Batman (1940) 309

As I’ve stated before, Batman and Christmas a fairly synonymous to me. Years of Batman comic books in my stockings, eight-inch likenesses courtesy of Mego wrapped and under the tree. It didn’t get any better back then.

Batman 309 never made it into my stocking. Cover dated March, 1979, this book was released for the 1978 holiday season. By then I was consumed by Star Wars. Action figures, comic books and anything else that sported the name or image.

Batman (1940) 309

When I finally did get around to the issue, it was a nice surprise. Len Wein and John Calnan had crafted a tidy tale told in 36 pages entitled “Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas!”

Wein makes no stabs at It’s a Wonderful Life, but drives the point home with a story of sacrifice and near suicide. Blockbuster plays the misunderstood angel. Readers are kept flipping the pages during a slugfest between the Caped Crusader and goliath.

Batman 309 hints at the Denny O’Neil/Neal Adams’ Christmas stories of earlier years. It’s close, but not quite there yet. Still, “Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas!” is a welcome addition to Batman’s trove of holiday stories.

The late Mr. Wein, who passed Sept. 10, 2017, stated in an interview on the Dark Justice BluRay that he was very sickly as a child. So much so at one point doctors had told his parents he would not last the night. Wein said he knew he had to stay alive long enough to see the premiere of the 1966 Batman television show.

He did.

Wein survived and became one of the comic book giants voted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2008. Wein was part of the team who created Swamp Thing and Wolverine. He further helped create the new X-Men team of the 1970s and edited Alan Moore’s quintessential Watchman miniseries.

Thank you Mr. Wein. Batman 309 is another testament to your talent and part of a debt we comic book fans can never repay.