Entertainment

8 Unexpected Holiday Gifts For Marvel Fans

Merry Christmas, true believers!

by Eric Francisco
Getty Images / Nicholas Hunt

It’s been a heck of a year for Marvel fans. The past twelve months were packed with amazing highs — movies like Thor: Ragnarok, TV shows like The Punisher — and some so-so lows, like Marvel’s Secret Empire. But Marvel fans remain devoted to the House of Ideas, and the holiday season is the perfect way to reward the most die-hard Marvel devotee in your life.

Although comic books are still the core for where the Marvel Universe begins and ends, the Disney-backed Marvel empire has grown to satisfy any Marvel superfan no matter how they express their fandom.

With Christmas just around the corner, below is a list of choice holiday/gift ideas to give to the most serious Marvel fan you know. Toy collectors, fashionable cosplayers, even fans who know how to repair a sink, there’s something to give to everyone this season. Here are the best Marvel gifts to give in 2017.

8. Thor Toolkit

A toy this is not. This year, ThinkGeek was the exclusive outlet for Marvel’s Thor Hammer Toolset, an honest-to-goodness toolbox, with working tools, in the shape of the mighty Mjolnir. Sadly, this absolutely perfect $100 gift went the way of Ragnarok. But if the person you’re shopping for is especially a Thor fan, you can scour eBay, with an average auction price of $200.

ThinkJam

7. Spider-Man: Homecoming Limited Edition Box Set

Exclusively at Walmart, Sony/Marvel have released a gift box set for Spider-Man: Homecoming on Blu-ray/DVD. In addition to the film, the box comes with Spider-Man socks, a comic book, a collectible pin, and a very exclusive “upside down” Spider-Man Funko figure, available only in the gift box. Hardcore Funko fans will want to track this down.

The box set retails for $35. As a bonus, take a photo of yourself with the Blu-ray and you can enter a sweepstakes to win Tom Holland’s screen-used spidey suit. A Merry Christmas indeed.

NECA

6. NECA Marvel Classics: X-Force Deadpool

Deadpool 2 hits next summer. Until then, the number one Deadpool fan deserves this amazing, 1/4 sized action figure featuring Deadpool in his eerie white X-Force costume. Arguably the most popular costume variant in Deadpool’s comic history, NECA has overdone themselves with this incredibly detailed jumbo figure. Retails for $109 at Amazon, so serious collectors only.

Her Universe

5. Black Widow Puffer Jacket

Become the Black Widow this winter. Women’s brand Her Universe has a very rad winter jacket in the style of Marvel’s coolest assassin, Black Widow. In true nerd chic, the style is subtle, with only the most eagle-eyed Marvel fans knowing that you’re keeping warm like Natasha would. Retails for $80.

ThinkGeek

4. Marvel Thor and Hulk Geeki Tiki Two Pack

Thor like smoldering fire. Hulk like raging fire. Fan like happy fire. In the aftermath of Thor: Ragnarok from director Taika Waititi, pick up the best “Geeki Tiki” set featuring the Hulk and Thor. Available through ThinkGeek for $30. Bottoms up.

Facebook.com/Tamashii.USA

3. Marvel Figuarts: Star-Lord, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, Thor, Hulk

In the U.S., Hasbro is the primary producer of Marvel action figures. But through the powers of the internet, it’s possible to acquire Japanese toy maker Bandai’s amazing S.H. Figuarts collection of Marvel figures. Since 2015, Bandai has produced intensely detailed 6-inch figurines of MCU characters, including all of the Avengers and Black Panther, Ant-Man, and more.

In 2017, Bandai expanded the line to feature Star-Lord, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, and the Thor: Ragnarok versions of the God of Thunder and the incredible Hulk. Due to import prices, these toys cost a serious penny. Expect upwards for $80 for each one. Once again, serious collectors only. They can all be picked up through Amazon.

Hasbro

2. Become Star-Lord: Marvel Legends Star-Lord Helmet and Mini MP3 Boombox

Here’s a two gift combo that will satisfy any Star-Lord no matter their age.

Under the Marvel Legends line, Hasbro has produced 1:1 scale items of various superhero items, including Captain America’s shield, Thor’s hammer, and now, Star-Lord’s helmet. For $100, the Star-Lord Helmet is an incredible and cost-efficient cosplay piece. It has a Bluetooth feature too, so yes, you can blast the Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix through the helmet.

For $30, there’s also the Guardians of the Galaxy Mini MP3 Boombox. Styled after Star-Lord’s beloved cassette player, the toy is really a small MP3 player and voice recorder; think the Talkboy from Home Alone 2, but Marvel. This one is definitely perfect for kids.

Marvel Comics

1. Prepare for 2018

Of course, it’s all about the comics. In 2018, there will be a nuclear ton of Marvel movies, not the least of which include Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man and the Wasp, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Venom, Deadpool 2, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. There’s going to be a lot!

So for any Marvel fan looking to brush up before the movies, here are the comics that would make excellent stocking stuffers. The majority of these can be easily picked up in collected trade paperback.

  • Spider-Verse by Dan Slott, Christos Gage, Dennis Hopeless, and Michael Costa.
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