Animal Man by Grant Morrison Book One (2026 Edition)

One of legendary comics writer Grant Morrison's earliest works took a forgotten DC Comics hero and reimagined him in a stunning, postmodern series—with the groundbreaking first half now back in print!

From one of the greatest storytellers of their generation, Grant Morrison's Animal Man took a forgotten DC Comics character and reimagined him in a groundbreaking, postmodern series that redefined what was possible in superhero comics.

Buddy Baker, a.k.a. "The Man with Animal Powers," is a second-rate superhero, devoted father, and animal activist. There isn’t much money in the hero game, and with a wife and kids to support, Buddy soon finds himself torn between trying to make a living through traditional super-heroics and getting more deeply involved in the questionably legal world of animal rights activism. But in today’s world with real-life issues, who really needs Animal Man’s protection? Is it humankind or the animals? Or is it Buddy himself?

From the Eisner Award-winning and New York Times bestselling writer Grant Morrison and Eisner Award-nominated artist Chaz Truog, with inker Doug Hazlewood, comes one of the author's earliest, now classic, works exploring the nature of reality itself through the lens of a down-on-his-luck family-man superhero. 

This first of two trade paperback editions collects Animal Man #1-13, the character’s dimension-spanning creation tale from Secret Origins #39, and an introduction by Grant Morrison.

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