With the holiday season in full swing following Black Friday, now is the perfect time to begin planning what gifts to give. Whether for a parent, sibling, friend or significant other, coming up with the right gift can sometimes be a challenge.
However, the largest shopping season of the year also brings a plethora of options. Whether buying for someone else or yourself, the following are just a few simple suggestions to help get your wish list started.
Graphic Novels
Batman: The Black Mirror Hardcover
The DC universe may have started over, but this collection brings together one of the last great storylines of Detective Comics from before the reboot. Writer Scott Snyder ‘s entire 11-issue run on the series is collected, and provides a genuine mystery for fans of the Dark Knight to sink their teeth into.
X-Men: Prelude to Schism Hardcover
Marvel’s mutants have been receiving a lot of praise for their recent changes, and curious readers looking to get into will find no better place to start. Jason Aaron lays the groundwork for a major face-off between Cyclops and Wolverine, and sets up the major split that will divide the team.
Morning Glories: Volume 1 Hardcover
Everyone has a day where they hate being at school; the kids at Morning Glories Academy feel that way every day, with a staff and student body that could easily turn out to be trying to kill each other. This oversized hardcover collects the first twelve issues of Nick Spencer’s award-winning series, along with a plethora of bonus features.
Video Games
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)
There’s no bigger time sink for gamers this season than the latest entry in Bethesda’s fantasy series. With well over 100 hours of gameplay for players to discover, this is an easy suggestion for those looking to spend their holiday in a virtual world.
Mario Kart 7 (3DS)
For those who actually have a Nintendo 3DS, it’s a no-brainer to pick the newest Mario Kart game up. With new racers, new tracks and an upgraded online system, Mario Kart 7 is one of the most fully-fledged games yet for the system, and as fun as the series has ever been.
Fortune Street (Wii)
An odd choice, but this unique Monopoly-style game has been a hit in Japan for years. Featuring characters from the Mario andDragon Quest franchises, this unique title’s first release in the United States could easily provide a fun game for families to play together.
DVD/Blu-ray
Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Blu-ray)
For all the unnecessary changes George Lucas has made to the films over the years, this release remains the best way to see the series. The numerous bonus features provide an added bonus. For those who despise the prequels, the original trilogy is available in its own set as well.
Awkward. Season 1 (DVD)
This MTV original series flew under the radar over the summer, which means it provides a great chance to give someone the gift of a smart, funny show. Following the journey of a socially-awkward teenage girl, the series is perfect for fans of Juno or MTV’s own Daria.
Harry Potter: The Complete 8 Film Collection (Blu-ray)
This is by the far the most extravagant item on the list, but for fans, there’s no better way to own the complete journey of the famous boy wizard. Plus, the whole series is going off the market for a while after the holiday, so make sure to grab the films while they’re still available.
