Archive for November, 2017
Action Comics 762
To round out what became Superman week Etrigan substitutes yule logs with brimstone as the new millennium nears.
Superman finds pre-Christmas shopping is nothing compared to a rhyming roughhouse with the Demon who is trying to slay his mortal coil. The Man of Tomorrow wins the day with a little help from Enchandora. His reward are the warm arms of Lois Lane while celebrating the final days of the previous century.
Christmas With the Super Heroes (1989)
The previous year Mark Waid brought us a collection of his favorite holiday stories. In 1989 he returned with a gift wrapped bundle of original tales featuring some of DC’s best known characters as depicted by some of comic book’s best known talent.
It’s hard to pick the best of the bunch, but for me it would probably be the Batman story, “And in the Depths,” written by Dave Gibbons and illustrated by Gray Morrow. For 10 pages readers traverse the life of Batman to the death of Robin.
Christmas With the Super Heroes (1989)
When I was growing up the old Batman stories were reprinted in various forms from the Batman Signet paperbacks to Limited Collector Editions and backup stories in the 100 pagers of the early to mid-1970s. I read ‘em all. Or, as many as I could get my hands on.
I get very nostalgic this time of year for those old tales before Frank Miller Dark Knighted Batman, back when the colors popped and the villains were as goofy as their criminal hijinks.
The second strongest of the lot is a team up with the Barry Allen and Hal Jordan Flash and Green Lantern, respectively, when the JLA’s first satellite headquarters orbited an exact 22,300 miles above Earth.
Flash and Green Lantern, who was a back up in Flash’s comic book for a while, prove Santa Claus does exist – in all of us.
Superman, Wonder Woman, Dead Man and Enemy Ace flesh out the Christmas issue with stories reminding readers the holidays are about giving.
Superman Man of Steel 109
Great cover. Superman’s possible future reflected in Christmas tree balls.
Inside is different story – no pun intended.
The holiday is discarded like torn wrapping paper as Clark absorbs news vignettes while channel surfing. His semi-comatose state is disturbed with a journey to a future – and Earth – without a Superman.
Adventures of Superman 462
No one is Homeless for the Holidays as the cover proclaims. A bland cover hiding the holiday cheer as Christmas drips off every page.
Transformers Holiday Special (2015)
I know nothing about Transformers. Yet they did a holiday special. A fairly large one.
Granted this more up Jeff’s alley, but he’s already doing all the heavy lifting taking care of the nuts and bolts of this site and cleaning up my mistakes so I’ll tackle it.
There are three stories: Choose Me, Silent Light and The Thirteenth Day.
Beyond that I have no idea what’s going on.
Finally, they tackle the Night Before Christmas or The Twelve Days of Christmas or something.
By the time the Transformers hit store shelves I had bid goodbye to toys. Or, thought I had. My last hurrah were Kenner’s Star Wars figures, vehicles and playsets. Those ended by the Christmas of 1980 and the first wave from The Empire Strikes Back.
My all-time favorite line of figures are still the eight-inch Mego World’s Greatest Super Heroes. I had most of ‘em with the exception of the Green Goblin, Thor, Teen Titans and Conan. My lone vehicle was the Mobile Bat Lab. I had so much fun with those. I still miss ‘em.
I dabbled with the second Power of the Force line when Kenner started the Star Wars toy line again. But it wasn’t until my son was born and grew into the Marvel Legends I was able to be a kid again. If asked I don’t know if he’d say those were his favorite toys or not, but I’d like to think so. They rank high on my list.
Okay, this had very little to do with the Transformers Holiday Special, but I’d only read it if you’re a fan. Sorry, Jeff.
Adventures of Superman 487
Holiday cheer begins in a bottle for the gang at Bibbo’s, but rolls into the streets to attract the attention of Superman who believes larceny is ruining Christmas day.
England’s super team Excalibur wishes a Merry X-Mas
Excalibur started as a promising book under the guidance of mutant wrangler Chris Claremont with pencils by hot artist Alan Davis. The series quickly became mired in a multi-issue story arc, but it’s still nice to see Dave Cockrum remembering the team’s heyday with a holiday rendering.
Spider-Man/Deadpool 12
Cronus, or Saturn, decks the concrete canyons of New York with bodies to show his displeasure at having his holiday usurped by a fat man catering to the kiddies.
Title characters Spidey and Deadpool are tapped to stop the Christmas carnage by showing him the true meaning of the holiday with an evening of debauchery to turn back the time and tide of destruction.
The issue is gift wrapped with laughter and an exchange of pleasantries and presents.
Power Man and Iron Fist Sweet Christmas (2016) Annual 1
Sweet Christmas is the story’s title and rallying cry for Luke Cage, Danny Rand, Jessica Drew and Daimon Helstrom while putting the kibosh on Krampus’ bid for world domination.
DC Special Series 21
DC Special Series 21
A shining star leads Jonah Hex, Batman, the crew from the House of Mystery, Sgt. Rock and Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes through five holiday-themed stories.
This issue is probably most notable for showcasing Frank Miller’s first Batman work: Santa Claus: Wanted Dead or Alive! The story is penned by Denny O’Neil.
House of Mystery features three, two-page stories told by Cain, the three Witches from The Witching Hour and Destiny from Secrets of Haunted House.
Jonah Hex shows a softer side to his crusty bounty hunter persona in The Fawn and the Star.
Sgt. Rock and Easy Co. fight their way through Italy with the Top Kick even offering an anti-smoking PSA.
Finally Superboy visits with his friends in Star Light, Star Bright…Farthest Star I See Tonight. The Boy of Steel and select Legionaries embark on a journey to find the legendary star of Bethlehem.