Backworlds

For fans of survival horror like The Evil Within, bestselling author Jeremy Bates plunges a hapless man into a strange world within the subway tunnels beneath New York City, a subterranean limbo between reality and a nightmare where the only traces of humanity left are fear and the need to escape . . .

For high school teacher Clive Caldwell, it’s a thankless and unremarkable life. Until a day that begins like any other. Against all logic, he falls through the solid wall of a school storeroom and awakens hours later to a familiar world gone strange.

On the streets of Manhattan, he’s unseen and unheard by everyone, except a mysterious woman named Margot. With the unnerving whisper—I hope you’re not afraid of the dark—she ushers Clive into a netherworld of labyrinthine tunnels beneath a city inhabited by a colony of others who have also inexplicably fallen through the cracks. A myriad of lost ones in a purgatory resigned to their godforsaken fates. Not ghosts. Not dead. Not alive.

But as Margot warns, whether it’s here in The Tomb or venturing above ground, rules must be obeyed. Break them and there will be hell to pay. How can it be worse than this? In his need to understand what in the world is happening, Clive dares to find out. The only thing on his mind now is the dangerous desperation to escape. Because the truth that awaits him in this existence, as well as the real one he left behind, is beyond anything he could have imagined.

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