The Archie gang is taking on the mythological yuletide creature — Krampus — in their latest comic escapade. In what has become an annual comedic romp through the winter season, the beloved crew of Riverdale is taking on a classic holiday figure that is all too familiar with the holiday season, Krampus.
Krampus is a legendary creature from Central European folklore that is often found in many aspects of winter. Krampus is said to accompany Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) during yuletide festivities and has been a fixture during Christmas season for centuries. The mythic figure often appears with a chain and bells, but Krampus is more like a demon than a jolly Santa. His main purpose is to punish children who are bad by kidnapping or beating them, hence the fear associated with Krampus.
Fast forwarding to 2021, the Archie gang is suddenly faced with Krampus due to an important historical artifact being dropped off at the Great Lakes Eerie Historical Society by none other than Santa himself. After a bit of sleuthing, the Archie gang discovers that the artifact is the Chain of St. Maximus and with it, the cruel Krampus is released into the world. Of course, the Archie gang has to figure out a way to stop the rampaging Krampus and save Christmas.
The Archie gang is, as usual, receptive of the challenge of vanquishing the Krampus and use their wit and creativity to take him down. While in the past, Krampus has been an unrelenting figure, the gang takes a different approach and outwits the Krampus by using their wits and holiday feasting. First, the gang sets up a magical Christmas feast in the very same Great Lakes Eerie Historical Society that released Krampus and lures Krampus in with the smell of traditional dishes, wild dancing and raucous singing. No matter how hard Krampus tries, he cannot resist the holiday cheer and eventually gets too tipsy to fight back.
With Krampus distracted, the Archie gang is able to capture the beast, chain him up and send him back to his imprisonment. When Christmas comes, it appears that the Archie gang saves Christmas and Riverdale celebrates in typical Archie fashion- lots of eating, laughing and even a sing-a- long by Archie himself!
The Archie gang Vs. Krampus may be a funny holiday episode, but it begs us to remember that Krampus is rooted in Germanic mythology and should be respected. In many cultures, Krampus plays an important role in keeping children in check during the Christmas season, and the Archie gang Vs. Krampus tales shows that there is a certain way to win against this beast. So the next time you’re celebrating a holiday season and find yourself in a sticky situation, remember what the Archie gang did and apply their outgoing spirit and brains to save the day!
