We are taking a few days off from publishing new content for the holidays, so enjoy some of our favorite Christmas-themed writing over the past 11 years! Merry Christmas to all!
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’s entry features two unlikely co-stars in a tale of loneliness and enlightenment.
Hit the jump and be sure to bring a tissue!
Day #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #21
Who did it? This one was masterfully written by Alan Brennert, with art by Dick Giordano, lettering by Steve Haynie, and colored by Tom McCraw. Oh, and it was edited by some guy named “Mark Waid.”
What is it about? As the big day approaches, the ghostly Boston “Deadman” Brand sulks around Manhattan, observing the living as they hustle and bustle around the city, doing their last minute shopping and celebrating with their friends and family. Such revelry, understandably, make for a pretty lonely Deadman, and so, in an effort to pick his own spirits up a little, he decides to inhabit a few people and experience Christmas through them.
But what starts out as an innocent attempt to feel something other than dead during the holidays, ends up with Deadman feeling guilty about, essentially, stealing his hosts’ Christmas right out from under them.
Deadman expels himself and heads back out into the emptiness, crestfallen and forlorn, but accepting of his fate. But he’s soon stunned when a beautiful young blonde woman passing by addresses him directly. She can see him!
After the initial shock passes, Deadman walks with the woman, and spill his guts, and spends a few more minutes feeling sorry for himself.
But the mystery woman won’t stand for him wallowing in sorrow. She removes his mask to remind him who he is, and then drops this bit of science on him:
Moved by her insight, Deadman gets it together and ends the pity party early, and just as they are about to go their separate ways, he can’t help but wonder:
To which she replies:
Oh, man… NIAGARA FALLS!
Is it holiday friendly? Oh my gosh, really? Do you have to ask? This is my last entry into the Multiversity Advent for 2011, and it’s by far my favorite Christmas comic because it reminds us that what we get out of Christmas isn’t nearly as important as what we bring to the season.
