Aku: Battle for Pyra

Aku, space traveler of the metaverse, is BACK and ready to blast off in book two of this action-packed sci-fi series, where he and his friends must travel to a fiery planet to recover a gem of untold power, lest it fall into the wrong hands. Starring the 3D character featured on TIME Magazine!

After saving the planet Ibra from a ruthless space militia, Aku is ready for a break. But when his grandfather announces an urgent mission to the fiery, lava-filled planet Pyra, Aku and his friends end up on their most dangerous mission yet.

What awaits them is a world forged in lava and legend. Here, ancient beings guard the GEM: a radiant core said to control the light of the universe. To claim the GEM, Aku’s crew must survive three deadly trials—racing through molten mazes, battling in a gravity-defying magmaball arena, and descending into the planet’s core itself—before Aku comes face-to-face with his greatest enemy…and the truth about his family’s past.

Filled with humor and high-octane twists, this is a cosmic coming-of-age story about courage, legacy, and the value of finding your winning team.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs