DC SPECIAL #21 (1980)
by Paul Levitz & José Luis García-López
This is a Christmas special (published in December 1979 but with a 1980 cover date) with a surprising variety of stories.
And I do mean variety: we have a Western story featuring Jonah Hex, a Batman story (by O’Neil and Miller!!!), a “House of Mystery” story featuring Destiny (of Endless fame), a FANTASTIC Sgt.Rock story by Kanigher and Dick Ayers…
…so having a Christmas story featuring the Legion isn’t THAT crazy.
This is cute and all…
…but it’s giving me Action Comics #289 vibes.
Wait, is Phantom Girl kissing Superboy a callback to Supergirl thinking she should’ve paired her adult counterpart with Superman? I wouldn’t put it past Levitz.
I think the hardest thing to believe is the fact that she celebrates Christmas at all, Phantom Girl, since she’s from another planet. And you’re not even from this dimension!
Still, nice character moment for all characters involved.
Speaking of Action Comics #289 throwbacks, I vastly prefer this new version of the futuristic Christmas tree.
It’s interesting to see that not ALL planets celebrate Christmas.
Is this the first time we’re told Colossal Boy is Jewish, or did I miss a previous mention of it?
No clue why he’s giant-size and in costume when he’s celebrating with his family, I’m positive that’s not a real Chanukah tradition.
*sigh*
You’re going to be absolutely insufferable about this Superboy, isn’t it?
Yep. I’m with Wildfire on this one, Supes.
While they don’t find the star, the Legion discovers and unknown planet where climate changes will soon lead to the mass extinction of various sentient species. Merry Christmas, everybody!
Even the Legionnaires are understandably bummed about this.
But they come up with the idea of teaching each of the planet’s races how to help each other.
And so we end with Superboy being sure this was all about the Christmas spirit anyway.
As if this wasn’t the kind of thing him and the Legion to all the time.
And so even the curmudgeon Wildfire concedes that yes, this is about Christmas as long as Superboy shuts up about it.
Legion significance: 0/10
Harmless fluff.
Silver Age-ness: 1/10
It is kind of weird how Legionnaires from other planets still celebrate Christmas, but it’s still played as a secular thing so it’s not THAT weird.
Does it stand the test of time? 9/10
The worldbuilding is a little wonky and it doesn’t really have that much to do with Christmas… which, as someone who doesn’t like 99% of Christmas stories, is fine by me.
We are legion
22 Legionnaires
6 reserve members
1 on sick leave (Matter-Eater Lad)