Spider-Man’s Christmas (1984)

Spider-Man’s Christmas, a Super-Size Coloring Book, was released in 1984 presumably as companion book to the Marvel Super-Heroes’ Christmas. Aspiring artists were invited to color a story featuring Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Aunt May and the Green Goblin.

An oddity with the book is the fact there are two editions. One is 32-pages in length and another 24 pages.

Hanging 10 on the ‘Net it looks as if the 32-page book has a gold binding and the abbreviated 24-page version has a red binding. Don’t hold me to this, but the descriptions on eBay seem to prove that theory out.

Note the shameless Secret Wars plug

Marvel was on the marketing move in 1984. In addition to its Secret Wars line the company licensed the rights to color its creations with a couple activity books including this one. The only thing rarer than seeing the Rhino peeking through the holly is finding an edition untouched.

Marie Severin didn’t date this pin-up, but I’d put it somewhere between 1970 and 1972 based on the characters in evidence. This may be the only time Conan experienced Christmas.

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.

Marvel Holiday Special 2011 TPB

The early days of the Christmas Treasury Editions and their skimpy Santa’s bag of holiday stories were long past when Marvel published this volume.

Each of the offerings is a reprint beginning with “Have Yourself a Sandman Little Christmas” from Marvel Team-Up 1 followed by “Demon” from Uncanny X-Men 143. The remainder of the book pulls from either the 2004 and 2005 Marvel Holiday Specials.

Of course the first two stories are a glimpse of Merry Marvel of old, but the newer offerings provide a look at how far the House of Ideas has come.

Amazing Spider-Man 314

For those of you who don’t remember or weren’t there, this was written just prior to the comic book explosion spurred on by investors and companies only too happy to print more than demanded. This is 1988 and Todd McFarlane was still Marvel’s wunderkind.

Almost forgotten in the craze of hot illustrators is the fact many of the writers are at the top of their games as well. In this case David Michelinie penned “Down and Out in Forest Hill”s, taking the hero and not only running him up a tree, but then throwing rocks at him.

Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson had finally married and the curvaceous missus was one of the top models in the world. Marvel needed to bring the celebrity couple back to Earth. They did so with a story line that ran in Amazing Spider-Man 304-09 in which Mary Jane became the focus of unwanted intentions by a multi-millionaire stalker. Spider-Man thwarted his plans, but the couple are finding out – on Christmas Eve no less – his reach extends beyond prison.

Most of the issue is a self-imposed pity party for Peter Parker (beat that alliteration, Stan). The issue is resolved when he learns there are others in the world who should be thought of before himself.

Spectacular Spider-Man 173

“Creatures Stirring,” the title of this tale, showcases Gerry Conway and David Michelinie’s writing talents in celebration of the Christmas season.

Longtime nemesis Doctor Octopus returns seeking human kindness from – in his own words – the only woman who has ever shown him kindness: May Parker.

Also en route to join festivities already in progress at the family homestead is Peter Parker, laden with gifts. Along the way, the weary Web-Head detours long enough to stop a street Santa mugging and the Daily Bugle for the annual Christmas party.

An impromptu altercation at the latter puts Peter in a bad mood, meaning his eventual meeting with Doc Ock proves a misunderstanding resulting in the obligatory punch up.

That is interrupted by the appearance of Aunt May and Mary Jane. The kindly doctor makes his apologies and departs leaving Spider-Man to ponder, aloud, if there are any heroes of villains on Christmas Eve.

Amazing Spider-Man 166

When the blurb on the cover reads, “It’s a Holiday Holocaust,” ya just know it’s gonna be good…and 1970’s Marvel.

Spider-Man takes on Stegron and the Lizard in this Christmas classic of Jurassic Park proportions.

Okay, that’s the plot, and without any spoilers we know Spidey succeeds ‘cuz he went on to break box office records with multiple movies.

Still, it’s a good tale with just the right amount of Merry Marvel spirit sprinkled throughout. Spider-Man rights the Conner’s Christmas tree after its been overturned, the cover sports some wreaths that frame the action and the supporting cast hold a Christmas Eve party.

The seasonal tone is driven home on the last page as Spidey webs a present for the Conners outside the window not wishing to disturb the revelry inside.

Amazing Spider-Man 166 is a textbook Christmas issue that advances the title without taking time out for a more traditional holiday one-and-done story. One to pick up.

Marvel Holiday Special (1992)

As I said, the 1990s were bleak for comic books in general. One shining beacon were the early Marvel Holiday Specials.

Stan “the Man” Lee himself returned to pen the Spider-Man story, the first time since issue 200 outside of the newspaper strip. Barring Lee’s story, the star is Doc Samson’s revisionist origin of Chanukah. Even his ridiculous pony tail and post-Village People jump suit couldn’t spoil the fun.

Thanos’ touching tale of parenthood comes off as anything but contrived as do all the stories, featuring Wolverine, Punisher, New Mutants, Ironman and Daredevil.