By Andrew A. Smith
Tribune Content Agency
Worried that you won’t be able to find the perfect gift for the fanboy or fangirl in your family this holiday season? Fret not, O mundane one, and simply consult the Captain Comics Holiday Gift Guide below!
First, let’s assume you’re fabulously wealthy, with an Uncle Scrooge money bin where you can swim around in your cash like a porpoise. In that case, your obvious choice is to buy a life-size Marvel movie figure from Bluefin (http://www.bluefincorp.com/catalog/beast-kingdom/life-size-figure.html).
Now, you can putter about with the cheap stuff, like the life-size Thor from Avengers: Age of Ultron ($7,100), the Iron Man Mark 42 from Iron Man 3 ($8,500) or the Captain America from Captain America: The Winter Soldier ($9,000). All quite imposing.
But why fool around? Go right for the big guns: the Avengers: Age of Ultron Hulk ($15,000) and Iron Man in his Hulkbuster armor ($18,000). Build a life-size diorama of their battle from the movie for only $33,000! Constructed from detailed fiberglass with LED lights and bases that light up, the combined weight of the figures – which stand 9 feet tall – is a measly 2,100 pounds. (Forklift not included.)
Oh, wait. If you’re reading this column, you probably don’t have an Uncle Scrooge money bin. So let’s move down the economic scale a bit.
Keeping with our movie theme, how about the DC Comics Book and DVD/Blu-Ray Slipcase Set ($145.99)? This huge collection features six graphic novels plus the animated movies based on those GNs, namely Batman: Black and White, Death of Superman, Batman: Year One, Justice League: Origin, JLA: Earth 2 and Wonder Woman: Gods and Mortal. That’s a pretty classy package that can stand on your bookshelf for all to admire.
Do you prefer the Marvel movies? On Dec. 8 Amazon will release the “Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Two Collection” ($249.99). The 13-disc Blu-ray set includes all the Marvel movies that were released after Avengers through the present, consisting of Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Ant-Man. The set includes more than two hours of extra content, including deleted scenes, screen tests and the complete set of Marvel One-Shot films.
As you may have heard, Marvel’s Phase Three will include a film titled Captain America: Civil War. That movie should tell, in condensed form, a huge “event” story Marvel published a few years ago by the same name, in which the U.S. Congress of the Marvel Universe passed a law forcing all superheroes to unmask and register with the government. Captain America found this a gross violation of civil liberties and refused to cooperate, drawing others of like mind to support him. Iron Man, on the other hand, thought it was a pretty good idea, and drew others of like mind to his side – which set about trying to arrest the first side. Hi-jinks, and by that I mean fisticuffs, ensued for many, many issues.
Sound interesting? Marvel thinks so, as it’s publishing an 11-volume boxed set of all the major Civil War series in March of 2016 ($500). Yes, that’s a lot of money, and it won’t be out in time for Christmas. But for a set that big, a promissory note might be acceptable.
Prefer non-Marvel characters? As it happens, a clutch of them debuted in 1940 – exactly 75 years ago. So DC is publishing 75th anniversary collections of Captain Marvel, Catwoman, Flash, Green Lantern, Justice Society of America, Lex Luthor, Robin and The Spirit, with representative stories from their many decades of publication. (Oddly, The Joker also debuted in 1940, but for some reason his 75th anniversary book was published last year, on his 74th birthday.) The books vary in size and price, but they’re treasure troves for hard-core comics fans.
OK, all that reading might be bad for your eyes. So how about some non-print DC goodies? For example, DC’s been publishing a line of “Bombshells” statues, re-imaging some of their classic female characters as if they were archetypes from the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s – like nightclub chanteuse, two-fisted archaeologist or aviatrix. The Wonder Woman Bombshells statue (a circus strong-woman) is available in holiday colors this year, as is the Harley Quinn Bombshells statue (department store elf), for $124.95 each.
Or maybe you like the TV shows based on DC properties. Then check your local comics shop for a Flash or Det. James Gordon statue ($129.95 each); an Arrow Season 1 paperweight ($50); police badges from Central City, Gotham City, or Starling City ($29.95 each); or the iZombie Omnibus ($75.00).
You might also want to check out the statue of today’s collegiate Batgirl ($129.95) – not because it has anything to do with TV, but because it’s just really cute.
Too much Marvel and DC? Well, you might have heard there’s a movie coming in December from long, long ago and a galaxy far, far away, and there’s plenty of stocking stuffers to support it. Marvel Comics, for example, is publishing new collections, like Star Wars Vol. 1: Skywalker Strikes ($19.95), as well as collections of their older material (from the 1970s and ‘80s) in a variety of formats.
Then there’s the home of all things nerdy, Think Geek (thinkgeek.com). They have every conceivable Star Wars item, from a Han Solo-frozen-in-carbonite refrigerator ($149.95) to a Death Star Bluetooth speaker ($59.99) to a Chewbacca hoodie ($69.99) to an R2-D2 cupcake pan ($19.99).
Which is not to suggest Think Geek limits itself to Star Wars. You can also find items for other varieties of geekery, including a Doctor Who sonic screwdriver ($99.99), Star Trek: The Next Generation uniform shirts ($59.99 each) or a Game of Thrones dragonclaw goblet ($29.99).
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Walk into any comics shop, and there will be something for every fanboy or fangirl on your list.
Do they like Orphan Black? IDW has just released the first volume of its new series, collecting issues #1-5 ($19.99). How about H.P. Lovecraft? Try the Cthulhu Molded Mug ($16.99). Did I mention Game of Thrones? Parker Bros. has just released a new GoT Monopoly game ($59.99).
Nightmare Before Christmas is represented this year by a Jack Skellington coffin doll ($59.99). For the occult minded, there’s the Justice League tarot deck ($24.95). And if Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown is a favorite show in your household, try his graphic novels, Get Jiro and Get Jiro: Blood & Sushi ($22.99 each).
Lastly, if The Sandman is one of your favorite series, you’re really in luck this year. Neil Gaiman has written a new miniseries, a prelude to the famous saga, which has been collected as The Sandman: Overture Deluxe Edition ($24.95). If that’s not enough to scratch the Sandman itch, famed artist Kevin Nowlan has designed, and sculptor Phil Ramirez has sculpted, a Sandman chess set ($249.95).
So don’t worry about the perfect gift for your fanboy or fangirl. Just get ‘em all!
Reach Captain Comics by email (capncomics@aol.com), the Internet (comicsroundtable.com), Facebook (Captain Comics Round Table) or Twitter (@CaptainComics).
1. The holiday-themed Wonder Woman Bombshells statue substitutes red and green for her usual patriotic colors. Copyright DC Entertainment Inc.
2. The Civil War Box Set Slipcase edition collects Marvel’s mammoth “Civil War” storyline for a mammoth price of $500. Copyright Marvel Entertainment Inc.
By Andrew A. Smith
901-680-8115
Worried that you won’t be able to find the perfect gift for the fanboy or fangirl in your family this holiday season? Fret not, O mundane one, and simply consult the Captain Comics Holiday Gift Guide below!
First, let’s assume you’re fabulously wealthy, with an Uncle Scrooge money bin where you can swim around in your cash like a porpoise. In that case, your obvious choice is to buy a life-size Marvel movie figure from Bluefin (http://www.bluefincorp.com/catalog/beast-kingdom/life-size-figure.html).
Now, you can putter about with the cheap stuff, like the life-size Thor from “Avengers: Age of Ultron” ($7,100), the Iron Man Mark 42 from “Iron Man 3” ($8,500) or the Captain America from “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” ($9,000). All quite imposing.
But why fool around? Go right for the big guns: the “Avengers: Age of Ultron” Hulk ($15,000) and Iron Man in his Hulkbuster armor ($18,000). Build a life-size diorama of their battle from the movie for only $33,000! Constructed from detailed fiberglass with LED lights and bases that light up, the combined weight of the figures – which stand 9 feet tall – is a measly 2,100 pounds. (Forklift not included.)
Oh, wait. If you’re reading this column, you probably don’t have an Uncle Scrooge money bin. So let’s move down the economic scale a bit.
Keeping with our movie theme, how about the DC Comics Book and DVD/Blu-Ray Slipcase Set ($145.99)? This huge collection features six graphic novels plus the animated movies based on those GNs, namely “Batman: Black and White,” “Death of Superman,” “Batman: Year One,” “Justice League: Origin,” “JLA: Earth 2” and “Wonder Woman: Gods and Mortal.” That’s a pretty classy package that can stand on your bookshelf for all to admire.
Do you prefer the Marvel movies? On Dec. 8 Amazon will release the “Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Two Collection” ($249.99). The 13-disc Blu-ray set includes all the Marvel movies that were released after “Avengers” through the present, consisting of “Iron Man 3,” “Thor: The Dark World,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Ant-Man.” The set includes more than two hours of extra content, including deleted scenes, screen tests and the complete set of Marvel One-Shot films.
As you may have heard, Marvel’s Phase Three will include a film titled “Captain America: Civil War.” That movie should tell, in condensed form, a huge “event” story Marvel published a few years ago by the same name, in which the U.S. Congress of the Marvel Universe passed a law forcing all superheroes to unmask and register with the government. Captain America found this a gross violation of civil liberties and refused to cooperate, drawing others of like mind to support him. Iron Man, on the other hand, thought it was a pretty good idea, and drew others of like mind to his side – which set about trying to arrest the first side. Hi-jinks, and by that I mean fisticuffs, ensued for many, many issues.
Sound interesting? Marvel thinks so, as it’s publishing an 11-volume boxed set of all the major Civil War series in March of 2016 ($500). Yes, that’s a lot of money, and it won’t be out in time for Christmas. But for a set that big, a promissory note might be acceptable.
Prefer non-Marvel characters? As it happens, a clutch of them debuted in 1940 – exactly 75 years ago. So DC is publishing 75th anniversary collections of Captain Marvel, Catwoman, Flash, Green Lantern, Justice Society of America, Robin and The Spirit, with representative stories from their many decades of publication. (Oddly, The Joker also debuted in 1940, but for some reason his 75th anniversary book was published last year, on his 74th birthday.) The books vary in size and price, but they’re treasure troves for hard-core comics fans.
OK, all that reading might be bad for your eyes. So how about some non-print DC goodies? For example, DC’s been publishing a line of “Bombshells” statues, re-imaging some of their classic female characters as if they were archetypes from the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s – like nightclub chanteuse, two-fisted archaeologist or aviatrix. The Wonder Woman Bombshells statue (a circus strong-woman) is available in holiday colors this year, as is the Harley Quinn Bombshells statue (department store elf), for $124.95 each.
Or maybe you like the TV shows based on DC properties. Then check your local comics shop for a Flash or Det. James Gordon statue ($129.95 each); an Arrow Season 1 paperweight ($50); police badges from Central City, Gotham City, or Starling City ($29.95 each); or the “iZombie Omnibus” ($75.00).
You might also want to check out the statue of today’s collegiate Batgirl ($129.95) – not because it has anything to do with TV, but because it’s just really cute.
Too much Marvel and DC? Well, you might have heard there’s a movie coming in December from long, long ago and a galaxy far, far away, and there’s plenty of stocking stuffers to support it. Marvel Comics, for example, is publishing new collections, like “Star Wars Vol. 1: Skywalker Strikes” ($19.95), as well as collections of their older material (from the 1970s and ‘80s) in a variety of formats.
Then there’s the home of all things nerdy, Think Geek (thinkgeek.com). They have every conceivable Star Wars item, from a Han Solo-frozen-in-carbonite refrigerator ($149.95) to a Death Star Bluetooth speaker ($59.99) to a Chewbacca hoodie ($69.99) to an R2-D2 cupcake pan ($19.99).
Which is not to suggest Think Geek limits itself to Star Wars. You can also find items for other varieties of geekery, including a Doctor Who sonic screwdriver ($99.99), Star Trek: The Next Generation uniform shirts ($59.99 each) or a Game of Thrones dragonclaw goblet ($29.99).
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Walk into any comics shop, and there will be something for every fanboy or fangirl on your list.
Do they like “Orphan Black”? IDW has just released the first volume of its new series, collecting issues #1-5 ($19.99). How about H.P. Lovecraft? Try the Cthulhu Molded Mug ($16.99). Did I mention Game of Thrones? Parker Bros. has just released a new GoT Monopoly game ($59.99).
“Nightmare Before Christmas” is represented this year by a Jack Skellington coffin doll ($59.99). For the occult minded, there’s the Justice League tarot deck ($24.95). And if Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown” is a favorite show in your household, try his graphic novels, “Get Jiro” and “Get Jiro: Blood & Sushi” ($22.99 each).
Lastly, if “The Sandman” is one of your favorite series, you’re really in luck this year. Neil Gaiman has written a new miniseries, a prelude to the famous saga, which has been collected as “The Sandman: Overture Deluxe Edition” ($24.95). If that’s not enough to scratch the Sandman itch, famed artist Kevin Nowlan has designed, and sculptor Phil Ramirez has sculpted, a Sandman chess set ($249.95).
So don’t worry about the perfect gift for your fanboy or fangirl. Just get ‘em all!
Reach Captain Comics by email (capncomics@aol.com), the Internet (comicsroundtable.com), Facebook (Captain Comics Round Table) or Twitter (@CaptainComics).
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