Santa Claus has appeared all across Marvel and DC, becoming just as legendary in their universes as he is in ours. Whether he is delivering presents, saving the day, or tracking down villains on his naughty list, Santa has earned the respect of heroes far and wide. And if you want to see his wildest holiday antics, these ten comic appearances deliver.
10
Santa’s North Pole Gets Hijacked by Hydra
Howard the Duck Holiday Special #1 (1997)
If you’re looking for some pure Christmas chaos, look no further. Larry Hama’s Howard the Duck Holiday Special #1 (1997) is pure hilarity wrapped in candy cane-themed gift wrap. Christmas is thrown into danger when Hydra hijacks the North Pole, prompting Howard, who is working as a mall Santa, to set out and save the day.
Hydra’s hostile takeover of the North Pole is to ensure only two types of toys get distributed for Christmas: “correctly sized” Hydra action figures for boys and a Hydra air-prancer for girls. And if Howard rescuing a hostage Santa and saving Christmas doesn’t sell you on this one, then read it just to see Howard kick a small child for stealing his wallet and cigars.
9
Superman Puts Rudolph Out of a Job
Superman’s Christmas Adventure #1 (1940)
Would you believe Santa’s stint in DC Comics is nearly as old as Superman’s? Good Ol’ Kris Kringle first appeared in the DC Universe in Jerry Siegel’s Superman’s Christmas Adventure #1 (1940). This classic Golden Age tale is as fun as it is nostalgic, and it sees Superman team up with Santa when the spirit of Christmas is threatened.
In this story, the villains Meaney and Grouch kidnap Santa’s reindeer. Santa calls Superman to help rescue them, and although they succeed, Meaney manages to gas the reindeer, leaving them unable to work on Christmas. Luckily, Superman is more than willing to step in and fly Santa’s sleigh himself.
8
Santa Claus Foils a Terrorist Attack
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #10 (1969)
If you’re someone whose favorite Christmas movie is Die Hard (1988), then Gary Friedrich’s Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #10 (1969) might be the perfect holiday read. It brings all the action and Christmas energy of Die Hard as Fury is forced out of his Christmas retirement to thwart Hate-Monger’s terrorist attack.
The villain plans to destroy the Earth with a biological agent, wiping out “inferior” races, so the master race samples aboard his satellite can repopulate the planet. Luckily, Fury isn’t alone in stopping him. Santa Claus appears to help Fury foil Hate-Monger’s Christmas Eve terror plot, ensuring a very Merry Christmas for all.
7
Santa Puts Orange Lantern Larfleeze on His Naughty List
Green Lantern: Larfleeze Christmas Special #1 (2010)
If you’ve ever wondered how a villain might react to making Santa’s naughty list and being denied a Christmas present, look no further. Geoff Johns’s Green Lantern: Larfleeze Christmas Special #1 (2010) follows Larfleeze on a wild hunt for Santa after discovering that the jolly St. Nick didn’t leave him a single gift.
Larfleeze abducts a fake Santa before finally confronting the real one at the North Pole. Luckily, before things can get too crazy, Green Lantern Hal Jordan steps in and teaches Larfleeze the true meaning of Christmas. This special also features plenty of strange holiday shenanigans from the rest of the Orange Lantern Corps.
6
Santa Is a Heat Vision-Wielding Badass
JLA #60 (2002)
This one is for all the lovers of Plastic Man’s quirkiness and antics. Mark Waid’s JLA #60 (2002) is a Justice League holiday imaginary story narrated by Plastic Man. In this special, Santa is “inducted” into the League and helps Superman, Batman, and the rest of the team battle the demon Neron in Hell, and notably features the gift-giver wielding heat vision.
After much anticipation, and in celebration of the holiday season, the League finally elects a new member. It’s daring Yuletide action for the World’s Greatest Heroes’ newest teammate…Santa Claus?!? But will the Red-Nosed Ranger pay the ultimate price on his first mission? Only Plastic Man knows for sure. Find out in a story we could only call “Merry Christmas JLA…Now Die!”
5
Santa Is an Omega-Level Mutant in the Marvel Universe
Marvel Holiday Special #5 (1991)
Did you know Santa Claus is “the most powerful mutant ever registered” in X-Men canon? Scott Lobdell’s “A Miracle a Few Blocks Down From 34th Street” officially established Santa as an Omega-Level mutant in the Marvel Universe. This story appeared in the Marvel Holiday Special #5 (1991) anthology.
Santa’s powers include immortality with indestructible, regenerative abilities, superhuman strength and speed, weather manipulation, control over time and space, reality-bending, and omnipotent telepathy and telekinesis. With powers like these, it suddenly makes perfect sense how the jolly saint meets his annual gift-giving goal.
4
Doctor Doom Becomes Santa for the Holiday Season
What The–?! (Vol.1) #10 (1990)
There is no doubt that 2025 has been the year of Doctor Doom. And if you’re one of the fans still riding the Doom high and want a little Christmas seasoning on your Doom narratives, look no further. Scott Lobdell’s What The–?! (Vol. 1) #10 (1990) not only marks the first appearance of Rudolph in the Marvel Universe but also delivers a tale of pure hilarity.
In “I’ll Be Doom for Christmas,” Doctor Doom’s traps accidentally injure Santa in Latveria. Doom must don Santa’s red suit and complete his delivery route, becoming “Santa Doom” under the old saint’s name. This holiday special lets fans see a completely different and wildly hilarious side of the infamous supervillain.
3
The Easter Bunny Hires Lobo to Assassinate Santa
Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special #1 (1992)
If you’re looking for a more R-Rated Christmas special this holiday season, then Keith Giffen and Alan Grant’s Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special #1 (1992) should be at the top of your TBR list. The story follows Lobo taking a contract from a drunken Easter Bunny to assassinate Santa, better known here as “Kris ‘Crusher’ Kringle.”
Lobo storms Santa’s workshop and unleashes a violent massacre at the North Pole, where Santa is depicted as a shiv-wielding taskmaster. The brutal fight ends with Lobo decapitating Santa and then using Santa’s sleigh to drop H-bombs across the world. Be warned, though, this comic has an EXTREMELY dark ending that goes far beyond Lobo dropping H-bombs.
2
Adolf Hitler Kidnaps Santa
Marvel Age (Vol.1) #109 (1992)
If you thought the Easter Bunny hiring Lobo to assassinate Santa was wild, wait until you hear about Adolf Hitler kidnapping Santa. Fred Hembeck’s Marvel Age (Vol. 1) #109 (1992) tells the story of Santa Claus being abducted by Hitler in a plan to stop Christmas. Luckily, President Roosevelt sends Captain America and Nick Fury to rescue him.
Luckily, the heroes save Santa and Christmas for everyone… Does this comic sound like a fever dream? Absolutely. If you want to see Captain America and Nick Fury stick it to Hitler, this is the comic for you. But be warned, it isn’t as wholesome as other entries on this list and even depicts gun violence against Santa.
1
Santa Becomes an Official Member of the Justice League
Batman – Santa Claus: Silent Knight #1 (2023) & Batman – Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns #1 (2024)
If you really want to get into the Christmas spirit this year with comics, you have to read Jeff Parker’s Batman – Santa Claus: Silent Knight #1 (2024) mini-series and its sequel, Batman – Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns #1 (2025). Not only is this one of the best holiday-themed comics, but Silent Knight was also one of the most fun reads of 2023, period.
THE DARK KNIGHT PARTNERS WITH A NOT-SO-JOLLY ST. NICK AS SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN! The four-part crossover event of a generation begins when a not-so-jolly St. Nick hits Gotham City to investigate a brutal crime in the days leading up to Christmas… What manner of man or beast could have committed such atrocities?! With the help of his former student, Batman, Santa will team up with the heroes of the DC Universe to right this wrong—or the world wakes up to coal in their stockings! A brutal, two-fisted holiday tale of hope, wonder, and monster hunting is the perfect treat to ring in the holidays—it’s Claus in canon!
Source link
Add Comment