<< Though it's not an online deal, you can pick up a 10 pack of Ikea branded Varta AA's for $1.99 at Ikea stores. That's cheap. They're fine for normal use. Yes, they're alkalines. Varta is, I believe, a bigger name in Europe (or at least Germany) than in the US. >>
No, they are not alkalines.
<< 60 AA super heavy-duty mercury-free batteries >>
Super heavy-duty are crappy batteries with a fraction of the life of alkalines.