Sadie’s due back next week. It’s been a blast!

Black Jack by Osamu Tezuka – have I talked about this mange enough yet?  No?  Ok, let me reiterate.  This story about a talented yet mad doctor is both heartwarming AND gory.  A perfect gift!

Ghost World, Special Edition by Daniel Clowes -  ok, I admit I saw the movie before reading the book.  I liked the movie, loved the book.  I don’t usually compare the two but this deluxe edition includes the movie screenplay so obsessives can sit and pick apart the differences.  It also includes a “where are they now” comic!  Awesome!

Hellboy 2: The Chained Coffin, the Right Hand of Doom, and Others by Mike Mignola -  they claim this list isn’t just for nerds but include a “velvet-bound, over-sized book that showcases [Mignola's] his stunning art to it’s fullest”.  I don’t know about you but the only person who gets excited over my absolute or deluxe editions is a total (cute) nerd.  So if you know one, trust me, big giant comics that feel really heavy are the perfect gift!

Local by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly – I became a fan of Brian Wood after his collection of short stories, Demo.  Local is just as good, if not better.  Plus, it includes a chapter set in Norman!  Nothing like seeing your local haunts depicted in a story about loss and depression is there?

Kramer’s Ergot #7 edited by Sammy Harkham – I haven’t read it but I can’t go a single day without hearing about it.

Gifts they recommend that I would pass on:

DC Vault and Marvel Chronicles – two histories of the giants, complete with memorabilia and an insane price tag.

Will Eisner’s The Spirit: A Pop-Up Graphic Novel by Will Eisner – yay!  Sexism!  Racism! In 3D!  Include a pair of tickets to the awful looking movie to really make someone uncomfortable this Christmas.  *Disclaimer* I know Eisner is a genius but really, the Spirit needs some updating and Darwyn Cook’s version doesn’t really manage it.

Personally, I am not a Tori Amos fan.  But I am a Neil Gaiman fan and when he tells me to read something, I do it.  The artwork in this book is stunning.  Plus, the giant size makes every last detail stick out; I included a really big picture so you can get an idea. Definitely made the “poetry” of Ms. Amos worthwhile.