As another year comes to a close, the holiday season is upon us once again. It’s a season of gift-giving, merriment, good cheer, and spending time with loved ones. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for the Batman fan in your life, or you are that Batman fan hoping for the perfect gift, peruse our annual Gift Guide for the best merchandise of the Caped Crusader 2024 had to offer.
NECA Batman ’66 prop replicas
For many people, Adam West’s Batman was the introduction to the character, and the world of Gotham City as a whole. Since it first aired in 1966, Batman has never strayed far from the public consciousness, and has influenced practically every take on the Caped Crusader in one way or another. With comic books, television reruns, toys, and countless other bits of merchandise available, the “Bright Knight” of the ’66 TV series is as popular as ever.
So what better way to celebrate love of the character than taking home a piece of the action? Short of getting an actual prop from the show, NECA have some great replicas available for display, or even incorporating into your own vigilante arsenal I suppose. There’s the frilly Batgirl Walkie Talkie, that has an insanely long retractable antenna, the communicator replica with light-up screen and (much shorter) retractable antenna, and the Bat-Cuffs that lock with some impressively strong magnets. For those wanting to scale some walls and/or ensnare some criminals, you can also get the Batarang replica, or a two-pack or Robin and Batgirl’s respective Batarangs. Aside from the size and colors, the Batarangs are generally the same, each coming packed with an impressive length of nylon rope. They can also collapse and swing open thanks to some heavy-duty magnets, so prepare to pop these open and closed over and over again.
Available from Entertainment Earth.
Batman: The Animated Series Coloring Book from Insight Editions
For a gift that is perfect for young and old alike, you can’t do much better than the Batman: The Animated Series Coloring Book from the good folks at Insight Editions. With over 60 pages of uncolored artwork, all illustrated in the styles of Batman: The Animated Series and The New Batman Adventures by the legendary Ty Templeton, this coloring book is a great way for anyone to express their creativity and partake in the relaxing activity that is coloring. Batman, Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, Commissioner Gordon, and countless rogues are all represented in scenes from classic episodes like Almost Got ‘im, Growing Pains, Holiday Knights, and even the movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. The book and pages are all printed on heavy-duty paper, too, so this is one activity book that will last you a long time.
Available from Amazon.
Fanhome The Legend of Batman subscription
Do you know someone who get into reading Batman comics, but doesn’t know where to start? Or do you yourself want to streamline your collection to save on shelf space? If so, Fanhome‘s The Legend of Batman line might be just right. This curated service offers up a wide selection of Batman stories delivered right to your doorstep, and frankly, I’m pretty impressed by the eras and arcs they pull from. While the end goal is to have a comprehensive, chronological history of the Dark Knight, the first few months of offerings include stories like Zero Year, Batman and Son, The Long Halloween, and The Killing Joke. Different tiers also offer periodic “specials”, like Flashpoint, as well as collectibles such as coffee mugs and posters.
Factory Entertainment
A good stocking stuffer is always a must, and Factory Entertainment have a ton of great little collectibles and knick-knacks for everyone who loves Batman. There scaled prop replica Batarangs are great, and this year they have some new ones available for purchase: one based on the Batarangs from the ’60s Batman series, the chest logo/knife combo from The Batman, and the incredible remote-control Batarang from Batman Returns, complete with “digital” screen. They also offer other items like keychains, bottle openers, and even a nifty tin lunchbox, so be sure to check them out if you need a smaller gift or two.
Available from Amazon and Entertainment Earth.
Batman Crocs
For those who like to mix justice with comfort, Crocs have a brand new pair of clogs based on the Batmobile that will surely fit the bill. Available in adult and children’s sizes, it’s unclear if these will help you run faster, but they’d no doubt be a comfortable, striking addition to your daily Bat-themed ensemble.
Batman: Resurrection
I’ve already written about how much I enjoyed this novel, yet it still stands to be a perfect gift for the Batman fan in your life. A great sequel to the 1989 classic Batman, and a good bridge between it and 1002’s Batman Returns, Batman: Resurrection is over 400 pages of Michael Keaton Batman goodness. With its own sequel coming next fall, it’s never too early to read John Jackson Miller’s novel, which is destined to be a classic Batman story in its own right.
Available from Amazon.
Items from Warner Bros. Discovery
DC Comics’ parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, has plenty of offerings of its own, ranging from books to ornaments to toys and everything in between. For the youngest of fans, there’s the adorable Little People set of cinematic Batman figures, represented by all modern portrayals from Keaton to Pattinson. After a nice day of play, you can then read your little tyke Batman: To the Batcave to lull them to sleep.
There’s the DC Comics Style Guide for those who like comic art, specifically comic art the exact way it should look. This tome is packed with stunning illustrations of beloved heroes and terrifying villains in various poses, color breakdowns, and iconic images taken from José Luis García-López’s original guide for DC’s 1980s comics and merchandising output.
If you’re already planning ahead to next Christmas, maybe check out some Batman ornaments from Hallmark to decorate your tree in 2025? There’s the Batman ’89 Funko! Pop ornament, complete with Batman in the Best Batmobile Of All Time. Throwing back a bit further, why not have the Dynamic Duo guard your tree with the amazing and hilarious Batman ’66 ornament? This depicts Batman and Robin in their trademark “climbing up a Batrope” pose so they can scale your tree and keep it free of all criminal ne’er-do-wells.
McFarlane Toys
Everyone likes action figures, and as the main licensee of DC Comics characters, McFarlane Toys have a wide range of toys, statues, and other collectibles for fans of all stripes. Be it figures based on the ’66 Batman show or popular comic arcs, vehicles from film and television projects alike, or statues and busts for displaying on your shelf, McFarlane has you covered. They’re always running great deals and “fan appreciation” sales too, so put some of that money your grandma gave you toward a sweet set of Super Powers figures or something.
Available from Amazon and Entertainment Earth.
Batsignal Popcorn Bucket
Themed popcorn buckets are all the rage right now, and frankly, the less practical it is for holding popcorn the better.
Really, some of these things are just great collectibles on their own, which is crazy. AMC has a Bat-signal bucket that looks pitch-perfect, so I’m not even sure where you would put the popcorn. Maybe the base opens, and the signal itself has a little compartment. I don’t know, and frankly, it doesn’t matter. For less than $40, you can have a terrific bat-signal that actually lights up. Isn’t that what going to the movies is all about?
Dark Horse Comics
“But Jay,” you say, “I didn’t know Dark Horse Comics published any Batman titles.”
Well, they don’t, but we’re all for promoting the reading of any and all comics, regardless of character or publisher. Dark Horse has some great titles, especially for Batman fans who want to dip their toe into different waters.
For fans of Scott Snyder, for instance, books like Arcbound and the Eisner-winning Barnstormers might be right up your alley. Arcbound is written by Snyder and Frank Tieri, based on character concepts from Tom “Yes, That One” Hardy, with pencils from Ryan Smallman, colors from Frank William, and lettering by Buddy Beaudoin. It’s a violent, darkly funny, high-concept Sci-Fi epic with shades of Snyder’s Absolute Batman sensibilities, just… ramped up to 11.
Then there’s Barnstormers, which– strange as it is to say– is the more grounded book, despite being about early 20th Century stunt pilots. A smart, deliberately-paced romantic thriller, it’s a great showcase of Snyder’s versatility as a writer and the positively stunning pencils of Tula Lotay, with whom Snyder collaborated on one of the best issues of All-Star Batman.
If you’re looking for something to read with the kids, or you just like more all-ages fare in general, Dark Horse are also fortunate enough to be publishing two of the absolute best comics on stands right now. Canto has been a comic I’ve been covering in one way or another since its initial announcement, and as the current story is coming to a conclusion in Canto: A Place Called Home, now is the perfect time to pick up the previous miniseries to catch up before the end. Dark Horse have been re-releasing each volume of Canto in gorgeous hardback editions, filled with never-before-seen bonus content.
And then we have Usagi Yojimbo, the magnum opus of the great Stan Sakai. I’m sure you know what this book is, as it’s been published for going on 40 years now. Following a rabbit ronin in historical Japan, Sakai writes, illustrates, and letters each and every story himself, and I’ve yet to read a single bad arc featuring the character. As with Canto, it’s a terrific book for readers of all ages, as well as those who are fans of titles like Dark Knights of Steel, Gotham by Gaslight, and other Elseworlds stories from DC.
But that’s not all. Dark Horse have also published volumes of comics based on Avatar: The Last Airbender, one of the most acclaimed animated series of all time. Books like Imbalance follow the main characters from the series itself, while others focus on secondary or minor characters, yet all serve the purpose of broadening the world of Avatar. The writing and art for each of these stories is consistent with the show, which is great, and would appeal to fans of Batman: The Animated Series, its various spinoffs, and people who just enjoy good storytelling in general.
DC Universe Infinite
You can’t really beat having access to thousands of comics at your fingertips, so if time and space are a concern when it comes to comic reading, look into getting yourself or a loved one a subscription to DC Universe Infinite. With more and more issues and titles being added on a weekly basis, the service is also now available in Europe and Latin America, so international readers can take part as well.
Compact Comics…Even If You Aren’t Living in The
US
US
One of the greatest barriers to entry in comics has often been the price point, which DC has
attempted to resolve with their new Compact Comics line. Now, for those of you who may not
know, I (Akash) live in India, where getting my hands on physical comics has always been rough.
However, when I saw that DC was offering the first part of the Darwyn Cooke and Ed Brubaker
Catwoman run (one of the best Catwoman runs, if not the best), I decided to give it a shot and
ordered a copy on the day it was released.
It took me a bit more than a week, but eventually, the book arrived in good condition. I was
impressed by the fact that the colors looked great in the format, and the binding was pretty solid.
As for the paper quality, it is a downgrade from the traditional graphic novel, but not enough that
I consider it to be a detriment.
Overall, I was impressed with the book I selected, and if the rest of the Compact Comics line is of such high quality, I have no issues recommending this line of books. And if you are someone not living in the continental United States and are a bit wary of buying a copy, I can say with full confidence that for the price point offered, this book is worth it.
Available from Amazon.
Batman comics old and new
Finally, what to do with the money you get from relatives who weren’t sure what to get you, all the while knowing that cash is king? Why, swing by your local comic shop and get you some Batman comics, of course. Whether you’re picking up your weekly pull list, hunting through back issue bins and dollar boxes looking for hidden gems, or even trawling eBay to find that one last issue you need to complete an entire collection, getting some new and new-to-you comics is always a sure bet. That also goes for buying some books for a family member or friend who wants to start reading, because every comic could be someone’s first comic, so why not make sure it’s from you?
Disclaimer: Insight Editions, Fanhome, and Dark Horse provided the books listed in their respective sections for inclusion in this guide, and Batman: Resurrection was provided by Random House for the linked review. All other items were purchased by the respective writers.
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