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    Merry Christmoose From The Upper West Side

    December 21, 2025 | 10:38 AM
    in ABSURDITY, ART, COLUMNS
    25

    By Gary Martin

    Don’t let the moose throw you. He’s subbing for the reindeer while they’re otherwise engaged this week. But the whole animal kingdom — especially those in Martoonerville — wish you and yours the happiest of holidays and may 2026 be less of a zoo.

    Gary B. Martin is an illustrator and animator who has lived on the Upper West Side for more than 30 years. His illustrations appear in the Rag on Sundays, chronicling life in the neighborhood, New York City, and the Universe. See them all here. For a broader range of Gary’s work, including animations and other motion graphics, please visit www.martoons.com

    Listen to Rag Radio’s interview with Gary Martin — HERE.

    Subscribe to West Side Rag’s FREE email newsletter here. And you can Support the Rag here.

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    Please limit comments to 150 words and keep them civil and relevant to the article at hand. Comments are closed after six days. Our primary goal is to create a safe and respectful space where a broad spectrum of voices can be heard. We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage readers to engage critically with one another’s ideas, but never at the expense of civility. Disagreement is expected—even encouraged—but it must be expressed with care and consideration. Comments that take cheap shots, escalate conflict, or veer into ideological warfare detract from the constructive spirit we aim to cultivate. A detailed statement on comments and WSR policy can be read here.

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    25 Comments
    Auntie Em
    Auntie Em
    9 months ago

    Who needs reindeer when you have Gary’s Christmoose! Tee tee.

    1
    Reply
    Neal
    Neal
    9 months ago

    That’s a load of Bullwinkle.

    4
    Reply
    Kneeless
    Kneeless
    9 months ago

    “Don’t let the moose throw you.” And watch out for his left hook.

    1
    Reply
    Don
    Don
    9 months ago

    Cute!!!
    Happy Horrordays!!!

    2
    Reply
    Ellen T. White
    Ellen T. White
    9 months ago

    Right on!

    1
    Reply
    Andy
    Andy
    9 months ago

    Happy Holidays and Merry Christmoose!

    2
    Reply
    Nina
    Nina
    9 months ago

    It cant get any worse! Happy Holidays!

    2
    Reply
    Ken
    Ken
    9 months ago

    Is there a Red-Nosed Moose Available?

    2
    Reply
    DebM
    DebM
    9 months ago

    Adorable!

    4
    Reply
    Lisa
    Lisa
    9 months ago

    ….and a better new year

    3
    Reply
    Debfrombrooklyn
    Debfrombrooklyn
    9 months ago

    Hey! Moose was my childhood nickname which I totally forgot until now! My older brother and sister said I had a nose like a moose. Thanks so much Gary! Really appreciate this one❤️
    Love,
    Moose

    2
    Reply
    Paula Sahli
    Paula Sahli
    9 months ago

    Happy Holidays Gary. Keep up the great illustrations 💯💕

    3
    Reply
    David
    David
    9 months ago

    Love it.

    1
    Reply
    Pat
    Pat
    9 months ago

    merry christmas! happy holidays to all!

    3
    Reply
    Bryce Jones
    Bryce Jones
    9 months ago

    Keep the Christmoose in Christmas.

    3
    Reply
    Nancy
    Nancy
    9 months ago

    👏👏

    1
    Reply
    Ginny
    Ginny
    9 months ago

    I look forward every Sunday to Garys thought provoking cartoon.. it speaks volumes to many issues and starts my week with some chuckles and insights regarding life and the pursuit of happiness!!!

    2
    Reply
    Bob
    Bob
    9 months ago

    Riffing off the word “Christ” is offensive. Please discuss and contriving this post or retitling it “Holiday Moose” or something like that.

    1
    Reply
    Cato
    Cato
    9 months ago
    Reply to  Bob

    “Christmas” is the name of the holiday, even for those who do not celebrate its religious origins. Gary meant no disrespect to your religion by “riffing” on the name of the holiday that appears on everyone’s calendar, secular or not.

    Perhaps Gary should add a panel for an insect and “riff” it as the “Bah, humBug ”?

    Happy holidays to you, dear reader, and to Gary and all at the beloved Rag!

    3
    Reply
    Bob
    Bob
    9 months ago
    Reply to  Cato

    Gary riffed off the word “Christ”. Not Christmas. Why can’t you accept that that might offend some people and leave it at that?

    0
    Reply
    Linda
    Linda
    9 months ago

    Happy holidays, Gary! This may be my favorite Christmas greeting so far this season. Now for a little night moosic. 🎵

    Last edited 9 months ago by Linda
    3
    Reply
    Lori
    Lori
    9 months ago

    Love it! Merry Christmas to you too, and thank you for the quirky cartoons all year 🙂

    2
    Reply
    Mark
    Mark
    9 months ago

    If you extended his antlers another “bump” in each direction, you might have a very nice Moosenorah.

    3
    Reply
    Stacey
    Stacey
    9 months ago

    And a happy gnu year! 🙂

    3
    Reply
    Gary
    Gary
    9 months ago
    Reply to  Stacey

    HYSTERICAL!!!!

    1
    Reply

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