Comicbook Shelf: Krampus: The Shadow of Saint Nicholas (2015)

From "I" written by Zach Shields and Todd Casey with artwork by Christian Dibari and Mark Spicer.

Not surprisingly, the cover
by Fiona Staples is one
of the artistic high points.

Four Decembers ago, following a media-fueled folk horror-frenzy, this slender, softcover volume found its way to my comic book shelf. Released in concert with the feature length movie Krampus (2015), Legendary Publishing's Krampus: The Shadow of Saint Nicholas shares many of the same qualities that made the film entertaining. This graphic novel features stories crafted with the film's  writer/director Michael Dougherty credit with a "Stories by" credit. While Krampus the movie focuses on a single family's experience with the demon and his minions, The Shadow of St. Nicholas employs an anthology approach to broadened the primary antagonist's impact on a wider range of unrelated characters.

As with other Legendary Pictures/Publishing tie-ins for genre films (see Godzilla: Awakening (2014) and Pacific Rim: Tales from Year Zero (2013)), the formula remains the same here: include the film's original creative talent, in this case Dougherty, to develop ancillary stories that reflect signature elements of the overall narrative of the film. While thematically related to the movie, having seen the movie prior is not necessarily key to its enjoyment.

Krampus' minions are back
in "II" with art by Maan House
and Guy Major.

Given the Krampus character and perhaps Dougherty's affinity for anthology sub-genre, The Shadow of Christmas is successful in accomplishing what the filmmaker says the intention is behind this project in the collection's introduction, "to deepen your [the reader's] love of the character [Krampus]..." Visually, the artist team keeps the best visual component of the movie, the well-realized practical creature designs, in the graphic novel. Each of the four stories, titled as Roman numerals I through IV, are all written by Zach Shields and Todd Casey (Laura Shields is also a credited co-writer on "II"). Each story is grounded in a modern setting familiar to American readers that creates the opportunity for a hint of the "ancient in a modern world" dynamic that worked so well in the movie.

Splash page of Krampus from
"III" by Michael Montenat
and Mike Spicer.

The most polished of the four stories is the first and if each of the four were to be thought of as pitches for a potential Krampus sequel, "I" also makes the most sense. Simply put, "I" is a tale of redemption. A "bad" department store Santa seeks validation by combating the forces of Krampus to protect others who are more worthy than he to live on. The story is a reminiscent of other Twilight Zone-style stories and while offering no real narrative surprises, the professional execution makes for an enjoyable reading experience.

Much of your appreciation if this graphic novel as a whole will depend on your enjoyment of the burgeoning Krampus mythos in modern mainstream media. If, like me, you dig contemporary iterations of archaic folklore, The Spirit of Saint Nicholas is worth seeking out. As a fan of the movie Krampus, recommending this companion piece is easy. The inherent re-readability of a quality anthology makes the $14.99 cover price well worthwhile.

Pets at Christmastime

The older I get the more frequently my lens turns toward our family pets. This was Blackbeard's first Christmas with us, and his impact was immediately felt as no ornaments were hung closer than four feet to the ground (and no glass ornaments at all were hung this year). This is Gracie's twelfth holiday with us. She was a gift to our kids when she was three months old in 2003. I love these animals.

Each year Gracie gets a new baby for Christmas; one that she invariably will "love to death."

Generally not a fan of catnipped toys, Blackbeard
took a liking to this little monkey.

Usually inseparable, this is as close as these two
came to one another on Christmas morn.

Ornament Nostalgia, Day 2

Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota.

Today our Christmas tree reminded me that it's time to go on vacation, or at least to do a better job purchasing ornaments when on the road. Judging from our tree, we haven't been out of our neighborhood in nearly six years.

Steamboat Springs,
Colorado.

This is, of course, not (entirely) the case, but it does reflect the fact that my wife and I used to do a much better job picking up Christmas-time tchotchke while away. Over the course of three summers, my family and I not only went on vacation, and while away, picked up oddly similar tree ornaments commemorating the occasions. I don't recall having done so consciously, but we had begun a homemade series of ornaments, each with a poorly drawn image (especially in Gloucester, see below) framed with inexpensive faux gold.

In August 2006, my wife, stepson and I went west, as I competed with my brother-in-law and his friends in the Wild West Relay from Laramie, Wyoming to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. While some of us were alternating legs of the 192 mile run from point A to point B, my wife and in-laws drove to Steamboat where the run concluded.

Gloucester, Virginia.

After visiting one brother, we headed south the following summer, spending part of June 2007 with my other brother-in-law in Gloucester, Virginia, where he and his wife live. As in the past, we took advantage of Gloucester's advantageous location around many historical sites to check out some US history, and I believe we picked up this ornament (right) while touring the Jamestown Settlement.

In July 2008, we drove cross-country back to Wyoming, this time taking a southern route out and going north on the way back. In addition to checking out tourist spots like the Corn Palace in Iowa, we also stopped by Mt. Rushmore and Devil's Tower. This trip turned out being one of the best we'd taken as a family and despite my brother-in-law's passing, I would love to go back that way again someday... but there are other roads to travel and unique ornaments to collect.

It's been too long since bringing back and ornament, a problem I hope to rectify as we head out and about over the next year.

Ornament Nostalgia, Day 1

"John Wayne in The Searchers" from the
Hallmark 2012 Keepsake collection. (12/13/14)

After spending the evening hanging ornaments, and briefly considering the origination of the Christmas tradition of hanging ornaments on trees in the first place, I was reminded that most of our ornaments (like your's, I'm sure) have a story to them. While not every one carries a sleigh-load of nostalgia, each is on our family's tree for a reason.

It was then that I decided to post some quick pics and thoughts about our ornaments in the days leading up to December 24.

First up, was an ornament that I blogged about two years here. As is often the case, it was the first of what was, I believe, intended to be a longer series of Hallmark ornaments as the following Christmas I was gifted with its pardner, a second John Wayne collectible. The original ornament, as described in the aforementioned post, "John Wayne in Rio Bravo" is a Hallmark Keepsake from 2012. "John Wayne in The Searchers," from 2013 joined the tree this year after waiting for the holiday season to come back around (we never put the ornaments on the tree immediately after receiving them, but reserve them for the following year).

The affection I have for Wayne is tied to my love for my late grandfather, and I owe my appreciation for the western as a genre to him. Though I did not recognize it at the time (sadly, who really does at 10 years of age), my grandfather introduced me to numerous American archetypes familiar with his generation, the "greatest generation," indirectly as my brother and I watched with him on Sunday afternoons. While the Hallmark "series" seems to have ended as only a pair with the release of only two ornaments. Placing both on the tree again this evening, and recounting the memories they cumulatively evoke, I look forward to unwrapping them from their plastic shell casing and box each year for hanging for many years to come.

"John Wayne in Rio Bravo" from the  Hallmark 2013 Keepsake collection. (12/13/14)

Green Holiday at Public Market

The Public Market office building; site of many green and community projects. (11/30/14)

On the last day of November, naturally, it's a balmy 50°F, with an expected high of 32°F in the forecast for tomorrow, so Anne and I elected to head down to the Rochester Public Market. Today was the first of three Holidays at the Market events, and despite the lack of traditional holiday weather there were a number of festive vendors and crafts-people selling holiday items such as garlands, hats, decorations and, of course, trees.

(11/30/14)

There were also, of course a number of jolly, older men in red with white beards; one was Santa Claus in a horse-drawn carriage, while another was working at a booth. Though there were not as many people there as during the summer (I wonder how many folks knew it was open today, it being a Sunday in November) it was good to see many multi-generational families out enjoying the city's offerings.

Suitably, given the warm November temp, in addition to getting into the Christmas spirit, our visit also gave me the opportunity to check in on some of the green projects. Because we recently leased a Chevy Volt (upgrading from our previous Prius), we could use our time walking the public market charging our vehicle at one of Rochester's electrical vehicle charging stations. Another benefit of the electric car is the preferred parking that comes with using the charging station.

Our car getting juiced at the electric vehicle charging station. (11/30/14)

Charging the car at a station takes less time than doing
so at home. (11/30/14

Living walls are self sufficient vertical gardens that are attached to the exterior or interior of a 
building. As it is late fall, the market's living wall waits for spring to be green again. (11/30/14)

Close-up of the "resting" living wall. (11/30/14)

A ceramic block with artwork near the market office building. (11/30/14)

Solar panels on Shed A. (11/30/14)

The solar panel inverters which convert the DC electricity of the panels into AC 
electricity. (11/30/14)

Solar-powered trash compactors compress waste 
using solar power. (11/30/14)

Santa and friend treating families to "sleigh rides." (11/30/14)

More public parking on Railroad Street. (11/30/14)

There will be two more Holidays at the Market the next two Sundays, December 7 and December 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Cha-Cha-Cha-Chia!

Best-selling author Uncle Si!? (1/26/14)

This past Christmas my mother gifted me with a Chia Pet. Not just any old Chia Pet but a Duck Dynasty one. I have only seen about 5 minutes of Duck Dynasty (which was more than enough to determine I need never watch it again) but my mother thought I might think it was funny to have one as I have a beard. I'm not very familiar with the "cast" of Duck Dynasty but I'm fairly certain this is not the one who caught heat for insensitive comments in a recent interview. Believe it or not (and I really have a hard time believing it--but props to him), Uncle Si is the best-selling author of the book Si-cology 1: Tales and Wisdom from Duck Dynasty's Favorite Uncle.

I have wanted a Chia Pet since I was a child and this wintry afternoon seems like as good a one as any to embark on my Chia-dventure (like Uncle Si, I too like puns)!

Step 1a. "Soak your Chia Planter in water for 1 hour." (1/26/14)

Step 1b. Leave it there for 1 hour. (1/26/14)

"Step 3. Fill Chia Planter with water and place in drip tray provided." (1/26/14)

"Apply seed mixture to the grooved surfaces of your planter..." (1/26/14)

I am a little hesitant to predict the "lush coat" promised in Step 6, and am really crossing my fingers that this afternoon project yields better results than the ill-fated Sea Monkeys farm back in 1976. I will definitely share Chia Si's progress one way or another...

Ticker the Christmas Kitty

Ticker sizes up the wrapping paper. (12/25/13)

Last evening, after opening presents and spending about twenty minutes clicking off pictures on my digital camera, it occurred to me that each of the past two years,while at my in-laws' celebrating Christmas Day, I've spent what might seem like an inordinate amount of time taking pictures of their cat, Ticker. While I am not really a "cat person," though our pet cat of nearly ten years recently passed away, I do find their contradictory playful and aloof nature to be an interesting subject matter. Or, it could be that one can only take so many pictures of people sitting around drinking egg nog opening presents.

Ticker feigning disinterest in the catnip bird. (12/25/13)

This year Ticker was gifted with a catnip stuffed bird-on-a-string. Ticker is one of those great cats who likes to hunt and play with his toys, an activity he is remarkably adept at despite his girth. Taking pictures of the cat doing silly "cat things" can fill time with many more giggles than you could reasonably expect.

Gotcha! (12/25/13)

Not content with silly attacking the bird, the string is next!  (12/25/13)

This is called "licking one's chops." (12/25/13)

Yet another toy has been brought to heel in Ticker's paws. (12/25/13)

... and we're done! (12/25/13)

That, my friends, is how I "keep it hood" during the holidays: cat pics and witty captions!