Description: Christmas with the Super-Heroes Comics Lot DC Comics' first attempt at a seasonal yearly comic. #1 consists entirely of reprints from the Silver and Bronze Age. #2 was slimmer and had all-new stories, as well as the first post-Crisis appearance of Supergirl. One of the longest-running traditions in comics is the holiday story. These might feature Superman being saved by Santa Claus, Batman discovering the spirit of Christmas, or a minor crook being set on the straight and narrow by some holiday act of kindness. In 1988, DC put out Christmas with the Super-Heroes, a 100-page special collecting some of their favorite Christmas stories. Featured were stories from Superman, the Legion of Super-Heroes, Batman, the Justice League of America, and the Teen Titans. 1989 brought up a follow-up issue. Somehow, these tales managed to be schmaltzy and heartwarming at the same time. In any case, they were a welcome addition to the holiday season. Stories/Spoilers: Christmas with the Super-Heroes #1 (1988) Editor: Mark Waid Cover by: John Byrne “Wanted: Santa Clause - Dead or Alive” Featuring Batman Writer: Denny O’Neil Artist: Frank Miller Inker: Steve Mitchell Colorist: Glynis Wein Letterer: Ben Oda Batman crashes a Christmas party in a gangland hideout and forces gang-boss Matty Lasko to tell him that he has a boat waiting in Gotham Harbor for his old cellmate, Boomer Katz. After learning from a derelict that Boomer has taken a job as a Santa Claus at Lee's Department Store, Batman realizes Boomer has got the job to help somebody knock over the store. But Boomer Katz has succumbed to the Christmas spirit, especially after receiving the accolades of store manager Jackson on his role as Santa. Thus, he cannot bring himself to disable the store's alarm system, and tells gangster Fats Morgan so. Fats forces Katz to get them admitted, and, when Boomer runs for it, has him shot in the arm. Batman is drawn by the gunfire and captures Morgan and most of his men in the store. Unknown to him and to two policemen who arrive, Boomer Katz is being held prisoner by one of Morgan's men under a Nativity display. But a brilliant star's light pours through the hole where a stolen Star of Bethlehem had been, and clearly outlines Boomer and his captor. Batman takes out the crook. By the time he and Boomer can look up again, the brilliant star is gone. Reprinted from DC Special Series #21. “The Man Who Murdered Santa Claus!” Featuring Justice League of America Writer: Len Wein Artist: Dick Dillin Inker: Dick Giordano Colorist: Glenn Whitmore The Key returns and engineers the murder of the Santa Claus scheduled to appear at an orphans' Christmas party with Superman and Batman, thus issuing a challenge to the Justice League. John Stewart, Hal Jordan's official substitute, stands in for a temporarily incapacitated Green Lantern, as the JLA heroes enter a death-trap, a dilapidated building in a St. Louis ghetto. One by one, the members sacrifice themselves in a gauntlet of traps, so that the others can go on to defeat their foe, first Superman, then Black Canary, Batman, and Green Arrow. Red Tornado and John Stewart also seem to perish, but actually all the members are saved by the intervention of the Phantom Stranger. The Key, having learned that he has only a short time to live, and having vowed to destroy the JLA before he dies, now escapes, and the heroes must evacuate an entire city block, which the villain's devices are set to destroy. The substitute Green Lantern immediately recreates the old ghetto buildings, repairing them in the process. Later, Red Tornado is presented with his Christmas gift -- a new and more colorful costume. Reprinted from Justice League of America #110. “A TT’s Swingin’ Christmas Carol!” Featuring Teen Titans Writer: Bob Haney Artist: Nick Cardy Colorist: Helen Vesik It's a few days before Christmas and the Teen Titans are relaxing in their headquarters. While the other members of the group are satisfied reading comic book adventures of their older counterparts, Robin is reading Charles Dickens classic book "A Christmas Carol" completely unaware that their next adventure would have similar parallels to the story itself. Elsewhere in the city is Junkorama owned by the miserly Ebenezer Scrounge, who employs Bob Ratchet as his accountant (Bob is also saving money for his sick son Tom) Ebenezer is forcing Tom to work on Christmas Eve. Left alone, Scrounge goes off to sell some scrap metal to thugs who work for a man named Mr. Big. Tom Ratchet goes to visit his father and snoops on Scrounge's transaction and finds the whole exchange strange. When Scrounge leaves the scene, Tom secretly witnesses the men use a device that turns the scrap into "new" items for them to sell for even more. Tom decides to go and tell his father. When Bob confronts his boss about it later, Ebenezer threatens to fire him if he tells the authorities about the illegal operation. Tom meanwhile gets in touch with the Teen Titans who agree to investigate the matter and sneak onto the property. After knocking out Mr. Big's goons, the Titans disguise themselves as the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future causing Ebenezer to break down and repent his miserly ways and tell the Teen Titans where they can find Mr. Big. Finding the location of Mr. Big's hideout the Titans try to stop him and make short work of his men until Big uses a giant magnet to magnetize a pile of junk to trap his foes. They are saved at the last minute due to the timely intervention of Tom and Ebenezer who turn off the magnet, allowing the Titans to easily defeat their foes. After the battle, Ebenezer uses Mr. Big's device to transform a pile of junk into a new electric wheelchair for Tom. With the caper over, the group all decide to celebrate their victory, and Christmas as well. Reprinted from Teen Titans #13. “Cap's Hobby Hints” Writer: Mark Waid Artist: Ty Templeton A tip on how to use a hammer without smashing your finger. “Star Light, Star Bright… Farthest Star I See Tonight” Featuring the Legion of Superheroes Writer: Paul Levitz Artist: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez Inker: Dick Giordano Colorist: Adrienne Roy Letterer: Ben Oda Superboy attends the Legion's Christmas celebration and conceives the idea of having the Legion track down the Christmas star. Reprinted from DC Special Series #21. “'Twas the Fright Before Christmas!” Featuring Superman & Santa Writers: Len Wein & E. Nelson Bridwell Artist: Curt Swan Inker: Murphy Anderson Colorist: Jerry Serpe Letterer: Ben Oda The Toyman plans to make heists and destroy Superman on Christmas Eve with the help of gimmicked toys, but Santa Claus lends the Man of Steel a hand against his old enemy, and gets a hand in return in delivering toys to Metropolis children. Reprinted from DC Comics Presents #67. “The Silent Night of the Batman” Featuring Batman Writer: Mike Friedrich Artist: Neal Adams Inker: Dick Giordano Colorist: Jerry Serpe Despite Batman's conviction that crime doesn't take a night off, not even for Christmas, the Batman joins Commissioner Gordon and his men for a night of Christmas Eve caroling. The night goes by and miraculously, not a single crime is reported during the entire evening, although many chances of likely situations took place. All the crimes of the night had been stopped undirectly by the figure of Batman and at the break of dawn, Batman retrieves to the shadows. Reprinted from Batman #219. Christmas with the Super-Heroes #2 (1989) {All-New Tales} Editor: Mark Waid Cover by: Stephen DeStefano & Larry Mahlstedt “Ex-Machina” Featuring Superman Writer: Paul Chadwick Artist: Paul Chadwick Inker: John Nyberg Colorist: Tom McCraw Letterer: John Costanza On a lonely road, a stranded motorist tries and fails to flag down assistance from a passing car. His desperation and the cold drive him to consider committing suicide with a pistol, having written a note. However, before he can do so, Superman knocks on the car's window and asks if he can help. Heating the motorist with his heat vision, Superman also uses his power to thaw the car's frozen battery, while also taking the time to talk to the motorist about his situation. The motorist recently had to have his wife committed to a home for the elderly, suffers from a debilitating illness, and has a poor relationship with his daughter. Sympathizing with his problems, Superman suggests that the motorist pay a visit to some people he knows in the area, who can give him shelter until he manages to repair his car. As he departs, it is revealed that this car broke down near Smallville, implying that the people Superman mentioned were Ma and Pa Kent. “And in the Depths” Featuring Batman Writer: Dave Gibbons Artist: Gray Morrow Letterer: John Costanza The history of the cave that would become the Batcave is retold, from its formation to its discovery by a young Bruce Wayne, through the years when it was used by Batman, Alfred and later Robin, through to the present, in which Batman operates without a Robin. Yet an actual robin is still to be found in the cave, and drives off a bat that menaced it, before flying off into the sky. "Long though the night has been, it cannot last forever." “Gifts” Featuring Wonder Woman Writer: Eric Shanower Artist: Eric Shanower Colorist: Tom McCraw Letterer: Eric Shanower Diana wakes from a nightmare featuring Myndi Mayer, Hermes and Zeus. The next day, Julia Katapelis greets an old friend, Pastor Sharon Jackson, who's come for a visit. After Sharon tearfully confesses that her husband has just asked for a divorce, Julia attempts to comfort and reassure her friend that she still has much to give to the world. Vanessa Katapelis arrives and is greeted by Sharon, who notes that the young woman wears Wonder Woman earrings. The next day, Diana descends into the back yard as Sharon is taking a walk there, and they have a brief and somewhat awkward conversation about Diana's role in the world, and the interactions she's had with the Olympians. Over the next day, Diana, Sharon, Julia and Vanessa enjoy the holidays together. On Christmas night, however, Sharon discovers that Diana is awake in the living room, and they talk about Diana's recent nightmares, and how she feels uncertain that she is accomplishing anything in her mission in life. Sharon comforts and reassures her that she should continue in her beliefs and her struggle, in the process coming to terms with the challenges that she herself has to face now, as she explains to Julia on Christmas morning. “Silent Night” Featuring Enemy Ace Writer: John Byrne Artist: John Byrne Colorist: Glenn Whitmore On Christmas, 1916, at a British field hospital somewhere in France, a young and badly injured soldier entertains a young nurse with drawings of an aircraft, labeled "Lords of the Killer Skies." The subject matter angers another, older patient, who berates the young man, while the hospital's cook struggles to make something edible with the poor ingredients available to him. Suddenly, everyone present hears the sound of an airplane's motor drawing near. The plane lands outside the hospital, and the staff are stunned to realize that the pilot is Hans von Hammer, the Enemy Ace, who has decided to go quite a bit beyond the Christmas truce and actually give aid and comfort to his enemies by delivering food to the hospital. He also dances with the nurse, and salutes the memory of the men who've died at the hospital. This last bit outrages the young soldier, who draws a pistol and points it at von Hammer. The older soldier stops him from shooting the man, but nevertheless orders von Hammer out of the hospital, refusing to shake his hand. Von Hammer returns to the killer skies. “An Old-Fashioned Christmas” Featuring Justice League of America (Flash & Green Lantern) Writer: William Messner-Loebs Artist: Colleen Doran Inker: Ty Templeton Colorist: Glenn Whitmore Letterer: Albert DeGuzman In the Justice League Satellite, Barry Allen and Hal Jordan are on monitor duty on Christmas Eve, and frankly bored out of their skulls, discussing the presents that Oliver Queen (a copy of Das Kapital) and Wally West (a pair of socks) gave them. With the end of their duty, they return to Earth in their civilian identities to visit a small town and observe how Christmas is celebrated there. It's raining and miserable, and the Santa Claus who accepts Hal's donation for the poor is not in a good mood. However, the two heroes save an old man from a pair of muggers, discovering that the old man is C.B. Fenster, a rich and famous man who has concluded that life is meaningless. Earlier that night, he offered a fortune to anyone who could prove that there is a Santa Claus, only to get no takers. Fenster mourns how the world has become a colder and crueler place than it was in his youth, because no one believes in Santa Claus anymore. This inspires Hal and Barry to give Fenster the opportunity to become Santa Claus, delivering presents to young children, then helping a recent widow to assemble bikes for her children, then meeting another old man who's glad to have some company. However, the heroes can't locate one of the families they were supposed to find, and reluctantly confess their failure to Fenster. Fenster, however, realizes where the family, rendered homeless by recent events, are staying, and offers to help them. Hal and Barry celebrate the fact that they've reawakened Fenster's Christmas spirit, and urge him to use his wealth for charitable ends. “Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot” Featuring Deadman Writer: Alan Brennert Artist: Dick Giordano Colorist: Tom McCraw Letterer: Steve Haynie On Christmas, Deadman takes possession of a corporate raider and arranges for him to compensate some of the people left jobless by the raider's predatory business practices, as well as sending some wine to Deadman's old friends in the circus and Christmas presents for other acquaintances. However, Deadman feels depressed about the goodwill and happiness he sees everyone else feeling, as he's lonely. He briefly takes possession of other people to try and feel better about his existence, but finds himself just feeling bad about depriving his victims of their own happiness. Now even unhappier, he yells out to Rama Kushna, asking whether this misery is his reward for his service. It is then that a young woman, able to perceive Deadman, asks him whether he does what he does out of hope for a reward. They have a conversation about his situation, in which Deadman admits that he misses the feeling of being a performer, and the adulation of the crowd. Addressing him by his name of Boston Brand, the young woman reminds him that people like them don't do this for reward or adulation, but because it needs to be done. Boston is embarrassed by having forgotten this, but she reassures him that it's a good thing, because it means that he's still human, despite everything. She says that she has to go, and Deadman wonders who she is. "My name is Kara. But I doubt that will mean anything to you." With that, she's gone, and Boston has no idea who she was, but is grateful to her for the gift she gave him, and wishes her a Merry Christmas. Comics lot contains: Christmas with the Super-Heroes (1988-1989) Issues #1-2. DC Comics Comics are bagged & boarded and will be carefully / securely packaged then shipped via USPS Priority Mail to ensure that it arrives to you perfectly and quickly. First Printings Publisher: DC Comics Publication Date: 1988 - 1989 Format per comic: FC, 96 / 64 pages, Comic, 10.25" x 6.65" UPC: None Stated Collectible Entertainment note: Comics #1,2 are in Very Fine condition. Very Nice Set! Please See Scans!! A must have for any serious DC Super-Heroes collector / enthusiast. A fun & entertaining read. Highly Recommended. Please read return policy. Please check out all my other Record or Robert E. 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Price: 40 USD
Location: Palm Bay, Florida
End Time: 2024-08-26T15:15:24.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Unit of Sale: Unit of 2
Tradition: US Comics
UPC: None Stated
Language: English
Publication Date: 1988 - 1989
Superhero Team: Justice League of America, Legion of Superheroes, Teen Titans
Style: Color
Features: Bagged, Boarded, Complete Set
Main Character: Superman / Batman / Wonder Woman / Flash / Green Lantern
Unit Quantity: 2
Artist/Writer: Frank Miller, Colleen Doran, Curt Swan, Dick Giordano, John Byrne, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Mark Waid, Neal Adams, Paul Levitz, Ty Templeton, William Messner-Loebs, Denny O’Neil, Len Wein, Dick Dillin, Bob Haney, Nick Cardy, E. Nelson Bridwell, Mike Friedrich, Paul Chadwick, Dave Gibbons, Gray Morrow, Eric Shanower, Alan Brennert
Character: Deadman, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Enemy Ace, Santa
Product Condition: Very Fine
Cover Artist: John Byrne, Stephen DeStefano, Larry Mahlstedt
Series Title: Christmas with the Super-Heroes
Universe: DC Universe
Publisher: DC Comics
Intended Audience: General Audience
Story Title: Christmas with the Super-Heroes
Publication Year: 1988 - 1989
Type: Comic Book
Year: 1988 - 1989
Issue Number: 1-2
Era: Copper Age (1984-1991)
Product Type: Comics Lot
Genre: Action, Holiday, Superheroes, Action/Adventure, Christmas
