Multiversity’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

Regardless of what holiday(s) you celebrate, we all need gift ideas for the folks in our lives who would rather a comic or a LEGO set than another sweater or a Starbucks gift card. We are here for you!

This year we asked our staff to fit in their gift selections according to five themes:

• Something I want
• Something I need
• Something to wear
• Something to read
• One ultimate, pie-in-the-sky item (where money is no object)

Happy Holidays from us, and enjoy the Gift Guide!

Something I want

Coraline 4K Blu-ray ($34.98)

I love 4K discs. (Don’t get me started on streaming―it’s not as good, it lacks the colour depth and crushes the blacks especially hard.) And of all the things that look good in 4K, stop-motion animation is at the top of the list. All the glorious hand-crafted detail becomes richer. It becomes more alive than ever. Because of this, I’ve been wanting LAIKA’s films to come out on 4K discs for a long time now and this year, thanks to pairing with Shout! Factory, it has finally happened. And Henry Selick’s Coraline is about as deserving of the format as anything could be―an instant classic, one of the best stop-motion animated films of all time. (Just make sure you turn off all picture enhancements. The film has already been optimised to look as good as possible. Any “enhancements” your TV does to it will only degrade the image. Motion smoothing especially makes animation look like garbage and serves no purpose whatsoever when you consider that the film was literally crafted frame by frame. Treat your eyeballs with respect, please.) – Mark Tweedale

Doom Patrol by Rachel Pollack Omnibus ($100)

I usually cheat on these lists by including a couple books, mostly because I believe books make the best gifts. And this is a gift I really want. In fact, I’ve been waiting for something like this since 2019, yet I somehow only found out about it during my interview with her and Joe Corallo earlier this year.

For those who don’t know, Rachel Pollack’s run on “Doom Patrol” followed Grant Morrison’s seminal tenure on the title. In a way, it’s been overshadowed by that legacy and I hope that’s starting to turn around. It does some very interesting things with the characters and stays true to the tone Morisson set while setting off in its own direction. It was also, up until now, one of the only bits of “Doom Patrol” worth reading that’s not in print and by one of DC’s first high profile trans creators, of which there have been sadly too few.

I know a hardcover is a harder sell than a paperback collection but I’ve been really happy with DCs current approach to these omnibus releases. They’re sturdy, they’re comprehensive, and even if they have been going out of stock faster than I liked (looking at you Gotham Central,) they make it easy to read the comics you love, if you don’t already own them physically, and have them look great on a shelf. – Elias Rosner

Saga of the Swamp Thing Box Set ($120.00)

In 2020, I went on something of a DC/Vertigo journey, reading “The Sandman,” along with “Saga of the Swamp Thing,” and 1-13 or so volumes of “Hellblazer.” Reading all three gave me context for the interconnected pieces of that sprawling story. Each title has its unique vibe and context, but seeing how these worlds created in the 1980s were interconnected was fun while the world of 2020 was largely shut down. And although “The Sandman” made the biggest impression on me, some of the stories in Alan Moore’s “Saga of the Swamp Thing” were absolutely magical, some were horrific, most are frighteningly still relevant today, and one was so profoundly disturbing that I’m not sure I ever want to read it again. This box set would be a great way of collecting that story that’s easier than grabbing the individual trades. – Mel Lake

The Sandman Omnibus Vol. 3 ($150.00)

I already have the first two, so why not get the third and complete the set? The omnibus editions make for an easy reading order, and the leather cover is just gloriously soft and gorgeous, it’ll look great on your bookshelf. (To be fair, I do have a feeling I am getting this for Christmas.) – Kate Kosturski

Exploding Giraffe Substack Subscription ($69/year or $7/month)

As Twitter erodes in real time and social media sites begin to lose their appeal, the days of message boards and community forums are back, friends! Comics writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Niko Henrichon have collaborated in the past (yes, their name comes from that meme), and are collaborating again on a comic called “Spectators,” with installments dropping weekly on this Substack. Vaughan also pops by weekly with great, informative essays, and keeps the community growing with engaging conversations, fun contests, and a super positive vibe. It’s my favorite nerd hangout these days. – Johnny Hall

Home to Stay!: The Complete Ray Bradbury EC Stories ($75.00)

I love the story of how Ray Bradbury’s tales became comics, if you don’t know it, EC comics was publishing stories that were “influenced” (plagiarized) by Bradbury’s texts, but instead of sending a cease and desist, he sent a letter “reminding” them that they missed the payment on the royalties, attributing it to a possible mistake in the office. In response, Ed Gaines sent a check and turned the unofficial stories into a series of comics properly credited to Bradbury.

Now, Fantagraphics is collecting all these stories, the official ones and the plagiarized too, in a massive coffee-table sized book for the first time ever. It’s a big, beautiful book and I want it on my home. – Ramón Piña

One Piece TCG: Romance Dawn Booster Box ($100)
Two things I love, One Piece and trading card games, are finally together at last! Bandai has been on a tear with TCGs lately, with Digimon being a particular success. The quality of the cards is terrific and while I wish there weren’t so many cards featuring anime artwork, there are more than enough cards using manga or original artwork to make up for it. The game itself is extremely fun to play, featuring interesting mechanics that even the One Piece naive can enjoy. There are four starter decks that make it easy to jump in and start playing. The first set, “Romance Dawn,” adds over 100 cards to improve your decks with. Don’t get caught by scalpers though. The decks retail for $11.99 each, and booster packs will set you back $4.19 (around $100 for box, though most stores offer discounts). – Zach Wilkerson

Cosmic Odyssey Deluxe Edition ($42.93)

As I am getting older and my kids are getting older, I’m trying to get all of my favorite stuff in formats that are more readable and easily accessible than my long boxes. This is in my top 5 comics of all time, and while the original prestige edition singles are in pretty good shape, this will be a little sturdier on my shelf. Do I need another copy? Not really, but that’s never stopped a comic purchase in my life. That said, where’s the oversized ‘Absolutely’ edition, DC? – Brian Salvatore

Something I need

Hellboy Universe Essentials: B.P.R.D. ($14.99)

Last year, I had the “Hellboy Universe Essentials: Hellboy” on my “something to read” list, so let’s keep the Essentials collection going with one focusing on the B.P.R.D. As I continue my exploration of the world of Hellboy, these primers provide just the right level of introduction to canon. – Kate Kosturski

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio: A Timeless Tale Told Anew ($60.00)

Predictably, I’m going with an art book. In this case, it’s the art book for Guillermo del Toro’s latest masterpiece, Pinocchio. Guy Davis (“The Marquis,” “B.P.R.D.”) was the production designer on this film, so I’m very much looking forward to poring over his work. I wish we were still getting new comics from him, but at least I can enjoy his sense of design through his film work. And in Pinocchio, you can feel him at work more than any other film I’ve seen, so I’m expecting it’ll be a fantastic book. – Mark Tweedale

The Absolute Sandman: Overture ($125.00)

Disclaimer: I actually have this particular volume, though I’d love to add the rest of the absolute editions to my shelf as well. Technically, no one needs a giant format book like this unless they need to bonk an intruder over the head. But I got this as a treat for myself when completing a personal goal and I chose it for this category because it’s absolutely hecking beautiful. If you choose one volume of “The Sandman” to get in the big “absolute” format, I’d recommend this one. (But don’t read it before you read the main series!) – Mel Lake

KALLAX Shelving Units ($250 for the big boy 5×5, $80 for the reasonable tall one 4×2)

Look. I need new shelves. Everything that’s not a floppy (and even my floppie) are in piles around my apartment because I’ve already filled our shelves and it is DRIVING ME UP A WALL. I’m almost certain I’m not alone on this. So I did what any self-respecting comics fan in 2022 does: I turned to the internet to figure out what I should get.

While I would obviously prefer a nice sturdy wooden unit that I probably have to custom build, everyone seems to agree the KALLAX from Ikea is the best option for storing comics, especially for storing the big honking omnibuses that I love. The shelves don’t sag, they’re tall enough, and they fit into most spaces. Considering the shelves I have now – also IKEA – are too short and smiling at me, that’s a win in my book.

For the budget conscious, I highlighted the huge one for this but they even offer a $15 single cube if you want. Your friend with the book piles will thank you later. – Elias Rosner

Love and Rockets: The First Fifty: The Classic 40th Anniversary Collection ($400.00)

I’ve been so good this year – I think I deserve this tremendous collection of the first 40 years of the iconic comic series from legends and brothers Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez. This facsimile edition reprints everything, like ads and letter columns, all just as if you were cracking open the original issues. I simply can’t wait to make a nice cup of coffee on Christmas morning and sit down with this tremendous collection! – Johnny Hall

Godzilla Ceramic Ramen Bowl and Chopsticks ($19.99)

Look, do I absolutely need a ceramic ramen bowl with the King of the Monsters on it? I suppose it’s debatable, but I must be true to who I am: I need this bowl. – Brian Salvatore

Humble’s Image 30th Anniversary Bundle: The 10’s ($400)

Humble Bundle has been celebrating thirty years of Image Comics with bundles from every decade, first it was the 90’s, then the 2000’s, and now it’s time for the next decade It has been 10 years since I turned from casual reader into a full-blown comic book fan, so, this means that these are some of the books that educated me and made me a fan, so this is an opportunity to own a digital copy of the entire “Saga,” “Sex Criminals,” and “Alex + Ada.” Plus, this is the perfect chance to catch up with great books that I missed, like “Luther Strode,” “Copra,” and “Zero.” Plus, you help donate to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation.

And if this is not your flavor, there’s also a bundle by Dark Horse that includes their entire Neil Gaiman library, that helps the UNHCR, both bundles run trough the rest of the year. – Ramón Piña

The Absolute Multiversity ($99.99)

This will look great on my shelf next to “Absolute Final Crisis.” – Zach Wilkerson

Something to wear

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi T-shirt

Look, I had no idea that there was a Yaddle t-shirt. But now that I know, I have never wanted anything more in my entire life. – Brian Salvatore

Doctor Who Christmas Sweater ($54.99)

I am not an ugly sweater person. Honest! Christmas is fun and all, but ugly sweaters and matching pajamas were not traditions in my house growing up so I have to confess that I never really understood the appeal of the ugly sweater … until I came across one with Daleks on it. This sweater is actually well-made, and not a screen print. Wearing it might make you happy enough to avoid wanting to exterminate those on your naughty list. – Mel Lake

Dalek Gemstone Stretch Bracelet ($25.00)

I’m all about fandom as fashion, particularly jewelry and accessories because they can blend In seamlessly with your personal style and are not limited to wearing at the con. Bracelets have been my big thing this year, and I love the colors in the beads that are available. – Kate Kosturski

Something is Killing the Children Erica Slaughter t-shirt ($19.99 Retail)

Tynion’s first true-blue bonafide hit “Something is Killing the Children” continues to be one of my favorite comics on the stands month after month, thanks in quite a large part to its main character: Erica Slaughter. To say she’s a hit would be an understatement and with every hit, there is merch. This one features Werther Dell’Edera’s art and it is so cool. Erica is so cool anyway but Dell’Edera’s shirt design really ups the ante.

Sadly not every size remains in stock and these are usually limited time affairs, with first orders often going to Tynion’s substack subscribers. But! There are plenty of other SiKtC shirts and merch on the site as well as for his other excellent comics. If you’ve got a horror fan in your life, especially a SiKtC fan, then you know where to look. – Elias Rosner

Sick Sad World t-shirt ($34.99)

I just realized I don’t have any Daria t-shirts. This is a serious oversight I must fix. – Mark Tweedale

George Herriman Krazy Kat and Ignatz T-Shirt ($25.00)

Krazy & Ignatz say Trans Rights! Proceeds from the sale of this shirt go to the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice “a community activist center, educational bridge, and safe-space for our LGBTQIA youth, our intersectional families, and all of our beautifully diverse communities.” – Johnny Hall

Fantagraphics Hat ($49.99)

This year I fully embraced the Fantagraphics life, and what better way to tell the world that you are a fan of them than using their merch? Plus, if you are fan of Baseball, this is the perfect match. This is a wool-blend flannel hat, made by Ebbets Field Flannels, a company dedicated to preserving historically accurate Baseball clothing, and it’s gorgeous. – Ramón Piña

Uniqlo One Piece Film: Red Collaboration ($19.90)

What better attire to don while playing the One Piece card game than these snazzy wares from Uniqlo? –Zach Wilkerson

Something to read

Shuna’s Journey by Hayao Miyazaki($28)

I know nothing about this book, other than that it’s an early Miyazaki work being presented in English for the first time. Funny story, I actually bought a volume of “Shuna’s Journey” while I was in Japan, thinking it was related to “Nausicaa.” The book certainly seems to have similar vibes to “Nausicaa” and “Princess Mononoke.” I’m very excited to check it out.- Zach Wilkerson

Avatar: The Last Airbender―The Dawn of Yangchen ($19.99)

You may not be aware of this, but F.C. Yee has written several Avatar: The Last Airbender books and they’re really rather good. The Dawn of Yangchen is the latest and I’m looking forward to finally reading it. It’s finally sinking in that more Avatar is on the way, and suddenly I want to immerse myself in that world as much as possible. – Mark Tweedale

The Murderbot Diaries (Books 1-4) ($75.96)

If you haven’t gotten on the Murderbot train yet, let me just tell you, Murderbot is hilarious. The first four installments are novellas that can easily be read in just a few sittings. They are sci-fi books told from the point of view of a sentient robot-human construct who breaks free of the constraints keeping it bound to its clients. Murderbot is a reluctant hero the entire time, preferring to watch television and interact with others as little as possible. Big mood, Murderbot, big mood. – Mel Lake

Ice Nine Kills: Inked in Blood ($19.95)

Thanks to some friends, I discovered how diverse metal music is this year, so I’ve been filling up my Spotify with their suggestions. The minute someone mentioned Ice Nine Kills, I remembered Z2 had a graphic novel out last year, and what better way for my interests old and new to collide? (Now I just need an I Prevail graphic novel and I will be a happy Kate.) – Kate Kosturski

Together We Will Go Paperback ($18 retail)

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a humongous J. Michael Straczynski fan. He was a big part of my comics journey and a big part of my family’s media habits. Hell, I even did a 5 year look at Babylon 5 that wrapped up a couple months ago. It shouldn’t be a shock, then, that I’m putting his latest novel on this list. Sure it’s not a comic but JMS is, in my mind, a comics creator and so that’s close enough.

“Together We WIll Go” came out in paperback at the start of the year and while I haven’t gotten a chance to read it yet – it’s on my nightstand…waiting… – other people in my family who’ve read it really liked it. Best part about this gift is it’s fairly cheap AND is a gateway into the works of a man who really knows how to write. – Elias Rosner

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay Folio Society Edition ($175.00)

Another bougie thing I do is try to get a beautiful, hardcover edition of my favorite books, and it doesn’t get more beautiful than a Folio Society edition. This is the best novel ever written about comics, and deserves a nicer edition on my shelf. Plus, Chris Samnee illustrations! – Brian Salvatore
Illuminations: Stories by Alan Moore ($30.00)

I’ve heard mixed reviews about this short story collection from comics legend Alan Moore, but where the Wizard of Northampton goes, I will follow. – Johnny Hall

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Omnibus ($150)

I have been looking for a good book to binge read, and Omnibuses are always a great option, I couldn’t decide between the newest releases: both Miles Morales’ Omnibus reissues, the new edition of “Silver Surfer” by Slott and Allred, Rachel Pollack’s first collection of her “Doom Patrol” run, or the new editions of Mignola’s “B.P.R.D.”

At the end, the best option to me was a book that changed the definition of heroism, how to deal with both villains and life, an often educative book and always hilarious, of course, I’m talking about the gamechanger titled “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” omnibus, this thing of beauty includes everything from North, Henderson and Charm: The 58 isues, the ONG, the crossover with “Howard The Duck” and a bunch of extras, every single page in a convenient tome. – Ramón Piña

One ultimate, pie-in-the-sky item (where money is no object)

Pochita Sleeping Plush 10” ($22.95 Retail)

LOOK HOW CUTE HE ISSSSS. MY BOYYYYYYYYYYYYY. I need him now and I refuse to let anyone talk me out of it. – Elias Rosner

Le Château des Étoiles – Tome 6: L’exposition Interplanétaire de 1875 (grand format, $54.87)

I can’t read French, but it is truly something special to behold Alex Alice’s “Castle in the Stars” art in a 11.3 x 15 inches book. (Plus, the lettering is so good that even though I can’t read it, I can still appreciate it aesthetically.) Rue de Sevres’ grand format editions are nothing short of incredible. And on top of the deluxe presentation, these editions also come with extra features, something you won’t find in the English editions of “Castle in the Stars.” I don’t know what this sixth volume includes, but in the past it has ranged from sketchbook material and notes from Alice to having a 32-page supplemental book full of Alice’s layouts. This would make for a kingly gift. – Mark Tweedale

Oranges Coffee Mug ($19.98)

This particular item might not hold much appeal unless you’re a fan of Our Flag Means Death, but in this category, my recommendation is something to tide you over until the next season of your favorite show! Several awesome shows will be coming back in 2023, so why not get a little something to tide you over. Our Flag Means Death was my new favorite show and the ‘ship’ that took over my brain for most of 2022. But I’m also looking forward to Good Omens and Severance coming back for their sophomore seasons as well. So in the meantime, drinking out of a mug with oranges on it will remind me of the “immoderate use of the citrus” in episode 7 of OFMD. And this “Best of Queen” enamel pin will remind me of Crowley’s cursed tape player from Good Omens. (As for Severance, I don’t think I can in good faith suggest creepy corporate artwork or cheesy self-help manuals, so I might just have to make do with a rewatch and a dance party instead.) – Mel Lake

LEGO Architecture: Eiffel Tower ($157.95)

I do not have any more room for LEGO builds in my house unless I kick out the person I live with, but this is my dream LEGO build, if only for the sole reason I got to see the actual Eiffel Tower in person this year. – Kate Kosturski

Mike Mignola’s Original Art ($500-$1900)

Mignola’s art is kind of a holy grail to every collector, there aren’t many pages out there, but after the pandemic, he has been doing sketches and auctioning them on eBay to help the very noble cause of chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen.

The only problem, you must have up to nineteen hundred bucks ready to spare, if I had them, I would immediately try to buy one of these beauties. – Ramón Piña

Batman and Batmobile Deluxe 1:10 Scale Statue by Iron Studios ($1150)

The loss of Kevin Conroy this year really kind of hit me hard, but it also got me to reconnect with the old series. I’ve been putting them on at night, before bed, and watching a couple episodes at a time. Conroy, and the series as a whole, is the platonic ideal of Batman – the perfect tone, aesthetics, and genre – in one dynamite package. This statue from Iron Scale Studios is insanely expensive, and I’m not even a huge statue guy, but this series, with Paul Dini’s excellent writing, Bruce Timm’s incredible visuals, and Kevin Conroy’s masterful voice acting, is such an important touchstone to my comics fandom that maybe if I’m extra extra good to close out the year Santa will see to it that I get my hands on one of these. – Johnny Hall

Steam Deck ($399.99)

I don’t need a Steam Deck, but it would certainly be nice to have one to play all of the Trails games.

Fender Custom Shop Bass VI Journeyman Relic in Vintage White ($5,900)

What is the common denominator between “Hey Jude” and the Twin Peaks theme? This is. – Brian Salvatore