John Byrne brought life to Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk after her original series, 1977 to 1982, was cancelled.

The Hulk’s cousin knocked around in various team books until Byrne wrote and drew Marvel Graphic Novel number 18: The Sensational She-Hulk in 1985. It took a few years, but her second solo-series appeared on newsstands in 1989, again, under the watchful eye of Byrne.

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The talented writer/artist guided her through the first eight issues before being let go by Marvel. He returned and continued to both write and draw the book beginning in issue 31 to 46. Taking a break for issue 47, he returned for issues 48 through 50 before departing the title for good.

In this, the end of Byrne’s first run, Santa Claus makes a guest appearance, though his true identity was not revealed until his profile was released in Marvel Holiday Special 2006.

Titled The World’s Greatest Detective, Jennifer teams with Nick St. Christopher as she attempts to prosecute a serial killer. Realizing the evidence is circumstantial at best, she and Christopher attempt to find proof enough to convict the felon.

Christopher uses several unorthodox methods as they travel half way around the world seeking evidence.

Readers are kept guessing as to who the mysterious Christopher really is during the story. They are given enough circumstantial evidence of their own to make supposition, but his true identity is not revealed in this issue.

Sensational She-Hulk is satirical at life both in and out of the Marvel U. The flavor of the character would be preserved in future representations and series.

Jennifer would have a “special holiday issue in Sensational She-Hulk 36, Plastic Snow and Mistletoe.

This is simply a variant cover for the season.

Inside is The Heart of Darkness, guest-starring the Black Panther, a reimagining of Fantastic Four (1961) 52.

Reed and Sue are the main characters in this issue as they travel to Wakanda to investigate a strange crash site. They learn, too late, it’s a ploy by Dr. Doom who capture the crew and the story is continued next issue.

The second coming of the FF comes on the heels of Heroes Reborn. Franklin Richards has saved his fantastic family, the Avengers and Dr. Doom during their battle with Onslaught. The Richard’s first-born cocoons them in a pocket universe where Franklin everything but those he rescued.

The short-lived escape from the regular Marvel U lasted a total of 13 issues. The mini-series Heroes Return introduced them back courtesy of Franklin’s powers.

Tommy Monaghan, aka Hitman, needs a few dollars for Christmas. Fortunately, a contract comes along and he is able to go after a radioactive super-villain dressed as Santa Claus for Christmas Eve 1998.

Ho, ho, bang.

Hitman owes his existence to Garth Ennis and John McCrea. He was birthed in Demon annual two as part of the Bloodlines company crossover in the summer of 1993.

Following the crossover, Monaghan guested in a couple other DC titles before a Batman appearance launched him in his own book. Hitman lasted 60 issues with one annual.

Following the run, Ennis penned a JLA/Hitman mini-series. Monaghan was entrenched in the DCU having met with most of the powerhouses. This was a continuation of those associations.

Hitman issue 34 won the 1999 Eisner Award for best single issue. Superman co-starred in the one-and-done entitled Of Thee I Sing.

Other than a cameo as a photograph in 2014’s Batman and Robin 27, Monaghan has been silent.

Yes, Jubilee, there is a Santa Claus was a welcome intrusion on over-baked storylines like the Clone Saga and other money-grabbing crossovers of the time.

Joseph Harris and Adam Pollina remember how the secular season can be with long waits on Christmas Eve in the mall and crowds. Toss in Nanny and The Orphan Maker and it’s a mutant Marvel U Christmas.

The obligatory fight scene is a slight of hand allowing young mutant Matthew to kidnap Santa. Tired of being bullied, he attempts to keep the big man from his rounds so his tormentors will wake to a bare tree come Christmas morning.

Generation X was conceived in 1994, a spin-off from the X-Men. The teen muties were designed to speak to a new audience. They stopped talking in issue 75 when the book was cancelled.

The team was rebooted in 2017.

As December descends, we’re going across the pond to merry, ol’ England for issue 310 of Sparky.

The weekly Sparky comic book ran an impressive 652 issues, from Jan. 23, 1965 to July 9, 1977. An annual was published until 1980.

In 1977 the book merged with The Topper. The title ran from Feb. 7, 1953 to Sept. 15, 1990. It then merged with The Beezer re-titled The Beezer and Topper lasting till August 1993.

It was absorbed by The Beano and The Dandy. The Beano ceased publication in 2003.

Returning to the issue at hand, the colorful cover features the interiors residents wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas for 1970.

The Belgian-born franchise offers fans six stories to yule tide them till the big day.

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Little Peter’s Christmas is a cliched tear jerker truism with the usual heroes and villains. Santa is under the weather. Gargamel takes advantage to find the Smurf’s village, but is discouraged when St. Nick bounces back.

Peter and his mother are rewarded for their poverty and observance of hard work by Santa and the Smurfs by story’s end.

The Ogre and the Smurfs has nothing to do with Christmas. For this tale, Gargamel throws the Smurfs under the bus so as not to be eaten by the giant. Fortunately for the blue woodland creatures, Ogres aren’t very bright and the table is turned on their antagonist.

A sacrifice puts Gargamel on ice in Strange Snowmen. It’s a tale of warmth, both from the heart and the sky.

The Smurfs disturb nature in Hibernatus Smurfimus. Snow blankets the woods as those who slumber through the winter sleep in oblivion. That is until a few Smurfs wake the dozing denizens. Their interruption does pay off when they escape the clutches of those who try to capture them.

Monsters and legends are undone in The Little Tree. Gargamel has turned a ferry into a tree. Her sister must procure the golden pinecones that fall in a far-off land. Lumberjack Smurf helps along the way and Gargamel’s villainy is repaid in repossession.

This does have Christmas undertones for those who are counting.

Gargamel finds the satisfaction in giving rather than receiving. The Smurfs still come out on top in The Smurfs Christmas.

The Smurfs began as a comic book before branching to television and merchandising. Their first appearance was in Johan et Pirlouit in 1958. English translations have been published in the America courtesy of Papercutz. Marvel Comics provided a mini-series in the 1980s.

Hark How the Bells–! marks the end of the year and the end of an era as Chris Claremont departs the title.

Again.

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X-23’s transgression in the beginning is forgiven by books end. Between, Claremont ties up a few loose ends and tantalizes what may come. All is witnessed by Xavier and Magneto who see the festivities of promises made and kept.

The X-Men were maybe the least of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s creations at the beginning of the Marvel Universe. By issue 67 the title was limping along with reprints of earlier exploits.

Not until Giant-Size X-Men (1975) one, by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum, did the book publish new material. Claremont took over writing chores with issue 94, picking up where the original series left off.

As the second coming picked up speed, Claremont would expand the mutant universe with titles like The New Mutants and Excalibur. In 1991 he and Jim Lee teamed for the adjective less X-Men which remains the best-selling comic book of all time.

Claremont would leave shortly after.

He later returned to helm the Fantastic Four. The X-Men beckoned as well and he would return in 2004.

The X-books continue to be mega sellers. With or without Claremont, but it is he who pioneered the popularity.

Here’s a tradition often overlooked, the Archie Christmas Spectacular.

Wreath Wrath is a vehicle for Mr. Weatherbee who has an attack of conscience as a colossal Santa haunts his decision to ban Christmas from school. Of course, it’s Archie who sends up the warning to the aging administrator.

Holi-Dazed has Archie remembering – too late – a promise made a year earlier. The pubescent Romeo finds himself with two dates for the holiday dance. His first is sweet on him, but sours when the spirit of Christmas comes between them.

Betty and Veronica team for the Best Holiday Cookie contest in Kookie Contest. As guessed, the team-up fails and Jughead steals the show with his simple recipe.

Santa Sleighed has the big guy stranded at the Lodge’s. Veronica’s social media faux paus leads to a Christmas Eve of karaoke.

This continues the updated spectaculars restarted in 2016.

Neal Adams penciled the sixth and final issue of Hot Wheels as the short-lived, licensed-title celebrated the holidays with an assassination plot against the prince of Kalvania.

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Prince Timothy, first heir to the throne of the postage-stamp country, was on a good-will tour of the United States. The conniving Duke of Ebenezar took the opportunity to rid himself of competition while the king lay on his death bed.

Fortunately, for the prince, he stumbles in the path of the Hot Wheels gang. A life-and-death slalom saves Timothy and the villains are deposed.

All’s well that ends well in the Humbug Run as the king recovers and the prince is sent on his way. The Hot Wheels gang celebrate Christmas and readers are reminded the reason for the season is Peace on Earth.

Adams does not handle penciling chores on the second story, Super Chick.

Also, included is a one-page bio on the Mighty Midget: K3 Magnette.

The book closes with an in-house advertisement previewing the coming changes to the Superman titles.

Mattel began manufacturing the modified hot rods – aka Hot Wheels – in 1968. The brand proved to be a huge success. The initial line up has become known as the Sweet 16.

Gifts is just that, a gift from Louise and Walter Simonson.

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X-Factor – and the mutant population of the Marvel U – are at a crossroads. The X-books are poised to dominate the comic book market. Already they are more popular than flagship titles like the Fantastic Four or Spider-Man.

X-Factor 27 is a lull before the deluge of mutant kind on evereything Marvel. Apocalypse and his four horsemen have been beaten. The X-Men are dead – supposedly. It’s Christmas Eve.

The aftermath of the previous battle is assessed. Many homes have been destroyed and people hospitalized. X-Factor and their mutant charges are no strangers to the bigotry shown them, but neither are they heartless enough to ignore the plight of others.

A majority of New Yorkers are grateful enough to show their appreciation for X-Factor’s sacrifices. A tree and presents flood their new home. But the children understand it is the season of giving and wish to return the bounty to others more needful than themselves.

The story not only offers a transition from one story arc to another, but allows readers a chance to focus on Christmas with the characters. Some of the background stories bleed through, but can be ignored to enjoy a holiday tale.

X-Factor itself began in 1986 with the reunited original X-Men: Angel, Beast, Cyclops, Jean Grey and Ice Man.

Angel, Beast and Ice Men were members of the Defenders when X-Factor launched. The other title was due to be canceled allowing them to return to their original fold.

Their beard against mutant bigotry is to become mutant hunters. The plan is “capture” mutants and teach them how to use their powers. Much like Professor Charles Xavier when he first formed the X-Men.

The title is currently in its fourth incarnation, having launched this year as part of Dawn of X.