Required reading from the week in books.

The "KISS Kompendium" includes the infamous KISS comic book from the '70s that was printed using actual blood from each member. In it Gene, Paul and the rest of the self-proclaimed "best band in rock 'n' roll" meet Spider-Man, fight Dr. Doom and fire lasers out of their eyes.

Also in stores this week:
-- "Inventory: Obsessively Specific Pop Culture Lists," from the writers of The Onion's arts and entertainment section, The AV Club, lives up to its title with lists, such as "10 Great Songs Nearly Ruined by Saxophone." The collection, which features contributions from pop culture nuts Patton Oswalt and "Weird Al" Yankovic, is the perfect holiday gift for heated nerd arguments around the fireplace.
-- "Tomb of Dracula Omnibus" collects Marvel's Dracula stories. If he ever sparkled, Blade would drive a stake through his heart.
-- The "Best Food Writing 2009" features writers from The New Yorker and big names like Anthony Bourdain chiming in on Spam and less-interesting topics, like sustainable farming.