Holiday Tales to Astonish #1

I must have been really good this year. Or Marvel must have gotten tired of me complaining. Because this year, the House of Ideas released not one, not two, but 3 Christmas specials!  

Holiday Tales to Astonish #1 was the first one that I read. It's regular cover by Luciano Maher elicits memories of that pair of tabloid sized holiday specials from the 1970s. It really got me right in the holiday feels. Thankfully unlike those classics, of which I'm still on the hunt for one of them, there's no reprints here. Instead, we get 3 great all-new seasonal stories that represent Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's.

The Fantastic Four star in the Christmas themed story. Don't worry, Ben Grimm is still a member of the Tribe and his faith is represented at the beginning. However, the Festival of Lights is saved for story #2. In the opener, Reed Richards is getting reports of traces of plutonium popping up in Manhattan. Investigating a possible nuclear weapon being armed, the FF instead run into Doctor Doom, dressed as Santa Claus and playing the role of the Grinch by stealing toys from the boys and girls of the Big Apple.

The middle story goes back in time to the Chris Claremont/John Byrne era of the Uncanny X-Men. It shows Kitty Pryde's first Hanukkah at the Xavier School. Don't worry, classic Hanukkah issue Uncanny X-Men #143 is still canon. We just catch a glimpse of what transpired during the other 7 days of Hanukkah. 

The final story occurs on New Year's Eve. When his girlfriend comes under the weather, Miles Morales gets invited to a different countdown to the New Year party by folks he didn't realize considered him a friend. When the Peter Parker Spidey and Hydro-Man interrupt the festivities, Miles learns an important lesson about the personal sacrifices a superhero has to make. 

All three stories were exceptionally written. The art varied. Pat Olliffe is definitely a graduate of the John Byrne school of uncanny art. It felt like an lost tale from one of the greatest partnerships in Marvel history. Dylan Burnett's work on the Spider-Men story was fair. It has more of that teen graphic novel look to it. Not as detailed but still pleasant on the eyes. But what in the world happened on that Fantastic Four story?

Phil Noto was the artist. Normally, his work is amazing. Noto does stunning work on the various Star Wars titles he contributes too. Especially his covers. Maybe that is more of his forte, because the art for the opener was a hot mess. Look, I know that I don't read that much modern Fantastic Four. But what is up with Johnny Storm's porn star mustache? Just because Mr. Fantastic can assume very fluid shapes, that doesn't mean that he should always be drawn like that. And I know that Wolverine is short. But he's not a midget. A lot of long-established Marvel fans criticize the current offerings of art as really bad. I tend to be more forgiving. However, with the first story, along with some of ads for upcoming 2025 projects, I could see what they're talking about.

Speaking of 2025, I cannot wait for the 5 What If... Galactus one-shots coming up in January. They look epic!

Great reading. Varying art. 100% holiday themed. Thank you Marvel for putting out an honest to goodness holiday special! It was a great gift for the fans and I hope it's a tradition that continues for years to come!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Simpsons: Homer For the Holidays

Enjoy the holidays with America's favorite family... in comic book form!

While most would incorporate the Simpsons with Halloween because of their annual Treehouse of Horror episodes, Christmas is synonymous with Bart, Lisa, Marge, Maggie & Homer. That's because their first full-length episode ever was a festive tale titled 'Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire.' Technically, that was really The Simpsons Christmas Special and not the first episode. Yet, both Fox and fans have determined that the holiday special was the pilot and thus considered the premier of The Simpsons animated sitcom. The rest is 35 years plus of television history.

This was one of my last Christmas and holiday themed reads for 2023. If I had realized how much Hanukkah material was in this book, I would have started on this one a few weeks earlier. Of course! Krusty the Clown is Jewish! How could I forget how much of an icon to the Festival of Lights Krusty is. I didn't say he was a positive icon. But so many episodes of The Simpsons involve Krusty's ancestry and faith as a Jew, that it's natural here to have several stories and segments devoted to the celebration of those 8 crazy nights. 

Homer for the Holidays is not the definitive collection of Simpsons holiday comics. This collection was published in 2010. Bongo Comics would continue releasing Simpsons comics for another 8 years. That's not including titles devoted to individual Simpsons characters such as Bart and Lisa. I know off the bat that a Treehouse of Horror story in which Lisa dreams that her live Christmas tree enslaves the people of Springfield wasn't included in this book. And while a couple of New Year's themed adventures are here, there aren't any Thanksgiving stories and Bongo produced at least 1 Turkey Day set issue.

In the past 2 years, Harper Collins, operating under the defunct Bongo imprint, have been releasing omnibuses devoted to all of the Simpsons Treehouse of Horror annuals. I'm hoping that after Volume 3 releases next autumn that maybe an omnibus of November-February holiday tales might be forthcoming. It would save me a lot of time and money and I'd buy it, even though I've already collected and read a sizable chunk of Christmas and Hanukkah Simpsons comics. 

Just something to put out there to the publishing team behind those massive Halloween collections.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Flash Gordon Holiday Special One-Shot

Spend the holidays with Flash Gordon in this amazing 2014 special from Dynamite Entertainment. 

There are 3 tales in this book. Story #1 has Flash and Dr. Zarkov visiting the people of Arboria. Being Flash's first Christmas away from planet Earth, he wants to play Santa to some of his allies from the galactic war against Emperor Ming. However, to Flash's surprise, Arboria already celebrates a primitive version of Christmas and the kiddies are all ready for a nightly visit from... Jungle Jim!

Story #2 returns to Earth. Here, one of Ming's stranded Beast-Men foot soldiers is trying to survive a Central European winter all alone. It just happens to be the 4th night of Hanukkah and it just goes to show you that a little warmth, some friendship across species and a couple of latkes can go a very long way!

Our last adventure stars Dale Arden. We get glimpses of Dale's previous 2 New Years Eves and how it contrasts with her new life as a freedom fighter on the frozen planet of Frigia. 

All 3 stories were fantastic. The only thing I had trouble with was instead of definitive endings, each story just bleeds into the next. That makes for a pinch of confusion and fear that maybe I've got another one of those blasted issues that has a printing order error. I also would have liked the Dale story to have Flash more involved in it. But the biggest issue for me was the seamless transitions that are secretly deceptive.

This issue has definitively peaked my interest in Jeff Parker, Evan 'Doc' Shaner and Jordie Bellaire's 2014-15 Flash Gordon miniseries. Shaner does the cover and Bellaire assists with some of the finishes. But there isn't any Jeff Parker here. Yet, if his story is 1/4 as excellent as this special, then I know that I am in for a treat. 

Oh! And I must give love for the use of Jungle Jim as an alien Santa Claus. Jungle Jim was an early creation of Flash Gordon's father Alex Raymond. So to throw JJ into this special as an Easter egg was an unexpected angel topper to my tree!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Action Comics #810

The first review of 2022!

In what is now perhaps my all-time favorite Superman story, the Man of Steel attempts to celebrate 24 New Year's celebrations in 24-hours. Along for the adventure is Lois Lane; whom has been sworn to not publish this adventure in the pages of the Daily Planet.

It seems that every December 31st, Superman plays Santa. Collecting letters over the year written to him, Clark Kent does whatever he can to make the promise of a new year better for 24 lucky folks. This year will see the Man of Tomorrow assisting with a marriage proposal, alleviating tensions in the Middle East and having a cup of holiday cheer with Pa Kent. 

Let's start with the cover. It's a classic Superman cover in the style of Darwyn Cooke. Dave Bullock (Batman '66) brings a festive 1930s kinda look to this scene of Superman flying high over Metropolis. Only, I don't really understand the super high highways that seem to cavern inside of the city skyscrapers. Is that a thing anywhere in the world?

Now let's look at the writing. Joe Kelly (Deadpool) brings heart, happiness and a touch of sadness to this story. I feel like I could have read it over and over! (And I probably will over the years.) Kelly's scene where Superman answers the letter of a soldier in the Middle East who has lost his way in the work against terror. That was why Superman is my all-time favorite character. It felt so much like something Christopher Reeve might have done in the movies. I loved it so much!

Finally is the artwork. DC made the right decision to have a different artist for each time zone Superman visits. Quantum and Woody's Kano, Duncan Rouleau and several other artists put their distinctive fingerprints on this stories look. It was a thing of beauty- especially the scene with Superman in Japan!

Like with all stories, it had to come to an end. I long to have seen Superman in more time zones. But I think the final 4-5 pages that take place on New Years Day after Clark's mission is done was the definitive way to end the story. 

If you are looking for 1 New Year's Eve themed issue to add to your collection between now and December 31st, Action Comics #810 is the one you must grab!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Oggy and the Cockroaches: Oggy New Year #1

I rang in the new year with this holiday special from American Mythology Comics. Based on the French animated series of the same name, Oggy and the Cockroaches is a wild series about a house cat and an invading trio of pests. 

The artwork is reminiscent of Ren and Stimpy. To the point, I thought that this was actually done by that same art team. The humor is absurdist. But it's nowhere near as gross as the 90s Nickelodeon cartoon ever was.

There's 3 stories inside. The first story has Oggy challenged to start off the New Year by tackling a new hobby. In this case- writing a crime noir. Then Oggy forces the cockroaches to clean up their messes main during a New Year's Eve bash to remember. Lastly, Oggy decides to catch up on some new year's correspondence. 

There's a couple of prose extras at the end of this book. Read on and you'll learn the resolutions of Oggy and his pals. If you are really good, you might have your letter answered from Santa!

My first experience with Oggy and the Cockroaches was a fun one. I did have a little trouble with how Oggy's nose is computer generated on top of pen and ink art. But aside from that distraction, this book was a great way to cap off the 2020 holiday season!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- DAY 1

I thought the ideal way to kick off the 40th anniversary of 1977 would be to show you what life was like on the eve of that fantastic year.
   So, enjoy this small clip of the legendary Dick Clark ushering in 1977 and then see a very quick glimpse of those who celebrated the ringing in of the new year... 
    Okay- the year was great- the fashion, not so much.

Comico Christmas Special (#1)

(Disclaimer: I happen to know and interact on a daily basis with one of the editors of this comic. I didn't know this until after I read it. I mention this not to drop names but to allow readers the chance to skip this review if they feel I may in some way be biased.)

Comico: The Comic Company operated from 1982-1990 until it went bankrupt. Following this restructure, Comico still operated but its scope was narrowed to the occasional publication before completely folding in 1997. In its heyday, Comico produced a variety of titles including such licensed properties as Hanna Barbera's Jonny Quest, Max Headroom, and Robotech. They also published some cult classic original titles such as Mage and Evangeline.

 I love the Jonny Quest series. I read the first two issues and was so impressed I snatched up the rest of the series when I came across them at a comic book show in late 2013. This summer I found this holiday title online on a steep discount. Impressed already by the company's work with Jonny, I decided to give this title a shot.

   This 1988 comic is an anthology of Christmas stories ranging from sci-fi to humor to suspense. The first tale involves a man who goes into cryogenic freeze 11 months out of the year in order to only live during the holiday season of Thanksgiving through New Year's. But when a young boy captures his heart, will the man decide to live out the rest of the year or skip to the next Christmas.

   Then a young boy is left alone on Christmas Eve when a mall Santa breaks into his home. Can this Santa prove he's the real thing thanks to the miracle of cloning?

   Our third tale is like Fahrenheit 451 meets Christmas. In the distant future, Christmas has been outlawed for 11 months out of the year, thanks to the oversaturation of the over-commercialization of the holiday. Now a young rebel joins up with a group of Pro-Christmas militants.  in hopes of restoring the joy of the holiday. This strange romp has some crazy moments but was very thought provoking. The only thing missing was Charlie Brown.

  Tale #4 takes place in Buffalo, New York. There a young boy on Christmas vacation decides that snow isn't so great when he's constantly battling it with his trusty snow shovel.

  The final tale is also based on the cover image. Here, a group of alien explorers on marooned on a devastated earth. When the search parties chief researcher decides to write to Santa for a new engine, he awakens that Christmas magic that's been dormant for centuries.

The Comico Christmas Special is not only a fun collection of holiday tales. It's also a Who's Who of artists and writers that I've grown to become a fan of. In 1988, these guys were up-and-comers. Almost 20 years later, this all-star grouping is considered legends in the comics field. Bill Willingham, Steve Rude, Tim Sale, Dave Stevens,  Bob Pinaha, and my buddy Michael Eury are amongst some of the stars of this neat treasury.

Worth Consuming

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Harley Quinn Holiday Special #1

The Christmas Variant Cover.

   

    It's been 4 years since DC or Marvel released a holiday special with their name on it. The chances of a "DC Holiday Special" or a 'Marvel Holiday Special' is getting slimmer and slimmer every passing Christmas season. Thankfully, the holidays still exist in the rebooted universes of the Big Two Publishers. Last year, the Avengers annual was a Christmas-themed tale and a couple of years prior, DC released a holiday comic starring the selfish Orange Lantern, Larfleeze.
 
    This year, DC's heart grew 2 sizes too big and they decided to release the book I'm reviewing now, 'The Harley Quinn Holiday Special.'

    First of all, this isn't the Harley Quinn I grew up with. She's nuts and she's also a big softie and those are concepts I remember. But she's got bleached skin and her hair is no longer blonde but half black and half red. She's no longer a deranged clown as much as she's a psychotic Suicide Girl in a revealing bustier and hot pants.

    I've not read the new Harley Quinn series but from what I've gathered from this special, she's not really hung up on the Joker anymore. Most of her friends seem to be former circus folk and her new boyfriend is a dwarf named Tony. Speaking of Harley's new friends, what' the deal with the zombie beaver?

   The first story has Harley and Tony realizing that they've got too many pets. So, in a while scheme, the duo offer to help patrons with carrying their wares to the car while sneaking in a puppy or two, or three. But when Harley accidently gives away her favorite pug, she breaks into the house of the dog's new family.
 
    You'd think the cops would be called, end of story. But the little girl whose the dog's new owner is a hellion and dad thinks it's a good idea to have Harley stick around for a while. Now, this is where things get interesting. See, it's easy to forget that Harley is a trained psychologist and it's even easier to forget that Harley's capable of moments of lucidity. But Quinn actually manages to get to the bottom of the family dynamic through therapeutic techniques and actually does some good.

    There're two shorter stories in this special. The first has Harley seeking Santa's help when she becomes infected with a humbug. Then Harley finds a gray hair and goes out to stop Father Time before the ball falls on New Year's Eve.  Both stories were funny. However, the level of sexual innuendo jumps three-fold, with Harley finding herself in some awkward positions with Santa and a bed-ridden old man. Also, there's two stunning holidays pin-ups by Billy Tucci included.

     The special was pretty good, but it did get a little risque. If DC would publish a second volume next year, I'd buy it. But, I hope that the level of humor would jump up from being aimed at middle-schoolers to at least drunken frat guys. If it's any indication, I assume that this is what the regular series is like. So, I'll probably wait to find this series at my library or in a dollar bin.

    This special hit stands 3 days ago and can be ordered online. It's a fun romp, but definitely for teens and adults only. If you want the all-ages Harley, I recommend the 'Batman Adventures Holiday Special' from 1995.  It can be found for around $4-10 on eBay and various comic book retailers online.

  Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Wolverine: Flies To A Spider # 1

Despite the holiday decorations behind Logan, this really isn’t a Christmas or holiday-themed book. Though it takes place on New Year’s Eve, the main storyline is that a biker gang has infiltrated a small town and it’s resident’s are at their mercy. Wolverine’s decided it’s a great place to grab a beer- but I’m sure he’ll be butting heads with those thugs very soon.

Not a kids book! It has a parental warning and parents should take heed. In most X-Men books, Wolverine’s claws are mostly for show or cutting up robots, trees, and the occasional loaf off-reach bread. But, here, Wolverine does some serious killing with

those Ginsu knives of his. It’s pretty bloody and gorey, too. It’s like if Robert Rodriguez

decided to craft a Wolverine comic.

Goes to show that not all comics are for kids. I enjoyed the book’s grittiness and I thought the plot was pretty good and a very ironic ending. However, seeing Wolvie in complete maniac mode is still a bit of a shock for a comics purist like myself. Take note, this isn’t

your Dad’s Marvel Comics here.

Buyer, Beware.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.