Figures/Toys
Ant-Man Action Figure: Marvel’s tiniest hero had a big movie hit theaters earlier this year, and now you can hold him in your hand. Just, y’know, without his shrinking abilities. Or without his kind of adorable ants, sadly.
Dancing Groot Funko Pop: What could be more adorable than a Baby Groot? How about a festive Baby Groot?
Ultron Funko Pop: The Funko action doesn’t stop with Groot. Why not get a figure of the robotic villain and creepily play Pinocchio music? It’s certainly a way to wake up the kids or loved one?
Ant Man/Antony Funko Pop: C’mon, admit it. You totally want a Funko figure of Ant-Man riding Antony. It’s okay, no one blames you. Antony was pretty sweet.
Captain America Winter Soldier Action Figure: The stealth suit is easily one of Cap’s best looking costumes, so why not get an action figure of it and pull off those acrobatic moves he did in the films?
Inhumans
Comics
Inhuman (writer: Charles Soule/various artists): Yes, it’s easy to just go and call the Inhumans “space X-Men,” which they basically are. But over the years, the secret society of alien-altered humans have been growing in prominence, and there’s no better time to learn about them than right now. While her husband Black Bolt died unleashing a Terrigen Mist that covers the entire planet and unlocks the Inhuman gene all over the globe, it turns out that’s the least of Medusa’s problems. Along with creating an elite team to track down NuHumans and protect them from an Inhuman with a Darwin mentality, she’s got to deal with traitors among her people and her seemingly not so dead husband. If you’ve had a growing interest in the Inhumans and want to read Game of Thrones with superpowers, this is your book.
Ms. Marvel (writer: G. Willow Wilson/various artists): Among the humans who’ve discovered their Inhuman abilities is Muslim American teenager Kamala Khan. Gifted with the ability to alter her body’s shape at will, Kamala takes up the title of Ms. Marvel to protect the people of Jersey City from crazy villains while trying to get a handle on her new life. This kid’s gonna go places, and her story is sure to resonate with audiences of all kinds.
TV
Agents of SHIELD: The first MCU TV show had an admittedly shaky start, but has since found itself with season two. Rather than using watered down versions of classic comic book villains (that Marvel actually owns the rights to), SHIELD begins peeling back layers of the war against HYDRA to bring the Inhumans right into the center. If you fell off with the series after the first season, consider this a change in the right direction.
Spider-Man
Comics
Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man (writer: Brian Michael Bendis/various artists): Miles has only been growing in fame since his arrival in 2011, and they’re bringing him over to the main comic universe in February. But before all that goes down, it’s best to get to know the kid in his own universe, and Bendis and crew are having fun putting Miles through the ringer. Is it too late to get this kid his own movie?
Silk (writer: Robbie Thompson/various artists): As it turns out, Peter Parker wasn’t the only one to be bitten by the radioactive spider that day at the field trip. Cindy Moon’s spent some time away, and now that she’s out into the world, she plans on finding her family. Silk may do everything that the other Spider can, but in some aspects, she does it better.
Spider-Gwen (writer: Jason Latour/artist: Robbie Rodriguez): Gwen Stacy is infamous for being the Girl Who Died, but in an alternate universe, she’s alive and well and the Spider-Woman calling the shots. Oh, and she’s the drummer for her band the Mary Janes. If the energetic art and snappy writing won’t win you over, maybe it’ll be the chance to see alternate versions of classic Marvel characters.
Superior Spider-Man (writer: Dan Slott/various artists): Now here’s something that hasn’t entirely been done before; Doctor Octopus switches brains with Peter Parker and vows to do his life as Peter and Spider-Man better than the nerd turned superhero ever could. It sounds crazy as hell, but it works and Otto ends up being a lot of fun in the role.
Amazing Spider-Man (writer: Dan Slott/various artists): Otto’s stint as Spidey ends, but that doesn’t mean the wallcrawler is down for the count. Now back in his own body, Peter Parker’s life is much different than when it was taken from him. Still pretty crazy, though.
Film/TV
Spider-Man 1-3: Yes, they’re still awesome. Most of them. Odds are you’ve already seen these thousands of times on TV, but if you’ve got a kid who’s never seen them or aren’t a fan of the now defunct Amazing series and want to wipe the slate clean before Spidey joins the MCU, these films are still ripe for the picking.
The Spectacular Spider-Man: Despite its two season run, the show still has a fairly strong following, and it’s easy to see why. Strong animation and great character work go hand in hand with perfect fight scenes and fantastic blend of humor and action. This is the must have for all Spider-Man fans.
X-Men
Film/TV
X-Men: Days of Future Past: The newest film in the X-Men franchise has Wolverine go back in time to the 70s to stop mutant killing robots from being born. You know, as one does. With a new X-movie on the way in May meant to wrap up the trilogy that First Class started, it’s best to be caught up to speed. That, and you get to see some fun portal action and Captain Picard and Gandalf are back for this one.
The Wolverine: Haunted by the ghosts of his past X-Men 3, Logan’s lost his powers in Japan and has to find a way to get them back. Hugh Jackman’s still got the chops, and Wolverine vs. a bunch of ninjas is something you didn’t realize you needed until you saw it.
The 1992 Cartoon: C’mon, it’s the classic Fox cartoon. Why wouldn’t you pick this up to binge during the holidays or show to someone new for the first time? Danananana nana!
Comics
Magneto (writer: Cullen Bunn/artist: Gabriel Hernandez Walta): The master of magnetism has decided to leave the Xavier school to fight for mutant rights his own way, and that includes getting his hands dirty. C’mon, it’s Magneto we’re talking about here.
All New X-Men (writer: Brian Michael Bendis/artist: Stuart Immonen): The original X-Men from way back when have ended up in the present day, and that’s just the start of their problems. Surprisingly, they aren’t all fans of how their future selves turn out, but that feels minor when compared to all the other stuff they go through. The future may look bleak for the mutant race, but their past has gotten a burst of life.
Avengers
Comics
Superior Iron Man (writer: Tom Taylor/artist: Yildray Cinar): Tony Stark’s never really been a fully “good guy” in the sense of likability, but after his personality gets inverted (don’t ask), he’s a bigger dick than he’s ever been. Despite all that, watching him basically be evil Steve Jobs with a liquid suit of armor is pretty cool, and the action is fun. It may have had a short run, but it was great while it lasted.
Thor (writer: Jason Aaron/various artists): The God of Thunder has been written brilliantly by Jason Aaron over the years, from hunting down a god killing monster and dealing with his old enemy Malekith the Accursed. Recently, he’s been deemed unworthy and the title has fallen to a new lady, and she’s definitely worthy to carry Mjolnir.
Captain Marvel (writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick/various artists): Carol Danvers’ history has been crazy complicated, but DeConnick gives her a new lease on life (and a new costume!). The Air Force pilot turned Avenger is willing to meet any danger head on, and the book excels when she’s facing her enemies down or flying the cosmos. This book will certainly make you wish her movie was being released right now.
Hawkeye (writer: Matt Fraction/artist: David Aja): If you haven’t read Hawkeye, you really need to read Hawkeye. If you’re not a fan of big scale events and confusing continuity, Fraction and Aja’s take on Clint Barton is completely free of it, instead going for slice of life adventures of the unlucky archer. You think it’s bad? Trust us, it’s great.
Daredevil (writer: Mark Waid/artist: Chris Samnee): The Netflix show is pretty awesome, and Waid and Samnee’s award winning run is even more awesome. Matt Murdock’s move to San Francisco ended up bringing more problems than he thought, and Waid and Samnee sure as hell know how to put the lawyer constantly on trial during both his professions. Before you grab the new run from Charles Soule and Ron Garney, consider this one required reading.
Avengers/New Avengers (writer: Johnathan Hickman/various artists): The Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are no strangers to epic events, and Johnathan Hickman certainly puts them through the paces. While the New Avengers are dealing with world ending threats in a more covert manner, the main Avengers’ larger roster deals with the big scale threats that require the big guns. Both books are connected to the same story from time to time, but reading one and not the other will still give you the full experience. Whether you’re into New Avengers’ science mumbo jumbo or Avengers’ action movie storytelling, you’re sure to find something that’ll scratch your itch.
Film/TV/Games
Ant-Man: Yes, admit it, this was a lot better than you were expecting. If Guardians of the Galaxy didn’t convince you that Marvel can release basically anything and succeed, than Ant-Man certainly will, and credit to Peyton Reed and crew for creating a fun superhero heist flick. Of all the Phase 2 films, this one had the lowest expectations and ended up blowing most of them out of the way.
Agent Carter: The surprisingly slick looking miniseries about Captain America’s fellow WWII soldier is returning for a second season later in January, making this the perfect time to catch up. Haley Atwell still brings it, and if you’ve ever wanted to see someone get punched in the head with a stapler, this show will definitely deliver.
Lego Marvel Super Heroes: They may be brick sized, but they’ve still got the charm you know and love. The Lego formula largely hasn’t changed a bit, but the fun in watching tiny versions of the Avengers and other Marvel heroes battle across the vast universe never gets old. Plus, Lego Stan Lee!
Disney Infinity 2 & 3: It was inevitable that Disney and Marvel would crossover once the House of Mouse bought the House of Ideas, but we didn’t know it’d be quite like this. The various play sets will fulfill just about whatever stake you’ve got in the comic book universe, and if not, there’s always the Toy Box mode!
What Marvel books and movies you plan on grabbing during the holidays? Let us know in the comments below.
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