Comicon Advent Calendar Day 23: The Justice League Gets A New Member — Santa Claus!
by Tony Thornley
It’s almost here! Christmas is just two days away, and we saved a big one for almost last.
Justice League Unlimited is one of the best concepts in the DC Universe. Taking the classic Justice League and simply deputizing everyone means a depth of storytelling that can span the multiverse and all of hypertime. But in 2023’s Batman/Santa Claus: Silent Knight, the greatest hero of them all joins the League: Santa! (Sorry Anton.)
Jeff Parker writes the story, while Michele Bandini, Trevor Harsine, Danny Kim and Stephen Segovia brings it to life, with Alex Sinclair on color art and Pat Brousseau lettering (plus amazing Dan Mora covers).
When monsters begin invading the world, the Justice League is on the case. But Batman soon finds they need an expert- one of his many mentors, Kris Klaus, AKA Santa! Can the League race the clock to defeat the sinister Krampus and his mysterious benefactor from taking over the world?
This story is just gleeful fun, beginning to end. I planned on covering a short for my last story of the advent calendar this year, but as soon as I started reading this miniseries, I was drawn in.
Yes, there are elements of Grant Morrison and Mora’s Klaus in this series. Yes, it’s a Justice League story, not a Batman story. And yes, this is not really a traditional Christmas story. But all the fun to be had makes it worth it. It starts as Batman, Robin and Zatanna investigating monsters, but the moment Santa shows up, it escalates quickly.
There’s the League being reduced to small children (figuratively) as soon as they meet Santa. There’s a sinister version of Krampus. There’s Santa Claus hunting monsters (and revealing he’s a Norse god). There’s everything you could want here.
Also, the recurring joke of Santa knowing everyone’s address, despite claiming that he doesn’t deliver presents on Christmas Eve any more, is a good one.
The collected edition is on Comixology Unlimited, and it’s a perfect read for your Christmas Jólabókaflóð (you know, the “Christmas Book Flood,” Iceland’s tradition of exchanging books on Christmas Eve and spending the night reading).
Merry Christmas!
