December is a magical time of year. The weather cools down, snow blankets some parts of the world, and we celebrate holidays. A big part of those celebrations is the joy of giving gifts to our families and friends. If you are buying gifts for comic-loving folks or want to introduce other people to the hobby that you love, the Scoop staff would like to offer some cool suggestions on trades and graphic novels they might enjoy.
Scarlett Couture - Titan
Scarlett Couture by Des Taylor is a great trade paperback option for someone who is new to comics or prefers non-superhero titles. It's a spy mystery that takes places in the bustling world of fashion which serves as a guise for an organization of incredibly talented international spies. The story begins with a fashion show, kidnapping, rescue, and complicated criminal plan.
Scarlett Couture herself is the protagonist. She’s the daughter of a prominent figure in the modeling world who is also a figure-head for the spy agency. As she investigates one crime it leads to another and a destructive plan that could have disastrous results. Further complicating the situation, Scarlett must work with two fellow agents that are at odds with each other.
It reads like a Mission Impossible story and looks like James Bond. The characters are attractive and coiffed, the pacing is fast and engaging, the story is complicated and intriguing. It’s a very fun comic for anybody who likes spy stories and the exotic elements, visually and thematically, that they provide.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales – Dark Horse
Buffy comics began in the late ’90s at the height of the show’s popularity and have thrived ever since. But, with the comics that tell alternative stories during the high school years, the Season 8-10 titles, spinoffs, and miniseries it could be overwhelming for someone who has not been reading the title for years. That’s why Tales is a great option.
Tales compiles a group of short stories told from the points of view of vampire slayers and vampires across generations. Created by the writing team from Joss Whedon’s TV show, the stories range from short two- or three-page snippets to longer more in-depth options. Various artists also worked on the book which isolates each tale in its own, individual world.
What’s also nice about Tales is that you don’t need to know years of Buffy mythos to enjoy it. All readers need is basic knowledge of the series – vampire slayers are bestowed with abilities to fight vampires and the forces of evil, vampires are monster who kill or turn people into vampires. Any fan of monster books can enjoy this compilation. For readers who did watch the Buffy TV show, you’ll see some fun nods to the series with a known character or two popping up.
Batman: The Long Halloween – DC
The 13-issue limited series by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale is a terrific Batman story. Originally published in the mid-1990s, it is set in Batman’s early crime fighting days. A mysterious killer is murdering people on holidays. Batman, DA Harvey Dent, and Lieutenant James Gordon work together to find the killer before each new holiday in the hopes of stopping his holiday murders. Batman also tries to stop a war between Gotham’s powerful crime families, the Falcones and the Maronis.
Unlike some stories in which Batman is relentlessly fighting, in The Long Halloween he is deep in investigations in a noir style mystery. His classic villains including the Joker, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, the Riddler, and Mad Hatter are weaved throughout the book. The Calendar Man, who knows the identity of the holiday killer, becomes a thorn in Batman’s side, offering riddles and cryptic hints.
It’s a very entertaining Batman story that is smart and clever, intriguing and complicated. It’s what we love about Batman.
Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 1 – Marvel
Since Marvel reacquired the Star Wars comics in 2015, they have produced some very cool comics. The series has been spread out over a main title, miniseries focused on characters from the universe, and movie adaptations. In particular, the Darth Vader series has been very good.
Darth Vader is on a mission of vengeance against the Rebels that goes far beyond their disobedience against the Empire. He is even bold enough to investigate what the Emperor is planning and fellow high status members of the Empire. The comic introduces Doctor Aphra, a rather precocious young woman who has no qualms with carrying out Vader’s missions. It also introduces the droids Triple Zero (0-0-0) and Bee Tee (BT-1) who may look similar to our beloved C-3PO and R2-D2 but are actually, terrifyingly – and occasionally comically – homicidal.
In short, the Darth Vader series is great. It’s entertaining, it’s suspenseful, it’s interestingly complicated, and sometimes a bit funny. The established characters dominate, as they should, but the new characters hold their own in the best way.
The Complete Wynonna Earp – IDW
In the past year a lot of people have been introduced to Wynonna Earp via a current comic book series and popular Syfy channel TV show. Fans of the current iteration who just met the very cool character should check out the original limited series, collected in 2005.
Wynonna Earp combines the fun atmosphere of a Western with entertaining horror monsters. She is a special agent for the U.S. Marshals and the descendent of the famous lawman Wyatt Earp. But Wynonna doesn’t thwart regular criminals. Hers are downright monsters.
Unlike the current series, it is set in the middle of Wynonna’s career when she’s already been established as a tough monster hunter, extraordinaire. She is fighting redneck, drug pushing vampires, an ancient mummy hitman, immortals, and biker werewolf bounty hunters. It’s a Western, it’s classic monsters, it’s action, adventure, comedy, and downright fun.
-Amanda Sheriff
Stay tuned for more holiday gift suggestions from Gemstone’s comic-loving staff.