First of all, he's on the cover. It's not a spoiler to say that Krampus is who released those ancient vampire creatures in the first issue. Well, now, he's also behind the release of some Nordic harpies and dozens of other Norse creatures that Santa Claus imprisoned for trying to kill humans; especially innocent children.
There's only one problem: Krampus, while a certified trickster, he's not a killer. Over the centuries, Krampus' threat to eat naughty children has all been part of con in cahoots with Santa. Claus would reward good children with gifts. Krampus would scare the bejesus out of the naughty kids with the prospect of those youngsters becoming his next meal. Just as the little brats wet themselves while promising to be good, Santa would swoop in and make a deal of repentance in return for keeping Krampus at bay.
The Krampus of this story is a demon. But he's not a fallen angel. Just as this version of Santa Claus is a god, he's not a religious god, Krampus is a secular demon. If that makes any sense. You know how Marvel established that the citizens of Asgard aren't gods but powerful inter-dimensional beings that were at one time in Earth's past worshiped as Gods? Well, that's kinda what happened here.
Trapped on Earth away from their native realms, Claus and Krampus seek to make the most of their situation. Midnight on every December 25th, the barriers between dimensions weaken. This results in Santa and Krampus having to be out among the populace to capture these new-coming escapees from hells unimaginable. To prevent humanity from living in fear of deadly terrors, Santa Claus and Krampus perform this good cop/bad cop routine involving toys for the kids. Over the centuries, they both became religious icons of the winter holidays. Claus is canonized as the saintly gift giver, whereas Krampus is demonized as an eater of children.
So what turned Krampus into such a being of evil? That's an aspect of his origin story yet to be told.
This holiday event from DC Comics continues to amaze. Jeff Parker has knocked it out of the park with this tale. I only recently became aware of Krampus in the last 3-5 years. Considering how prevalent he's been in comics and horror films, I'm stunned by how many American kids just don't know of the characters. Maybe this book will help teach our holiday uneducated next generation of the very European figure of Krampus.
Above all, I hope the quality of the last 2 issues of the miniseries doesn't disappoint.
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 10 out of 10.
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