BACK ISSUE #141

Spies and P. I. s! Nick Fury, from Howling Commando to Agent of S. H. I. E. L. D. ! Ms. Tree’s Max Allan Collins and Terry Beatty reunite in a Pro2Pro interview, and Mark Evanier reports on his Crossfire series! Plus: a Hydra villain history, Will Eisner’s John Law, Checkmate, and private eyes Tim Trench and Mike Mauser. With Pat Broderick, D. G. Chichester, Kim DeMulder, Steve Erwin, Tom Grindberg, Tony Isabella, Denis Kitchen, Paul Kupperberg, Joe Staton, Roy Thomas, Greg Wright, and many more. Featuring a jaw-dropping Fury S. H. I. E. L. D. cover by Dave Johnson! Edited by M5/16/2022ichael Eury.

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