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Comics Holiday Gift Guide

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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

‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics

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Witchblade cover

Witchblade, the popular comic series that initially ran from 1995 to 2015 and launched a TV series, is getting resurrected in a new comic series from Top Cow and Image Comics. It’s set to unleash heavy metal, black magic and blood this summer.

Look for the new Witchblade series to launch on July 17, 2024.

In Witchblade #1, “New York City Police Detective Sara Pezzini’s life was forever fractured by her father’s murder. Cold, cunning, and hellbent on revenge, Sara now stalks a vicious criminal cabal beneath the city, where an ancient power collides and transforms her into something wild, magnificent, and beyond her darkest imaginings. How will Sara use this ancient power, or will she be consumed by it?”

The series is penned by NYT Best-Selling writer Marguerite Bennett (AnimosityBatwomanDC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide SquadPower RangersRed Sonja). The creative duo is working with original co-creator Marc Silvestri, who is the CEO of Top Cow Productions Inc. and one of the founders of Image Comics. They are set to reintroduce the series to Witchblade’s enduring fans with “a reimagined origin with contemporary takes on familiar characters and new story arcs that will hook new readers and rekindle the energy and excitement that fueled the 90’s Image Revolution that shaped generations of top creators.”

Bennett said in a statement, “The ability to tell a ferocious story full of monsters, sexuality, vision, and history was irresistible.” She adds, “Our saga is sleek, vicious, ferocious, and has a lot to say about power in the 21st century and will be the first time that we are stopping the roller coaster to let more people on. I’ve loved Witchblade since I was a child, and there is truly no other heroine like Sara with such an iconic legacy and such a rich, brutal relationship to her own body.”

“The Witchblade universe is being modernized to reflect how Marguerite beautifully explores the extreme sides of Sara through memories, her personal thoughts, like desire and hunger, in her solitude and when she is possessed by the Witchblade. So, I had to visually intersect a noir True Detective-like world with a supernatural, horror world that is a fantastic mix between Berserk and Zodiac,” Cafaro stated.

Marc Silvestri notes, “This is brand new mythology around Sara, and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with her and all the twists and turns. Discover Witchblade reimagined this summer, and join us as we bring all the fun of the 90s to the modern age and see how exciting comics can be. I can’t wait for you to read this new series.”

Witchblade#1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 17th, for $4.99 for 48 pages. And it’ll come with multiple cover variants.

  • Cover A: Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover B: Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover C: Blank Sketch Cover

  • Cover D (1/10): Dani and Brad Simpson (Full Color)

  • Cover E (1/25): Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto, Virgin Cover (Full Color)

  • Cover F (1/50): J.Scott Campbell (Full Color)

  • Cover G (1/100): Bill Sienkiewicz. (Full Color)

  • Cover H (1/250): Line art by Marc. Virgin Cover, Inks (B/W)

Witchblade #1 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Witchblade comic panel Witchblade #1 cover image

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