This Christmas, Let’s Muddle Through
By Dan Brown Much of Christmas pop culture is shabby, cheap and weird. And most Christmas songs are syrupy-sweet – when I hear them, my teeth ache. But there’s one exception. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas has been around for decades. It was originally written for the 1944 musical motion picture Meet Me in St. Louis and was sung by Judy Garland, who readers my age know as the mother of Liza Minnelli. It may be the only Christmas song whose dominant vibe is a melancholy one. It is certainly the only Yule tune I’ve heard in my 57 years that has the word “muddle” in it: Someday soon, we all will be togetherIf the Fates allowUntil then, we'll have to muddle through somehowSo have yourself a merry little Christmas now That closing verse captures the bittersweet mood of the song. The lyrics offer no certainties. They suggest we don’t control our own lives, and that we should enjoy this Christmas because nothing in life is guaranteed. I first heard it when I was a kid in the 1970s. That word “muddle” jumped out at me. We – my family, other families, the world – were doing a lot of muddling through situations in the 1970s, so it seemed appropriate. According to Wikipedia, the moody number was written in 1943 with Hugh Martin credited as composer, Ralph Blane as lyricist. I’m guessing it being written in the thick of the Second World War has a lot to do with that flavour of uncertainty. It was one of those moments in history when Western civilization, our shared way of life, was in jeopardy. People were worried that the fascist authoritarians would prevail. Many artists went on to record cover versions, and you may be thinking: “Wait a minute, I hear that tune every year at this time and I don’t remember any lyrics about muddling through.” Your ears are not playing tricks on you. There are indeed recordings in which that verse has been replaced: Through the years we all will be togetherIf the Fates allowHang a shining star upon the highest boughAnd have yourself a merry little Christmas now Apparently the lyrics were revised in 1957 at the request of legendary crooner Frank Sinatra, who wanted his own version to be more jolly. Since then, you can hear both versions done by many different vocalists. To my young ears, this was a different type of Christmas music. It wasn’t childish like other songs or carols. It wasn’t Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Winter Wonderland or Jingle Bells or The Little Drummer Boy. It spoke to me of a different Christmas experience. And no wonder. Heck, it was written only a few years following the end of the Great Depression, so they weren’t all happy days back then. And now, as an adult, I realize that muddling through life is sometimes the best you can do in this crazy thing called life.. Let me know in the comments about the festive songs you love hearing at Christmas! Dan Brown has covered pop culture for more than 33 years as a journalist and also moderates L.A. Mood’s monthly graphic-novel group.
A Question for Our Times: Is Santa Claus a Superhero?
By Dan BrownHe has abilities that can only be described as superpowerful, among them omnipresence and the gift of being able to see into the human heart. Yet the question remains: Is Santa Claus a superhero? Let’s talk this one out, OK?So, for starters, to be a superhero in the same vein as Superman or Wolverine you need to have a secret origin that explains how you became a champion of everything good, right?But Santa was never bitten by a radioactive spider, nor did he come to Earth as a refugee from a distant planet before he started delivering presents to the world’s children.It’s said Santa was inspired by a real-life person, Saint Nicholas, but that’s not the same thing as having a hidden origin story. Santa has always been . . . Santa, even if how he is depicted changes over time. (I believe the Santa Clause movies explain how an ordinary person, Tim Allen, becomes Santa, but I haven’t seen those films.) This one would seem to go in the “against” column.What about another hallmark of our favourite heroes, the flashy costume?Yes, Santa definitely has a signature look, which we are told owes a lot to the artists employed by the advertising department at Coca-Cola. In North America, he is clad in red with white trim and even though he’s roly-poly, this doesn’t slow him down on Christmas Eve. There’s also the endless white beard.Red caps with white pom-pom have even become known as “Santa hats,” so I would say he checks the “costume” box.What about the other accoutrements of superheroes?Sidekicks? Check. (He’s got the elves and Mrs. Claus.) Cool vehicle to zoom around in? Check. (His magical sleigh.) Hideout? Check. (His North Pole abode.)He even has a special vulnerability, akin to the Man of Steel’s kryptonite allergy. What is it? You’ll recall from the song Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer how Santa’s operation grinds to a halt when he is blocked in by . . . fog. He is helpless to dispel the cloudy banks or see through them, and is only able to make his deliveries that night with the help of the outcast reindeer’s unusual snout. So checkmark again.Superhero fans know that the best ones always have a sworn enemy, for example Lex Luthor or the Joker or Doctor Octopus or Doctor Doom. Does Santa have a nemesis? I suppose you could cite the Grinch, but that character doesn’t ever interact with Santa, just the Whos of Whoville, in the original book.We’ll put Santa down as lacking a foe dedicated to foiling his mission. No checkmark.But now for perhaps the most telling question. Does Santa have superpowers?Oh my yes. First of all, he appears to be immortal, like Wolvie. Santa is always frozen at the same age, and is impervious to sickness and disease. Santa never tires, so he has an unlimited supply of energy.And what else would explain how he can deliver all those toys in a matter of a few hours? Either he’s omnipresent, or he has super-speed along the same lines as the Flash. Plus there’s another part to his powers. As we’ve always been told, Santa Claus can tell if a human being has been naughty or nice throughout the year. He has that in common with the pulp hero the Shadow, who could see what evil lurks in the hearts of men.Santa doesn’t really punish the bad ones as, say, the Punisher or Judge Dredd, but he does reward those who make the right choices. (I don’t think Santa’s standard of moral conduct is written down anywhere.)But I know what you’re thinking: Just because he has superpowers, that doesn’t automatically make him a superhero.Santa could be something else. He could be a deity (like Thor), a mutant, or even a force of nature. Just because he’s really, really powerful doesn’t mean he necessarily qualifies.But there is one more argument for Santa Claus being considered a superhero: He has appeared in many comic books!!What say you? I would love to hear your arguments for and against in the comment box below.And while I’m at it, I hope you all have a peaceful festive season!Dan Brown has covered pop culture for more than 31 years as a journalist and also moderates L.A. Mood’s monthly graphic-novel group.
Christmas Staff Picks
Carol She loves jigsaw puzzles! Especially ones with cats! Check out our great selection of jigsaw puzzles, we even have ones without cats! Matt Matt invites you to check out the fantastical world of Alejandro Jodorowsky in graphic novels! Many of these stories started out in Heavy Metal magazine and collaborations with artists such as Moebius. He was originally set to direct the first adaptation of Dune before they ultimately chose David Lynch. (There is even a documentary, Jodorowsky’s Dune) One could say that Jodorowsky is the Salvador Dali of the comic book world. Mature readers only. Mention this post and get 20% off these items, in store only. Jamie Jamie wants you to check out our vinyl selection! It’s a small, but mighty selection of new and used vinyl! Vinyl really does sound better! Mention these staff pick posts to get 20% off those picks! Also just in, swe have new tote bags, perfect size for records ($3 each or free with a $100 purchase).
Cozy Up to Deadpool This Christmas
Christmas time is here! When it comes to Christmas pictures you could go with the traditional picture with Santa, but at L.A. Mood we have an alternative. Our Deadpool statue has been transformed into Christmas Deadpool that we encourage everyone to take photos with.If you are looking for something more traditional nearby is a 40 foot tall Christmas tree in the Atrium and a 20 foot poinsettia tree near the entrance of The Club House.For under the tree we have plenty of family board games that the everyone can enjoy.
Merry Market is Back at 100 Kellogg Lane
The Merry Market is back at 100 Kellogg Lane for the first 3 weekends in December. We will be extending our hours to match the Market. We will be collecting food for the food bank at the store this year. We hope you can make it out and pick up some great gifts for the Xmas season at L. A. Mood Comics and Games and support local! The Merry Market runs Weekend 1: December 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Weekend 2: December 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th Weekend 3: December 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th Please remember that there is extra free parking beside the Vietnam restaurant and behind the former Emco building. Our Holiday hours Thursdays-Fridays to 8PM ⠀ Saturdays to 8PM Sundays opening at 11AM December 24th open 9-3 December 25th closed December 26th 10-6 December 27th-30th regular hours December 31st 10-4 Closed January 1st and 2nd for inventory. Want to avoid the crowds? Shop online at lamoodcomics.ca.
