CCD Presents: The Holiday Geek Gift Guide - Batmobile Edition

If you can afford it, you can own the one and only original Batmobile when it goes up for auction by Barrett-Jackson, the famous classic car auctioning business. I get Speed TV as part of my satellite package and they will be airing the auction live. It will be interesting to see just how high the bidding goes for this beautiful piece of pop-culture history. You can read more about the history of the car by going HERE.

Click after the jump for more...

The original Batmobile goes on the road once again Tuesday when it is transported from creator George Barris’ collection in Los Angeles to Scottsdale, Arizona, to be auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson collector-car event in January.

The world-famous TV car built by Barris and his customizing crew in 1965 for a starring role in the Batman show will be loaded into a van Tuesday morning for the 380-mile trip to Scottsdale, where it will be delivered to Barrett-Jackson.

The Batmobile will be a star attraction at the January auction, marking the first time the iconic TV car has ever been offered for sale. Barris has kept the Batmobile in his possession since it was driven in the 1966-68 television show, although it has made many appearances at auto shows and other events through the years.

The custom-car project was famously built at Barris’ shop in just 15 days after the legendary “King of Kustomizers” was approached by the producers of the upcoming Batman series, who needed the car built within weeks to appear in the show. The Batmobile is based on the 1955 Lincoln Futura show car that Barris already had in his possession, and he and his crew heavily modified it into one of the best-know vehicles in TV history.

Among the car’s special features created for TV are the many faux crime-fighting gadgets used by Batman, such as the Bat Ray, Bat Computer, Bat Smoke and the memorable Bat Phone.

The auction of the Batmobile is scheduled for Jan. 19 during the Saturday “prime time” sale at Barrett-Jackson. The winning bidder of the Batmobile will also receive memorabilia and documentation from Barris's personal archives.

Batman creator Bob Kane (left) with George Barris and the completed Batmobile.

George Barris copyrighted his Batmobile design.

The Batmobile is equipped with an array of faux crime-fighting gadgets.

The Batmobile's special features are clearly labeled.

CCD Holiday Geek Gift Guide: License To Shoot First by Ian Leino

This is one of the greatest mash-up T-shirts I have ever seen. Designed by Ian Leino, this shirt features everybodies favorite space pirate mashed up with England's favorite super spy. No matter what Lucas did to the final print of this movie, there is no fucking question that James Solo would be the one that shot first... and last. You can buy the shirt for a mere 20 bucks over at Shirtoid by clicking here. How can you do better for the Star Wars/James Bond fanboy/girl in your life. Order up folks...it's Christmas!!!! Check out the shirt after the jump....

CCD Holiday Geek Gift Guide - The Batman vs Judge Dredd Collection

As we creep closer and closer to Christmas I am coming across more and more cool gifts that I WANT FOR MYSELF. I know this is supposed to be the season of giving, but shit.....there are some really great geeky gifts out there and I want them! Take this excellent collection that includes all four of the cross over mini series from the nineties with Bats & Judge Dredd. Wow... great that they are all collected in one place, and for this price it is a must have for all Batman/Judge Dredd fans. The book also features a very cool  cover by Mike Mignola. These stories were a true bright spot in the 90s, when comics went through an industry wide lull. With a cover price of around 30 bucks I would jump on it, but you can grab this book for like 18 bucks on Amazon by clicking here. Get it for all the comic geeks in your life.... trust me, they will love it. Click after the jump for some pics of the book itself....

CCD Holiday Geek Gift Guide: Geeky Christmas Sweater T-Shirts

Even the most horrific classic Christmas gifts can be geek-asized so as to make them cooler. Case in point: Check out these radical t-shirts by RedBubble user Fanboy 30 that recreate the hideousness of  classic Christmas Sweaters with a bit of a geek edge to them. First up we have a Doctor Who inspired design featuring Daleks, Cybermen & a Tardis. Next we have a Nintendo themed shirt filled with Super Stars, Mushrooms, and Life Hearts from Zelda & Mario. Both of these are a great way for a geek that you know to be both traditionally dressed for Christmas while maintaining a geek edge to themselves. everybody wins!!! Check out the pics after the jump and click here to order these (or any of the other really cool shirts) from Fanboy 30's RedBubble page....

CCD's Holiday Geek Gift Guide: Drink Your Coffee Out Of Modok's Head....

It is that time of year here at CCD and you need to start looking for some cool ass gifts for the nerds in your life. So why not listen to our expertise and buy them something we recommend... because we know geek better than most. Today's entry into the fray comes from Think Geek, and it is a relatively inexpensive gift for the nerd in your life that needs a Cup of Joe to get his day going. For 14.99 you can own your very own Modok coffee mug!!!! The details on this thing are amazing, and what better character is suited to be turned into a coffee mug besides Modok?  See a bunch of pics after the jump....



You can click here to see the mug and order it. Check back over the next few weeks for more cool ass geeky products to share with the nerds in your life here at CCD... it is our pleasure.

CCD Holiday Geek Gift Guide #5: What To Get The Comic Book Newbie In Your Life

I am a veteran of the comic book game... I have been collecting since I was four (just over 28 years) and I have tons of comics/graphic novels to prove it. I, along with many of my fellow 80's baby comic geeks, were way ahead of the current comic book movie craze and have read ALL of the source material that is making the summer blockbusters the masses are devouring at a record pace. But what if you have to buy a gift for the person who is just getting started with comics? Here is a list of a few of my personal faves that will give any comic fan, new or old, a smile on their face. These will even work for a hardcore fan, even though a true comic book head SHOULD have in their collection (both in issue format and collected versions...lol). Click after the jump for my suggestions...

Watchmen by Alan Moore & David Gibbons-

Why do I start here? Well, to put it simple and plain, this is THE GREATEST GRAPHIC NOVEL EVER WRITTEN!!! Period. Nothing to discuss. Pure fucking genius. Didn't like the movie? Doesn't fucking matter... if you read the source material, you will forget there even was a movie (even though I thought the movie was wonderful). Alan Moore is one of the greatest comic writers of all time, and David Gibbons drew one of the greatest comics ever. A good story and great images... what else does a comic need. The best part is that this is a self contained story in its own universe, which for all you non-comic heads means you don't need to know any back story to enjoy it. It's all there in this beautiful black and yellow covered comic... click here to buy the softcover version or here to buy the fancier hardcover. 

Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale-

Who doesn't love Batman? Not anybody I know, especially after Christopher Nolan did his thing on the past few Dark Knight movies. With the third film coming next summer, why not get somebody into the Batman groove? Now this is where most comic nerds would point you to Frank Miller's Batman: Year One (which is a solid choice and a great gift as well, but I digress)... but I have chosen to go in a different direction. Loeb and Sale revisit the early years in this Batman story that took place over 13 issues and is focused on Gotham Cities mafia families as well as all his colorful rouges. The gang is all here, from Joker to Riddler to Two Face... and the story is magnificent. Published back in 1996/97, it helped jump-start interest in DC Comics and The Bat for a whole new generation. I have my own copy signed by both Loeb and Sale, and it may very well be my favorite Batman story ever. This 384 page collection will definitely inspire more trips to the comic store for stories of Gotham's shining knight. Click here to order.

Wanted by Mark Millar & J.G. Jones-

Listen, I liked the movie as much as the next guy. James McAvoy is great as the loser Wesley Gibson, Angelina Jolie is perfect as Fox. Not to mention that sexy shot of her naked and soaking wet leaving the healing tub... nerd boner!!! But the movie, dope as it was, really has very little to do with Millar and Jones's original work. There is a shell of a story in the movie, but not at all like the one that is in the book. If you thought the movie was twisted, wait till you see this book. This one also takes place in a self contained universe (no complicated back stories that you need to know), but in this universe the bad guys won. All the way. And they have killed off EVERY SUPER HERO in the world. All of them... and brutally. These bad guys mind-wiped the rest of the world's memories of these heroes, and they rule the world free to rape/pillage/murder with impunity. And they do just that... a lot. Cursing, innocent people getting maimed and killed, rape for fun... yeah, it's a bad guys dream world. But bad guys can't play by the rules, so it's only a matter of time before one tries to overthrow the rest. Then it's bad guys vs badder guys, which can never be bad. Click here to order this one...      

Start with these three, and then if all else fails try these other winners:

The League of Extraordinary Gentleman Omnibus by Alan Moore

The Sandman: Absolute Editions 1-5 by Neil Gaiman

Marvel 1985 by Mark Millar

Marvel: Zombies by Robert Kirkman, Sean Phillips, and Arthur Suydam

City Of Others by Steve Niles

Marvels by Kurt Busiek Alex Ross

Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar & Dave Johnson

Kingdom Come by Mark Waid & Alex Ross

CCD Holiday Geek Gift Guide Vol #4: Rise of the Planet of the Apes Blu-Ray

Here we go again... with only a couple of weeks left before the big day, it's time for you to start knocking out all of the Christmas shopping you haven't finished yet. We have been trying to help you pick gifts for the fickle geeks that inhabit your life, and today we are focusing on the Blu-Ray/Movie geek in your life with the release of Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Click after the jump for more details...

Let me preface this recommendation by saying the following things:

First of all, I have NOT SEEN this movie. Yes, it is true. i am recommending a movie for you to buy your geeky loved ones DESPITE the fact that I have not seen the film myself. But I have my reasons for that. Both my partner in crime Jeff Bond (who is an Ape franchise nut) and my son Mikey (who at 8 knows more about geek properties than most adults) have whole heartily endorsed this movie. They both LOVED it... calling it one of their favorite movies of the summer. Fellow CCDers Joe Fletch and Tommy Lombardozzi also liked the flick, so I gotta go with the consensus. 

Secondly, they are pushing for Andy Serkis to be nominated by the Academy for a best supporting actor oscar. Now this normally wouldn't be such a big deal, but Serkis NEVER APPEARS ON SCREEN IN THE MOVIE AS HIMSELF. He is the actor that was motion captured to bring the head ape Caesar to life... and boy has he! Serkis also did this for Gollum in the Lord of the Rings, and he became one of the most memorable parts of that trilogy. With 10 years of film advancement since then, Serkis and the special effects gang are sure to bring it big time. 

Finally, this is exactly what you want in a Blu-Ray. I have over 1,000 DVDs, and I love HD video as much as the next guy. But I AM NOT re-buying every film I own on Blu-Ray because it looks better. truth is, the difference doesn't mean that much TO Me (I know there is a huge difference... this is just my opinion!). But I have gotten a Blu-Ray player and my criteria for purchasing movies in this medium is that the film must be visually stunning. This is the best example of a film that I NEED to see in Blu-Ray... the CGI is gonna be banging in High def!!!! This is the reason why Blu-Ray is as awesome as it is...

The Blu-Ray & DVD of Rise of the Planet of the Apes comes out Tuesday December 13th. Check a few different stores for the best prices, but Amazon and Best Buy usually have the best deals. Buy this Blu ray for the film geek in your life!!!

CCD Holiday Geek Gift Guide Vol #3: Beats by Dre Colors!!!

Hey gang... here is the third installment of the Holiday Geek gift Guide here at CCD. This time I am giving you a glimpse into MY OWN Christmas list, and it comes in the form of the Beats by Dre headphones in there brand new COLORS edition. Click after the jump for more...

Listen, I know they are expensive. Shit, $300 bucks seems like a hell of a lot of money to spend on headphones. But listen. First of all, we are grown-ups. That means we can have better toys. I'm not saying you should buy these for your teenage kids, but for an adult they are a perfect fit. Secondly, if you are like me and travel to work everyday on public transportation then you definitely get some use out of your headsets. Why not splurge for a quality product that will last a long time. Here is a little tip: Best Buy offers these puppies for $299.00, which is 50 bucks cheaper then the official Beats by Dre website. Plus, you get a $25 gift card with it. See that... you buy one gift, and they give you free money to pick up somebody ANOTHER gift. How can this be bad? Click here to visit Best Buy. They come in red, orange, green, pink, purple, and navy blue. Give the gift of perfect audio this Christmas to the person you love.

Here is the commercial:

CCD Holiday Geek Gift Guide Vol #2: Iphone 4 Cases Aplenty!!!

Yesterday I told you guys that I was going to help you out with your Christmas shopping for all the geeks on your list by coming up with some cool products for your to purchase. Today we are going to focus our attention on gifts for someone everybody knows: The guys/gals who own an Iphone 4! I found a really great Etsy store called Point Sale Store who offer some phenomenal cases for the Iphone 4, and they truly have something for everybody. Their cases range in price from 13 bucks to 20 bucks, and the subjects for these cases range from Twilight to Star Wars. They also have some artsy cases and a ton of geek properties. Click after the jump to see some examples of their cases & click here to be taken to their Etsy  store to buy some stuff... tell em CCD sent ya!!!

CCD Holiday Geek Gift Guide Vol #1: Great Literature... With All New Artwork!!!

As we enter the final stretch run leading up to Christmas, many of us are still struggling to complete our shopping for our loved ones. For the next few weeks I will be highlighting some great gifts for you to purchase for the geeks/nerds/collectors/obsessors in your life. Today we cover the literature geek in your life with a brand new edition of the Ray Bradbury classic Fahrenheit 451 complete with some awesome full page illustrations. Click after the jump for more details.

The Folio Society, in collaboration with artist Sam Weber, have brought out a brand new edition of the Ray Bradbury classic Fahrenheit 451. The Folio Society is known to come out with some fabulous editions of classic books, and this one is even nicer than most. Sam Weber's art is breathtaking, and if you haven;t read this book in your life than you are definitely missing out. You can correct that mistake by picking this book up for $42.95 on the Folio Societies website (click here),  and here are a few of the wonderful illustrations by Weber to pique your interests. Enjoy... and check back tomorrow for more great geek gift ideas!!!