The 2011 SciFiPulse Christmas Gift List
As regular readers will know every year we compile a list of gift ideas that you can buy the genre fan for Xmas. It’s usually put together by all the team here at SciFiPulse, which makes it a lot of fun because you really get an idea of how our tastes differ.
The criteria is that we each choose a DVD/Blu Ray, Video Game and Graphic Novel and for this year we are going add action figures of statuettes or Science Fiction, Horror or Fantasy Collectable.
As always I am going to get the ball rolling with my list of ideas and our other writers will likely add their choices to the list in the coming week.
Ian’s List
Video Game: Video game has been a tough one this year. Due to the fact that there has been so much out there in terms of genre games for us to choose from.
?As most will know Wayne and I haven’t stopped talking about Batman: Arkham City, but because I know Wayne will want to choose this as his pick am going to pick the PS3 and XBox 360 version of James Bond: Golden Eye, which is a new generation version of the classic N64 game, which was the sole reason that most gamers got their N64 consoles back in the 90s.
A revamped version of the game was unleashed last year on the Nintendo Wi, but it got horrible reviews and deservedly so.
Thankfully they have got it just about right with the XBox 360 and PS3 conversion, but I have to confess that in parts it felt a little like Call Of Duty in a suit.
The game is available now on both XBox 360 and Playstation 3. The links below our for the X Box version.
You can order Golden Eye on Amazon UK here
American readers can order the game on Amazon USA here.
Graphic Novel: My pick for Graphic Novel this year is the Hardback edition of Turf, which was released through image comics in the USA, but got a European released through Titan Books. Turf for those that don’t know is the work of well known UK television personality Jonathan Ross, and though the first chapter of the book is a bit wordy. It really is worth sticking with.
The book has everything from Vampires to Aliens and is set against the backdrop of 1920s America during the time of prohibition, which was the time of the celebrated American Gangster, which was glamorized by the likes of James Cagney in the old movies.
Ross does a fantastic job of telling a story with loads of twists and turns and the art word by Tommy Lee Edwards is absolutely mesmerizing to look at.
UK Amazon Customers Can Order Their Copy Of Turf here.
American Customers Of Amazon Can Order Turf here.
DVD/Blu Ray: Although it wasn’t necessarily the strongest season we’ve had. The Doctor Who fan in me has to recommend the complete Doctor Who Season Six Box Set, which was released through the BBC here in the UK and BCC America in the USA.
This season though a little uneven answers a lot of questions that have kept fans on edge for a long time, but also asks a few more questions as well.
This box set is absolutely packed with extras and one extra in particular is a fantastic series of shorts written by Steven Moffat, which are on the third disk. These shorts given us an idea of life on board the Tardis and ends with a brief two part short in which the Doctor goes on a date with River Song only to have it go a little timey wimey.
Also included in this set are all the episode of Doctor Who Confidential, which is somewhat of a must have now because the BBC will not be doing any more Confidential’s when the seventh series kicks off in the autumn of next year.
You can order the Blu Ray Edition Of Doctor Who Season Six here at Amazon UK.
Or
Here from Amazon USA.
Collectable: For my collectable I have chosen the Back to the Future: Time Machine Mark I Car, which is available from Amazon and all good retailers. It’s a really nice looking replica of the car used in the Back To The Future movies and has working wheels, doors that open and engine lights as well as sound bites from the movie.
I know that if this arrived in my stocking on Christmas morning that I’d be a very happy chappy. I mean back when those movies came out. I was blown away by the look of the De Lorean sports car because in 1985 when the film was released it looked somewhat like the automobiles answer to the Millennium Falcon.
You can order one of these Back To The Future Cars here at Amazon UK
Nicholas Yanes’ List
Graphic Novel: The first item I think would make a perfect Christmas gift for the comic book fan in your life is the first volume of Mark Andrew Smith’s Gladstone’s School for World Conquerors. I had the opportunity to interview Smith a while ago – the interview can be found here. I have gone on before about why I think this comic book series is great, but I wanted know why Smith thought this would be a great gift. When asked why Gladstone’s would make a great gift, Mark stated:
“Gladstone’s School for World Conquerors would make a great Christmas gift because it’s something that parents can read as well as their kids. With Gladstone’s the thing that I hear very often is that it Gladstone’s School for World Conquerors gets read first by parents and then by their children. Gladstone’s is a great comic to give a first time reader of comics, or someone that you’ve wanted to get into comics. It’s a great read, and as one of the creators on this book, we held nothing back creatively, and put our full energy and enthusiasm into the story.”
This a comic book that the entire family can enjoy. And what better way to celebrate the holidays than sharing a great story with your loved ones.
You can buy your copy of Gladstone’s from Amazon.com here.
Videgame: The second thing I would recommend for the nerd in your life is Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Prima Official Game Guide. Skyrim is the game that may kill the gamer in your life. I say this because all of my friends who own a copy are on the verge of killing themselves from lack of sleep and consuming an insane amount of energy drinks. This game may end their social and physical life, but at least they’ll die happy. And any player of Skyrim will love this official game guide. So if you want to keep the nerd in your life happy by allowing them to further isolate themselves from the real world, you can buy your copy of this book here.
Wayne’s Bat-List
Video Game: Did any other game come out besides Batman: Arkham City? Just kidding! Following in the footsteps of Batman: Arkham Asylum, this game continues the previous storyline and enlists Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as Batman and the Joker, so what’s not to like? Well, if you prefer the PC game version, there have been problems with the system, but I will have my copy soon! I’d happily give this to a gamer I know!
The game is also available now on both XBox 360 and Playstation 3. The links below our for the X Box version.
You can order Golden Eye on Amazon UK here.
American readers can order the game on Amazon USA here.
Graphic Novel: I’m starting a new holiday tradition this year, and it has to do with reading Batman: Noel on Christmas Eve.
This fascinating and surprising retelling of the Dickens’ classic in the Batman universe by Lee Bermejo really was enjoyable to read. Both the story and the art are gripping, so I’d be happy to give this hardcover edition to any comics or genre fan I know!
UK Amazon Customers Can Order Their Copy Of Batman: Noel here.
American Customers Of Amazon Can Order Batman: Noel here.
DVD/Blu Ray: For those who want to discover what they thought of the Green Lantern live-action movie for themselves, I’m giving those DVDs out this holiday.
But for others, I’d give the direct-to-DVD film Batman: Year One. I’ve never viewed a more faithful conversion of comic to animated movie in my life. It’s well done, and it even cuts out some of Frank Miller’s single word sentences! It’s fast-paced, powerful storytelling with the master animator Bruce Timm in charge. You also get a Catwoman short on the disc as well, so I highly recommend it!
You can order the Blu Ray Edition of Batman: Year One here at Amazon UK or here from Amazon USA.
Collectable: I know this is going to seem a little odd, but a hardcover as a collectible? Well, the $150 US price tag is what makes it that to me. It’s the first issues of DC Comics’ ‘New 52′ put together in one edition. The truth is that I think they’re only going to get more valuable over time, so even folks who don’t read comics might find it worth having!
You can order one of these DC Comics ‘New 52′ hardcover here at Amazon UK. Or here at Amazon US.
See you next holiday season, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!
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