Why 'Justice League' Christmas tearjerker 'Comfort and Joy' is still a must-watch seasonal superhero classic

For many, the holidays are a time to sit back with family and friends and re-watch some of their favorite Christmas classics. Many will watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ others prefer ‘Miracle on 34th Street’, and yet there are fans who will swear by ‘Die Hard.’ For some, though, the ultimate yearly Christmas re-watch is ‘Comfort and Joy,’ an episode from the iconic ‘Justice League’ animated series. 

Written by Paul Dini, who has been an integral part of the DC Animated Universe (DCAU) right from the start, the episode is split into three, following the different ways members of the Justice League celebrate the holidays. What makes the animated series work so well is how much it focused on the humanizing aspects of the League despite rarely focusing on their secret identities. While ‘Comfort and Joy’ is light on superheroics, it’s big on heart.

The show is a celebration not just of the traditional Christmas day, but all the wonderful joys associated with the holidays - the notion of going home, of celebration, of gift-giving and togetherness. It’s Green Lantern (Phil LaMarr), wielder of the most powerful weapon in the universe flapping his arms about in the snow to make snow angels. It’s Superman (George Newbern) inviting the Martian Manhunter (Carl Lumbly) to Smallville to celebrate Christmas with his family. It’s the Flash (Michael Rosenbaum) managing to warm the heart of even the coldest villain for the holidays. 

‘Comfort and Joy’ pairs its characters off, in three separate storylines - Green Lantern and  Hawkgirl (Maria Canals) bond over holiday memories, Superman and the Martian Manhunter share Christmas in the Kent family home, and the Flash and the Ultra-Humanite (Ian Buchanan) team up to give a group of children the best Christmas present ever (even if there’s minor disagreement as to what that present is). 

Every character has their own view on what Christmas is, traditions that are seen with fresh eyes through the people they’re paired up with. The common thread running through all three of the storylines is connection. The characters use the holidays as reason enough to give another person’s traditions the benefit of the doubt, accepting them with open arms. ‘Comfort and Joy’ celebrates the best of humanity, even with the majority of its leads (Ultra-Humanite, Superman, Hawkgirl and Martian Manhunter) not exactly human themselves. 

Mixing nostalgia, warmth, hope and togetherness, ‘Comfort and Joy’ is one of the best Christmas specials out there, encapsulating everything that makes the holiday so special. Whether you’re from Mars, Krypton, Thanagar or a hyper-evolved criminal ape (the Ultra-Humanite is a complicated villain), Christmas welcomes everyone and their own special ways of celebrating it. 

Happy holidays, to all!