Candela Obscura Volume 1

Critical Role and Dark Horse proudly present Candela Obscura, an exciting new graphic novel series based on the tabletop roleplaying game of the same name. Enter the secret society Candela Obscura, whose members confront occult dangers from beyond to keep the Fairelands safe!

Amelia Ashford, resident loose cannon and junior member of the Circle of the Riddle and Key, embarks on an unauthorized adventure to uncover the veiled past of Empress Iomene. Deep within Oldfaire, among crumbling ruins of the House of Iomene, Amelia finds a strange relic that attunes her to the Empress herself! Iomene strikes an enticing deal: she’ll answer Amelia’s questions in exchange for her unwavering devotion.

It’ll take some tricky maneuvering to slip one past her Circle, especially when stern Javri’s set on ousting Amelia for her troublemaking. But as she starts to prove herself to Empress Iomene, Amelia realizes great power—and darkness—hides inside the mysterious artifact. Though the young investigator might be gaining the Empress’ trust, is that trust mutual?

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