Marvel and DC Comics Happy Holidays
How Do Superheroes Spend their Holidays?
by Phil Perich for the Capes and Lunatics Blog
With the holidays almost upon us, I thought this would be a good time to take a look back at some of Marvel and DC Comics many classic superhero holiday tales.
The Flash
During writer Mark Waid’s run on the Flash we got Christmas issues two years in a row, something that rarely happens in comics and even less so by the same writer. In Flash #73 (February 1993) Wally West and Jay Garrick go out on Christmas Eve to help where they can. Along the way they help a pregnant woman who has gone into labor and help a man who is about to start down a criminal path change his mind and luck. The issue ends with the apparent return of Barry Allen who was believed dead at that point. “Barry Allen” was later revealed to be the time traveling Reverse Flash. The following year in Flash #87 (February 1994), Wally isn't feeling the Christmas spirit between an unprecedented heat wave, armed thieves attempting to rob the local shopping mall, and drug smugglers posing as street corner Santas. This issue also ends with a shock, with Wally being sued by a woman who was supposedly injured in one of his battles. I think these issues and the Flash TV show show that holidays are hardest on super speedsters!
Daredevil
Matt Murdock aka Daredevil has had his share of holiday adventures. The first one that springs to my mind is Daredevil #253 (April 1988). This issue written by Ann Nocenti follows Matt and his archenemy Wilson Fisk the Kingpin of crime. While we see Matt as Daredevil helping ordinary people in the city and stopping crooks from ruining the holiday for many, Fisk is shown not caring what day it is and attempting to continue with (illegal) business as usual. Another Daredevil adventures took place in Daredevil #7 (February 2012). In that issue writer Mark Waid (Hey, the Flash guy? He must REALLY love christmas stories) tells the tale of Matt Murdock taking the students of a blind school on a holiday trip until their bus crashes in a blizzard and Matt must keep the children alive. What do these two stories have in common besides time of the year? The sense of hope and the strength and goodness of the human spirit!
NIghtwing
While Batman has had a few holiday stories, even the happy endings have a somber tone. But NIghtwing #64 (February 2002) took despair and turned it into a heartwarming tale of the season thanks to one of my favorite Nightwing writers, Chuck Dixon. In between stopping petty street crime as NIghtwing and police officer Dick Grayson, Dick reads a letter from a little girl who asks Santa to find a job for her father before he has to resort to a life of crime. After Nightwing puts a hurt on the gang pressuring the father, he gets the man a job as the superintendent of Dick Grayson’s apartment building.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man has had many christmas and holiday tales told in his many decades of adventures. One of my favorites is Amazing Spider-Man #420 (February 1997) written by Tom DeFalco. The story begins with Peter Parker trying to figure out where he’ll get the money to buy a pair of expensive boots for his wife Mary Jane. Peter then gets an assignment from the Daily Bugle to get pictures of a new psychic who recently set up shop in New York City, one of my favorite characters from the 1990s, Nate Grey the X-Man, who Peter discovers is an alternate reality’s version of X-Force’s Cable. After sharing life stories and becoming friends, Peter takes Nate home for dinner. Later that night after Peter has gone to sleep, Nate uses his telepathic abilities to talk to Peter as Aunt May who Peter believed died months earlier. Quite the christmas present from Nate!
Superman
Superman is also a character who has had quite a few holiday tales told about him. One of the best and most heart warming is Superman #165 (February 2001) written by Jeph Loeb. Still reeling from the fact that Lex Luthor had won the 2000 presidential election, Superman is shown in short stories meeting with several members of the Justice League and giving each a small gift and showing them what their friendships mean to him. This story just shows once again how this alien hero is maybe the most “human” character of the DC Universe!
Hulk
Most superheroes, no matter what power level or ability set usually get at least one holiday or christmas tale told about them. In the Incredible Hulk #378 (February 1991) the grey Hulk is shown battling the Rhino in a shopping mall where the Rhino is hiding out and working as a mall Santa. We get another classic Hulk/Rhino fight until a little girl starts to lose her belief in Santa Claus. And of course we also get the irreverent humor of long time Hulk writer Peter David.
What are some of YOUR favorite superhero holiday stories? Let me know!
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