Silent Night, Deadly Night #4

The sequel to the 1984 holiday horror classic comes to an end in this issue. I'm rather excited about it. For one thing, even though this miniseries erases SNDN 2 & 3 from canon, what unfolds in this issue prevents those events from being completely wiped from existence. See in those 2 sequels, Billy Chapman's little brother succumbs to his PTSD over his brother being a sadistic killer, so when Ricky gets college aged, he too wears a Santa costume and dispenses justice against those he declares 'Naughty.' In this official comics sequel, Ricky undergoes years of therapy, terrified by demented visions of becoming a psycho killer like big brother Billy. 

In other words, the events of parts 2 and 3 took place in Ricky's head! 

In my review of issue #4, I mentioned that I had a theory as to why Billy's eyes were turning as black as the coal on a snowman. Well, I was right about that, although what Billy turns into is never officially named. It's never explained why one of the kids at the orphanage where Billy and Ricky stayed as youths, undergoes a similar transition. But the way this story ends, things are set up for a sequel. And I'm okay with that! 

There's a couple of great twists to this story. Two great jump scares; one of which shocked the heck out of me and this was a comic book. Not a live action film! And though the artwork was pretty gory, it again was an improvement from those very rough first two issues.

The story ending is just satisfyingly enough that if the story ends here, I could live with it. But there's a promise of a sequel. I don't think it's going to happen this year as I don't see anything on the horizon. That too I would be okay with as you don't want to beat a dead horse. Even though that's probably exactly what Billy Chapman would do.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Silent Night, Deadly Night #2

A lot happens in issue #2. 

Billy's eyes turn as black as coal and he escapes the low-security mental hospital, murdering indiscriminately. 

An orphan from the foster home that Billy and Ricky lived in as kids, seeks help from Santa. His eyes also turn jet black and he beats the living crap out of one of his tormentors. 

Ricky has a complete mental breakdown after what happened with his recent visit with Billy and storms out of the house he and his family are staying in.

A killer dressed as Santa kills a couple near lover's lane and then possibly kills a pair of dime store Santas.

Billy Chapman gets some much overdue revenge.

And the art just gets worse and worse.

First of all, the gore level jumps to 11 in this issue. It's very off-putting. The original film from 1984 and the sequel were known for being bloody and dark. It's kinda hard to hack someone to pieces with an axe and make it pretty. However, the deaths in this issue take a quantum leap in gore with eyeballs exploding and faces being punched to pulp. It's a level of gratuitousness I just don't want to see, like when they killed the dog in that issue of The Weatherman.

Thankfully, the artwork isn't all that great as the lack of realism helps to prevent me from having nightmares. I liken it to the very overcrowded type of stuff you would see in a college newspaper. Everything looks like it was done with an ink pen instead of pencils and it feels rushed. I know that I'm not a professional artist. With my carpal tunnel, I couldn't pass that correspondence art course test where you have to draw the pirate or the turtle (and everybody is scammed into believing they have the makings as the next Andy Warhol!) But to paraphrase Mr. Burns from The Simpsons, I know what I like and I don't like this (art.)

Still hooked on the story though. It's intriguing where the art work for the most part really disappoints.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Silent Night, Deadly Night #1

I start my 2023 Christmas comics reading with a sequel to a holiday classic... HORROR flick! It's Silent Night, Deadly Night #1 from American Mythology.

I've been waiting almost an entire year to read this book. Issue #1 debuted in November of last year with issue #2 dropping in December. That would have been okay for me to wait until then to read it. But issue #3 hit store shelves in late January AND the final fourth book didn't come out until Easter! So I waited...

Silent Night, Deadly Night is a fully sanctioned sequel from film creators Dennis Whitehead and Scott Schneid. Taking place 40 years after the first film, it appears that events from the second and third film in the series have been wiped away from existence. In fact, this miniseries also changes the ending of the 1984 splatter classic because Billy Chapman is still alive!

At the end of the original film, cops shot and killed Billy before he could exact revenge on the abusive Mother Superior who abused him and his brother as kids. Over Billy's dead body, little brother Ricky, proclaims that the head nun is ' Naughty '. And that's where movie series canon ends.

 As Billy's corpse is being wheeled out of the orphanage, paramedics detect a faint pulse and rush to save the crazed Santa dressed murderer. Thus for the next 4 decades, Billy Chapman resided in a low-security insane asylum, keeping mostly to himself, allowing his white hair and beard to grow long like Santa. Every Christmas, Ricky takes his wife and daughter to make a yule tide visit while Ricky wrestles with the demons of his past, fearful that he too might become a sadistic killer like his big brother.

Meanwhile, one of the kids from the orphanage who witnessed Billy's Christmas Eve assault has returned to the town of Eggnog, Utah. Now a famous horror writer, the man hopes to exorcise his own demons from the orphanage and the trauma of Christmas Eve, 1984. Only that's gonna be really difficult as someone in a Santa suit is stalking the citizens of Eggnog, killing those who wind up on this evil Kris Kringle's naughty list.

If you can wade through the fact that this book erases 4 sequels, two of which weren't really even connected to the Caldwell family anyways, fans of the slasher series will enjoy a bloody sequel full of irreverent humor and creepy jump scares. And that's perfectly fine as that's was the intention of the 1984 film that changed the rules for holiday horror. As for the art, it's rough. I don't understand why American Mythology does amazing work with their all ages material; yet their horror stuff looks like it was drawn by the cartoonists at a college newspaper.

For those of you who love their Christmases to be a little bit on the dark side, this is the chilling read for you.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Santas From Around The World: Jamaica- Santy (Advent 2020, Day 8)

 

We're heading down to the island nation of Jamaica for today's Advent. The children of Jamaica refer to the Jolly Ole Fatman by many common names, such as Santa Claus, Father Christmas and Kris Kringle. But I think the name Santy is my favorite.

You think that an island not known for having buildings with chimneys might have some different takes on Santa and you'd be right. For one thing, Santy doesn't even drop into people's homes. Whereas most versions of Santa tend to operate in private when folks are asleep, Santy maintains a very public profile in Jamaica.

Instead of arriving in a sleigh with elves and reindeer, Santy comes to town leading a giant parade full of musicians and dancers.

Festivities begin on December 14th, with children climbing Santy's lap to share with him their most wildest gift wishes. Over the course of the next week and a half leading up to Christmas, Santy then visits children at school with an assortment of toys and candy. Musical instruments and gum are the items in the most demand.

Just before Santy heads off for his trip around the world, he visits those children who are confined to the hospital or are convalescing at home due to illness. Because they're staying in a hospital, the sick children tend to get stuffed animals instead of noise makers. But Santy never forgets to bring with him that coveted chewing gum.

I really wanted to share the flavors of the caribbean today's cookie recipe. So I hope all of you will enjoy this yummy recipe for Jamaican Lime Biscuits.

 Enjoy.

Die Kitty Die Christmas Special #1

Kitty is a witch and the star of a popular comic book. But when her publisher wants to increase sales by killing her off, Kitty must use her extensive bag of tricks or she's going to find herself the latest publicity stunt of the comic book industry.

The Die Kitty Die Christmas Special is divided into two stories. The first story takes place before Kitty's scheduled 'execution.' Set in the early 60s, it's a parody on Archie and other teen comics. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus are fighting over the fate of some not so great quality toys. Enter Kitty and some called in favors to save the day.

The second story takes place after Kitty's planned demise. She's still alive and kicking but her publisher would like nothing more to still cash in on her death. A pair of Santa's elves are planning on taking out Kitty in hopes of seriously earning some street cred and maybe some cash. But it's not going to be easy as elves aren't as powerful as witches. So, enter Jack Frost to be Kitty's judge, jury, and executioner.

This special was created, written and illustrated by Archie contributors Dan Parent and Fernando Ruiz. As I mentioned early, Die Kitty Die is a parody on Archie Comics. (Most of the characters look like residents of Riverdale!) It was quite funny and a little saucy. This isn't a title I would consider needing to be rated mature. But it's definitely not the all-ages material that one might be used of from this creative team.

A major shout-out needs to go to the crew over at Books Do Furnish A Room. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have know about this book and I would have missed out on 32-pages of holiday fun! (At least until years from now when I'd come across it in a bargain bin.) Great work guys!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

A Classic TV Christmas- Advent 2017 Day 7

It's getting colder around here. So, let's head to the tropics and celebrate Christmas with the castaways of Gilligan's Island.

In the December 19, 1964 episode 'Birds Gotta Fly, Fish Gotta Talk', the survivors of the SS Minnow are spending their first Christmas marooned on the island. As they decorate their dwellings for the holidays, they reminiscence about the wreck that got them on the stranded. 

The episode is essentially a clip show. But it featured scenes from the never-before-seen unaired pilot. However, in those clips, the Professor, Mary Ann, and Ginger are not seen as the pilot was featured different actors playing those parts.

On thing that really bugs me about this episode is that at the end of the episode, Santa comes to visit. Or maybe he doesn't- it could just be the Skipper trying to spread some holiday cheer in a salvaged Santa suit. The audience and castaways are left to wonder who was in the big red suit. Here- you decide for yourself...

But if it was really Santa- why didn't he save the castaways? If I was on a deserted island and Santa came to say hi and not offer to rescue me, I would be soooooooo pissed!

As I leave you to ponder the implications of Santa refusing to play rescuer, let's continue the tropical Christmas theme with a song. As my Advent present for you today, I leave you a clip of the castaways of Gilligan's Island decorating to that Hawaiian holiday favorite Mele Kalikimaka!

Enjoy and until tomorrow- Merry Christmas!

The Simpsons Winter Wingding #3

 It's another winter-themed Simpsons annual from Bongo Comics. This one is from 2008 and unlike the Winter Wingding I reviewed yesterday, this one is filled with some holiday cheer. Well, in the case of Flanders in the first story, it's more like holiday jeer.

   Due to the commercialization of Christmas, Ned decides to ban Christmas, including Santa, in the Flanders homestead. Feeling bad for Rod and Todd, the Simpsons try to bring a little magic to their household by posing as Santa on Christmas Eve. Yet, things get really outta hand when another Santa arrives; this one demanding presents like wallets and jewelry.
    Then in a Hanukkah-themed story, Krusty learns that their aren't any mascots for those eight crazy nights. Seeing dollar signs, the clown forms a focus group in order to create the Jewish version of Santa. What the group, made of Bart, Milhouse, Nelson, and Ralph design is the stuff of nightmares.
    There's two other stories in this volume. Both aren't holiday related and only one really involves winter as a plot device. That story has Homer going to Professor Frink for an experiment. Both hope to hibernate Homey over the winter months in order to lose weight. Cue a plot taken for Weekend At Bernie's (and a forgotten SNL parody ad starring the late Phil Hartman.) The second story has Bart sent to a Scared Straight program at Springfield Jail. Only, instead of being intimidated, Bart becomes the new boss on the cell block.
     4 stories; all very funny. When you need a break from the winter blahs and there's no new episodes of the Simpsons to watch, the Winter Wingdings are perfect. I only hope I can get the rest of annuals in time for next year's holiday festivities. Though you can enjoy these annuals any time of the year (it just helps to read theme during the winter!)

   Worth Consuming

    Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

   

Spider-Man: Christmas in Dallas

   I can think of a lot of places to spend Christmas. Dallas just doesn't come to mind when I do. This very rare Christmas comic was published in 1983 and was available only as a special insert in a Sunday edition of the Dallas Times Herald. In it, Peter Parker is assigned by the Daily Bugle to cover a celebrity fundraiser in the heart of the Lone Star State. This mission comes just in time for Parker to miss his Christmas vacation that he has planned with his Aunt May. But he won't have very much time to fret as the Kingpin has decided to invade the charity event dressed as Santa. Only this fat man wants the presents for himself, in the form of cold hard cash posted as ransom for each guest.

    This issue has been on my radar for some time. Due to its rarity, it's not very affordable or easy to find. I got lucky on a low-grade copy over the summer and I must say it's been worth the wait. The comic does a good job advertising the Dallas newspaper without being too overt about it. Plus, it recounts the origin of Spidey without taking up very valuable 'all-new story' space. There was at least one thing I think the writers got wrong about this book as it has Peter falling in love with a stewardess and then getting the hots for another girl at the charity event. I may be wrong, but during this time, wasn't Peter Parker engaged to Mary Jane Parker?

   I finished this last night and I've been racking my brain on a different issue about this comic. Is it fair to base it on the quality of the advertisements? I usually don't but I feel like I must make an exception here. See, as I mentioned earlier, this issue came free with a copy of the Dallas Herald Newspaper. Instead of ads for video games, movies, or the ubiquitous X-Ray glasses for only $2.95 (They really work, kids!), this comic has ads for Dallas area businesses such as Boot World and swinging atrium doors. There's even one for a pawn and appliance shop. Oh, and don't forget that you could get the chance to meet Santa at Chi-Chis, Chuck E. Cheese, and the Lone Star Steak House (on route 59 in Bixby) no less.

   It just makes for some very interesting but strange reading. I felt like I was in Bizarro World when it came to the ads in this issue. Amazingly enough the price for a full or queen size bed hasn't really changed in 31-years. If anything, solid oak panelled desk chairs has fallen in price since the days of being in kindergarten and Return of the Jedi.

   I'll overlook the weird trip through Texas commercialism this time. But I must critique this book for its filler. See, this book used local Texas advertising only, so there was a bigger chance that the entire book wouldn't have enough to make for a full-sized comic. So, Marvel added some filler. For instance, there's a Spidey word search. Only, the instructions forget to tell you that when looking for Marla Madison's name in the puzzle, the two parts of it aren't necessarily together.

   Then there's the 'Spider-man's Favorite Villains' page. I highly doubt Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus are the wall-crawler's favorite anything. Towards the end of this book, things turn strange as we've got the most bizarre Bullpen Bulletin newsletter from Jim Shooter in which he claimed to have turn into a penguin. Lastly, there's this gem that you must see for yourself:

Santa Hulk Hate Good Grammar!

Overall, this comic was worth the extra money and the extra wait. It had a very good plot with an interesting time capsule of life in Dallas, 1983. The issue also gave me some laughs which were clearly unintentional. However, I deem the book Worth Consuming if not for the fact that I learned that there are 3 more books in this "series" and I want them. That's the greatest testament to any comic book series. It's a success if it leaves you wanting more.

 Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Forbidden Tales of Dark Mansion #15 (Holiday 2013 Theme)

Go ahead, judge this book by its cover. It doesn’t look like a holiday themed book but you’d be wrong. I was all set to read this book in anticipation of Halloween when I saw in the bottom right corner “A Slay Ride with Santa.” A scary ghost story? It’s almost like an Andy Williams song and too good to be true. So, I eagerly waited until last night and finally brought an end to my wait.

It was so good. This issue was an early editorial worker of legendary Batman scribe, Denny O’Neil. You can see he’s daft handy work of the macabre in these pages. Along with a fantastically drawn adaptation of a Wordworth’s short story called “Feathertop” there’s the reason I waited so long- “A Slay Ride with Santa.”

In that yarn, a sidewalk Santa is killing kids for their Christmas gift buying budgets. With the NYPD on his trail, the serial killer hides in a workshop that’s not all that it appears.

This gruesome story was very shocking to me. I am surprised that a story involving a child killer made it to press in 1974, much less got approved by the Comics Code Authority. It was that stunner, plus the twist ending that earned high marks from me. However, due to its graphic content, it may not be for everybody and I definitely wouldn’t show it to any child who still believes in the magic of Santa. So, parents and caretakers, take note.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 8 out of 10 stars.

Holiday atmosphere rating: 4 out of 10 jingle bells.