Buying gifts for the geeky loved ones in your life should be easy—after all, know their favorite movie franchise, their favorite TV show, or their favorite superhero, and you’re sorted, right? However buying gifts that your nerdy friends and family will truly want this holiday season (or for yourself, if you’re struggling to write a list this year) can feel impossible with the wealth of pop culture collectibles that are out there. To help you out and make gift-buying a breeze, io9’s curated a list of some of our own highlights that we want to see under the tree this year. We hope your loved ones will too!
Gifts Under $50
Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo ($17)
DC introduced the Absolute Universe last year, which made some big changes to its A-list heroes and villains. Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman didn’t just make him big; it’s also made him more of a street-level hero battling twisted versions of baddies like Bane and Mr. Freeze, and this first volume is a good entry point to this new universe.
Ambessa: Chosen of the Wolf (A League of Legends: Arcane Novel) ($17)
Go beyond the game, sleek music videos, and Netflix’s award-winning animated series, and read how Arcane standout Ambessa rose to power in this prequel novel.
Dan Da Dan Season One ($20)
The talk of the shonen town over the last two years, Dan Da Dan is a funny, sweet, occasionally uncomfortable love story between two teens caught in between supernatural and sci-fi shenanigans. It’s hard not to be charmed by Momo and Okarun’s misadventures, and for those without a Crunchyroll subscription, the season one Blu-Ray is a good way to get in on the hype.
Marvel Cinematic Universe Official Timeline ($22)
Let’s face it. The Marvel Cinematic Universe hasn’t been great over the past few years. One or two good movies, sure, but gone are the days of the 2010s when we got some of the biggest and best comic book movies ever. And now, with this gorgeous book, you can not only relive all those films, but you can also dig into it and remind yourself how they all link up.
Shin Godzilla 4K Steelbook ($35)
After it stomped its way back into theaters this year, experience the glorious 4K remaster of Hideaki Anno’s monster-fueled commentary on US-Japan relations and bureaucracy from the comfort of your own home, complete with its alternate black-and-white version. We promise it’s much more riveting than a commentary on US-Japan relations and bureaucracy sounds.
Superman: The Art and Making of the Film ($35)
Dive into the new DC Studios Universe with Superman: The Art and Making of the Film. Take a look behind the curtain of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC era of films, which kicked off cinematically with the release of Superman. See sketches and imagery of the hit film’s development, as well as the journey David Corenswet took to become the Man of Steel.
The Art of Final Fantasy Tactics ($36)
Be the envy of your gamer friends with a striking art book of Final Fantasy Tactics, casually displayed on your vanity table for when you have guests over, showing you’re a gamer with refined taste.
Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy IX Scene Box – The Siege of Alexandria ($42)
Magic: The Gathering’s huge Final Fantasy set made waves this summer, bringing the worlds of Square Enix’s beloved saga to the tabletop. Wizards of the Coast is coming back for more with a new line of special gift boxes that take cards from that set and present them with new art, inspired by key sequences from the games. Our favorite celebrates a special game celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Final Fantasy IX.
Godzilla: The First 70 Years ($45)
Look back at the making of a film titan in this brilliant book charting the complete history of Godzilla. Packed with tons of fascinating behind-the-scenes material, it’s the read you need to whet your appetite in time for Godzilla Minus Zero.
Pee Wee’s Big Adventure Criterion Collection ($45)
When we think of the Criterion Collection, we think of cinematic masterpieces. The all-time greats. And, we think, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure is exactly that. So if you’re a fan of this timeless classic, you have to get this amazing new edition that’s remastered for 4K and stuffed with brand-new special features. It’s like the Pee-wee’s bike of physical media.
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