Holiday Gift Guide 2013
Putting together a gift guide is a daunting task in that there’s so many cool items out there. We could go crazy and over the top with suggestions that would seem never ending. So, we’ve come up with some simple suggestions that would be fun and hopefully a bit different this year. If you’ve got suggestions and additions, sound off below!
Comics for Kids
Where’s my Shoggoth? – Not a comic book, the illustrated children’s book is a twisted horror take on Are You My Mother?. The story is fantastic making me giggle the entire time. A children’s book for the Cthulhu set, it’ll definitely mix up the usual bed time routine. Get Where’s My Shoggoth?
Princeless – One of my favorite reads this year, this fairytale takes the usual sexism and throws it out the window turning it all on it’s head. This is an empowering comic, perfect for both girls and boys as well as adults. Read it and try not to smile and enjoy it. Check local stores and online for print editions, but you can also get it digitally at comiXology.
Comics for Adults
Avengers Vs. X-Men – Epic is the only way to describe this sprawling story that pitted the Avengers against the X-Men for the fate of the world. The Phoenix force is heading to Earth, but will it bring destruction or rebirth? What does this mean for the future of man and mutant kind? The story is massive and one of the best “events” Marvel has put on for years. This also set the path for the current Marvel NOW! status. Get it at Amazon
Batman Vol. 1: Court of Owls – DC’s relaunch/reboot/revamp has been hit and miss, but Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman has been amazing. The two have presented villains that feel like an actual challenge to Batman. This is just the first volume with the second hitting in early 2013. Get it at Amazon
Go Digital!
Give the gift of digital this holiday season with digital comics on comixology! You can send comic books to individuals as gifts and they can read them anywhere, their computer, laptop, phone or tablet. It’s a great way to give the gift of comics to folks who might not have room for physical books or prefer digital.
Do Some Good!
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Membership – Give the gift of “good” by donating, buying a membership, or gifts from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The organization helps fight for free speech and against censorship. Yes, in this age, this organization is still needed.
Video Games
Batman: Arkham City – Rocksteady Studios proved that Arkham Asylum was just a warm up when it comes to their Batman video games. This year saw the release of a video game whose story is at the top of it’s medium as well as comic books. Get it at Amazon
Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes upped the fun bringing more characters to the screen in animated Lego goodness. The game play is fun for people of all ages and the humor had me laughing often. The game is a perfect example of something that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Get it at Amazon
The Walking Dead – Telltale Games has a possible “Game of the Year” here pulling off an episodic game unlike anything that’s come out before. You can get all five episodes of the first “season” now or wait another week to get it on disc. Get The Walking Dead
Movies
It’s been a year unlike any other for comic book fans and luckily the summer blockbusters are all on DVD and Blu-Ray, perfect to give and watch during this holiday season.
The Dark Knight Rises – Christopher Nolan’s brilliant trilogy ended this year and the movie is out this week. There’s a lot of options to choose from as far as how you want to consume the film with limited edition box sets and more. If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor. Get it at Amazon
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 – Adapting the classic comic series, this animated series is broken up into multiple parts. The first part is out now with the second out in January. This is for folks who are bummed that Nolan’s Batman is over. Get it at Amazon
The Avengers – The third highest grossing film of all time is a ton of fun. Joss Whedon was able to pull of the near impossible creating a film that was enjoyed by all. The film must be watched for any comic fan. Get it at Amazon
The Amazing Spider-Man – Some said it was too soon for this reboot, but Andrew Garfield proved he was an excellent choice to fill the spandex as Peter Parker and Spider-Man. The movie is lots of fun with a new villain and a nice updated feel to it. Get it at Amazon
Toys
Have to go with Marvel and DC Universe Lego sets which allow you to play out scenes involving Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and more.
The sets are varied with prices that fit anyone’s budget. There’s even some mini-sets perfect for a stocking-stuffer.
There’s lots more sets coming in 2013, with even more characters for you to play with. The choices are amazing and play is endless. For comic book fans who also enjoy Lego, these are a must!
The Walking Dead Fan
I got to play The Walking Dead Board Game at Gen Con last year and this game is a blast allowing you to play as survivors and zombies. The mechanics are simple enough and the twists that come as team members die will keep folks howling with laughter and fun. The Walking Dead Board Game is available on Amazon.
The Star Wars Fan
A tea infuser that looks like the Death Star? Um, sold! I’ve become a tea fan over the past year, enjoying a cup or two or three while sitting back and reading my latest comic purchases. This is one stylish way to make destroy a planet make a cup of tea. Available at ThinkGeek.
The Doctor Who Fan
This glazed lightweight ceramic pot that’s dishwasher and microwave safe, with a more than 25-ounce capacity is perfect for any Who fan who enjoys some tea while watching the Doctor’s adventures. The tea pot is $39.98 currently at BBC America.
