Finding the perfect gift for the illustrated art connoisseur, comic book aficionado, or pop-culture lover on your holiday gift giving list isn’t always easy. They are typically long-time collectors and enthusiasts who have been at their hobby for many years. They have LOTS of books. Or Tchotchkes. Or Whatever! The point is, unless you live in the same house as them, there’s no way of avoiding the “Oh, I already have this (fill in the blank),” when the wrapping paper is torn away.
The struggle is real. But the holiday elves at Bud’s Art Books specialize in the extraordinary and we have some suggestions for gifting those hard-to-shop-for people in your life!
Comic Art, for Art’s Sake
For true comic book purists, reading a standard comic print isn’t enough. Artist’s Editions are printed directly from high-resolution 1:1 scans of the original black-and-white comic art boards. Collectors can see every pencil line, blue-line note, white-out correction, and ink stroke exactly as the artist created it. The latest deluxe version that is definitely a must-have is Stephen Bissette’s Tyrant Original Art Edition Signed (SBTYRD, $184.00) This 12” x 19” beauty features every page of Steve Bissette’s Tyrant original art, art and info from unpublished issues #5 and #6, along with rare and never-before-seen pieces from throughout his nearly 50-year career. Designed by Jim Rugg, it includes signature plate signed by the author and comes housed in a fully designed dinosaur pattern display case. MORE ARTIST EDITIONS
Also Recommended:
The Amazing Spider-Man by Steve Ditko Artist’s Edition (AMSDAEH, $175.00)
Doctor Strange by Paul Smith Artist’s Edition (DOCSPH, $125.00
Box It Up, They’ll Take It!
For maximum impact, nothing beats a heavy, beautifully constructed slipcase set. Boxed sets not only protect multi-volume masterworks for generations to come, but they also serve as instant centerpiece items on any collector’s bookshelf. Just released is the new The Simpson Treehouse of Horror Ominous Omnibus Boxed Set (SIMPTHH, $110.00), collecting Treehouse of Horror #1-23 (1995-2017) in a deluxe slipcase, 3 additional original prints and a bonus poster. MORE BOXED SETS
If they love MOVIES...
If there’s a cinephile on your list, then the folks at Taschen Books have the perfect series of hardcovers dedicated to a single decade of film, each covering 100 movies in-depth. These are great reference books for film buffs, presenting the editor’s choices for the 100 best films from any given period, with most likely a lot of overlap with your giftee’s favorites. Start with 100 Movies of the ‘60s (MOV60H, $40.00) and work your way forward! MORE MOVIE BOOKS
Also Recommended:
100 MOVIES OF THE ‘70s (MOV70H, $40.00)
100 MOVIES OF THE ‘80s (MOV80H, $40.00)
100 MOVIES OF THE ‘90s (MOV90H, $40.00)
100 MOVIES OF THE ‘00s (MOV00H, $40.00)
Are They a Monster Maniac?
If the person on your list celebrates Halloween year-round and has a closet full of Universal Monsters t-shirts and shelves of monster memorabilia, then we have many options for the gift-givers out there. Son of Monster Mash (SONMMH, $45.95), the long-awaited sequel to 2016’s Monster Mash from TwoMorrows is a fantastic monster bash. It’s a frightfully good tome filled with nostalgic looks at the Monster craze of the last century, filled with photos, interviews, and insightful articles all about horror movies and other scary (fun) stuff.
A Good Story with Pictures
If you have a person on your list this year who loves a good story, especially classically illustrated literature, then the folks at Dulace Books have the answer. Their series of books collecting the classic tales of long ago, illustrated by the great Edmund Dulac (1882-1953) in the American Weekly and elsewhere, are a trove of wonder. Dulac’s artwork illuminates the timeless tales of Sindbad, Aladdin, King Arthur, and more. Beautiful work from another time! MORE ILLUSTRATED BOOKS
The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor (SEVSIN, $19.99)
Seven Tales from King Arthur’s Court: Paintings by Edmund Dulac (SEVTK, $15.99)
Edmund Dulac: His American Weekly Collection 1924-1951 (EDMDH, $39.99)
Adventure Awaits!
Here at Bud’s Art Books, Adventure comes second nature to us. We support ALL of the heroes of legend and their exploits: Conan, John Carter, Red Sonja, Doc Savage, Flash Gordon, Tarzan and even THUN’DA. “Thun’da who?” you may ask. Created in 1952 by the not-yet-legendary Frank Frazetta, Thun’da is a jungle-adventure comic that follows a similar formula to that of Edgar Rice Burroughs tales of Caspak, “The Land that Time Forgot.” In Frank Frazetta’s Thun’da: King of the Congo (FRATKH, $55.00), WWII Air Force pilot Roger Drum is deposited into a hidden African valley filled with danger and dinosaurs! This volume presents Frank’s only issue of the series (before he left over creative differences) in both color and black-and-white, in a large 10”x13” format. It is a true gem of adventure storytelling from the emerging talent of Frazetta!
Just the FACs!
Facsimile editions allow fans and historians to hold a piece of pop-culture history in their hands without paying thousands at auction. These exact replicas capture original vintage comic books, pulps, paperbacks, and magazines—reproducing original ads, newsprint feel, and historical layouts. You can get pre-code horror vintage sci-fi facsimiles, such Horrific #1 Facsimile Edition (HORR01, $15.99) and Startling Comics #49 Facsimile Edition (STAW49, $15.99). There’s also the chance to hold replicas of the most-sought after comics, like Action Comics #1 Facsimile Edition (ACTC01, $6.99) and Detective Comics #27 Facsimile Edition (DETC27, $6.99) – all complete with original covers and period-accurate color reproduction. MORE FACSIMILES
Gift Tip: Facsimiles are wonderful, budget friendly stocking stuffers for all!
For the Love of Cartoons
For the giftee who always used to rise early on Saturday morning to devour a bowl of Cap’n Crunch while the Looney Tunes played out their divine symphony of chaotic slapstick and archaic pop references lost on its younger audience, have we got a treat for them! Written by Ruth Clampett (with an assist from animation historian Darrell Van Citters) Welcome to Wackyland: The Wonderful World of Bob Clampett Signed (WELCHS, $80.00) is the colorful and personal remembrance of famed Warner Bros. animator Bob Clampett who, among many, many achievements, created Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, as well as the phenomenon that was Beany & Cecil. Written with a daughter’s love and an eye to presenting his best works, this is a great read for any animation fan! MORE CARTOONS & COMIC STRIPS
When All Else Fails, a Bud’s Art Books Digital Gift Card Will Do!
After all those suggestions, if you’re really not sure what to get them— let them choose themselves! Bud’s Art Books Digital Gift Cards are available online in increments ranging from $25 to $200. Happy holidays to all!
