“A Christmas Carol” has long found home in comic books
Batman mixes with Charles Dickens in this year’s graphic novel “Batman: Noel,” but that’s not the only time the classic “A Christmas Carol” has been remixed into comics. English author Charles Dickens’ novella, first published in 1843, features the transformation of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge after he is visited one Christmas Eve by the ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.
Christmas Countdown: Marvel Team-Up #1 (1972)
Peter Parker’s been assigned to take photos of the local Polar Bear club on Christmas Eve, as they plan a quick swim in the frigid temperatures. But they’re interrupted by a disturbance in the sand — the Sandman is back! Peter changes to Spidey to track the villain down, but Sandman slips through his grasp.
Spidey still hopes to make his date, so he swings by to warn the Fantastic Four that the Sandman is back. But the only hero on hand is the somewhat Scroogelike Johnny Storm, who isn’t feeling in the Christmas spirit.
Still, Spidey joins Johnny, dressed in some swingin’ ’70s threads, to search for the Sandman. The pair stop to help make some citizens’ Christmases more merry along the way, by averting a traffic accident and stopping an attempted robbery.
They eventually catch up with the Sandman, and there’s a Christmas twist of sorts to the tale’s final third. Johnny eventually comes around on the season, as well.
Roy Thomas and Ross Andru are the creative team for a charming first issue. The series, featuring Spider-Man teaming with various Marvel superheroes, ran through issue No. 150 in 1985. Trivia note: The woman who Johnny and Spider-Man save from a mugging was later revealed to be Misty Knight, later girlfriend to Iron Fist and a private detective in the Marvel Universe.
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1981. Still to go: 30
Christmas Countdown: Fantastic Four 564-565
The “Ultimates” team of Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch teamed up for a two-part tale set during Christmas as part of their “Fantastic Four” run, which ran for 16 issues in 2008-2009. In issues 564-565, the Fantastic Four visit Reed’s distant cousin in Scotland for their Christmas vacation.
In the highlands town of Iarmailt, there’s no crime and the town is hale and hearty. Millar and Hitch create a beautiful Scottish countryside — but of course, things are a bit too perfect, and the tale goes from fun vacation romp to Lovecraftian horror.
Franklin and Valeria, Reed and Sue’s kids, get some good moments in this issue, and the art is simply gorgeous. The story is a bit slight, but was probably intended as a change of pace between larger arcs. Unlike most Christmas-themed comics, these didn’t actually come out in December, but instead in February and April — but given the events of the issue, that may have been partially intentional. Further mixing up the seasons, the cover to #564 is an homage to Norman Rockwell’s painting “Thanksgiving.”
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1980. Still to go: 31
Christmas Countdown: Incredible Hulk #378
Writer Peter David and artist Bill Jaaska create a humorous Christmas tale in “Incredible Hulk” #378.
This is just as David’s run on the Hulk was really hitting its stride, and though the last issue, #377, set a new status quo for the Hulk, this issue is in some ways a filler, as Rick Jones tells some hospitalized kids a story about how teasing can lead to trouble.
He then tells the story of the Rhino, forever trapped in his Rhino suit, is alone for the holidays, and not feeling optimistic about his super-villain prospects. He steals a Santa suit, puts it on on top of his Rhino costume, and is making a few dollars with a fake charity bucket when he’s roped into appearing as a department store Santa. He’s not a particularly convincing one, and a kid figures out he’s actually the Rhino. Rhino, sick of listening to kids ask for presents, tosses one across the room.
Fortunately (sort of), it’s nearing sunset, and that’s when Bruce Banner would change into the grey version of the Hulk. The Hulk arrives in time to catch the kid, and Rhino-as-Santa and the Hulk get into a slugfest.
Peter David finishes up the story in a charming manner, however, that has a little bit of holiday spirit and co-operation. Overall, it’s a funny issue with a holiday flair. “Rhino Plastered!” has a cover date of Feb. 1991, meaning it was on sale in the Christmas season of 1990.
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1978. Still to go: 33.
Christmas Countdown: Amazing Spider-Man #166
Spider-Man is tracking down the reptile-man Stegron in this Christmas tale from Len Wein and Ross Andru.
Stegron was once Vincent Stegron, lab assistant to Dr. Curt Connors. But, ironically given his surname, he’s transformed into a dinosaur-man after injecting himself with dinosaur DNA. He manages to re-form dinosaurs from skeletons in a museum using a ray he’s invented. He can then command these dinosaurs to battle Spider-Man. (These are some out-there powers.)
When Spidey goes to Dr. Curt Connors for help, it turns out that Stegron has already been there – and triggered Curt Connors’ transformation into the Spidey foe the Lizard.
Spider-Man must stop Stegron’s plans, rescue Curt’s son, and stop the Lizard without hurting Connors. He can’t do it without putting a crimp in Peter Parker’s Christmas plans, however.
With reconstituted dinosaurs, a Manhattan snowstorm and a wedding proposal, “Amazing Spider-Man” #166 is pretty out there, but a fun holiday issue nonetheless, especially for those with 1970s Marvel nostalgia. (I guess a wedding proposal and a snowstorm aren’t that odd for the Christmas season. But the reconstituted dinosaurs, definitely unusual.)
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1977. Still to go: 34.
“Daytripper” is gorgeous, thought-provoking graphic novel
Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba create the story of the life of Bras de Olivias Dominguez, in the graphic novel “Daytripper,” originally released as 10 individual issues. Each issue follows a day in the life of Bras, with each ending the same — he dies. The following story picks up at a different point in Bras’ life, unconnected to his previous death. Bras is the son of a famous author, a “miracle child” struggling to find his place and his way, as told through each separate vignette. The beauty of Brazil and the fragility of life play key roles in this highly recommended graphic novel. It’s beautiful, challenging and at times heartbreaking.
Also read recently:
Fathom vol. 2: Beginnings, Prelude, 0-11
Admiral Maylander attacks an underwater city of the Blue. Political intrigue and action are heavy in this volume, as marine biologist Aspen Matthews finds out more about her true identity. Written by J.T. Krul.
Fathom Vol. 3, 0-10
The deep-sea-living the Black declare war upon the humans as the Blue must determine if they will be humanity’s enemy or ally. Killian joins with Siphon to negotiate with the humans, though Kiani wants to part of a peaceful settlement. Aspen again finds herself torn among worlds she has a history with as she attempts to prevent full-scale destruction, and save her long-lost brother. Written by J.T. Krul.
Who is Jake Ellis? The collection of this 5-issue miniseries features former spy Jon Moore, now a mercenary. He’s able to escape capture in part because of the voice in his head — the voice of Jake Ellis. But who is Jake Ellis? He’s a man that only Jon can see, providing information on safe escapes and possible threats. The mystery of Ellis, and Jon’s quest to discover the secrets behind it, are what writer Nathan Edmondson and artist Tonci Zonjic have laid out in this fast-paced espionage thriller from Image Comics.
GI Joe Operation HISS #1: Set in the continuity of the G.I. Joe live-action movie, this issue sees Snake Eyes and Scarlett raid a M.A.R.S. facility in China, where they cross paths with Storm Shadow. The art is by Alex Cal and Agustin Padilla; the book is written by Brian Reed. Decent action throughout.
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1976. Still to go: 35.
2,011 in 2011 comic-book reading challenge: week 49 and 50 recap
Michael Turner’s “Fathom” made up the largest single title read in the past two weeks, in a fortnight that had a lot of variety both in publishers and decades read. I read 88 comics total in the past two weeks of my 2,011 in 2011 comic-book challenge. I am attempting to read 2,011 comic books in the calendar year. With 97 percent of the year over, I’ve read 1,935 comics, or more than 96 percent of the total comics I need to read. I’ve got 76 comics to go. Click past the cut for the full breakdowns of comics read.
“Fathom” delivers brilliant underwater vistas
Comics recently read in my 2,011 in 2011 comic book challenge include the first volume of Michael Turner’s “Fathom,” which debuted in1998 from Top Cow.
“Fathom” Vol 1, 0-14, 1/2, preview, Against All Odds #1: Marine biologist Aspen Matthews has always been drawn to the sea, but when she is attached to a top-secret undersea mission, she finds out there’s more to her past than she realizes. She also is among the first to discover there are two “worlds” on earth — the one we know, and the one below.
Gary Oldman done as Gordon after “Dark Knight Rises”; Marvel movie news
Gary Oldman retires James Gordon’s badge; Fox plans more Marvel films; and reviews of “Action Comics” and more in the Planet 46 Comics Podcast at NewsOK.
GARY OLDMAN DONE AS GORDON
Gary Oldman tells Moviefone that “The Dark Knight Rises” will be the end of his run as Jim Gordon, and talks about using Bane as the villain. 
“It’s great. It’s a terrific conclusion to the trilogy,” Oldman tells Moviefone. “Nolan rounds it off: he brings in a bit of the first one, from ‘Batman Begins,’ and he does some really surprising things with it. I thought his choice of villain was very interesting, to use Bane instead of Riddler or Penguin. He’s not gone with the most obvious choice. The challenge for Chris was always really the story and I think he didn’t want to make a third one for the sake of it. I think there was pressure on him, obviously, because the second was so successful. So there’s always going to be some pressure to keep it going. But he’s too smart and classy, really to just make a third just for the sake of making it, because others are demanding or want it from him and I think he felt that, ‘Let me get the story right.’ So the fans won’t be disappointed.”
Read more: http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/12/06/gary-oldman-dark-knight-rises-steve-buscemi-snl/
FOX STILL PLANS MORE X-MEN, FF, DAREDEVIL
Fox’s Tom Rothman tells MTV that he wants another “X-Men: First Class.”
“We’re trying like hell,” he said. “We’re trying as hard as we can. We really want to do it. We’re planning to do it.”
Rothman also commented two other Marvel properties that Fox plans to revive: “Daredevil” and “Fantastic Four.”
David Slade is attached to “Daredevil,” while “FF” is earlier in the development process.
REVIEW FILE: Valen the Outcast #1, Action Comics #4, Hawk & Dove #4, Raphael #1, Defenders #1
Comics read in 2011: 1902. Still to go: 109.
“Archer and Armstrong” was buddy-adventure hit for Valiant Comics in 1990s
Valiant Comics were huge in the 1990s, and their focus on storytelling was a big part of that success. I recently re-read the first 15 issues of one of Valiant’s hits that also was very critically acclaimed: Archer & Armstrong.
