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Batman - Santa Claus: Silent Knight (2023) #3
It’s Christmas EVIL! The nefarious Krampus unleashes a flock of killer harpies on London and it’s time to call in the big guns! Half the Justice League meets a most unusual elf who takes them to Norway to help Santa do battle, but it appears a diabolical trap is being set…
28 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2023
4 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Parker
1,174 books128 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 26, 2023
Blue Beetle’s reaction to all this was kinda funny.
December 19, 2023
I kinda hate how this doesn't bother continuing on from last issue but instead goes straight into a separate conflict, joining up to the story later. It's very confusing.
That being said, it's some pretty cool action and all the favourite characters.
There's an interesting nod to Norse mythology (my knowledge of which is lacking) which adds a unique perspective to the story as well.
Enjoying it so far, but also kinda got no clue what's going on.
That being said, it's some pretty cool action and all the favourite characters.
There's an interesting nod to Norse mythology (my knowledge of which is lacking) which adds a unique perspective to the story as well.
Enjoying it so far, but also kinda got no clue what's going on.
January 3, 2024
2024 - Year of The Bat (366 Days of Batman)
Day 3. This blends in nicely with having read A Christmas Bestiary over the holidays.
Day 3. This blends in nicely with having read A Christmas Bestiary over the holidays.
December 31, 2023
This one took a bit of a step back, as most middle issues of comics run. There's not much more added to the story here and it feels like this whole thing could have been contained to maybe a 60 page story, but it's still a fun read regardless. I look forward to the concluding issue, out of curiosity if nothing else.
December 28, 2024
As part of the DC Official discord book club I read this issue and answered these questions:
1. Christmas can symbolize peace, harmony, and a break from the chaos of everyday life. Does this issue suggest that Gotham can experience moments of peace and healing, or does it imply that Gotham’s darkness is inescapable even during the holiday season?
In this issue it opens with a drastic shift to view an attack taking place in London with the Harpies Krampus woke up at the end of the last issue. We do not go back to Gotham for the remainder of this issue, which would seem to suggest that even place’s like Gotham have a break from chaos. This entire issue showcases places throughout the world that have been a ticking time bomb for chaos but have remained peaceful, until the trickster Krampus and the mysterious forces taking over him see fit to bring chaos. Overall, I believe this issue implies that you can find moments of peace anywhere, from the hustle and chaos of Gotham to the Fjord where Santa kept a sea serpent hidden.
2. The action and resolution in this issue set the stage for the next chapter. How does the final battle or resolution reflect Batman’s evolving relationship with Santa Claus? What does the outcome of this issue suggest about Batman's growth by the end of the story?
We see an interesting shift with Batman by the end of this issue, he questions Santa. Throughout the series thus far he has treated every Word that Santa has said as truth and even taken a step back to get advice from Santa before acting, because he knows this side of the universe can be out of his depth. But by the end of this issue Batman has gotten a chance to confront and fight Krampus head on, and even questioned whether or not Krampus always spoke a particular way. It almost seems like Batman picked up on the benign that spread from Krampus to Superman before Santa did, and it’s entirely possible that we will see Batman grow to have a much better grasp on this crisis.
3. Are there any moments in this issue where the artwork significantly enhances the emotional or thematic depth of the story? How do you think the color palette and artistic choices reflect the story’s tone or holiday theme?
This issue starts with a fairly dramatic shift in art style. Usually when we see our heroes surrounded by Santa and the holiday adventure they are going on the colors are bright and pure, helping to reflect and enhance the hopeful/cheerful nature of the season. This is especially shown in moments when Clark jumps to help superman or becomes ecstatic when Santa knows who he is. But I mentioned that dramatic shift at the beginning. When we follow wonder woman, hawkgirl, and Jo Martin (GL) fight the harpies in London the artstyle is gritty and dark with harsh shading on all the characters. On the surface this could be a representation of how dark and gloomy London usually is (LOL), but it could also reflect their total abstraction from the holiday cheer the other heroes carry with them working directly with Santa. This part of the story even takes a drastically different approach, instead of immediately trying to kill the monsters for Santa, Wonder Woman is able to talk to the Harpies and convince them to call off their attacks and allow her to find a new nest.
4. Batman is often seen as a figure who brings justice through fear, while Santa is all about bringing hope. How do these two ideas—fear and hope—intersect in this issue? Does Santa’s presence bring any kind of hope to Gotham or to Batman himself?
Fear and hope intersect in an interesting way this issue, as hope almost seems to put down any fear our heroes may have. Upon seeing Santa, Superman is more than willing to throw away any fear to attack a sea serpent and even get swallowed by it without fear. Possibly knowing that as long as he is on Santa’s side and he continues to follow his lead things will go fine, which is of course what leads Superman to follow Santa’s orders and carry the serpent from within. But we also see hope and fear intersect in a drastically different way this issue at the start. We learn through Wonder Woman that the harpies invaded London because they swore to attack the walkers. Is this an old vendetta that they have held all of these years, or is this something that Krampus forced them to do? Either way these decisions could have easily come from a place of fear, and Wonder Woman is able to bring a level of hope to them for a better future that permits them to stop their attack.
I believe that Santa’s presence also brings a level of hope to Batman, just like with Superman, we see that Batman has complete trust in Santa and is fully willing to jump in and be the first one to fight Krampus even when he is yelling about having the power of a god. Has this ever stopped Batman before? Probably not, but it is exemplified through this issue and through the presence of Santa.
ADDITIONAL: Adding onto the question from the first week, I was so shocked to see Jo and blue beetle! Jo is looking as awesome as ever and that sword construct rocks. And I love that Blue Beetle’s only current purpose was to find an old tree and to look shocked at everything happening because Batman didn’t tell him anything, lol. Hawkgirl and WW were great to see as well but they are on the cover so it wasn’t a surprise.
1. Christmas can symbolize peace, harmony, and a break from the chaos of everyday life. Does this issue suggest that Gotham can experience moments of peace and healing, or does it imply that Gotham’s darkness is inescapable even during the holiday season?
In this issue it opens with a drastic shift to view an attack taking place in London with the Harpies Krampus woke up at the end of the last issue. We do not go back to Gotham for the remainder of this issue, which would seem to suggest that even place’s like Gotham have a break from chaos. This entire issue showcases places throughout the world that have been a ticking time bomb for chaos but have remained peaceful, until the trickster Krampus and the mysterious forces taking over him see fit to bring chaos. Overall, I believe this issue implies that you can find moments of peace anywhere, from the hustle and chaos of Gotham to the Fjord where Santa kept a sea serpent hidden.
2. The action and resolution in this issue set the stage for the next chapter. How does the final battle or resolution reflect Batman’s evolving relationship with Santa Claus? What does the outcome of this issue suggest about Batman's growth by the end of the story?
We see an interesting shift with Batman by the end of this issue, he questions Santa. Throughout the series thus far he has treated every Word that Santa has said as truth and even taken a step back to get advice from Santa before acting, because he knows this side of the universe can be out of his depth. But by the end of this issue Batman has gotten a chance to confront and fight Krampus head on, and even questioned whether or not Krampus always spoke a particular way. It almost seems like Batman picked up on the benign that spread from Krampus to Superman before Santa did, and it’s entirely possible that we will see Batman grow to have a much better grasp on this crisis.
3. Are there any moments in this issue where the artwork significantly enhances the emotional or thematic depth of the story? How do you think the color palette and artistic choices reflect the story’s tone or holiday theme?
This issue starts with a fairly dramatic shift in art style. Usually when we see our heroes surrounded by Santa and the holiday adventure they are going on the colors are bright and pure, helping to reflect and enhance the hopeful/cheerful nature of the season. This is especially shown in moments when Clark jumps to help superman or becomes ecstatic when Santa knows who he is. But I mentioned that dramatic shift at the beginning. When we follow wonder woman, hawkgirl, and Jo Martin (GL) fight the harpies in London the artstyle is gritty and dark with harsh shading on all the characters. On the surface this could be a representation of how dark and gloomy London usually is (LOL), but it could also reflect their total abstraction from the holiday cheer the other heroes carry with them working directly with Santa. This part of the story even takes a drastically different approach, instead of immediately trying to kill the monsters for Santa, Wonder Woman is able to talk to the Harpies and convince them to call off their attacks and allow her to find a new nest.
4. Batman is often seen as a figure who brings justice through fear, while Santa is all about bringing hope. How do these two ideas—fear and hope—intersect in this issue? Does Santa’s presence bring any kind of hope to Gotham or to Batman himself?
Fear and hope intersect in an interesting way this issue, as hope almost seems to put down any fear our heroes may have. Upon seeing Santa, Superman is more than willing to throw away any fear to attack a sea serpent and even get swallowed by it without fear. Possibly knowing that as long as he is on Santa’s side and he continues to follow his lead things will go fine, which is of course what leads Superman to follow Santa’s orders and carry the serpent from within. But we also see hope and fear intersect in a drastically different way this issue at the start. We learn through Wonder Woman that the harpies invaded London because they swore to attack the walkers. Is this an old vendetta that they have held all of these years, or is this something that Krampus forced them to do? Either way these decisions could have easily come from a place of fear, and Wonder Woman is able to bring a level of hope to them for a better future that permits them to stop their attack.
I believe that Santa’s presence also brings a level of hope to Batman, just like with Superman, we see that Batman has complete trust in Santa and is fully willing to jump in and be the first one to fight Krampus even when he is yelling about having the power of a god. Has this ever stopped Batman before? Probably not, but it is exemplified through this issue and through the presence of Santa.
ADDITIONAL: Adding onto the question from the first week, I was so shocked to see Jo and blue beetle! Jo is looking as awesome as ever and that sword construct rocks. And I love that Blue Beetle’s only current purpose was to find an old tree and to look shocked at everything happening because Batman didn’t tell him anything, lol. Hawkgirl and WW were great to see as well but they are on the cover so it wasn’t a surprise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2023
I like the way this one upped the stakes!
December 30, 2023
This is just pure fun. That's all it is, and I'm enjoying it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews