ComicVine News

Buying gifts for a comic fan can be a daunting task.  Or perhaps you need some suggestions to point family and friends to so they don't buy you socks again.  Here are some of Comic Vine's suggestions to make that special someone in your life feel like a happy little kid.

Trade Paperbacks

Trade Paperbacks are a great way to catch up on missed story arcs.  Other times the stories are so good, they deserve to be collected in one place so they can be read over and over.

Shazam!: The Monster Society of Evil
A retelling of Captain Marvel's origin written and illustrated by Jeff Smith.  True to the roots of Captain Marvel, the story has a feel of innocence that makes it accessible to all readers.  It may look like it's just for kids but it's one of the best Captain Marvel stories I've read in some time.



Bone Volume 1: Out From Boneville
Also from Jeff Smith.  This is what gave him his fame in the comic community.  There is also a Bone: One Volume Edition that collects the entire series.




Amazing Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Vol. 1
A lot of people were set to boycott Spider-Man after the events of One More Day.  It may have been a bad decision to re-boot Spider-Man's universe but in Marvel's defense, there have been some pretty good stories so far.  The three times a month publishing with tighter continuity has been a blessing.


Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War, Vol. 1
Geoff Johns has been doing some great work with the Green Lantern Corps and the characters involved.  The Sinestro Corps War set the stage to change everything about the GL Corps.  Since the story crossed over into different titles, this collection makes it easier to follow all the action.


Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War, Vol. 2
If you're going to buy Volume 1, why not pick up Volume 2 as well?




Essential X-Men, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials) (v. 1)
The Essential books are a great deal.  Some may not like the fact that they're in black and white but it's a good way to get a lot of classic stories at a lower price.  This collection contains Giant Size X-Men #1 along with X-Men #94-119.  Any X-fan should read this stories.



All Star Superman, Vol. 1
Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely deliver Superman stories that aren't stuck in normal continuity.  There are those that aren't too keen on Superman but these stories can change that.  There is also a All Star Superman, Vol. 2.



Superman: Bottle City of Kandor
With the recent events in the Superman titles, there are those that may not be entirely familiar with the story of Kandor.  A classic stories that shouldn't be passed up.



The Death of Captain America, Vol. 1 (v. 1)
Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting have killed off a legend.  The death of Captain America is only the beginning of the story.  The Death of Captain America, Vol. 2 and The Death of Captain America, Vol. 3: The Man Who Bought America (v. 3) are also available.

For the older/mature readers

Comics aren't just for kids.  Where as all of the above can be enjoyed by all ages, there are also comics that contain material that may not be suitable for the younger readers.  These are also essential reading for comic fans.

Fables Vol. 1: Legends in Exile
In a world where Snow White divorced Prince Charming (for cheating on her), familiar characters are now living in secret in the real world.  Driven out by evil forces, the stories are well written with beautiful artwork.  There has also been recent reports of a Fables television show in the works.  There have been several volumes released.  An excellent read.


Unmanned (Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1)
An awesome tale by Brian K. Vaghan and illustrated by Pia Guerra.  When a plague hits wiping out all males except for Yorick Brown, the world is transformed into a world full of different female factions clashing.  Some want to protect Yorick while others wish to kill him.  Y has been collected in ten volumes.  There has been lots of talk of adapting this into a movie.


Powers Vol. 1: Who Killed Retro Girl? (Vol 1)
Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming give us a world of superheroes seen through the eyes of two homicide detectives.  Well written, this series gives a new look at those with super powers.



Wanted - Movie Edition
The inspiration for the movie, the movie edition contains extra features including an interview with the director and cast of the film along with a character dossier.



Watchmen
The movie that everyone is looking forward to.  Watchmen has been known as THE comic story fans should read if they consider themselves a true comic fan.

DVD/Blu-rays

There have been several comic related movies released this year alone.

The Dark Knight (Two-Disc Special Edition + Digital Copy)
Available in different versions including The Dark Knight (+ Digital Copy and BD Live) [Blu-ray] and a The Dark Knight (Widescreen Single-Disc Edition).  One of the best recent superhero movies along with a stellar performance by the late Heath Ledger.



Hellboy II: The Golden Army (3 Disc Special Edition)
A favorite here at Comic Vine, this movie was done the way comic movies should be done.  Everything was dead on.  A definite must-see.




The Incredible Hulk
Ed Norton brings new life into Bruce Banner.  The Hulk has never looked better.




Iron Man (Two-Disc Special Collectors' Edition)
I never thought I would have enjoyed this movie as much as I did.  Jon Favreau does a great job directing while Robert Downey Jr seems as if he was born to play this role.



Wanted (Two-Disc Special Edition)
A great action movie that veered off from the comic.  Highly entertaining.  Also available as Wanted [Blu-ray].

Other Cool Stuff (including some pricey cool stuff)

Marvel Legends Mighty Muggs Series 1 Figure Spider-Man
From the first wave, who could resist this cute version of Spider-Man?  This figure sits on my desk at home and is something my five year old daughter and I fight over.  There have been other figures from other franchises including Indiana Jones Mighty Muggs Indiana Jones and Star Wars Mighty Muggs 6" - Darth Vader.



1940s Captain America Shield Scaled Replica
A 1/6 scale that would look cool on anyone's desk.  It's patriotic too.




Green Lantern Hal Jordan Battery Mini Prop Replica
This is about 8'' tall and even lights up.  Sorry, Green Lantern power ring not included.




STAR WARS BOBA FETT HELMET REPLICA BY MASTER REPLICAS - SIGNATURE EDITION
The helmet from the coolest, baddest bounty hunter in any galaxy.  A smaller (and cheaper)version is also available (Boba Fett Helmet Scaled Replica).




Lego Star Wars Death Star II
Something to keep them busy into the New Year.




Marvel Select Iron Man Action Figure
A cool looking action figure without a lot of...action.  Way cheaper than the sculpted mini statues.




Superman Through the Ages Action Figure Gift Set
Classic versions of the man of steel.




Wonder Woman Tiara, Bracelets and Earrings Prop Replica SetWonder Woman Tiara, Bracelets and Earrings
For the Wonder Woman fans.