Great cover. Superman’s possible future reflected in Christmas tree balls.

Inside is different story – no pun intended.

The holiday is discarded like torn wrapping paper as Clark absorbs news vignettes while channel surfing. His semi-comatose state is disturbed with a journey to a future – and Earth – without a Superman.

No one is Homeless for the Holidays as the cover proclaims. A bland cover hiding the holiday cheer as Christmas drips off every page.

I know nothing about Transformers. Yet they did a holiday special. A fairly large one.

Granted this more up Jeff’s alley, but he’s already doing all the heavy lifting taking care of the nuts and bolts of this site and cleaning up my mistakes so I’ll tackle it.

There are three stories: Choose Me, Silent Light and The Thirteenth Day.

Beyond that I have no idea what’s going on.

Transformers Holiday Special (2015)

Transformers Holiday Special (2015) (Subscription variant)

I mean in the first one Starscream or one of the jets tries to force everyone to worship him on one day out of the year. His plan backfires and they all do things to satisfy each other. In the second story the Transformers are heading to hibernation when they find a “baby” and must decide what to do with it.

Finally, they tackle the Night Before Christmas or The Twelve Days of Christmas or something.

By the time the Transformers hit store shelves I had bid goodbye to toys. Or, thought I had. My last hurrah were Kenner’s Star Wars figures, vehicles and playsets. Those ended by the Christmas of 1980 and the first wave from The Empire Strikes Back.

My all-time favorite line of figures are still the eight-inch Mego World’s Greatest Super Heroes. I had most of ‘em with the exception of the Green Goblin, Thor, Teen Titans and Conan. My lone vehicle was the Mobile Bat Lab. I had so much fun with those. I still miss ‘em.

I dabbled with the second Power of the Force line when Kenner started the Star Wars toy line again. But it wasn’t until my son was born and grew into the Marvel Legends I was able to be a kid again. If asked I don’t know if he’d say those were his favorite toys or not, but I’d like to think so. They rank high on my list.

Okay, this had very little to do with the Transformers Holiday Special, but I’d only read it if you’re a fan. Sorry, Jeff.

Holiday cheer begins in a bottle for the gang at Bibbo’s, but rolls into the streets to attract the attention of Superman who believes larceny is ruining Christmas day.

Excalibur started as a promising book under the guidance of mutant wrangler Chris Claremont with pencils by hot artist Alan Davis. The series quickly became mired in a multi-issue story arc, but it’s still nice to see Dave Cockrum remembering the team’s heyday with a holiday rendering.

Cronus, or Saturn, decks the concrete canyons of New York with bodies to show his displeasure at having his holiday usurped by a fat man catering to the kiddies.

Title characters Spidey and Deadpool are tapped to stop the Christmas carnage by showing him the true meaning of the holiday with an evening of debauchery to turn back the time and tide of destruction.

The issue is gift wrapped with laughter and an exchange of pleasantries and presents.

Sweet Christmas is the story’s title and rallying cry for Luke Cage, Danny Rand, Jessica Drew and Daimon Helstrom while putting the kibosh on Krampus’ bid for world domination.

Power Man and Iron Fist Sweet Christmas (2016) Annual 1

Power Man and Iron Fist Sweet Christmas (2016) Annual 1 (Von Eeden Variant)

Power Man and Iron Fist Sweet Christmas (2016) Annual 1 (Hepburn Variant)

Power Man and Iron Fist Sweet Christmas (2016) Annual 1 (Anka Variant)

Riverdale is as timeless as Christmas as Betty and Veronica prove with the help of the supporting cast.

“It’s in the Cards” uses the commercialism of Christmas to bring new spirit to the holiday and sets the stage for the stories to come. Included are a mix up on Santa’s naughty and nice list, Jughead’s wishful gifts and Veronica teaches her father the value of a dollar.

Archie Comics provided a gift to fans with this digital offering in 2014. A quick, but appreciated, read.

Jack “King” Kirby does the art chores for an early Marvel Christmas card.

Ripped from today’s headlines Superman 165 is a prophetic tale questioning leadership at the highest levels.

Dramatic? Maybe. Festive? Yes.

Comic book giants Ed McGuinness, Humberto Ramos, Rob Liefeld, Mike Wieringo, Art Adams, Ian Churchill and Joe Madureire tag team as Jeph Loeb III follows Superman while he consults fellow Justice Leaguers about the election of Lex Luther to the Oval Office.
Almost 20 years later the American public is asking many of the same questions Superman puts to his colleagues regarding an unpopular head of state.

Lest we lose track of what this site is about, Superman 165 also gives you an opportunity to see what the Man of Steel believes his friends want/need for Christmas saving the best for last as he and Lois take time for themselves.