Of all the legendary figures to be reinterpreted through the transcendental writing of comic book creator Grant Morrison, one of the most surprising has to be the jolly old elf, Santa Claus. As the avatar of the Christmas season, Ol' Saint Nick has been the subject of songs, books, movies, and of course, television specials. But Morrison took a crack at the beloved holiday figure's mythology in a way that only they could; by mixing fun with psychedelic hallucinations.
Initially published in 2015 by Boom! Studios, Grant Morrison and artist Dan Mora co-created Klaus, a 7-issue miniseries that featured a unique take on the Santa Claus mythos. Inspired by superhero origin comics like Batman: Year One, Klaus reinvented Santa as a people's hero, determined to bring holiday cheer to the oppressed people of a small town. The comic would not only add Morrison's love of superhero storytelling to Kris Kringle's background but also incorporate aspects of occultism and consciousness-expanding rituals.
Klaus has humble beginnings for the man who would become Santa Claus. The title character is a former member of the royal guard of Grimsvig turned wildling fur trapper. After returning to the town that once cast him out, he discovers the community in misery and at the rule of a despot. The Lord of Grimsvig, Magnus, has the men of the village work tirelessly in the mines, steal the toys of local children, and cancels the public celebration of Yuletime. The young warrior Klaus knows he must help but is unsure of how he can. That is until he communes with the spirits of the ice and wilderness and creates magically imbued toys in a zen-like trance.
Linking Santa Claus' world-renowned gift-making abilities to magick practices isn't the only spin Morrison adds to the figure's folklore. After being taken out to die on the ice by the wicked Lord Magnus, the spirits of the winter winds give Klaus one final gift, powers of flight and immortality. Marked by the runes of joy and gift-giving, Klaus fully becomes the prolific figure that would be loved through the ages. Much like they did with titles Animal Man or Doom Patrol, Morrison recontextualizes Santa by adding in elements of great personal interest to them, namely occult history, and ties them seamlessly to the existing mythos. However, they always remain true to the core characterization and Klaus is no exception, keeping him a spreader of joy and defender of all children.
Klaus would have several follow-up one-shots published yearly by Boom! Studios until 2019 with Klaus and the Life and Times of Joe Christmas being the last to date. The stories would continue to add Morrison and Mora's new takes on legendary holiday characters, while mixing in more 'traditional' comic book experiences, such as Klaus fighting an evil Santa doppelganger. The holiday season is full of stories about Santa Claus, but any reader looking for something a bit more 'out-there' should strongly consider picking up Grant Morrison and Dan Mora's Klaus.