Classics Illustrated Junior #531: Rapunzel (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

In 1953, Gilberton began a spin-off of its vastly popular Classics Illustrated series of comics. Titled Classics Illustrated Junior, this new line was aimed at readers younger than 8. Issues featured fairy tales, nursery rhymes and fables. To distinguish itself from the sister line, Classic Illustrated Junior began its numbering at #501. This makes  #501, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' the first issue in the series that lasted until 1971, when new owners Twin Circle Publishing discontinued all of its former Gilberton holdings.

In this issue, the story of 'Rapunzel' is explored. The fairy tale of the maiden with the lengthy tresses, locked away in a very tall tower is popularly attributed to the German folklorists, the Brothers Grimm, in their 1812 fairy tale collection Children's and Household Tales. However, modern researchers trace origins of the story to a couple of 17th century French fairy tales as well as the classical myth of the Greek hero Perseus, whose mother was confined to a bronze tower by her father. Regardless of the origins of the story, Gilberton focused on the Brothers Grimm as the primary source material.

The tale begins before the main character is even born. Her mother is having cravings for a salad made of rampion, a flowering plant with edible blossoms and roots. The nearest source of the plant is in the next door garden which belongs to an evil witch. Refusing to eat anything else except for the tantalizing rampions, the expecting mother sends her husband to gather some of the plants. 

Afraid of the witch, the husband sneaks into the garden and steals some of the rampion. He's caught by the crone. But since the plants are for the wife, the witch allows her rampions to be harvested- for a price! In return for the edibles, the old woman gets ownership of the couple's daughter; to which the very afraid husband willingly agrees.

After the birth of the child, the witch takes the infant girl into her custody. The babe is named Rapunzel, which is another name for rampion. Over the years, Rapunzel's hair grows ridiculously long. At around age 10, the conjurer imprisons Rapunzel in a tower that has no entrance way except for a lone widow at the very top. After destroying the ladder that gained the witch entrance into the tower, the hag checks on Rapunzel each morning by ordering the girl to lower her lengthy tresses. The witch then climbs up the hair to provide nourishment.

One day, a travelling prince hears Rapunzel singing in her tower and becomes immediately enamored. Hidden in a thicket, he witnesses the witch commanding Rapunzel to lower her hair. When the sorceress leaves, the prince makes the same request of Rapunzel and after making his climb, asks the girl to become his bride. But first, they've got to get rid of Rapunzel's jailer!

While Classics Illustrated Junior has a lessened page count than its older sibling series, there are several added features to the issue. Also included is a one-page recital of the nursery rhyme 'Little Miss Muffet', the Aesop Fable of the belling of the cat (titled 'The Mice in Council') as well as a 'The Animal World', a small nature strip about the abilities and  attributes of the Arctic reindeer. A connect the dot activity which reveals a kangaroo and a coloring page depicting Rapunzel in her tower bedroom round out the offerings. 

While it was not industry standards to attribute credits to the writers and artists who contributed to these pre-bronze age issues, devoted fans and comic book historians did exhaustive research in order to learn just who to admire for their work. From what I could look up, Lin Streeter painted the cover. He's also credited as the illustrator of both the title story as well as the Aesop Fable and the color page in the inside back cover. Alex A. Blum is ascribed for drawing the art for the 'Little Miss Muffet' page. William A. Walsh drew the reindeer lesson. 

No writer information was readily available. The Brothers Grimm are not even given credit for inspiring this tale whereas other issues, such as #525 'The Little Mermaid', bestows cover credit to Hans Christian Andersen.

Completing this review completes Task #28 (An issue of Classics Illustrated Jr) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Mighty Samson #30

It's not really a Christmas comic book. But there are definitely elements of the holidays in this issue. It's been on my radar since I learned about it during the pandemic, when I spent a lot of time researching Holiday comic books. When I finally found an issue for sale, I pounced despite the fact that I probably could have gotten it cheaper somewhere else down the road.

Mighty Samson was one of several post-apocalyptic comics that came about after the premiere of the first Planet of the Apes film. The main character is a member of a tribe of mutants. Both a giant and super strong, he explores the ruins of New York which was devastated by a nuclear bomb. He's joined by a professor and his daughter. While quite brilliant, the professor doesn't quite get the facts about pre-war New York, now N'Yark, that quite right and it's that wrong information where the fun begins.

Samson and his compatriots are in need of supplies. So they head to the ruins of Macy's department store. It's there that they stumble across a few of the balloons used in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Samson attacked one thinking it was a monster lurking in the shadows. But it turns out that the balloon had been revered as a god by a tribe of survivors who dwell in the derelict mercantile. Certain death is nigh!

After that a lot happens. The professor uses his knowledge of science disguised as magic to save their lives. A jealous witch doctor betrays the tribe of Macy's dwellers. A mysterious woman with her lustful eyes set on Samson arrives. As do a pack of mutant birds with the heads of dogs. Arm Samson with some beach umbrellas and put him astride a reindeer balloon and you've got yourself one heck of a story. Cheesy. But entertaining enough that if I ever came across another issue of the Otto Binder created antics of the Mighty Samson, I'd gladly find a way to purchase it.

I know I get mad if I buy a comic book with a holiday cover but there's nothing Christmas, Hanukkah or even Kwanzaa inside. I call such books 'Scrooges'. And if I'm being honest, this isn't a Christmas time cover. Even though Samson and a foe ride Christmas balloons on the cover of this book, nowhere does Gold Key make a claim that this story takes place during Christmas time. Having this book on my Christmas comic wish list was in error. However, any sort of belief that this was a holiday book was a mistake on my part. It was the idea of having survivors of a nuclear use balloons from the Macy's parade that awoken fantasies of a wasteland Christmas!  

This issue really entertained me. I felt the wonder of Christmas along with the happiness of Thanksgiving. Plus cameos from Bullwinkle and Tubby! This book is staying in my collection and I'm keeping it in my holiday boxes. It's a Christmas miracle of guilty pleasure proportions!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

21st Century Santa Stories #1

I meant to read this book last year when it came out. But for some reason I didn't get to purchase it until after the holiday. Maybe it was a shipping delay. But for some reason, I was late to the party for this one-shot anthology from American Mythology. 

There are 4 stories in this book. The first story ponders what would happen to Santa if Christmas was cancelled. Now, normally, you'd think that St. Nick would have an early vacation. But the twist on this story is that Santa only gets paid if there's a holiday. So without his annual stipend, Kris Kringle is forced to make ends meet until next year's holiday season. 

Then a bunch of homemade ornaments meet the newest decoration on the tree, a cute little puppy. But when an accident causes Santa's milk and cookies to be ruined, the baubles panic thinking that they've ruined Christmas.

Then a young boy is taught to pray to Saint Nicholas for protection over his father who's at sea on a merchant vessel. Unknown to the child, dad's praying too because his ship has just sunk and he's about to plunge into the bring deep.

Lastly, a pair of brothers, and one sleepy sister, use modern technology to try and capture Santa Claus.

This issue ends with a couple of interactive one-pagers for kids. I particularly liked the form letter to Santa. That was kinda funny. An unexpected addition was a glimpse at all of American Mythology's Three Stooges books over the years. I greatly appreciated it as I saw that there's a couple of holiday themed specials that I don't have yet. (I'll need to update my wish list.)

Overall, a very good book. The prayers to Santa story was a little weird. But then again, I don't live in a predominantly Catholic nation where intercession with Saint Nicholas is common. So I learned something there. But I also experienced some heartache inside this book.

In the opening tale, there was a single panel that just broke my heart. In need of cash, Santa has to sell his reindeer. The look on Donner's face just killed me. He looks so loving and proud at Santa, who's refusing to sell one of his team for no less than $500. I just couldn't tell if Donner had no idea that someone was about to buy him or if the reindeer was hopeful that for such a large sum of money, Donner isn't going anywhere. The whole swirl of mixed emotions and uncertainty over the outcome of that scene just made me so sad and I just can't shake its effect on me.

The main cover by Roy Allen Martinez is just so wonderful. It should rank up there as one of the best holiday covers of all time. However, I don't think that's going happen with this being an Indy book that flew under a lot of comic book lovers radar.

I wouldn't mind a second volume. Just don't play with my heartstrings when it comes to Santa's reindeer.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Santa Claus: The Story Behind The Legend

Go to the grocery store lanes today, if you can find one that isn't self service, and you'll find a number of magazines devoted to a single pop culture subject. A recent trip to a Chapel Hill, NC Harris Teeter saw single-issue publications devoted to Superman, Willy Wonka, and Taylor Swift. It was about a month ago that I purchased this holiday special starring one of the major players of Christmas: Santa Claus.

Just about everything you wanted to know about St. Nick is in this full color 100-pager. His history, both as real and myth, a look at those writers and creators who evolved the character from a Turkish bishop to the billion advertising juggernaut he is today. There's info about Mrs. Claus, the reindeer, his elves, even a look at the rustic homes of the North Pole are included. It also contains tons of facts about movies, books and TV shows that have featured Santa as well as a look at how children around the world receive their gifts from Santa. 

The cover promises to reveal the secret as to how Santa delivers toys to all those kids in just 1 night. While they take into account that based on the international date line and going from East to West in a lateral zig-zag pattern in each time zone actually gives Santa about 36 hours to deliver all his presents, they forget one important thing: not every culture has Santa deliver their gifts! Italy has a witch named La Befana. Some Scandinavian countries have the Yule Goat: a man who transforms into a gift giving goat every Christmas Eve. Some cultures get their gifts from Santa a bit before or weeks after December 25th. Add in those lands that forbid Santa or the celebration of Christmas, the lack of kids in Antarctica, and acres of unlivable terrain, in reality, Santa isn't that busy every Christmas Eve.

This publication was released by A360Media. From the cover, it looked like a Time/Life magazine. Instead A360Media are the folks who own the National Enquirer, Star and US Magazine. The Enquirer and Star links explain the lack of 100% accuracy in some of the facts. The US Magazine link explains the focus on pop culture and entertainment. 

I really only skimmed the surface of this mag. I think my wife will enjoy reading it next year. There's a life bit of everything for the person who loves Christmas. There's even a couple of recipes! Only thing missing was some kind of fun and games page. I would have appreciated a crossword and a word find. Maybe a hidden picture or other visual activity would have been nice. Still, without those additions, this was a read that while peppered with some inaccuracies, was anything but naughty!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum

A while back my wife and I partook in a novel Advent activity. We took turns reading The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn. It told of a number of historical characters that helped give rise to the modern day legend of Santa Claus. I understood the relevance of Clement Moore, the author of the epic poem A Visit From Saint Nick. I even understood why President Teddy Roosevelt was included what with his influence on the popularity of the Teddy Bear and the story of how one of his sons wanted a live Christmas tree but Roosevelt being a stanch conservationist was against it. Those figures were ones I understood why they were considered great allies of Kris Kringle. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out the addition of L. Frank Baum.

Baum is most famously known for writing The Wizard of Oz and its subsequent sequels. I had known from a hard cover graphic novel I found at a local thrift store that Baum had penned a short story farce called A Kidnapped Santa Claus. But surely this wasn't enough of an influence on Father Christmas to warrant him inclusion into Santa's life story. 

It's actually this short novel, published in 1902 that made L. Frank Baum one of the utmost contributors to the modern Santa Claus. It tells of how a neglected little babe is found by faeries, raised to respect the magical creatures of nature and makes it his life goal to gift all the children of the world with gifts every Christmas Eve. 

In this story, there's no living at the North Pole. The names of his reindeer are vastly different from Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and the rest. Heck, Santa isn't really even a jolly old fat man. Though he does eventually grow a beard.

Clement Moore's 1809 poem which is now colloquially known as 'T'was the Night Before Christmas', did introduce St. Nick to the United States. But other than that poem, little was really known about the Yule time gift giver in America. Baum noticed this and sought to create an origin story that took away any religious references and replaced it with a more pagan beginning with the baby being blessed throughout his life by mystical woodland beings. 

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus does take a lot of elements from Clement Moore and gives a backstory to them, which humanizes the character instead of canonizing Claus. Take the origin of the stockings. According to the Catholic Church, the real life influence of Santa was one who placed a dowry into the leggings of a trio of young poor girls, that were drying by a fire. In Baum's story, the accidental placement of some gifts into some wet socks ends up becoming a real time saver for Claus, who has only 24 hours to deliver toys around the world annually. Things like how parents use Santa as a threat to keep naughty children in line, how he becomes deemed a saint, and his relationship with Christmas time are all out of necessity or word of mouth. Anything remotely religious is not tied in with the 'true' story of Claus.

Maybe that lack of Christianity is why Signet books chose storyteller Max Apple to write an afterword about this book. Apple is Jewish and admits that as a child he hated Santa because Christmas being a gentile holiday makes the character unapproachable for him and other children of the Tribe. Max Apple writes that if he knew that Baum's Santa was created as being the most furthest religious character imaginable, other than Wiccan or pagan, the writer would have delighted in annual visits from Santa Claus as a lad.

It was an enjoyable read. Definitely a different sort of holiday character from what Coca-Cola and Rankin/Bass have created over the past 100 years. Speaking of Rankin/Bass, this story was made into that stop-motion production company's last original work in the mid-80s. No wonder some segments of this book seemed familiar to me despite having never read the book. And if the chapter in which Santa is kidnapped by evil creatures who hate children seems familiar, that's because Baum recycled that story into A Kidnapped Santa Claus, which is a far more bleaker romp that this book.

A short enough read that families could break this down into chunks over the course of a frosty December. Some of the language is a tad outdated. But it's something the whole family can enjoy just once or as a new holiday annual tradition.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Tis The Ugly Sweater Season! Advent 2021: Day 24

The Fat Man comes tonight!

So lets wait by the fireplace while looking at some ugly sweaters starring Santa Claus and his reindeer!

For today's Advent, I gift you 2 presents. The first is a glimpse at how my wife and I will be celebrating Christmas Eve- with the goats at Spring Haven Farm! Then take a look at what tonight is like from Santa's point of view!

Enjoy them both!

The Donner Party With Blitzen!

Day 2 of my Christmas comic book reads took me to the North Pole. It's a couple of days after Christmas and Santa's about to go on a much needed vacation with some Eskimos. With Mrs. Claus off to visit her sister, St. Nick leaves his brother, Christmas Steve, in charge of the work shop.

With the boss man gone, the reindeer wanna party. But Rudolph is such a goody-goody. But he'll be easy to deal with... Still, there's no way Christmas Steve will let the reindeer play. That is until the Santa of the southern hemisphere asks the Christmas caribou to go on a beer run! 

Yeah... things are going to go smoothly.

This book is from a small independent publisher from the Durham, NC area. I bought this book from my favorite local comic shop and I've met creator Kelly Stiles before at a local comic book event. So the odds that more than a few hundred people have ever heard of this book is low. But man, should they!

This book was hilarious. It was irreverent. It was awesome! Only 16 pages long. But it was 16 ad free pages. I only paid like $3 and that was with tax. I gotta say; this was one of the best investments I ever made to my holiday themed comics collection. 

If only there was more! 

If you love holiday comics and you like it when things are not taken too seriously, head over to Indyplanet.com and pick yourself up a copy or two and get some for your friends! It's that good.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9.5 out of 10 stars.