Sometimes it’s hard to look at the past. And, I’m not just talking about the issue in question.

Cover dated February 1992 the issue features a backdrop of the era that spawned it. “How the Groonk Stole Christmas” may be confusing for non-Thor fans, but maybe more so for those who missed the early 1990s in general.

By and large, this is a Christmas issue from the shadowy Dr. Seuss knock-off on the cover through holiday drama as bland as the era.

Christmas With the Super-Heroes (C-43)

DC followed its Christmas With the Superheroes 1974 edition with a second stocking stuffer the following season.

Included was maybe DC’s first Christmas special: Superman’s Christmas Adventure cover dated 1940 as well as probably the most cited Batman holiday tale Silent Night of the Batman from Batman 219; a classic Wonder Woman story socking it to the Nazis; a Joe Simon/Jack Kirby collaboration on Sandman and maybe my introduction to the House of Mystery with Night Prowler.

This is another stocking stuffer and the second of my Christmas comic books. Most of what I remember is probably conjecture based on the repetition of my childhood Christmas mornings, but I know I pulled this from my stocking Christmas morning 1975 as America readied itself for the Bicentennial, Watergate began to fade from memory and Saturday Night Live took hold on television and the American landscape.

If I actually took note of any of the above, it was probably the prevalence red, white and blue merchandise that paled beside the four-color holiday treasure I would read over and over.

It would be nice to go back in time and review those moments. Some, maybe most, would be remembered far more fondly than they actually were, but to relive a moment most consider so trivial at the time that proved so profound for the simple fact it has become a cherished memory would be worth almost anything.

Flintstone Christmas Party

Cover dated 1977, this was the hey-day of Saturday morning television. When breakfast cereals still heralded their sugar content. Before Ronald Reagan deregulated laws against advertising to children and animated afternoon commercials became the norm.

This was the pinnacle of programming for children, no parents allowed.

To celebrate, Marvel Comics used the soon-to-be Saturday night staple Love Boat’s credo and featured an all-star cast of Hanna-Barbara’s legendary line up of animated stars anchored by the Flintstones and the Rubbles. Between were Yogi and Boo-Boo, Snooper and Blabber, Quickdraw, Huckleberry Hound, Top Cat, Augie Doggie and son, the Jetsons and pretty much every other character in their bullpen was dusted off for this 48-page holiday hit parade.

Mystery Inc., sans Shaggy, is even featured on the inside back cover with a Christmas tree ball code breaker.

For a character without a huge fan base, Moon Knight gets a lotta love including this 2007 Christmas special.

Long debated as to whether Marc Spectre is Marvel’s answer to Bruce Wayne, Moon Knight finally gets his own holiday treatment with a one-shot dashed off by Peter Milligan. The story is a vague leaving readers to interpret their own ending.

Unless ordering a variant cover, the title is about as titillating as the book gets.

Like most zombie related items it’s the guilty pleasure of sex and carnage that are the hook. In this day and age of free internet porn, this is the equivalent of your standard b-grade zombie flick found on the lower racks of any video store (do they still have those?).

So, other than the name, this comic book doesn’t have to be hidden under the bed. Just some good-girl art, innuendo and irreverence.

Jack Knight, son of original Starman Ted Knight inherited the mantle for the 1990s run of the critically acclaimed James Robinson incarnation.

Stepping away from his normal chores as adventurer and JSA member, Knight lends the holidays a helping hand when he befriends a skid row Santa while attempting to make the annual Christmas dinner with friends and family.

A lotta baggage for non-readers of the title.

Amazing Spider-Man 314

For those of you who don’t remember or weren’t there, this was written just prior to the comic book explosion spurred on by investors and companies only too happy to print more than demanded. This is 1988 and Todd McFarlane was still Marvel’s wunderkind.

Almost forgotten in the craze of hot illustrators is the fact many of the writers are at the top of their games as well. In this case David Michelinie penned “Down and Out in Forest Hill”s, taking the hero and not only running him up a tree, but then throwing rocks at him.

Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson had finally married and the curvaceous missus was one of the top models in the world. Marvel needed to bring the celebrity couple back to Earth. They did so with a story line that ran in Amazing Spider-Man 304-09 in which Mary Jane became the focus of unwanted intentions by a multi-millionaire stalker. Spider-Man thwarted his plans, but the couple are finding out – on Christmas Eve no less – his reach extends beyond prison.

Most of the issue is a self-imposed pity party for Peter Parker (beat that alliteration, Stan). The issue is resolved when he learns there are others in the world who should be thought of before himself.

Superman (1939) 166

Another case of false advertising. No holiday stories here, just a Christmas cover.

Hitting the stands about the time three shots rang out in Dealey Plaza, Superman 166 is an insipid blend of three “imaginary” stories, by products of Superman and Lois Lane’s marriage, that were a staple in the Man of Steel’s books through much of the Eisenhower era midway through the Vietnam War. DC had its hands tied with what was allowed in comic books courtesy of the CCA and a character who was able to spin the Earth backward if he wanted. To keep readers buying the book authors often crafted “what if” stories, many of them alternate timelines with Superman’s supporting cast in outlandish situations.

This Christmas comic comes with some baggage. Not too much, but readers may find themselves scratching their heads as Tony Stark/Iron Man conducts business this issue.

Good news is Taskmaster is the villain of the month, though he keeps a hands off approach to business.

The long and short, Iron Man 254 sports a nice cover, but a mediocre story and hackneyed ending.

Looney Tunes (1994) 97

Not since the Griswalds held their “…hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny (%*#&*) Kaye…” have the holidays seen as much carnage as “Wreck the Halls.”

The furry family of Henry (Pa), Mama and Junior Bear forego hibernation for the holidays. Traditional matters become trivial as Mama acts as the buffer between buffoonery and outright battle.

Tom and Jerry may have perfected animated violence, but the Three Bears provide the perfect protagonist without antagonist for this seasonal slapstick send up putting the fun in dysfunctional