go back at least four years before that when Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster began crafting the world’s first true super hero.

Superman (1987) 50

Superman’s success was overnight and his stardom shown on cast members Lois, pal Jimmy Olsen and boss Perry White.

        Lois proved popular enough to earn her own title, Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane in 1958. By the 1960s the title was one of the top 10 selling books for DC Comics. Following the book’s cancellation, she would return in the 1970s with a back up feature in The Superman Family series that ran from 1974 to 1982.

          These stories, issues 195-99 and 201-22, pursued the events of Earth-Two’s Clark and Lois as husband and wife. The two were married in Action Comics 484.

After over half a century of pining, the Clark of our universe finally worked up the nerve to ask Lois to marry him in Superman (1988) issue 50. The engagement proved to be longer than originally planned. It was decided to coincide the event with television show Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman so the two would marry simultaneously on both TV and in the comic book.

The literary marriage was held in Superman: the Wedding Album in 1996.