Winter Covers - December 31

 

Terra contemplates her own mortality on the cover of Team Titans #6 (1993) by Phil Jimenez.

The Winter this year looks to be dark and dreary, so we're continuing our theme with dark and dreary Winter covers to round out December as we say Goodbye—and good riddance!—to 2020.

(2019: Casper's Ghostland #77)
(2018: Dell Giant #28)
(2017: Les Psy, Tome 11)
(2016: Quit Your Job and Other Stories) 
(2015: Archie #226) 
(2014: Death of Wolverine: The Weapon X Program #1)  
(2013: Secret Hearts #37)
(2012: Mod Wheels #2)
(2011: Sabrina the Teenage Witch #63)
(2010: Jughead with Archie Digest #97)
(2009: Batman: The Long Halloween #4)

Winter Covers - December 30

 

The Zombie Apocalypse has arrived alongside Winter on the cover of La nuit des morts-vivants tome 1: Les fautes du père (2014) by Elia Bonetti.

The Winter this year looks to be dark and dreary, so we're continuing our theme with dark and dreary Winter covers to round out December.

(2018: The Misadventures of Salem Hyde: Book Five — Frozen Fiasco)
(2018: Betty #134)
(2017: The Brave and the Bold #106)
(2016: My Monster Girl's Too Cool for You #41) 
(2015: Millie the Model #136) 
(2014: Scamp #5) 
(2013: Archie Double Digest #237)
(2012: Ponytail #5) 
(2011: Scamp #2) 
(2010: The Flash #2) 
(2009: The Simpsons Winter Wing Ding #1)

Winter Covers - December 29

 

 Sadly, "Nothing Lasts Forever" on the cover of The Northern Dark #5 (2020) by Dennis Gustafsson.

The Winter this year looks to be dark and dreary, so we're continuing our theme with dark and dreary Winter covers to round out December.

(2019: Detective Comics #514)
(2018: Peanuts Every Sunday: 1966-1970)
(2017: Triple Galop, Tome 4)
(2016: Josie #39)
(2015: Kaze Hikaru Vol. 4)  
(2014: Batman #121)
(2013: Calagan: Rallye Raid Tome 3)
(2012: Teen-Age Love #25)
(2011: Girls' Love Stories #61)
(2010: New Kids on the Block Digest #5)
(2009: Tommy og Tigern #13)

 

Winter Covers - December 28

 

Snow Beasts are set to attack, and his barking dog isn't helping out protagonist to hide on the cover of The House of Mystery #199 (1972) by Neal Adams.

The Winter this year looks to be dark and dreary, so we're continuing our theme with dark and dreary Winter covers to round out December.

(2019: Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle vol. 6)
(2018: Batman #39)
(2017: Adventure Comics #139)
(2016: The Sisters, vol. 2: Doing It Our Way) 
(2015: Superman #46) 
(2014: Dead Boy Detectives #8) 
(2013: Strange Adventures #149) 
(2012: Batman #337) 
(2011: Liberty Meadows #30)
(2010: Daffy #12)
(2009: DC Universe Holiday Special '09)   

Winter Covers - December 27

 

Soldiers must build an igloo to survive the frigid winter cold in the European theater on the cover of Commando #4670: Survival! (2014) by Ian Kenendy.

The Winter this year looks to be dark and dreary, so we're continuing our theme with dark and dreary Winter covers to round out December.

(2019: Sabrina #3)
(2017: Avengers #24)
(2016: Batman Annual #1) 
(2015: Police Comics #51) 
(2014: Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #41) 
(2013: The Muppets #4) 
(2012: Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #46) 
(2011: Spooky Spooktown #62) 
(2010: Spooky #78)
(2009: P.S. Magazine: The Preventive Maintenance Monthly #11)  

Winter Covers - December 26

 

The Flash and his colleagues face the twin threats of Winter cold and icy dire wolves on the cover of The Flash #85 (2020) by Rafa Sandoval, Tomeu Morey & Jordi Tarragona.

The Winter this year looks to be dark and dreary, so we're continuing our theme with dark and dreary Winter covers to round out December.

(2019: Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor #13)
(2018: Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #37)
(2017: Disney Frozen Annual 2017)
(2016: Yogi Bear #16)
(2015: Les P'tits Diables Tome 3: In-fer-naux!)
(2014: Peanuts #23)
(2013: Peanuts #14)
(2012: Sabrina #3)
(2011: Daredevil #7)
(2010: Alleen op de wereld #6)
(2009: Liberty Meadows #7) 

 

Christmas Covers - December 25

We've been celebrating the dark, dreary and twisted side of Christmas this year—as befits 2020—but we can't stay dark and dreary on Christmas Day itself. So here are a selection of covers from the Vangsgutane Christmas specials (1988, 1992, 1993 & 1994) by Jens R. Nilssen.

We hope you've appreciated our twenty-five days of Christmas-themed covers this year. Stay tuned as we finish out December with a batch of winter-themed comics covers...

(2019: Stille Nacht)

(2018: Comics Revue #367-368)

(2017: The Christ volume 1)
(2016: Billy Tucci's A Child is Born)
(2015: Christmas With Archie) 
(2014: The Beano #2997)
(2013: The Christmas Story)
(2012: The Life of Christ #1)
(2011: The International Children's Bible: The Gospel of Matthew)
(2010: The First Christmas)
(2009: Topix vol. 9 #12)
(2008: Junior Partners #5)
(2007: Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact #194)
(2006: Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact #35)
(2005: Dell Four Color #1274)
(2004: Treasure Chest vol. 2 #9)

Amazon Top 50 - December 25, 2020

Here are the Top 50 Comics & Graphic Novels on Amazon Friday morning. See About the Amazon Top 50 Lists for more information on how this list is compiled.  (Note: All Kindle Unlimited, FreeTime Unlimited, comiXology Unlimited, & Prime Reading books are removed from the chart.) 

1 (-). The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
2 (-). Dilbert 2021 Day-to-Day Calendar
3 (+6). Remina
4 (+23). Uzumaki (3-in-1 Deluxe Edition)
5 (-2). Marvel Encyclopedia, New Edition
6 (-). Pusheen 2021 Wall Calendar
7 (+1). The Far Side After Hours 2021 Wall Calendar
8 (+10). Berserk Deluxe Volume 1
9 (-5). Solutions and Other Problems
10 (+3). The Far Side Theme-a-Month 2021 Off-The-Wall Calendar
11 (-). Cartoons from The New Yorker 2021 Day-to-Day Calendar
12 (-7). Strange Planet
13 (-3). Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 1
14 (+21). Batman: Three Jokers
15 (-3). The Complete Calvin and Hobbes (paperback)
16 (+8). A Wealth of Pigeons: A Cartoon Collection
17 (+6). Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 2
18 (+22). Gyo (2-in-1 Deluxe Edition)
19 (+3). Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 1
20 (+11). Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 3
21 (N). Attack on Titan 32
22 (-7). Stranger Planet
23 (+22). The Promised Neverland, Vol. 1
24 (-7). Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Search Omnibus
25 (R). Chainsaw Man, Vol. 2
26 (R). Berserk Deluxe Volume 2
27 (-6). Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Promise Omnibus
28 (+22). Tokyo Ghoul: re Complete Box Set
29 (+14). My Hero Academia, Vol. 25
30 (-16). My Hero Academia, Vol. 3
31 (+16). Tokyo Ghoul, Vol. 1
32 (N). My Hero Academia, Vol. 26 *
33 (-14). My Hero Academia, Vol. 4
34 (-2). My Hero Academia, Vol. 5
35 (N). Conquer the Day: A Book of Affirmations *
36 (R). Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 2
37 (-11). How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill You
38 (N). Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 6
39 (R). Catana Comics Little Moments of Love 2021 Deluxe Day-to-Day Calendar
40 (-2). Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins Library Edition: Series I & II Collection *
41 (N). Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 19
42 (-). Sapiens: A Graphic History—The Birth of Humankind (paperback)
43 (-13). Calvin and Hobbes
44 (-28). Haikyu!!, Vol. 1
45 (R). My Hero Academia, Vol. 24
46 (-7). Non Sequitur 2021 Day-to-Day Calendar
47 (R). Smashed: Junji Ito Story Collection
48 (-23). Naruto: 3-in-1 Edition, Vol. 1
49 (R). Dragon Ball Super, Vol. 11
50 (-14). Dune: The Graphic Novel, Book 1

Items with asterisks (*) are pre-order items.

Items with dollar signs ($) were part of a deeply discounted Kindle sale this week
N = New listing appearing on list for first time 
R = Item returning to the list after having been off for 1 or more weeks

 

Commentary: 

• The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, stays on top of the chart again this week. It's been in the top five all year, making it quite likely the top selling comic of 2020 on Amazon.
• New items this week are led by a new volume of Attack on Titan; it is joined by new volumes of fellow manga series My Hero Academia, Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, and Demon Slayer; plus an April pre-order for Conquer the Day: A Book of Affirmations.
• This is the final Amazon Top 50 for 2020. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Wash your hands. Wear a face mask when in public, enclosed spaces. Practice sensible social distancing. Read comics!

Christmas Covers - December 24

 

Sinterklaas and Krampus are coming to punish all the bad children on Christmas Eve on the cover of Ghostbusters #11 (2013) by Dan Schoening.

For each day of December until Christmas we're featuring a Holiday-related comic book cover. This year we're celebrating the dark, dreary, and twisted side of the holiday, as befits 2020.

Come back tomorrow, and every day this month, for a new Christmas cover.

Just 1 more 'get-up' until Santa!

(2019: Christmas Eve #1)

(2018: Archie Comics Double Digest #283)

(2017: Katy and Ken Visit Santa with Mister Wish)

(2016: Archie Double Digest #235) 
(2015: Adventure Comics #113) 
(2014: Limited Collectors' Edition #C-20)
(2013: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer #8) 
(2012: Four Color #525) 
(2011: Sergio Aragonés Funnies #6)
(2010: Ole Brumm Julehefte 1993)
(2009: Ninja High School #156)
(2008: Tommy og Tigern Julehefte 2007)
(2007: Action Comics #105)
(2006: Dell Four Color #666)
(2005: Dell Four Color #1274)
(2004: Captain Marvel Adventures #19)

 

Christmas Covers - December 23

 

St. Nick is on the run from a horde of the undead on the cover of Santa vs Zombies (2020) by César Sebastián.

For each day of December until Christmas we're featuring a Holiday-related comic book cover. This year we're celebrating the dark, dreary, and twisted side of the holiday, as befits 2020.

Come back tomorrow, and every day this month, for a new Christmas cover.

(2019: World of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #94)
(2018: Sleigher #2)
(2017: The Three Stooges: Merry Stoogemas #1)
(2016: Mary Marvel #8)
(2015: Gold Digger X-Mas Special #8) 
(2014: Grandville Noël) 
(2013: Shade, The Changing Man #19) 
(2012: I Gotta' Catch Santa Claus) 
(2011: Journal de Tintin #424) 
(2010: Katy Keene #57)
(2009: Marvelman #71)
(2008: The Original Black Cat #8)
(2007: Dennis the Menace Pocket Full of Fun #22)
(2006: Girls Bravo vol. 6)
(2005: All-New Collectors' Edition #C-53)
(2004: Impulse #34)

 

Christmas Covers - December 22

 

An evil Santa has captured two children in a snow globe on the cover of The 512th Day of Christmas (2016) by Reinaldo Lay.

For each day of December until Christmas we're featuring a Holiday-related comic book cover. This year we're celebrating the dark, dreary, and twisted side of the holiday, as befits 2020.

Come back tomorrow, and every day this month, for a new Christmas cover.

Just 3 more 'get-ups' until Santa!

(2019: Powerpuff Girls #6)
(2018: Mickey Mouse #39)
(2017: Die Kitty Die Christmas Special #1)
(2016: Captain Atom #13)
(2015: Jem and the Holograms 2015 Holiday Special)
(2014: Angry Birds Holiday Special)
(2013: Scooby-Doo #17) 
(2012: Target Comics #44) 
(2011: Romantic Secrets #20)
(2010: I Classici Disney #241)
(2009: Archie Giant Series Magazine #501)
(2008: Harvey Hits Comics #3)
(2007: Marge's Little Lulu #90)
(2006: Dell Giant #26)
(2005: Man-Thing #3)
(2004: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer #9)

Christmas Covers - December 21

 

The sign may say "Peace," but that looks to be the further thing from Logan's mind on the cover of Wolverine Holiday Special: Flies to a Spider #1 (2008) by Jerome Opeña.

For each day of December until Christmas we're featuring a Holiday-related comic book cover. This year we're celebrating the dark, dreary, and twisted side of the holiday, as befits 2020.

Come back tomorrow, and every day this month, for a new Christmas cover.

Just 4 more 'get-ups' until Santa!

(2019: Runaways #16)
(2018: Northstars vol. 1: Welcome to Snowville!)
(2017: Bugs Bunny's Christmas Funnies #5)
(2016: Power Man and Iron Fist Sweet Christmas Annual #1)
(2015: Dennis the Menace Giant #35) 
(2014: Roy Rogers Comics #61) 
(2013: Batman: The Brave and the Bold #12)
(2012: Magali #117)
(2011: Tom & Jerry Comics #149)
(2010: Superman #166)
(2009: Hulk #9)
(2008: Teen Beam #2)
(2007: Bugs Bunny #46)
(2006: Wacky Squirrel #2)
(2005: Archie Giant Series Magazine #15)
(2004: DC Comics Presents #67)
 

Christmas Covers - December 20

That monkey has a big ol' gun on the cover of Twisted Christmas #2 (2014) by Chris Gevenois.

For each day of December until Christmas we're featuring a Holiday-related comic book cover. This year we're celebrating the dark, dreary, and twisted side of the holiday, as befits 2020.

Come back tomorrow, and every day this month, for a new Christmas cover.

(2019: Harley Quinn #55)

(2018: The New Adventures of Superboy #39)

(2017: Pondus Julen 2017)

(2016: Big Shot #30)
(2015: Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor #5, Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor #5, and Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor #3) 
(2014: Flash Gordon Holiday Special)
(2013: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #79) 
(2012: Nemi julehefte 2002) 
(2011: Laugh #5) 
(2010: Sleivdal Julehefte 2002)
(2009: Bamses Julehefte 1998)
(2008: Larry Marder's Beanworld Holiday Special)
(2007: Archie Giant Series Magazine #218)
(2006: 52 week 33)
(2005: Strangers in Paradise #70)
(2004: The Amazing Spider-Man #314)

Christmas Covers - December 19

 

Ash isn't going to let Krampus ruin Christmas on the cover of Evil Dead 2: Revenge of Krampus #1 (2016) by David Yurkovich.

For each day of December until Christmas we're featuring a Holiday-related comic book cover. This year we're celebrating the dark, dreary, and twisted side of the holiday, as befits 2020.

Come back tomorrow, and every day this month, for a new Christmas cover.

Just 6 more 'get-ups' until Santa!

(2019: Fiese Weihnachten: Schwarzer Humor zur Bescherung)
(2018: Garfield's Cheesy Holiday Special #1)
(2017: Archie & Friends Double Digest #21)
(2016: Mickey and Donald Christmas Parade #2)
(2015: Garfield and Company, vol. 7)
(2014: Sensation Comics #38)
(2013: Wumo Bryter Julefreden 2011)
(2012: Spooky #72)
(2011: P.S. Magazine The Preventive Maintenance Monthly #134)
(2010: Ghostbusters #3)
(2009: Magnus Robot Fighter #34)
(2008: DCU Holiday Special 2008)
(2007: Walter Lantz New Funnies #167)
(2006: Omaha the Cat Dancer vol. 2 #1)
(2005: Marvel Comics Super Special #39)
(2004: The Spirit #12) 

 

12 Songs of Christmas, Day 12

Finishing up my little tour of Christmas music with one of my favorite carols: "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

"Do You Hear What I Hear?" was originally recorded by the Harry Simeone Chorale for their 1962 album The Wonderful Songs of Christmas. It was written by Noël Regney & Gloria Shayne as a call for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It has been recorded by hundreds of artists in the years since, and this version—performed here in a concert setting—by Broadway star Linda Eder is probably my favorite version.

Thanks for joining me these past twelve days—I've hope you've enjoyed the yuletide musical journey!

Amazon Top 50 - December 18, 2020

Here are the Top 50 Comics & Graphic Novels on Amazon Friday afternoon. See About the Amazon Top 50 Lists for more information on how this list is compiled.  (Note: All Kindle Unlimited, FreeTime Unlimited, comiXology Unlimited, & Prime Reading books are removed from the chart.) 

1 (-). The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
2 (-). Dilbert 2021 Day-to-Day Calendar
3 (-). Marvel Encyclopedia, New Edition
4 (+2). Solutions and Other Problems
5 (+4). Strange Planet
6 (+1). Pusheen 2021 Wall Calendar
7 (-3). My Hero Academia, Vol. 1
8 (+6). The Far Side After Hours 2021 Wall Calendar
9 (+25). Remina
10 (+8). Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 1
11 (-). Cartoons from The New Yorker 2021 Day-to-Day Calendar
12 (-4). The Complete Calvin and Hobbes (paperback)
13 (-8). The Far Side Theme-a-Month 2021 Off-The-Wall Calendar
14 (+1). My Hero Academia, Vol. 3
15 (+5). Stranger Planet
16 (-3). Haikyu!!, Vol. 1
17 (-1). Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Search Omnibus
18 (+17). Berserk Deluxe Volume 1
19 (-). My Hero Academia, Vol. 4
20 (-8). Peanuts 2021 Day-to-Day Calendar
21 (+2). Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Promise Omnibus
22 (+4). Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 1
23 (+9). Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 2
24 (-7). A Wealth of Pigeons: A Cartoon Collection
25 (+4). Naruto: 3-in-1 Edition, Vol. 1
26 (+1). How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill You
27 (-17). Uzumaki (3-in-1 Deluxe Edition)
28 (+8). I'm NOT just a Scribble...
29 (+1). Haikyu!!, Vol. 2
30 (-5). Calvin and Hobbes
31 (+11). Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 3
32 (-8). My Hero Academia, Vol. 5
33 (N). Peanuts 2021 Wall Calendar
34 (+14). Hunter x Hunter, Vol. 1
35 (-14). Batman: Three Jokers
36 (+5). Dune: The Graphic Novel, Book 1
37 (-4). Primer
38 (-10). Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins Library Edition: Series I & II Collection *
39 (+1). Non Sequitur 2021 Day-to-Day Calendar
40 (R). Gyo (2-in-1 Deluxe Edition)
41 (+3). The Argyle Sweater 2021 Day-to-Day Calendar
42 (-11). Sapiens: A Graphic History—The Birth of Humankind (paperback)
43 (-4). My Hero Academia, Vol. 25
44 (-7). The Odd 1s Out: The First Sequel
45 (R). The Promised Neverland, Vol. 1
46 (-3). Garfield 2021 Day-to-Day Calendar
47 (R). Tokyo Ghoul, Vol. 1
48 (-10). The Essential Calvin and Hobbes
49 (R). Hyperbole and a Half
50 (-5). Tokyo Ghoul: re Complete Box Set

Items with asterisks (*) are pre-order items.

Items with dollar signs ($) were part of a deeply discounted Kindle sale this week
N = New listing appearing on list for first time 
R = Item returning to the list after having been off for 1 or more weeks

 

Commentary: 

• The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, stays on top of the chart again this week. Will it remain on top for the rest of the year, or will the Dilbert calendar dethrone it?
• Only one new title this week: the Peanuts 2021 Wall Calendar. Calendars take up nine spots on the chart this week.
• Wash your hands. Wear a face mask when in public, enclosed spaces. Practice sensible social distancing. Read comics!
  

12 Songs of Christmas, Day 11

Chances are you probably know this song as "Carol of the Bells," but that is an adaptation of an older Ukrainian carol "Shchedryk," or "The Little Swallow."

"The Little Swallow" is actually more of a New Year's carol, as the original lyrics don't reference Christmas at all and it pre-dates the arrival of Christianity in Ukraine. They tell of a swallow that enters a household and tells the occupant of good fortune that will find him in the coming year.

The tune was later adapted in the early 20th century by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych and lyrics added by Peter J. Wilhousky for the familiar "Carol of the Bells."

In the performance below, Ukrainian-British singer-songwriter Katie Melua is joined by the Gori Women's Choir for a performance of "The Little Swallow" with the original Ukranian lyrics.

 

 

Christmas Covers - December 18

 

Zombie Santa smokes a cigar atop an undead reindeer on the cover of the Wormwood, Gentleman Corpse Christmas Special (2017) by Ben Templesmith.

For each day of December until Christmas we're featuring a Holiday-related comic book cover. This year we're celebrating the dark, dreary, and twisted side of the holiday, as befits 2020. 

Come back tomorrow, and every day this month, for a new Christmas cover.

Just 7 more 'get-ups' until Santa!

(2019: Her Christmas Romeo)

(2018: Action Comics #1005)

(2017: Wendy Witch World #23)

(2016: Bugs Bunny's Christmas Funnies #4)
(2015: Superman's Christmas Adventure) 
(2014: Doctor Who #12)
(2013: Archie Double Digest #246)
(2012: Teen Titans #13)
(2011: Tivoli med vänner #11)
(2010: Looney Tunes #97)
(2009: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer #4)
(2008: Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #364)
(2007: Guy Garder: Warrior #39)
(2006: Impulse #45)
(2005: Adventures of Superman #487)
(2004: Mutt & Jeff #32)