| “ | I reward those who do good and punish those who do bad. That's the story of justice in a nutshell. Granted, the rewards are modest and the punishment is never more than a lump of coal, but that's enough. It's symbolic. Just enough to prime the spiritual pump, so to speak. | „ |
| ~ Santa Claus to Rose Red, Fables #112 — "All in a Single Night" |
Santa Claus is a powerful human Fable who lives at the Homelands version of the North Pole and can magically be at every house in the mundane world at the same time on Christmas night. He first appears in Fables #56 – "“Jiminy Christmas”." Each year he delivers presents to the good and coal to the bad.
History
Origin
Santa Claus is a distinct subset of the North Wind, and a creature of the North. He has always served as a vassal of the North Wind, and directly answers to Winter Wolf, the current North Wind. In addition, he undertakes several other external obligations, such as being an avatar of Hope:[2] He belongs to the Paladins of Hope, recognized as the "Hope for Justice" and the "Hope for Reward."[4]
Santa pens down the list of naughty and nice children from all over the mundane world and rewards them accordingly, delivering presents to the good and coal to the bad.[1] On Christmas Eve, he fills his sleigh with presents, all tucked away in a massive sack and flies across the mundane world, guided by[4] eight[5] flying reindeer. He makes a stop at each house, sliding down the chimney to deliver presents and indulging in milk and cookies left out for him by the family.[4]
If someone happens to come across Santa during his delivery, they have the option to ask Santa a question with the cost of receiving no present from him that year, but getting an answer to their question instead.[1]
In service of Fabletown
On the night of December 22, 1956 at the North Pole, Santa Claus sat by a crackling fire alongside his wife when he discovered Jack Horner attempted to steal that year's "Naughty and Nice" from his headquarters. Enraged, Santa confronted Jack in the basement, armed and ready for a fight. Since that incident, it is implied that Santa has entrusted Bigby Wolf each year with safeguarding a new list.[1][2]
In the early 21st century, on Christmas Eve, Santa used his powers to briefly summon Flycatcher’s dead wife granting them one final kiss and restoring Flycatcher’s human form. That same night, young Ambrose Wolf intercepted Santa to ask how he managed to visit every house in the mundane world in one night. Santa explained his methods in detail but added that Ambrose would forfeit his presents that year due to the interruption—a rule the boy accepted without protest.[1]
When Mister Dark emerged in the undane world, Santa’s lists grew uncontrollably. With dormant seeds of evil awakening in countless children, Santa worked tirelessly, writing until his fingers bled, yet the names kept coming.[3]
As one of Hope's Paladins, Santa assisted Rose Red in choosing the form of hope she would champion. Later, under orders from the North Wind, Winter Wolf, Santa expanded his Christmas duties to include all worlds experiencing winter, not just the mundane world.[4]
Eventually, the current North Wind, Winter Wolf, orders him to expand his primary duties: From now on, Christmas will come to every world where there is winter, not just the mundane world.[2]
Santa also served Winter in other capacities. When Snow White faced potential civil war with her sister, Rose Red, Winter enlisted Santa as a soldier, emphasizing the importance of maintaining secrecy about impending conflict. She warned her recruits to comply with her orders or face severe consequences.[6]
Years later, Santa continued to work alongside Winter, bringing Christmas to countless worlds. On one Christmas Eve, he reunited with a grown-up Ambrose Wolf while delivering gifts. Santa remarked that he had placed many of Ambrose’s children’s books in stockings that evening, ensuring his stories reached homes far and wide.[5]
Powers and abilities
- Fable: As a Fable, he is immortal and thus also hard to kill.[7]
- Omnipotence: Instead of traveling the world visiting one house at a time, Santa has a version of omnipresence in which he visits all the houses simultaneously in a single trip[1] by duplicating himself, although he only does it once a year. The current North Wind, Winter Wolf, learned this concept from him.[2]
- Omniscience: Santa knows the name of every child in the mundane world and seems to know the nature of the person, ensuring he can write down the yearly naughty and nice list[1]
Appearances
Fables
- Fables #21 (first mentioned)
- Fables #34 (mentioned)
- Fables #48 (mentioned)
- Fables #56 (first appearance)
- Fables #80
- Fables #106 (mentioned)
- Fables #112
- Fables #137
- Fables #142
- Fables #150
Original source
In the United States and other countries, Santa Claus is an iconic figure known as the patron of Christmas, who is believed to bring gifts to children during the holiday season. His well-known persona is rooted in the customs and beliefs surrounding Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century saint in Christianity. Father Christmas[8] (one of the aliases of the Fables version of Santa)[2] fills the same role in many European countries. The Dutch are recognized for bringing the tale of Saint Nicholas (known as Sinterklaas) to New Amsterdam[8] (now New York City,[8] where Fabletown is located in the comics[7]), along with the tradition of presenting gifts and treats to kids on Saint Nicholas Day on December 6.[8]
The modern interpretation of Santa Claus is based on illustrations by cartoonist Thomas Nast for Harper's Weekly magazine, beginning in 1863. Nast's portrayal of Santa Claus was heavily influenced by the depiction in the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (also known as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"), first published in 1823. The image of Santa Claus was solidified through the iconic advertisements for Coca-Cola, starting in 1931 with illustrations by artist Haddon Sundblom. Sundblom depicted Santa as a plump man with a full white beard. He wore a bright red suit with a black belt and white fur trim, paired with sturdy black boots and a soft red hat;[8] much like the Fables version.[1]
According to legend, Santa Claus resides at the North Pole with his wife;[8] much like he does in the comic.[1] He devotes his time to crafting toys throughout the year, with assistance from his loyal elves, and receives countless letters from hopeful children, eagerly requesting their desired Christmas gifts.[8] (The toy making, Santa's elves and the letters from children have been omitted from Fables; however, the children's hopes are represented in the comics by Santa being a Paladin of Hope.[4]) Much like in Fables,[4] every Christmas Eve, he packs his sleigh full of toys and sets off on a journey around the globe. Eight reindeer pull him through the sky, and he makes stops at every child's home. He expertly slides down their chimneys to deliver presents, and indulges in the milk and cookies thoughtfully left out by the children of the house.[8]
Trivia
Bill Willingham states in the Fables Encyclopedia that Santa is a very powerful Fable, almost god level, along the lines of Hope, Mister Dark, and the four winds. He's also one of those who loses too much magic if we see him too often, so he only appears in Fables once in a great while.[9]
References
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