Whiz Bang Days Pays Tribute to Robbinsdale History
Volunteers want to emphasize the story of the Whiz Bang publication in this year’s festival. Fawcett Publications, which published the popular Capt. Billy’s Whiz Bang in the 1920s, also dabbled in comics and has a role in the Captain Marvel story too. You can learn more at the Halfway to Whiz Bang Days Celebration on Feb. 9.
History on Main Street
You might not have noticed, but there’s a small plaque on the corner of Nonna Rosa’s in downtown Robbinsdale. The plaque pays tribute to Fawcett Publications, which was once a major publisher. They published “Capt. Billy’s Whiz Bang” magazine, which was popular in the 1920s.
“It’s more fun if you know the story and it’s a great story,” explains historian Pete Richie. “Magazines like “Capt. Billy’s Whiz Bang” and “True Confessions” really changed the culture of the U.S. We’re a more fun place because of it.”
Whiz Bang was out of print and the main publisher of the magazine had passed away by the year 1940. A few years later, Robbinsdale changed the name of its festival to Whiz Bang Days as a tribute to the publication. It’s been continuously held for more than 70 years.
“Robbinsdale has maintained one thing for all generations and that’s a strong sense of community,” says Tina Suglia, who owns Nonna Rosa’s and is also a Whiz Bang Days volunteer. “In order to feel that for yourself, Whiz Bang Days is where you should be.”
Comic Book Fans make a Connection
One of the workers at Nonna Rosa’s is proud to work at a place that’s important to comic book fans.
“I’m the comic book guy,” says Tony Perrozzi. “I was reading one of those history comic books and I did a double take. I didn’t know Capt. Marvel’s origins lie in the city I live in.”
Connecting Fawcett Comics to DC Comics to Marvel Comics requires a trip down lawsuit lane that took decades.
“It’s fun to think that all of this originates where we live and work,” says Suglia. “I wouldn’t say we get a lot of overzealous comic book enthusiasts rushing to my door. It’s just the one employee.”
You can expect to see more history incorporated at this year’s Whiz Bang Days.
“We’re working on some fun updates to be reminiscent of the history of Whiz Bang Days,” says Suglia. “This year we decided we wanted to deep dive as to why Whiz Bang is exciting and why the heck do we call it Whiz Bang Days.”
