To say the 1950s were a simpler time would be to do so through the rose colored glasses of ignorance. While North and South Korea waged war, the Red Scare enveloped America, and those of a different color still drank from separate water fountains, Dennis the Menace was born.

His inspiration was birthed a few years earlier.

Dennis is the namesake of creator Hank Ketcham’s son. By age four Ketcham decided to draw from the adventures of his rambunctious son and start a cartoon strip. Dennis the Menace originally appeared in a meager 16 papers, but his popularity grew.

Dennis the Menace Bonus Magazine Series 182

By 1959 the strip had become popular enough a television sitcom was based on the character.

Cut to 1978 and Dennis the Menace is still appearing in newspapers across the nation and in comic books. For Christmas of ’78 Dennis and gang have convinced themselves their foil, Mr. Wilson, is really Santa Claus. Hence the title:  “Secret Santa.”

Their belief is strong enough to cause Wilson to sleep walk his way through Christmas Eve dressed as the man of the hour himself delivering gifts to the neighborhood children.

The quick telling is supplemented by re-runs of the newspaper strip. Readers are encouraged to cut the stories out and make their own book of holiday fun.

In addition to the 1959-1962 black and white televised adventures, Dennis was animated in 1986 for a syndicated run. The feature was dusted off again in 1993 for re-runs and advertising for a live-action movie that same year.

Spider-Man espouses some New York Christmas Spirit in this festively trimmed Amazing Spider-Man #166 panel.  Pencils by Ross Andru with inks by Mike Esposito.

Okay, Marvel phoned this one in.  But, it’s still worth the original $3.99 price tag if for no other reason than “Fin Fang Foom saves Christmas.”  It’s even the title of his tale so no spoilers there.

Marvel Holiday Special 2007

“A.I.M. Lang Syne” is told in stages.  Readers meet Joel and Peggy as New Year’s Eve unfolds during the annual A.I.M. end of year party.  Peggy is employed by the evil agency and an unsuspecting Joel is her plus one.  To say he’s a bit overwhelmed by the festivities would be an understatement.

Following their one-page introduction, “How Fin Fang Foom Saved Christmas” unfolds.  This imaginative romp features Dr. Strange’s faithful servant Wong as he meets the legendary lizard of old.  Wong learns wisdom does come with age and contemplates the loneliness of the last of a species.

“A.I.M. Lang Syne” picks up a few hours after our initial meeting with Peggy and Joel and is interrupted by the Thing and Annihilus sharing a knock down over the ABC’s of battle – literally.

Another brief interlude with Peggy and Joel before the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe entry for Santa Claus. Then, back to the young couple as they share a kiss amid a Hulk rampage.

The final panel promises the romance will be continued the following year. Marvel lied.

Ralph Macchio adds a final note thanking all who bought the book which closes with reprints of covers from previous holiday specials.

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.

Adam Hughes composed this moody Hellboy piece, eventually gracing the cover of 2017’s Hellboy: Krampusnacht one-shot.

Detective Comics 741

The end of 1999. The end of a century and millennium. The end of “No Man’s Land.” So many endings. Not at all what Prince prophesized in 1982.

“End Game” was the end of the beginning as Gotham would rebuild from the ashes of a year-long crossover in the Bat titles. From “Cataclysm” to “Aftershock” to “Road to No Man’s Land” to “End Game.” By the time 1999 finished “No Mans’ Land,” alone, encompassed 80-regular monthly titles and several specials including Batman: Harley Quinn, the book that brought Harley into the regular DC Universe.

To celebrate Christmas, the Joker makes an end run on a rival. The Harlequin of Hate continues to wreak havoc by nearly killing the Huntress and kidnapping the babies of Gotham. Commissioner James Gordon’s wife, Sarah, stumbles across the plot and sacrifices herself to save the children.

Another ending amid all the others.

Last year, She-Hulk delivered the Christmas tree. This year, Red She-Hulk carries on the tradition. Artwork by GenzoMan.

Riding high on the speculator market soon to go bust – the company would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy a year later – Marvel released its 1995 Holiday Special trade paperback.

Flagship character Spider-Man carried the book with three stories beginning with A Spider-Man Christmas Carol. The Web Head saves a hospital ward full of sick children with a little help from Daily Bugle Publisher J. Jonah Jameson.

A Miracle a Few Blocks down from 34th Street showcases the X-Men in the oft reprinted Christmas tale outing Santa as the world’s most powerful mutant.

Spider-Man returns in another seasonal fan favorite, Down and Out in Forest Hills. The story is miss-billed as Star Of the Show that appears later in the book.

Marvel Holiday Special 1995 TPB

Down and Out features Peter and Mary Jane as they are ousted from their condominium on Christmas Eve. Uncle Ben is the Ghost of Christmas Past who provides wisdom in Peter’s decision to return to his roots. The story originally appeared in Amazing Spider-Man 314.

Zounds of Silence is a textless tale featuring Wolverine – of sorts – in an imaginative dream of consumerism during the holidays.

Hopes and Fears sees the return of Spider-Man in a test of faith against Mephisto.

Free Will is lifted from Peter David’s run on The Incredible Hulk. Banner Hulk questions the holidays and choices.

Star of the Show finally appears as a one-page, textless story with the jolly, fat one making a guest appearance.

The Punisher is shoehorned into the book with customary bullets flying and body count in The Spirit of the Season.

Finally, The Big X-Mas Black Out brings Spidey back for an encore appearance as he dukes it out with Electro using Rockefeller Square as a backdrop.

Slap an $8.95 price tag on the title and Marvel made itself and readers a little merrier in ’95.

If you love classic Walt Disney comics of yesteryear, the Snow White Archive provides a fascinating look at Dell’s Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories subscription offers and bonuses, including several Christmas-centric advertisements, premiums, and – an example below – gift subscription notices.  Recommended reading!