1. 🧠 The Smart Buy (Best Value for Money)

Items that deliver the most substance for their cost — thick trades, box sets, digital bundles, or multi-use gear. (Example: an Omnibus Edition, Marvel Unlimited, or a good pair of Bluetooth headphones for audiobook listening.)

Dave:

1. The Transformers Compendium Vol. 1 (Order here: $38 on Amazon for 44 issues!)
2. Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 1 (Order here: 2025 Edition)

Alex: 

1. Marvel Unlimited ($69/year) & DC Universe ($74.99)
2. X-Men Fatal Attractions Omnibus (Order here: 47% off on Amazon!)

2. 🖼️ Shelf Candy (Best Display or Design Piece)

Books, collectibles, or art prints that look incredible on a shelf. Could include deluxe hardcovers, vinyl soundtracks, statues, or even minimalist poster series.

Dave:

1. The Fantastic Four: First Steps Poster (more info)
2. McFarlane Toys - Marvel Venom 1:6th Scale Collectible with Scene & Comic (Order here: more info)

Alex:

1. Jumbo Size Funko Superman
2. Mondo X-Men ‘97 Storm Figure

3. 💥 The Hype Pick (What Everyone’s Talking About)

This year’s buzziest thing — a trending comic, toy line, show, or crossover event. Great for conversation starters and “must-have” energy.

Dave: All the Absolute comics! Absolute Batman (link), Absolute Wonder Woman (link), Absolute Superman (link), Absolute Martian Manhunter (link), Absolute Green Lantern (link). 

Alex: Ultimate Universe Box Set: 1,000 pages, $84.99, from a cover price of $120. (Order here: Discounted on Amazon)

4. 🕹️ The Experience Buy (Immersive or Interactive Purchases)

Games, tabletop sets, or hobby kits that offer hours of engagement. Could include LEGO kits, or VR titles — anything that rewards time spent.

Dave:

1. The Mortal Coil Shuffle (more info)
2. Arkham Asylum Lego (more info)

Alex:

1. Tickets to Emerald City Comic Con
2. Rolife book nooks

5. 🎁 The Perfect Gift (Universal Crowd-Pleasers)

Accessible, fun items that make ideal gifts for fans or newcomers alike — art books, indie trades, collectible card sets, or streaming subscriptions.

Dave:

1. JLA Earth 2 Deluxe Edition (more info) 
2. Alex Ross Marvel Super Villains Mural 2025 Oversized Wall Calendar (more info)

Alex: Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1, gift card to MyComicShop.com

6. 🔥 The Deep Cut (For Hardcore Collectors)

Rare editions, imports, signed items, or niche merchandise that appeals to completists and superfans. 

Dave: Jim Aparo's DC Classics Artist's Edition (or any Artist’s Edition for that matter!)

Alex: Taschen X-Men edition (more info)

7. 🎧 The Rich Friend Buy (Stuff That Most Can’t Afford)

Nuff said.

Dave: Wolverine: Weapon X statue (more info), or if you really wanna splurge. 

Alex: X-Men Danger Room and all Stephen King Marvel Omnibus collected.

8. 🌀 The Wild Card

Anything offbeat, surprising, or delightfully weird — a novelty figure, indie zine, retro collectible, or something you didn’t expect to love but now can’t stop recommending.

Dave: The End Times (Info here) and PeePee PooPoo #100,000 (more info)

Alex: Any comic from Silver Sprocket, like Of Thunder & Lightning and the Chromatic Fantasy, also, just go to your LCS and look for vintage figures!

And that's a wrap on our gift guide. We hope you enjoy the podcast explanations for why we picked them, and we'll be back on our regular scheduled weekly basis a week after next!