It’s been a busy year and it’s time to either (a) help spread the word or (b) reward yourself for getting through another year. And either way, my Annual Yuletide Gift Guide is here to help. Here’s a few ideas for you to chew on, after you’ve chewed on your turkey.
BATMAN: THE DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF THE DARK KNIGHT IN COMICS, FILM AND BEYOND
By Andrew Farago and Gina McIntyre
Insight Editions
This is the type of the book that you start in the morning, and when you look up again it’s bedtime. This lovingly thorough history of Batman touches all the bases, provides new information and is loaded with goodies. I must admit it’s a thrill, for example, to be reading about the Batmobile from 1950s comics, and then to fold-out a set of Batmobile blueprints.
$75.00 • 400 pp. • hardcover • ISBN-10: 1683834372
A MARVELOUS LIFE: THE AMAZING STORY OF STAN LEE
by Danny Fingeroth
This one might be the comic-lovers go-to gift for the 2019 season. Danny Fingeroth takes readers on a deep dive into Stan’s life, stuffing this book with balanced analysis and long-lost stories. It’s a page turner and there’s something for everyone inside.
$29.99 • 400 pp. • Hardcover • ISBN-10: 1250133904
U.S.S. ENTERPRISE NCC-1701-A
Eaglemoss
Wouldn’t it be nice a nice surprise to find out that if destroyed your favorite vehicle, the government built you a new one for free? That’s what happened to this guy from Iowa I know, Jim Kirk. And Eaglemoss has built a cool replica of that vehicle, complete with one of their in-depth magazines. This Enterprise Starship is a perfect holiday gift (I won’t say it’s logical or anything like that) for the Star Trek fans on your life.
And for more ideas, check out the Eaglemoss Gift Guide.
$18.74 collectible • Hand-Painted Die-Cast Metal and ABS Plastic •. Length: Approx. 5.51 inches
HORIZONTAL COLLABORATION
Written by Navie Art by Carole Maurel
Korero Press
I wrote about this book a few weeks ago. And this historical thriller has really stuck with me. Navie weaves an innovative story that invites the reader to know more about the characters. Definitely worth a look for Francophiles and for WWII buffs.
$27.95 • 144 pp. • Hardcover, Full Color • ISBN-10: 191274001X
ROD SERLING HIS LIFE, WORK AND IMAGINATION
By Nick Parisi
University of Mississippi Press
I got know author Nick Parisi a bit this past year. He clearly has a passion for all things Rod Serling, and that shines through in this stellar biography. There’s a lot to learn about, and from, Serling – and Parisi serves it all up in a way that’s engaging rather than overwhelming. And while this is a hefty book, I have to tell you it’s a pretty quick read.
$39.00 • 541 pp. • hardcover • ISBN-10: 1496817508
FRESH HELL IN FITS
by Steve Cerio
The brilliant creator Steve Cerio is back with another trippy book. This gallery artist came of age in the NYC Comix scene. His newest book is subtitled “A False History of The Residents”, but the imaginative illustrations appeal to art lovers beyond that band’s fan base. Fresh Hell in Fits is also available as a specially signed collector’s edition complete with extra goodies.
This book is best found at the Psychofon Records site: https://www.psychofonrecords.com
$ various levels • 40 pp. • paperback • SKU: EBM-02
SHOCK, VOL.2
Anthology by Marguerite Bennett, Cullen Bunn, Jim Starlin, Francesco Francavilla and more
Aftershock
The publisher Aftershock released quite a few cool series this year. One of the recent ones, You Are Obsolete, is a creepy favorite and I’m really looking forward to The Man Who F#%&ed Up Time.
This anthology, the second volume in their Shock series, is a hardcover anthology, quite different from their usual 5 issues comic series. But it’s similar in that it’s packed with top-notch talent, folks like Jamal Igle, Garth Ennis, Marguerite Bennett, Cullen Bunn, Jim Starlin, Francesco Francavilla and more.
$34.99 • 160 pp. • hardcover • ISBN-10: 1949028100
A COMPANY OF SHADOWS
by Wayne Carey with interior illustrations by Ed Catto
Airship 27
I contributed the interior illustrations to this one, but I must say that author Wayne Carey created a wonderful thriller, all about lost loves, lost weekends and unexpected ghosts. The protagonist is educator Frank Blaine, who is struggling with what may or may not be a mid-life crisis. This guy spends his weekends reenacting Civil War battles with his son and his beer buddies. A Company of Shadows would be fun to read when visiting a historical battleground like Gettysburg (as we used to when our middle daughter went to college there) or in front of the fireplace.
$16.99 174 pp. • paperback • ISBN-10: 1946183539
Available at comic shops, fine bookstores and Amazon
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Here’s wishing you all a wonderful Yuletide, gang!
