What do you get for the friend who seemingly has everything? What should you give that new person in your life you started seeing this year? Or perhaps your kiddo loves superheroes, so what would make their eyes light up when they tear off the wrapping paper?
Comic books. The answer is always comic books.
We’ve got six picks for graphic novels that will thrill, delight and astonish the superhero fans on your gift list who are a little new to the medium. Find the just right one with this handy holiday list-ery.
Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale is a timeless Batman story that’s often considered essential reading for the Dark Knight. A noir tale of desperate gangsters slowly losing their grip on Gotham City to the costumed villains of Batman’s rogues gallery, the creeping shadows of The Long Halloween practically crawl off the pages.
In addition to the colorful Bat-villains, the compelling graphic novel also features characters seen in the recent series If you’re looking for a gift for someone who loved the Max series, a true crime or mob movie aficionado or just a plain old fan of Batman, this is the book for them.
This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story
Jaime Reyes shines in the Young Adult graphic novel This Land Is Our Land by Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo. This recently released graphic novel, the present to give a fan of the Blue Beetle film, is a retelling of Jaime’s superhero origin story that’s more personal than fantastical. Sure, there’s the strange beetle-like artifact that bonds with Jaime and an impending alien invasion, but his father’s struggling business and a wayward friend are problems that are just as important to him.
This book practically glows on the bookshelf, packed with gorgeous art that gives the panels an otherworldly radiance. This Land Is Our Land tackles timely topics like immigration and propaganda alongside its super-powered elements, making it a great gift for a reader who likes their hero stories more grounded.
Far Sector
Hugo and Locus Award-winning author N.K. Jemisin and artistic phenomenon Jamal Campbell take the Green Lanterns to the far reaches of space in the extraordinary sci-fi noir Jo Mullein of Earth, an unconventional Green Lantern, is assigned to one of the most remote sectors the Guardians protect. When the first murder in 500 years occurs in the City Enduring, a community that has rid its citizens of all emotion, Jo begins an investigation—not to find the who, but the why. Long-held grudges between species boil over as the situation in a city of billions intensifies. What can a single Lantern do so far out on her own?
Far Sector is a beautifully told standalone story that requires no comic book knowledge to dive right in. And thanks to its recent reprinting in a Compact Comics edition, it makes the perfect stocking stuffer for someone who would enjoy an adventure that asks compelling real-world questions.
Superman: Birthright
Everyone thinks they know the Man of Steel’s origin story, but they’ve never seen it like this! Superman: Birthright by Mark Waid and Leinil Francis Yu chronicles Clark Kent’s early days as Superman in a Metropolis that doesn’t trust him. Can hope win out over fear? The graphic novel includes the complete tale, so new comic readers won’t be left hanging. They’ll also be pleased to see familiar faces like Lex Luthor, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen. (He prefers “Jim,” though.)
The fact that we’re getting an all-new Superman movie next year (which won’t be an origin story) makes this graphic novel particularly timely right now. But really, anyone who’s loved any Superman movie or TV series, or ever wanted to read a comic book that paints Clark Kent as a real person with hopes, dreams and frustrations will be delighted by this book. So, you know, everyone.
Teen Titans: Raven
It’s not easy being a teenager, especially one who doesn’t know who she used to be. As Teen Titans: Raven by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo begins, Rachel Roth—Raven to her friends—loses her memories after a horrific car crash that takes the life of her adoptive mother. She moves in with her aunt to start a new life, but Raven is haunted by voices in her head. What’s happening to her? And will she ever remember who she was?
This Young Adult graphic novel is the first of the Teen Titans series by Garcia and Picolo, which places our beloved heroes in a world that feels much closer to our own. They deal with real world problems and questions about their identity as fate draws them together. Pick this one up for a reader who might enjoy going on that journey with them.
Wonder Woman: Year One
Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott gave us a gorgeous retelling of Wonder Woman’s origin story, and you can return the favor by giving it to someone else! Wonder Woman: Year One is a collection of the DC Rebirth origin story of Diana of Themiscyra. Classic characters like Hippolyta and the Amazons, Steve Trevor, Etta Candy and Dr. Barbara Minerva are all here, ready to support Diana as she tries to understand the oddities of man’s world. The Amazonian princess might be naïve in the ways of life outside the island, but she’s as compassionate, strong and fearless as ever.
Rucka’s origin story is thoughtful and hopeful, and the perfect gift for someone who might need a bright light in their life. After all, that’s what Wonder Woman specializes in.
All of these graphic novels should be easy to find in any bookstore or comic shop, but you’ll notice we also linked to all of them on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE. If the new comic reader in your life enjoys reading their books digitally, you can always give them an Ultra subscription, which will allow them to read all six of our suggested graphic novels. But whether you choose print or digital, you’ll be doing your part to make their holiday season a lot more heroic!
Kelly Knox writes about all-ages comics and animation for DC.com, and is the author of several nonfiction books about some of your favorite film franchises. Follow her on Twitter at @kelly_knox and Bluesky at @kelly-knox.com to talk superheroes, comics and pop culture.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Kelly Knox and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.
[[{“value”:”What do you get for the friend who seemingly has everything? What should you give that new person in your life you started seeing this year? Or perhaps your kiddo loves superheroes, so what would make their eyes light up when they tear off the wrapping paper?
Comic books. The answer is always comic books.
We’ve got six picks for graphic novels that will thrill, delight and astonish the superhero fans on your gift list who are a little new to the medium. Find the just right one with this handy holiday list-ery.
Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale is a timeless Batman story that’s often considered essential reading for the Dark Knight. A noir tale of desperate gangsters slowly losing their grip on Gotham City to the costumed villains of Batman’s rogues gallery, the creeping shadows of The Long Halloween practically crawl off the pages.
In addition to the colorful Bat-villains, the compelling graphic novel also features characters seen in the recent series If you’re looking for a gift for someone who loved the Max series, a true crime or mob movie aficionado or just a plain old fan of Batman, this is the book for them.
This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story
Jaime Reyes shines in the Young Adult graphic novel This Land Is Our Land by Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo. This recently released graphic novel, the present to give a fan of the Blue Beetle film, is a retelling of Jaime’s superhero origin story that’s more personal than fantastical. Sure, there’s the strange beetle-like artifact that bonds with Jaime and an impending alien invasion, but his father’s struggling business and a wayward friend are problems that are just as important to him.
This book practically glows on the bookshelf, packed with gorgeous art that gives the panels an otherworldly radiance. This Land Is Our Land tackles timely topics like immigration and propaganda alongside its super-powered elements, making it a great gift for a reader who likes their hero stories more grounded.
Far Sector
Hugo and Locus Award-winning author N.K. Jemisin and artistic phenomenon Jamal Campbell take the Green Lanterns to the far reaches of space in the extraordinary sci-fi noir Jo Mullein of Earth, an unconventional Green Lantern, is assigned to one of the most remote sectors the Guardians protect. When the first murder in 500 years occurs in the City Enduring, a community that has rid its citizens of all emotion, Jo begins an investigation—not to find the who, but the why. Long-held grudges between species boil over as the situation in a city of billions intensifies. What can a single Lantern do so far out on her own?
Far Sector is a beautifully told standalone story that requires no comic book knowledge to dive right in. And thanks to its recent reprinting in a Compact Comics edition, it makes the perfect stocking stuffer for someone who would enjoy an adventure that asks compelling real-world questions.
Superman: Birthright
Everyone thinks they know the Man of Steel’s origin story, but they’ve never seen it like this! Superman: Birthright by Mark Waid and Leinil Francis Yu chronicles Clark Kent’s early days as Superman in a Metropolis that doesn’t trust him. Can hope win out over fear? The graphic novel includes the complete tale, so new comic readers won’t be left hanging. They’ll also be pleased to see familiar faces like Lex Luthor, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen. (He prefers “Jim,” though.)
The fact that we’re getting an all-new Superman movie next year (which won’t be an origin story) makes this graphic novel particularly timely right now. But really, anyone who’s loved any Superman movie or TV series, or ever wanted to read a comic book that paints Clark Kent as a real person with hopes, dreams and frustrations will be delighted by this book. So, you know, everyone.
Teen Titans: Raven
It’s not easy being a teenager, especially one who doesn’t know who she used to be. As Teen Titans: Raven by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo begins, Rachel Roth—Raven to her friends—loses her memories after a horrific car crash that takes the life of her adoptive mother. She moves in with her aunt to start a new life, but Raven is haunted by voices in her head. What’s happening to her? And will she ever remember who she was?
This Young Adult graphic novel is the first of the Teen Titans series by Garcia and Picolo, which places our beloved heroes in a world that feels much closer to our own. They deal with real world problems and questions about their identity as fate draws them together. Pick this one up for a reader who might enjoy going on that journey with them.
Wonder Woman: Year One
Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott gave us a gorgeous retelling of Wonder Woman’s origin story, and you can return the favor by giving it to someone else! Wonder Woman: Year One is a collection of the DC Rebirth origin story of Diana of Themiscyra. Classic characters like Hippolyta and the Amazons, Steve Trevor, Etta Candy and Dr. Barbara Minerva are all here, ready to support Diana as she tries to understand the oddities of man’s world. The Amazonian princess might be naïve in the ways of life outside the island, but she’s as compassionate, strong and fearless as ever.
Rucka’s origin story is thoughtful and hopeful, and the perfect gift for someone who might need a bright light in their life. After all, that’s what Wonder Woman specializes in.
All of these graphic novels should be easy to find in any bookstore or comic shop, but you’ll notice we also linked to all of them on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE. If the new comic reader in your life enjoys reading their books digitally, you can always give them an Ultra subscription, which will allow them to read all six of our suggested graphic novels. But whether you choose print or digital, you’ll be doing your part to make their holiday season a lot more heroic!
Kelly Knox writes about all-ages comics and animation for DC.com, and is the author of several nonfiction books about some of your favorite film franchises. Follow her on Twitter at @kelly_knox and Bluesky at @kelly-knox.com to talk superheroes, comics and pop culture.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Kelly Knox and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.”}]]
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