I Cook You Fine Meals and Show You Sights of Pampas Wednesday!

The original Vigilante actually had quite a run back in the 40's.  He never really got my attention, what with all his  country-fried dialect and such.  I mean, I grew up in Oklahoma, and I rarely heard people talk like he does.  I also met some foreign exchange students in college who were sure Oklahoma was one big Native American reservation.  And they weren't totally wrong, because the Tribes have nations and casinos all over the place, but that didn't mean we were all living in tee-pees.  I also thought he was rather dry, with no real powers or gadgets to get my attention.

But he got interesting letters.  I never would have appreciated that as a child:

I'll take "Invitations One Should Never Accept" for $200, Alex!

Seriously, how did he not think that was a love letter?  I would be afraid Pedro would swipe my passport and make me "earn" it back, if you know what I mean.  And I think you do.

Hey, you know what creeped me out?  This:

Well, it certainly grabs your attention, doesn't it?  I wasn't familiar with Kolynos, as it hasn't been easily found in the U.S. for years.  But apparently, my Latin American readers should be able to pick up a tube.  A little research tells me that it's very pleasant tasting and not only cleans your teeth, but gives 'em a polish as well.  Granted, I'd be a little put off by the glaring "Injun" vomiting the toothpaste onto my brush, but he certainly has every right to be a little cheesed.  

And it was mentioned  in The Catcher in the Rye, so there's a certain awesomeness in that:

"Everybody was asleep or out or home for the week end, and it was very, very quiet and depressing in the corridor. There was this empty box of Kolynos toothpaste outside Leahy and Hoffman's door, and while I walked down towards the stairs, I kept giving it a boot with this sheep-lined slipper I had on."

So, incredibly racist marketing device aside, Kolynos has a rather interesting history.  See?  That's some smartifyin' stuff right there.  That's two days running I've been all edutainmental on you.

See you tomorrow!

My Own Candy Factory? Why I'd be Stupid Not to Monday!

Hey!  It's a new, fun-filled week!  And here's some good stuff from Action Comics #104:

I'll take "Invitations I Should Never Accept" for $100, Alex!

Heister Hess...

should have waited until the door fully closed before defiantly shouting out his plans.

Meanwhile, at the local newspaper....

the Sales Department learned that their "Cash or Punch Us in the Face" payment policy, while popular, failed to generate necessary revenues.

Oh, that was silly.  But not as silly as this:

Candy Factory... or as they called it in my day, a "chemistry set."

And apparently, lollipops were considered "good for growing youngsters."  Some day, they'll learn that Oreos  cure gout.  Just you watch.

My Golden Voice and Songs of Sage Wednesday!

Having been raised in Smallville, Superman had difficulty with the big-city concept of "personal space."

Don't you love the expression on Jake's face?  He's really not comfortable with where that conversation seems to be headed.

At closing time, even Lois has her appeal.

So, we're looking at Action #42, which had the original appearance of the Vigilante.  No, not that one.  No, not that one, either.  Nope, think back further.  Go way back.  The guy with the cowboy hat.  The guy who sang:

Yes, but is he a platter waddy whose records sold like sixty?  You can never tell when someone is singing in comics if they're actually any good or not.

There was also an interesting turn in Mr. America, a character they just couldn't seem to get rid of.  In this issue, they gave him a "magic carpet."  Because when I think of America, we all think of magic carpets.

And believe it or not, that isn't the original Red Tornado (much to my disappointment).  That is Fat Man, who became his sidekick.  And yes, I'm sure some smarmy people are going to make comments about how a character named "Fat Man" is exactly what you think about when you think of America, so I'll just make that joke for you.  

Other than the fact that he's supposed to look stupid, and I still think his costume is less embarrassing than that of Mr. America.  I'm just saying.

See you tomorrow!