This week, nothing but sheer, unabashed wallowing in peculiar holiday comics in several genres. We have a couple of servings of kiddie comics, a creepy old-western story, a bit of mystery, and more!
As usual, I've tried to keep the stories tied to 'music/recording/sound/radio and media', but we'll stray a little bit this time to fit in a couple of tales that are just a lot of fun.
Pull those work-station blankets up tight and snuggy, pour a libation, and enjoy some not-so-wholesome reading time with the classics. It'll be naughty and nice - I ain't tellin' you twice!
Exult in WFMU's offering of cold-weather cheer - right after the jump!
Now we'll change gears and visit the late 19th Century, and the Western United States to peruse one of the strange annual Christmas stories from Jonah Hex comics, in the March 1980 issue, as done by the powerhouse team of freaky author Michael Fleisher, with very handsome art and inks by veteran cartoonist Dan Spiegle.
"Christmas in an Outlaw Town"
I imagine a lot of readers back then were surprised to meet Papa Hex! Terrific art on that one.
Coming up next, another story by an unknown writer and artist, but featuring very lovely art indeed:
"Santa in Wonderland", from Santa Claus Funnies #2, 1942 issue.
Well, alright - not the most original or amazing script, just a bit of fun. I do love the artwork, inking and coloring though. The heavy use of white/negative areas gives it such an open, airy look; and the cantankerous Santa is a nice piece of characterization. Typical high-quality Dell Comics product.
Our penultimate yarn is a tidy little three-pager by Swamp Thing creators Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson, writer and artist respectively, just months before their first Swampy tale appeared in House of Secrets #92 in July 1971. This Christmastime story comes from another DC 'scary' book: House of Mystery #191, cover dated March 1971.
Cover art for H.O.M. #191 above by Neal Adams. I usually like to include the cover art for these pieces even if it doesn't refer to the featured story. I think because it always bugs me when people post a cool story, but not the cover of the book that it came from.
Now for the big finish - a wacky five-page satirical piece by author Steve Gerber, of Howard the Duck fame, with art by Warren Statler and Henry Scarpelli. I got a real kick out of the guest stars at the end when I first read this, you'll see what I mean.
This comes from the next-to-last issue of Marvel's short-lived MAD magazine clone SPOOF, cover dated March 1973.
The cover art above is by Marie Severin and Frank Giacoia.
Happy New Year, Everybody !
------------------ "PRIIIIIMAL !!" ----------------------
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