Alphonse, You're Ruining the Show!

From the award-winning author-illustrator Daisy Hirst comes a reassuring and entertaining story about a sleepover at Granny’s house in this fourth picture book starring monster siblings Natalie and Alphonse.

Natalie and Alphonse are staying the night at Granny’s house—and putting on their own play! There will be red curtains, lights, and even yogurt with sprinkles during the intermission. But when Natalie tells Alphonse he can’t have a ticket and be in the show, Alphonse wants to go home. How can the show go on without one of its stars? Luckily, Granny knows just how to turn things around, and after a cozy night’s sleep and a breakfast of pancakes, Natalie and Alphonse are excited to welcome Mom and Dad to their theatrical performance!

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