Hey folks, Ambush Bug here with a holiday list of sorts. I’ve teamed up with TFAW (Things From Another World) to highlight some of their cooler products they have available for you this holiday season. Not to steal any thunder from Quint’s amazing holiday list, but this one is going to be more comic book-centric, as that’s the area I’m most interested in being the editor at AICN COMICS. For this list, I simply browsed the TFAW website for what interested me and I encourage you to do so as well, as the site has something for just about every geek out there in need of a thing or two comics- and genre-related. This is just a sampling of what kinds of cool things are available at TFAW, so check out their website here to see what tickles your fancy.
So here we go!
Chuck Palahniuk made a big splash in comics this year with a sequel to his book and hit film FIGHT CLUB, aptly titled FIGHT CLUB 2 Hardcover and a new coloring book he has put out with other acclaimed writers and artists in the industry called BAIT: OFF COLOR STORIES FOR YOU TO COLOR Coloring Book. I was intrigued by the first issue of FIGHT CLUB 2, but haven’t read the rest, so I’m looking forward to reacquainting myself with Jack’s smirking revenge with this hardcover and then painting the world in Technicolor crayons with BAIT!
If you liked the PREACHER series on AMC, you’ll love Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s epic tale of cowboys, man monsters, the word of God and love with PREACHER VOL.1. If anything, this is a great way to look back on the late great Steve Dillon’s art and see why he was a modern master of comics illustration.
A book which caused quite the controversy recently was MOCKINGBIRD VOL.1. Unfortunately, the series was cancelled, but I found Chelsea Cain’s take on Hawkeye’s old squeeze quite entertaining. Cain caused quite the stir and has since vowed to leave comics after the backlash on this book’s covers and not-so-subtle pro-gal messages. See what all the hubbub is all about by picking up this hardcover collecting the entire series.
One of the best comics this year was DC UNIVERSE REBIRTH, and it is collected here as a deluxe edition hardcover. This version is the “Director’s Cut” with notes by writer Geoff Johns and sketches by the myriad of artists he worked with to basically give the DC Universe the restart it desperately needed! Check out the blueprint of the new DCU from the Atom to the Justice Society to The Watchmen. It’s all in this gorgeous and wondrous book!
The childhood story comically morphed into a story about the Caped Crusader, MAD’s GOODNIGHT BATCAVE Hardcover is the perfect joke gift for the Bat-fan that has everything, as well as a fun little tale to read your younger Bat-Mite as you tuck him or her into bed. Books like this stress the versatility of the DC characters, as well as the cleverness and wit that is always associated with the goons at MAD.
Danny Rand is on his way to Netflix--could a Shang-Chi series be next? I hope so, since the Master of Kung Fu is one of Marvel’s darker and more deadly characters. The DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG-FU Hardcover Omnibus collects the black and white adventures that were chronicled in magazine format from Marvel in the 70s, and they are some of the best kung-fu action you’re going to see on the paneled page. Stories from artists and writers like Doug Moench, Bill Mantlo, Steve Englehart, Gerry Conway, Don McGregor, John David Warner, Tony Isabella, Dennis O'Neil, Chris Claremont, Rudy Nebres, George Pérez, Jim Starlin, Paul Gulacy, Alan Weiss, Mike Vosburg, Don Perlin, Keith Pollard, and the amazing Gabriele Dell'Otto depict some classic tales of Iron Fist, Shang-Chi, and the Sons of the Dragon! This is one amazing collection for the martial arts enthusiast in all of us!
If you don’t know Rick Geary, get to know Rick Geary with his latest TREASURY OF 20TH CENTURY MURDER: BLACK DAHLIA Softcover. Geary’s unmistakable attention to detail and undeniable talent for unfolding a compelling mystery are unparalleled in comics, and I can’t wait to check out what he does with the unsolved Black Dahlia murder. Geary is a true detective, lining up all possibilities, clues, and suspects and not only trying to document the mystery, but also trying to solve it. Seriously, anyone who loves mysteries needs to check out Geary’s brilliant work!
One of the most compelling, and equal parts heartwarming and heartwrenching, comics to come out in recent years is ALEX+ADA and this Complete Collection Hardcover Deluxe Edition is the most perfect edition one can find to enjoy it. This is a complex story using sci fi components we have seen in films like HER and GHOST IN THE SHELL, but tells a unique story about a lonely man and an artificial intelligence companion robot that says so much about relationships, love, and life itself. I dare you not to tear up at this book, and you won’t be able to stop yourself from loving these complex characters. Simply sublime storytelling by Jonathan Luna and artist Sarah Vaughan.
The Marvel STAR WARS series is the comic book that got me addicted to comics. Without that comic, I might have been able to dedicate more to my studies and be a rocket scientist or President or something. Then again, comics gave me a strong moral center which kept me out of gangs, crime, and drugs, so I guess comics ain’t all that bad. This STAR WARS: THE ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS Hardcover collects STAR WARS (1977) #1-23, and material from PIZZAZZ #1-16 and STAR WARS WEEKLY (UK) #60. That’s a whole lot of classic STAR WARS to digest while you savor the awesomeness of the upcoming ROGUE ONE film.
What’s Christmas without a visit from your old pal Ash? ARMY OF DARKNESS: FURIOUS ROAD VOL. 1 Trade collects a twisted and terror-filled road trip and pairs our favorite one handed S-Mart employee with Frankenstein’s Monster and the Daughter of Dracula to take on those pesky Deadites. This one comes from Nancy A. Collins, Kewber Baal, & Gabriel Hardman and it’s worth checking out for fans of the EVIL DEAD franchise.
I haven’t seen the Cinemax series OUTCAST, but I can’t wait to at some point. I also never really got into the comic book after the first issue. There’s no real reason as the first issue intrigued me; it was just a case of too many comic books and too little time. That’s why I am very interested in catching up on what kind of possession horrors THE WALKING DEAD writer Robert Kirkman and artist Paul Azaceta have in store for me when I finally break down and check out OUTCAST VOL.1 TRADE. I’ve heard good things and can’t wait to check it out, as new takes on old genres are always of interest to me.
So did you like the DOCTOR STRANGE motion picture? I did. I actually liked it a bit more than I thought I would. But I’ve always loved the character that always has one foot in the Marvel Universe and one in the mystical realm. If you were as intrigued by the movie as I was, you might be interested in two books that really do encapsulate what is so awesome about this particular Sorcerer Supreme. DR. STRANGE: WHAT IS IT THAT DISTURBS YOU, STEPHEN? is a gorgeous hardcover book taking Strange into the Nightmare realm. It’s got art by the masterful P. Craig Russell and really is one of the more iconic Strange stories. If this isn’t enough, the DOCTOR STRANGE OMNIBUS VOL.1 HARDCOVER GRAPHIC NOVEL by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko is what everyone thinks of when you mention the character’s name. The trippy look of the entire book matched with the rock-solid character Lee developed in these first issues is the Stephen Strange that showed up on screen in that film, and this is where it all started.
Statues, busts, and figures can be an expensive side-hobby that I usually can’t afford, given my movie and comics (and booze) addiction. But every now and then a few statues come along that are so frikkin’ awesome, I wouldn’t mind breaking my ban on them to pick them up and use them as inspiration decorations for my writing desk. One of these is the BATMAN 1966: THE RIDDLER Statue. Frank Gorshin’s manic and giddy Riddler is my favorite incarnation of the character, and this 13-inch statue is of Gorshin in all of his spandex glory giggling his fool head off at how much chaos he has caused for the Caped Crusader. This is the most perfect representation of the Riddler that I have ever seen and I’ve gotta have it!
Another absolutely gorgeous statue is theDC BOMBSHELLS: KILLER FROST Statue. Whether you’re a fan of the old version of the character that popped up occasionally as a Firestorm baddie or a new fan of her from THE FLASH TV Show, Killer Frost has always been a fashionable villain. Here she shows off her winter style and looks maniacal doing it. This is a beautiful sculpt designed by Ant Lucia and sculpted by Tim Miller.
Not all of the great statues are coming from DC. This WOMEN OF DYNAMITE: RED SONJA Statue is downright breathtaking. It’s got everything you need in a Red Sonja image—big hair, chain mail, a giant sword in one hand, and an axe ready in the other. This stunning statue is almost 12inches and designed by J. Scott Campbell and sculpted by Jason Smith. A damn fine sculpt.
I’m not even a big fan of Godzilla and I still am impressed with this GODZILLA 12inch Action Figure. It’s fully articulated including a big old tail to smash into cardboard buildings and toy cars alike. All it needs is a little Tadzilla figure and maybe a cool playset for him to stomp through and this is something I would have loved to have had as a kid. I kinda still want it now, too!
I am a huge fan of all things Frankenstein, and this UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: FRANKENSTEIN Action Figure is so damn sweet. This replica of the classic version of the Monster comes in black and white or color versions and has a cool battery and lightning base, chains for him to bust through, and a second pair of arms and head changing expressions and hue of the thing that should not be. This is a gorgeous figure that no horror fan should not have decorating their desks.
There are many T-shirts available at TFAW, but the IMPACT ORIGINALS: HP LOVECRAFT T-Shirt is the one that spoke to me. I’m quite finicky with the tees that I wear, but this is an awesome one celebrating one of the true masters of unknown horrors!
Yours will be the most badass kid in the cafeteria, or you can let your co-workers know how cool you are on the construction site with a FRANK FRAZETTA: DEATH DEALER Lunch Box. Sorry, it doesn’t look like this one comes with a thermos, but it still has that ominous and amazing Frazetta artwork!
Seems these days my schedule is so busy I sometimes have trouble telling what day it is, so I always grab some kind of calendar to let me know what’s where and when. Out of all of the ones at TFAW, I found the DC Oversized 2017 Wall Calendar to be the coolest as it boils down your favorite heroes to their basic iconic imagery. I love these designs!
I don’t know any comic book collector who wouldn’t love to have a few extra packs of BCW Comic Book Bags. Not the most personal gift, but it is something that they’ll definitely find useful and you can never have too many of those.
Don’t know what the hell to get that fickle comic book lover in your life? Don’t worry. You can just pick up a Gift Certificate for TFAW here.
Finally, on a slightly selfish note, I have a comic book I wrote myself called THE JUNGLE BOOK HOLIDAY SPECIAL: BAGHEERA’S SECRET which will be available in December, just in time for the holidays. This story continues the never-ending Battle of the Animal Tribes as the first snow falls over Kipling Island, and it’s up to Mowglii and Bagheera to get to the bottom of it. Don’t worry--the secret isn’t global warming. Carlos Granda, the artist from the original JUNGLE BOOK series and my Black Mask Studios PIROUETTE series, returns to tell this new tale of Rudyard Kipling’s greatest characters. Support my efforts by picking up this special comic. I’m very proud of how it turned out.
Well, that’s my list for this year. If none of these interest you, I again direct you to the TFAW website since there are tons more comics and merch to be had at some pretty great prices.
Hope you all have a happy and safe holiday!
Ambush Bug is Mark L. Miller, original @$$Hole/wordslinger/writer of wrongs/reviewer/interviewer/editor of AICN COMICS for over 16 years & AICN HORROR for 6. Follow Mark on the Twitters @Mark_L_Miller and on his new website collecting posts for AICN HORROR as well as all of the most recent updates on his various comic book projects on MLMillerWrites.com.
Finally, if the text is running over the pics in the body of the article, refresh the screen and that should fix it. I know, I know, it’s annoying. I still have no idea why this is happening lately…
