DC Just Gave Santa Claus A Superhero Costume & A New Partner - Batman?
Santa Claus is coming to the DC Universe in "Batman/Santa Claus: Silent Knight" (by Jeff Parker, Michele Bandini, and Alex Sinclair), where Batman teams with Santa to investigate deadly criminal activity in Gotham City just days before Christmas. The comic will explore the Dark Knight and Saint Nick's previously unrevealed student-teacher relationship (yes, you read that right), pairing the holiday-themed dynamic duo in an unexpected and festive noir mystery.
Beyond the unconventional pairing, Santa has received a redesign for the series from superstar artist Dan Mora. The look gives Santa his own utility belt, claws, and a massive red cape, perhaps indicating that Batman may have equipped Santa with some armor and weapon upgrades to take on the threat they're about to face. And Batman and Santa will be in a tough position, as they will take on the half-goat, half-demon monster Krampus, Santa's dark opposite, who is likely involved in the Christmas crime spree in Gotham City.
Longtime comic book readers know this isn't the first time Dan Mora has revamped Kris Kringle, as the "Batman/Superman: World's Finest" artist co-created "Klaus" in 2015 with legendary writer Grant Morrison. Published by BOOM! Studios, "Klaus" is a dark retelling of the origin of Santa Claus in a world of magic and folklore — not to be confused with the recent "Klaus" film on Netflix starring J.K. Simmons, another Santa origin story, nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 92nd Academy Awards.
DC is getting festive for the holidays
Of course, DC is no stranger to getting into the holiday spirit either, as the publisher has released numerous stories over the decades featuring the greatest heroes in the DC Universe meeting Santa Claus, dating all the way back to the Golden Age. Santa's countless appearances over the years include his DC debut in 1940's "Superman's Christmas Adventure" #1 (by Jerry Siegel and Jack Burnley), where the Man of Steel and Saint Nick work together to rescue the latter's kidnapped reindeer. "Batman/Santa Claus: Silent Knight" will continue the Christmas-inspired stories, albeit with Batman and Santa Claus' upcoming team-up apparently a little darker than the classic stories of the past.
Check out Dan Mora's variant cover art for "Batman/Santa Claus: Silent Knight" #1, featuring Santa's new redesign.
DC Comics/Dan Mora
THE DARK KNIGHT PARTNERS WITH A NOT-SO-JOLLY ST. NICK AS SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN! The four-part crossover event of a generation begins when a not-so-jolly St. Nick hits Gotham City to investigate a brutal crime in the days leading up to Christmas... What manner of man or beast could have committed such atrocities?! With the help of his former student, Batman, Santa will team up with the heroes of the DC Universe to right this wrong—or the world wakes up to coal in their stockings! A brutal, two-fisted holiday tale of hope, wonder, and monster hunting is the perfect treat to ring in the holidays—it's Claus in canon!
"Batman/Santa Claus: Silent Knight" #1 from DC Comics arrives in comic book stores and online retailers on December 5, 2023. The four-issue miniseries will be released throughout December, concluding with its final issue on Boxing Day.