APE #1 (ONE SHOT)

Rich Tommaso spent over six years--going from his work on a variety of Black Phoenix projects and returning every so often, to this special one, to slowly craft a panel here and a page there, little by little. All in an effort to sharply hone his skills in order to produce a comics art work reminiscent of the early 1952-1956 Mad magazines! Studying (and deeply admiring) the “Mad” works of Will Elder, Wally Wood, Jack Davis and of course, the Mad creator himself, Harvey Kurtzman, by 2026, after five months of uninterrupted work, Rich has finally finished this long-awaited project. In this one-shot comic book, APE No. 1, you’ll read about mad scientists, strange visitors from outer space, horny bald men in newspaper offices, gun crazy cowboys, junkies, flunkies, businessmen, husbands, wives, lovers, haters and angst-ridden teenagers!,,,Everything you’d expect to find in an old, mid-20th-century issue of Mad!

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