The Best Christmas Comics to Give to Collectors
Offbeat-But-Classic Comic Book Tales on a Holiday Theme
Nov 16, 2009
Non-collectors can have trouble finding the best comics to buy as Christmas presents for their comics-obsessed friends. Yet there are back issues from a variety of writers and artists, working in different comics genres, that are classics on a holiday theme, and would make savvy gifts.
The Best Comics About Gift-Giving Superheroes
Holiday specials have long been a staple of superhero comics, even if many are little more than sales gimmicks. But there are some gift-worthy superhero stories on holiday themes, such as Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's Batman: The Long Halloween – though Christmas is pointedly avoided by the story's "Holiday" killer in favor of New Year's Eve.
Perhaps the most unique Christmas Batman tale is "Slaying Song Tonight," written by longtime Bat-scribe Dennis O'Neil and illustrated by Danish artist Terry Kristiansen. Originally appearing in Batman: Black and White #3, the story tells how Batman stops a Santa Claus-disguised hitman from killing a family on Christmas Eve.
Meanwhile, Superman fans will appreciate the nuanced take on gift-giving in 1985's "For the Man Who Has Everything...", written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, the team that would go on to create Watchmen the following year.
Here the occasion is Superman's birthday, instead of Christmas. Wonder Woman and Batman and Robin arrive at the snow-swept Fortress of Solitude to find that one of Superman's enemies has ensnared him in an alien plant that gives the Man of Steel his heart's desire – though it may not be as good as he thinks.
This classic was originally presented in Superman Annual #11, but it was reprinted in The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told and, most recently, in DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore.
The Best Alternative Comics for the Holidays
Even alternative and underground comics have had holiday editions. Perhaps the best received – and now a collector's item – is the Hellboy Christmas Special from 1997. The issue received an Eisner Award for Best Anthology, while Mike Mignola's Hellboy story "A Christmas Underground" won him a Best Writer/Artist Eisner.
The Hellboy Christmas Special is also notable for work contributed by comics masters Gary Gianni (Prince Valiant), Geof Darrow (Hard Boiled), and Steve Purcell (Sam & Max).
Fans of Purcell will be happy to know that he also did a Christmas special of sorts starring his cartoon characters Sam and Max, a three-page tale called "The Damned Don't Dance." It's reprinted in Sam & Max: Freelance Police – Special Color Collection and in The Collected Sam & Max: Surfin' the Highway.
The Best Comics for Scrooges
Of course, not all comics collectors are fans of relentless yuletide cheer. But there are great comics on a Christmas theme even for those too cynical for a heartwarming tale.
A classic back issue of Peter Bagge's Neat Stuff, for instance, would make a great gift for a comics-loving Scrooge. Bagge's "Merry F***ing Christmas," from Neat Stuff #12, stars the dysfunctional Bradley family, whose eldest son Buddy would go on to star in Bagge's acclaimed series Hate through the 1990s.
For a more general attack on consumerism (if not Christmas itself), collectors might enjoy a copy of Neat Stuff #5, containing "Life's A Bitch and Then You Die." The story, which Bagge selected as his favorite from the entire Neat Stuff run, features suburban cynic Chet Leeway as he tries to navigate the horrors of his local mall during his day off.
The Best Christmas Comics Depend on the Collector
Christmas specials and gift-giving stories are popular across comics genres, as superheroes and cartoon characters alike have holiday-themed adventures. There are even outstanding examples of anti-Christmas comics that appeal to a more cynical readership.
So with a little digging, gift-givers can find plenty of classic comics on a holiday theme for the discerning collectors on their lists.
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