It’s Boxing Day, which in the Skarka household means that we are up early to enjoy a Feast of Football (of the English Premier League variety). Currently sitting, scruffy and unshaven, watching the match between Manchester United and Sunderland, drinking an inordinately large thermal mug of tea (PG Tips, my preferred brand, acquired via an import shop here in town in ALARMING quantities by our family).
But rather than regale you with my Anglophilia and love of the Beautiful Game, I figured that I’d engage in the American Geek tradition of the Post-Christmas Loot Summary.
It was (as it is every year) a very bookish Christmas for your humble narrator. The haul included:
- Gods and Myths of Northern Europe by H.R. Ellis Davidson, a good reference on the subject that I’ve been wanting for a while.
- Firefly: Still Flying: A Celebration of Joss Whedon’s Acclaimed TV Series — the one book on the show that I didn’t already own.
- Bryan Hitch’s Ultimate Comics Studio — a master-class from the ULTIMATES artist. Part of my preparations for Adamant’s digital comics line in 2011.
- The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back — the new anniversary release, companion to the wonderful “Making of Star Wars” book that I already have.
- For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond — a combination lit-crit and biography, exploring the connections between the author and his creation. Readers of my Tour de Bond series will find this gift entirely expected.
- Star Trek: The Original Series 365 — a brick-like hardcover collecting behind-the-scenes info and photographs (including some rare ones) from the 60s classic.
- Gamma World — now I can crack open the boxed set and see what the raving in the gamer community is all about.
- An awesome book from the in-laws: The Art of Hammer: The Official Poster Collection From the Archive of Hammer Films — big, gorgeous hardcover reproducing the UK, US and international poster art of the Hammer films.
- In the same vein (ouch. sorry.), Tomb of Dracula Omnibus, Vol. 2, the second collection of Marvel’s brilliant horror title from the 70s.
- …and the big surprise gift from the wife, which those of you on twitter may have already seen:
Oh, hell yeah. After 33 years, I’ve finally got one. It’s my own personal version of a Red Ryder Carbine-Action Range-Model Air Rifle with a Compass in the Stock and this Thing that Tells Time.
So what about you folks? What sorta loot did you score? What was the absolute bestest ever?