Black and White Wednesday: "The Christmas Spirit (of 1948)" by Will Eisner

Meeeeeerrry Christmas, Groove-ophiles! Here's wishing all the very best to you and yours from Groove City! Hope your day is merry and bright, that you spend it with those you love, and that the Spirit of Christmas warms your heart and brings you true joy. And thank you, especially, for spending a few precious moments of this special day with Ol' Groove. It truly means a lot to me. You Groove-ophiles are the ginchiest! For our special day, let's go back to Warren's Spirit Magazine #12 (December 1975) which reprinted the classic "The Christmas Spirit (of 1948)" (which was originally published on December 19, 1948). Will Eisner truly was the master of the comicbook form. Here's just one morsel of proof...

Groove's Faves: Marvel Treasury Edition #8

Merry Christmas, Groove-ophiles! 'Tis the  night before Christmas--and you're too excited to sleep! Christmas is tomorrow, but ya have to grab some "z's"--what's a young Groove-ophile to do? Well, how 'bout cozying up with a tabloid-sized Giant Superhero Holiday Grab-Bag (aka Marvel Treasury Edition #8, Winter 1975)? Worked for Young Groove way back when. 'Course I hadda read it three or four times 'cause it was so filled with superhero spectacle! Check it out...

From the far-out front cover by Jazzy John Romita...

...to a swinging S.H.I.E.L.D. saga by Groovy Gary Friedrich, Far-out Frank Springer, Johnny (EC) Craig and a dash of Bashful Barry Smith)...

...followed by a classic Stan (The Man) Lee/ Sturdy Steve Ditko Spider-Man stunner...

...the oft-remembered Luke Cage Christmas Carol "Jingle Bombs" by Sterling Steve Englehart, Gorgeous George Tuska, and (Not the Reverend) Billy Graham...

...a fave Hulk-short by Rascally Roy Thomas, Happy Herb Trimpe, and Big Brother John Severin...

...climaxing (story-wise) with Dr. Strange celebrating the New Year by battling Eternity, courtesy Rascally Roy, Gene (The Dean) Colan, and Terrific Tom Palmer...

...followed by black and white repros of the original covers from this ish's reprints...

...and topped off by a swingin' Season's Greetings courtesy Righteous Rich Buckler and the Jazzy One!

Now, aren't ya ready for that long winter's nap? Happy ho, ho, ho to you!!

Groove's Faves: "Temptation" by Doyle, Lucey, and Stone

Season's Greetings, Groove-ophiles! Today we're going back to Archie #232 (November 1973) for the lead feature by Frank Doyle, Harry Lucey, and Chic Stone. "Temptation" is a perfect example of how well the folks at Archie Comics were able to uplift and inspire the best in us during the Christmas Season year after year. 'Tis always better to give than receive--even when your Reggie Mantle. Read on!

Making a Splash: Marvel Comics, December 1972

Happy ho, ho, ho to you, Groove-ophiles! For some reason, last December Ol' Groove shared the groovy covers from Marvel's December 1972 crop of classic comics, so now I feel like it's time to share the stupendous splashes from those self-same exhibitions of excellence. Think that's a good idea?

Yeah, I thought you would!