Marvel Super Special #39: Santa Claus: The Movie

1985's Santa Claus: The Movie is not only considered the worst Christmas film of all time; it holds a distinction of being placed on the lists of many from film critics worst films ever made. Still, that didn't keep me from having this magazine sized Marvel comic book adaptation on my wish list for many years.

I remember going with my mom to see this in theaters in '85. I had just turned 8 and I either saw it during Thanksgiving break or Christmas break. The sets of the North Pole and the costumes of the elves and Santa were stunningly beautiful. But I recall how weird that the movie looked on the screen. Something was off and finding out years later that this was an American/British production, that explains it.  But as a form of entertainment to a 2nd grader who loved the magic of Christmas, it wasn't a terrible movie.

Along with the use of video tape instead of celluloid, one element that has critics cringing is the blatant product placement. At the time, it didn't seem so weird to me. But having re watched the film years later, the film feels like a 90 minute commercial for a lot of international products. The 5 minute long scene where McDonald's diners are gleefully devouring burgers and fries in front of a starving homeless boy seems cruel. Even if it is just a movie, that scene doesn't convey an image of Mickey D's caring about the little guy. 

With McDonald's sponsorship, there was a lot of marketing for the movie. But instead of toys, they gave out book adaptations of segments of the movie. There were also some record read-a-longs, coloring books and I want to say a sweatshirt or t-shirt tie-in. But no toys or candy. Though considering how dangerous the candy is in this story, maybe that was a good thing.

I think Marvel either missed a great opportunity to not release this as a giant sized movie special. Or they dodged a gigantic bullet. With the film bombing domestically (it was a big hit in the UK) and only a magazine edition of the comic book adaptation, not a lot of Marvel Super Special #39 were produced. Marvel didn't lose too much on this book and today, this issue is a highly sought after addition to Christmas comic book collectors collections because of how rare it is. Not to mention, the heftier price tag. 

I've seen people asking anywhere from $60-100 for this book. Too rich for me. I consider myself very lucky (or on Santa's nice list), finding it in near mint condition for less than $20! This was a fine adaptation. I think it benefited well from not being tied up with so much licensing and that allowed writer Sid Jackson to really capture the intended magical feel of the story. The artwork by Frank Springer was very good with some great likenesses of most of the cast. Petra Scotese's color palette fully captured the bright and lively hues I remember so vividly being a part of the film.

A true diamond in the rough. Normally, adaptations don't do justice to a movie. But this one actually surpasses the original product!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Brain Boy #6 (2024 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Matt Price is a young man with a miraculous ability. His highly advanced brain allows him tremendous mental powers including levitating, telepathy and the ability to control others minds. However, Matt's talents will face their most difficult tests when he takes a much needed vacation in the Canadian wilderness.

Code-named Brain Boy by the secret government agency that he works for, Matt's abilities were the result of an accident that happened while he was still in the womb. An electrical tower collapsed on the vehicle carrying his parents. The blast killed Matt's father while transferring energy into his mother. That massive power surge accelerated the prenatal Matt's cerebral cortex, turning him into one of the most powerful psychics ever known.

On his vacation in the Great White North, Matt arrives at a small fishing town where small town life is anything but normal. Most of the townsfolk appear to be in a daze. The two young children that Matt can get to talk to him keep inviting him to take a swim in the community swimming hole. But instead of crystal clear water, the lake has a sickly green hued to it.

When Matt arrives at the lodge he is to vacation at, he meets a man that while arrogant and brash, is the complete opposite of the zombified citizenry. That all changes when the man is persuaded to take a dip in the lake and he emerges from the waters an empty shell of himself.

Now Matt finds himself on the run as the last visitor to the community that hasn't swum in the mysterious lake. With his psychic abilities not working against the community, Matt will have to use his intelligence to find the secret of the lake's bizarre mind altering properties or he'll become the next victim of the mysterious reservoir!

Brain Boy debuted in the pages of Four Color Comics #1330 (March, 1962). Co-created by Herb Kastle, and Gil Kane, the next adventure of Matt Price was Brain Boy #2. His self-titled series concluded with this, the 6th issue. Brian Boy would make a cameo appearance in Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen universe before being revived in a brief 2013 series released by Dark Horse Comics.

'The Mindless Ones' was written by Kastle. The story which elicits fears of who can you really trust has elements of the classic sci-fi thrillers Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Village of the Damned. Adding to the chilling tone of this issue is a one-page prose story titled 'The Devil Worshiper' and a 4-page backup feature starring the white Tibetan trained mystic; the Strange Mr. Ozymandias. 'Devil's Acres' was crafted by Frank Springer, who was also the regular artist on the Brain Boy spin-off from Dell Comics.

Painted cover by Vic Prezio.

Completing this review completes Task #2 (Comic From the Silver Age (1956-1970) ) of the 2024 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.