Don’t know what to buy for the geek in your family? Tired of waiting in stupid Black Friday lines, just to find out what you wanted so badly was sold out anyway? Having a hard time trying to figure out how to spend all those gift cards you’re going to get?
We’re here to help! Ideology of Madness figured out the best goodies that came out this year, and the ones that would make the best gifts for you and your geekish brethren! Don’t see something you want to suggest? Leave a note and a link in the comments! We’ll do a follow up with the best suggestions!
So without further ado, we present to you…
The Rocketeer: The Complete Deluxe Edition (IDW)
I LOVE The Rocketeer comic series. No matter your thoughts on the movie, the late Dave Stevens’ excellent comic series was one of the finest examples of the medium. This deluxe edition combines The Rocketeer and The Rocketeer: Cliff’s New York Adventure “into a single volume, completely re-colored, as per Dave Stevens’ wishes, by renowned colorist Laura Martin. The best possible reproduction and the highest production values will ensure that this is the definitive Rocketeer collection. Additionally, hundreds of drawings, sketches, and preliminaries by Dave Stevens, nearly all published here for the very first time, will make this a very special book.”
Return to Wonderland (Zenescope)
Man … if you’re not reading Raven Gregory’s Wonderland series, you’re missing out on some of the best horror that comics have to offer! The first part of the trilogy, Return to Wonderland, features a mentally unstable (and now adult) Alice dealing with the trauma of Wonderland as it comes back to haunt her daughter Calie. Great, great stuff, and the hardcover edition is GORGEOUS (and on sale this weekend! Buy it here!) While you’re at it, do yourself a favor and pick up the sequel, Beyond Wonderland also.
Secret Warriors, Vol. I: Nick Fury – Agent of Nothing (Marvel)
Easily, Marvel’s best book on the stands right now. Jonathan Hickman and Brian Michael Bendis team up to create a tale of superhero espionage like we haven’t seen since Steranko took on Nick Fury all those many years ago. The art by Stefano Caselli (Hack/Slash) is stellar, and this book is not only important to the Marvel U, it’s intense, action-packed…and it’s got Nick emm effin’ Fury! What else do you need! Buy at Amazon, or your local funnybook shop.
Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War Vol. I and II (DC)
Event comics done right. The Sinestro Corps War put Green Lantern on the map in a way that had been building up since Rebirth, also written by Geoff Johns. The Sinestro Corps War officially made DC’s Trinity garner a new member, as Hal Jordan takes his place amongst the greats. This book is riveting, beautiful, and damn good superhero comics like we rarely see. Vol. I and Vol. II are available at Amazon, or at your local funnybook shop.
Bone: The One-Volume Edition signed by Jeff Smith (Cartoon Books)
Only available until Nov. 30th, this chance to get the one-volume edition, at cover price, signed by the creator is truly something special. Bone is probably the greatest American comic of the last twenty years, and will go down as one of the classics. This edition is $40 for over 1300 pages of material, printed in the original black and white. If you haven’t picked up Bone from our numerous recommendations already, do it now. Boneville.com is the place to get it.
Chew, Vol. I: Taster’s Choice (Image)
If you’ve heard us talk on Funnybooks with Aron and Paulie about how much we love this title, than now’s the perfect time to pick up the trade of the quirky series first 5 issues. Like an HBO show, Chew features violence, sex, and grossness that you don’t often see in a comic book, but mixed with a quirky humor that makes it all the more awesome. Tony Chu is a cibopath, which means he gets psychic premonitions from whatever he eats … whatever he eats. This special collection is value priced at a mere $10 bucks!
Winter’s Eve/Blackthorn Asylum (Nox Arcana)
Nox Arcana gets the rap as making good Halloween music, but really, their music can be played all year ’round, especially excellent albums like Winter’s Eve and Blackthorn Asylum. Two VERY different albums, Winter’s Eve is more of a fantasy-based musical arrangement, whereas Blackthorn Asylum is definitely something to listen to when you’re hoping for something that sounds like it came from a horror movie. The perfect gift for people who like fantasy, video game music, or movie scores.
Star Trek (Michael Giacchino)
We reviewed this on our first Trek week. A great album that gets even better on repeat listenings, the new Trek score is majectic and heroic, and will remind you of your favorite scenes in one of 2009’s best movies.
The Resistance (Muse)
Muse’s newest album, The Resistance, may not rock as much as their last outing, but this epic CD will bring you back to the glory day’s of Queen with it’s beautiful vocals and awesome musical arrangement. Seriously, this is a strong homage to Queen, and if you loved that band (and who didn’t?), you owe it to yourself to give The Resistance a shot. The final 3-part symphony of the album is absolutely amazing.
Beggars (Thrice)
There’s one thing that can be said for Thrice…they like to mix things up. Their last album was actually a four-part concept album based around the elements (Earth, Wind, Fire, Water) with VERY different feels for each. Their newest effort, Beggars, they go with an much more organic feel, presenting an album that showcases the awesome vocal work of the lead singer, and the talents of the musicians in the group. Give a couple of songs a listen at the official site.
Sci-Fi Crimes (Chevelle)
Hard rock at its finest. Sure, Chevelle can be an uneven band, but Sci-Fi Crimes is probably their strongest album to date, and features some heavy hitting rock, and some great lyrics.
Star Trek Blu-Ray
Do you need to be told how great this film is again? And what better way to watch it than in Blu-Ray, with the opportunity to check out some terrific deleted scenes, including the much-touted Klingon scene (which is pretty good, actually).
Monster Squad Blu-Ray
F*ck. Yes.
Star Trek: The Next Generation Motion Picture Collection Blu-Ray
Sure, the films may not be the greatest, but no Trekker’s collection is complete without these films, and in their blu-ray presentation, they are absolutely stunning. Excellent special features exclusive to this set, and a chance to watch First Contact in high definition? Sign me up!
Supernatural Season 4 Blu-Ray
Right now, Supernatural is deep into its fifth season, and the set up for what is happening now started in the fourth season with the return of a character from the dead, and the introduction to the angels that have been prevalent since. Great TV, and the fact that they’re releasing them in high definition makes me a happy fan. Some of the best episodes of the series are in this season!
Transformers: 25th Anniversary Matrix Of Leadership Edition
This awesome bad boy includes the complete Transformers series, all 98 restored episodes, new interviews, exclusive featurettes, concept art, archival Hasbro toy commercials, printable scripts and much more! This set also includes a collectible 60-page book and Autobot and Decepticon magnets.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (Ps3)
One of the best video games of ALL TIME. Period. This game is the reason to own the Ps3, and is probably one of the most rewarding single player experiences ever, with a multiplayer component that everyone has been talking about. A must own.
Left 4 Dead 2 (Xbox 360)
Because nothing’s more fun that shooting some zombies.
Batman: Arkham Asylum (Ps3/Xbox 360)
Sadly, I still don’t own this game…but it’s on my Christmas list. The highest rated superhero video game of all time, Arkham Asylum is Batman the way he was intended to be – dark, gritty, and kick ass!
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (Ps3/Xbox 360)
Though not a huge advance from the first game, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 allows you to play through the Marvel storyline for Civil War, as Iron Man and his pro-registration forces take on Captain America and his anti-registration team. Play as more Marvel heroes than you can shake an excelsior at!
Retro Duo Twin Video Game System NES & SNES
Yes, this is exactly what it looks like – a system that plays both NES and SNES video games! You can still find tons of games for the systems on the cheap, and this is probably the best chance you’re going to have (outside of an emulator) to play them in all of their original glory!