9 DC and Marvel comic book TV Christmas specials to watch right now

There are few events that bring in the Christmas season as well as the TV special. And there’s nothing quite like seeing our favorite costumed heroes let their hair down and get into some merry mutant mischief — or just gather around a table with some superfriends.

Grab a cup of coffee and some cookies, and you can enjoy the holiday cheer and wombo combination of this superhero TV special.

Batman: The Animated Series

Warner Bros. Image Animation

“Christmas with the Joker” (S1 Ep 28)

There aren’t many places where you can see the Joker riding a rocket disguised as a Christmas tree, and that’s a real crime. Thankfully, Batman: The Animated Series solves that problem in “Christmas with the Joker.” Batman and Robin aren’t immune to the magic of Christmas Eve, not that the Dark Knight would ever want anyone to know.

The holiday festivities begin when Joker escapes Arkham Asylum. With no family to celebrate the season with, Joker abducts his own “Awful Lawful Family” of Gotham do-gooders — Commissioner Gordon, Summer Gleeson, and Harvey Bullock. Festooned in baby clothes, gigantic holiday bows, and candy cane pacifiers, the three hostages wait as Batman and Robin must make their way through the Joker’s twisted take on the Nutcracker Suite.

This episode is funny, comforting and the first Batman: The Animated SeriesJoker and Robin both make appearances. See? See?

Batman: The Animated SeriesIt is now available for streaming HBO Max.

Justice League

Warner Bros. Image Animation

“Comfort and Joy” (S2 Ep 23)

Justice League’s “Comfort and Joy” is widely regarded as one of the best superhero holiday specials out there, and it’s easy to see why. There’s a bit of silliness, a lot of fun, and that unpredictable tear-jerker moment. After saving a world from being destroyed, the Justice League’s members return home to celebrate the holiday season. That’s where the episode gets broken into three smaller stories.

Green Lantern and Hawkgirl are treated to the delights of snow angels, snowball fights, and end up participating in Intergalactic Bar Fights. Flash attempts to identify the season’s hottest toy (D.J. Rubber Ducky), for Central City’s children, but is interrupted by the antics and the Ultra-Humanite.

Then there’s Superman, who loves Christmas so much he still believes in Santa, and convinces the Martian Manhunter to spend the holiday with him in Smallville. J’onn is still mourning the loss of the entire Martian race, knows nothing about Christmas traditions, and isn’t exactly up for celebrating. Still, he reluctantly accepts Clark’s invite.

The real magic of the episode is all in Smallville as J’onn learns about the joys of the season. It is sure to warm even the most scroogiest hearts to be able to look at Christmas through new eyes.

Justice LeagueYou can stream it on HBO Max.

Static Shock

Warner Bros. Image Animation

“Frozen Out” (S2 Ep 5)

“Frozen Out” depicts the origin of Permafrost (Maureen Conner), a girl capable of reaping havoc in the form of extreme cold, blizzards, and dangerous icicles. Static meets Permafrost on the street and begs her for money. Virgil, who is busy with other errands, brushes Maureen aside. A few days later Static sees Maureen once more. This time, he is kicked out from the shopping center after being charged with stealing jewelry. Virgil decided to contact his pastor about Maureen’s story. Reverend Anderson tellsVirgil a bit more about Maureen. He also explains how Maureen ended up living in solitary confinement after the deaths of her mother, her neglective father and their divorce.

Permafrost appears bent on destruction, and eventually ends up fighting Static using a strong blast of icy cold frost. Virgil approaches her and tells her about his loss of mother. Maureen then asks him questions about his life. She opens up and lets Virgil know her story.

Static Shock was never afraid to tackle social issues and it’s nice to see that hasn’t changed with their Christmas episode. It’s also one of the rare episodes to depict other holiday traditions like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Overall, “Frozen Out” is a great reminder of what the holiday season is all about.

Static ShockYou can stream it on HBO Max.

DuckTales

Image: Disney Television Animation

“Last Christmas!” (S2 Ep6)

DuckTales isn’t exactly a superhero show, but we’re letting it slide for the lasting contributions that Carl Barks has made to comics. “Last Christmas” pays homage to 1983’s iconic Mickey’s Christmas Carol, as a time-traveling tromp through Scrooge’s past, complete with emo teen songwriter Scrooge.

Dewey investigates a curious green light emanating from Uncle Scrooge’s room only to find Scrooge hanging with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. It turns out that Scrooge doesn’t actually hate Christmas, just all the responsibilities that go along with it. Scrooge spends time with ghost friends each year to relax a little. Dewey rides on the Christmas Future robes in hopes that he will see his mother Della, a long-lost duckling. Dewey is unfortunately thrown off the robes of Christmas Future and loses his way in time.

It’s a smart mix of nostalgia, sentimentality, and humour as Dewey tries to help Scrooge find McDuck manor. There’s also an absolute treasure trove of chaotic DuckTalesThere is also some weirdness. There are so many hidden gems — from callouts to the 1980s series, to the video game — new and old fans will find cause for celebration.

DucktalesOn stream Disney Plus.

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow

Image from Warner Bros. Television

“Beebo the God of War” (S3 Ep 9)

Sure, “Beebo the God of War” plays up typical Christmas special themes of time travel and hard-to-get holiday toys, but it does so in the BestPossible way. It’s a moment of levity in the show’s third season after the death of Professor Martin Stein, and the writers definitely milk every ounce of joy from the holiday season with a descent into trippy-toy-inspired-chaos.

Due to an unfortunate time slip, the Legends find a group Vikings under Leif Erikson at New Valhalla. Not only has the group of Vikings elevated the hottest toy of 1992 (Cuddle Me Beebo) to god status, they’ve also captured a young Martin Stein. It sounds like something out of a Viking movie. Back to the Future, well that’s because it kind of is. There are many references in the episode to Michael J. Fox film-franchise. The episode is a fitting tribute for Stein, and provides closure to the Legends while maintaining their Christmas spirit. Did we also mention that the animated puppet was worshipped as an idol? You can’t ask for more from holiday celebrations. Beebo, all hail!

Legends of TomorrowThe stream is now available The CW appNetflix.

The New Batman Adventures

Warner Bros. Image Animation

“Holiday Knights” (S1 Ep 1)

It wouldn’t be Christmas without holly and ivy, even if it is the poison kind. Episode 1 of The New Batman Adventures — listed as season 3 of BTAS on HBO Max — is the three-part “Holiday Knights.” Depressed about their current financial situation, but Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy have got a plan to turn their holiday humbugs around. The two abduct Bruce Wayne, and once under one of Ivy’s mind-control kisses, he can’t resist taking the devious pair shopping. A shopping marathon is the main highlight of the episode. Bruce eventually escapes from their clever grasps and follows them around the department shop.

Second vignette: Batgirl and Harvey Bullock face Clayface in hilarious Santa-inspired battle. The final vignette features Commissioner Gordon, Batman, and Robin who team up to stop the Joker before he can use his sonic device on hundreds of unsuspecting New Year’s Eve revelers at Gotham Square who are all wearing complimentary Joker masks. “Holiday Knights” is a joyous episode and a great introduction to the extended Bat-family.

The New Batman AdventuresAvailable to stream online HBO Max.

The Flash

Image from Warner Bros. Television

“The Man in the Yellow Suit” (S1 Ep9)

Everybody should always have Barry Allen (The Flash), a speedster to assist them in putting up holiday decorations. In “The Man in the Yellow Suit,” the Flash faces his nemesis and mother’s killer, the Reverse Flash. The episode isn’t perhaps the normal Christmas fodder, but it does tick a few boxes on the list of Superhero Christmas Special must-haves. There are also confessions of affection, including Barry finally confessing his love for Iris West. And surprises all around.

The payoff of the episode comes in finally finding out who has been haunting The Flash all this time, and it doesn’t disappoint. “The Man in the Yellow Suit” makes the list because seeing Barry confront his conflicted emotions about the holidays without those we love is pretty powerful.

The FlashIt is now available for streaming The CW appNetflix.

Tick

Image: Saban International

“The Tick Loves Santa” (S2 Ep10)

Are Saturday morning cartoons your thing? In the 90’s kids were treated to a steady weekend morning diet of cereal with more sugar than two-dozen Christmas cookies and some sweet, sweet cartoons. TickIts quirky sense of humor makes it a standout on the Holiday List

Tick Really Santa loves the Tick. The Tick is devastated when Santa gets on a criminal spree and becomes electrocuted by the neon sign. His friends Arthur, Sewer Urchin and Die Fledermaus are always there to help him. A despondent Tick doesn’t feel much like celebrating but never fear, the real Santa helps get Tick back into action.

It turns out Santa isn’t really a criminal or dead! Evil Multiple Santa, instead, is responsible for all the robberies. Tick is able to return to his stupid hero self in just enough time to save the town and to celebrate Christmas in typical Tick style.

TickAvailable to stream online Hulu.

Image: Marvel Entertainment

“Have Yourself a Morlock Little X-Mas” (S4 Ep12)

This episode is packed with everything an X-Mens fan could need. Grumpy Wolverine Check. Rogue and Jubilee decorate a tree Check. Check. Relationship conflict with Jean Grey and Gambit? Check.

Gambit and Jean Grey bickering in the kitchen is one of the most iconic scenes of 90’s cartoons, and the entire episode is worth watching for that alone. If that doesn’t convince you then perhaps Storm’s holiday dress in an orange tiger stripe pattern will. Most of the mutant gang decides to go ice skating for some inexplicable reason — not that it matters because seeing Wolverine on a pair of skates is as delightful as it could possibly be. While trying to get blood transfusions for the critically injured Leech, they have to deal with some nasty Morlocks. The rest of the episode is a reminder that the X-Men are truly lucky Storm is their friend.

The episode makes sense. It doesn’t. It doesn’t matter. Nope. It’s pure Christmas joy.

X-Men Animated SeriesIt is now available for streaming Disney Plus.