We here at Multiversity get pretty excited about the holidays, and this year we’re sharing that excitement with the rest of you as we celebrate that wonder of wonders: THE HOLIDAY COMIC!
Each day for the next twenty-five days, and in no particular order, we’ll be featuring one yuletide yarn set to the tune of tidings of comfort and joy, and today we’ve got, in my opinion, the finest Christmas comic of them all. How in the name of Santa Claus will we top Starman #27, “Christmas Night?”
Check after the cut for more on this holiday classic.
Who Did It? Like every issue of Starman, this was written by James Robinson. Steve Yeowell did the pencils, Wade von Grawbadger did the inks, and the great Tony Harris provided the cover.
What Is It About? On Christmas Eve, Jack Knight is late to the O’Dare Christmas party when he meets a down on his luck Santa Claus who has had his sole possession, a locket with a photo of his family in it, stolen. Jack helps Santa track down the locket, while the O’Dares and their various other guests (Ted Knight, Mikaal Tomas, Charity, the Shade) await his arrival. Eventually, Jack learns that this Santa is a veteran, and is a good guy who has hit on some bad luck. Jack takes a shine to him, and helps him at the expense of his on-time arrival at the O’Dare’s.
After recovering the locket, and witnessing Santa (or Pete, as his name is revealed to be) performing CPR on a wounded clerk, Jack invites Pete to the O’Dare gathering, where he is warmly welcomed by the family, and they all raise their glasses together.
How Holiday Friendly Is It? Extraordinarily so. The entire book is Christmas-themed, and manages not to be the hokey, schmaltzy story it could’ve been. It is a legitimately touching, beautifully drawn, sweet and hopeful Christmas story. While being all of that, it also manages to be a damn good Starman story, and gives each character a little something to do that feels spot on and natural. This is by far my favorite holiday-themed comic, and never fails to bring a tear to my eye when Pete, overwhelmed with the kindness and love he is receiving at the O’Dare house begins to shed a tear. Before it can roll down his cheek, Mason O’Dare comes over to him and whispers “No Pete. No tears. Not tonight.”
A simple, lovely thought this time of year.
