Archie's Holiday Magic Special #1

I didn't think it was possible. Draw Archie and the gang in a more modern way but still keep the magic, humor and heart of the world's oldest teenager that millions have grown to love! Yet thanks to Micol Ostow, J. Torres and Michael Northrop, 2021's Archie's Holiday Magic Special was just that a magical holiday moment!

Archie awakens one morning to feel like he just doesn't matter. Thanks to a special festive friend, Arch is shown moments from his past, present and future. Combining elements from It's a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol, L'il Archie and The Memory Lane stories, this 32-pager has just about everything an Archie fan would want. Except for Moose, Midge and Josie and the Pussycats!

I've always been a fan of the L'il Archie stories. The present day story took place at Hanukkah! But the future tale was absolutely great! I know that Archie's life after high school has been explored many a time. Yet those stories always tend to be dream stories. I would love it if a definitive series based on that not too far off tale with that modern art style!

 I can't believe it but this special made a believer out of me! Modern look Archie is good comics!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Tis The Ugly Sweater Season! Advent 2021: Day 5

If you are regular follower on my Advents, you'll know that Hanukkah is a big deal to me. I've had a fascination with the Jewish culture since I was a teen. I believe that the Reuben is the greatest sandwich ever to utilize pink hued dressing. And my wife is Jewish, too! 

In my household, instead of 8 nights of fun- we get 9!

I wasn't able to post on the first day of Hanukkah 2021 as it took place on November 28th. Too early for this year's Advent. So, I'll post tribute to the Chosen People on tonight, the last night of the Festival of Lights with 8 amazing Hanukkah themed ugly sweaters.

Matzoh are flat unleavened crackers. Grind them up, add a little chicken stock and egg and dip them in boiling broth and you've got matzoh ball soup. Yum!

Why wear an ugly Hanukkah sweater when you can decorate your own? (And then eat it, too!)

The first Hanukkah occurred in Jerusalem in 168 BC How dinosaurs found about it is beyond me.

Jewish comedian Howie Mandel shows his love for Challah, a braided yeast dough bread made with eggs. Makes a killer French toast.

I need one of these. It celebrates my Christian beliefs and my family's Jewish heritage. Plus, it's a cardigan and not a tight collar around my neck, which I loath.

Just about everyone who had to do a holiday show in elementary show knows the Dreidel Song. Essentially a top, playing dreidel is legalized gambling for Jewish kids. Only you wager chocolate coins, not cash.

As my Advent gift for tonight, enjoy this video from the gang at South Park as Kyle teaches Cartman how to play dreidel. Enjoy and Happy Hanukkah, everybody!

Merry Christmas-ukkah from your Jewish/Christian Madman friend!

A Very Babymouse Christmas

Babymouse has only one thing on her Christmas list this year. It's a Whizbang! This thing does everything from playing games to text to even math homework! And Babymouse will do anything to get one!

From writing Santa for the device to attempting to win one by decorating her locker
for Christmas- Babymouse is putting out the word that she really wants a Whizbang
for Christmas. 

In the meantime, Babymouse will learn of new holiday customs such as her best
friend Wilson's celebration of Hanukkah. They get 8 days of presents! But before the
holidays are over will Babymouse learn the true meaning of Christmas? 

This was a very cute and fast holiday graphic novel read. This book covers quite a few
holiday traditions as well as pay tribute to several holiday classics such as A Christmas Carol; in which Babymouse dreams that she is Scrooge because all she desires is that
Whizbang.

Babymouse often gets lost in her daydreams. And while these moments are very funny,
the reader sometimes also gets lost with her. The fantasies of Babymouse just happen
without any warning. Sometimes it happens right in the middle of the action. And until
you figure out that this is just Babymouse dreaming, reader's just can't figure out what's
truly going on here. 

One element that I thought was really clever was the interactions between Babymouse
and the creators of this series; the brother and sister duo of Jennifer L. and Matthew
Holm. Those moments add an element of whimsy to Babymouse that's rather delightful.

A Very Babymouse Christmas was a charming holiday story that reader's 8-12 should really love. It's quite festive and
very pink. (That's Babymouse's favorite color!) Being the 15th volume in the Babymouse
series, this a a great introduction to a mischievous and imaginative character that young
readers will want to return to time and time again. Just be aware that Babymouse's
imagination gets away from her sometimes.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

DC's Nuclear Winter Special #1

I've read my share of holiday specials. Okay, I've read a lot of people's share of holiday specials. I must say that 2018's DC's Nuclear Winter Special has got to be one of the most unusual ones that I have ever come across. 

10 stories of the holidays! Each set during times of future calamity by artists and writers such as Paul Dini, Jerry Ordway, Steve Orlando and many, many more. 

I'm not really sure why DC decided to go the dismal route. I've seen quite a few opinions from loyal DC Comics fans online. A majority felt that this was a sort of nose-thumbing to our current presidential administration. Every story does end with hope of a better tomorrow, so possibly DC is trying really hard to say that things might look bad now, but even in the face of a nuclear war or zombie apocalypse or Great Disaster, things can get better. Still, things just weren't quite right with this one-shot.

The 80-page giant begins with Rip Hunter in the future. With his time sphere out of juice, he must fend off a trio of angry techno-barbarians from making him their futuristic Christmas dinner. To buy himself some time, Rip tells the group a slew of stories about other superheroes as they bring a new meaning to 'surviving the holidays.'

My favorite stories include Supergirl, now a woman, trying to save the life of an orphaned girl. Aquaman is tasked by scientists to enter a dead spot in the ocean in hopes of finding a cure for the deadly radiation of a nuclear attack. Firestorm spends Christmas Eve with the Nuclear Family. Plus the Damian Wayne Batman faces ghosts of Christmas past when he is ultimately confronted by grandpa Ra's al Ghul.

Of course, you can't have an apocalyptic holiday special without the Jack Kirby character of Kamandi. His tale is set during Hanukkah and feels like a set-up to a new Last Boy on Earth series.

There's also some fairly decent stories involving Green Arrow and Black Canary as grandparents to a new generation of Justice Leaguers, The Flash stuck in the Speed Force, and others starring Catwoman and J'onn J'onzz.

There's not really a bad story in the bunch. It's just that this year's holiday special wasn't very cheery at all. I hope 2019's edition is much better at this. Nothing says you can't do a holiday special featuring the animated universe. I would pay $13 for a 100-pager featuring the Super Friends, the Max Fleischer Superman, Batman: TAS and The Brave and the Bold and the original Teen Titans Go!

Now let's talk about what was bad- the cover. No, I am not talking about the image of Wonder Woman carrying the corpse of a dead kangaroo. That part of the cover did annoy a lot of fans who claim that Diana was a) a vegetarian and b) an animal lover. I say if in a nuclear winter if food is scarce and you have hungry friends, you change your beliefs a little to save the day. 

No, my issue was with the fact that Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn are both on the cover but neither have stories inside the book. DC is big on the Old Lady Harley storyline that takes place in the dismal future. Having a Christmas yarn set during that era would have been an appropriate tie-in to that miniseries. Just as long as you did not make that story be one in which you had to buy the next issue of Old Lady Harley to get the conclusion to the holiday tale, I would be on board with it's inclusion here. The same goes for Wonder Woman. She could have had a place in the book other that being relegated to cover page eye candy.

A good read that promises treats but inside gives coal to fans of Harley and Diana Prince. Great artwork and very good stories. However, it's not as joyful as holiday specials past. DC's Nuclear Winter Special is the sort of thing that would bum out Whoville. Better luck next time, DC and please consider doing an animated series holiday special for 2019!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

They Made a Christmas Album?- Advent 2018: Day 2

Only 2 days into Advent 2018 and I am already playing hard and loose with the rules. But tonight is the first night of Hanukkah and there's no way I was going to overlook my wife's Jewish heritage. I could have gone easy and picked Adam Sandler's Hanukkah Song. But everyone either knows it or has heard of it. Knowing that, I went with something a little more obscure. 

Phil Spector and Darlene Love going over the lyrics of Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).

Today's featured artist is Darlene Love. A Phil Specter prodigy, Darlene Love's most famous non-holiday song was 1962's He's A Rebel. Later going on to do a ton of covers, Darlene Love performed on the 1963 holiday record A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector. Love sang several songs including Christmas (Baby Please Come Home). Being used in the opening sequence of Gremlins and an annual live performance on David Letterman, this is perhaps the song Darlene Love is most know for and it's a Christmas record. 

So, in order to spin things on it's ear- did you know she made a Hanukkah record?

In keeping with SNL inspired tunes about the Chosen People, on a 2005 Christmas episode, Darlene Love went Kosher with Christmastime for the Jews. The singer and actress even went claymation in this parody of Phil Specter inspired holiday tunes. 

While this song has never been released on vynil or CD, I'm allowing this because, well, it's my Advent. So sit back, grab some Manischewitz and enjoy Christmastime for the Jews...

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.

   

DC Rebirth Holiday Special #1

    Harley Quinn is your host in the super hero holiday spectacular to end all holiday spectaculars. Batman Adventures legend Paul Dini (who also created the character of Harley Quinn) pens the framing segments before a host of holiday themed stories starring Superman and son Jon, Batman and son Damian, Wonder Woman, John Constantine, the Titans, members of the Green Lantern Corps, Batwoman, and many, many more...
    At $9.99, this special is a bit pricey. But it is a 96-pager and there were several stories that I loved so much, I had to read it over. The Batman/ Superman story and the Batman/ Detective Chimp story were the best. But the Paul Dini penned vignettes were the highlight. Nobody does Harley Quinn better- nobody! This book just dropped last Wednesday, but it's getting such rave reviews, I don't think it's going to be on store shelves for long! So act fast!!!
   Featuring a slew of DC talent including Cullen Bunn, Steve Orlando, Dustin Nguyen, and Gustavo Duarte, this was the best DC Special I think I've ever read. And I'm not just saying this because of how excited I am to see DC returning to making holiday specials (it's been 6 years since DC published the last one! Curse you, New 52!) 
    Rebirth has been a great thing for DC Comics and this holiday special was just another great example of how DC is the real mover and shaker of the Big Two! I look forward to 2017 and the next volume!
       
    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The 18 Days of a Star Wars Christmas- MAKE THAT Hannukah Miracle +7: Day 7

  Folks, Tonight marks the first night of Hannukah and I thought I would devote tonight's advent to helping my Jewish readers get in the spirit of the Festival of Lights Star Wars style! And who better to help me than the quarter-Jewish Harrison Ford (AKA Han Solo!)

   I know what you might be thinking, there isn't anything Star Wars to decorate my house for Hannukah! Well, you couldn't be more wrong folks. Here's a style guide from 2014 to help you make this Hannakuh a StarWarsakuh!

   And while we're at it, here's directions on how to make your very own 'Droidel'  in which to bet all those Imperial Gelts on!

   So, sit back with a nice warm latka and listen to the ultimate holiday song as my present to you for the Hannukah season.
 

    Enjoy!

 

The Tick's Big Yule Log Special #1 (1998)

I love the Tick. From watching the legendary cartoon on Fox Kids on Saturdays with my little sister to the so short if you sneeze you'll miss it live-action series to just about every incarnation I can think of- I love the Tick.

  Anything Tick is hard to find. It's a cult classic series that spoofs the superhero genre. So when I can find him for a good deal, I don't think twice. Why I've even bought completed series of Tick knowing full well that I might already have a couple of the issues already. The hero is that good and that hard to come by.

  This Christmas special has Tick and his sidekick Arthur having to play Department store Santa after the champion is falsely accused of having knocked out the store's original St. Nick. The real trouble begins when an evil elf, direct from Santa's workshop, plans to give all the bad kids in town gifts instead of the good ones.

   This comic also has a little Christmas- no Hannukah miracle inside as on the flip side of the book is an 8-page story in which Arthur teaches the Tick about the Festival of Lights. It's perhaps the worst recount of the origin of the eight crazy nights since Superman flew all the Jews out of Egypt. (Friends reference for all you fans of the Holiday Armadillo!)

  I loved this special. For a humor book, it's rare to find myself laughing out loud so much that my wife next to me in bed wants to know what's so funny. She might not get the gags but to me they're comic gold.
 
 Worth Consuming

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Tick’s Big Yule Log Special, #1999 (Holiday 2013 Theme)

This Tick Holiday special is like a “Who’s Who?” for fans of the Tick cartoon from the mid-90s. It’s was really neat seeing all these great heroes and villains once again if only for one or two panels. Too bad this was in black and white and not vivid color. Alas, I’ve kinda conceded that many of the Tick’s books are not ever going to be in color, unless I want to pay about $49.95 for a full color omnibus that only reprints 4 issues. Economics. Whatcha gonna do?

I really enjoyed this trip down memory lane as Tick and Arthur attend the Superhero (and villain) Christmas party at the Comet Club. It was really fun. It just went by too fast. Hopefully, I’ll be getting more of these gems in my stocking this year.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

Holiday atmosphere rating: 7 out of 10 jingle bells.

It's Beginning to Read A Lot Like Christmas...

Well, it's December 1st. So, that means I am allowed to read Christmas stuff. It's a self-imposed sanction. But with the holidays coming sooner and sooner, it's extremely easy to really not get in the spirit.
So, starting today, through the end of the year, I'll be reading- AND reviewing some holiday themed books. Mostly, comics, but hey, It's Christmas! Have some fun and relax!