The Top Cow/Dinicartoons holiday special by Paul Dini and Stephanie Gladden hit comic book shops today!

Read Part One and Two of our interview with the writer and artist along with the review!

Jingle Belle: Santa Claus vs Frankenstein
Writer: Paul Dini
Artist: Stephanie Gladden
Covers: Stephanie Gladden (A) and Greg Horn (B, featured below)

Summary: “Paul Dini’s JINGLE BELLE comes to Top Cow in a special ‘Halloween collides with Christmas’ one-shot written by Dini and drawn by Stephanie Gladden (POWERPUFF GIRLS, CHOWDER, HOPSTER’S TRACKS). This kicks off the brand-new Dinicartoons imprint at Top Cow.

Inspired by Mary Shelley’s original novel (sort of), the story of Frankenstein’s monster takes a new twist when he is found by Jingle in the Arctic wastes and ‘rehabilitated’ to fit in with the elves at Santa’s Workshop. All goes well until an ultra-PC city declares Santa Claus taboo and awakens Frankie’s monstrous side in a misguided attempt to help his friend. It’s up to an ailing Santa and a reluctant Jingle Belle to stop their monstrous ‘apprentice’ before he destroys the town and ruins the reputation of Christmas forever!”

Review: Recently we presented a two-part interview with Paul Dini and Stephanie Gladden about this one-shot (among other things), the premiere of the union between Dinicartoons and Top Cow Productions. (Special thanks to Top Cow for the opportunity! See above for the links if you missed ‘em.)

And man, I’m excited!

First thing’s first: In retrospect, I find the summary for this comic to be kind of misleading. Frankenstein’s wreak of havor on the brink of Christmas is kind of overexaggerated. You know how some rotweilers are really just big puppies that wouldn’t hurt a fly? Well, Frankie’s kind of like that. You just want to give him a big hug.

Okay, even though the summary’s a bit larger than life in its description, it’s totally forgiveable because this comic was great! Stephanie Gladden’s art is definitely a perfect fit for Dini’s story, which is cute holiday fun. But don’t let the word “cute” turn you off if you’re looking for an overall impressive comic. This might be a good ol’ Christmas romp, but Dini’s writing is top-notch as usual, jam-packing the issue with quirky humor and witty quips that are sure to make any grinch’s heart grow two sizes too big. (Or however it goes.)

The comic begins in the town of Autumn Falls, Massachusetts, where Thelma Peake, an overenthusiastic council member, is endeavoring to ban Santa Claus from Christmases everywhere! Ridiculous, of course—but the way Dini deals with it is hilarious! Not so much for Santa, though, who is growing quieter with every protest and complaint made against him.

Enter Jingle Belle, the spunky, rebellious daughter of Santa Claus (”Santa has a daughter?” “Who knew?”). While shirking her duty in the toy factory, she stumbles upon a Franken-popsicle! And hilarity ensues with this very non-stereotypical Frankenstein. Jingle convinces her father to let him work in the toy factory, and later “Frankie” and Jingle help the residents of Autumn Falls to remember the spirit of Christmas and the goodness of Santa.

And that’s all I’ll say about that! You’re just going to have to check it out for yourself.

Jingle Belle: Santa Claus vs Frankenstein is enjoyable and solid from beginning to end, and definitely worth three bucks. Pick it up for yourself, or give it as a gift to someone special for the holidays. It’s the perfect holiday comic this season!

Related Posts:

• Dinicartoons interview with Stephanie Gladden
• Exclusive GEN interview with Paul Dini (Dinicartoons Part One)
• Top Cow Reveals Greg Horn Jingle Belle Cover
• Top Cow features writer Paul Dini’s Dinicartoons
• DoubleDCoverage #26