Father Christmas

Celebrating the Thoughtful Vision of Raymond Briggs
Celebrating the Thoughtful Vision of Raymond Briggs
Celebrating the Thoughtful Vision of Raymond Briggs
If you grew up in the 1980s, The Snowman was inescapable, especially around Christmas. Not Frosty, you understand, but the nameless, wordless living Snowman in the green hat and scarf, who befriended a little boy and took him on a magical adventure. Even children of the time understood on some level that this was a different sort of Snowman, more contemplative in his nature, more artistic in his realization. The Snowman wasn't a commercial product, like Frosty the Snowman has almost always been. It's the creation of an artist with vision, Raymond Briggs, and while it's certainly the most prominent, it's far from his only contribution to art and culture.
Morrison Explores Santa's Sexy, Violent Early Years in 'Klaus'
Morrison Explores Santa's Sexy, Violent Early Years in 'Klaus'
Morrison Explores Santa's Sexy, Violent Early Years in 'Klaus'
A little over a year ago, Boom Studios announced that Grant Morrison would be working on an undisclosed new series at some point, with no specific details given. As we head into SDCC 2015, the publisher has now revealed what comic Morrison will be working on, and it's essentially Santa Claus: Year One. Klaus is a six issue mini-series by Morrison and artist Dan Mora, best known for his art on Hexed. The series will focus on hot bearded crusader Santa as he fights off invaders, builds a sleigh, hangs out with his pet wolf (which has a bloody, red nose) and does all kinds of rugged manly things in the woods.
Ask Chris #175: The Great Santa Fight
Ask Chris #175: The Great Santa Fight
Ask Chris #175: The Great Santa Fight
Q: Can Santa Claus beat Superman in a fight? Can he beat Batman? --@byharryconnolly A: You, Harry, have been affected by the cynicism of a cynical age. Any schoolchild could tell you that Santa Claus would never fight Superman or Batman, because they are all on the same side. Then again, I suppose that's why you didn't ask a schoolchild and instead went straight to someone who specializes in providing needlessly elaborate answers to yes-or-no questions about fictional vigilantes. So today, on this wintry Christmas Week Eve, I'm going to take up the spirit of the holiday and give you the answer you asked for. The short version? Yes. Santa Claus could beat those dudes like government reindeer. It wouldn't even be close.
Ask Chris #131: Fear Of A Santa Planet
Ask Chris #131: Fear Of A Santa Planet
Ask Chris #131: Fear Of A Santa Planet
Over a lifetime of reading comics, Senior Writer Chris Sims has developed an inexhaustible arsenal of facts and opinions. That's why, each and every week, we turn to you to put his comics culture knowledge to the test as he responds to your reader questions...