Happy Horror Days One-Shot

I've been learning over the years how the holidays are filled with creepy characters and horrible stories from around the world. So who better than Archie's horror imprint to provide some festive frights? From 2022, Happy Horror Days offers 3 tales designed to bring holiday fear instead of cheer.

Frank Tieri returns to the Jughead: The Hunger universe he created with a story that answers the question: What would happen if Krampus ran across the path of a hungry werewolf? 

Then Veronica makes an Icelandic immigrant's first Christmas in Riverdale hell by berating their fashion sense. Little does Ms. Lodge know about the legend of the deadly Yule Cat.

Finally, under pressure from his parents, Reggie wishes for a girl he can take to Christmas dinner with. Little does he know that his prayers have been answered by a pair of devilish imps.

The opening story was more black comedy than horror. Lots of funny banter that if the main Jughead: The Hunger books are anything like this Krampus caper, then I most certainly wanna get my hands on them. The other two stories were like most classic horror comic tales. It's the twist endings that elicits the scares. The closing panels to both stories were absolutely creepy. But I think it's that last panel of the Reggie story that is really going to stick with me for a while.

I loved this anthology. The annual Archie Christmas specials are the books I look forward to the most each holiday season. They bring forth a magic of the holidays and this special is no different. Except that it's black magic instead of Christmas magic. I'm kicking myself for not having read this one sooner because I feel like if I had given praise to this one-shot sooner, we could have had 2 more years of scary Archie Christmas comics.

Well, there's always next year.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Santas From Around The World: Iceland- The Yule Cat (Advent 2020, Day 20)

Every Christmas, gigantic feline terrifies the island nation of Iceland. But it does not seek revenge on the naughty. No. This kitty cat will devour you whole if you do not have new clothes.

Enter the Yule Cat! Iceland's frightening excuse to make the countries boys and girls demand clothes for Christmas. I'm not really sure where the legend of the Yule Cat started. Of the top of my head, I'd say that it was dreamed up by the Icelandic clothes consortium. A quick search on Wiki states that I'm not that far off from my assessment. 

According to 19th century records, farmers would try to 'encourage' their workers to reap the annual wool harvest quicker. Those who speed up would be rewarded with a brand new wool suit. Those lazy employees would be eaten by the Yule Cat. 

Over time, that legend was passed along to the kiddos of Iceland. While the Yule Cat still lurks the streets, his harsh reputation has lessened as many Christmas traditions over time have. Instead of eating children, the Yule Cat has settled for eating the Christmas Eve supper of youngsters who don't get clothes for the holidays. 

Hopefully, the Yule Cat doesn't eat the cookies left for Santa. Like these traditional treats known as Marens Kornflexkokur. 

These might sound tricky. But they only call for 5 ingredients and only take about 15 minutes to make!

Enjoy!