Alfie Hazard and the Spy Cats: A Spy in the Embassy

Bringing her talents to a younger audience, the award-winning Kekla Magoon kicks off a fun chapter book series about a ten-year-old boy enlisted as a spy—along with his two savvy cats.

Alfie Hazard is thrilled when his big sister, Mika, comes home from college to live with their family at the embassy in Washington, DC. Usually her visits mean endless games, lots of laughter, and spontaneous late-night dance parties, but this time there’s something strange about the way Mika is acting. Bonnie and Baxter, Alfie’s talented cats, detect a suspicious smell on her shoes, and she’s spending an unusual amount of time locked in her bedroom closet. Mika definitely has a secret, and Alfie and the cats are determined to get to the bottom if it. When Alfie’s mom, the ambassador, tells the family that some classified documents have been stolen, it’s up to Alfie, Bonnie, and Baxter to investigate! Surely Mika couldn’t be the spy . . . or could she? Engagingly illustrated in black-and-white and featuring two fabulous cat characters, this series will appeal to fans of young chapter books like Ivy + Bean, Jasmine Toguchi, and Judy Moody—and may have kids dreaming about what their own furry companions are up to.

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