Nerd Necessities: The Holiday Edition pt. 1 Books and Comics

by: Chris Eaton

Part 1 of an epic list!

It’s the holiday season once again!  My favorite time of year.  When it gets cold as the Earth’s axis tilts away from the sun, and the holiday triumphant comes around that last corner.  Meaning, it’s time for Christmas.  And in America, that means one thing: Shameless capitalism.  So to indulge your inner geek or to find that special present for that special someone, we here at the Realmcast have compiled a list of holiday whatzit’s and whatnots.  We ain’t being endorsed by no one on this, as it’s strictly preference base on some cool shit you can get or give during this holiday season.

Part 1 of this list is books and comic books.  Prices range from cheap to pricey.  We’ll include a link to where you can buy said item, or if you want to do the smart thing, maybe shop around a bit.  Sound’s tiring, I know, but you might find a deal or two.

With out further adu:

Books:

Simon Pegg’s autobiography.  A must read for any geek worth his salt.  It’s a little hard to get state side on the retail end, but Amazon has plenty to grab at very affordable prices.

Adam Carolla’s In 50 Year’s We’ll All Be Chicks tells it like it is.  If you know Adam Carolla, or have been listening to his podcast at all, you know the man is a self taught genius.  Here, he deconstructs why society is going down the shitter in rants that will have you in tears. You can grab it on Amazon for a steal of under $14 bucks!

Lewis Black’s latest book.  If you know Lewis Black, I need not say more, except that it’s going for less than $10 bucks.

Like horror?  Then you can catch up on filmmaker Guillmero Del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s second volume of their epic balls out vampire series, The Strain.  Book 2, The Fall, is the Two Towers of this trilogy.  From the mind of Del Toro, so you know that there’s not going to be any horribly faggy vampire or pussy werewolves in this book.  Just pure modern horror. Again, under $14 bucks, how can you go wrong?

I just did a review for Tucker’s Monster.  It’s a wonderful book by S.S. Wilson that has the feel of a great western pulp with loads of sci-fi thrown in to make a hearty meal of a book.  It’s perfect for all ages, and if you’re a fan of the Tremors series, this will be right up your ally.  You can pick it up here. For $25 bucks, you can get the hardcover signed and personalized by the author S.S. Wilson himself.  That’s a goddamn steal right there.  A perfect, one of a kind gift for less than the price of a video game.

Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s epic sci-fi novel that combines the elements of Starship Troopers with Groundhogs day is one hell of a read. It’s also going to be the next film by Bourne Identity and Mr. and Mrs. Smith director Dough Liman.  If you want to be ahead of the game, like mech vs alien action, or want to be smarter than your smart ass friends, this is a definite must read.  Priced under$12 bucks, you can’t go wrong.

Now that Battle Royale the movie is finally coming to America, you can read the book that started the phenomenon.  It’s a thick read, but even Stephen King highly recommends it.  What better stocking stuffer can there be than a story of kids forced to kill each other?  None I say. NONE!  Again, under $12 bucks. What more do I need to say.

This one is bitter sweet after today.  We lost Irvin Kershner, but his work lives on.  If you want some of the best behind the scenes coverage of one of the best films of all times, then this is a must have . This one is a little more pricey, but it’s on sale at Amazon for around $55 bucks. It retails for more, so I think you’re getting the best deal here.

District 9 is one of those films that I didn’t see the brilliance of upon the first few viewings.  It took me a while to really come around to just how great of a film it is.  Now, WETA is releasing a book for everyone who wanted to know how a first time director took $30 million dollars and shot a sci-fi epic in the heart of South Africa’s largest city.  The book isn’t due to be released until the week before Christmas, but if  you pre-order it, there’s a good chance it’ll be on your door step by Christmas Eve.

If you don’t know the works of Drew Struzan, then what the hell are you doing reading this site for?  The man has made more iconic images than all the greatest directors alive.  Though, he did use their works to do so. So it’s a weird catch 22.  But if you do know the man’s epic art, his latest book, The Art of Drew Struzan, is another must have. Page after page of beautiful work to be ogled over the holiday, and just possibly might make you want to pop out some classics to watch with the family.  Around $24 bucks, would make a perfect gift for that uber geek.

For that horror nut, there’s the Art of Hammer.  Chronicling the artistic posters and other material from the legendary horror studio, Hammer Films. This one is an even better steal than the Struzan book at $20 bucks, I’m picking up one for myself.

Finally, for the ultimate of Simpsons nerd out there,  we have the Simpsons World: The Ultimate Episode Guide seasons 1-20. This, is one epic book.  Twenty years of Simpsons trivia and knowledge is jammed packed into this hardbound book that is like the holy grail of Simpsons merch.  Except you don’t need to pick the right cup for this one and run from a centuries old knight.  No, but it’s going to cost you.  The book retails at $150, but on Amazon, it’s available for $90.  If you have a huge Simpson fan in your family or know one, and you really, really love them, there is no better gift than this, sans Groening himself personally drawing Homer on your arm for a Tattoo later on.

Comics:

Of course I’m going to start off with what I feel is the Must Have this year.  The Scott Pilgrim box set. All six volumes are available in this brand new box that features new art work by Bryan Lee O’Malley and Paul Robertson.  It also includes an exclusive poster.  You might not have seen the movie out of Michael Cera hate, but the books are true masterpieces that no one should look lover.  $45 bucks for six books that normally retail at $12 bucks apiece.

Have you discovered The Walking Dead on AMC?  Then if you’re a fan or know a fan, you should know that it’s based on a comic book. An awesome comic book.  Don’t feel like over spending on back issues, then you can get yourself or your loved ones this first volume compendium that compiles the first 48 issues of the series. 48 issues! At a price of $35 dollars, compared to a $3 dollar an issue price, that’s the biggest steal out there right now.

Possibly the comicevent of the year, great reading material to prep you for the upcoming film, or if you know some one who just likes comics, The Blackest Night crossover is the book for you. Read as the DC U comes together to stop the Black Lanterns and reveal why no evil shall escape their sight!  All of $17 on Amazon

If your into DC, then Kevin Smith’s mini series, Batman Cacophony, might suit you’re holiday needs.  Batman faces the Joker and a villain that hunts non powered heroes by the name of Onomatopoeia.  It’s a spry read, but full of Smith witty dialog, and art by his friend and manager of Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, Walt Flanagan.  Comic fan or Smith fan, for $ 10 bucks it’ll make a great stocking stuffer.

Max Brooks is fat on his way to breaking out of his father’s shadow and coming into his own.  The writer of World War Z and numero uno expert on all things zombies tackles some real American heroes in this graphic novel. G.I. Joe has never been in better hands, and it could be in the hands of a loving Joe fan this holiday season.  Currently going for $ 17 bucks, this one is a no brain-er.

Not exactly a comic, but Udon’s Art of Capcom features some of the best comic artist working today, bringing to life on the printed page the awesome world of Capcom.  Not just Street Fighter, not just Resident Evil, but all of it. 284 pages of art for your eyes to devour. It’ll run you about $27 bucks, but the gamer will thank you for it.

If you enjoy comics, then for any comic book fan, there’s the Icons: Jim Lee edition.  Nearly 300 pages of Jim Lee art, a lot of his DC stuff in here.  Jee is one of the best in the industry right now, and for $27 bucks, it’ll make a comic geek happy.

I felt compelled to at least throw one manga in here.  I’m currently enjoying 7 Billion Needles. It’s got your great manga tropes.  Teenage girls, giant monsters, alien invasions, and power up battles.  All done with taste and style that doesn’t make you feel dirty reading it.  Part one is out  and runs about $9 bucks, with part 2 right around the corner.  Any sci-fi fan will enjoy the hell out of this book.

That’s about it for comics and books.  I should have part two of this list up by the middle of the week, which will be covering DVD’s and Games.