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.

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.

Superman (1987) 165

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.

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.

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.

DC Rebirth Holiday Special

DC overshadowed Marvel for 2016 when it came to Christmas specials.

Again, it’s hard to keep up with so many issues and changes as DC has survived three crises, the New 52 and now a “rebirth.” One was the return of Supeman’s son which I haven’t seen since the days of the 100-page spectaculars of the 1970s.

Damian has been around for several years. I hafta admit I was not a fan when Grant Morrison first introduced him, but have grown fond of the boy since the New 52. So, when DC gave them a touching team up with their super fathers, I didn’t have a problem.

My favorite of the whole book was the Batman-Detective Chimp team up.

Detective Chimp is my DC’s Howard the Duck; I love the character. Other than a brief resurgence of the 2007 crisis, Bobo has been an underused character. So, it was very satisfying to see him return. The rapport between him and Alfred is priceless.
My second favorite story would hafta be the Flash. Not only is there a return of his Rogues Gallery, but it’s a heartfelt bedtime story.

This is the best DC holiday special in years. Even at $10. I’ve read it cover-to-cover twice and have no complaints.

Limited Collector’s Edition C-34

They say you never forget your first. That’s true – at least with Christmas comic books.

If my memory isn’t playing tricks on me, Christmas With the Super Heroes was peeking seductively from behind the white faux fur of my stocking top, dressed in a wanton fushia-pink and sporting a low-cut wreath hinting at what lay within.

These were the days of only the best toy line ever made, Mego’s World’s Greatest Super-Heroes. Eight-inches of plastic driven by pure imagination.

In addition to this over-sized representation of holiday cheer and muscles, 1974 was probably the first Christmas I received a Mego World’s Greatest Super Hero:  Batman.

Christmas 1974 as a two-fer

Two of my all-time favorite holiday stories appear in this issue: Silent Night, Deadly Night, reprinted from Batman 239 in the 52-page giant and The Teen Titan’s Swingin’ Christmas Carol, reprinted from Teen Titans (vol. 1) 13; both of which I would later pick up in their original form.

Also collected are Christmastown U.S.A. from Action Comics 117, Billy Batson’s X-Mas from Captain Marvel Adventures 58 and The $500,000 Doll Caper starring Angel and the Ape.

I would note this was my first exposure to Angel and the Ape. Gotta admit, the idea of a gumshoe gorilla moonlighting as a comic book artist intrigued me. Especially when teamed with a bombshell blond who doubles as detective and model in the O’Day and Simeon Detective Agency.

Anyway, in addition to the reprints the editorial staff tossed in extras like a calendar for 1975, Christmas cards, what super villains have to say about Christmas and other assorted goofiness.