This Weeks Comics & When the Thought Doesn't Necessarily Count.

My Pull List for December 18, 2025

First of all I am the first one to say I’ve done this. I’ve sent out “obligatory gifts” at Christmas. The “Oh Crap! They sent me something, I’d better get something off to them!” kind of gift. Usually this is for family who, due to distance, I don’t see that often. Family I’ve grown apart from and really don’t know as well as should (which makes me feel guilty - but then again they could call or visit also). I’ve mentioned this before, Sue and I don’t give each other gifts at Christmas. We don’t even do much for our birthdays, if we see something we buy it, and give it then. It’s our way of saying “I’m thinking of you.” It’s the thought that counts. Sue knits, so I get socks, and mittens, and hats. I draw things for her, or find some geeky thing that I think She’ll like. I was overjoyed when her family adopted this practice years ago… no need for the stressful shopping, and the “oh, how nice.” response.

My relationship with my family since I left for college has been “interesting.” I have recently come up with my “Family Motto” (while American I’m pretty much half Swedish, so I figured I’d have a Swedish motto in honor of those roots) - Förlåt - Men Glöm Aldrig specifically to deal with the trauma and issues that developed over the years. I recall my grandfather finally putting me straight when he told me that Sue was my family, and to not pay attention to the junk coming from anyone else. Wise words, I have passed on to others. So we get to Christmas and gift giving which can be like walking a tightrope, covered in eggshells, over a minefield. My older brother has been known to post a photo of the last Christmas I spent with my family before getting married (Sue was not present). I’m holding up a Hugo Boss Sweatshirt my mother has given me. It just says “BOSS” across it. She thought it was hysterical since she felt that I thought I was the boss. So basically a dig at me for being independent. I think I may have worn it once, but I smiled and accepted it graciously.

This is what makes what comes next hard to write. I would like to be gracious when accepting a gift- “It’s the thought that counts” but is it? What if the thought has nothing to do with anything, but “I felt I had to send you something so here it is… look I spent money on you because I felt I had to.” For the past couple of years we’ve received what we affectionately call “corporate gifts” from some members of my family. These are those gift baskets that faceless firms send to clients thanking them for using their services during the year and hoping they call them again in the new year. They are filled with generic “treats” and have all the thought of clicking a button and typing in an address. When I spoke with one of my brothers in October I specifically brought this up and said “Save your money, don’t send us another one.” He either forgot or was too scared to tell his wife- so guess what we got this week? Another basket from their kids telling us how much they loved us! (Sue has never met their kids and my last encounter did very little to demonstrate any real affection towards me- then again kids will be kids). I would have loved a drawing, or a hand written thank you note, since I’m assuming this was sent out after my box arrived.

I understand that people feel obligated to send something… but think about what you are actually communicating through your gift. Funny, I accept the corporate gift from my Dad. I guess because he’s of a certain age, and while we talk, my interests are pretty alien to him. When he has tried (and he has made a great effort) I’ve asked him not to. I think he’s spending too much on me, unlike in the past when my Mom would use the holidays to demonstrate who she liked by how many gifts they received. He’s trying, but in the end I’m fine with a note “Hey! It’s the holidays, I’m thinking of you- it would be nice if you called every once in while. 😉” A card would suffice, but it’s a parent’s gift to a child (an almost 60 year old child, but child nonetheless) so I understand and in this case- yes, the thought counts- and the wine helps a bit too. As for my siblings? I’m fine with nothing, we don’t need to… Again, if I see something I think they would like, I’ll buy it and send it to them. It doesn’t happen every year, but we do chat every two weeks so I’m filling in the holes from those missing years. I’m giving to my niece and nephew for a short window of their lives - they are children when they reach a certain age, the gifts stop.

So now I sit and read this week’s comics with a tin basket filled with… treats? Drinking my chemical filled carbonated beverage.

This Week’s Comics:

Minor Arcana #4 - Theresa explores her visions finding more than she expected while doing a reading for Kelly… what does a old children’s TV show have to do with Kelly finding true love?

Black Hammer Spiral City #2 - Insector and the Marionette explore Supertown in search of a place to set up his office. The world is anti-superheroes and we get a view of that as the Concretestador tries to get a job, and Hell’s Belle has a “Taylor Swift” like Concert that might not go well. Is it murder if no one cares about the victim?

Alligator Loki Holiday Special #1 - I bunch of great wordless vignettes starring Marvel’s favorite version of the Norse God of Mischief. I used to have Andy Runton’s Owly in my classroom as a way to teach kids about storytelling and sequencing since there were no words, anyone could read it. I would recommend to parents to have their child tell them the story. Here is a more pop culture focused version, with amusing stories to get kids, even those who don’t think they can read, into the Marvel Universe.

Captain America #16 - Cap, Spider-Man, and Thor battle to save Broxton, Oklahoma… What’s next? A new creative team…

The Spectacular Spider-Men #10 - Miles and Peter face off against Electro… but which one? Or better yet, which one will earn the “Electro” name by killing Spider-Man- they don’t care which one. Plus the introduction of a new hero- “Elementary.”

Ultimate Spider-Man #12 - Christmas with the Parker Family… and I thought I was just reading a transcript of my last family get together - without superpowers. Then again, I was actually present at that one.

Star Trek #27 - The crew of the Theseus try to figure out what to do next now that the universe/multiverse/pretty much everything no longer exists. Can they reach the only thing remaining - the Bajoran Wormhole - in time?

This week marked the end of Star Trek: Lower Decks and I just wanted to say, I thought it was a great show. Irreverent? sure, fine, whatever. For me (who has been told repeatedly I’m not serious enough 🙄) it was a great way to celebrate all things Star Trek. I like to tell people if you use the word “canon” when talking about a TV show, you need to lighten up. This happens in Star Wars, and Star Trek too often. As for Star Trek - IDIC: Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. Which for me is just awesome. If you can laugh at yourself and have not watched any of it- take some time and make it so.

Batman- Santa Claus Silent Knight Returns #4 - With the inclusion of Ulah (Mrs. Claus- not the way you probably pictured her) all the heroes are reunited and now must “have fun storming the castle.” That will have to wait until next week.

Action Comics #1080 - The world’s heroes are still working on stopping the Phantom Zone escapees as they march across the universe. Each seems to have a different way to address the challenge. Then, just as you thought things were looking up…

I’ll take a moment since it was released this week to comment briefly on James Gunn’s trailer for his take on Superman. I’m not sure what it’s going to be about- Yes, I’m sure there are leaks giving me all the details, but all I can say is it looks interesting. This actually makes me think there might be hope for DC… we shall see.

Absolute Batman #3 - Bruce learns more about the leader of the “Party Animals” and what he needs to do to save Gotham… Is he willing to do what needs to be done? What will be the cost? I’m still enjoying this twist on the Batman’s world.

The Rocketfellers #2 - It’s a Christmas story, so we deal with the family dealing with being away from their time period and lost loved ones. that a the scientific process going Sproing!

Flash Gordon Quarterly #2 - The major story is from Arboria and Barin learning about point of view and teamwork.

Titans #18 - With everyone taking their place in the New Superhero World Order and living in the Watchtower, the Titans do what most disgruntled teens would do and move underground instead. As always there’s a bit of strife as they settle into their new digs and fortunately they have a problem to pull them all together. The question is, who is pulling the strings and what is their end game?