Marvel Comics: 75 Years of Comic Art
I'd be a fool to tell you I was a Marvel Comics expert. That being said, I can spend hours idly leafing through art from the Golden and Silver Age—and that's exactly what's been happening with this super-sized art book from DK Publishing. —Peter Rubin Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
I'd be a fool to tell you I was a Marvel Comics expert. That being said, I can spend hours idly leafing through art from throughout its history—and that's exactly what's been happening with this super-sized art book from DK Publishing. From the WWII origins of Human Torch and Sub-Mariner to modern-day favorites like Wolverine, from Jim Starlin's cosmic freakouts of the ’70s to John Byrne's 1980s heyday, from "Days of Future Past" to Dave Aja's stellar Hawkeye covers, it's all here in glorious color—no longboxes necessary. ($50, currently $36 on Amazon) —Peter Rubin
Big Blastin' Rocket Raccoon Figure
Relive the magic of Rocket Raccoon's performance in Guardians of the Galaxy with this action figure, which comes complete with big shootin' action and catchphrases. (Groot not included. Sadface.) —Angela Watercutter Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
I thoroughly enjoyed Guardians of the Galaxy, in no small part because of Bradley Cooper's vocal performance as Rocket Raccoon. Something about his ability to crack wise and hotwire almost anything just spoke to me (I'm trying not to read too much into that, though). While I knew I'd see Guardians a few more times, I was worried I'd miss Rocket in that lull between the theatrical run and the Blu-ray release. Luckily, Big Blastin' Rocket Raccoon was there to save me. Push a button and the little guy (he's an inch or two taller than a venti latte) fires his blaster and/or spouts catchphrases like "the name's Rocket" or "no need to be sassy!" The box says for "ages 4+" but it's cool if I add a couple of decades to that age minimum, right? ($29.99, Hasbro) —Angela Watercutter
Ghostshrimp's Illustrations
Ghostshrimp makes my favorite kind of art: colorful, grotesque, and funny. He was an illustrator on Adventure Time's early seasons and continues to make surreal drawings for a variety of projects, like the upcoming album by NehruvianDOOM. —Eric Steuer Lex Records
Radiator Hospital, Torch Songs
The latest from the Philly punk outfit accomplishes the rare feat of achieving excellence both as an entire album and on a song-by-song level. Which is probably just a long-winded way of saying there isn’t a single bad track on the record. —Max Ufberg Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
I can’t afford nice headphones, which is probably why I like lo-fi music so much; the genre negates any real difference between my free Comcast-promotion earbuds and my peers’ brand new Beats Solo Ultimate 5000 Zero Emission Headphones. But aside from the net-worth neutrality that the genre offers, I just really like the music itself, and Radiator Hospital is no exception; while the music on the Philadelphia foursome’s latest album is admittedly less fuzz-filled than past releases, there’s an underlying vulnerability to the record that would be lost in a more polished studio production. Singer/guitarist Sam Cook-Parrott brings a high-pitched humility to the band’s power chords, giving what might otherwise sound like commonplace indie rock a greater sense of immediacy and importance. A bonus: fellow Philadelphians Allison and Katie Crutchfield (the sisters behind Swearin’ and Waxahatchee, respectively) lend their pipes to a few songs. ($8, or name your price at Bandcamp) —Max Ufberg
Jenny Lewis, The Voyager
Written after her band's dissolution, her father's death, two years of insomnia, and many late-night viewings of Cosmos, the first solo album in six years from ex-Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis is a trip though regret, mortality, and living long enough to finally be comfortable in your own skin. —Samantha Oltman Warner Bros.
I've been playing the first solo album in six years from ex-Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis on repeat. Written after the breakup of her band, her father's death, two years of insomnia, and many late-night viewings of Carl Sagan's Cosmos , The Voyager is the beautiful musical culmination of everywhere Jenny's been since her band's 2001 debut album Take Offs and Landings. Songs like "Slippery Slope" recall Rilo Kiley days; "Late Bloomer" harks back to her folk-tinged record with The Watson Twins; "She's Not Me" and "Just One of the Guys" give us a more confident, Stevie Nicks-channeling Jenny, one who's not afraid to admit her regrets or laugh about her age. Its 10 songs (which should be listened to in order) take me on a journey, back to my teenage years and everything between then and now. It seems Jenny Lewis has been traveling with me the whole time. ($10, Amazon) —Samantha Oltman
Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery (Blu-ray)
We've got good news: That gum you like is going to come back in style. Also, the entire Twin Peaks series, including David Lynch's follow-up feature Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, is now on Blu-ray. Treat yourself.—Bryan Gardiner Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
For me, the golden age of television began on April 8, 1990. That's when David Lynch and Mark Frost unleashed their epically weird, occasionally disturbing, and immensely funny serial drama Twin Peaks on the world. Like any other rabid fan, I've re-watched the series multiple times over the years—always secretly pining for my Log Lady introductions and Dream Man dances in 1080p. Well, now I finally have it—on 10 discs and with a 7.1 surround mix to boot. Let's rock! ($135, currently $92 at Amazon) —Bryan Gardiner
DMZ
There are 12 trade-paperback volumes of this incredible comic about a demilitarized NYC during the next Civil War—I devoured three before I decided I had to save the rest for a beach vacation. Which can't come fast enough. —Joe Brown Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
An awesome comic from the awesomer Brian Wood about a demilitarized New York City during the next American Civil War. Matty Somethingsomething, an intern for a large network, finds himself stranded in the City after his news crew's helicopter is shut down. Instead of leaving, he decides to pick up the baton, and becomes the only embedded journalist in the war zone that used to be the Big Apple. There are 12 trade-paperback volumes of the collected issues—I devoured three before I decided I had to save the rest for a beach vacation. Which can't come fast enough. (~$11 a pop, Amazon) —Joe Brown
A Clockwork Orange Tote Bag
I never used to carry bags, but I couldn't resist the gaze of this cog-eyed droog, taken from David Pelham's 1972 cover art for A Clockwork Orange. Now I'm totes into totes. —Jason Kehe Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
I never used to carry bags, but I couldn't resist the gaze of this cog-eyed droog, taken from David Pelham's 1972 cover art for A Clockwork Orange. Now I'm totes into totes. This one isn't huge, but the canvas is good and thick, there's a nice inner pocket, and it still fits three books and some comics. And that design: just as eye-popping as ever. (Out of Print, $18.99) —Jason Kehe
Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars
If "the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead of A New Hope" is a phrase that both makes sense and appeals to you, watch this brilliant spoof on Star Wars from the creators of Disney's funniest, smartest animated series. —Chris Kohler Disney
Kenny Dope, The Wild Style Breakbeats
The 1983 classic hip-hop film Wild Style was stacked with great music, most of it unreleased. Now KAY-DEE records has remastered all those breakbeats, packaging the 7-inch vinyl singles inside this book of stills from the movie. Fr-Fr-Fresh! —Michael Calore Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
Listen up B-Boys and all you B-Girls / if your hair is natural, straight, or curled / This here's a book you all can dig / never mind that it's heavy and bulky and big / That's only ’cause it's filled with musical treats / old-school breaks that are extra sweet / You got that WILD STYLE tape still in your boom box? / Can't get enough ’cause the beats plain rock? / The records in this book have those tracks remixed / if they didn't sound hot we would be remiss / Pressed by Kenny Dope straight to 45 / they're louder, bolder, and more alive / So forget Spotify when it's time to groove / just put the needle on the wax and show us how to move! (Kay Dee Records, $70) —Michael Calore
Quasimoto, The Further Adventures of Lord Quas
Warning: This 2005 album isn't for everyone. It's all over the goddamn place. But when it all clicks, it's contagious. The bassline in "Civilization Day" is so very very nice. "Shroom Music" is a beautiful, head-noddy mess. And if you love classic hip hop, "Rappcats Pt. 3" is a must-listen. —Tim Moynihan Stones Throw
Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook
The new fifth edition of D&D has finally gone beyond the starter set with the official release of the Player's Handbook: more classes, more detail, and more ways to sink into a campaign. Grab some friends and some dice, roll up an extravagantly-monikered halfling warlock, and get thee to the table. —Peter Rubin Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
When I but was a wee paladin, I played AD&D—then, for nigh on 25 years, I played no D&D at all. Nary a dungeon or a dragon was imagined by me, unless it was part of a video game. Earlier this year, though, I got a chance to playtest the new edition, aka "D&D Next" (actually called simply Dungeons & Dragons)—and I got enchanted all over again. The endless stat crunching that seemed to dominate the game in recent years was largely gone, replaced by an experience that put the RP back in "tabletop RPG." And now, the basic rules that were released in July are finally being expanded with the official release of the Player's Handbook: more classes, more detail, and more ways to sink into a campaign. Grab some friends and some dice, roll up an extravagantly-monikered halfling warlock, and get thee to the table. ($49.99, currently $29.97 at Amazon) —Peter Rubin
Do Not Sell at Any Price
If you're a collector of anything at all, you'll find a lot of familiar scenes in Amanda Petrusich's tale of 78 RPM record collectors: Digging through filthy bins in the wee hours of the morning at a flea market; internecine squabbles between collectors over the "right" way to do things; dumpster diving. But never shame. —Chris Kohler Scribner
Carl Kasell Autograph Pillow
The Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me scorekeeper and master of mayhem may have retired, but the most avuncular man since Wilford Brimley can still keep you company anytime thanks to the greatest piece of bedding I've ever owned. —Ariel Zambelich Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
If you're a public radio nerd like I am, you likely felt that desperate sadness back in May when Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me scorekeeper and master of mayhem Carl Kasell signed off on his last show. If you haven't managed to win a round of the Listener Limerick Challenge yet—he still records the message on your voicemail or home answering machine!—here's a way to fill that void in your life . Carl can keep you company as you make coffee in the morning, ride shotgun during your work commute, and even hang out on that comfy overstuffed chair as you catch up on podcasts. And if you replay old episodes and make sure no one's around, you can imagine the dulcet tones of his voice are meant just for you. That's not just me, right? ($25, NPR) —Ariel Zambelich
The Blighted Eye: The Collection of Glenn Bray
Few of us will ever get to see Glenn Bray's massive comic book art collection in person (it lives in his San Fernando Valley home). You can, however, get a satisfying taste by paging through "The Blighted Eye," a beautifully curated art book that features works from artists you've heard of (Matt Groening) and ones you haven't (Peter Pontiac). —Bryan Gardiner Ariel Zambelich/WIRED
There are obsessive collectors, and then there's Glenn Bray. What began as a simple love affair with "junk culture" for Bray gradually grew into one of the world's most enviable collections of comic book art. The Blighted Eye represents only a portion of his enormous collection. But for fans of artists like R. Crumb, Harvey Kurtzman, George Herriman, and Chris Ware it's the next best thing to walking through his San Fernando Valley home. ($100, currently $64 at Amazon) —Bryan Gardiner
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Some of the sets and costumes may be dated, but the characters, story, and adventures of the starship Enterprise are just as enjoyable now as 15 years ago. Make it so. —Christina Bonnington Paramount
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