Lobo’s ‘Supergirl’ Premiere Sets Up a Classic DC Christmas Story – Now I Need it to Happen

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The DC Universe is full of incredibly powerful beings – Superman, Darkseid, and Dream, to name a few. But surprisingly, Santa Claus is also part of that world, and he’s more powerful than many realize! He can even travel to the nightmarish planet Apokolips to deliver Darkseid a lump of coal each year. With James Gunn building a DC Universe of “Gods and Monsters” that already includes creatures like Frankenstein, adding Santa Claus doesn’t seem so strange, even though there aren’t any current plans to include him.

Santa Claus has popped up a few times in DC’s TV shows and movies, like in an episode of Smallville where a young Clark Kent discovers his Santa isn’t just a mall employee, but the real deal. Now, with James Gunn leading the new DC Universe, it feels like the perfect time to fully integrate Father Christmas into the mix, letting him interact with iconic heroes like Superman and Batman, and even characters like Lobo. Given Gunn’s success in capturing the holiday spirit with The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special for Marvel, he’s well-positioned to do the same for DC.

Lobo’s Paramilitary Christmas Special Could Be a Great Addition


DC Comics

Now that Lobo has been revealed as a character in the DCU, a Christmas special starring him seems like a natural fit. It could be based on the 1992 comic, Lobo’s Paramilitary Christmas Special, written by Keith Giffin and Alan Grant, with art by Simon Bisley. The story is wild: the Easter Bunny actually hires Lobo to kill Santa Claus! This isn’t the jolly Santa we know, though – this version, Kris “Crusher” Kringle, is a tough, grumpy bare-knuckle boxer. Things escalate quickly, and the comic ends with Lobo taking over Christmas and using Santa’s Naughty and Nice list to… well, let’s just say he uses it to eliminate his competition with atomic bombs.

In terms of its overall feel, Lobo’s Paramilitary Christmas Special is similar to other darkly humorous holiday movies like Krampus, Violet Night, and Die Hard. The idea is a great fit for James Gunn’s style and would be a perfect way to showcase Jason Momoa as Lobo. What makes the comic book so clever is that it’s presented as a scary story told to children. This allows the special to be seen as a fantastical tale created by Lobo, rather than an actual event in the DC Universe’s Christmas lore. This approach also leaves room for other versions of Santa Claus to appear in the DCU.

DC Could Have A More Straightforward Christmas Special


DC Comics

There are plenty of excellent standalone DC stories that could be adapted into fun Christmas specials. For example, the 1997 comic DCU Holiday Bash #2 hilariously shows Santa Claus delivering coal to Darkseid on Apokolips, even managing to bypass his forces. This suggests Santa might be one of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe, considering Darkseid is typically portrayed as DC’s ultimate villain. Although James Gunn doesn’t plan to feature Darkseid in live-action films soon, he’s expected to appear in the animated Mister Miracle series, inspired by the Tom King graphic novel. A short, animated special featuring Santa Claus and Darkseid could be a perfect addition to HBO, perhaps as part of a collection of similar stories.

Another option is JLA #60 from 2002, where the Justice League works together to rescue Santa Claus from the villain Neron. While that story highlights Plastic Man, a DC Universe Christmas special could focus on any hero. Featuring Superman would be a nice nod to Santa’s very first DC appearance in the 1940s Superman Christmas Adventure. Interestingly, that means Santa Claus first appeared in DC Comics two years before Wonder Woman!

James Gunn could create a surprisingly fun storyline by having DC heroes team up with Santa Claus, and there’s a recent comic book that provides a perfect blueprint. Batman/Santa: Silent Knight from 2023 features Santa joining forces with Superman, Wonder Woman, and others to battle a villainous Krampus. Interestingly, it also reveals that Batman actually met Santa early in his crime-fighting career and was even trained by him! It’s a bold idea—Santa as Batman’s mentor—and the kind of unexpected twist that might fit well with the fresh approach James Gunn is taking with the DC Universe.

Another noteworthy example is “Christmas Knight” from Starman #27. While Santa Claus doesn’t appear, his imagery plays a key role. Published in 1994, this story by James Robinson and Steve Yeowell features the hero Jack Knight meeting a former Santa who is struggling with grief and loneliness after losing his wife and child. Embracing the holiday spirit, Starman invites the man to a Christmas party with his friends and family. This Starman story would be a welcome addition to James Gunn’s DC Universe, but its strength lies in its small, human scale—a heartwarming tale reminiscent of classic Christmas specials. It focuses on the loneliness some experience during the holidays and highlights the true heroism of offering joy and kindness to those in need, without relying on a grand villain or threat.

Christmas specials are a beloved tradition for families and friends, and many DC shows – like those from the Justice League and Arrowverse – have embraced the holiday spirit with special episodes. DC has even featured Christmas-themed movies with heroes like Shazam! and Batman. Now, James Gunn has a unique opportunity to create something truly lasting for his new DC Universe by establishing its own Christmas special. Unlike Marvel, which seems hesitant to acknowledge Santa Claus as a real figure, the DCU’s world – filled with super-powered creatures, giant monsters, and centuries of superhuman history – would be a perfect fit for Santa. Imagine Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, or even Lobo sharing a scene with Saint Nick – that would be an incredible holiday treat!

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2025-12-15 01:20