It’s that time of year! Have you finished your holiday shopping? If you’ve been procrastinating, fear not: Comics Beat has the 2025 Comics Lover Gift Guide! What are you most excited about giving (or receiving) this holiday season?
ARPAD OKAY: Demon Summoner Gash Gash by Connor McCann. Nothing says “happy holidays” like psychedelic mutilation splatter-house apocalypse comics. There’s a great, OG outlaw comic intensity to this one, black humor and bloody guts. Very industrial culture concert poster. So Man’s Ruin fans take note as well as SLG heads. Super messed up, but with heart. Even vaguely (super) heroic? Very small press, but available through your local comic shop, so talk to them if that’s how you get your comics, and check out the Strangers Publishing webshop if you like to buy direct.
EVELYNN (E.B.) HUTCHINS: The Invincible Compendiums, before season 4 comes out.
RICARDO SERRANO: The DC Compact books. Buying these little books is like collecting Pokémon. You just want to have them all together. They’re manga-sized books that collect classic DC runs and graphic novels. Watchmen, Y: The Last Man, New Frontier, the Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti Harley Quinn comics, and more are available now and make for great gifts. They’re the kind of books that get people into comics. Some graphic novels don’t fare well in smaller sizes (namely Arkham Asylum), but the majority look pretty good. Most importantly, they’re cheap. Ten bucks a pop.
SAMANTHA PUC: The Folio Society’s The Lottery and Other Dark Tales by Shirley Jackson, illustrated by Angie Hoffmeister. The Folio Society produces some of the most stunning books in the world, and this illustrated edition of horror master Shirley Jackson’s short stories is no different. Angie Hoffmeister’s art perfectly captures the eerie, haunting quality of Jackson’s work without giving so much away that the monsters become more case study than night terror. This will look incredible on anyone’s shelf and will surely inspire admiration from any recipient, especially if they have an appreciation for classic work being showcased in new ways.
BILLY HENEHAN: Jim Aparo’s DC Classics Artist’s Edition by Jim Aparo, Bob Haney, Michael Fleisher and Scott Dunbier. Dunbier has put together a beautiful collection of Jim Aparo’s DC work from the 70s, showing off the work of the legendary artist on Detective Comics, The Brave and the Bold and Adventure Comics. While known mainly for his work on Batman, half of the pages here are from Jim’s days of drawing the Spectre in Adventure Comics. Dunbier has pulled together complete stories, presented in full size. It’s coming out right before the holidays, a perfect gift for any fan of Jim Aparo. And who isn’t a fan of Jim Aparo?
JEREMY FUSCALDO: Baby-Sitters Little Sister: Karen’s Sleepover by Katy Farina. This installment from Scholastic Graphix’s imprint library this year is a spin-off of their Baby-Sitter’s Club re-released/re-illustrated graphic novel adaptation, based upon the novel by Ann M. Martin. The original Baby-Sitters Little Sister series was written between 1988 and 2000, and this adaptation by Farina was released in May of 2024. This comic tells the story of Karen having her first sleepover with her and her friends. She and her friends have plans to tell spooky stories, bake cookies and eat all of the food from the refrigerator. However, things take an unexpected turn for the worse when Karen and her friend Nancy get into a big fight and the end result is Karen not wanting Nancy to come to her party. Instead, a new girl by the name of Pamela comes along but she is not any fun. This graphic novel is a wonderful edition for the holidays, for either life long fans of the Baby Sitters Club series or children of all ages. It also includes a special cover art by Katy Farina and designed by Phil Falco.
TIM ROONEY: Sonic the Hedgehog On The Go vol. 1 by Ian Flynn, Evan Stanley, Tracey Yardley, Matt Herms and others. IDW’s Sonic The Hedgehog has been a bed-time hit with my four year old this year, and IDW has plenty of ways to get into the comics, from the small, four-issue trades to the large compendiums. In September, IDW got into the “compact comic” craze and collected the first 12 issues of this dynamic, brightly colored comic into a book nicely sized for smaller hands. Though a bit larger than other digest comics, it’s perfectly suited for younger readers who might need their text and word balloons a little bit larger. It is also a much more satisfying read than the individual trades and less of a bear than the big compendiums. Full of humor, action, and fantastic art, Sonic is a terrific all-ages book that lifelong fans of the games will enjoy, and new, young readers will be thrilled by (my son can testify to that). There’s no better way to get into the series than here at the start.
ARPAD OKAY: Basket by Paco Moccand and Marie Derambure. This comic is a paragon of the increasingly abundant middle ground between alternative comics publishers like Drawn and Quarterly and alternative manga publishers like Glacier Bay. The story, a local girl’s basketball team tests the strength of its friend circle on and off the court, is funny and relatable, real. Which feels contrary to the art, which is wildly experimental in an art brut sketchbook kind of way. This comic you’re probably going to have to get direct from the publisher, Lucky Pocket Press.
D. MORRIS: Shaolin Cowboy: Beginning of the End Results-21 Years of Blood, Sweating, and Chainsaws by Geof Darrow is part artbook and part comics collection. Darrow is one of the greatest to ever do it and this book provides ample evidence to show he’s always had the goods. The main draw with this collection is the Bourbon Thret material. The Bourbon Thret material was a dry run for the work Darrow would fully realize in Shaolin Cowboy. Most of the work hasn’t been published in the US before. It’s a thrill seeing the early work of a master like Darrow especially in the context of the later Start Trek story. Darrow is hard at work on a new Shaolin Cowboy story that will see print later next year. This is a great way to get in on what’s so exciting about not just this character but also Darrow himself.
JEREMY FUSCALDO: Baby-Sitters Little Sister: Karen’s Prize by Shauna J Grant. This installment from Scholastic Graphix’s imprint library this year is a spin-off of their Baby-Sitter’s Club re-released/re-illustrated graphic novel adaptation, based upon the novel by Ann M. Martin. The original Baby-Sitters Little Sister series was written between 1988 and 2000, and this adaptation by Shauna J Grant was released in April of 2025. This retelling tells the story of Karen entering a Spelling Bee contest. She wins one after the other and it seems like she is unstoppable. She becomes the best junior speller in Connecticut and even is scheduled to be on TV. Despite this achievement, her friends are not thrilled at all. They think she is a show-off. This graphic novel is a wonderful edition for the holidays, for either life long fans of the Baby Sitters Club series or children of all ages. It also includes a special cover art by Grant and designed by Natalie Padberg Bartoo.
RICARDO SERRANO: The Adventure Time compact comics. For the same reason as the DC compact books, Adventure Time feels right at home in compact size. These are specially curated collections that contain some of the best and funniest stories in the series. The colors pop, the text is carefully presented to make for easy reading, and they’re also $10 a pop. For those on a budget, it doesn’t get better than this.
ARPAD OKAY: Comics Blogger Magazine by Thomas Campbell. This is the ultimate curiosity satisfier for out-there comics– the best kind, as it answers one question by opening the door to another. I promise, it’s not that esoteric. An old school print zine, each issue featuring a good, long interview with a uniquely interesting contemporary cartoonist, and a bunch of reviews of experimental and avant-garde stuff from the small and smaller comics presses. Campbell does the J Appleseed zine routine of dropping issues at local shops while in town, so you might find one on your cooler shop shelf, or you can order from his website. The perfect diving board into deeper, weirder comic waters.
TAIMUR DAR: Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen: Who Killed Jimmy Olsen? The Deluxe Edition by Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber. Right now writer Matt Fraction is rocking it on the relaunched Batman ongoing title. However, some people might be surprised his venture in the DC Universe was with this offbeat and quirky Jimmy Olsen twelve-issue miniseries from 2019. It’s a loving and audacious love letter to classic Silver Age comics and one of the most endearing supporting characters of the Superman mythos. While I thoroughly enjoyed reading it on a monthly basis, it’s truly meant to be read and enjoyed collected together. Moreover, this deluxe edition is arranged in the preferred reading order making for a completely different experience.
ARPAD OKAY: How Comics Are Made: A Visual History from the Drawing Board to the Printed Page by Glenn Fleishman. This is perhaps the ultimate companion- or alternative, depending on your interests!- to Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics, as Fleishman’s is an informed survey of process and production to McCloud’s visual exploration of theory. But don’t fear! This fascinating book is much more accessible and exciting and vivid than I’ve just made it sound. HCAM brings the vivacity of the comic strip to its analysis, touching on every step of the process. Super neat. Available anywhere books are sold.
D. MORRIS: Santos Sisters, vol 1 by Greg & Fake is one of the funniest superhero books in years. When every Big Two and indie book superhero comic book either a reimagining, multiverses, or crisis events, Santos Sisters keeps things low key. Every issue gets filled with wacky adventures for Alana and Ambar. The collected edition from Fantagraphics covers the first five issues of this delightful (and occasionally vulgar) superhero book. The cover design might be one of the best of the year with the clear bookover. This is certainly a superhero book for anyone up for a good laugh.
ARPAD OKAY: Godzilla vs America comics from IDW. If you’re lucky enough to live in a city that gets stomped, you’re definitely going to want a regional Godzilla one shot. Maybe I’m biased because I’m in MA and the Godzilla vs. America: Boston issue absolutely rips. Jesse Lonergan (whose Drome probably ought to have its own entry on this list), Steve Orlando, Matt Emmons, Hanna Cha, and Hayden Sherman all contribute. You don’t have to be from the Northeast to enjoy this avalanche of micro-references, a flood of molasses, but it helps. Find out how your corner of the American Experiment gets skreeeonk’d in the back-issue bin of your LCS.
RICARDO SERRANO: Drome by Jesse Lonergan. Make a reader happy with what’s arguably the best comic book experience of the year. This story of violence and creation is a love letter to both comics and classic fantasy. Lonergan’s signature panel work and kinetic visual flairs make this hard to put down once you crack open the book. This is another book that can easily make lifelong fans of readers new to the medium. Want to impress? Go big with Drome.
ARPAD OKAY: Art prints by Rama Duwaji. The cartoonist, illustrator, and First Lady of New York City- yeah, Mayor Zohran Mamdani is her husband- still has a (probably long-forgotten) Redbubble page. So yeah, stickers, but also art prints, tote bags. Duwaji has a really compelling series of tapestry portraits you can get on a couple different sizes of “gallery-grade paper.” They look back at you. Duwaji gives us the little details that are her subject’s stories, a camera, a braid, a flower behind the ear, and we tell our stories with them. The passion behind the art is I’m going to create imagery the world is missing. The medium speaks to the same drive: I will make this art, by any means necessary.
D. MORRIS: Who doesn’t love Rumiko Takahashi? The beloved mangaka has cultivated a dedicated following after making hit manga after hit manga for almost 50 years. Earlier this year VIZ released The Art of Rumiko Takahashi: Colors 1978-2024. The artbook collects her color work from her early megahit Urusei Yatsura to her most recent series Mao. The book reproduces her art at slightly larger size, giving these pages some room to breathe. Additionally, it contains commentary, a look into her creative process, and insight from Takahashi herself. Even more enticing that the art is a massive interview with the Queen of Manga. Colors is perfect both for the folks who discovered Ranma ½ when it came out in the 1980s and for those who discovered it through the new anime series.
JEREMY FUSCALDO: Adorable Empire by Laura Berry. Released in June of 2025, this graphic novel tells the story about a goth girl, named Jinx, who has to deal with several life changes, including her parents getting divorced. When she arrives in this new neighborhood, she discovers a magical mysterious crystal and meets a group of mischievous band of magical creatures called ‘The Adorables’ who follow Jinx around everywhere. As one of Graphix’s showcased titles from 2025, this book makes a wonderful edition for the holidays if you are looking to expand your graphic novel collection. It also includes a special cover design by Laura Terry, and cover designer, Carina Taylor.
AVERY KAPLAN: For the witchy cape comics fan in your life, consider The Grimoire of Agatha Harkness: A Magical History and Spellbook. This fun and atmospheric book combines text by Andrea Hannah and Danny Lore with original art by Brittany Horn and magical Marvel Comics artwork from across the decades. This book is presented as a grimoire recovered by Wanda Maximoff at the behest of Doctor Stephen Strange. There are three levels of narrative: a teaching text authored by Harkness, Harkness’ personal notes on the text and then Wanda and Stephen’s commentary as the duo attempt to parse Harkness’ motivations. Do note that this book is based on the continuity and characters from Marvel Comics, not their variants from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And if the recipient has a subscription to Marvel Unlimited, they can use the two pages of artist credits as a guide for further witchy reading.
JEREMY FUSCALDO: The New Girl by Cassandra Calin. Released in June of 2024, this graphic novel tells the story that was inspired by the author’s own immigration experience, and tells a story about change and acceptance. Lia and her family leave behind their life in Romania. And how Lia is thrust into a world where everything is different: her home, her language and other life changes. With all of these changes happening simultaneously, Lia is struggling with her schoolwork, communicating with classmates and other life challenges. But as harrowing as all of these changes are, she learns to eventually confront them and does what she can to live her life and tries to be true to herself. As one of Graphix’s showcased titles from 2025, this book makes a wonderful edition for the holidays if you are looking to expand your graphic novel collection. It also includes a special cover design by Cassandra Calin, and cover designer, Carina Taylor. Additionally, it also includes a special and helpful bilingual glossary towards the end which includes French, Romanian and some simplified Chinese dialect that is educational for all readers trying to learn other languages.
TAIMUR DAR: Superman: The Art and Making of the Film. I haven’t been shy about my love of the recent James Gunn Superman film. The sequel can’t get here soon enough. In the meantime, Abrams published a new art book on the film written by James Field. Even with a featurette on the Blu-ray, this art book uncovers more about the behind-the-scenes of the film. Comic fans will also appreciate the reference to the comics and creators who inspired the film.
RICARDO SERRANO: More Weight by Ben Wickey. The Salem Witch over three different centuries. A monumental work that will delight fans of Alan Moore’s From Hell. The book has a dark, creepy tone that’s perfectly complemented by the cartoony designs of its characters. For anyone uninitiated in the history of the Salem witch trials, this is a treat. It’s an authoritative exploration of it and its impact across centuries of history. Another book of the year contender.
JEREMY FUSCALDO: Unico Hunted by Samuel Sattin; Gurihiru; Osama Tezuka. This latest installment from Samuel Sattin and Gurihiru is a direct continuation from last year’s release of Unico Awakening. I wrote about this series in last year’s Holiday gift guide as well as last year’s Graphix Imprint coverage. When Unico is blasted through time and arrives at a sinister factory town, he meets a young human girl named Chiko, and befriends her. He learns that there is an evil force controlling the town’s factory as well as everyone who lives there– including Chiko. And now the fact of the town and her rests on him; all while Venus sends a warrior to hunt him down. Although this installment was released in July 2025, this book can be a holiday gift for any fan of the series who wishes to see how Unico’s story unfolds. It also includes a special cover by Gurihiru and Tezuka Productions Co. Ltd, and designed by Carina Taylor.
MERVE GIRAY: Art of Manga Collection. Published Jo as a companion to the ongoing exhibition at the de Young Museum, Art of Manga is a collection of essays, interviews, bits on history, and sections that are dedicated to ten manga artists who have undoubtedly left their marks. This 360-page book includes many color pages and is a must-have for any manga fan who aims to do more than scratch the surface. Even if you can’t visit the museum in San Francisco yourself, the book is an important source material for lovers of the medium who want to understand the historical impact, perspectives, and cultural shifts.
BILLY HENEHAN: The Return of the Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake by Luke Pisano, Stella Aykroyd, James Werner, Felipe Sobreiro, Gab Contreras and Troy Peteri. If you have a friend like me, someone who has fully embraced all things 50 years of SNL. Someone who has watched all the 50th anniversary specials, read Lorne, and started watching early episodes of Saturday Night Live on Peacock, I have the perfect gift for them. The Return of the Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake. Cowritten by Stella Aykroyd, daughter of original SNL cast member and one half of the Blues Brothers Dan Aykroyd, the graphic novel is lots of fun! The back of the book has some interesting backmatter, including interviews with the creators, and process sketches for the book’s cover.
JEREMY FUSCALDO: Mixed Feelings by Sara Amini; Shadia Amin. Although this will not be released until the spring of 2026, this upcoming historical fiction set in 1999 is about a girl from a mixed race named Sarah and the relationship with her hair. This book tells the story of a young girl named Sara, who is set to enter the 6th grade. However, when she wakes up for the first day, she’s devastated by a variety of problems in her life, including problems with her family and her friends. Despite these challenges, Sara finds comfort in television, whether she’s watching it, reenacting her favorite scenes, using her imagination to live her life in a TV show itself. Eventually she joins a drama club where she feels that she can finally be anything that she wants. This book is set for release in April 2026, but is worth the holiday preorder if you wish to get a copy in time for the spring. Or if you want to wait until its official release, you can purchase a copy during the spring and then save for next year’s holiday gift guide. It also includes a special cover drawn by Amin and designed by Maddy Price.
TAIMUR DAR: Arkham Asylum: Living Hell Deluxe Edition by Dan Slott and Ryan Sook. Right now comic creator Dan Slott is back at DC after over two decades. Those who mainly know Slott for his fun and lighthearted superhero work might be surprised that back in 2003 he penned a dark and gritty Arkham Asylum six-issue miniseries with art by Ryan Sook. Essentially, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest with a horror twist, it’s in a similar vein as the previous Morrison/McKean Arkham Asylum graphic novel but creates its own unique identity without trying to imitate its predecessor. Moreover, Slott still finds opportunities to insert some great bits of comedy that pushes the envelope just dark enough, best epitomized by a prison shower scene with The Joker.
JAVIER PEREZ: Death Comes For The Toymaker by Dakota Brown. Brown and all the folks over at Magma Comix have made a holiday classic with Death Comes For The Toymaker. This is a creative take on the legend of Santa Claus, but this Santa uses a nice/naughty list to give out gifts or harvest souls…see? Same as Old St Nick. Brown and Ryan Cody blend Babylonian mythos into this holiday must-read. Grab a nice drink, get cozy, and check out this cute little OGN.
JEREMY FUSCALDO: Saint Catherine by Anna Meyer. Released in April 2025, this debut graphic novel by Anna Meyer tells the story of a young Catholic girl in her 20s named Catherine, and how the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. A young woman skips Sunday mass for the first time and she is forced to confront a lifetime of guilt as well as a demon that has every intention of possessing her. Growing up, Catherine never once missed Mass. As a recovering Irish American Catholic, she traded most of world of communion and confessionals in exchange for the lifestyle of the ‘City-Girl’ which includes a work-life balance, her family and her relationships. However, she is plagued by the fear that something bad will happen if she misses Sunday Mass; eventually her fear becomes real when she skips mass and then discovers that she is now being possessed by the prince of hell, or so that’s what the demon in question claims. In an attempt to exorcise these demons from her life– Catherine must make a choice and face her guilt that she buried and discover what it truly means to be good. This debut novel by Anna Meyer, released through 23rd Street Books, is highly recommended for the Holiday season if you are looking for expand your graphic novel collection and are looking for up and coming graphic novelists.
TIM ROONEY: Kaya by Wes Craig, Jason Wordie, and Tom Napolitano. Craig’s creator owned fantasy adventure series may just be the best ongoing title on the stands right now, and it is powered by the pure imagination and inventiveness of Craig’s art. The story tracks the adventures of half-siblings Jin and Kaya as the warrior Kaya seeks to protect her brother on his journey to fulfill his destiny to save the world from the rule of an evil robot empire. Every page of every issue is a stunner, as Craig invents new, endearing creatures and mashes up genres and conventions to create a timeless sprawling narrative. Craig’s layouts are always inventive, his characters sympathetic. The work is elevated by the lush, vibrant painterly colors provided by Wordie, and the lettering by Napolitano that is as inventive as Craig’s panels. Suitable for readers of any age who enjoy beautifully drawn comics and stories of perseverance in the face of impossible odds, Kaya never disappoints. The fourth volume of the collected editions was released in March, marking the end of the first half of a planned 8 books. There’s never been a bad time to get into this stellar book, and any fan of comics would be proud to display each lovingly crafted volume on their shelves.
BILLY HENEHAN: Skybox Metal Universe Batman Trading Cards. I grew up in the 90s, when non-sports trading cards were all the rage. I still think about that Jim Lee X-Men set to this day with the frequency that other men apparently think about the Roman Empire. Upper Deck has recaptured that magic with its new Skybox Metal Universe Batman Trading Card set. These cards are gorgeous! They utilize classic, instantly recognizable comic art from legendary artists, have fun chase cards to hunt, including signed cards! They were just released, so the Bat fan in your life might not even have had the chance to buy any yet, making this a perfect holiday gift.
Have you checked out the other entries in the Comics Beat’s 2025 Gift Guide? Stay tuned for more gifting suggestions from The Beat.
