Superman's Christmas Adventure

Superman's Christmas Adventure

Originally released in 1940

Written by Jerry Siegel

Art by Jack Burnley

Since it's Christmas Day, I'm going with something that's on the shorter side for today's post. I'm going back to the 1940s to read a Christmas-themed Superman comic by one of his original creators, which was pretty entertaining.

It's touching to see Superman's "champion of the oppressed" side on full display here.  When he overhears a rich child complaining about what he has, he takes the boy on a tour of the city to show him how much worse off other kids are, making him appreciate what he's got and convincing him to be a better person and to give the things that he doesn't want to others. It's clear that Superman cares about these people who have very little and wants to help them or make sure that they're happy.

Meanwhile, a pair of villains try to ruin Christmas.  They're persistent - despite failing three or four times even without Superman's intervention, they keep trying to find new ways to accomplish their task. (It's hilarious to see Santa telling his elves "get 'em, boys!")

Lois discovers the spaceship that the two of them are using to travel the world, sneaking on board only to be caught. She gets strapped to a giant firework, but Superman saves her.

When one of their schemes (using knock-out gas on Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve) proves successful, Superman has to fly Santa's sleigh around the world, helping him to deliver presents to all the good boys and girls of the world. (And even some of the bad ones - the villains change their ways upon being forgiven by Santa and getting gifts)

It's charming, wholesome fun, and I had a good time with reading it. As tempting as it is to read more comics (I saw that there's a Larfleeze Christmas special which is bound to be silly, along with a Christmas-themed comic that covers several of DC's heroes), I'm going to stop here for today and hope that everyone enjoys their holidays.