You don’t have to be a comics lover to delight in this slice of American pop culture history—Depression era entertainment, anyone?—but the comics lover in your life will totally geek out on this collection of artwork (from sketches to full, gorgeous renditions), depictions of products (Superman undies for boys, decoder rings), and events (Superman Day and Valentine’s Day, 1940), and DC trivia (25 accessible archivale pieces stored in clear plastic cases). Billed as a “museum-in-a-book” with rare collectibles, a modern reader will feel the ghosts of enthusiasts past looking over their shoulders—oh, wait, that’s your kid, scooching in next to you to get a look. Best make room on the couch when you open this one.

AMAZON

This massive 800-plus-page tome, lavishly bound in slipcase and printed on high quality glossy paper, will wow both sci-fi and comic book aficionados. All the major Luke Skywalker stories spanning 30 years from the earliest Marvel incarnation up through Dark Horse’s latest adventures are compiled here in glorious, sparkling color. It’s an art quality book jam-packed with nostalgia. As one of the largest and most comprehensive Star Wars-related compendiums on the market, it will hold wide appeal to the legions of the series fans as well as lovers of fine comic artistry.

AMAZON

A recession may be a funny time to be concerned with high fashion, but hey, the times of austerity can’t last forever. And even if you can’t afford to get duded up like the insanely hip Iké Udé, then at least you can enjoy gazing at the sartorial wares of 55 of the world’s most “fashionable” people. Refreshingly, this book doesn’t treat youth as the definition of beauty. Beauty and style cross ages and places in Udé‘s refined eyes. The photography is superb and the Q and As with these well-dressed denizens are great fun indeed. [$65.00]

AMAZON