I Saw Santa: A SPAWN UNIVERSE CHRISTMAS STORY # 1
Writers: Chris Killian & Andrew Sanders
Artist: Thomas Nachlik
Colorists: Dan Kemp & Dave Kemp
Letterers: Andiworld Design with Zakai Kennedy
Cover Date: November 2025
Rating: 8.5/10
This week, I will review issue one of “I Saw Santa” from Image Comics, a holiday story set in the Spawn Universe (yes, you heard that right).
Santa gives gifts to the good kids and a stocking full of coal to the bad ones. But what happens when a disturbed child takes offense at Santa’s gift of coal and makes it his life’s mission to torment Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick forever? Sam and Twitch find the bodies, but only Spawn can put an end to it. Words cannot describe how strange it is for a holiday-themed story to be firmly centered within the Spawn Universe, but it works as a great crime story, giving Sam and Twitch their moment to shine despite their long-standing presence in the Spawn Universe. This unique twist on the mythology of Santa Claus and the Christmas season introduces a dark and bloody tone never seen before, replacing the usual joyful and heartfelt aspects of Christmas with a morose tale of evil and guilt, especially since Santa himself could not stop Charles Edward Kohl, who brutally murdered his family on Christmas Eve. Santa’s trauma is one of the most intriguing angles, as it adds emotional depth to this iconic figure, showing a more wicked side thanks to writers Chris Killian and Andrew Sanders as they deliver a darker portrayal of old Saint Nick, adding a chilling element to the series. Thomas Nachlik’s art, however, enhances the dark overtones that Killian and Sanders aimed for, and while fans might find this story a different experience since Spawn is noticeably absent, there’s a good chance he may appear in the next issue—a guarantee. “I Saw Santa” may not be the joyful Christmas story some readers expect, but it’s a compelling new take on holiday lore that might even traumatize some, delivering a tale that could change how people view the holiday season, stripping away visions of yuletide joy and replacing them with complete darkness.
Well, that’s it for me. Thanks for sticking around, and I look forward to seeing you all next time.
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