With the holidays quickly approaching it’s time to whip out the wallet and collectively weep as we attempt to please our loved ones for another year. With almost 100 comics releasing every week in the form of issues, trades and hardcovers, it can be extremely difficult to narrow down some worthwhile choices for that troublesome comic book fan on your list. To relieve you of your shopping stress, CGMagazine’s certified comic fanatic, Cole Watson, has put together a list of five diverse books that we think will invoke a warm, emotional response from your favourite comic book enthusiast during this year’s cold holiday season.
Batman: Detective Comics, Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 1
A new force has stealthy breached into Gotham City and is targeting Batman’s most trusted allies. Realizing he can’t take on this threat by himself, the dark knight assembles a new vigilante team with Batwoman, Red Robin, Spoiler, Orphan and even Clay Face, to take the mantle as Gotham’s most powerful protectors.
Why They’ll Love It: Batman: Detective Comics is one of the best new books to come out of DC’s Rebirth launch and its first 16 issues are collected in this beautiful hardcover for bat-fans to enjoy. Each story is full of enjoyable twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats as they turn each page to witness stunning artwork and great writing.
Thor: God of Thunder, Volume 1: The God Butcher
Gods throughout the ages are getting murdered by a mysterious killer. Set during three key eras in his life, Thor must race to uncover the identity of this gruesome God Butcher and stop its vicious schemes before they begin to take their villainous shape.
Why They’ll Love It: While Planet Hulk may be getting all the attention from Marvel fans this holiday season after the release of Thor: Ragnarok, CGMagazine hasn’t forgotten about the Odinson. Jason Aaron is one of the God of Thunder’s definitive writers and has weaved a powerful tale here showcasing the character’s past, present and future. The God Butcher is the first volume and a great jumping on point for fans looking to collect one of Thor’s best runs in comics.
Star Wars: Darth Vader, Volume 1: Imperial Machine
Taking place immediately after the events of Star Wars: Episode III-Revenge of the Sith, Imperial Machine takes readers along with the newly rebuilt Darth Vader on his first adventures as a Lord of the Sith.
Why They’ll Love It: The creative team of Charles Soule and Giuseppe Cammuncoli have expanded the lore of everyone’s favourite Sith lord by going back to Vader’s beginnings as a vulnerable and weakened cyborg. The must-read moment of this book for any Star Wars fans is witnessing Vader’s quest to build his legendary red lightsaber.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Thunderbolt, Vol. 1-3
Mobile Suit Gundam: Thunderbolt is the latest epic side story set in Gundam’s Universal Century. After almost a year of conflict, the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon lock into yet another conflict of mech combat over the dangerous Thunderbolt Sector. This story tells the beginning arc of the bitter rivalry between the two veteran mobile suit pilots, Zeon’s deadly sniper, Daryl Lorenz, and the Federation Ace, Io Fleming.
Why They’ll Love It: Filled to the brim with intense action and drama, Mobile Suit Gundam: Thunderbolt is the perfect gift for a sci-fi comic book fan. Readers don’t need to have read other entries in the franchise for context and the material is extremely addictive despite the dark and gritty tones of this war story.
Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set
Set in Neo-Tokyo during the dystopian future of 2019, Akira tells the powerful sci-fi story of bike gang leader, Kaneda, as he tries to save his friend, Tetsuo, from being the next test subject in a secret governmental project. As the story unfolds, Kaneda and Tetsuo’s ideals clash as Tetsuo begins to manifest supernatural powers and reveals his plans to awaken the powerful entity known as Akira.
Why They’ll Love It: Katsuhiro Otomo’s, Akira, is one of the most influential comic books in history, and to celebrate its 35th anniversary Kodansha Comics has published this limited edition box set release. Packed inside this hefty fold-out box are six hardcover volumes containing the entirety of the story, a hardcover artbook and an exclusive patch. While expensive, this is the definitive release of the manga that is sure to please the most passionate of collectors.
Still unsure about what to get that special someone this Holiday season? For more suggestions, check out the CGMagazine Buyers Guide – Best of 2017 Edition, available for pre-order now, in print and digital formats. Get yours here.
EDITORS NOTE: Retail versions of these comics were purchased by the reviewer for the purposes of this article. You can find additional information about CGMagazine’s ethics and review policies and procedures here.
Liked this article and want to read more like it? Check out Cole Watson’s reviews of Assassin’s Creed Origins and Gundam Versus!
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