House of Mystery (1951) 191

DC’s “House” series of horror books have become cult classics. They never received the recognition they deserved in their day and only now are given the spotlight when one of the many great artists who cut their teeth on the creepy crawly contents are mentioned.

Issue 191 has a cover by Neal Adams, a short by Sergio Aragones and a Christmas story written by Len Wein and illustrated by Bernie Wrightson. This is just a few months prior to their collaborative creation Swamp Thing saw print in House of Secrets 92.

In only three pages the two are able to encapsulate the fears and paranoia of 1971 America, but still offer hope.

The story proved popular enough to be reprinted in DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest 24, A DC Universe Christmas trade, Limited Collector’s Edition C-43, Roots of the Swamp Thing three and Showcase Presents The House of Mystery trade volume one.

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.

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.

Scooby-Doo Team-Up 21

Okay, I don’t know how this one slipped by me, but it was a wonderful after-Christmas surprise for the end of January.

Scooby-Doo has been a part of my life maybe as long as comic books. So, when you’ve got the patriarchs of the Bat Family fighting Harley Quinn and a guest appearance by the Joker, life is better than good.

Yeah, this one caught me off guard. There’s no mention of Christmas on the cover, but open the book and the festivities hit you over the head like Harley’s mallet.

Mystery Inc.’s search for the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future serve as the backdrop for this story that would be a welcome addition to anyone’s stocking.

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.

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

“Lord of the Dance” is Garth Ennis’ two-fingered salute to the holidays.

It’s also a brief history of Christmas, or the structured celebration that became known as Christmas. The Lord of the Dance harkens to the days when Saturnalia was a ribald revelry replete with song, dance, drink, sex and many other pleasures before the pious made them vices.

Yet Constantine greases the doors to the past with alcohol for one more night of celebration.

Teen Titans Go! 25 (2004)

The Teen Titans have come a long way since their first Christmas tale, the oft reprinted Teen Titans Swinging Christmas Carol in volume one of their self-titled book way back in 1967. Almost as long as the previous sentence was.

Updated, The Secret Santa are the Teen Titans as most know them now, a brightly colored cartoon act, but still enjoyable especially at this time of year.

The junior Justice League first tricks villain of the month Billy Numerous using his own greed before going home to exchange gifts. All in 20-plus pages complete with puzzles and riddles in DC’s own version of Mad marginals.

Tomahawk 138

Bob Kanigher takes a run at Louis L’amour penning the lead story, backed by the capable team of Frank Thorn and Joe Kubert for the simply named “Christmas.”

Not a lot to say here other than Kanigher took the segregation and distrust of the old west to mirror similar emotions during the turbulent part of the early 1970s when bussing was still a topic even after Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society program.

No real tears here, but enough fresh snow to wash away most of the blood of both the innocent and ignorant.