Does anyone know how many shopping days are left?
BATMAN: "Wanted Santa Claus: Dead or Alive"
OK, we're starting out with a pretty lame ten page story here, as a missing
star from a nativity set shows up in time to shed some light on the case for
Bats. It was a good try, but it just wasn't inspirational. This was
reprinted from DC Special Series #21, which will be reviewied latter in this
column.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: "The Man Who Murdered Santa Clause"
Does anyone see a theme building here, that's two in a row so far where the
writer wants Santa Clause dead. The story stars Batman, Superman, Green
Arrow, Green Lantern (John Stewart), Black Canary, and Red Tornado with
cameo appearances by Barry Allen, the Atom, Elongated Man, Aquaman & Mera,
and Hal Jorden who slips on a bar of soap and knocks himself out
(Bwa-ha-ha!). In this twenty page story the Justice League takes on The Key.
Although it's not very Christmasy, it's a decent read. The end has the
introduction of Red Tornado's red and yellow costume, which sewn by Black
Canary and given to him as a Christmas gift. The is a reprint from Justice
League #110 and dated March-April 1974, which can probablly still be found
for just a couple of bucks.
TEEN TITANS: "The Teen Titan's Swinging Christmas Carol"
This is a full (of should I say "fool") 23 pages that should never of been
put in this issue. This is a poor revision of Charles Dicken's Christmas
Carol (which may of been "hip" at one time) that would leave Mr. Dicken's
spinning in his grave if he read it. The members of the Titans said so may
things that I was embarrassed to be reading like Robin's battle cry "Come on
Titans, bug out!" and Aqualad saying, "Groovy, twinkle toes." to Kid Flash.
As if it wasn't bad enough that the title contained the word "swinging",
Tiny Tom (yes Tom) says, "Groovy". And at the end, once again, Aqualad (I
guess trying to fit in with the lingo; being from Atlantis) says, "Hey
Robin-O, how could anyone have as marv a Christmas as we are?" I know what
you thinking, and no, there are no typo's in that sentence. After reading
this mockery of classic literature I decided to view this piece as a modern
day comedy. Heck, now that I think about it, you shoud read it just for a
good laugh. This was reprinted from Teen Titans #13 dated January-February
1968 (and it shows it's age), It's also a pretty pricy issue at about
twenty-four bucks.
LEGION OF SUPERHEROES: "Star light, Star Bright...Farthest Star I See Tonight"
In the twelve pager that I can go only so far and dubb okay, Superboy brings
the rest of the gang on a hunt for the Christmas Star. What they find after
poorly navigating through space, is a world on the brink of an ice-age. The
Legion gets the planet's inhabitants to work together, showing them that
only by working together they will survive. This is another reprint from DC
Special Series #21 which will be reviewed later in this column.
SUPERMAN: "Twas The Fright Before Christmas"
This was another full twenty-three page story which was a re-print from DC
Presents #67 which has a cover price of seventy-five cents, but don't look
futher than a fifty-cent pile for it. In this story Superman teams up
with...ah...Santa Claus to take on the Toyman. This story tries to capture
emotion but, (yawn) it didn't work for me.
BATMAN: "The Silent Night of The Bat"
Yet another Batman Christmas story fails to make the grade as the powers
that be in the eight pager gives Batman, Jim Gordon, and the entire on duty
Gothem police squad the night off to sing Christmas carols. Yes, Batman does
sing!? This is a reprint from a back-up in Batman #219 dated February 1970
with a cover price of fifteen cents, but today's approximate value is
twenty-two bucks. So, unless this is on your Christmas list, I'd stick with
the fifty-cent reprint, it's just as cheesy.
SUPERMAN: "Ex-machina"
I don't know, IS that title a foreign language? A man's car breaks down in
the middle of nowhere during a blizzard. After a few hours, he decides
that suicide is a better alternative than freezing to death. But, faster
than a speeding DC bullet, Superman saves the day. This is kind of touching
in a Christmas spirited way, making it worthy of a Christmas read.
BATMAN: "Land in The Depths"
Ten pages of another Batman Christmas snoozer. ZZZZZZZZ!
WONDER WOMAN: "Gifts"
This is a nine page story of a woman pastor down on her luck and is about
to give up. She confronts Wonder Woman who is questioning her beliefs and
and helps Diana to keep her faith, which in turn makes her realize her
worth and decides not to give up trying herself. This story is okay, but
just barely one for Christmas.
ENEMY ACE: "Silent Night"
Here we have a story living up to it's title, a story told by pictures
only; no words. Showing he too has some Christmas spirit, he delivers
supplies to the other sides medical unit in their time of need.
JLA: (Well, really just G.L. Hal Jorden & Flash Barry Allen)
This is a great ten pager without a title. It's a story that makes you
feel good when it's over. The two Justice Leagers show a depressed man
that there are a lot of people out there who really do care.
DEADMAN: "Should Auld Aquaintance Be Forgot"
Deadman, probably the lonliest person in the DCU, gets his Christmas wish.
Someone with the ability to see him and spend time with him. This is
another good story.
SUPERMAN: "The Benefaction of Peace"
This is a touching thirteen page story of a lonely man whom Lois talks out
of jumping off the Daily Planet...by telling him a lonlier Superman story.
NEW GODS: "A Highfather Christmas"
Personally I don't like the New Gods, but this is a good story; all eight
pages of it. Highfather plays Santa Claus while Orion plays an elf in a
New York City department store on Christmas-eve, spreading joy and
happiness. I like joy and happiness!
CATWOMAN: "Bearing Gifts We Traverse Afar"
Yes, even Catwoman sinks her claws into Christmas and does a good deed for
this ten page christmas story. But, it's not that good though.
DEAMON: "Santa's Little Helper"
I don't even want to comment on this two page filler where I'd rather of
read an ad. And, just to let you know, there's a typo in this title on
purpose. It was another guy in red, not Santa, who shouldn't even be
associated with this holiday!
GREEN LANTERN: "The Vessle"
This is a ten page Hanukkah story showing that miracles do happen as Kyle's
uncharged power ring mysteriously works to get him out of a jam. This was a
slightly entertaining story.
FLASH: "Present Tense"
This eight pager depicts Wally West trying to find that perfect gift for
Linda Park. Even though no magical things happen or nobody is spreading joy
and happiness, it's still a good read.
BATMAN: "Just Another Night"
I think this two page flop should of been renamed when it went to the
presses to "Just Another Story." As a lonely Alfred gets a gift from
Batman. Whoop-de-doo!
PHANTOM STRANGER: "Tarry Till I Come Again"
This ten page story depicts the Phantom Stranger as a wandering Jew who
tells a confession to a Catholic priest. This confession is his origin story
when he met Jesus. This is by far the best Christmas story that I have ever
read. It's also the most original. You should be able to find it in a
fifty-cent pile, so hunt this baby down.
BATGIRL: "Jolly Ol' St. Nickolas"
In this thirteen pager Batgirl goes against Clayface, who, for this story is
just a two-bit thug doing nickle and dime robberies. Although this story
lacks a good plot, there are a few humorous scenes of Harvey Bullock as
Santa, like when he tells a kid sitting on his lap to pull his finger.
BATMAN: "The Harley and The Ivy"
A twelve pager where Poison Ivy kisses Bruce Wayne and puts him under her
spell so he can take her and Harley out for a Christmas shopping spree.
BATMAN: "White Christmas"
Well, here it is folks! The cover story of this issue, and the best Batman
Christmas story I've ever read. In thirteen pages Mr. Freeze steals an
artificial snow making machine to try and freeze Gotham, (makes you wonder
where they got the idea for the recent Batman & Robin movie, huh?). But, in
the end you realize what motivated Freeze and even Batman finds himself
sympathetic to the situation. Also, this is the introduction and origin of
Mr. Freeze to the Adventures Universe. So if you can find this rare piece
(which really hasn't risen in value), pick it up!
BATMAN: "Should Old Aquanitance Be Forgot"
This is a New Year's story with the Joker.
JONAH HEX: "The Fawn and The Star"
This is an okay ten page story about Jonah helping a family find food for the
holidays, while also rustlin' up some bushwackers.
BATMAN: "Wanted: Santa Clause--Dead or Alive"
I talked about this piece earlier in this column as a reprint, and I still
don't like it! But, what I failed to tell you is that this is what certian
people are looking for, not because of the story, but for the art. This was
Frank Miller's first take on the Batman. Do I have to tell anybody who Frank
Miller is?
HOUSE OF MYSTERY: (no title)
Eight pages of the clan sitting around telling cheesy Christmas stories.
Overall, it's pretty lame.
SGT. ROCK OF EASY CO.: "The Longest Night"
Here's another ten pages of a "follow that Christmas star" story. But, at
least this is on the boarder of capturing a Christmas emotion.
LEGION OF SUPERHEROES: "Star Light, Star Bright...Furthest Star I See Tonight"
This is the second story from this book that found it's way to a reprint,
which was also talked about earlier.
Happy Hunting!