Belly Up

No economist could have predicted that the Penn Square Bank, a small, obscure lender in an Oklahoma shopping mall, would become the instigator of a financial charade that would see billions of dollars in loans made on the basis of imaginary oil and natural gas reserves—just as a worldwide oil glut and the repeal of regulatory gas laws were about to pull the rug from under the Oklahoma energy boom.
 
Belly Up tells this amazing true story with brilliant reporting, delicious detail, and an unbelievable yet all-too-real cast of characters, from the young geologist who convinced banks to invest lots of money in a huge new source of natural gas to the banker who became notorious for lending money to every con artist and wildcatter with a lease, a rig, and a dream.
 
Praise for Belly Up

“Belly Up merits a slot on any investor’s literary shelf as surely as it does a Pulitzer Prize!”—Financial World

“Investigative reporting at its best.”—The Baltimore Sun

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