Santa Claus Vs the Nazis

Santa Claus Vs the Nazis!

It originated as an eComic on the digital site AcesWeekly.com in 2012 and then became an eBook in 2016. Thanks to popular demand it was reformatted a year later and collected into a graphic novel hard cover which quickly went out of print. Sometime last year it was announced that a trade paperback was coming for sale on Previews. However, I was only able to get a copy in the States just this past Spring. The reason? Imports and tariffs were blamed. But I think it had all to do with Diamond going kaput and my favorite LCS probably had to go all over the place to get their hands on a copy for me.

I'm really, really glad for all the trouble. While on the surface this seems like a comedic work, the whole idea and image of Kris Kringle punching the crap outta Hitler, the subject matter is actually taken fairly seriously. And to some degree, with historical accuracy.

In 1939, Russia invades Norway. The Norwegians turn to Germany for help. Thanks to the Nazis, the Russians retreat. However, this now means that Norway is under Nazi occupation as Hitler is not the type of leader to just give up territory.

The action takes place Christmas a year later. Santa is recruited by Winston Churchill to assist in the war effort. Apparently, Claus has interfered in the events of World War I (or some other skirmish around that time.) Horrified by those memories, St. Nick refuses.

A few weeks later in early 1941, a Nazi scout in the Lapland region of Norway discovers Santa's workshop. If the Fuehrer can control the magic of Santa, he'll be able to produce unlimited weapons and conquer the world. Santa is incapacitated to the point that he's immobilized but the magic of Christmas still thrives through the craftsmanship of Santa's elves. A pair of his helpers assisted by Rudolph, flee to London where Churchill begins a secret mission to liberate Santa's base of operations.

So far, the story has my attention. But it encapsulates me into a secret hidden part of Christmas lore when it's revealed that Queen Elizabeth secretly was the leader of a clandestine British commando unit under the alias Liz Windsor. There are a bunch of other Easter eggs hidden throughout. At least I hope they are Easter eggs. For example, one of the members of the special forces unit is a guy by the name of Fleming. His first name wouldn't happen to be Ian, would it?

Writer Benjamin Dickson also gets really creative with the legend of Santa and his compatriots around the world. In the Netherlands, Santa is assisted by a character named Black Pete, who was like the original Elf on the Shelf. He'd report to Odin and later Sinterklaas on who was good and who was naughty. The naughty children, Pete who would whip and sometimes kidnapped the worst offenders. 

Here, Dickson has the character portrayed as the black youth Peter, whom Santa Claus freed from slavery in the Caribbean and is the Big Man's second in command. Once I made the connection between the character in this book and the figure of European folklore, my love for this book went into overdrive!

A brilliant book that is such an off-the-wall holiday idea, I can't believe that I didn't come up with it. But it's not a lighthearted tale. And NOT for the kids! If only the promise of return of Father Christmas in 'Santa Claus in the Land of the Soviets' was real and not a joke a la a Marvel movie.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Spread the Joy: Advent 2025: Day 2

 My featured charity for today is Toys for Tots. 

It's my sincerest belief that every child deserves a toy for Christmas. And if not something to play with, at least something fun and enjoyable. Like a book or CD or thanks to today's digital age, a gift card for downloads. 

Founded in 1947 by Marines reservist Major Bill Hendricks, Toys for Tots has been a charitable organization that has been near and dear to my father's side of the family for decades. After his tour in the US Army, my grandfather joined the Marines for a couple of years. During that time, he would become involved in the Marine Corps annual holiday efforts to collect new and unwrapped toys for children who were spending the holidays in orphanages and hospitals. 

My father and my uncle both told me that as closed mouth as he was about his experiences in Korea during the Korean Conflict, my grandfather made sure that his family supported Toys for Tots every year with a carload of presents.

Toys for Tots is one of the few charities that I remember my parents ever donating to. Other than the Republican Party, it might have been the only charity that they supported. But I remember the fun of shopping around a toy store to find the perfect gift for a child in need. As I was not allowed to buy anything for myself from the time of my birthday, which was on or around Thanksgiving, to Christmas, it was a treat to go shopping. Often, I would live vicariously through my purchases, buying what I would like for Christmas for the tots. Who knew that I was a pioneer in the field of subliminal advertising???

There are actually 2 ways to donate with Toys for Tots. First is financially, with a monetary donation that goes toward buying toys. Or you can purchase a toy and donate it in person, by utilizing the organization's online local chapter locator. Both can be accessed here.

The 25 Baubles of Pop Culture! Advent 2022 Day 25

Well, we made it again through another Advent to another Christmas. If you were good this year, then you experienced a visit from Santa. Based on the weather this year, it's more than likely that the Jolly Old Fat Man needed to use the services of a certain ruby schnoz caribou. In honor of that possibility, let's wrap things up with a look at ornaments based on the Rankin-Bass 1964 stop-motion special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!

First up in this 1987 ornament from Kurt Adler. This ornament is made of wood and that just really seems out of place since most of the baubles made from the manufacturer are of glass. There's a pull string that when pulled raises Rudolph's ears. I've owned one of these ornaments since I was 10. Sadly, one of the ears is broken. But if I can ever figure out how to fix it, you can be assured I will!

Next up is the Hallmark ornament of misfit elf Hermie astride good ole' Rudolph. There's an interesting fan theory about Hermie going around and I think it's got quite a bit of merit. See, Hermie doesn't have pointed ears like the other elves. I think he's really Santa's son and he hates having to follow in dad's footsteps. Thus in order to rebel, Hermie dreams of becoming a dentist. 

Speaking of Hermie's possible pop, I really like the Jim Shore ornament of Santa taking some of the Misfit Toys on to their new homes. As for favorite Misfit Toy ornaments, I like this one of the cowboy riding an ostrich. I don't understand why this one is a Misfit. I've read that some cowboys in Australia ride ostriches. So I just think that this toy was accidentally shipped to the States instead of where he belonged: store shelves in Brisbane.

In honor of Rudolph and Hermie's partner, Yukon Cornelius, I like this felt ornament found on Etsy. I've heard that in a now deleted scene, the reason Yukon keeps licking his pick axe isn't because he's got some sure fire way to locate gold. The prospector is actually searching for a vein of peppermint! 

Then we've got this 2016 Hallmark ornament of the Bumble. From the looks of things, he's taken to his new job as official Christmas Tree Topper of the North Pole. But he still needs some training on putting up the lights! There's just one problem though- I thought Hermie had pulled out all of the Bumble's teeth. What is he doing with chompers on this decoration?

Finally, I pay tribute to the great Burl Ives with this Sam the Snowman ornament. I like that the body is a bell. Pretty clever and adds to the festive charm.

We've got just enough time for one last DIY ornament. Although, you might have to go to the beach to do this one. You will need 2 medium size clam shells. 6 small pistachio shells, paint of the colors brown, light blonde, black, white, pink and red, 2 paperclips, string and hot glue. 

First of all, hot glue 2 pistachio shells on each clam shell to represent ears. Then take another shell, turned sideways and positioned on the clam shell to represent a snoot, hot glue. On the back of the clam shell, hot glue a paperclip in which a small loop shows from atop the head. Once dry, use the picture below as a painting template. Once dried, tie a piece of string through the paperclip loop and form a loop in order to hang through a branch on your tree.

Countdown to New Who: Advent 2016: Day 5

     You can't have a modern day Christmas without Christmas Specials. Though the one I am looking forward to the most is the Doctor Who Christmas Special, I have fond memories of some classics over the years. A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Grinch, and of course, the puppet classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer which is essentially the granddaddy of them all.
    So for today's advent, I present to you a Doctor Who version of the account of the massive snow storm that spawned the need for Rudolph to guide Santa's sleigh: 'How the Puppet Doctor Saved Christmas.'
   Enjoy...