The 1992 Marvel Holiday Special

[badficwriter]

One of the stories in this comic was listed in someone's top ten Daredevil stories of all time, so I'd been looking for this for many years. But it's chockful of goodness.

The stories I'm not showing: a New Warriors get-together, a child playing with a Wolverine toy, and a very loose re-telling of the Hannukah miracle by Doc Samson (it's great, but its by Peter David--the Torch gets blamed for the burning bush!). Also fun pinups.

Spider-man. Writer: Stan Lee, Richard Howell. Artists: Steve Lightle, Al Milgrom.



Iron Man. Writer: Sholly Fisch. Artist: Tom Morgan.



Thanos. Writer: Jim Starlin. Artists: Ron Lim, Terry Austin.



Punisher. Writer: Carl Potts. Artists: Rik Levins, Al Milgrom.



Daredevil. Writer: Ann Nocenti. Artists: Tom Grindberg, Fred Fredricks. (2 and a half pages worth of a 7-page story.)

The story is told from the point of view of a toy lamb. The lamb has been stolen and pawned in the past. He is cynical.



The lamb is very observant and curious about the giftgiver. He is delighted by the hero's vigorous way of going about town, but becomes nervous when he is carried to a church. The lamb has sins he doesn't want to confess: eavesdropping, sloth, murderous thoughts. Daredevil listens to the voice of Maggie the nun.



Someone is being mugged.





Daredevil stops at the rooftop of a bar. The same bar he was at at last year's Christmas, after Karen left him when he cheated on her with Typhoid. In last year's story, Mephisto showed up for the first time in the Daredevil title, masquerading as a lonely woman. He/she kissed DD, distracting him from a fight between two brothers that led to one of them murdering the other.

All the same people are at the bar, again, going through the same motions they were. The murdering brother talks to the empty space where his brother used to sit.



When someone tried to take Mephisto-lady's seat, he/she appeared to them as a rough-looking, darkskinned man--the same person drinking a beer in the last panel there.

Daredevil leaves and arrives at the orphanage. The scene is prosaic and banal. He waits in line, along with everyone else, unceremoniously dropping off their donated gifts.



And a couple pinups.



I used to have a disc sled very much like that. :)

Comments

[xammax]

Whose that woman with Spidey, haven't seen her in a damn long time.

I always did like Gamora's origins; they're different.

[badficwriter]

I know!

"YOU WILL BE AN ASSASSIN CHAMPION OF DEATH...but you will need a normal upbringing."

[terrykun]

That's what makes the difference between an assassin who can tell the difference between throwing a rock at someone and lighting them on fire. (I'm looking at you, Mr Teatime...)

[skalja]

AAAAAH that last pic!

Hey, would you mind if I reposted it (with finder's credit to you) on @#$% Yeah, Spider-Wife!? I've never seen it before.

[badficwriter]

Be my guest!

[skalja]

:D

[proteus_lives]

First off, who wouldn't FREAK OUT at the chance to go sledding on Cap's shield???

And the concept of Christmas with Thanos is both terrifying and enticing.

[icon_uk]

"You gave me a lump of coal?"

"Actually, it's the carbonised remains of the puppy I was goping to give you, but it widdled on me."

"Gee, ummm.... well... thanks Santa Thanos"

[proteus_lives]

Santa Thanos: "Ha, ha, ha. I have stolen the gifts of all. I shall sacrifice Earth's gifts to my lady Death. Now to listen to their despair."

Santa Thanos: "What's this!?! Carols? The joy of family and simple, homemade gifts? The spirit of togetherness? Who is responsible for rallying the humans holiday spirit?"

"Tis I!"

Santa Thanos: "No! Not you.....Again!"

Doreen Green, the Squirrel of Hanukkah: "Yup! I've defeated you again Santa Thanos. I've reminded people of true meaning of the holidays and roast nuts."

Santa Thanos: "You win this round Squirrel Girl! But I will return!"

Doreen Green, the Squirrel of Hanukkah: "BTW, Lady Death just friended me on Facebook."

Santa Thanos: "What? She keeps ignoring my requests! Nooooo!"

[halloweenjack]

That was punishermax-worthy.

[proteus_lives]

I thank you that high, high compliment.

[neev]

Agree on both points.

That last panel cracks me up. He's so...not into it at all.

[ulf_boehnke]

[qalchemist]

Who's the guy that Iron Man gives a job to, there?

Just curious if the second chance 'took'.

[badficwriter]

It's a Blizzard, but I don't know which one. There've been like three, right?

[qalchemist]

After some research, it appears to be Randy Macklin, Blizzard III!

This is his first and only appearance. I guess he actually did reform and everything!

[selke]

I was just wanting to read that Thanos story the other night! It was just so oddly sweet.

[psychopathicus_rex]

Nice to see scans of Tony back when he was actually a GOOD guy who did good things. That's an exceptionally decent thing he's doing - it's hard to turn the other cheek when someone has just been punching you in it.
Also - aww, Gamora is a little cutie.

[blackruzsa]

I am warmed by the tiny sheep :)

[badficwriter]

At least one person appreciated it. Thanks! :)

[blackruzsa]

Why not? It was the sweetest thing there :)

[pallas_athena]

I like the tiny sheep too!

[halloweenjack]

I've never warmed to Ann Nocenti's writing, and this hasn't changed my mind. A lot of the rest of it is cute, though.

[cypherfdp]

Does the lamb get a happier ending than that :(