So, why the anticipation? It’s hard to say as I have heard a number of reasons. One is that Grant Morrison https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Morrison is part of the project. Take a look at the link next to his name and you’ll see why. That is to say nothing of the illustrative genius of Dan Mora. Currently working on the hit series “Hexed” he is clearly one of the up and coming superstars in the ranks of the illustrators. This comic has a style all its own and the artwork is a big piece of that style.
The second is that it is supposed to be based on the origin of Santa Claus based on Viking Lore and Siberian Shamanism. So, this isn’t your typical ‘Rankin Bass’ production (the older folks in the crowd will get this joke). Klaus obviously hits the gym, has the ‘Mountain Man’ facial hair, and is accompanied by a wolf named “Lilli”. This isn’t your dad’s Santa Claus.
Last, it has the marketing draw by being a limited series. Part of what you learn in Marketing 101 in college is that anything that has a limited number is automatically more valuable than something you can get anywhere at any time. “Klaus” is a 6 issue series and, by the looks of the first issue, it won’t be easy to wait for upcoming issues.
Wow, all of this and we didn’t even get to the storyline yet.
Let’s get started:
Klaus: How Santa Claus Began appears to be set in the distant past. Although it doesn’t give any specific years, it is clear that it wasn’t in the past 10 years. I deduced this through the following:
-Klaus is dressed in animal pelts, is not clean shaven, and seems to be lacking a smartphone.
-All payments are done through the bartering of animal pelts, food, or some other form of trade.
No one takes Apple Pay.
-The spoiled brat (which we will address a little later) is disappointed with a toy. I noted with a
keen eye that the toy required no batteries, didn’t plug in, and had no wireless functionality.
-Lastly, the most advanced weapons were spears and swords and there was a distinct lack of
atomic colliders.
In other words, it was a perfect setting. One which requires us to use our imagination. Now, lets get serious.
The story starts with Klaus (as of right now we don’t know if that’s a first name, last name or only name) visiting a town that had welcomed him in the past. The town, the town of Grimsvig, appears to have changed dramatically since Klaus’ last visit.
-Strangers are no longer welcomed.
-Old Man Gunderson, who used to run the bar, is now gone because he “said the wrong thing one
too many times.”
-Food is scarce and the Ale is watered down.
-Children are no longer allowed to have toys or play in the street. Even a stone is considered a toy
and confiscated.
There is also a power structure in town that frowns upon change that would favor anyone but them. They are Lord Magnus and Lady Dagmar and their spoiled brat of a son (and presumed ruler), Jonas. You will despise them almost immediately to the credit of Morrison and Mora.
Without being a spoiler to those of you who have not purchased and/or read it yet, Klaus is deemed “not welcome” by the leadership. In a scene similar to “Goodfellas”, Klaus is walked out of town by a group of guards intent on killing him. This being the Norse version of ‘taking someone for a ride’. The result is that it doesn’t work out as well as the guards had hoped and Lilli get’s some much needed playtime. You’ll have to read it from there to see what happens next.
The writing is outstanding in the way that it defines each character from the start. There are no punches pulled with Klaus being called “Wild Man” by some members in the town, the first time you see Jonas he is smashing a “Yuletime” present that took the town craftsmen all year to make, children are openly beaten in the streets, and the leadership loves no one but themselves. As character development is crucial to any story it is not always a good idea to try to rush through this part in the first issue. It was clearly a good idea with Klaus.
The artistry clearly takes on life of its own in Klaus. The reader feels the cold temperature, the isolation of the town, and the utter hopelessness of trying to take on the wilds on your own. On one page you are just walking with Klaus and hearing his thoughts, the next you’re in a town fraught with danger, then you’re in a fight scene that involves a wolf and, toward the end, you are traveling with Klaus through what could only be called a technicolor dream. Whereas some panels are restricted to 3 very bland colors the dream is like an acid flash from the 70’s, displaying every color imaginable. Klaus seems to try every visual trick imaginable to keep the reader entranced.
There was one thing that struck me hard, however, and that was the similarity between this story and the story of “The Burgermeister Meisterburger” from 40 years ago (seen here http://christmas-specials.wikia.com/wiki/Burgermeister_Meisterburger). It also had no kids being allowed to play in the streets, toys being confiscated, strangers being unwelcome and food being scarce. I was almost turned off that it so closely resembled that Christmas special from my youth. Then I thought about it. The legends, upon which these stories are based, probably don’t change much in their foundation. In other words, if I took every version of this story told through the years, I probably wouldn’t see too many variations in the core of the story. The difference in the stories we hear today about Santa Claus, then, could only be in the interpretations of the characters and the variations on the plot line. Issue solved, case closed.
The bottom line is that the origin of Santa Claus is a tale told dozens of times in dozens of ways...but this one is different. This one takes a step away from the “cutesy” approach and dares to look at a variation that’s a little more feral. Whether you are a fan of solid story writing or an admirer of artwork, or maybe even just someone who loves the origins of myths and legends, Klaus is a must have.
So, put on a fur lined coat, build a fire, snuggle up with your German Shepherd/Siberian Husky (or other wolf variant), chomp on some beef jerky and read Klaus. It’s a great way to spend a winter’s night.
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