The Joker takes Robin for a ride during the 2006 Christmas season in Slayride.

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Paul Dini pens a dark comedy with the madman behind the wheel while Don Kramer fleshes out the visuals.

It’s a long night when Robin ducks drug dealers only to find himself captive of the Joker. The clown bids the Boy Wonder welcome as he banters away the evening.

The dialog is a one-sided give-and-take of hate. All the while, the Joker is careening through the streets of Gotham randomly littering acts of lunacy.

By story’s end, the Joker’s fate is undetermined when he pulls a Michael Myers and leaves no body at his death scene.

If you haven’t read this and have some extra Christmas money, find it, buy it and read it. This is an unrealized classic. Dini’s characterization and dialog are seamless.

Dini is best known for his work in the DC Animated Universe and creation of Harley Quinn. His resume includes work on Batman: the Animated Series, Superman: the Animated Series, The New Batman/Superman Adventures, Batman Beyond and Krypto the Superdog.

He would later work for Marvel on Ultimate Spider-Man and Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.

Dini began his career penning episodes of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe then moved on to work on the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon. He also wrote for the Transformers and G.I. Joe. Later he would author Ewoks episodes. In 2007, Dini worked on Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Sugar and Spike split their annual Christmas issue with holiday and seasonal stories.

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First up is The Out-Cast. Sugar hides at Spike’s house to escape her mother’s wrath.

Attic Excursion is a one-page tale with the two celebrating the New Year a little early.

Paper dolls were offered as added value. Two pages of Sugar and Spike with a holiday flavor.

The holiday finally arrives when Sugar and Spike are confused by the different Santa’s they see while shopping with her mothers. Their theory is there’s only one who runs from spot to spot.

When they ditch their mothers, the two try to discover The Mystery of the Man inna Funny Red Suit.

The holidays continue in The Big Gift Mystery. Sugar and Spike’s parents try to make the two comprehend the custom of gift exchanging. After much misunderstanding, the two groups find the joy in giving.

Not so much a New Year’s resolution, Sugar turns over a new leaf in The New Sugar.

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.

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The JSA hosts the JLA in the Jan. 2004-cover dated issue.

Geoff Johns joins the two teams for their annual dinner in 20 pages that don’t seem rushed or over crowded. While drawing on some history between characters, the story doesn’t require any real background knowledge to enjoy. Johns focuses on characterization rather than action, though two minor-league villains pop in for a cameo. Their intrusion harkens back to DeMatties and Giffen’s tenure on the Justice League books from a decade earlier.

Johns’ encyclopedic knowledge of the DC Universe is evident as he has fun with the iconic heroes. Batman’s paranoia is rampant as he looks in every dark corner for trouble. Green Arrow and Hawkman spar with words and threats. Impulse and Jay Garrack stare across the great divide of the generational gap.

All-in-all, JSA 54 is a fun read. Johns proves equal to the task of combining the Golden and Modern Age families for a sit-down meal.

Only one day before turkey day.

Today we – and Curt Swan – have Superboy serving up a full issue of entertainment and treats. Other than the cover, this issue has nothing to do with Thanksgiving, but let’s pretend. It is cover dated October 1954.

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First up is The Superboy Souvenirs! The boy of steel approves the sale of keepsakes from his exploits. Later he learns the trophies are forgeries and shuts the business down.

Lana Lang moves in with Ma and Pa Kent when it is believed her parents have died on a trip to Africa. Her nosey nature throws a monkey wrench in Superboy’s exploits. Superboy’s Sister! was later reprinted in Superman (1939) 222.

A mystery man threatens to expose Clark Kent to be Superboy in The Man Who Knew Superboy’s Identity! The blackmail is finally foiled. A reprint of the story can be found in Adventure Comics (1938) 328.

Also included in the issue are Bebe and Varsity Vic gag strips, school public service announcement, a text story entitled S.O.S. – Crew Ditching and a one-page Superboy’s Workshop for the Tricky Returning Can/Piggy Bank.

With this one under your belt, loosen it back up and get ready for the big day tomorrow. We’re serving up JSA (1999) 54.

Pilgrims of Peril! is the story’s name, but the Pilgrims of title are not the ones associated with Thanksgiving.

These pilgrims ran from their homeland seeking religious freedom. That’s where the similarities end. Their deity of worship was from the dark depths. A being the native Americans chose to stop lest the newcomers release him.

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The demonologists were forced to wait until 1968 before they could return to attempt Nawor’s resurrection. Both Jim Corrigan and the Spectre must battle the beast to save mankind.

Yeah, 1960’s DC cheese and misleading to anyone just looking at the cover. DC’s policy was to create an interesting cover, then craft the story. Hopefully the tale would be as tantalizing as the cover.

This usually wasn’t the case.

Spectre 6 is a prime example.

Anyone expecting a Thanksgiving story would be disappointed. Anyone spending $.12 would be disappointed.

The Spectre was first introduced in More Fun Comics (1935) 52. Creators included Jerry Siegel and Bernard Billy. Originally, he was embodied by the spirit of dead police officer Jim Corrigan. He would remain as such until Hal Jordan assumed the mantel to atone for his actions as Parallax.

Eventually Jordan is brought back to the DC fold and Crispus Allen became the host. He becomes a pivotal character in the Blackest Night company crossover.

By the New 52, Corrigan is returned as the Spectre, going full circle.

Scooby and the gang must solve a mystery before they can enjoy Thanksgiving dinner in Turkey Terror at 2000 Ft.

It’s another land-grab scheme as Mystery Inc. try to save Uncle Arthur’s farm. Spoiler alert: they do and its neighbor Henry who is wearing the fake feathers – this time.

He isn’t the only one as Shaggy must wear one of his own before the holiday meal is served.

Greed is the motive for a disgruntled technician in Shoot the Moon.

The gang head to the moon for a little relaxation only to stumble across another bad guy in a rubber mask. The faux werewolf is revealed to be Mr. McCroskey who has been pilfering items to sell as collectibles.

Sushi Me? Sushi You! is a precursor to Scooby-Doo! And the Samurai Sword, the 13^th installment in the direct-to-video animated features. It was released in 2009.

Scooby-Doo 114 was cover dated January 2007, though released in November 2006, beating the direct-to-video movie to the public.

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.

Pismo Beach remains as elusive as ever in Hare-A 51.

Bugs and Daffy go astray as they attempt another vacation. Elmer is the foil as the pair spoof the X-Files, cross dress and, finally, enlist the aid of an alien to get them to their destination.

The Shiny is, as you may have guessed, a send up of Stephen King’s The Shining.

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Porky Pig and Sylvester the Cat rehash their roles from the 1948 Merrie Melodies Scaredy Cat animated short; right down to the mouse who incited incidents.

Scribe Craig Boldman even shows the short-lived, self-described “New Magazine of Weird Humor!” Plop! – 1973 to 1976 – some love.

Tazzy-Doo, Where Are You? is a straight up, send up of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?

Conundrum Co., made up of Fredhorn, Daphnie-Bunny, Veltunia, Daffy and Tazzy-Doo, are monster hunting in a mask factory Halloween night. Jesse Leon McCann leaves no Hanna-Barbera trope untouched as the writer weaves an abstract adventure.

Who’s the villain? Who is unmasked? Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam, Gossamer, something unexplainable and, finally, the real culprit. I won’t spoil the fun so go find this issue yourself.

Happy Halloween.

Happy Halloween.

Or, it should be. Frank Strom offers a candid view of Christmas commercialism and how the holiday is affecting other red-numbered calendar days.

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Only two days to Halloween and Witch Hazel doesn’t have any candy. Simple enough solution. Hop on her broom and head to the local mega-mart.

But, it’s not that easy.

On Oct. 29, instead of Jack o’ Lanterns she finds Christmas trees, tinsel and other Tanenbaum trimmings. Halloween has been usurped.

After a warehouse interval, Hazel heads north – far north – to speak to the man in red himself. When she finally is granted an audience, Hazel has words with Santa. Those words lead to a truth the big man never considered.

Host Felix Faust follows with a one-page Super Friends Super Stumper.

Hazel returns for a romp through the fairy tales in Spell It Out and Bugs helps Porky Pig find a loophole to save his soul from Daffy “Devil” Duck.

Not a bad cover-to-cover read near the spookiest night of the year.