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The Marvel Universe comics have never failed to captivate and amaze its readers. Each page is consistently filled with excitement, humor, and thrill. One of Marvel’s great strengths has always been its ability to create brilliantly electrifying holiday issues. As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, it only makes sense to take a trip down memory lane and revisit the top five Marvel Turkey Day comics! (( “Marvel.” Marvel.com, 2018. ))
If You’re Lucky, Heroism Pays In Pie!
Mealtime Mayhem Vol 1 #1 (2018) is a sweet, humorous, and extremely entertaining Thanksgiving tale. Two separate storylines are included: one with Gwen Stacy, the female Spider-Man, and one with Peter Parker, the male Spider-Man. In Stacy’s part of the comic, she saves a bakery from Venom on Thanksgiving Day. Gwen Stacy may seem small, but she puts up quite the fierce fight against the villain.
Stacy learns that Venom is attacking a local bakery and bursts into action. Stacy can change into her Spider-Woman suit in a matter of minutes and cease Venom’s villainous actions. The villain, who is soon caught in Stacy’s spiderweb, admits defeat and is left humiliated. The hero shows the reader how important the people of her city are to her and how she would do anything in her power to get them to their families during the holiday. This wholesome story is perfect for young children and adults alike, as the lessons within it are timeless and applicable to any age. As a superhero that is often underestimated, Stacy shows that anyone can save the day no matter size, age, or gender.
In Spider-Man’s storyline, he is faced with the issue of helping Thor find his iconic hammer. Each page of this comic is full of hilarious actions and dialogue. As Thor is unable to fly without his hammer, he ends up hitching a ride on Spider-Man’s back, creating a very humorous moment. Eventually, Loki comes into the picture, and Spider-Man is able to trick Thor’s villainous brother into returning the hammer. This story closely relates to the holiday due to Thor and Loki’s constant back-and-forth bickering. After all, what is Thanksgiving without some good old family banter!
No More Spider-Womaning
Spider-Gwen #14 (2015) makes this list for some excellent reasons. There are several lessons highlighted throughout the comic, and the idea of family is certainly emphasized. During Thanksgiving, Gwen visits her father, who is currently in prison due to a deal made with the Kingpin. Murdock, Kingpin’s right hand, has Gwen and her father on a tight leash. Murdock orders Gwen to refrain from her superhero duties, and she is forced to follow his orders reluctantly. (( “Marvel.” Marvel.com, 2018. ))
Soon after, Jessica Drew, Roger Gocking, and their daughter show up from the future to spend Thanksgiving with Gwen. Everything is already complicated, but when Roger turns on the TV and sees Koala Kommander attacking the city, the couple leaves in a hurry, blaming Gwen for allowing the chaotic events to occur.
The comic ends on a complex note, but that does not keep the story from getting its point across. One special strip illustrates May and Ben Parker, George Stacy, and Jessica, and Roger all appreciating what they have in their lives. Their dialogue emphasizes the importance of Thanksgiving – that people shouldn’t focus on what they’ve lost but what they are currently grateful for. While the issue doesn’t end on Gwen’s happiest note, the comic’s entirety revolves around love, forgiveness, and being truly thankful.
I Carry Not A Sword, But A Turkey
Deadpool #37 (2012) truly takes the reader by surprise. Red Skull uses Professor Xavier’s powers to spread hate across the globe. When all of the heroes and villains try to stop the destruction, a spell is cast that turns good into evil, and vice-versa. As a result of this action, on Thanksgiving Day, Deadpool becomes “enlightened.”
I am hooked from the first page. Learning that Deadpool had become good is one of the most bizarre and captivating events to ever occur in the MCU. I had to find out how on Earth this Thanksgiving holiday is going to play out. The switch provides a fascinating and refreshing twist to the character. Criminals, as well as superheroes, turned evil, are shocked by Deadpool’s good guy act. It’s not until Thanksgiving dinner that Deadpool realizes how uncomfortable he is in his new mindset.
Deadpool feels completely out of place at the dinner, unable to even cut the turkey because he feels that it is morally wrong. The anti-hero visits the X-Men to try and figure out what has gone wrong. He realizes that the team has turned completely evil. Throughout the comic, Deadpool goes down an odd rabbit hole. The curse makes the character realize his appreciation for the yin and the yang in the world. He recognizes that the good allows for the evil, so he can finally appreciate the required balance. The comic ends with Deadpool trying to save the good people in his life from the newly evil and corrupted X-Men.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we got to fully see Deadpool’s heart for the first time. It only makes sense that this monumental moment would occur during the holiday that celebrates togetherness, appreciation, and love. (( “Read Comic Online.” Readcomiconline.to, 2012. ))
Our Love Is Enough To Save The Universe!
Uncanny X-Men #308 (1963) brings every comic fan to tears. This story is a genuine Thanksgiving tale about love and family, in all forms. The X-Men gang gets together to enjoy a beautiful fall day of fun and football. Jean Grey and Scott Summers, one of the most beloved couples of all time, reminisce about their wonderful memories together. As the two walk through the autumn leaves, they realize just how strong their love is and how grateful they are to go through their many ups and downs.
These events alone revolve around the holiday theme. Jean and Scott are able to look past their mistakes and realize that they were made for one another no matter what. The use of flashbacks helps the reader to understand that we can look back and still move forward. Jean takes the comic to a halt when she shockingly proposes to Scott. The couple became elated at the idea of starting a family together and finally becoming husband and wife.
Later that night, Professor Xavier gives a speech to his crew at Thanksgiving dinner. He states how important it is that everyone refrain from dwelling on the past and focus on being thankful for the present. With all of the X-Men gathered, Jean and Scott announce their engagement, to which they receive nothing but love from their dear friends.
Professor Xavier sits back and watches his family, joyous and celebratory. Although he might not show it with his words or actions, the strip reveals just how beautiful and special this moment is for him. This Thanksgiving comic explores all of the good and bad and accepts it as it is. There is a strong theme of hope that all should be appreciative of the present and excited for whatever the future may hold.
A Surprise Dinner Guest
Vision and The Scarlet Witch #6 (1985) sheds light on learning from past mistakes. The comic revolves around Wanda and Vision’s Thanksgiving dinner party, which includes the Avengers and several other well-known Marvel characters. A pregnant Wanda lovingly greets her brother, Pietro, and his wife and child. While everything is going seemingly perfect, a very unexpected guest shows up at the door.
Magneto, Wanda, and Pietro’s controversial father arrive to join the party. Pietro is furious over the unpleasant surprise and argues with Wanda over the invitation. He points out that they would never be able to get over the fact that their father had enslaved them in the brotherhood of evil mutants when they were children. Wanda states that Magneto was unaware that they were even his kids at the time.
Pietro is amongst many dinner guests who are infuriated by Magneto’s appearance. Right from the start, there is an immense amount of family drama. However, the beginning of the comic opens the door for the theme of forgiveness. While Wanda has not forgiven her father, the fact that she even reached out to invite him to dinner is a kind gesture that she knows could lead to his redemption.
Magneto apologizes to Wanda for being a terrible father figure. His daughter is over his excuses and refuses to grant any forgiveness at that moment. Soon after, Magneto tells Pietro and Vision that the brotherhood is coming to attack. The three men fight the villains. Magneto gains Vision’s respect for the warning and fights alongside them. Magneto asks Vision not to inform his daughter of his actions, as he doesn’t want Wanda to think that he was only helping others to earn her acceptance.
If you strip away all of the Marvel Universe elements, it is simply a story about a man who had made many mistakes in his life and is trying to make things right with his children. While earning Wanda’s forgiveness would take much more than one favor on Magneto’s end, this comic shows that no matter what you’ve done, there’s always a chance of redemption.
Turkey Day Tales
The Marvel comics on this list emphasize many traditional Thanksgiving lessons through several entertaining storyline twists and turns. These characters, while superhuman, were still people at the end of the day. Each superhero had flaws and regrets or was dealing with people who had made grave mistakes. These stories show readers that love and redemption have no boundaries; it is never too late to make things right.
These comics also illustrated how difficult it was to make sure that everything went perfectly during the holiday. However, when it came down to it, these comics pointed out that Thanksgiving is not about perfection at all; it’s about relationships, compassion, and humanity.