It’s that time of year once again; where we are supposed to
be thinking of others, so I thought of you, faithful reader! Consider it a
gift, because today I wanted to share an adorable aspect of the MC2 I
don’t think I’ve ever covered before: Li’l Benjy! And because it’s
Holiday Season, let’s kick things off with ‘Li’l Benjy the Spectacular
Spider-Baby in “Christmas Crisis”
Created by Tom Defalco and Colleen Coover, Li’l
Benjy was a series of short, silly and fun tales published as back-up
stories starting in Amazing Spider-Girl #25. Are they canon? I see no
reason why not! Shush! Anyway, in the pages of the following issue -Amazing
Spider-Girl #26- we have “Christmas Crisis” wherein Benjy wonders
why his mother Mary
Jane appears so excited. His play date mate Shelly explains to
the oblivious baby that it’s a special time of year called ‘Fat Day’ where
some old Fat Man sneaks down chimneys to steal everyone’s money and leave clothes
behind. Ever the courageous hero, Benjy uses his sister Mayday’s web-shooters
to block off the Parker House’s
chimney with webbing.
While this might keep your average Santa Claus from
getting inside, we must remember that in the Marvel Universe, Santa
is not only very much real, but also extremely powerful. The Official
Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol 10 tells us that among his
abilities, Santa gains superhuman strength on Christmas Eve, can
teleport, has a magical sack which is bigger on the inside and possesses the
ability to fit through any chimney (or any alternative if a chimney is not available).
Naturally, I’m now wishing we got more Li’l Benjy stories because I’d
love to see him meet the real ‘Fat Man’.
Happy Holidays and I hope you all find yourselves surrounded
by family because that’s truly magical and worth living to see in this scary world.
Hug your loved ones, enjoy this time and stay safe everybody!
Until I manage to work the Elf with a Gun into a
post, I remain
frogoat