As we head into the last few days of potential holiday buying, we’ve got a list of some excellent comic and related titles to take a look at. Combined with JP Fallavollita’s columns, you should have no trouble finding something for the comic lover in your life.
Madman Library Editions 5 and 6
2024 saw the conclusion of Dark Horse Comics’ glorious, gorgeous compilation of Mike Allred’s legendary Madman comics. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it here, and I’ll absolutely say it again – Dark Horse delivers the highest quality hardcover books in the business, for my eyes. If the person you’re buying for has been keeping up with the series of books, well, then these two titles are no brainers.
The Madman comics universe continues with over 490 pages drawn by legendary comics creator Michael Allred and friends in this true homage to superhero fiction, metaphysical philosophy, 1950s science fiction films, rock and roll pop music, and much more!
Volume 5 collects and continues the hit Madman Library Edition series, collecting rare and early work such as It Girl and the Atomics, Dead Air, The Everyman, Crash Metro and the Star Squad as well as the limited series Dark Horse Extra: Madman.
This essential omnibus is perfect for all Madman and Allred fans alike featuring superhero team antics, music pop culture, and just plain ol’ zany, sci fi fun!
Featuring brand-new colors for Dead Air!
The Madman comics universe continues with over 500 pages drawn by legendary comics creator Michael Allred and friends in this true homage to superhero fiction, metaphysical philosophy, 1950s science fiction films, rock and roll pop music, and much more!
Volume Six collects the rare and in color early work such as Grafik Muzik #1-4, Graphique Musique #1-3, the cult hit comics Madman in Your Face 3D Special and “Mr. Gum: Who Sell Out? You Sell Out?,”as well as Allred’s latest creator-owned series X-Ray Robot.
This essential omnibus is perfect for all Madman and Allred fans alike featuring superhero team antics, music pop culture, and just plain ol’ zany, sci fi fun!
This six-volume Madman universeomnibus library edition series collects all of Allred’s award-winning Madman universe (a.k.a. the “Madmaniverse”) stories in selected reading order for the ultimate Madman fan!
Skybound Entertainment’s Energon Universe Titles
Skybound Entertainment and Hasbro have done a pretty great job over the last two years of not only reinventing Transformers and G.I. Joe for new readers, but they’ve also introduced the excellent sci-fi series Void Rivals, which ties in nicely with the already legendary brands. For readers who are inclined with science fiction storytelling, the first two Void Rivals and Transformers trade paperbacks are worth grabbing.
The blockbuster Oblivion Song team of ROBERT KIRKMAN and LORENZO DE FELICI launch an all-new shared universe connected to the Transformers and G.I. Joe!
The Energon Universe starts here! War rages around the Sacred Ring, where the last remnants of two worlds have collapsed around a black hole in a never-ending war.
However, when pilot Darak and his rival Solila both crash on a desolate planet, these two enemies must find a way to escape together. But are they alone on this strange planet? And what dark forces await that threaten the entire universe?
Collects VOID RIVALS #1-6.
For Fans of STAR WARS and SAGA, VOID RIVALS is a sci-fi action adventure about long held secrets that threaten everything our two warring pilots hold dear.
THE ENERGON UNIVERSE CONTINUES HERE!
Darak and Solila traverse the northern wasteland – and there’s no shortage of enemies in their way.
But there’s hope in the form of everyone’s favorite Autobot Triple-Changer, Springer!
The game-changing team of Robert Kirkman, Lorenzo De Felici and Matheus Lopes continue their critically-acclaimed new series exploring the most shocking corners of the Energon Universe.
Collects Void Rivals #7-12.
THE TRANSFORMERS JOIN THE ENERGON UNIVERSE!
Optimus Prime was supposed to have led the Autobots to victory. Instead, the fate of Cybertron is unknown, and his allies have crash-landed far from home, alongside their enemies—the Decepticons. As these titanic forces renew their war on Earth, one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. And humanity’s only hope of survival is Optimus Prime.
Superstar creator Daniel Warren Johnson (Do a Powerbomb, Wonder Woman: Dead Earth), alongside showrunner Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Invincible), reimagines Hasbro’s robots in disguise for a brand-new generation.
Collects TRANSFORMERS #1-6
For Fans of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS and KAIJU NO.8, TRANSFORMERS is a sci-fi action adventure about holding onto your humanity in a war for survival.
THE FATE OF TWO WORLDS
The new era for THE TRANSFORMERS continues here!
The Decepticons make violent decisions about their future, bringing them face to face with Shockwave, whose shocking plans will change their war with the Autobots forever.
Now Optimus Prime must rally his allies on Earth and Cybertron, but not everyone believes he’s the right leader to save both worlds…
Jorge Corona joins Daniel Warren Johnson to begin the ENERGON UNIVERSE story that will have everyone talking!
Fantastic Four: Full Circle (Expanded Edition)
Back in our 2022 Holiday Gift Guide, I recommended Fantastic Four: Full Circle from Abrams and Marvel. Written and illustrated by the illustrious Alex Ross, it tells a great tale of the FF and was well received by fans upon its release. BUT this year saw an expanded edition of Full Circle arrive, featuring an astounding 288 extra pages of commentary, pencils, and much, much more. This is one of those cases where double-dipping is essential, especially for anyone interested in the creative process.
An oversized, expanded edition of Fantastic Four: Full Circle—the award-winning national bestseller, named Graphic Novel of the Year by the National Cartoonists Society and the Washington Post—with 288 pages of new material, including commentary and unpublished preparatory material from Alex Ross
The critically acclaimed, award-winning national bestseller—the first original graphic novel on the Marvel Arts list—now in an oversized, deluxe expanded edition.
This new edition has 288 additional pages of jaw-dropping bonus material from Ross (the original graphic novel was 64 pages), as he walks readers through his process and vision for the making of the book School Library Journal called a “pop art masterpiece.” Showcasing early visual concepts through final art, Ross takes readers behind-the-scenes, revealing for the first time his proposal, thumbnails, sketches, inks, and color guides.
The book also includes commentary from Ross as well as reprints of the classic Marvel comic from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby that inspired Fantastic Four: Full Circle—Fantastic Four no. 51—and the subsequent run of covers from 2023 which Alex Ross created for Marvel Comics, featuring the Fantastic Four in costumes designed for Fantastic Four: Full Circle.
An essential addition to any Alex Ross fan’s bookshelf, Fantastic Four: Full Circle (Expanded Edition) is a comprehensive look at the creative process of one of the most acclaimed and influential artists of our time.
The Art of the Amazing Spider-Man
Remember how just a few paragraphs ago, I mentioned how Dark Horse Comics delivers the best hardcover comics in the business. Well, the folks at Marvel must agree, because the two companies worked together this year on the beautiful The Art of the Amazing Spider-Man. The title celebrates the influential and enduring work of the legendary John Romita Sr., who had the unenviable task of taking over the art chores on Spidey’s main book when Steve Ditko left the titles. Safe to say, things worked out.
This oversized hardcover gallery collects iconic original art from The Amazing Spider-Man #39–122, is accompanied by essays from comics editor John Lind, and featured an introduction by Brian Michael Bendis.
The Amazing Spider-Man has remained the flagship title for the classic Marvel Comics character Spider-Man for over six decades. Stan Lee and Steve Ditko co-created the character in 1962, and it quickly became a sensation. Then, with The Amazing Spider-Man #39, John Romita Sr. replaced Ditko as the main artist and began an epic run.
This oversized Bullpen Books edition focuses on Romita’s work on ASM from 1966 to 1973, a run that would dramatically reshape the world of Spider-Man and his alter ego, Peter Parker. With his unmatched skill in dynamic layouts and composition, Romita, working alongside Stan Lee on some of Spider-Man’s most enduring storylines and with contributions from a supporting cast of legendary Marvel Bullpen contributor—including Gil Kane, John Buscema, Jim Mooney, and Mike Esposito—would help lead Spider-Man to even greater heights in pop culture.
Mighty Marvel Calendar Book: A Visual History
On the topic of Marvel history, our friend Chris Ryall wrote this massive title that reprints classic art from Marvel’s run of calendar’s from 1975-1981. You won’t be getting rid of this book at the end of 2025, and you’re certain to flip through it for years to come.
Mighty Marvel Calendar Book: A Visual History presents seven years of Marvel history in this incredible showcase featuring art from some of the greatest illustrators who drew stories for the House of Ideas.
From 1975–81, Marvel created seven consecutive calendars that were as artistically designed and captivatingly written as any of their comic books. Each of these annual calendars—whether they celebrated the Bicentennial (1976) or spotlighted a specific character such as Spider-Man (1978), Hulk (1979), or Doctor Strange (1980), featured heroes and villains across the pantheon of the Marvel Universe—and all shared inspired features. These included visual call-outs for birthdays of noted Marvel staff and creators; key moments in Marvel history; special events, famous quotes from fan-favorite issues, and other celebratory mentions; with exclusive art from iconic Marvel artists, created especially for these calendars by Jack Kirby, John Buscema, John Byrne, Frank Miller, Walter Simonson, Gil Kane, George Pérez, Gene Colan, Jim Starlin, Sal Buscema, Mike Ploog, and dozens more.
Never before has all of this astounding art been reprinted, and the complete set of covers, interiors, and gorgeously designed monthly entries are reproduced at their original size in this beautiful, oversize hardcover package. Also included is new commentary, rare promotional materials, and an introduction by longtime Marvel writer/editor/historian Roy Thomas. The years might keep ticking away, but the work collected in this special book remains timeless!
Marvel Studios: The Art of Ryan Meinerding
From historical looks at Marvel Comics to the recent history of Marvel Studios, this book delivers gorgeous insight into the creative process of Ryan Meinerding, the studio’s Head of Visual Development. For fans of the MCU, this book is an inside look at how our favourite characters wound up appearing on screen.
Marvel Studios: The Art of Ryan Meinerding goes behind the scenes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Marvel Studios’ Head of Visual Development Ryan Meinerding has been a key creative force in designing the look of the beloved Super Heroes and villains of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since the early stages of Iron Man (2008). Marvel Studios: The Art of Ryan Meinerding showcases the artist’s singular and iconic vision, from his work-in-progress sketches to his finished illustrations.
Included are:
- Character designs for Iron Man
- Keyframe and concept designs for Thor
- Concept designs for Captain America’s many suits
- Character designs for Marvel’s The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron
- Illustrations for Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
- And so much more…
This lavish book includes more than 500 illustrations and provides unprecedented insight into Meinerding’s creative process and his view on the essential collaborations behind contemporary concept and character design.
