In honor of the holidays, we are revisiting some of our favorite holiday-themed comic books. There are newer books and some that have been around for a while, featuring superheroes and monster hunters, all wrapped up in the magic of the season.  

DC Comics; $2.95 

With Lobo’s big screen debut teased in the recent Supergirl trailer and now that the holidays are upon us, it’s only fitting we revisit one of the Main Man’s most memorable outings – The Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special. 

Published in 1991, this special was intended “For mature readers of 19 years of older,” a warning well-earned by this cautionary tale told by Keith Giffen (Lobo’s creator) and Alan Grant (Judge Dredd in 2000 A.D.). This tale of Christmas carnage was illustrated by longtime Lobo artist Simon Bisley, who didn’t skimp on the mayhem. 

Opening with a frazzled set of parents fearing retribution from their children over a meager Christmas, they turn to a book that arrives on their doorstep, which chronicles The Lobo Xmas Sanction. The book tells the story of how the Easter Bunny hires Lobo to take out Santa Claus, aka Kris ‘Crusher’ Kringle. Gone is the jolly old elf of Christmas lore; here Santa is described as “A brutal dictator repeatedly slammed by Amnesty International” who “ran his empire with an iron fist.” Lobo, lamenting childhood Christmas disappointment, agrees to the job. 

Arriving at Santa’s North Pole stronghold, Lobo and his extraterrestrial canine companion Dawg (who makes his debut in this issue) blast their way in and through an army of elves, Bisley’s art festooning the pages with garlands of gore. Finally, Lobo makes his way to Old Saint Nick, whom he engages in a violent battle with blades. Much to the delight of the repressed North Pole inhabitants, the Last Czarnian emerges triumphant. Exploring his surroundings, Lobo discovers Santa’s Naughty and Nice lists, which he utilizes to deliver a large stockpile of bombs to naughty children with the help of Santa’s sleigh and his reindeer. 

The issue ends with the book self-destructing, leaving the troubled parents to deal with their ungrateful children in a way only the Main Man himself would approve of. 

If you’re a Lobo fan, this Christmas Special will hit all the right notes. If you’re a Christmas fan, perhaps this isn’t the comic for you (unless you like your Christmas served with a heavy dose of ‘90s grit and violence). Either way, The Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special is certainly one of the more memorable Christmas comics published during the ‘90s, one of number by this diabolical creative team that helped Lobo frag his way into new levels of popularity. 

–Mike Bollinger  

Mike Bollinger is the Senior Consignment Manager at Hake’s Auctions.