Comics
Comics Holiday Gift Guide
The big day is just a week away, and I know a lot of you have yet to complete your holiday shopping. Lucky for you, we’ve sifted through all the comics, trades, toys, and collectables so you don’t have to. The BD Comic Book Crew (as we are henceforth to be known) has put together a naughty list of (mostly new) gift ideas for the comic lovers in your life. It ranges from Christmas tree ornaments to compendiums to charitable donations. Without further adieu, The 2012 Comics Gift Guide.
The Comics
I, Vampire Vol. 1: Tainted Love – DC Comics
List Price: $14.99 Order Here.
“I, Vampire” has been an unsung hero of DC’s relaunch. It takes vampire romanticism back to its roots, from a writer who is a diehard fan of the genre. Damned vampire romance, vampire armies, Batman, and enough plot twists to make your nipples hurt, “I, Vampire” is a must.
The Walking Dead: Compendium Two – Image Comics
List Price: $59.99 Order Here.
This big boy collects issues #49–96 of Robert Kirkman’s “The Walking Dead”. If you’ve got a Dead-head in your life, this massive volume of apocalyptic drama is sure to please.
Sandman Slipcase Set – Neil Gaiman – Vertigo Comics
List Price: $199.99 Order Here.
All ten volumes of Neil Gaiman’s inimitable horror series together in a special slipcase set from Vertigo. With the approach of the new “Sandman Zero” series, this should be flying off the shelves.
Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft Special Edition – Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez – IDW
List Price: $100.00 (limited quantities) Order Here.
“Locke & Key” is one of the best horror series, period. Even if you don’t read comics, this is a gripping story of family, darkness, and loss that really gets at the heart of the genre. Joe Hill, like his father, is a master of empathy, and “Locke & Key” is his masterpiece. IDW Limited has put together a wicked oversized edition of volume 1 so you can fully enjoy Gabriel Rodriguez’s art. The Special Edition also contains Joe Hill’s complete scripts.
Animal Man Vol. 1 and Swamp Thing Vol. 1 – DC Comics
List Price: $14.99 Each Order Here and Here.
“Animal Man” and “Swamp Thing” belong together. If you read one, you will want to read the other. The books run along the same timeline (they are currently in the midst of a massive crossover event). While they may sound like 80s wash ups, writers Jeff Lemire and Scott Snyder have infused life into these beasts. Superhero horror at it’s finest.
Monocyte – menton 3 and Kasra Ghanbari – IDW
List Price: $49.99 Order Here
If you want a book that you might not fully understand but will make you think, get “Monocyte”. Taking place in the distant future, humanity has lost everything, and two immortal races have taken over. It’s dark, deep, scientific, and packed with unbelievably gorgeous artwork from menton3.
Hellboy Library Edition, Vol. 5 – Mike Mignola – Dark Horse
List Price: $49.99 Order Here
Mike Mignola’s “Hellboy” is a modern day Lovecraftian adventure that is never dull. The red hellspawn with a fist of fury defends against everything paranormal you could imagine. Whether you’re new to Hellboy or you’re a member of the B.P.R.D. these Library Editions are perfect.
The Dark Knight Returns – Frank Miller – DC Comics
List Price: $19.99 Order Here
As both satire and social commentary, “The Dark Knight Returns” is quintessential classic for any Batman and comic book fan. It’s always a great gift for the not-so avid readers in your life. Frank Miller and Klaus Janson deliver a thought-provoking and action-packed tale about a semi-retired Bruce Wayne questioning whether he put back on the cape and cowl.
The Art of Todd McFarlane-The Devil Is In The Details – Image Comics
List Price: $64.99 Order Here
Any fan knows Todd McFarlane changed the comic book scene with his work on “The Hulk,” “Spider-Man,” and “Spawn.” Take an in-depth look at McFarlane’s unique artwork over the years.
The Strain Vol. 1 – David Lapham and Mike Huddleston – Dark Horse
List Price: $19.99 Order Here
Adapated from the novel series by Chuck Hogan and Guillermo del Toro, this first volume of Dark Horse’s “The Strain” is one of the best adaptations of the year. It’s a real novel take on the whole vampire thing that will get you wet with those long, blood-sucking tongues.
Saga Vol. 1 – Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples – Image Comics
List Price: $9.99 Order Here
If you don’t know what this is, buy it. Buy it for everyone you know. Hell, buy them each two copies.
Revival Vol. 1 – Tim Seeley and Mike Norton – Image Comics
List Price: $12.99 Order Here
Tim Seeley, the man who brought you “Hack/Slash”, imagines zombies in a new way in “Revival”. It can be tough to find a book for zombie fans that they haven’t already got their paws on, but “Revival” is no “Walking Dead”, and it sure as hell ain’t no “Zombie Survival Guide”.
Crab Queen – Jimmy Palmiotti and Artiz Eiguren – Image Comics
List Price: $12.99 Order Here
Jimmy Palmiotti’s most bizarre work, “Queen Crab” is described as a mix between David Lynch and Stephen King. It flew a bit under the radar this year as a Kickstarter project, but don’t let that fool you. If you’re looking for a weird, disturbing tale about life in your 20s, look no further.
Comixology Sales
List Price: Varies Order Here
If you’re strapped for time and cash, there are a lot of blowout sales for the holidays on comiXology.
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Toys, Clothing, and Collectables
Hallmark Ornaments
List Price: Varies Order Here
This collection is pretty bomb. Might be a little late for these this year, but they can always go on the tree next year. They’ve Star Wars, DC, and Marvel Ornaments for all those nerds in your life.
Superherostuff.com
List Price: Varies Order Here
SuperHeroStuff.com has so many things! I can’t even single anything out. Whether you dig Marvel or DC, shirts or mugs, they’ve got it all. It’s a good thing they have a holiday gift guide. CLICKITY CLICK.
DC Cover Girls Collectable
List Price: Varies Order Here
Who doesn’t like statues of the finest heroines in the DCU. They look good on a shelf, and if you’re really weird, I know a certain subreddit you can post to for mad karma.
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The Charitable Route
Buying items from not-for-profit comic corporations can directly help people and institutions in need. Most of them hold fundraisers as well with sweet limited edition prints and original artwork.
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
CBLDF could always use more help to fight free speech/censorship issues in comics. It has a store where you can buy limited edition stuff (such as a special cover of “Saga” #7), and your money will help out people who need it.
Hero Initiative
Hero Initiative is a charity that helps comic creators in need.
Buy Original Art
It’s a good idea to stalk an artist’s social networking accounts and official website, because more often than not, they’re going to be offering/selling personal pieces that won’t be available in regular stores. Hitting up specific vendors is key when buying comics related stuff, but going directly to the source for a chance to purchase hidden gems from the artist, personally, is a lot cooler. Especially because there will probably be many that’ll be offering holiday-related goodies.
Comics
‘You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive’ – IDW Dark’s Next Horror Comic Will Make You Question Reality
Five friends. Four houses. One perfect life. Bloody Disgusting is excited to exclusively announce You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive, a brand new horror comic from IDW Dark.
From Eisner-Nominated writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, and rising horror artist Heather Vaughan, You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive is described as a “paranoia-laced, socially-conscious, horror mystery that will leave you questioning reality, and reveal that this crafted world is more of a nightmare than the idealistic dream they were expecting.”
Phoebe Joplin has never questioned the world her parents built: a secluded community where she and her friends were raised to be smarter, stronger, and better than anyone else. No distractions. No dangers. No secrets. Until the night of their graduation.
When one of them dies under impossible circumstances, Phee starts to pull at the edges of her perfect life—and what she finds is something far more terrifying than she ever imagined.
Because this place isn’t a sanctuary. It’s a cage. And no one who discovers the truth ever leaves it alive.
Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing (Batman – One Bad Day: Clayface, Star Trek: The Last Starship) co-write the upcoming IDW Dark horror comic, featuring art by Heather Vaughan.
Jackson Lanzing said in a statement to Bloody Disgusting, “You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive is in many ways a spiritual successor to our last creator-owned horror, The Principles of Necromancy – a dive into the promise and consequence of playing god with the blood of innocents. But the Hivemind book this reminds me of most is Clayface: One Bad Day. This is a deeply human story with intensely raw emotions – five best friends and their five mysterious parents, tearing one another apart for the promise of some impossible glory that’s waiting just beyond their darkest actions. We’re thrilled to be bringing this story to life with our long-time partner in crime, editor Heather Antos, at IDW Dark – and we’re particularly excited to give our Clayface fans a new, brutal and emotional horror made just for them.”
Adds Collin Kelly, “We’re deconstructing a feeling that seems universal these days; our elders have a death grip on their power, without any intention of giving it up to the generations that come next. YNLTPA is about growing up with the limitless potential of the future… and realizing how much it’s a lie we’ve been fed to keep us under the yoke of the past. Bringing this brutal experience to life is our artist and co-creator, Heather Vaughan, who brings an incredible amount of humanity to our cast. But it’s in our youthful leads that Heather’s art really shines – you are going to fall in love with these young people, even as they go through the worst experience of their lives. What we’ve all crafted together is going to be tragic, painful, but above all else, sincere – with a future so uncertain, there’s only one thing we can trust: you’ll never leave this place alive.”
“Some horror stories are about monsters in the dark. YNLTPA is about realizing the monsters raised you,” previews Senior Group Editor Heather Antos. “Working with Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly on this series has been a dream in the darkest possible way. They’ve built a story that’s layered, brutal, and deeply emotional, and every issue gives artist Heather Vaughan opportunities to push the art into places that feel both haunting and deeply personal. Some horror comics will keep you up at night…this is one that will stick with you for years to come.”
The first issue of You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive goes on sale October 14, 2026! Make sure to pre-order at your local comic shop by September to guarantee a copy.
Exclusively check out the various covers for Issue #1 down below.
IDW Publishing’s horror imprint IDW DARK features comics like A Quiet Place: Storm Warning, Smile: For the Camera, The Exorcism at 1600 Penn, Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees, The Twilight Zone, Event Horizon: Dark Descent & Event Horizon: Inferno, and more.
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