Time seems to by ticking by faster and faster as we get deeper and deeper into the month of December, doesn’t it?
That means less time to think about what gifts you’ll give to friends and loved ones this holiday season and less time to brave the weather, the traffic and the shopping mall crowds to get them that perfect gift.
That’s where Biff Bam Pop!, your trusted pop culture friend, comes in.
This month, we’ve been listing cool gifts for the pop cultured person in your life. In terms of comic books, last week we showcased our Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Comic Book Compilations – Part 1. Take a look at it, if you haven’t already, and get those wheels turning in your mind.
To help out a little more, here’s our second installment of comic book ideas for the lover of story and art in your life. Let’s go!
Suicide Squad By John Ostrander Omnibus Vol. 1
In the late 1980s, following their success with the Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline, DC Comics published its Legends six-part miniseries. It was a noticeably lower-key affair when compared to the company-wide crossover beast that was Crisis, but it was still a noteworthy storytelling endeavour: highlight DC Comics superheroes, old and new, and shine them and their supporting cast up a bit, putting some select new creations on center stage.
And that’s where we got the current version of Amanda Waller and her rag-tag crew of villainous ne’er-do-wells, the Suicide Squad (initially published in the late 1950s), who made the successful jump into their own, long-lasting monthly comic book series, as well as an indelible mark on pop culture over the decades.
Under the pen of comic book veteran John Ostrander and the pencil of rising talent Luke McDonnell, Suicide Squad told the story of a globe-trotting government ops group of super villains, pitted against the worst of the worst, on missions they weren’t meant to come home from. The carrot for this assembly: do your government’s bidding, come home alive, and we’ll take a few years off of your prison sentence.
Who could forget the marketing tag line for the group, splashed prominently across the front cover of the first issue: “These eight people will put their lives on the line for our country. One of them won’t be coming home.”
Riveting. Enticing. Must-reading.
That original title and series of characters would go to be published in various iterations ever since as well as feature in two major film projects starring some of the biggest talent Hollywood has to offer. It’s a testament to the longevity of the series and the Suicide Squad idea.
That’s why the 1,064-page hardcover Suicide Squad By John Ostrander Omnibus Vol. 1 is the perfect gift at about $150 for those who love reading the exploits of superheroes, supervillains and government espionage – where no character is safe from the reality that they might not make it home!
The Human Target Deluxe Edition Hardcover
Who here remembers the throwback fun of The Human Target television series from 2010? It lasted only two short seasons, hampered by its placement on, if I remember correctly, a busy Friday night, and by a diminishing production budget, in which the showrunners jettisoned one of the greatest, most heroic musical themes in television history for garage-band garbage – just to save money. That decision killed the series.
Ah well. At least we have the comics.
A few years ago, DC Comics published the newest take featuring the character of Christopher Chance, the Human Target, who assumes the identity of clients targeted by assassins. It’s a riveting treatise, ripe for action and intrigue, isn’t it?
The Human Target Deluxe Edition hardcover finally collects the entirety of the fairly recent twelve-part tale, written and illustrated by the always brilliant Tom King and Greg Smallwood, a pulpy noir whodunit, where Chance must save himself this time!
The 456-page The Human Target Deluxe Edition hardcover collection won numerous awards including the 2023 Eisner for Best Limited Series and Best Penciller/Inker, and also sports a new cover by Smallwood as well as a fulsome making-of section. At about $65 it’ll make perfect reading for someone who loves pulp mystery and adventure…with superheroes to boot!
And that enthralling television theme will stay with me – and you – forever!
Swamp Thing By Len Wein and Kelley Jones Deluxe Edition H/C
Because we’re such huge fans here at Biff Bam Pop!, let’s switch over to the horror genre for a moment with three offerings that feature very different takes, each one no less enjoyable than the other, on the same beloved character.
First, let’s start with the Swamp Thing by Len Wein and Kelley Jones Deluxe Edition.
A decade ago, legendary writer, editor and creator, Len Wein returned to his greatest creation: the muck-encrusted monster known as Swamp Thing, with a six-part tale that gave the dark hero an opportunity to become a living man once again.
Joined by the brilliant Kelley Jones on art, together the artistic team brought a ’70s Bronze Age vibe to the character and his adventures. Here was a lumbering, angry force of nature; an elemental behemoth trying to understand its place in the world and shape it as he deems fit – for good…or someone else’s ill.
At 432-pages and a cost of about $60, the Swamp Thing By Len Wein and Kelley Jones Deluxe Edition collects the original six -issues of the series as well as the moving Swamp Thing Winter Special, Len Wein’s final Swamp Thing story, published posthumously, but also illustrated by Jones in a final homage to the great comic book creator.
Sticking with mud, moss and monsters, let’s turn to two new collections that also feature the creature:
Swamp Thing By Rick Veitch Book One & Book Two TPB
Following writer Alan Moore on the monthly Swamp Thing comic book series was no easy task but Rick Veitch was able to do something new and special with the character in his time on that title during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Veitch brought metaphysics to the character, taking Swamp Thing on a terrifying journey across time and space as the muck monster tried to impossibly find his way home and be reunited with his family once more. It was a treatise on life itself and the fleeting humanity we all experience and share – and one of the more moving comic book tales ever published.
Each of the two trade paperback volumes of the Swamp Thing By Rick Veitch run about 400-pages long and cost anywhere from $30 to $40. They’ll make good preparation in advance of next year’s third and final volume of the Veitch storyline – one that will include the never-before-published final issue of his tale (where he heroically walked away after editorial interference).
In any case, Swamp Thing By Rick Veitch Book One & Book Two make for great universe and time-spanning reading this holiday season and will be a perfect gift for friends and loved ones who love horror and sci-fi served with a dollop of comic book history!
That brings us to the end of our Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Comic Book Compilations – Part 2. We’ll be back in a few days with a new installment that focusses on TV cartoons. Be sure that you’re around for that.
Until then, good luck with your shopping adventures!
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