Here at Geeks of Doom, we’ve been hard at work putting together some Holiday gift ideas so that those of you who are buying for a geek have a much better idea of what we love, what we want, and what we’re downright twitching to get our hands on. If you’ve missed them, be sure to check out our DVD/Blu-ray, Video Game, and Specialty Item guides for some Christmas shopping suggestions.

Now we turn our attention to the exciting land of comic books, where many of today’s most popular movies are born.

Comic books meet you halfway between books and movies — you get to read, but there’s wonderful artwork throughout, perfectly painting the story in words and drawings and colors. They’re a feast for both mind and eyes, and we’re quite passionate about them!

For the very best in comic book gift ideas, won’t you be our guest and continue reading for our Holiday Geek Gift Guide 2010: Comic Books!

Absolute All-Star Superman

Quite simply one of the best, if not the best Superman story of the last decade. Writer Grant Morrison gives reader his take on the character and what emerges is a story filled with action, adventure, romance, and everything that makes Superman great. Artist Frank Quietly creates his usual high standard of art that has made him one of the best in the business, and the art looks extra special on the larger pages of the Absolute edition. This is comics at their best.

Wednesday Comics

This is a hardcover collection of the comic book for art lovers. I don’t know if any of the stories in Wednesday Comic blew my socks off, but the art on all of them is amazing. And it looks even better in this collection with nice glossy paper and its large page size. This is not the most comfortable book to read, but you will find no better collection of artists in any book this year.

American Vampire, Vol. 1

You would think with Stephen King‘s name on the front, American Vampire would be all about him, but really, this is all about main writer Scott Snyder and artist Rafeal Albuquerque. Snyder has created a story where old world vampires meet new world vampires in a way that speaks to the birth of America as a country. Snyder and King split the book into two tales, and Albuquerque turns in a unique style for each part, and turns in the best work of his career. Don’t pass this book up just because you think vampires are a cliche, this book stands on its own.

The Walking Dead, Vol. 1

So you’re loving The Walking Dead TV series on AMC, but you’ve never read the comic series it’s based on…well, what are you waiting for? Start at the beginning with the first of now 13 volumes in trade paperback. There is a reason this series was turned into a great TV series, and it starts in this series with amazing writing from Robert Kirkman, and the always great work of Tony Moore. Pick up the trade, or look for the hardcover collecting the first twelve issues.

Chew, Omnivore Edition, Vol. 1

The best new series of the last few years, Chew collects the first year worth of issues from John Layman and Rob Guillory‘s series about Tony Chu, a special investigator for an alternate reality version of the FDA that investigates food related crimes. Tony can see the memories of anything that he eats, and uses this ability to investigate crimes. It’s a high-concept series with a unique but animated art style and stories that are smart and funny. It may be the best comic you’re not reading.

Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour

Writer/Artist Bryan Lee O’Malley brings his 6 volume story to a close with this Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour, and it may be the best volume of the series. O’Malley’s evolution as an artist continues with this volume and he brings the saga of Scott to an epic conclusion. Scott finally comes to blows with Gideon Graves, and learns a few lessons along the way. This is a fitting conclusion to one of the best comic series of the decade, and it belongs on everyone’s shelf.

Locke & Key: Crown of Shadows

Soon to be a TV show on Fox, Locke & Key lets you jump into a great horror mystery as the Locke family suffers a tragedy that sees them move into a new house and discover a bunch of keys that can do some very strange things. This is the third collection in the series, so if you haven’t read the series before, start with the first volume, “Welcome to Lovecraft.” Writer Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez have created a world that I can’t wait to see more of.

Richard Stark’s Parker: The Outfit

This is the second of Darwyn Cooke‘s adaptations of Richard Stark’s Parker novels, and it’s just as good, if not better than the first. Cooke’s retro style is on display as he tells the story of all around bad guy Parker as he tries to get even with with some other bad guys trying to take him out. Cooke is one of the finest artists working today and he mixes up his style at several points. Comics don’t get much better than this, but it’s definitely for older audiences.

I Kill Giants: Titan Edition

I Kill Giants is simply a great coming of age story about a girl who thinks she’s has to fight giants, but actually has to deal with the all too real adventure of adolescence. Writer Joe Kelly tells a charming story and the unique, manga-style art from JM Ken Niimura is unlike anything and looks great in the oversized hardcover. This is a great book for readers of all ages.

JLA Deluxe Edition, Vol. 4

This is the final hardcover collecting Grant Morrison‘s classic run on Justice League of America. It has three great stories with some grand superhero action. And between Howard Porter, Frank Quietly, and Ed McGuiness, you won’t find a better collection of artists either. This is undiluted action and it’s great fun. It’s not complicated like a lot of other Morrison work but it’s still smarter than most everything else coming out today. Any of Morrison’s JLA work would make a great gift.

Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Box Set
Contributed by Cinema Junkie

Just in time for the holidays, here are all six of Bryan Lee O’Malley‘s iconic Scott Pilgrim graphic novels in one very special box set. If you loved Edgar Wright’s brilliantly infectious film based on the series, then you will adore the source material. The film is one of my favorites of the year, but the graphic novels are engrossing page turners. As with the film, the graphic novels are clever and sweet at the same time with a keen appreciation of what it means to be in your twenties. And if you have not seen the film, then this is the perfect introduction to a fascinating group of characters of the 21st Century. Read the books and then buy the film on DVD/Blu-ray. The books, like the film, get better with each viewing.

The Abominable Charles Christopher
Contributed by Jack Bauerstein83

If you know an indie comic fan or even feel the urge to support your friendly independent comic creator, look no further than The Abominable Charles Christopher. This self published book by writer/artist Karl Kerschl has it all. Awesome art, a fantastically cute story about a abominable snowman and the various woodland creatures and mythical forest gods he encounters on a daily basis, and fantastic package. As an added bonus, if you buy the master edition, Karl will personalize the book for you and include an amazing sketch. Well worth it, in this geek’s opinion.

The Return of the Dapper Men
Contributed by Jack Bauerstein83

What happens you mix a comic book with a children’s book? Well if it is awesome, chances are you will get Return of the Dapper Men. This book, from Arcadia Press, is the fairy tale about a town whose sun never sets. That is until, 314 well dressed men fall from the sky. For the first time ever, “tomorrow” is right around the corner and what happens next will change everything. This book, filled with awesome art by Janet Lee and a great story by Jim McCann, is perfect for any comic fan who wants to try something new outside the big two, or just a comic fan in general.

Rough Justice
Contributed by Jedi Of Doom

Another one of my picks for this holiday season is a book called Rough Justice it features the artwork of Alex Ross who in my opinion is one of the greatest comic book artists of all time. It features some drawings and complete works throughout his career. Ross has worked on such books as Justice and my favorite, Kingdom Come. Just the cover of this book alone is worth the look and after reading it and looking through it

X-Men: Second Coming
Contributed by Jedi Of Doom

One of my picks for graphic novels for this guide is X-Men: Second Coming. While the main story and the X-Force tie ins are done by Craig Kyle and Chris Yost, this 13 chapter epic had regular X-Men title writers Matt Fraction, Mike Carey and Zeb Wells writing Uncanny X-Men, X-Men: Legacy and New Mutants. The story is part three in a trilogy called The Messiah Trilogy which started a few years ago with Messiah Complex. It’s about Hope Summers (the adopted daughter of Cable) coming back from the future to the present to become the mutant messiah. Not only are the X-Men interested in Hope but a villain named Bastion and his forces are interested in ending her life so that the mutant race will be no more. It’s up to the X-Men to protect her and defeat Bastion and save their race and the world. Packed with a lot of action and adventure and memorable moments, Second Coming should not only be on top of any X-Men fans gift list but on any comics gift list.

AMAZON SHIPPING INFORMATION

If you’re ordering through Amazon.com in the United States, here’s their ordering deadlines for delivery on or before Christmas Eve (12/24):

– December 16th – Last day for Free Super Saver Shipping*
– December 20th – Standard Shipping

– December 21st – Two-Day Shipping (Free with Prime), Last full day to order two-day
– December 22nd – Two-Day Shipping (Free with Prime), order as late as 7pm PST [varies by item]; One-Day Shipping ($3.99 per item with Prime) Last full day to order one-day
– December 23rd – One-Day Shipping ($3.99 per item with Prime), order as late as 3:30pm PST [varies by item]

For more details about local delivery, see the Christmas Ordering Deadlines For U.S. Shipments page.

*Super Saver Shipping is FREE on orders $25 and over.

Remember, if all else fails, there’s also the Amazon.com Gift Card, you can have emailed to the recipient (arrives immediately) or you can print out the gift card at home and give it to the intended that way. If you order in enough time, you can get the physical gift card sent to you.

See our other Holiday Guide Guides:

DVDs & Blu-rays

Video Games

Specialty Items

More Guides to come this week.