Hey, even Santa has bills.
The Christmas season brings joy to many all over the world, but what really goes on to keep the Christmas spirit alive? To keep the Christmas running on an annual basis, Santa has to work a seedy job as a Private Eye--one that does not necessarily take on the cheeriest of cases [esp.] during the Christmas season.
A digital-exclusive series from Thrillbent comes one of the most original ideas to jolly Ol' Saint Nick since his conception way back when! Santa Claus: Private Eye follows a Santa Claus that isn't living in great times. Sure Christmas is being delivered as scheduled every year, but have you ever wondered what really goes on the other 364 days of the year? I can tell you it ain't millions of elves running around building toys for children [for free] on a consistent basis at least! Instead, we get to see a darker side of Santa. One that enjoys seeing children happy on Christmas, but sees the world as it is. Not as a red or green, but as a black and white; a simple notion that Santa believes everyone wants love and money.
The creative team behind this first issue did an amazing job, getting readers interested in a character that has been portrayed in so many ways in comics [at least] for the last 20 years. I'm not sure if Santa as a Private Eye is a new thing to the ever growing list of what he's been over the years, but writer Jeremy Bernstein makes this first issue feel like he's presenting something new to the Santa Mythology. (Which he absolutely is, along with his other creative team members!) Coming to this story like a Private Eye Santa Claus hasn't been done is the best move for this series and will largely contribute to this series undoubted success! Again, as this is a digital-exclusive series with a limited audience; and not knowing if exactly a Private Eye Santa Claus has been done before, I like how the Bernstein makes the reader actually care about what Santa Claus does. When you think about it, Santa isn't necessarily a character you'd think to care about cause you know all the information there is to Santa. Ask anyone! However, Bernstein does an excellent job at showing you that Santa can get his hands dirty to do a good deed, even if that deed is done once a year. Seeing Santa's thoughts about the entire matter is really great because the story is told from his perspective and he hates his job, but knows he's gotta do it.
The artwork by penciller Michael Dorman and colorist Rob Schwager were phenomenal! They brought life to this comic that focuses on a darker side of Santa. From start-to-finish, I was greatly intrigued by how well they captured the story.
In conclusion, this is a series worth reading. Santa Claus is still Santa, just with a subtle twist that will have you wanting more as soon as you finish one issue! Tell your friend, neighbor, family member, everyone to read this series! It is on Thrillbent's website: http://thrillbent.com/comics/santa/santa-claus-private-eye-chapter-1/#1 and they release new issues to this series every Monday! (So I recommend subscribing to their site as well!) 5 out of 5.