Blood in the Creek

JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. WHERE YOU STAKE A CLAIM AND FIGHT TO KEEP IT.

In a wild and woolly town built around goldmines, a former army scout seeks his fortune only to run afoul of dangerous men desperate to steal it in this new series from legendary Western authors William W. and J.A. Johnstone.

In 1862, gold was discovered in a remote area of the Montana mountains. Prospectors far and wide invaded the territory, tearing up the earth in search of the precious metal. Following their trail were the saloonkeepers, hoteliers, blacksmiths, and other businessmen looking to sell wares and services to the miners. Soon, tents became wooden buildings and the town of Bannack was established near Grasshopper Creek. Eventually boasting a population of ten thousand, it was a place where a man was free to strike it rich or die trying.

After too many years serving the U.S. Army, former scout Zach McKenna found his own vein of gold outside Bannack and built himself a home there. But not everyone in town is willing to earn a wage or dig up gold rocks—not when they can simply take it from the barrel of a gun. And when these theiving outlaws target McKenna’s claim, they encounter a merciless man willing to shed blood in the most violent ways imaginable . . .

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