Nikolaus v. Krampus

I've been meaning to post another original illustration by your humble blogger, but during the holidays it gets more and more difficult to find the time. Since I don't have kids, I really have no excuse. I've been working on this piece for a while. I am currently in the middle of coloring it but I couldn't wait any longer to share it with the Internet.
Most of the old world depictions of St. Nickolaus and the many incarnations that represent the darker side of the axial inclination, show them working together rather than working apart. It's more of a "yin-yang" situation than a good versus evil. This is where my comic geek kicks in and that is why this drawing exists. Shown here in its inked but unfinished glory. Combining contemporary literary perspectives of Dr. Seuss' Mr. Grinch and the aesthetics of Marvel Comics' Nightcrawler from the X-men*. Also making the scenario more "American" by adding Santa Claus rather than St. Nikolaus.
Incidentally, this was intended to be 2008's Krampus Kard, but my wife wasn't a fan of Santa being depicted as a Hulk-like monster. Since the Kards we send out are representative of our household, I need her final approval. This will see print someday, though. In postcard format, most likely.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

FUN FACT: The word Krampus comes from the Old High German word Krampen, which means claw.

*Interesting that Nightcrawler is from Germany since that is one of the many areas that the Krampus originates.