Aliens Epic Collection: The Original Years Vol. 5

A symphony of terror, featuring the universe’s perfect killing machines!

Little-known and under-appreciated composer Damon Eddington has a plan to make it big: hatching an Alien egg so he can nurture the Xenomorph in captivity and capture its sounds of hatred and pain for the ultimate concert — sounds of rage made from “a mouthful of spears”! On an apparently routine supply run, Philip and Joy Strunk discover the sadistic experiments that biotechnologist Caspar Nordling has been carrying out on an Alien Chestburster — but will Nordling’s synthetic Alien allow them to bring him to justice? The crew of the Nemesis cut through space like a bullet — a surgical strike team with a singular mission: Destroy Aliens! But when they land in the frenzy of a full-blown hive, they’re not sure if it’s the answer to their prayers — or the beginning of a nightmare! Plus: more tales of Alien horror!

COLLECTING: Aliens: Music of the Spears (1994) #1-4, Aliens: Stronghold (1994) #1-4, Aliens: Berserker (1995) #1-4, Aliens: Mondo Heat (1996) #1, Aliens: Lovesick (1996) #1, Aliens: Pig (1997) #1; material from Dark Horse Comics (1992) #22-24, Dark Horse Presents (1986) #101-102, A Decade of Dark Horse (1996) #3

Written by Chet Williamson, John Arcudi, John Wagner, Henry Gilroy, Chuck Dixon & more

Penciled by Tim Hamilton, Doug Mahnke, Paul Mendoza, Ronnie del Carmen, Richard Forgues, Henry Flint & more

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