Looking for some ideas for the comics fan in your life? It can be tricky to buy them actual comic books without knowing what they already have in their collection. So we have some different suggestions for you. Our holiday gift guide for comic fans does include a few graphic novels and trade collections, but we also have plenty of comic book adjacent items.
Shopping for a different kind of nerd? Try our other gift guides.
The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Marvel’s Infinity Saga featured 23 films. That’s countless hours of production and behind-the-scenes work. This new set from Tara Bennett and Paul Terry goes back to the beginning to look at how Marvel Studios started. Packed with photos, interviews, and production history for each film, this is the definitive gift for the MCU diehard on your list.
Ahh, imagine gifting someone the ability to sip from a mug featuring Venom and his tongue. This Mondo tiki design can hold 40 ounces of your favorite beverage or symbiotic fluid. We do not ask questions and we do not judge.
For an emotional, poignant YA graphic novel, turn to Trung Le Nguyen’s The Magic Fish. From our review, this sprawling yet intimate story juxtaposes fairy tales and the everyday to tell the story of Tien, a young boy trying to work out how to tell his parents that he’s gay.”
Superman: The Complete Animated Series
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Superman: The Complete Animated Series; Warner Bros. and DC celebrated with this Blu-ray collection. This set features all 54 episodes, remastered to best showcase the iconic animation. Plus this set has hours of bonus features, including as an all-new featurette, “Superman: Timeless Icon.”
The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor
A bookworm protagonist who loves Gothic romance novels gets swept into a Gothic manor in this haunting graphic novel by writer Shaenon K. Garrity and illustrator Christopher Baldwin. Though geared towards a younger audience, it’s a delightful story for any age—especially for anyone who likes Gothic tales.
With The Sandman coming to Netflix in the near future, it’s a wonderful time to introduce a comics fan on your list to the Neil Gaiman-penned series. The comics in the original series came out in the late ’80s through the mid-90s, so even if someone read them decades ago, this could be a good ol’ reintroduction.
Batman: Eyes on Gotham 1000 piece puzzle
We cannot make a comics gift guide and not mention Batman: The Animated Series. It’s physically impossible. We’re guessing the Batman fans you know probably already own the series, but what about a puzzle? This design by artist Jerrod Maruyama for Bottleneck Gallery shows off Batman’s rogues’ gallery.
Netflix recently dropped season two of its adaptation of the comic Locke & Key. The comic book series from writer Joe Hill and illustrator Gabriel Rodríguez has, as you might guess, a number of keys. And Skelton Crew Studios has lovingly made replicas of several of them.
The DC Book: A Vast and Vibrant Multiverse Simply Explained
Dropping later in November, this book by Stephen Wiacek opens the door to the DC Multiverse. Whether shopping for a casual comic book fan who likes the DC Comics movies or a long-time DC Comics reader, this book sounds like a helpful guide through the ever-evolving Multiverse.
Marvel Legends Pirate Deadpool
Deadpool. Pirate outfit. This action figure sells itself. It’s a fun six inch Marvel Legends collectible that your gift recipient probably doesn’t have yet.
