"How Many Miles to Babylon?"

One last post as a farewell to the holidays. Parting is indeed sweet sorrow. This is Walt Kelly from (again) Four Color No. 126, November 1946.

The Night Before Christmas

Text by Clement C. Moore from an original story; Art by Walt Kelly. From Four Color No. 126, November 1946. Merry Christmas and Joy to All!

Mary Jane and Sniffles in - "The Restless Reindeer"

Mary Jane and Sniffles the Mouse were best friends. So the two could have adventures, Mary Jane had the ability to make herself small. Once tiny, Mary Jane was impetuous and got the pair into trouble, while Sniffles was the voice of conservative reason – an awfully fun formula!

This tale of an ambitious and hard-working reindeer was most likely done by Al Hubbard and comes from Dell Giant Bugs Bunny’s Christmas Funnies No. 7, December 1956. All scans from my own comic.

"Winky the Toymaker"

Here’s one more of Irving Tripp’s magical tales of Christmas. Somehow, Tripp captured “child” in every panel. This is from (again) Four Color No. 958, December 1958. All scans are from my own comic.

Who knew Santa was so involved in the day-to-day quality control of production? He’s a real boss in this story with a gift for problem solving - and a huge heart. Please think of this one as the official Big Blog Christmas Card to you and yours. Merry Christmas, friends one and all! – Mykal

Casper in "Kings of Toyland"

Casper was all about bringing forth love from the hardest heart and changing the angriest enemy to a friend. What could be more appropriate for the holidays? Here, he ventures into the toys of Christmas and mediates what is certainly the most gentle war in the history of wars.

This is from The Friendly Ghost, Casper No. 18, February 1960. Harvey comics were never indexed, but I would bet a Christmas cookie that the artist for both cover and story is the great Warren Kremer. Scans are from my own comic.

"Special Delivery"

Somehow, Santa always gets every letter boys and girls write to him. Sometimes, though, it takes an adventure to make dreams come true.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday; and a special thanks to Prof. Grewbeard at Magic Carpet Burn for agreeing to let me share this great story by Gaylord Du Bois (script) and Irving Tripp (art) from Four Color No. 958, December 1958, which he had slated for posting as well. Thanks, my friend, and Merry Christmas!

"Surprise Christmas Present"

Santa knows if you’ve been good, and the boy in this tale has certainly been good for goodness’ sake. Thus, a convergence of miracles.

This was drawn by Irving Tripp and comes from Four Color No. 958, December 1958. Scans are from my own comic.