Avengers Epic Collection: The Avengers/Defenders War [New Printing]

The Avengers battle the Defenders in comics' first great crossover battle royale! It's hero against hero in the sensational summer hit of 1973: Cap vs. Namor! Thor vs. Hulk! It's the original, and there's never been another one like it. All this, plus the origin of Mantis; an all-hands-on-deck battle with the Zodiac; the Avengers vs. Thanos and the Cosmic Cube; a Giant-Size adventure alongside Golden Age heroes Miss America and the Whizzer; the wedding of Quicksilver and Crystal; the return of Ultron and an increasingly tense love triangle between the Scarlet Witch, the Vision and Mantis! And as an added bonus feature, rare Avengers pinups, profiles and more from the pages of the '70s fanzine F.O.O.M.! Collecting AVENGERS (1963) #115-128, GIANT-SIZE AVENGERS #1, DEFENDERS (1972) #8-11, CAPTAIN MARVEL (1968) #33 and FANTASTIC FOUR (1961) #150.

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