Context

During the 1970s, confectioner and cakes maker Hostess advertised in major comic books. The advertisements were full-page comics starring Marvel and DC Comics characters (and Hostess products).

These comics were nonsensical and a parody of the most absurd aspects of Silver Age  comics. They’re still fondly remembered for their goofiness.

Powers and Abilities

All the members of the Ding-a-Ling Family appear to be able to survive unprotected in space.

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History

They appeared in “The Ding-a-Ling Family”, which was in Avengers #167 among other places.

By some mysterious quirk of space and time warp, the Ding-a-Ling Family is thrust into Thor’s Asgardian orbit. The family leaves behind a trail of evil-doing on Earth.” Grandma leads the charge, “Let’s git’em all, kin.”.

The Ding-a-Lings jump from their floating trailer to a spacefaring ark whose occupants include Thor, Sif and Volstagg. Grandma spots the Thunder God, and says to her family, “By cracky, that purty, yella-haired fella’s the leader… let’s hornswoggle him and the rest’ll be a piece of cake…”

All the family members pile on, and Grandpa shouts, “Hold him still, so ah ken git a bead on ’im with my atomic shotgun.”. Thor lashes out with Mjolnir, knocking all the Ding-a-Lings aside except for two – Cousin Bee and Cousin Bye, who resist the hammer blows due to their “cousin power”.

But the pair lets it slip that their power fades when they lose their concentration. So Sif brings out a tray of Hostess™ Fruit Pies.

Immediately, Bee and Bye lose interest in the Thunder God, focusing instead on the fruit-filled goodness. “You fools! We almost had the yella-haired one in our power! Dumb cousins!”, yells Granny.

Thor replies, “Forsooth, m’lady… not so dumb… they knoweth of yon delicious snack…”. As a final word, Sif and Volstagg say, “Now home to Odin. Be sure to save some Hostess Fruit pies for that great one to enjoy too!”. Good idea. The All-Father can get pretty cranky when he doesn’t get any Hostess Fruit Pies.

Description

Grandpa has a long gray beard and mustache. He wears a blue cowboy hat, blue patched-up overalls and a green flannel shirt. None of the Ding-a-Lings wear shoes.

Personality

The Ding-a-Lings attack by swarming opponents with their massive number. Grandma is the leader, and barks out orders to the rest of her kin. Of course, they all talk with a hillbilly accent, saying words like “hornswoggle” and “reckon”, etc.

By Daryl Kuxhouse.

Source of Character: Hostess ads that appeared in Marvel comic books, verily.