The Comicon Advent Calendar 2024 Day 17: A ‘Spirit’ Christmas From 1949

by Richard Bruton

Welcome back to the Comicon Advent Calendar, our little daily gift to you – it’s time to open up another window… so pour yourself another eggnog, go for that extra mince pie, and settle back…

Today, we’re going back to a classic – Will Eisner‘s Spirit at Christmas, this time from 1949. These have all been collected at various times, including The Spirit Magazine #12 (1975) and then in the Christmas Spirit collection.

These Christmas Spirit tales were a regular feature of Eisner’s Spirit from 1940 through to 1951, back in the days where the comics were presented in a lavish newspaper insert.

And if you know Eisner’s work, you’ll not be surprised to see just how incredible these are – stunning art from a genuine master of the artform…

Normal service has been paused, as the Spirit takes a break and it’s over to a rather glum-looking Santa Claus, with a message for those who didn’t get their gifts this year…

Oh dear, some folks didn’t get their presents this year? How very unlike old man Kringle… but there’s a reason for it, as the story goes on to show us… as we head back to the week before Christmas and a city where there’s not too much Christmas spirit going around, despite Mr Kringle ho-ho-hoing his way through things… with the ungrateful folks and their actions eventually leaving poor old Mr S. Claus losing his memory…

But, with the help of a few soon to be (somewhat) reformed ex-cons, things work out just fine for the good folks (and even some of those not so good folks that might have been the cause of poor Santy’s memory loss…

So, whatever happens, always be nice to those around you this Christmas. After all, that lovely old eccentric man could well be exactly who he says he is. In fact, why limit it to Christmas… just be nice all year round. It’s a way to make a difficult world that much better…