Comics/Graphic Novels

Throwback Thursday: DC Christmas LPs

Exciting Christmas Stories

Superheroes and Christmas are a favorite pairing of mine. Move over, peanut butter and chocolate! You’ll always be second on my list! Whether its superheroes helping out the needy around the holidays, foiling villains’ plans to destroy Christmas cheer, or simply helping Santa get to his appointed rounds on time, I’m totally on board. That means that 1977’s Exciting Christmas Stories: Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman LP published by Peter Pan Records is as essential to my celebrations as putting ornaments on a tree.

But let’s say you don’t have a record player or own this record released 37 years ago. Look, I’m not going to be a Scrooge over here, miserly counting my goods while you go without. No! I’m going to share these three stories with you so you can in turn give them to others. Stick these in your family’s stockings. Slip them to your Secret Santa. Drop them into your favorite charity’s bucket. Enjoy.

First up is the Superman tale “Light up the Tree, Mr. President.” When the President of the United States pushes the button to turn on the lights around the White House tree, he may be getting more than he bargained for. Will Superman save Christmas and prevent World War III!? (Spoiler: Yes.)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05xHOH8NW9g[/youtube]

Then comes the Wonder Woman story “Prisoner of Christmas Island.” Only one group would be evil enough to kidnap Santa Claus right before Christmas. That’s right, it’s Nazis riding around a nuclear powered submarine. Can Wonder Woman also save Christmas!? (Spoiler: Yes. The answer will always be yes.)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BEttwZjJJk[/youtube]

Finally, it’s Batman’s turn in the story “The Christmas Carol Caper.” There’s no world-ending plot in this one but there is a thug with the name Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Hitman so it’s even better. And there’s an evil singing telegram. This is pre-Dark Knight Returns Batman at his best and I couldn’t be happier about it. Batman three-peats by also also saving Christmas.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teh2K_XhGwY[/youtube]

Snuggle up under a blanket, grab some eggnog, turn on the tree, pull the family together, and listen to these three DC classics.

And hey. Happy Holidays.