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
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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