Marvel Holiday Special 2006

Three stories and a two-page Fred Hembeck spread pulled from Marvel Age 25 make up the 2006 holiday special.

Marvel Holiday Special 2006

“A Piece of Cake” opens the Christmas book in strong fashion.  Spider-Man and Wolverine combine forces for a memorable team-up.  Peter Parker attempts to keep his appointment at Aunt May’s annual Christmas party and provide dessert.

While everyone else is reveling in the seasonal spirit Wolverine is bah-humbugging his way through the sewers of New York in search of a rogue sentinel.  Finding the man-made colossus is easy; stopping the stripped down, ramped up Santa-nel is harder.

Donning his union suit, Spidey aids his north-of-the-border born neighbor in shutting down a discount store Santa’s evil machinations to exact revenge on a perceived slight.

Hembeck dresses up some Marvel mainstays for the season followed by a confusing tale entitled “Secret Santa.”  It appears the Runaways are gathered for the holidays making amends with each other.  Unless a reader of the title and time, there’s no context for what happens.

“The Meaning of Christmas” is tossed in foreshadowing major Marvel events to occur.

Not a bad offering, but the momentum promised in “A Piece of Cake” dies with the headlining story.