By Zack Quaintance — I am a person who enjoys reading comics (as this website attests), and as such, people in my life often want to buy me comics things as holiday gifts. This, however, can be challenging for them, since comics is an medium over-loaded with product and driven by publishers who don’t label product well (most folks I know who haven’t followed the industry during their lives struggle with the idea of a volume number).

To that end, this year I have compiled a quick series of guides with some ideas on the best gifts for comics fans in your life, broken down below by publisher. Today we’re kicking things off with DC Comics, followed by Marvel tomorrow.

Enjoy, and I hope this helps, even a little bit!

Best Gifts for Comics Fans - DC Comics

The Other History of the DC Universe
Writer: John Ridley
Artist: Various
The long-awaited miniseries written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Let It Fall) and beautifully illustrated by Giuseppe Camuncoli and Andrea Cucchi is now available in one volume! The Other History of the DC Universe takes a look at the mythology of the DC Universe as seen through the prism of several generations' worth of DC Super Heroes who come from historically disenfranchised groups. Extensively researched and masterfully executed, The Other History of the DC Universe promises to be an experience unlike any other. You may think you know the history of the DC Universe...but the truth is far more complex. The Other History of the DC Universe isn't about saving the world-it's about having the strength to simply be who you are. Collects The Other History of the DC Universe #1-5.
Who to Buy This For: Anyone and everyone who loves the DC Universe, but also folks who have long been put off by the DC Universe may also enjoy this, seeing as it shows a completely different side to it.
Price: $29.99
Order It Here: The Other History of the DC Universe

The Dreaming: Waking Hours Collected TP
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Nick Robles
When Dream unleashed his latest nightmare, Ruin, he could not have expected that his creation would fall in love with the very first dreamer he met-sending him on a wild quest and drawing into his orbit both a fallen angel and a sorcerer with a startling connection to Dream himself! Collects The Dreaming: Waking Hours #1-12.
Who to Buy This For: Fans of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, whom you probably know because they tried to make you read Neil Gaiman’s Sandman (I know I’ve done that plenty to the non-comics or casual comics readers in my life). This is also a good choice for anyone who likes both comics and Shakespeare.
Price: $29.99
Order It Here: The Dreaming - Waking Hours Collected TP

Far Sector
Writer: N.K. Jemisin
Artist: Jamal Campbell
Acclaimed, award-winning author N.K. Jemisin (The Fifth Season, The City We Became) makes her comic book debut with bestselling artist Jamal Campbell (Naomi) as they thrust you into a stunning sci-fi murder mystery on the other side of the universe! For the past six months, newly chosen Green Lantern Sojourner "Jo" Mullein has been protecting the City Enduring, a massive metropolis of 20 billion people. The city has maintained peace for over 500 years by stripping its citizens of their ability to feel. As a result, violent crime is virtually unheard of, and murder is nonexistent. But that's all about to change in this new graphic novel that puts a unique spin on the legacy of the Green Lanterns! Far Sector collects Far Sector #1-12.
Who It’s For: The comic reader in your life who also loves complex sci-fi storytelling. This book is written by MULTIPLE Hugo Award-winning author, N.K. Jemisin.
Price: $29.99
Order It Here: Far Sector
Read our full Far Sector review!

Whistle: A New Gotham City Hero
Writer: E. Lockhart
Artist: Manuel Preitano
Sixteen-year-old Willow Zimmerman has something to say. When she’s not on the streets advocating for her community, she’s volunteering at the local pet shelter. She seeks to help all those in need, even the stray dog she’s named Lebowitz that follows her around. But as much as she does for the world around her, she struggles closer to home—taking care of her mother, recently diagnosed with cancer. Her job as an adjunct professor of Jewish studies does not provide adequate health insurance—and Willow can see that time is running out.
When in desperation she reconnects with her estranged “uncle” Edward, he opens the door to an easier life. Through simple jobs, such as hosting his private poker nights with Gotham City’s elites, she is able to keep her family afloat—and afford critical medical treatments for her mother.
Willow’s family life quickly improves through the income provided by these jobs, but it comes at the cost of distancing herself from the people she truly cares about. Her time is now spent on new connections, such as biologist and teacher Pammie Isley. And when Willow and Lebowitz collide with the monstrous Killer Croc outside the local synagogue, they are both injured, only to wake up being able to understand each other. And there are other developments, too...strange ways in which they’ve become stronger together. Willow’s activism kicks into high gear—with these powers, she can really save the world!
But when Willow discovers that Edward and his friends are actually some of Gotham’s most corrupt criminals, she must make a choice: remain loyal to the man who kept her family together, or use her new powers to be a voice for her community.
Who It’s For: While this is most certainly a book for the young reader in your life, dog-lovers and folks who like dry humor may also enjoy this very different and new kind of take on a Gotham City hero.
Price: $16.99
Order It Here: Whistle - A New Gotham City Hero
Read our full Whistle - A New Gotham City Hero review!

Absolute Fourth World by Jack Kirby, Vol. 1
Writer/Artist: Jack Kirby
For the first time, DC collects Jack Kirby's legendary run of the Fourth World titles in oversized Absolute editions! These comics spanned galaxies, from the streets of Metropolis to the far-flung twin worlds of New Genesis and Apokolips, as cosmic-powered heroes and villains struggled for supremacy, and the world-conquering Darkseid adventured across Earth for the deadly Anti-Life Equation. Collects SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN #133-145, FOREVER PEOPLE #1-6, NEW GODS #1-6, MISTER MIRACLE #1-6, plus extra features.
Who’s It For: The DC Comics super fan (I pre-ordered this and got it the day it came out, FWIW). Also for Kirby aficionados and just generally anyone who loves a big beautiful hardcover comic book
Price: $150
Order It Here: Absolute Fourth World by Jack Kirby, Vol. 1

See our past top comics to buy here, and check out our reviews archive here.

Zack Quaintance is a tech reporter by day and freelance writer by night/weekend. He Tweets compulsively about storytelling and comics as Comics Bookcase.