Happy Holidays with Archie

As has been said so many Yuletides here in the 'Wood, comic books and Christmas just go together. Tulgey Wood has showcased many a classic comic book from another merry era but heaven be praised, many of the comic publishers still release holiday-themed issues each year. One of the houses that reliably prints festive funny books each December is Archie Comics. Brand new for 2014, this edition of Archie (#661 November cover by Dan Parent) boasts some fun Christmastide tales. The lead story finds Santa ready to pack it in because of society's cynicism but he agrees to reconsider if he can find teens who believe in him. To help the once jolly, now disillusioned gent on this unlikely mission, Mr. Claus turns to the one teenager he is certain still believes. And if you guessed that's Archie, you get a candy cane, not a piece of coal. The unfolding of this Santa-centric story is quite delightful. Here's a idea worthy of Santa himself: this Christmas Eve, why not give comic books as a gift. As Archie himself might say they make swell stocking stuffers.