MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS -2013- A Not-So Nativity Scene

I just want to take this time to wish everyone all the Happiness of this
Holiday Season!

And to help celebrate your 

VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS,

HAPPY HANUKKAH,

KOOL KWANZAA, 

WILD WINTER SOLSTICE,
and A FESTIVUS FOR THE REST-OF-US...

...I present to you this scene that we are ALL glad is not 

MARVEL canon.

(click to make YULE-SIZED)

SILVER SURFER as the HERALD ANGEL

SCARLET WITCH as MARY, SPIDER-MAN refusing to play any part of it, let alone the role of JOSEPH,

and HOWARD the DUCK as... oh, I can't even type that out.

Oh, I KNOW... really. I know.
But you have to believe me when I say that THIS was meant in ALL good fun, with no blasphemous intent. Spidey, of course, being the moral compass (sorta) - to keep us out of it.

Still, I did have OTHER ideas for this year's action figure fumetti card. (Some were even worse!)

Others included DOCTOR STRANGE letting LUKE CAGE interview prospective casting calls for the roles of MARY in the Sanctum (with all my super-women action figures, ranging from MAGIK, ZATANNA, SPIDER-WOMAN, MOONDRAGON, DAGGER, SNOWBIRD, PHOENIX, BLINK, MOONSTONE and MORE, including... oh yeah... SATANA, all auditioning).
The jokes were to have been CLEA trying to use her relationship with STRANGE to garner the role, MOONDRAGON demanding it since she was almost the Celestial Madonna and LUKE just looking at SATANA and saying "No... NO WAY!"

Perhaps a panel of MAN-THING being shot down for the role, as LUKE tells him flat out: "Dude... it's in your NAME! "MAN"-Thing!" To which the silent Man-Thing thinks, "But...LOOK at me! I AM a virgin."

Also a single shot of LUKE standing next to DOCTOR STRANGE, looking at all the beautiful, sexy, super-women and exclaiming "SWEET CHRISTMAS!" (as he used to do).

These next jokes might actually get used some other time as they ARE pretty cool...

The ILLUMINATI all arguing over who should be the "3 Wise Men" (with BLACK BOLT, BLACK PANTHER and NAMOR insisting it should be the "3 KINGS")...
Originally, it was to be DR. STRANGE, PHANTOM STRANGER & either JOHN CONSTANTINE or SARUMAN (or GANDALF) as the "3 Wise Men", but I couldn't decide on which.

...and/or the ASTRAL FORM of DOCTOR STRANGE, DEADMAN and the Marvel villain, GHOST, all portraying the "Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present & Future" to a SCROOGE figure (maybe HOWARD the DUCK, so as to riff on the Scrooge MacDuck thing), with the transparent variant of the MUPPET's "UNCLE DEADLY" as JACOB MARLEY.

Now... technically the Scarlet Witch DID give "virgin birth" to twins (you think theVision can reproduce?)... so... oh, whatever.

SO you see, the wheels WERE turning, and I had all the figures posed and ready to go, but just lacked the time to get it all together. So, I went with my first concept - for better or ill - and hope that you find it at least moderately amusing (and not overly offensive).

Of course, this was all inspired by my similar action-figure Christmas fumetti from a couple of years back [HERE].

So... once again,
Let's all sing a chorus of "O Man-Thing Tree"...

"O Manny-Thing, O Manny-Thing, Thy leaves are always burning..."

...EVERYBODY!

Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men-Things.

WAUGH, indeed!

CHRISTMAS GIFTS (from the past)! 1998 Linens-N-Things catalog A "STRANGE SWAG" Post

---

In year's past, I've posted Christmas/Holiday entries ranging from showing Christmas covers for various comics [HERE], [HERE], [HERE], [HERE] & [HERE], or "humorous" little video vignettes featuring everyone's favorite Latverian Dictator [HERE], [HERE] & [HERE], a look into Doctor Strange's holiday traditions [HERE], or even a quaint holiday Tableau - a comic cover brought to "life" as it were [HERE]...

But this year, I thought I'd not only try to bring the blog back to its roots (as a way to showcase my assorted collection of weird and wonderful swag)... but while doing so, also stick with the Christmas/Holiday theme.

And so I present to you...

 a 1998 GIFT CATALOG from LINENS -N- THINGS! *

OK. I can hear you all scratching your heads and wondering just what this is doing in my collection of assorted Doctor Strange and "6-Dimensions"swag?

Well, as we flip through the pages of the many assorted gift items, and thumb our way to the MEN'S section - whist looking for cool gift ideas "for the man who practices the ART of living well" in your life...

...and while a cocktail shaker or a CD/wine rack or even a comfy green robe are in my wheelhouse...you'll also find a nifty looking book lamp.

BUT...if you take a look at the pile of comics to the right of the nifty book-lamp, you'll find that there's something "for the man who practices the MYSTIC ARTS of living well"... a well-read copy of MARVEL TEAM-UP (v.1) # 50, featuring Spider-Man teaming up with DOCTOR STRANGE!

A CLASSIC COVER by Gil Kane (pencils) and Dan Akins (inks)

Sure, there are also a copy of 'Marvel Holiday Special' from 1991 and an old comic featuring the Molten Man (a No-Prize for anyone who can identify the issue, since I didn't feel like doing the detective work this time), but the Marvel Team-Up issue is the real gift here!

And thus it was that Doctor Strange was subliminally introduced to the average American consumer  during the holiday season of 1998.

*
Also, I thought it was high time I posted this item since it was something that I mentioned in my VERY FIRST post on this blog [HERE].


And so I would like to take this time to wish EVERYONE... whether they celebrate CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH, KWANZAA, RAMADAN, SATURNALIA or FESTIVUS... a HAPPY and HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS -2011- A GIANT-SIZED TREASURY EDITION!

I just want to take this time to wish everyone all the Happiness of this
Holiday Season!

And to help celebrate your 

VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS,

HAPPY HANUKKAH,

KOOL KWANZAA, 

WILD WINTER SOLSTICE,
and A FESTIVUS FOR THE REST-OF-US...

...I present to you this scene of

MARVELOUS MIRTH and MERRIMENT...

(click to make FESTIVE-SIZED)

This YULTIDE TABLEAU featuring; Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, Luke "Power Man" Cage, Nick Fury and the Hulk, is my own re-staging of the CLASSIC cover to the 1975 MARVEL TREASURY EDITION; GIANT SUPERHERO HOLIDAY GRAB-BAG!

It was bigger than most kids, and only $1.50! (sigh)

I wasn't going to use any photoshop re-touches, but I didnt have a Santa-Suit small enough for Hulk.
I didn't even have a "classic" Hulk figure, but had to substitute my "Professor Hulk" as a stand in. Nor did I have any dolls, er... action figures of a young, tow-headed lad. If I did, that would be weird. So, I had to draft a holiday elf as a stand-in. Then, I figured, what-the-heck, and tossed in a little colorful glow for Doctor Strange's mystic zaps - which otherwise is just a red twisty-tie thingee from a bread bag.
With the exception of Hulk and Kilkeel Elf, these are all MARVEL LEGENDS Action Figures (which, aside from the old MEGO figures, are the very best Marvel action figures - ever).

I was originally going to make it an animated gif with glowing and blinking lights on the tree, like on my "Sanctum Window" graphic, but then one might wonder why no one else was moving... so I nixed it. Sorry.


However, to keep up with modern trends of VARIANT EDITIONS of cover images, I present to you this alternate take, with the MAN-THING in the place of the Christmas Tree.

(click to make Giant-Size Man-Thing sized)

Dr. Strange, Man-Thing, Spider-Man, Luke "Sweet Christmas" Cage, Nick Fury, Hulk and Irish 'Kilkeel' Elf

- all balanced by hidden props and wires...er...Christmas MAGIC!

Let's all sing a chorus of "O Man-Thing Tree"...

"O Manny-Thing, O Manny-Thing, Thy leaves are always burning..."

...EVERYBODY!

Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men-Things.

...And now a word from DOOM! Episode III

-

Yet again, Dr Doom takes a moment from his busy schedule of planning world domination to impart one word of his magnificent wisdom upon us all.

What shall he say today?

"NOG!"

--- And now a Commercial Announcement ---

This post brought to you by...

LATVERIAN DOOMSTADT NOG

The ONLY NOG approved by DOOM!

---

- That NOG label could be the worst bit of "Design" I've ever done. Hastily done or not.
If it were an ACTUAL product, it wouldn't be so busy, but as a one-shot prop, it has to have a bunch of elements that might not normally be required. Or at least - laid out better.
But, I'd imagine DOOM's ego being so rampant that ALL Latverian product must require his "seal" of approval upon them, and that seal should take up 1/3 of the top portion of the package and/or label.

- Hmmm... speaking of shoddy-looking... Castle Doom is looking a tad shabby there. Draperies all mussed up and junk.
You'd think that there would be constant clean-up and tidying crews of Doombots (or serfs) who would tend to these things, what with the constant invasions and battles.

...And now a word from DOOM! Episode II

-

Once again, Dr Doom takes a moment from his busy schedule of planning world domination to impart one word of his magnificent wisdom upon us all.

What shall he say today?

"SNUGGIE!" *

- This is wrong on EVERY level. **

** (But... it does seem quite comfy.)

...And now a word from DOOM! Episode 1

Dr Doom takes a moment from his busy schedule of planning world domination to impart one word of his magnificent wisdom upon us all.

What shall he say today?

"BAH!"

(humbug!) *

-personally, I like how the credits are longer than the actual vid.
* (and that DOOM feels above the limitations of the "one word" restrictions, thus getting two words in via guile)

A Little Christmas miracle!

So there I am, last night, reading a bunch of comics that have come out over the past week or so and it's almost a "Little Christmas" miracle!

So many Doctor Strange, Man-Thing and "6-Dimensions" character appearances that I just couldn't believe my eyes!

I've already written about ONE such bit of goodness;
MARVELS : Eye of the Camera # 2 in the double-post from two days ago (HERE and HERE).

I'm not done filing stuff and scanning as of yet, so this will be a post that will be constantly updated over the course of the day (or two)...

But, that's all part of the "little Christmas" aspect.
It's like opening up a gift, enjoying and appreciating it for a little while before moving on to the next.
(for those of us who give our Christmas gifts on January 6th * )

So, let's get to our "presents" now:

-------------

We'll start off with MARVEL ZOMBIES-3 # 4 (of 4) by Fred Van Lente (writer) and Kev Walker (art).

Once again, we get "Zombie Dr. Strange"... doing the drooling, muttering thing, and performing the only two spells that he has left in his rotted and damaged brain:

• Conjure Dimensional Portal

• Manna from Heaven (which is useless to the Zombies, since all they eat is flesh)
  

Remember, click images to make more Miraculous-Sized!

So sad. But so funny.

Reminds me of my early days playing D&D (which sadly I didn't play more than a few times, since my friends didn't embrace the game and there was no one else with which to do so), and the neophyte mystics only had one or two spells that they could use.

But to ME, the BIG news that comes from this book is THIS:

MAN-THING
&
The RETURN of the MIDNIGHT SONS!

I won't mince words here; I'd MUCH rather see a return of the Midnight Sons (WITH Strange as a part of the "team") than see a DEFENDERS reunion (WITH Strange as a part of the "team").
Y'know... if it were an "either/or" option.

To ME, a mystical, occult, horror-type of setting is best for Strange than any type of Super-team.
EVEN if that team is the Defenders.
(let the hate-comments start ... NOW)

While THIS upcoming Marvel Zombies-4 mini-series aspect of the MIDNIGHT SONS isn't really the actual "Midnight Sons" (Son of Satan and Werewolf by Night were never "officially" a part of that assemblage, and Steel Wind - the female member shown - at least I'm 99% sure that's who that is - was a Ghost Rider villainess. At least Morbius WAS an actual member, and Man-Thing was "unofficially" since he was showcased in the Midnight Sons Unlimited series, way back when), it's STILL a welcome bit of news.

**UPDATE EDIT**
It turns out, the new solicitation text for the next mini (seen HERE) states that the female is indeed supposed to be Jennifer Kale, even though she's not wearing either the costume she started this mini-series with, nor her original, but a new ensemble that bears more in common to Steel Wind's look than her own.
**END UPDATE EDIT**

However, I'm nitpicking.
I'm pleased as (holiday) punch at this!
Even if it IS just a mini-series.

Truthfully, I expected more of a showing from Man-Thing during THIS mini-series, since he was (sorta) shown in the first issue, in an almost "behind-the-scenes" manner.
A glimpse of his arm here, a shadowy look at him walking away there... but then... nada. Until now. Odd, since the series took place in his stomping grounds; The NEXUS of All Realities, one would expect for him to be shown doing exactly what it is that he was "created" to do; Protect the Nexus from invaders or those who would tamper with it.

Maybe I missed a cameo. I'll have to re-read the issues again, keeping my eyes peeled for him.

Nope. I just re-read them all. Just the first issue tease and the last issue last page.
:-(

-------------

Next up is:

- Marvel Adventures; Fantastic Four # 43 - with Baron Mordo & Moondragon making their "Adventures' style" debut.

This was a silent story, which, as an artist, I always love. If the artwork can tell the complete tale with no words, then the artist (in this case, David Hahn) has successfully brought forth the "vision" of the writer (Paul Tobin).

Tobin crafts an interesting tale here, introducing some very unique touches and creative displays of magic in use.

One nice bit is this sequence; where mystic hand-servants are sent forth to retrieve the signatures (and essences) of the Fantastic Four, who have checked into Agatha Harkness' "Suite Salem" bed and breakfast (hey... it's the "adventures" Universe. It's more friendly then the "616" M.U.).

Who knew the Thing had such nice penmanship?

The hands had been conjured by Baron Mordo, who in this incarnation is a little bit more of a Diablo stand-in than anything resembling his previous published history.

Names have power. And Mordo has the knowledge to use them.

Imbuing clay statues with the magically enchanted essence of their namesakes, Mordo brings these 'golems' to life and pits them against their counterparts.
Why? Well... that's never even alluded to. It's just that he's a bad guy and bad guys usually attack the good guys of the comic. It's a law or something.

Diablo used this trick against the 'real' F.F. waaaay back in issue #232 in 01981.
Obviously, Mordo's not a comic reader or he'd know that it doesn't turn out too well.

Writer Paul Tobin is appreciated by this blogger for his fresh uses for magic and it's practitioners.
I've already raved (mostly) about his treatment of Doctor Strange in Marvel Adventures Super Heroes # 5. In fact, I gave that issue my "Best of the Year" award for Doc appearances. (HERE)

He works some nice magic in this issue, even allowing his voice to be "silenced" by the elegance of the artwork. Many writers these days are all about hearing themselves "speak", that this was a refreshing change.

Sadly, like the aforementioned Dr. Strange appearance, there are some misses here;
Mordo is misused. A villainous sorcerer of no slight ability, Mordo should ALWAYS be a threat. I understand that this "Adventures-style" story is more kid-friendly (but not kid-centric), and as someone who started reading comics AS a kid, I appreciate that.
However, there are many characters who could have fit the bill for this tale; Diablo, for starters. This elemental-type attack was very much in his wheelhouse, except for a few touches of "regular" magic, such as the signatures, and a few mystic hoojams seen before the battle.

Agatha Harkness is unfortunately underused as well. She's the proprietor of a Bed and Breakfast and is only shown in 2 panels; smiling and giving muffins to the newly registered guests.
No backlit, ominous witchlike going's on, sadly.
I've always had some serious love for her creepy witch-governess shtick.
If she makes future appearances in this title, and they build even a little of that into her character - then I'm on board.

Lastly, another fave of mine; Moondragon is a whole new different entity in this.
Here, she's a "fortune teller" of sorts, running a "magic hall of mirrors" in a carnival.

It's ok Johnny. She brought a smile to MY face as well.
Because SHE was smiling throughout her appearances.
That was nice to see.

Firstly, Moondragon's abilities aren't mystic in nature, so this new angle makes no sense.
I can live with her being a coy, almost playful woman here. There's only so much of the usual obnoxious, overbearing rendition - that she had for many decades - that anyone can take.

Still, she's more Zatanna (DC's main mystic maiden) than Moondragon.
It might have been a better choice to have used Arcanna (from the Squadron Supreme) or even the Scarlet Witch for this role.
Especially as the "fairgrounds" aspect of the "magic mirror" show lends itself nicely to either of those characters.

Still, at the end of the issue. It made me smile. As I mentioned in the above pic-tagline, it was nice to see Moondragon as a smiling, playful woman. Obviously still strong, and not a plaything, but open and appealing. She also gets the last laugh as well.

This was still a nice story, with clean and clear artwork and it was a refreshing change of pace from all the gloom and doom being published lately.

-------------

Another stocking stuffer is:

- What if? Secret Wars by Karl Bollers (writer) Jorge Molina (artist) - presents a very good, yet ultimately disappointing Dr. Strange appearance.


I liked this issue. Quite a bit. Dr. Doom is portrayed exceptionally well.
Dr. Strange however is given some respect (in words) but ultimately dissed (in deeds) in the end.

Truthfully, Neilalien has already spelled out my exact feelings on this issue, and much more succinctly than I could. His mini-review HERE.

-------------

I open the next goodie to find:

- Avengers / Invaders # 7 with another good Dr. Strange appearance. This time with old foe; D'Spayre!

In a scene reminiscent of Ghostbusters II, the New Avengers follow a river of dark slime through the sewers to find:

Doc senses the psycho-reactive "Mood slime".

D'Spayre is using the Cosmic Cube to feed off of the ill will and sorrow of the nation. The by-product is spewing out into psycho-sensitive slime that he now uses to envelop and restrain the heroes. D'Spayre then uses the opportunity to plumb the depths of his prisoner's... despair.

D'Spayre posits a reason for Clea's departure.

One by one, D'Spayre uses the flaws of these heroes against them. Feeding off of their guilt.
(Well... except for Wolverine. I mean... c'mon. Not gonna get blood from a stone, am I right?)
The only thing is, I don't get a sense of any real anguish from the captured heroes in this scene.
The art is too basic and although we can see that they are held fast and struggling, I just don't buy that they are being tormented (except for Toro, who had learned of his eventual fate last issue and spent his entire appearance here with the same "Oh shit... I'ma gonna die!" expression).

Not much else happens to this team, as the rest of the book is devoted to the "Mighty" Avengers and their battle against the renegade "S.H.I.E.L.D" L.M.D's and a surprise mystery villain.

This series has been building the mysteries slowly and progressing steadily with the story.

Writer Jim Krueger is someone whose past works I have liked and I was more than willing to give my $2.99 a month to see what he would do with these characters.

Alex Ross co-plots, and since I know that he's got a jones for the WWII era heroes, and a healthy respect for the modern ones, no one would really be treated poorly.

The weak link here (to me) is artist Steve Sadowski (joined by Patrick Berkenkotter).
The art for this issue is a step up from previous ones. It has a basic feel, rough at times, but it's clean and clearly tells the story. Is it at the level of what this project "should" have? Well... that's not for me to say. A big project like this probably should have had a higher caliber artist. Still, the art services the story, with some scenes working better than others.

For we Dr. Strange fans, his appearances in early issues was lacking, but now it seems to be that he's stepping into the heart of the action.

Hey! As a bonus, Spider-Man mentions that he's fought against D'Spayre before alongside MAN-THING. Just as Strange also reveals his past dealings with this demon, and his forebear; The Dweller in Darkness. A nice touch of continuity.

I'm looking forward to next issue.

-------------

Another welcome gift was:

Dead of Night : Werewolf By Night # 1 (of 4)
I almost passed on this mini-series as the cover by Patrick Zercher turned me off.
A worse-looking rendition of the Werewolf's face I couldn't imagine.
Want to see it for yourself? Check it out HERE at Marvel's website. Yikes!

However, this is totally a case of "Don't judge a book by it's cover" (or a gift by the wrapping).
Interior artwork by Mico Suayan is very dynamic and bold.
The coloring, at first look seems a bit overdone and garish, however for a tale about Werewolves it might perhaps be appropriate, as the brightness of the colors made it seem as though my own senses were heightened. That, mixed with the art that seemed to be nearly always aimed at the reader like an attacking wild animal gave a good feeling of urgency and impending doom.
Writer Duane Swierczynski crafts a gripping story of a night in the life of lycanthrope; Jack Russell, and his attempt to stifle the raging beast within him for the first night of the full moon. A story that places the reader in the head of this beast and we know that for the entirety of the issue... we can't get out.

I'm looking forward to being in this horror's head for the rest of the series.

An exciting mystery is in the works. A game of cat and mouse... or wolf and wolf.

***WARNING***
As a MAX title, it's probably not for the kids. Lots of blood and gore.
Dr. Frederic Wertham would have wet his bed after reading this.

-------------

I save for last a big lumpy package that smells like compost and has leaves and thorns sticking out of it at impossible angles... opening it I find:

- Spider-Man : Fear Itself (oneshot) - guest starring MAN-THING!

It...it's beautiful! Exactly what I wanted!
Cover art by Mico Suayan and Frank D'Armata.

There's a nice "shmaltzy" story crafted here by Stuart Moore, filled with soft-hazy flashback memories of a young Peter Parker, the sage advice of Aunt May and a carry-over to this modern adventure of Spider-Man.

The interior artwork by Joe Suitor is of mixed quality. While his coloring and backgrounds are beautifully done, his human figures and faces seem awkward and gaunt... and yet his Man-Thing is stellar.

He presents a new interpretation, that seems to take a page from the more recent looks that have been given to Manny. Such looks as seen in the "straight-to-DVD" Man-Thing film, it's prequel mini-series and the Marvel Legends action figure. All of those incarnations have large chunks of tree trunk bark jutting out from his back. Suitor follows suit with that representation.

What Moore and Suitor add that is new, is a layer of brambles that is used as an offensive weapon... and a means of infecting Spider-Man's bloodstream via the thorns.

Before I get too deep into the breakdown, I just want to share the one joke in the issue:

I laughed. No. Really.

It's like the kind of joke an 8 year old will hit you with.

Actually, it's not really the only joke in the issue, but it's one of the few, and the best.

This really isn't a jokey, big-time, fun-house Spider-Man romp, so the yuks are kept to a bare minimum. This is more of a thoughtful, low-key tale on the nature of fear.

And yet... it isn't.

It wants to be. It tried to walk that line, but truthfully, the story is more about a writer stringing together a few thin ideas and one cool metaphor (of a plant reaching for the light) and stitching them together in a web that won't hold the weight of the first fly that gets stuck in it.

The big deal here is Spider-Man walking a brief tightrope in his head (and with his DNA) between being a Man, an Animal or a ... plant... and what that means to him.

Of course, there are quite a few serious flaws with the way Spider-Man solves his dilemma and the ending, while plucking on some heartstrings, is "wrong" as well.
I wish I could go into those errors here, but I don't want to spoil anything for those who will be reading.

Sorry. But I can't even use a font color to hide the text (for a roll-over reveal) due to the particular shade of grey in my background.

Suffice to say, remember Aunt May's advice.
That's a good clue.

I'm more than willing to go into it in the comments section, if anyone wished to hazard a guess.

However, the story began with a false premise, or at least an unexplained one, (Why would Man-Thing be on a rampage, destroying the houses of poor people in the swamp? The answer put forth is... erroneous.,) and had a muddy through-line (so... was Man-Thing REALLY following Peter in New York, or was that all in his head? The writer seems to think it was BOTH, since in one scene the girl that Peter's with when he chases Man-Thing gives no sign that she sees the walking salad that is supposedly mere feet away from them) so from that point on I was just trying to stay in the story.

The last thing that hurt was the lettering by Jared K. Fletcher, which looked amateurish, and like the work of the other two creator's involved here... uneven.

I was able to read PAST the flaws however, to see the truer, purer vision of the creative team, and finally enjoy the tale for what it was (supposed to be). Don't think for a minute that I didn't get a little sad and choked up at the end. No matter if I thought it was a bit "off".

While I am being overly critical of the final product, I must commend the team for even putting forth their vision and producing a work that features Marvel's macabre muck-monster... the Man-Thing.

Thanks to the creative team, Tom Brevoort & Joe Quesada for this. It was the thought that counted.

I might be critical of the work, but I am thankful for the gift.

-------------

* ("The Epiphany" - when the 3 "wise men" brought forth their gifts to the infant Christ-child. No I'm not Greek Orthodox or anything. My family has had that custom for many years. Maybe something small on Christmas Eve, one big gift on Christmas Day - and the rest on "Little Christmas".)

Master of the Social Arts

Today is December the 26th, and as such it is also a few OTHER days; "Boxing Day", mid-way through Hanukkah & the first day of Kwanzaa.
Now, I know next to nothing about either of those, however Stephen Strange is on top of it.

While he might not relegate such activities to just one day a year, Doc has been known to drop the whole "master / servant" thing (as is one such "Boxing Day" custom).

On more than one occasion, his (on again, off again, erstwhile and forever) manservant, WONG has been treated as an equal.

Be it in physical combat training:

As long as Doc isn't compared to Chris Tucker.
From Doctor Strange; Master of the Mystic Arts # 58.
Roger Stern (words) & Dan Green (pencils) / Terry Austin (inks).

He has also, seen his (then former-) servant treat him as less than a "master":

Who wouldn't like to do THAT to their OWN boss at least once?
Read Doctor Strange; Sorcerer Supreme # 84 to live vicariously.
Story by J.M. DeMatteis. Art by Marc Buckingham

Wong has also been "the master" on the chess board as well.

Wong has a lot of time to play Chessmaster 3000.
Doctor Strange: Flight of Bones # 2
Dan Jolley Story/Words , Tony Harris Story/Pencils, Ray Snyder Story/Inks

So, it is of no surprise that when push (or punch) literally came to shove, Strange would give credit where it is due:

Doctor Strange: The Oath # 5
Brian Vaughan story, Marcos Martin art

Despite the numerous erroneous entries to the comics-canon which state that Wong is the one who first trained Strange in the Martial Arts, it had already been noted that Strange learned the martial arts along with the mystic arts in Tibet (as mentioned in the very first scan in this entry - from Doctor Strange Master of the Mystic Arts # 58).
It IS true, quite obviously, that Wong is the one who continues Strange's studies as his superior.



Oh. And lest I forget; Strange is totally "down" with all cultures and their holiday customs.
Hanukkah & Kwanzaa included.

Yes, Cage. It IS fly. And it does, too.
Marvel Holiday Special 2005
Jeff Parker story, Reilly Brown pencils

Happy Holidays to all who observe and celebrate them!

... MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thus, we conclude our holiday "spectacular" Christmas image celebration with
The Spectacular SANCTUM SANCTORUM itself!
All lit and decorated for Christmas!
(Well, it IS what the blog is named after, y'know. You thought I was going to say "Spectacular Spider-Man", didn't you? Well, he's here too!)

Spidey-Claus and the Sanctum are from:

MARVEL HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2005!

A cute little yarn from a great single issue.
Another you should hunt for if you don't already own it.
(Creative-team is printed on the page.)

As for my "gift" to you today... all I can offer, and the best we can hope for is for EVERYONE to have a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
Peace, Love and Joy!
from myself and the dwellers of the Sanctum Sanctorum to you and yours!
God Bless!

~P~

... VERY ...

It's Christmas Eve and we're at our penultimate entry for this year's holiday bonanza Christmas image parade!
Today we find WONG; Dr. Strange's manservant, friend, aide, confidant and sometime-pupil getting his childhood wish granted:

To meet one of his boyhood heroes; FIN FANG FOOM (and subsequently, fight alongside him against the hoards of HYDRA while battling a giant Evil Santa robot) in:

Marvel Holiday Special 2006

It's a great little story, full of fun and evil-Santa Robot ass-kicking.
Go find a copy.
(The guilty parties responsible for this are printed on the page.)

Today's "gift" is a multiple grab-bag of reference-material goodness:

Wong's Marvel entry: HERE.
(wow. Take a look at his stats. The "fan votes" place him at super-crazy-powerful levels. If he's THAT popular why haven't any fans dedicated a site to him? Hmm?? Let's get to it people. The WONG-blog isn't going to start itself. If there WAS one, I'd be linking to it right now.)

FIN FANG FOOM's entry from those fine, dedicated fans at the
"Unofficial Appendix to the Marvel Universe Handbooks": HERE

And, I'll also toss in the Kamar-Taj entry at wikipedia. HERE.

... A ...

Tonight's entry for my holiday festival of Christmas comic-images
is:

Howard the Duck (magazine) # 03

Finding a Christmas image of Howard wasn't easy. Not that there's a dearth of Howard Christmas stuff. Oh, contraire! That's the problem. There are quite a few entries to this genre for old Howard.
The hard part was CHOOSING one.

Aside from this issue and the assorted stuff within (including a Howard as Santa Christmas pin-up), there's also the Howard the Duck Holiday Special (from 1997) AND a great short story from Bizarre Adventures # 34 (drawn by Paul Smith)!
I'm SURE there are more.

But, this cover was drawn by JACK DAVIS! That tipped the scales.

Tonight's "gift" to my readers is a humble little fan-site devoted to all things Howard the Duck.
It might not be a flashy site, but the proprietor is a nice guy and I'm fairly sure he was the first person to devote a site to Howard.

Check it out HERE.

... YOURSELF ...

Continuing our 5-day Christmas-themed image posts we have:

MAN-THING vol 3 # 03

PEACE on EARTH - GOOD WILL towards MAN-THINGS!

Yes, again, even though I own the issue here, I'm sharing the gift of
The Grand Comics Database.
(which is where this image has been taken)
Image found HERE.

HAVE...

From now until (and including) Christmas Day, the Sanctum Sanctorum Comix blog will be presenting various holiday images that feature DOCTOR STRANGE, MAN-THING and/or any of the other "6-Dimensions" characters.

First up:

Marvel Treasury Edition # 08.
Giant SuperHero Holiday Grab-Bag

(front cover - above & back cover - below)
Featuring Dr. Strange, Nick Fury, Spider-Man, Hulk & Luke Cage; Power Man
(and Santa too!)

While I do own this fabulous Treasury Edition, these pics are from the equally Treasured
http://www.treasurycomics.com/

Make a gift to yourself by checking out that wonderful resource.
(Tell 'em SANCTUM-CLAUS sent you!)