It's that time of the year again when you're scratching your head, wondering what you should get for that nerdy person in your life. They're difficult to shop for, because their interests are, well, so bizarre. And you don't want to spring to get them some good whiskey. So that's where I come in: I'm here to help you shop for that particular friend or loved one.
Comics: Comics are always the easiest thing to get for people—they fit every size—and we have a number of local comic book stores that can help you pick out exactly the right one for your gift recipient's particular interests. Black Cat Comics (2261 S. Highland Drive, blackcat-comics.com) and Dr. Volt's Comic Connection (2043 E. 3300 South, drvolts.com) are the two biggest in the area, and their staff will help tailor a comic-reading experience based on the preferences of your loved one. Did they love Black Panther or Infinity War? There are comics to help illuminate those stories. Were they a fan of Justice League? Then the fellows at the local shops will help find some great stories from DC Comics. But they're also experts in the independent, the weird and the esoteric. All you need to do is go in, tell them about the person you're buying for, and they'll give you the best recommendations.
If I were buying graphic novels as gifts this year, I'd take a hard look at The Snagglepuss Chronicles. I know that sounds weird, but the comic adaptation of the classic Hanna Barbara cartoon character is nothing short of amazing. Imagine the pink mountain lion was Truman Capote, and you'll instantly grasp the brilliance of the comic.
The other one I'd recommend is the pair of Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics. Since they're crossovers between two companies and universes, they stand alone pretty well. The art is beautiful and the writing is fun. And who doesn't love Batman or the Ninja Turtles? Combine them, and you've got a match made in heaven.
A Night at the Movies: As you look to buy things for the geek in your life, one thing that never goes bad is a gift certificate to see a movie. Geeks have inherited the box office, and it's hard to keep up with the volume of movies coming out. It can take a toll on the wallet. This holiday season, the two big ones might be Aquaman and the animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse. Both of these movies are going to be blockbusters, and based on the trailers, the nerds in your life are going to want to see them more than once. You can help with that.
If you want to go the extra mile, order a 2019 Megatub from Megaplex Theatres (multiple locations, megaplextheatres.com) to give them. With this plastic bucket, popcorn refills are only $3, which could save them as much money as any amount of movie certificates you're apt to get. I would order now, though. They tend to sell out fast.
Collectibles: If your loved one is in need of a rare collectible, there's a new place in town. Megalopolis Toys (3753 S. State, megalopolis.toys) is a nationwide outfit for online orders, but they are headquartered in Salt Lake City, and every sort of nerd collectible, action figure or statue you could want, they seem to be able to get their hands on. Their showroom is chock full of these things from every universe imaginable, so you're not going to leave empty-handed. If your loved one has been trying to track down a toy, or even a convention exclusive, Megalopolis should be your first and last stop.
Stocking Stuffers: Stocking stuffers are always a last-minute thing to grab, and often those items get boring. You can only put so many oranges and candy canes into a stocking. So you want to make yours special, right? Well, the place to go for that is going to be Cabin Fever (556 S. 602 East, trolleysquare.com/cabin-fever) in the Trolley Square mall. This place has all kinds of tiny gifts like pins and refrigerator magnets to stuff into the stocking of any-genre fan. They also carry a range of Funko pops, gag gifts and books. This is also your white elephant gift headquarters; they have so much of the weirdest stuff for even the most bizarre sense of humor. No holiday shopping trip is complete without the random things you can find at Cabin Fever.
Hopefully this clears some things up and will make those tastefully nerdy people in your life happy this season.
