30 Years After Spawn First Became Santa, the Real Santa Claus is Caught Up in a Dark Thriller

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The writers of Bloodletter, a series within the Spawn Universe at Image Comics, recently discussed Todd McFarlane’s vision for expanding the franchise. McFarlane launched the Spawn Universe in 2021, growing it from a single character with a couple of titles into a whole line of interconnected comics. Both writers, Illidge and Seeley, explained that McFarlane wanted new series to feel like a natural fit within the existing universe, but also be able to stand alone as their own unique stories.

The first issue of I Am Santa definitely sets a unique tone for this holiday-themed series. It boldly introduces the genuine Santa Claus into the world of Spawn, but with a dark twist: Santa is tracking a cruel killer who has made things deeply personal.

I just finished reading I Am Santa #1, and it’s really cool! It’s written by Chris Killian and Andrew Sanders, with amazing art from Thomas Nachlick. Dan and Dave Kemp did the colors, and Andworld Design handled the lettering. What I really liked is that it feels like a classic Spawn comic – you get that same vibe – but it definitely carves out its own unique story. It’s familiar, but fresh, which is exactly what Todd McFarlane was aiming for with his titles, according to what Illidge pointed out.

What is the history of Christmas in Spawn comics?

Back in 2021, the year the Spawn Universe was first released, Todd McFarlane, Greg Capullo, Tom Orzechowski, and Steve Oliff created a special Christmas story. It’s a touching tribute to Capullo’s mother, featuring a young Greg mistaking Spawn for Santa Claus on Christmas night. The story unfolds as Spawn is taking down some criminals near the boy’s apartment building.

Okay, so you might remember a story where people thought Spawn was Santa. But that wasn’t really about Santa at all! This new series is finally bringing the real Santa Claus into the Spawn universe for the first time. Now, it wouldn’t be a Spawn comic without some serious darkness, so naturally, Santa’s getting thrown right into the middle of a brutal serial killer investigation. It’s gonna be a wild ride!

How does the comic book balance this twisted take on Christmas?

The story’s surprising idea – Santa Claus tracking down a serial killer with a grudge – is instantly captivating. But what truly makes this comic book work is how the creators, Killian and Sanders, keep it relatable and believable despite the wild premise.

A common theme in many popular stories is that even the most unbelievable ideas can work, as long as they feel consistent within the story’s world. For example, talking animals can be believable if the story creates a world where that’s possible.

The real strength of this comic lies in how well the writers blend different elements, and Killian and Sanders do it exceptionally in this first issue. They skillfully use Sam and Twitch, well-known characters from Spawn, to reveal the murders, immediately immersing readers in both the comic’s violent content and its established world.

Thomas Nachlick and the team at Kemps faced a difficult challenge: showing something truly shocking while still keeping the audience engaged. The preview pages recently shared by Odd McFarlane Productions – particularly the gruesome double-page spread of a family seated together, all headless – successfully achieve that effect.

It’s unsettling and shocking, but also strangely fascinating. You’re horrified by the idea of someone capable of this, yet you can’t help but be drawn in. You desperately want to understand the perpetrator’s motives and the disturbing game they’re playing—and what part Santa Claus has in this twisted chase, though it’s definitely not the peaceful Christmas Eve kind.

The main problem is seeing how these terrible crimes affect Santa Claus. He’s realizing he knows who’s responsible, and surprisingly, he feels like it’s his fault. He attempts to convince himself he’s only supposed to deliver gifts, not protect children, but it’s hard not to care about their well-being when you’re in his position.

Regardless of his personal connection to the killer, Santa Claus was determined to stop this dangerous person. It’s well-written character development to see Santa grapple with this situation, especially considering the limitations that prevented him from fully helping the family after the murders – a clever touch by Killian and Sanders.

There have been many scary stories over the years – even popular action movies like Die Hard take place during the holidays – but it’s rare for Santa Claus to be a central figure in a horror story. The contrast between his cheerful image and a dark past makes for a particularly compelling narrative.

This comic book is beautifully illustrated, well-written, and clearly carefully planned. It’s easy to see the writer put a lot of thought into the story, and that really shines in this exciting first issue of this dark and unusual Christmas story.

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2025-11-19 18:20