Tag: Krampus

How to be Naughty with Krampus than Nice For Christmas 2023

Tis the season to be anything you want! You don’t have to be naughty or nice to love Krampus and Santa this Christmas!

Hellboy KrampusnachtJust how many graphic novels or illustrated collections contain an appearance of Krampus depends on whether his appearance is essential to the story or not. There’ve been numerous crossover type appearances, but as for standalone, I don’t think there are many.

In the world of Dark Horse Comics, Mike Magnolia is no stranger to the lore; he’s penned stories where Hellboy has crossed paths with him in Hellboy Krampusnacht! and so has Spawn–both one-shots were published back in 2017!

What I offer here is what I feel is definitive for this season, with some good news on where to find certain releases! The summaries are from Goodreads or Amazon, and I follow up with notes where appropriate.

Krampus,
The Devil of Christmas
(2010; Last Gasp)

Krampus The Devil of Christmas Last Gasp
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

By Monte Beauchamp

In the early Christmas traditions of Europe, the “Krampus” was St. Nicholas’ dark servant — a hairy, horned, supernatural beast whose pointed ears and long slithering tongue gave misbehavers the creeps! This new and improved edition includes an introduction, a historical survey of the character, and over 180 lavish pre-World War 1 Krampus postcard images.

Continue reading “How to be Naughty with Krampus than Nice For Christmas 2023”

Krampus for the Holiday Season? (Part One)

Krampus has been featured in many comic books or films since becoming mainstream…

KrampusYou better not pout when a different kind of supernatural force comes to town this holiday season. Some revellers may well encounter the Christmas Devil–aka Krampus! This name is a derivation of the Germanic word krampen (claw) and some may say he’s as old as time. This creature has changed over the years. In the old days of Germany, before the coming of Christianity, children feared the wild and woolly horned beast. Any child known to be misbehaving was whipped with a birch stick (or a swath of) by this monster. Some were even taken away to the underworld never to be seen again. The lucky who were “released” most likely promised to mend their ways.

In later years, he was known to visit villages with Saint Nicholas on Krampus Night (Krampusnacht; Dec 5th)! The good were rewarded by his friend and the bad found sticks of birch left in their shoe (it was a tradition to leave it out on this night). These days, a chance encounter from someone cosplaying as him doesn’t always provoke the same response.

Continue reading “Krampus for the Holiday Season? (Part One)”

With Big Horns and a Wail, Krampus is Coming to Town! A Movie Review

You better watch out, You better not cry, Better not pout, I’m telling you why: Krampus is comin’ to town.

Krampus Movie PosterWhether you celebrate Christmas or not, Michael Dougherty’s Krampus is a cautionary tale which tries to leave a mark. This writer/director wants audiences to leave with an understanding of what the holiday is about and most viewers will get it. In what may not get recognized by everyone is this film’s historical and cultural identity.

This movie started playing at theatres the night before December 6th to coincide with the established Germanic folklore of when this supernatural beast appears to reward or torment children. On the morning of the next day, kids go to look at the shoe or boot they left outdoors contains a present (to reward good behaviour) or a rod (for bad). In this old country — which includes Austria, Hungary, Slovenia and the Czech Republic — celebrations take place to remind people of all ages to play nice year-round. Variations of this legend includes this entity leaving the good alone whilst Saint Nicholas would place sweets in the footwear.

Continue reading “With Big Horns and a Wail, Krampus is Coming to Town! A Movie Review”