BLACK CLOAK VOL. 1

From Eisner Award-winning writer KELLY THOMPSON (Black Widow, Captain Marvel) and superstar artist MEREDITH McCLAREN (HINGES, Jem & The Holograms), BLACK CLOAK is a delectable fantasy and sci-fi blend with a detective procedural shot straight through its heart. Essex and Pax are two Black Cloaks investigating the murder of a beloved prince of Kiros, the last city in the known world, before it topples into chaos. Mayhem. Murder. Mermaids. What more could anyone want? Featuring nearly 200 pages of story, this collection contains the first arc of the series that AIPT says, Combines elements of sci-fi, fantasy, and noir into something wholly original and compelling. Move over, SAGA. This is my new obsession. Collects BLACK CLOAK #1-6 Select praise for BLACK CLOAK: “A deeply intriguing and lore filled opening chapter for those who like some murder mystery and political intrigue in their D&D.” —Monkeys Fighting Robots “Top work from a very exciting creative collaboration.” —Multiversity Comics “Combines elements of sci-fi, fantasy, and noir into something wholly original and compelling. Move over, Saga. This is my new obsession.” —AIPT "Snappy and well executed." —Polygon “Ticks the right boxes for sci-fi storytelling, hooking readers in to see its mystery unfold.” —ComicBook.com “Black Cloak is upsettingly good. With a rich and gorgeous world, a story that grabs you from page one, and characters you fall in love with, it’s the kind of comic we all wish we could make.” —Matthew Rosenberg, What’s the Furthest Place from Here?, Hawkeye “Eye-popping art, writing like a dagger in the heart, the best world-building I’ve seen in comics since Saga. Let me put it this way about Black Cloak… welcome to your new favorite comic.” —Gail Simone, Clean Room, Batgirl, Deadpool “Black Cloak takes two beloved genres, noir and fantasy, and blends them to make something thrillingly new and exciting. Part murder mystery, part fantasy epic, Black Cloak is a stunning work of storytelling alchemy. Thompson and McClaren grab you from the first pages and don’t let go. One of my favorite new books in a long time.” —Scott Snyder, We Have Demons, Clear, Batman “Black Cloak deftly blends the pleasure of procedural puzzles and murder mysteries with some of the cleverest post-modern inversions and subversions of the fantasy genre I’ve seen in quite some time. Add to that the warm humanity coursing through the characters and story and you’ve got your new favorite pulp murder magic.” —Christopher Cantwell, Iron Man, Briar, Blue Flame “What’s not to love about Black Cloak? A fascinating world, wonderful characterizations, and a compelling mystery at its core. Thompson and McClaren have built a world here both fantastical and all too relatable, and I can’t wait to explore it more!” —Joe Henderson, Lucifer, Skyward, Shadecraft “I loved, loved, loved Black Cloak—a master class in world-building that pulls you into its story and never lets you go. Crafted by a powerhouse creative team doing their best work. Don’t miss it!” —Alex Segura, Secret Identity, Poe Dameron, Black Ghost

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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