It's often difficult to find the perfect gift for the fanboy in your life. So for all the friends and family out there needing an idea - or parents who wish their child spent a little more time with their nose in a book instead of a TV screen - I've made a list and checked it twice, coming up with a holiday comic buying guide with suggestions for every sort of reader.
For Kids
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid," the blockbuster
series about middle school life for a not-so-confident youngster just released its fifth hardcover volume, "The Ugly Truth." ($13.95)
Female audiences love the spunky young tween heroine in the "Amelia Rules" books. Choose from recent releases "True Things Adults Don't Want Kids to Know" or the seasonal "A Very Ninja Christmas." ($10.99)
For a new take on a classic, featuring stunning art and a story both familiar and fresh, you can't go wrong with Marvel's award-winning "Wizard of Oz" adaptations. The second hardcover, "The Marvelous Land of Oz," hit shelves recently. ($29.99)
Or if you're in the market for a less expensive stocking stuffer, individual issues based on your child's favorite cartoon fit the bill nicely. Currently, titles like "Batman: Brave & the Bold," "Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes" and even "The Penguins of Madagascar" are available for around $2.99 each.
For Horror Fans
If the person on your list is a fan of horror, chances are they already number among the record-setting audience for the AMC show "The Walking Dead." The graphic novels that kick-started the zombie phenomenon are essential reading. ($9.99-$14.99 each)
The next hot horror property soon to be a television series is "Locke & Key," written by Stephen King's son, Joe Hill. There are currently three volumes of the creepy haunted house saga available. ($24.99)
For Fantasy Fans
The granddaddy of all fantasy epics, "Dungeons & Dragons" just made its return to monthly comics, with each issue containing game content that allows the reader to play the adventure after reading it. ($3.99)
The all-ages tale "Mouse Guard" about a stout crew of medieval mice features some of the most gorgeous art in comics today. The latest hardcover, "Legends of the Guard," collects short stories and tall tales about the sword-swinging rodents. ($19.95)
For Super Hero Fans
DC had to rush copies back to print after an instant sellout of their original graphic novel "Superman: Earth One," the new-reader-friendly retelling of a young Man of Steel's earliest days in Metropolis. ($19.99)
Stan Lee, the godfather of modern comics, has created three new heroes for Boom Studios. Monthly books being released under his watchful eye include "Soldier Zero," about a man trapped in an alien war-suit, the time-bending adventure "The Traveler," and the cosmic fantasy "Starborn." ($3.99 each)
After a prolonged absence by his mentor, former Robin Dick Grayson had to step in to fill Batman's shoes. But the return of Bruce Wayne changed the status quo of Gotham City and now two Batmen are currently active in the hot new "Batman, Incorporated" and "Batman: The Dark Knight." ($2.99 each)
Jordan Lowe is the owner of Asylum Comics on Muskingum Drive in Marietta and the writer of the web comic Short Pants Romance.
