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.

Wonder Woman holds her own with DC’s 2006 holiday card.  Artist unknown (let us know).

Wally West assumed the mantle of Flash following DC’s condensing of multiple universes with Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1985. Prior, Wally was a back-up feature in the Barry Allen Flash comic book first appearing in issue 110 (Flash 1959). Later he would become a founding member of the junior Justice

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League called the Teen Titans as Kid Flash.

Barry Allen “died” in issue eight of the original Crisis imprints sacrificing himself to save the multiverse. A sad event for us Silver-Age fans of the Scarlet Speedster.

Yet the rebooted Flash (1987) with Wally in the red togs was an excellent series. Enough so Mark Waid’s “Christmas Rush” is a little disappointing. Not that it’s a bad story, but you feel it’s a bit rushed. Pun intended.

Wally and Golden-Age Flash, Jay Garrack, spend Christmas Eve as Santa’s helpers averting disaster where they find it. Their night ends with a Christmas Miracle, helped along by Wally, as a young family finds redemption in remorse and new beginnings.

As eve turns to Christmas day, Wally is reminded simpler presents are the most meaningful.

Wal-Mart and DC have coupled again to produce the super-store exclusive World’s Greatest Super-Heroes Holiday Special 100-page Comic Giant.

World’s Greatest Super-Heroes Holiday Special

As with its October counterpart, this volume kicks off the holiday season with an original story, this time featuring The Flash. Scott Lobdell and Brett Booth provide a 12-page tale told in fast fashion featuring a multitude of the Sultan of Speed’s rogue’s gallery. “Twas the Riot Before Christmas” allows the reader to ease into the book and mood.

“Metropolis Mailbag” is a re-telling from Superman (1987) issue 64. The story has all the trappings of a hackneyed holiday story, but Dan Jurgens gives readers some Christmas magic by making it work – on all levels.

“All I Want for Christmas” is pulled from the DCU Infinite Holiday special (2007). Supergirl learns Christmas spirit sometimes just means forgiveness.

“Good Boy” is the second of the real gems in this volume. Originally written and published in Batman (2016) annual one, Alfred proves even the world’s greatest detective can sometimes be blind.

Hanukah is represented in “Light in the Dark.” Batwoman finds traditions are what we make them. With a little help with from friends. This was first published in the DC Rebirth Holiday Special.

Still a marquee name, Harley Quinn’s 2015 Christmas special was ransacked for “Killin’ Time,” a New Year’s Eve nod.

Finally, “The Epiphany” showcases the Green Lantern Corps.

For all Wal-Mart’s faults, at least the company knows how to usher in a Merry Christmas. Even if they aren’t allowed to say it.

Various birds (and a particular bat) grace the cover of digital-only Batman Li’l Gotham (2012) #2, later available in print as part of Batman Li’l Gotham (2013) #1.

The Justice League breaks Thanksgiving bread with the Justice Society in JSA (1999) #54.

Even Batman has his Rosebud.

If that reference is too obscure, Google it or watch Citizen Kane.

Batman and Christmas are synonymous for me. Stockings trimmed in faux fur stuffed with Lifesavers, Crayola crayons and rolled up 100 pagers. Batman was featured in all. From his self-titled book to Detective Comics, World’s Finest and Brave and the Bold.

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And, those wonderful Limited Collector’s Editions.

With the success of Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) movie lightning struck twice. After lying as dormant as Adam West and Burt Ward’s careers following the 1966 Batman television series, the term Batmania was dusted off.

Trading cards, breakfast cereal, apparel, anything and everything that could sport a Bat emblem did.

DC Comics chose that time to release the first new Batman title since 1940 with Legends of the Dark Knight. The title followed the soon-to-be standard five-issue story arc with one-and-dones dribbled between. It was hit or miss. When it did hit, the stories were good.

“Favorite Things” was a one shot dated January 1996.

In it Bruce Wayne finds his house burglarized. The deeper violation is with what the robbers stole. Over the course of the next couple days Batman terrorizes the underworld in an attempt to retrieve his lost treasure.

Not the best Batman holiday issue, but not the worst. Usually these books can be found in dollar bins making it worth the price of admission.

Cheer up, Batman.

Artwork by The-Blackcat.

DC Comic’s latest tome of terror compliments the undressing trees, bite in the air and darkness that descends earlier.

The Swamp Thing Halloween Horror features 100 pages of retold Halloween stories culled from previous specials and stand-alone ongoing series. Mostly. The first story is an original from scribe Brian Azzarello and penciler Greg Capullo entitled “Hollow.” This Halloween there are more to fear than just snakes and alligators.

Dan Didio’s “The Pumpkin Sinister” is the first of three stories lifted from The DC Infinite Halloween Special (2007).  Blue Devil and Enchantress become honorary members of the Peanut’s gang in the homage to Linus’ obsession with the Great Pumpkin.

Swamp Thing Halloween Horror

The second of the lifts from the 2007 special is “Taert Ro Kcirt.” Paul Dini turns more than the letters around with Zatana. A happy Halloween is spoiled for trick or treaters causing the mistress of magic to reverse roles.

“Strange Cargo” is the final retread from 2007. Poison Ivy spins a yarn of Superman v. Zombies.

“The Ballad of Jonathan Crane” is a reboot of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow with the Scarecrow playing himself – or, his alter ego. This one was pulled from the DC Halloween Special (2008).

Aquaman and Etrigan the Demon form an unlikely alliance in “Night Gods.” Together they tackle a Cthulhu clone and his army of darkness called forth from those claimed by the sea throughout the millennia. The story originally appeared in The Brave and the Bold (2007).

Batman (1940) 237 is an October favorite appearing in other specials. In the late 1960s and early 1970s Rutherford, VT, was a destination for comic book creators and fans during Halloween. Eventually the annual parade became peppered with floats and costumes representing both Marvel and DC’s stable of colorful heroes and villains. “Night of the Reaper” immortalizes some of the magic as a backdrop for murder and the Holocaust remembered.

Finally, Swamp Thing returns in this reprint from House of Secrets 92 featuring his muck-covered origin.

The special is an exclusive offered through Wal-Mart as part of the department store’s team up with DC.