A National Geographic photograph could stop you mid-page and leave you wanting to know about a place you had never heard of. TASCHEN gathers 125 years of that curiosity into three volumes, taking readers from early black-and-white images to underwater encounters, wildlife, and human stories from across the globe.
George Lucas’ taste in visual storytelling stretches well beyond Star Wars. TASCHEN’s Lucas Museum of Narrative Art brings paintings, comics, photography, and cinematic creations together in an 832-page set. There’s room for Norman Rockwell, Frank Frazetta, and that galaxy far, far away. Your coffee table will have to accommodate the gathering.
Serena Williams has a winning wardrobe to draw from, and her new Barbie revisits the outfit from her seventh major singles title. The doll comes equipped with a racket, ball, and an articulated athletic body, giving collectors the chance to recreate a tennis pose worthy of the woman it honors.
Collectors who missed the rare late-’80s Laser Light Skeletor have another chance to put that glowing glare on their shelf. Mattel’s Origins version brings illuminated eyes and a red right hand, plus a fabric cape and translucent Havoc Staff. He looks particularly displeased about being collectible.
Before Star Wars filled streaming schedules, Marvel’s monthly comics gave fans new adventures between movies. TASCHEN gathers the first 23 issues into a digitally remastered, 680-page hardcover weighing over 12 pounds. Settle in for Luke, Leia, Han, and Vader’s early outings. Just put the book on a table first.
For anyone who remembers Celine Dion performing “My Heart Will Go On,” the necklace needs little introduction. Her new Barbie pairs a replica Heart of the Ocean with the sleek dress from her award-show appearance, celebrating the singer and the Titanic ballad that became inseparable from her career.
Owning Lamborghini’s off-road supercar is a fairly exclusive affair. Building one at home is another matter. Mattel Brick Shop shrinks the Huracán Sterrato into a customizable model with opening doors and interchangeable wheel covers, then includes a matching Hot Wheels metal car. That’s two Lamborghinis without having to clear the garage.
The Joker isn’t the obvious choice for calming home decor, especially when his head appears to dissolve into bats. LEGO recreates that unsettling comic cover in three dimensions, with facial features pushing outward and scattered shapes escaping the frame. Even contained in bricks, he refuses to stay neatly within the lines.
A gondola and canal-side buildings are expected in a LEGO Venice. A street piano that plays real notes is a lovely surprise. The Venetian Neighborhood fills its waterfront with glassblowing, carnival costumes, and a moving astronomical calendar, while early buyers can add a water taxi to the scene as a gift.
Shin Godzilla’s awkward, gill-spewing Second Form isn’t an obvious candidate for a cute figure. Good Smile Company gives Kamata-kun the Nendoroid treatment anyway, but keeps the body-fluid effects. Leave those parts off for a tamer display, or attach them to bring back an unsettling moment from the film.
You know the rubber chicken that screams when you squeeze its belly? Godzilla now has his own version. MaxLimited’s rubber kaiju comes as Shin Godzilla or Kamata-kun, complete with a comically gaping mouth and a roar triggered by a belly squeeze. Choosing between them might be the difficult part.