The Silent Night of the Batman by Friedrich, Adams & Giordano

Without a doubt, it’s my favourite DC Christmas story, and it’s right up there with my favourite Batman stories as well. Batman No. 219 was cover dated February 1970 and would have been on newsstands for Christmas 1969.

Batman doesn’t do anything other than sing Christmas carols with his friends in the Gotham City Police Department, but through three vignettes we see the effect he’s had on his city. The first two are quite direct in their Batman connection, while the third taps into the absence of men overseas in the Vietnam War.

The story shows the Batman I came to know and love. While he has a mission, he’s not utterly grim and relentless. This isn’t the Batman who never got over his parent’s death. He’s not portrayed as the flawless man who can outthink everyone in the room. He’s human. He’s seen as a friend to those who know him, and he’s a positive symbol to everyone else. This is an updated Batman as a more mature character for the 1970s.

So with scans from the recent IDW/DC Neal Adams Classics Artist’s Edition, packaged by Scott Dunbier, I was able to go right back to the original art. Colour by me.