THE DARK KNIGHT (DVD, BLU-RAY): Let’s just call this one “the sure thing.” After breaking almost every box office record this summer, “The Dark Knight” blasted on to DVD and BluRay just in time to become that #1 item on every fanboy’s X-Mas list. The sequel to 2005’s “Batman Begins” sees the all-star return cast plus the performance that has everyone talking: Heath Ledger as the wickedest, most terrifying Joker ever. Make sure to survey the local Targets, Best Buys, and Wal-Marts, as each has issued their own Special Edition with exclusive goodies. And if you haven’t seen TDK yet, pick one up for yourself.

---

 JOKER GRAPHIC NOVEL (DC Comics): Looking for something for that special someone on your Christmas list that just won’t shut up about how “The Dark Knight” is the greatest movie ever and will argue until ears bleed to prove their point? Then check that name off and pick up a copy of “Joker” by award-winning writer Brian Azzarello and artist Lee Bermejo. Told from the POV of a would-be Joker-goon, “Joker” takes a trip into the demented world of the grinning madman complete with appearances by the most famous of Batman’s rogues gallery, including Riddler, Two-Face, and Harley Quinn. A bit of a warning though, this one isn’t for the tikes: the entertainment comes loaded with violence and drug use, and may be the most realistic version we’ve seen of Gotham’s dark underbelly yet.

---

2008 MARVEL OMNIBUSES (Marvel Comics): This year, Marvel published a slew of their all encompassing comic omnibuses that ranged from early Marvel classics to current fan-favorites. They may be a little pricey (cover price for most hovers around $100) but you’ll be amazed by the quality, content, and overwhelming page-count. For the classic Marvel super-fan, check out the “Hulk” or “Iron Man” Omnibuses, each packed with very first stories of the jade giant and the golden avenger by such celebrated creators as Stan Lee, Larry Leiber, and Jack Kirby. For those looking for something more current, point yourselves towards “Daredevil by Brian Michael Bendis” or “Punisher by Garth Ennis.” 

---

Y: THE LAST MAN DELUXE, Volume 1: (DC Comics): Quite possibly the most celebrated comic book of our time, Brian K. Vaughn’s five year epic can make you the most celebrated gift-giver this holiday season. Set just after a genetic disaster kills every mammal with a Y-chromosome, “Y: The Last Man”follows sole survivor Yorick (and his pet monkey) on a worldwide journey to find the woman he loves.  For fans of DC’s Vertigo imprint for mature readers, this one will have you pulled under the mistletoe in not time.

---

 SUPERMAN: LAST SON (DC Comics): Co-written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner (director of Superman: The Movie), “Last Son” features everything one can expect in a Superman story: Big action, big story, and lots and lots of heart. Unlike most comics today, Last Son doesn’t depend on years on convoluted continuity to tell its tale, and makes it easy for anyone to pick it up and enjoy. But don’t worry, there’re plenty of nods to classic Superman history that’ll make your special fanboy giddy. In addition, chapter four comes beautifully rendered in eye-popping 3-D (glasses included). 

---

IRON MAN (DVD, BLU-RAY): While Iron Man may not have been a household name before last summer, all that’s changed with the Armored Avenger’s big screen debut. Iron Man reminded audiences that superhero movies can be fun and not just drawn-out sobfests (like Spidey 3). And while the special effects and action will keep your gift-recipient on the edge of their seats, its Robert Downey, Jr.’s complete disappearance into the witty Tony Stark character that makes movie magic. 

---

MORTAL KOMBAT VS. DC UNIVERSE (PS3, X-Box 360): OK, this one might not be for everyone, with its scenes of gratuitous blood and violence (and, of course, MK’s signature fatality moves), but MK vs. DCU has that perfect balance to excite that special gamer or fanboy. Complete with everything that made Mortal Kombat one of the most talked about games ever (the characters, moves, arenas); it utilizes longtime DCU lore of multiple universes to make this union easily believable. And though MK vs. DCU is packed with big names like Raiden and Superman, it’s getting to play as characters like Joker and Deathstroke that has gamers giggling. 

---

HELLBOY LIBRARY EDITIONS (Dark Horse): One of the most successful properties outside of DC Comics and Marvel, Hellboy has the perfect mix of horror and superhero action. Beautiful inside and out, these oversized reprints of Mike Mignola’s occult hit feature the earliest tales of Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense. For longtime or casual fans, the Hellboy Library Editions are must haves. 

---

MARVEL DIGITAL COMICS SUBSCRIPTION (Marvel Comics): For anyone out there struggling with what to get someone with a massive comic collection, unsure of what that they have or don’t have, a subscription to Marvel Digital Comics is the answer. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. Currently, the Marvel Digital Library houses over 5,000 comics, with at least 25 more added every week. All one needs is a computer and they have access to more Spider-Man, X-Men, FF, and obscure titles that you can shake a candy cane at. Highlights include the first 100 issues of Spidey and X-Men, but also exclusive digital only books by some of today’s hottest writers like C.B. Cebulski and Jason Aaron. 

---

SPIDER-MAN: WEB OF SHADOWS (PS3, X-Box 360, Wii, PS2, Nintendo DS,PSP): Perfect for that gamer of (almost) any age (it comes with a Teen rating for violence), Web of Shadows lets players control Spider-Man as he battles along his amazing friends against an alien symbiote invasion (those gooey things that created Venom). Full of lots of nods to fans (like the Kingpin’s and Tony Stark’s towers) and guest staring favorites like Wolverine and Luke Cage, there’s something here for new and old fans alike.