Gwenpool Holiday Special- Merry Mix It Up Review: An Anthology Tale Tailored To Suit Your Needs


It's time for one of my new favorite holiday traditions, the reading of the Marvel holiday spectacular! Gwenpool Holiday Special: Merry Mix It Up is an anthology tale about the Marvel world's unique challenges during the holiday season and the second annual special issue. Worked on by a boatload of talented people, it's the second annual offering. Interestingly enough, the first issue of The Unbelievable Gwenpool premiered a few months after the inaugural holiday special. I wonder if a second title in the works. Probably not, but I wouldn't mind reading a Gwenpool Team-Up series.

The first story focuses on Gwenpool herself, wondering why the standard traditions of the good old 616 seem to have been warped, now focusing on Galactus instead of Santa. It's a pretty interesting mystery, especially because the source of this weirdness has spilled over into the rest of the holidays. I am wondering how it affected Chanukah. Maybe it just added an extra ingredient to latkes. I'll have to check once it begins on the twenty-fourth. Even though it's only a small part of the plot, I like the continuing implication that Gwen's home life wasn't the best. It adds more mystery to her origin. Finally, I appreciate the winter version of Gwen's usual mercenary costume. It's cool.
Somewhere, Luke Cage felt an urge to call his lawyer and didn't know why.
The next story focuses on Miles Morales and his belief in Galactus. Oh, sure, Ganke teases him about it, saying that only little kids still think that he's real, but Miles still has hope. After all, they've met Norse Gods. Thor exists and regularly hangs out with other superheroes. Assuming All-New, All-Different Avengers still exists in this alternate timeline, then they worked together. It's a great parody of those movies about teenagers who still believe in Santa Claus, especially because of the unlikely team-up of the Red Skull, Thanos, Fin Fang Foom, and M.O.D.O.K. It did leave me with one lingering question, however. Is that John Hodgman?
I'm serious, is that him?
The next story is a short one about the Punisher, Fin Fang Foom, and Ronnie's issues with Pantsgiving. Yes, Ronnie gets to star in a story of her own. Fed up with her low sales on Pantsgiving, a special holiday for wearing hot pants all day, she decides to summon Fing Fang Foom for some help. Yes. summon. I guess this version of the character is partially demonic in nature. Fortunately, Frank Castle is here to save the day.

I would like to see more of Carol and Monica discussing the various issues of being Captain Marvel, please and thank you.
The story after that is delightfully misanthropic. It stars the Red Skull in a happy go-lucky story about the holidays and (forced) attempts at diversity. He isn't happy that Hydra is no longer allowed to say "Hail Hydra!" anymore, due to some of its members wanting to hail other mythical creatures. By far, it is the weirdest story in the special and quite possibly one of the funniest. The morbid humor is exceptionally hilarious, especially when the ghost of Hitler pops up. Yes, you read that correctly.

Happy holidays, everyone! Enjoy reading about a firing squad while you sip some hot cocoa!
The final story revolves around Deadpool's attempts to creepily stare at people wearing scantily-clad Halloween costumes like a jerk. Unfortunately, everyone is dressed up like him, due to the phenomenal success of his film. It turns out that Squirrel Girl organized a Deadpool costume contest at her college. Will Deadpool win the prize? Will Tippy Toe ever get a snack? When will Squirrel Girl cleanse her foul mouth? You'll have to read it and find out.
I know what you mean, I've heard weird things in my college dorm. One of my suitemates loves watching Family Guy.
Overall, it's a pretty good special and I would recommend picking it up. While it doesn't have a lot of focus on other holidays, such as Kwanzaa or Chanukah, it's still fun to read.

Gwenpool Holiday Special: Merry Mix It Up is written by Christopher Hastings, Ryan North, Karla Pacheco, Nick Kocher, and Chynna Clugston Flores and drawn by Myisha Haynes, Nathan Stockman, Oscar Bazaldua, Bruno Oliveira, and Chynna Clugston Flores. You can find it at your local comic book shop.


Zachary Krishef is an evil genius. Do not question his knowledge of Saturday Night Live trivia or Harry Potter books.