Marvel Holiday Special 2011

Marvel dusted off previously released material offered through Comixology in digital format for the 2011 Christmas Special offering a mixed bag of holiday cheer.

Spider-Man stars in “Cold Hearted Christmas.” Family is missed the most when gone from the holidays. Justice and compassion do work in unison, though.

“Logan’s Lost Lesson” is pretty much what the title suggests. Wolverine doffs his work clothes to teach hockey and a lesson to the naughty at Xavier’s School for Gifted Students.

“Ol’ Saint Nick” is Nick Fury handing out a Christmas pummeling to the agents of Hydra while on an important mission to show a man his future.

“Chinese Food for Christmas” has a meeting of the non-Gentiles of the Marvel Universe. Together they prove there’s more than one way to celebrate Christmas.

Indicia dated 1963, this 80-page tome was available for the 1962 holiday season back in a time when Christmas was still identified as such.

Gold Key published Walt Disney’s Christmas Parade from 1963 to 1972. For a quarter readers were immersed in 80-pages, including front and back inside covers, of seasonal stories – for the most part. Factoring inflation, that quarter translates to $2.05 in today’s funds. Whether these are reprints or not is unclear, but they appear to be.

Carl Bark’s Duck family is heavily featured in the book. Of the 11 shorts, six are Donald or Uncle Scrooge-centric. This includes the untitled opening tale. Donald and nephews attempt to provide there miserly uncle with a Christmas gift he’s never had:  the spirit of the season.

Mickey and Goofy pair to stop ne’er do wells as they fleece motorists on their way for vacation.

Walt Disney’s Christmas Parade (1963) 1

Not a Disney mainstay, but part of the stable, Li’l Bad Wolf and dad are the stars of the next story. The wee wolf helps his father and saves Christmas for one of the three little pigs.

Brer Rabbit is a “Hoodwinked Helper” as the wicked witch attempts to steal the joy of a white Christmas from the woodland folk. Next up, Ludwig Von Drake foils a diamond heist in the “Cuckoo Clock-Caper.”

Donald and Daisy are up next with another adventure. Duckburg Square is in need of the annual Christmas Tree. Scrooge has “untold acres” of firs, but is reluctant to part with any for fear of income lost in donated timber.

Chip and Dale “Share and Share Alike” when Donald chops down there new home.

Not a Christmas story, but tossed in for good measure, “Adventure in Gluey Woods” showcases Donald and the nephews.

Not to be short changed, Mickey and his nephews are up next with “The Early Christmas.”

Gyro Gearloose unleashes a sequel to Them when Huey, Duey and Luey try to get out of chores.

Finally, the Duck nephews and nieces combine forces to help Scrooge stop the Beagle Boys from stealing all the Christmas trees in the “Flying Firs.”

Oh, and Ludwig Van Duck makes an appearance in another Uncle Scrooge short.

To say the 1950s were a simpler time would be to do so through the rose colored glasses of ignorance. While North and South Korea waged war, the Red Scare enveloped America, and those of a different color still drank from separate water fountains, Dennis the Menace was born.

His inspiration was birthed a few years earlier.

Dennis is the namesake of creator Hank Ketcham’s son. By age four Ketcham decided to draw from the adventures of his rambunctious son and start a cartoon strip. Dennis the Menace originally appeared in a meager 16 papers, but his popularity grew.

Dennis the Menace Bonus Magazine Series 182

By 1959 the strip had become popular enough a television sitcom was based on the character.

Cut to 1978 and Dennis the Menace is still appearing in newspapers across the nation and in comic books. For Christmas of ’78 Dennis and gang have convinced themselves their foil, Mr. Wilson, is really Santa Claus. Hence the title:  “Secret Santa.”

Their belief is strong enough to cause Wilson to sleep walk his way through Christmas Eve dressed as the man of the hour himself delivering gifts to the neighborhood children.

The quick telling is supplemented by re-runs of the newspaper strip. Readers are encouraged to cut the stories out and make their own book of holiday fun.

In addition to the 1959-1962 black and white televised adventures, Dennis was animated in 1986 for a syndicated run. The feature was dusted off again in 1993 for re-runs and advertising for a live-action movie that same year.

Okay, Marvel phoned this one in.  But, it’s still worth the original $3.99 price tag if for no other reason than “Fin Fang Foom saves Christmas.”  It’s even the title of his tale so no spoilers there.

Marvel Holiday Special 2007

“A.I.M. Lang Syne” is told in stages.  Readers meet Joel and Peggy as New Year’s Eve unfolds during the annual A.I.M. end of year party.  Peggy is employed by the evil agency and an unsuspecting Joel is her plus one.  To say he’s a bit overwhelmed by the festivities would be an understatement.

Following their one-page introduction, “How Fin Fang Foom Saved Christmas” unfolds.  This imaginative romp features Dr. Strange’s faithful servant Wong as he meets the legendary lizard of old.  Wong learns wisdom does come with age and contemplates the loneliness of the last of a species.

“A.I.M. Lang Syne” picks up a few hours after our initial meeting with Peggy and Joel and is interrupted by the Thing and Annihilus sharing a knock down over the ABC’s of battle – literally.

Another brief interlude with Peggy and Joel before the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe entry for Santa Claus. Then, back to the young couple as they share a kiss amid a Hulk rampage.

The final panel promises the romance will be continued the following year. Marvel lied.

Ralph Macchio adds a final note thanking all who bought the book which closes with reprints of covers from previous holiday specials.

Three stories and a two-page Fred Hembeck spread pulled from Marvel Age 25 make up the 2006 holiday special.

Marvel Holiday Special 2006

“A Piece of Cake” opens the Christmas book in strong fashion.  Spider-Man and Wolverine combine forces for a memorable team-up.  Peter Parker attempts to keep his appointment at Aunt May’s annual Christmas party and provide dessert.

While everyone else is reveling in the seasonal spirit Wolverine is bah-humbugging his way through the sewers of New York in search of a rogue sentinel.  Finding the man-made colossus is easy; stopping the stripped down, ramped up Santa-nel is harder.

Donning his union suit, Spidey aids his north-of-the-border born neighbor in shutting down a discount store Santa’s evil machinations to exact revenge on a perceived slight.

Hembeck dresses up some Marvel mainstays for the season followed by a confusing tale entitled “Secret Santa.”  It appears the Runaways are gathered for the holidays making amends with each other.  Unless a reader of the title and time, there’s no context for what happens.

“The Meaning of Christmas” is tossed in foreshadowing major Marvel events to occur.

Not a bad offering, but the momentum promised in “A Piece of Cake” dies with the headlining story.

Riding high on the speculator market soon to go bust – the company would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy a year later – Marvel released its 1995 Holiday Special trade paperback.

Flagship character Spider-Man carried the book with three stories beginning with A Spider-Man Christmas Carol. The Web Head saves a hospital ward full of sick children with a little help from Daily Bugle Publisher J. Jonah Jameson.

A Miracle a Few Blocks down from 34th Street showcases the X-Men in the oft reprinted Christmas tale outing Santa as the world’s most powerful mutant.

Spider-Man returns in another seasonal fan favorite, Down and Out in Forest Hills. The story is miss-billed as Star Of the Show that appears later in the book.

Marvel Holiday Special 1995 TPB

Down and Out features Peter and Mary Jane as they are ousted from their condominium on Christmas Eve. Uncle Ben is the Ghost of Christmas Past who provides wisdom in Peter’s decision to return to his roots. The story originally appeared in Amazing Spider-Man 314.

Zounds of Silence is a textless tale featuring Wolverine – of sorts – in an imaginative dream of consumerism during the holidays.

Hopes and Fears sees the return of Spider-Man in a test of faith against Mephisto.

Free Will is lifted from Peter David’s run on The Incredible Hulk. Banner Hulk questions the holidays and choices.

Star of the Show finally appears as a one-page, textless story with the jolly, fat one making a guest appearance.

The Punisher is shoehorned into the book with customary bullets flying and body count in The Spirit of the Season.

Finally, The Big X-Mas Black Out brings Spidey back for an encore appearance as he dukes it out with Electro using Rockefeller Square as a backdrop.

Slap an $8.95 price tag on the title and Marvel made itself and readers a little merrier in ’95.

The title may be Batman and the Outsiders, but, as the cover depicts, it’s Superman who does the heavy lifting this issue.

Batman and the Outsiders (1983) 19

Batman and the Outsiders premiered in the 200th – and final – issue of Brave and the Bold before receiving its own imprint in August 1983. Batman was mentor to team members Geo-Force, Katana, Halo and Looker with Black Lightning and Metamorpho appearing as non-cast members throughout the book’s run. Batman eventually left the title, by issue 32, which limped along until cancellation with issue 46.

At least the book was festive for the 1984 Christmas season with “Who’s Afraid of the Big Red S?”

The casual reader may find the book confusing as regulars make guest appearances to discuss current events in the title. Still, the snow and tinsel brings the Christmas season to the forefront. And, what says Christmas more than an attempted suicide plot device? Maybe Superman and Geo-Force slugging it out?

Well, maybe not. Let’s just go with the holiday cover.

At least the fight scene is good. Writer Mike W. Barr rigs the slugfest so Geo-Force appears to have a chance against the Big Blue Boy Scout.

Thanks to Batman’s detective skills the villain is brought to justice and all is well within the DC Universe for another Christmas season.

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.

Marvel Holiday Special 1996

Not since Amazing Spider-Man 192 has there been as entertaining a face-off between J. Jonah Jameson and Spidey. Not a Creature Was Stirring is refreshing, fun and Mark Waid at his story-telling best, teasing the title characters and readers.

Jonah’s greed backfires while attempting to publicize his philanthropy. The end result has JJJ and Spidey pinned beneath warehouse roof rubble as snow mounds about their fast freezing bodies. Nothing ever ends well for the Bugle publisher and this story is no exception. Jonah’s pride falls victim after deciding to do what’s right.

Unto Others focuses on Kitty Pryde, her Jewish heritage and mutant birth rite. Hatred and ignorance form a common bond between Kitty and a young girl who only wishes to see her father’s face again. The history of Hanukah is tossed in for good measure.

Silver Surfer stars in Hark! The Herald! Galactus’ former minion faces a paradox only faith can solve.

Ambush at Angle Rock shakes the trail dust off the Rawhide Kid character for a western holiday and the only weak spot in the special.

Wolverine rounds out the book with Humbug. A walk around town and head full of thoughts brings little comfort to Logan at this time of year – though he wishes the spirit could touch him.

Walt Kelly’s Christmas Classics

Recommended by former Comics Buyer Guide Editor Maggie Thompson, “Christmas Comes to the Wood Land” and “The Adventures of Peter Wheat” were reprinted in this 1987 edition published by Eclipse Comics.

“Christmas Comes to the Wood Land” was originally printed in Santa Claus Funnies Four Color 91 in 1945. Peter Wheat’s adventure appeared as part of an ad campaign in the late 1940s. The 16-page give-away was free with the purchase of loaves of bread from various companies with names listed on the front page.

“Christmas Comes to the Wood Land” featured believers who had never heard of Santa Claus until they stumbled across a book of his exploits. This inspired young Bunson Bunny to invite Kris Kringle to a Christmas party. Fearful the young rabbit will be disappointed when Santa failed to show, friends and family cosplay only to be outdone by the man himself.

“The Adventures of Peter Wheat” is a more fanciful yarn complete with little folk and insects bent on ruining Christmas.

Kelly is best known for his southern spun Pogo comic strip.