ALANDAL

Las Islas Filipinas, 1774. Sabina, the young daughter of an exiled Spanish Conquistador, is abducted by an Iranun pirate and taken to the island of Jolo. There, she discovers her true identity as the granddaughter of the Sultan of Sulu and meets a mysterious swordsman called Alandal. Brought to life through the stunning black and white illustrations of comics legend and Will Eisner Comic Hall of Fame inductee Alex Nino and written by musician, producer, and director J. Philip Ignacio, ALANDAL explores a pivotal era in Filipino history and uses the enduring power of speculative fiction to explore the complexities of history and identity. ALANDAL is an Official Selection of the Philippine International Comics Festival and won the 2022 National Children's Book Award for Best Reads and the 2023 National Book Award for Best Graphic Novel.

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