Detective Comics #556 (November 1985)

Love can be a funny thing in the DC Universe. Love can make a person into a hero, it can put them through trials, and it can also make a person go completely mad. And no one is immune to love. Not even the Caped Crusader. 

The mid-1980s was quite a time for Batman when it came to romance. While his Earth-Two counterpart managed to settle down with his world's Catwoman and have a daughter with her before his retirement and death, the Earth-One Batman was unattached. But a new wrinkle would come into the Bat's love life: a pale astronomer named Natalia Knight, better known as Nocturna.

First appearing in Detective Comics #529 (August 1983), created by Doug Moench, Don Newton, and Gene Colan, Natalia Knight was the adopted daughter of rich gangster Charles Knight. Despite this, she originally had no intention of following in his criminal footsteps. Instead, she followed her passion for astronomy, going on to work at the Gotham City Observatory. It was there that she was hit by a radioactive laser beam, causing her skin to lose all its pigment and making it difficult for her to live in sunlight. Combined with a taste for living in luxury, she would go on to become a criminal.

Her relationship with Batman would become rather complicated thanks to not only a mutual attraction between the two, but because she got involved in the life of the current Robin at the time: Jason Todd. She got involved in Bruce Wayne's legal battle to adopt him as part of an attempt to make him marry her so she could stay in the black finance-wise. It left Todd rather mistrustful of her. She would then leave Gotham, allowing Jason to stay with Bruce and continuing to fight crime as Robin.

But one day, the DC multiverse faced its last crisis. The skies had turned blood red, and it brought Natalia to return to the city, seeing her beloved night under assault. The pale criminal still harbored feelings towards Batman, and the Dark Knight still had a thing for her. In the midst of the end of the DC multiverse, the Caped Crusader still has to deal with matters of the heart...and a new threat to Gotham. Appropriate that for Valentine's Day that I look at a comic dealing with love troubles, huh? This is Detective Comics #556!

The cover is a Gene Colan, Dick Giordano, and Anthony Tollin piece. It's pretty good, depicting Batman and Nocturna making out. The blank red sky and rain helps put them front and center, their blue (supposedly black) outfits and Natalia's pale skin allowing them to stand out. One thing I find interesting about this cover is that it's missing the "special Crisis crossover" ribbon that decorated DC books coming out at this time. You see, in this comic, the skies are red from the Crisis on Infinite Earths, and Nocturna does notice it in-story, but it's not really a tie-in? Is that why it lacks the ribbon? I'm assuming that's the reason.

"The Bleeding Night"
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciler: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: John Workman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Editor: Len Wein
Executive Editor: Dick Giordano

The story begins in Gotham City, on a night of foul weather. While bad weather is not unusual for this place, it's especially bad tonight as the crimson skies of the Crisis on Infinite Earths bathe the metropolis in red. But even though the superheroes of several Earths fight to save the remains of the Multiverse, life still goes on in Gotham. Crime never sleeps, after all. Although it really should, as it's a bear when it doesn't get its eight hours.

A man in a Hopi mask breaks into a jewelry store, hoping to score some free bling, as the kids say. A man clad in black Zip-A-Tone from head-to-toe attacks the Hopi-masked man. However, he's not here to play vigilante, he wants some information. 

"Your ugly mask makes me angry. I hate ugly masks!"

Anton Knight, the Night-Slayer, wants to know where the Hopi-masked man's new boss, Nocturna, is hiding at. Hopi Mask screams he doesn't know, but Zip-A-Tone man doesn't believe him.

He stabs Hopi Mask Man, claiming that she has bewitched him, like she does to every man she meets. So, where is Nocturna herself? Well, she's at an abandoned observatory in Gotham, looking up at the sky with her adopted son Jason Todd, who was active as Robin at the time. 

Natalia Knight laments that her beloved sky has turned red thanks to the Crisis. Jason talks about how Natalia has been like a second mother to him after losing his own parents. Yeah, pre-Crisis, Jason's origin was a carbon copy of Dick Grayson's: orphaned circus kid taken in by Batman. Nocturna wants to know how Jason found her. It wasn't hard, considering she's seen as an urban legend in Gotham. The mysterious pale lady that scared off a street gang from the observatory. 

It's here that Harvey Bullock shows up. He's none too happy with Jason, as it turns out that he had claimed Nocturna wasn't here. Yeah, Jason and Harvey had formed a bit of a bond at this time thanks to a mutual love of old movies. Nocturna is not intimidated by Bullock or his gun. She's leaving to take care of some...business. 

She tells Jason if Bullock wants to shoot her in the back, he's welcome to do so. A shot is fired...

...and it hits its target: a bullseye on paper. Yup, Bullock is now at a shooting range, presumably at a police station. Turns out he let Nocturna go, thinking of himself as Capt. Louis Renault in Casablanca, portrayed by the late British-American actor Claude Rains. He goes to talk about this with Gordon. Gordon's not worried about Nocturna, as Batman claims she's reformed. 

Elsewhere, the former members of the False Face Society have decided to hang up the masks, as it were.

"I think one of the problems we had was these cheap masks."

It's understandable. The Night-Slayer has been stalking their members and killing them as part of his crusade against Nocturna. It's become too risky, not to mention that with Black Mask still rotting in Arkham Asylum, they've becoming nothing more than a bunch of mooks in masks. Nocturna is all like "You're not retiring yet, boys. I'm taking over this gang." 

Over at the police station, Bullock and Gordon continue debating Nocturna and Batman. Gordon points out that Batman is technically breaking the law himself, being a vigilante. However, he has been effective, so Gordon is willing to give him some latitude and trust. Bullock also notices something...Robin isn't Robin.

It's not an impersonation job or anything. It's little things Bullock noticed. His height, and presumably other things like the way he talks. It does make sense. More on that later. He also believes he's Nocturna's son, considering how protective he got over the pale astrophysicist. 

It's revealed that Jason jumped in front of Nocturna, telling him that he's going to have to shoot him to get to her. Bullock has his flaws, but he is still not going to shoot a kid. Nocturna leaves, and Bullock heads to the firing range to take out his tension. 

"I need a beer. A BARREL of beer."

Bullock's theory goes like this: Nocturna's kid joins Batman as the new Robin. This infuriates her, so she returns to crime to get back at the Dark Knight, and kidnapped Jason Todd to replace Robin. If you're laughing at this, don't worry, I am too. Gordon makes a revelation.

"We were hoping to reveal this for your birthday, Bullock!"

Gordon's reasoning as to why there's a new Robin is a bit saner, and less complex. He theorized that the old Robin grew up and moved on. Batman not having a partner in crimefighting worried the commissioner for a while. Seeing a new Robin was very relieving to Gordon, as he felt a partner helped make Batman more human and approachable while still being intimidating to the criminal element. 

Also, even if this new Robin is Nocturna's kid, Gordon sees it as unfair to blame him for Nocturna's supposed sins. And even if it does turn out she's a criminal, Batman can take her in. 

Elsewhere in Gotham, another masked man is stalked by Anton.

"I know you're working with the Shadow Demons to steal my toejam!"

The Night-Slayer demands to know where Nocturna is. Mask Man has no clue. She just appears and tells them who to steal from. The mad killer doesn't believe him, intending to use him as a cushion for his stiletto. But thankfully, the Batman arrives. The Gotham Guardian and the Night-Slayer scuffle.

Night-Slayer is able to get to his knife and make another attempt at Mask Man, but that is foiled by Bats. The Slayer leaps away and vanishes. The Caped Crusader thinks it's time to pay Nocturna a visit. Naturally, she's at her observatory, studying the red skies.

"Uh, Bruce? Shouldn't you be out there taking care of this Crisis?"

She tells Bats that he should be proud of Jason. He's doing well. She's here because this was her birthplace in a way. It was where she became Nocturna. He realizes she has relapsed back into crime, but she's only wanting funds to reopen the observatory. He warns her the Night-Slayer is after her. Natalia is accepting of this, as if this is the time the night dies, then she should as well. And better she die at the hands of Night-Slayer than to the multiverse-wrecking Crisis.

She confesses that she loves Batman as much as the night itself. She's only ever kissed him once, when he was wounded by the Night-Slayer, and he was too delirious to realize it...

Yeah, time and place, Nattie. She approaches him, Batman saying he's fine now. The story ends with the two of them sharing a kiss as the red rains pour down on them. 

I enjoyed this comic. In fact, having read some of Doug Moench's 80s Batman stuff, I have begun to find it criminally underrated. Yeah, the late 1980s was a good time for the Dark Knight, what with Year One, the Dark Knight Returns, and the cap being the juggernaut that was the 1989 Batman film. However, Moench was doing some pretty darn good work on the mainline Batman comics during that time. 

One touch I liked in this issue is that Bullock determining that Jason is not the original Robin. It does make sense. At this point, Dick Grayson had given up the Robin mantle and become Nightwing. Jason isn't Dick, despite his having the same origin at the time. He's younger, presumably slightly different in attitude, and also presumably shorter than Dick. It's a good way of showing that Bullock isn't some stereotypical brainless donut-muncher. He's quite a bit sharper than he looks. 

Gene Colan has been heavily praised for his moody artwork, and I can certainly see why. His style certainly fits the Dark Knight. I do think there's something a bit "uncanny valley" about faces in close up, but it's not overly distracting. 

The original version of Nocturna would disappear with the Crisis, but over the years, the character would be revamped to be more villainous and even made more outright vampiric. Of course, it's likely her connection to Jason Todd is no longer canon, but of course, as with any character's history in the DCU, it's nowadays all up in the air. If you want to read this comic for yourself, I recommend tracking down the 2025 trade paperback DC Finest: Batman - Red Skies. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! See you next time!

Happy Valentine's Day

 Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

That's right, it's Valentine's Day! The holiday originated as a feast day celebrating the martyr-turned saint named Valentine (Valentinus in Latin). Appropriately enough, one of his symbols was a rose, which is a reason why roses are prominent on this holiday.

it would evolve into a holiday celebrating romantic love in the 14th century thanks to Geoffrey Chauser and his circle of friends. 

By the 18th century in England, it would evolve further into essentially the Valentine's Day we know today, with the offering of chocolates, flowers, and cards to loved ones that we know today. You can read here for more info on this day and its history.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy yourselves on this day! Spend some time with someone you love, where it'd be family, a significant other, friends, or even a pet or two! Have a great day!

May this day be a good one for you, full of joy and happiness!

Friday the 13th

 Friday the 13th is a day that is associated with bad luck. The idea of it being bad luck can be traced back to the Middle Ages, tying back to the tale of the Last Supper. There were thirteen people at it (Jesus and his Twelve Apostles) and he was crucified on Good Friday. You can read more about it here.

Generally, Friday the 13ths tend to come once a year, but it is possible for one year to have as many as three of them. For a month to have this day, the first day of the month must land on a Sunday. While Fridays and the number 13 have been considered unlucky separately in the past, it's only been around since the 19th century that this day is considered unlucky. It's not known exactly how this came to be. One possible way this myth got popularized was thanks to the publishing of the 1907 novel Friday, the Thirteenth by Boston novelist/businessman T.W. Lawson. In the book, an unscrupulous broker used the superstition to create a panic on Wall Street.

Other countries have similar superstitions. In Hispanic countries (Countries in which Spanish is the main language), Tuesday 13th is considered unlucky. This is also true in Greece. In fact, in Greece, Tuesday in general is considered an unlucky day due to the Greek word for Tuesday meaning "third day of the week", and Greek superstition states that bad luck comes in threes. In Italy, Friday the 17th is considered an unlucky day. This is believed to be the Roman numeral rendition of 17 (XVII) being able to spell the word "Vixi" (I lived), which is seen as an omen of death. In fact, Italians consider 13 a lucky number, but some have adopted the "13 is unlucky" myth thanks to the influence of American culture.

In more modern popular culture, it's associated with this guy.

Hope you all managed to avoid him, as he tends to...not be a friendly dude. Got some weird thing about machetes and his mother and going all Mortal Kombat on people, yada yada yada. The last one was back in June of last year. There will be three this year, the next two coming in March and November. So, if you're a bit superstitious, I'd not make plans on those days.

Friday the 13th has a fascinating history. I suggest you look more into it. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! See you next time!

National Pizza Day

 Today is National Pizza Day!

Pizza is massively popular here in the United States. Americans consume 23 pounds of pizza a year! 3 billion pizzas are ordered every year (4 if you count frozen pizza sales), and the most popular topping? Pepperoni. 

Pizza is actually quite a lot older than people tend to realize. Back in the ancient Mediterranean, various flatbread dishes were enjoyed that could be seen as spiritual ancestors of modern pizza. The first known usage of the word "pizza" was found in 997 AD, used in a Latin document. In the 1800s in Naples, the working poor enjoyed flatbreads with various toppings. Pizza would be brought to the United States thanks to Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th century. However, like in the old country, pizza was viewed early on in the US as "low-class" food. World War II would help popularize the pizza. Post-war, Italian-Americans would move around the country, bringing the pizza with them. Also, American soldiers returning from Europe would also help turn the pizza into one of America's favorite snacks. 

The very first pizzeria (restaurant that serves pizza) is believed to be the Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba in Naples, Italy. Started in 1738 as a stand for peddlers, it would eventually become a more modern restaurant in 1830. This pizzeria is actually still in business today. Just shows the power of pizza. 

The first American pizzeria was considered to be Lombardi's Pizza in Manhattan, opened in 1905. It was founded by its namesake, an Italian immigrant named Gennaro Lombardi. However, Lombardi's role in the founding of the pizzeria was called into question in recent years as well as its status as the first American pizzeria, as researchers have discovered there were other pizzerias that existed around a decade earlier. And much like its status as the first American pizzeria, Gennaro Lombardi's role in the founding of the pizzeria that bears his name has been called into question thanks to looking into documentation regarding his immigration to America. It had been suggested that a man named Filippo Milone was the actual founder. Also, the original Lombardi's closed in 1984 and was reopened in 1994 in a new location. This version of Lombardi's is still in business today.

So, yeah. The pizza has quite a fascinating history. I hope that next time you enjoy a slice, you think about the journey it has taken to become the beloved part of the American food canon. I love pizza, and I hope you all enjoy a slice today as well. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! See you next time!

Marvel: The Lost Generation #11 (April 2000)

It's that time again! It's time to jump back into the past of the Marvel Universe, and unveil the tale of its Lost Generation of Marvel Super Heroes: The First Line. Last time, we saw the Line's final adventure, as they went out with a bang...quite literally. But the First Line have had many adventures beforehand. What was one of them like? Let's find out in Marvel: The Lost Generation #11!

The cover is a John Byrne and Al Milgrom piece. It gives me the vibe of a Silver Age comic with the word blurbs about how the First Line must fight to save a city while a man will make a discovery that threatens the world. It's fun.

"Fifth Column"
Writers: Roger Stern, John Byrne
Penciler: John Byrne
Inker: Al Milgrom
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Letterer: Jim Novak
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

The story begins in New York City. The robotic Walkabout (well, the power suit known as Walkabout, but a Professor Carmody doesn't want that knowledge public) is falling, his thrusters failing to respond.

Thankfully, the orange power suit does not end up a pile of smashed parts and motor oil. The robot regrets that he fell into public view, which would not please Effigy. But that's not the priority right now. The robot has to return to the other First Line members, as it appears the Borg have come to Earth and started assimilating a building. Walkabout tries to attack the techno-mass, but it regenerates instantly...and it's starting to assimilate another building. 

Meanwhile, several hours earlier, and around 120 miles northwest of NYC, which according to my Google Fu, means somewhere around Hudson, New York... 

...a man named Jay Stevenson finds a crashed spaceship.

"Wait, Starfleet is REAL?!"

He makes his way into the ship, feeling like he's stepped into something straight out of Star Wars. Jay then finds a small PADD-like device that makes a Sony Watchman look primitive by comparison. The Watchman was introduced in Japan in 1982 and started being sold in America and Europe in 1984. So yes, we are in the mid-1980s here. The man figures out how to turn the gizmo on, and it shows a recording made by Imperial Skrull Captain Zankor. He's making this recording to show his loyalty to then-Skrull emperor Dorrek VII...in case his scouting of Earth uncovers any reason to cancel the coming invasion...which was the very invasion we saw in the last issue. 

The man runs for help.

Meanwhile, back to the present. Walkabout manages to rip his way into the Borg-like construct...and found a bunch of tubes.

"This is a very weird museum exhibit."

Walkabout moves to free the people inside, but tendrils then attack the robotic shell. However, he happens to be right near his teammate Firefall. It's here the scene shifts to Chicago, in particular, the campus at Northwestern University. Well, technically, it's actually located in the city of Evanston, which is near Chicago, to the north of the city. Yeah, I was a bit of a geography nerd as a kid. 

A Dr. Robert Paine is working there as a teacher of pre-Law. However, one of his students, a Ruth MacRae, is more interested in watching the First Line fight the techno-menace in New York City. Paine catches her and takes away her Watchman. She notes that outside of a "screw-up in Iran", the Line's hardly been seen since Nixon was in office. She also notes that this sounds like something the Black Fox would be interested in. Paine tells her the Fox hasn't been seen in years. He's either retired or dead. It's clearly the former as he is the Black Fox. MacRae mentally recalls that the Fox has retired before, only to return. Maybe she can find a reason to bring him back...

We then go back to Upstate New York. Jay gets a car to stop. He convinces the driver to take him to the next town over. There's an invasion coming, and he has to warn the authorities. He shows the PADD as proof. It plays footage of the Skrulls discussing Earth. The footage also shows the Emperor giving one Skrull a device to download information into his own mind to help with the infiltration...a device that looks similar to the one Bill has now.

The driver finds it incredible...and then boots Jay out of his car.

Back in NYC, Walkabout is losing power thanks to the techno-tentacles he's fighting, but there is still one chance left. He fires off a Mighty Rocket Punch...

"Go! Fist 'em good!" 

Succeeding in liberating the fiery lady, she then works to free Pixie. The perpetrator of this madness then reveals himself.

"You blasted superheroes never can understand art!"

It's the villainous Nocturne from the last issue. This Borg-like stuff here? It's his Alchem-Tech. He had been working on this stuff for years as his greatest weapon against the First Line. It's designed to constantly mutate, preventing the Line from finding something to counter it. With it, he will make NYC his own and he will have his revenge!

It's here that Mr. Justice arrives from his Caribbean adventure. He loses contact with Walkabout, and it leaves him wondering what "the Clipper" would do.

Over in New York, Jay managed to get to a judge. He shows the footage to him as proof. However, he also gets kicked out of the courthouse. Back to New York City! Yeah, if you feel like a ping-pong ball right now, you're not the only one. The Alchem-Tech captures the three First Liners and squeezes them like an orange. Pixie remarks this stuff acts like it's alive. Walkabout's scans confirm this. It's mutated to mimic biological functions. She then tries to use her petrifying pixie dust on it. The dust works, causing the Alchem-Tech to turn to stone and crumble to dust.

Mr. Justice notices this and heads inside, only to find his three First Line comrades helping evacuate civilians. Meanwhile, Jay has made it to a diner, lamenting his situation. It's here that he meets someone. 

"Hey, you got beer money?"

It's a young Ben Grimm, years before the fateful rocket flight that would make him into the heart of the Fantastic Four, the Idol of Millions, The Man of Stone with the Heart of Gold, the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing. This is a bit of a topical thing. You see, in 2000, with the sliding timescale at that time, it was possible for him to meet a young Ben in the mid-to-late 80s. 

Anyway, Ben gives him directions to State University, to a fellow student, his roommate. He's got a lab there, and the man can help him. An overjoyed Jay heads out, the other students chide him for tricking him, but Ben said he did this to give his roommate some distraction. Jay makes it to State U, and finds the man hard at work.

"Be careful, man! You nearly ruined my gun experiment!"

Yup, it's a pre-Mr. Fantastic Reed Richards. Makes sense, he and Ben were college roomies, after all. Jay shows him the device and footage it played, and Reed believes him, alright. And not only does he believe Jay, he knows exactly where the Skrull spy is...as he points a gun at the man.

Back in NYC, the First Line are continuing the cleanup from the battle with Nocturne and his Alchem-Tech. They've managed to get everyone out of the building. Walkabout's scanners confirm that there are no other living beings in the building. Not even Nocturne. Turns out he got caught by Pixie's petrifying dust, making him into a statue. Mr. Justice isn't particularly bothered by it, as Nocturne has been a thorn in the Line's side since he was a kid. He moves to pull off his mask out of curiosity when the statue shatters.

The Line clean Nocturne up and leave. He's come back from worse than this, according to Pixie. Yeah, the last issue showed that. It's then revealed that the building that was attacked...was the Baxter Building. As in the future headquarters of the Fantastic Four. It's actually kind of appropriate that one of the First Line's last adventures be set in the future home of the first of the Marvel Generation of heroes. I don't know if "poetic" is the right word to use here, but it's one I want to use.

Oh yeah, Reed Richards got Jay Stevenson at gunpoint, remember? We should look in on that. Jay thinks Reed is the alien, but that's far from the truth. He figured it all out from the recording. It's not gibberish, it's an alien language. Stevenson found it in a crashed ship. The pilot of the ship may have gotten a head injury that caused him some amnesia in the classic trope. As such, this infiltrator may have ended up thinking he was his cover story. He was watching his own mission briefing. Jay Stevenson...is a Skrull. 

This jiggles the man's memory, and he realizes that yup, he was an alien spy, and he just accidentally unmasked himself.

But he's not just any Skrull, he's Zankor, the Skrull in the recording. Zankor is then taken to the First Line's headquarters: the Carmody Institute in New England. Effigy (at this point, the Line is unaware he himself is a Skrull) tells the spy that he won't win. Their invasion will be foiled, and they are planning for it. As the last issue showed, they will, but at the cost of most of their lives. Still, there's one loose end. Skrulls don't spend spies without backup. So, where's the backup? We find her in the Himalayas, meeting the Yeti, who wants nothing more to do with the First Line.

Little did the Empire know, Korya had a...thing for monsters.

The lady's name is Korya. You may remember seeing her as a corpse in the last issue. Makes you wonder what she had planned for the Yeti. 

Like the last issue, I enjoyed this one. Jay Stevenson being a Skrull spy was a twist that was worthy of a 1950s sci-fi comic/episode of the Twilight Zone. It's even more fitting as a version of the series was airing in the 1980s. What I also like is that we get to see a little bit of characterization from each of the First Liners. It's very basic stuff, but it's still nice to see, like Rapunzel being a bit cocky. I also liked that we seemingly saw the origin of Gadfly, who cameoed (and died) in the last issue. It really helps give the feel that we're in the middle of a group of ongoing storylines in the soap opera that is the First Line.

I do wish we did get to see more of Ruth MacRae becoming Gadfly and what Korya was planning with the Yeti. They were the center of two scenes in the last issue, and it would have been a good way to help further connect them. It's also the problem with doing the series backwards. It does feel a bit disjointed as a result. 

John Byrne's artwork is, as I said about the last issue, a bit rougher-looking than his work on X-Men twenty years earlier. But again, you could attribute it to age, style evolution, and different inkers. It's still better than the 90s wannabe-Rob Liefeld imitators. 

Sadly, this miniseries has never been collected in a standalone trade. It was collected in the 2018 Omnibus Marvel Universe by John Byrne Vol. 2. If you can't afford and/or lack room for an Omnibus, you'll have to look online and on Marvel Unlimited. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! See you next time!

Western Monarch Day

 Happy Western Monarch Day, everyone!

What is Western Monarch Day, you may be asking? Well, it's a day about the monarch butterfly. It's at this time of year that said butterfly begins its migration back home to California. This day was declared in 2004 by the state of California as the migration is a tourist attraction.

The monarch butterfly is arguably one of the most famous of all the North American butterflies, mainly because of its orange-and-black memorable wing patterns. These patterns are also why the monarch is also known as the "common tiger" butterfly. This particular butterfly is believed to have gotten its moniker of "monarch" as a nod to William III of England, aka the Prince of Orange. As larvae, they only consume milkweed, but as adults, their palate is greatly expanded, feeding on the nectar from a variety of plants, including goldenrods, lilacs, and wild carrots.

The monarch butterfly will travel around 3,000 miles as part of its migration. Some will end up in Mexico, and there are non-migratory populations are found in the Americas, Oceania, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Sadly, the monarch is critically endangered. A number of factors are involved, including climate change, deforestation, and the usage of pesticides. Several conservation groups are working to find ways to save these beautiful insects. This work has led to the species making a bit of a comeback in 2021. Hopefully, this trend will continue. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! See you next time!

Groundhog Day

 Today is Groundhog Day!

This day is observed on February 2 in the United States and Canada. This day celebrates a myth from the Pennsylvania Dutch that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, then winter will continue on for six more weeks. If not, an early spring will come.

In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, a little ceremony is held every year where a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil predicts how the season will go. The tradition is derived from a Pennsylvania Dutch superstition. There are similar traditions of animals predicting weather in German-speaking areas. Other countries have similar superstitions. Hor example, Hungary has one regarding bears. 

In real life, there is no actual link between groundhogs casting shadows and longer winters, but the annual ceremony is still enjoyed every February 2 as a bit of fun. The first recorded observance of a Groundhog Day was in 1886, in the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper. The paper's city editor at the time, Clymer Freas, was credited as the "father" of Groundhog Day. Back then, the ceremonies were carried out by the local Elks Lodge. In 1961, the groundhog used in the ceremony would be named Phil, presumably as a nod to Prince Philip.

The Groundhog Day celebrations were attended by around 2,000 people on average yearly until the release of the 1993 film Groundhog Day. The film being set during the Punxsutawney celebrations helped foster interest, and attendance rose greatly. In recent years, the event has also been live streamed over the Internet. 

In 2026, Phil saw his shadow, so six more weeks of winter this year. Stay warm! Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! See you next time!