The 12 Comic Book Stories of Christmas
Ho Ho Hellooooooooo, and Feliz Navidad to everyone in SciFiFur! In time for a Holiday Comeback is your Comic Book Wuff, Odin Ashcroft! Now that the winter semester is over and my holiday shopping’s been done, I thought it was time to get back into the groove of things and post one MASSIVE Christmas themed topic for this week in my corner of the forum! And what better topic to fit the oncoming holiday then my 12 favorite Christmas Comic Stories! Some are naughty, some are nice. Some are with heroes, some are with villains. But each one presents an aspect of the spirit of Christmas, be it light hearted or deep, these are what I think are the best Christmas stories put to a comic book page…so, let this Yuletide begin!
12.) Army of Darkness: Ash’s Christmas Horror
The only independent printed comic in this dozen, I chose this for not just my admiration for the B-Movie hero (and alter ego to Bruce Campbell, who I’ve gone record to saying, is made of awesome), but for the twisted supernatural horror-humor expected from the franchise as well as the rather intriguing spoofs to many classic holiday specials we’ve all seen in holidays past, from the Grinch, to Charlie Brown, to (of course) A Christmas Carol . It’s a fun romp but outside of the humor, as well as graphic imagery (anyone has seen the Evil Dead movies would be and will be pleased), it doesn’t have too much else going for it, while the other 11 on this list can invoke many feelings within the reader (least it did to me)
However, what it does have is…
Demonic Wrapped Gifts…
Man-Eating Santa-Chairs…
Possessed, Fire-Breathing Reindeer…
And Elvis-Styled, and dual-gun wielding protagonists…
Groovy.
11.) Christmas With The Super-Heroes Issue 2
“Should Auld Acquaintances Be Forgot”
Like most of the entries on this list, most comics mentioned contain many short stories chronicling the yuletide of many heroes and villains. This story in particular follows Deadman. Now, to explain, Deadman is Boston Brand, a former circus trapeze artist who was assassinated during his act, but his spirit lives on through the powers that be, possessing people to see that right triumphs over evil, no matter how big or small the conflict. And as the story opens, he has been at this for sometime, and frankly, has become quite depressed about this deal. Here he is, doing as much good work as he could, but no matter how he rolls it, he is a ghost, between the worlds of the living and dead, restless. So, he abuses his power by possessing the mind and body of a young man, experiencing Christmas through him…only to realize he was stealing another person’s life. Fleeing from the man’s form, full of self-loathing and rage, as he screams to the heavens, questioning his duty…when suddenly, a woman approaches him…
Now, this story stuck with me, as I once had a copy of this particular comic long ago (re-purchased it recently for this particular feature), and most of the stories were quite bleak (with the exception of one other, but we’ll get to that later), but this remained in my mind because of the intervention of someone who, now looking back after all that time since I read this issue, actually has a far worse deal than Deadman has. DC comic book fans will recognize the name Kara, and all I’ll say to help explain what I mean, how this woman could possibly have a fate worse than Brands?
Well, this takes place shortly after Crisis on Infinite Earths…that’s all I have to say, and having her of all people make such a speech is quite deep. However, that speech also what holds it back from being higher in the ranks. The thing is, without prior knowledge of who this woman was, I just never made the connection, so it may leave new readers confused. None the less, it is quite a good story, and that’s why its number 11 on my list…
10.) Marvel Holiday Special 2005
“Yes, Virginia, There is a Santatron”
Now, as you can tell by this story’s title, I’m trying to keep a balance between light hearted and darker stories, and this story is QUITE the opposite to the quiet piece before. Here we focus on a holiday party held between various members of the Avengers (and this takes place before Civil War, so everyone is still close friends, and a number are still alive). Its full of holiday frivolity and foolish pranks between good friends, from Dr.Strange summoning a Christmas tree from another mystical dimension (think pine trees meet Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors) to A Stark Hover-Mistletoe for abusing that particular tradition with all the super ladies in the group. Even the ongoing gag with up and coming super hero Gravity getting left out in the cold because NO one knows who he is and why he’s suppose to be there (Luke Cage invited him), but the main plot point is of a young girl (former Stark Employee) whose created a very interesting robot: THE SANTATRON! Using very “questionable” materials, she creates it in hopes of proving that there is in fact a Santa…by creating him (I think we all know a very fitting quote from Arthur C. Clarke that would fit here). But, the Santatron malfunctions, and after a few small misadventures…finds his way to a certain Christmas Party currently underway…
Hehehehe, I laughed too at the fact not even Santatron is too sure about Gravity…
And beneath the “mask” reveals Santatron to be none other than…
ULTRON! (For those wondering, Ultron is a recurring Avenger’s villain, although this one being an older model of the long since upgraded megalomaniac).
But, like most stories, the heroes win over the malfunctioning robot (with mistletoe, no less!), but when they learn the reasons behind Santatron’s creation, they seek the girl out, not to punish, but to have her part of the celebratory cheer…and, after Spider-Man says one of the most funny but true lines EVER…
A fun and very warm story about Marvel’s greatest heroes, especially as this would be one of the last get together of this quality shared by all of them for sometime (Civil War was around the corner, of course). But, despite all this, it still didn’t deserve to high a position on the list…but you’ll see why as we move onto number nine…
9.) DC Universe Holiday Bash 002 (1998)
“A Christmas Carol”
A short little story involving DC’s legend of WWII, Sgt. Rock. A character with no powers and most of the time no connection to any super powered or costumed beings, his stories were about the gritty real face of war (World War II in particular), while occasionally finding himself part of the extraordinary (Dinosaur Island, War Wheel, etc etc.). But this story finds him playing the role of Scrooge, visited by three very different ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future…there are no words else to describe that follows…enjoy…
The only thing left for me to say is to explain why this is so low on the list: this story did touch me and I certainly felt for the Sgt. , but I’m still perplexed by why he would be cast as Scrooge. Sure, perhaps it was a moment of weakness or questioning his faith in his mission, or in this war he was fighting in, but as most Christmas Carols go, this is quite a different take, but it leaves me still a bit perplexed…Still, its quite a good if short story.
8.) DC Universe Holiday Bash 003 (1999)
“Joker’s Twelve Days of Christmas”
Aaaaaaand now we’re back to the silly. Darker in humor then previous but short and too the point. Its exactly what I think Joker’s Christmas would be, if not everyday for the Clown Prince of Crime. There’s no further explanation as to why this on the list but just to say…Happy Holidays from your Uncle “J”!
7.) DC Universe Holiday Special 2009
“Sgt.Rock Peace on Earth”
I know, another Sgt. Rock story? But this one actually improves on the previous tale because it shows that even on opposite sides, old Soldiers can find new friends in the most surprising of people..
Of course, it should note that this was 1944, so the war is nearly coming to a close, and both sides are running one another to the ground, as you can tell by the looks of both the Sgt. And Fritz. Also, I like the fact that they kept continuity in order, as the following day, Sgt. Rock is to be in Bastogne, and we see that he is on his way today…which also gives more reason to my choice to have the older story further below, but then why is this one? There is one more War based tale on this list, and with even fewer words exchanged there, it outshines this story, in my opinion. But, that is not to say this story doesn’t have credit. It does, and it does inspire hope inside me, as there is good in anyone, no matter the uniform.
6.) DCU Infinite Holiday Special
“Yes, Tyrone, There Is A Santa Claus”
Now, this being a rather lengthier story, I could post the whole thing (like many of the other posts on this list, but this IS to entice you to go out and find these issues yourself ;3) but I took from it the scenes I think best represent my reasons why this is my “checkpoint” on the list. This story is hard to describe but here goes : It is both a nod and a parody to all and everything that was Silver Age Superman and Batman stories, especially the holiday ones, while adding in jabs at other points in the history between the two.
From the blatant sexism between Perry and Lois into Batman breaking the fourth wall. Now, there are a number of characters known for breaking the fourth wall in recent memory, and use it as a gimmick, but this in particular was much more in common usage in the Silver Age, as a LOT of characters acted as if they were letting the reader in on the joke. But I’m getting off topic. In short, this story is both funny in its skewing of how DC used to operate while also bringing its own type of holiday cheer…in an Elseworld-ish way (yes, this is technically an Elseworld story, but a good one at that =3). Also, DEFINITELY pick up this issue to see how this story ends…trust me when I say, it’s a knockout that you won’t see coming…
5.) Christmas with the Super-Heroes 002
“Silent Night”
Another silent story, another war…this time World War I, following DC’s “protagonist” (still debated by many if he is hero or villain) Enemy Ace (Hans von Hammer ), whose title chronicled the war through the German perspective, as well as being based upon the real-life “Enemy Ace” of World War I, the infamous Red Baron (Manfred von Richthofen). But this story isn’t all about him, but it shows how despite war can divide, Christmas can bring together…old grudges are put aside on this of all nights…even if not entirely…
The story is to the point but its silence and use of facial expression as well as physical action speak louder then words…which is funny given its supposed to be Silent but I digress…still, it reminds me of the stories I’d read about during World War I, where a ceasefire was held on Christmas by all sides…(and after watching the movie “Joyeux Noel”, I can admit there is a possibility I was influenced on placing this so high on the list…). Still, I think it deserves the station it now sits, and think its time to move onto number 4!
4.) DC Universe Holiday Bash 002
“Present Tense (Darkseid)”
…Alright do I even NEED to explain why I posted this so high up? Its Darkseid, the New God of EVIL, and the reason behind so many of DC’s big crossovers, from Legends to Final Crisis. Its quite obvious what he would get for Christmas…This is just pure Christmas fun, and I laugh every time I read it. And here it is, for you to laugh too ;3
3.) DC Universe Holiday Bash 003
“Home For the Holidays”
Now, I will begin this entry with this warning : Most if not all of the characters shown in this story are ones you’ve probably ever heard of, though some may recognize a handful from the Teen Titans cartoon from a few years back, or maybe as big a comic book nerd as I am to know them by name/hero they fight/power. But anyway, the point/setting of the story is this: this is Christmas for super villains. Sort of. Our protagonist in this story is C-Lister/D-lister villain Shrapnel, a man whose gone against the likes of Superman but still nothing memorable. He was a human transformed into a sentient being of pure metal, able to explode said pieces into, as his name sake makes clear, shrapnel, and then reform again. And of course, he wants out of the Slab (one of the DCU’s meta human prisons). However, the reasons behind his wish to escape is not like most villains: he doesn’t want to escape to wreak havoc, rob banks or conquer the world. No no, its much more sentimental then that, but before that, he needs to figure a way out. Well, after making plans with Hougan to meet his friend Warp (a teleported), orchestrating a fight between Mammoth and Rainbow Raider (yes, you read that right…Rainbow Raider.), and using an escape route meant for Multi-man, our…protagonist escapes the Slab and meets with his contact…
Before, and sadly, after this, Shrapnel has been used as nothing more as cannon fodder with no development on his character or back-story. But for this one story, I couldn’t help but feel bad for the guy, even if in other appearances, he’s written as a cold blooded killer or an unlikable asshole. But, still…its this kind of story that can make me sympathize with supposed “bad guys”….
2.) Batman 219
“The Silent Night of The Batman”
Now we’re really going back. This is one of the earliest Batman stories drawn by Neal Adams, an artist who would be later be synonymous with Batman’s return to being a Dark Knight instead a Camp Crusader. See, this issue was coming out around the time Batman was quickly “evolving” past the past two decades worth of campy, silly Silver age Batman with all the convenient “Bat-” items in the utility belt, the sci-fi adventures, and all the wacky transformations he went through, bringing him back to his darker, pulp roots. Something Neal Adams would have a hand in, especially with re-introduction of many villains as true menaces, like the Joker becoming a mass murderer again as opposed to a flamboyant bank robber, as well as introducing all new villains, such as Ras Al Ghul. But I’m getting off track here. This story, as I said, marks this slow shift between the two states, which I think brings a harmonious balance between the sweet holiday magic shown here with meshing the darker, more realistic (if dramatic) events occurring within the story…
What its about is the one night where Batman, summoned to the police station by Commissioner Gordon via the Bat-Signal but this time, there is no crime or danger occurring. He is in fact invited in joining in the festivities held by the officers of the precinct. Apprehensive at first, Batman feels compelled to join them, and he is…and time literally flies for Batman and the officers of the GCPD…as out on the streets of Gotham, small but surprising miracles begin to unfold…
And all through the night, Gotham City spends it without a single crime committed, something a bit of an abnormality in a place like Gotham City, but still. Its something that can be read that perhaps Christmas does have a sort of magic over people, good or bad, that makes things like this happen, or perhaps that Batman’s mission on crime and villainy is working…or perhaps both. But either way, this is a story that deserves its place…if only outshone by number one…
1.) Batman Adventures Holiday Special
“White Christmas”
Yes, I know, the top two spots are held by Batman stories, but to be honest, I think he’s had some of the best Christmas stories, and this one certainly stands out. Now, this is from the holiday special based on the cartoon series, which was of course, in turn animated into a special episode…every story EXCEPT this particular gem (For those curious, the episode is called “Holiday Knights”). Now, I’m a bit saddened that they couldn’t fit this in, but I guess I can understand the decision. The three other tales are much lighter in fare, while this one stops the fun dead in its track. Now, another reason I’ve chosen this particular story is because the DCAU has always done a much better job with the villain known as Mister Freeze. But really, they made him such a captivating villain by revealing he really isn’t a villain. He’s a tragic figure, and he only became a monster because he lost everything, all in the quest to save the one he loved most…and because of it, he no longer feels…at least, that’s what he proclaims…but…
The story opens to Mister Freeze escaping from his cell on Christmas Eve, creating a massive snow storm which engulfs the entire city. Batman proceeds to hunt Freeze down, while preventing destruction springing forth from this artificially created blizzard. All things come to a head at Gotham Cemetary where Freeze is creating the whole mess, and Batman attempts to disarm the cold hearted fiend…
But, he picked the wrong night and wrong site to commit this crime when Batman lands at…
And after a rage induced fight that not only disarmed but destroys Mister Freeze’s device, ready to end it all when…
Just inspires Christmas spirit, doesn’t it? I know, making such a downer the number one choice, but its stories like these that make Mister Freeze such a complex character, not the joke he’s become thanks to the mainstream continuity and THAT movie (you know the one. *Cough* Bat Credit Card *Cough*). I always feel my throat clench when I read the final panels, as we can see that Victor Fries doesn’t have a heart of solid ice after all…
So, that’s both my comeback to the forum and my holiday treat to the entire forum! I hope to have interested you in picking up these books, or at least inspired some spirit for the holidays. I’m Odin Ashcroft, and I’m your comic book wuff, and I’ll be seeing you next year, for there is plenty of comics ahead!
Oh, before I go…I have a little extra for you all…I give you Santa Claus’s profile! Finally know all there is to about Santa, from his history to his mysterious powers! Enjoy! ^-^
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…Bat Credit Card.
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Originally Posted by Psion
