Beetle V. Valorous Is Not a Villain

When you’re the villain, no one can tell you what to do. In this charming and thought-provoking sequel to Noah Corey’s uniquely imaginative middle-grade fantasy debut, a genderqueer middle schooler with magic powers realizes that ending the world is just the beginning.

After making a deal with Aunty for limitless magical power and trapping her inside his body, Clementine is learning how to be a twelve-year-old boy (maybe?) and also a monster queen. Sure, it’s complicated, but so is growing up.

Clementine and his best friend Cricket are determined to create Better School, a place for outcast kids to fit in. But Aunty’s voice is in Clementine’s head, whispering plans to destroy, eat, and rule the world. And he is definitely NOT thinking about his former-best-friend-slash-crush Bug, aka Beetle. Now that Clementine is evil, and Bug is a hero, they are sworn enemies. And sworn enemies don’t daydream about holding hands!

But below Better School’s floating cloud, Anise’s father has convinced everyone that kids like Clementine—kids with magic—are dangerous. Now Clementine has to infiltrate a cult, solve a missing-kids mystery, rescue Beetle from being brainwashed, and keep Better School running . . . or else Aunty will end the world for real. In the meantime, he will decide who he is and where he belongs, once and for all.

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