We are in the thick of the holiday season, filled with hustle-and-bustle and a whirlwind of things to do and sights to see. But, as we know, the holidays are also for the stories and lore of the winter months, when folks revisit classic holiday books and TV specials and films to get them in the spirit. Those stories can help kickstart the Scroogiest of hearts.
And it’s also the perfect time to spin new tales of the spirits of the season and, in that arena, writer Jeff Parker and DC Comics have you covered. Last month, DC launched the new miniseries Batman – Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns, a follow-up the publisher’s wildly popular Silent Knight comic title from last year. In Silent Knight Returns, the titular Silent Knight is plaguing the DC Universe, with Damian Wayne, Zatanna, and their compatriots getting a much-needed assist from Santa to save the world’s greatest heroes. Joined by artist Lukas Ketner, Jeff Parker has built a new tale that amps up both the Santa mythos and the yuletide action.
Mr. Parker spoke with me recently about where we find Santa and the DCU at the beginning of Batman – Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns, working with artist Lukas Ketner on the new miniseries, expanding the world established in the first tale, and the fun in blending the holidays with horror.
The first three installments of Batman – Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns have been an absolute trip, with Jeff Parker, Lukas Ketner, and the whole team continuing to construct a romp that isn’t the tried-and-true Santa mashups we’ve seen in the past. Whenever you think something is going to happen in Silent Knight Returns, Parker lets you get comfortable, but you trust him to make the end result a fun ride.
FreakSugar: So, before we start, how is it returning to the Silent Knight universe? That first miniseries was so dang fun, and it’s clear you were having a ball writing it.
Jeff Parker: It’s the best, and this time I get to go in with Lukas Ketner, who I knew was going to crush on this and he has. I always write to entertain myself first, and it’s really nice when something hits a chord with readers like last year’s miniseries did.
FS: For folks reading this, where do we find Santa, Batman, and the DCU at the beginning of Batman – Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns?
JP: A strange empty-knight’s armor figure is appearing all over the world and shriveling innocent people with the touch of his sword, and there’s no pattern or apparent reason to it. This is compounded by the fact that The Silent Knight doesn’t speak, so unlike other threats who are happy to spill their whole deal to anyone listening, this menace holds his mystery. It’s surprising how hard it is to fight someone like that.
FS: From the solicitations, it seems like there will be a focus on Damian and Zatanna partnering with Santa. What kind of narrative choices does that trio give you?
JP: Yes, Damian is almost trapped with the Justice League but Irey West, Thunderheart, manages to get him free, so here he is, a kid who needs help because his dad and the world’s other greatest heroes are gone. He heads straight to his Aunt Zatanna (she’s not really his aunt but it’s kind of the way I see them) who knows more magic than anyone else. The fun part here you’ll notice if you read last year’s story and how Santa would hear the wishes of children, because without trying he gets the Big Red Guy to show up to help. I really wanted to flip the situation this year and make it about Klaus coming to the aid of the DC heroes.
FS: What kind of research goes into a project like this? Will we see more figures from myth in this new installment?
JP: More monster research to find details that fit well within our story, and especially Arthurian legends since that’s what Silent Knight is tied to. Which gave us a nice connection to another former knight of the Round Table, Jason Blood.
FS: I was telling a friend about the first mini and was asked what kind of Santa we see. My reply: Badass-but-kind Santa. What’s it been like writing him and have him interact with the DCU?
JP: What I like is that it gives a chance for heroes to meet someone they considered a legend like people think of them, and it ever-so-briefly reveals the little kid still inside each of them. And though he doesn’t get time to really share his thoughts with the heroes beyond the mission at hand, Klaus knows that many of them will go on to become legends/myths apart from the actual person just like has happened with him. He occasionally breaks out a little wisdom on them, but he’s generally a quiet guy who observes and acts more than dialoguing.
FS: The first miniseries was so well-received, and with good reason. What has that positivity been like to hear?
JP: It felt as great as you imagine. I think readers enjoyed the fact that we didn’t do another “did it really happen?” type story about Saving Christmas, we did some world-building and crafted an adventure to be swept up in. And this year with Silent Knight Returns we go even farther with that approach.
FS: On that same note, the first mini was wild. Are you throwing things in the mix in this new mini that you wanted to do last time but couldn’t fit in?
JP: Yes- DC was cool enough to give us an extra issue this time out so there’s room to bring a big variety of characters. And we have a lot more of the magical-based characters. Next week you get to meet another important figure from Santa lore, maybe the most important.
FS: Lukas Ketner’s art is just so wonderful and every preview page is dynamite. What’s your collaboration process like with Lukas and the whole creative team?
JP: He’s a dream to work with, and we got to do the too-rare thing of meeting and working over ideas and visuals for the series, a level of collaboration that you can really see when you read. He’s incredible at fleshing out a scene further than I wrote and bringing so much to life. He does great acting with the cast, everyone has their own mannerisms, body language, and they feel so in character. And he does the kids really well, which is important for a Holiday story. Damien shares that young hero spotlight this time with Thunderheart. But he also excels at horror and magical design, if you’ve ever read his past works like Witch Doctor or the recent Count Crowley book he did with David Dastmalchian. Really there’s nothing he isn’t amazing at, I’m pretty convinced now.
Also, when we switch scenes to the B Story, we have Michele Bandini back from the first series! Which gives us nice continuity especially as a group of the monsters who are important in this were designed by him last year. Some readers noticed those guys vanished in the last issue then, and now they’re back.
FS: What’s been your favorite part of working on this miniseries so far?
JP: The editors have made this a surprisingly smooth experience; they have good suggestions and give us freedom you wouldn’t expect to have when borrowing so many characters across the line. As a result, the story has this arc where it keeps somehow ramping up all the way until the end- which is ideal for an event like this. What I’m happiest with is that it works out so that everyone in the cast is important to the story, focus shifts from hero to hero.
FS: Is there anything you can tease about what we can expect in the sequel?
JP: Something horrible happens to one of DC’s main heroes, and Lukas makes it look painful!
FS: Are there any projects you’re working on that you’d like to talk about?
JP: Too early probably at the moment, mainly this and looking forward to the launch of Zootopia next month. (Check out our interview with Mr. Parker about that series!)
FS: If you had a final pitch for Batman – Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns, what would it be?
JP: We’re actually continuing an old tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas- Horrors and Holidays go together in the winter. The greatest superheroes get their greatest wish– Santa Claus kicking ass alongside them, every week until the New Year!
Batman – Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns #4 goes on sale this Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from DC Comics.
From the official issue #4 description:
Robin’s and Zatanna’s fortunes change as they accompany the most awesome rescue team in Christmas history: Mary Marvel! Robotman! Metamorpho! Etrigan the Demon! Following the greatest tracker of the north, Mrs. Claus. All our heroes come together in the Hollow Kingdom, where the Silent Knight has gathered his forces and enough power to take his final form. The epic showdown battle of the year comes in under the wire this December!