Christmas Darkness #1

Light all the candles you want, the darkness will still swallow you whole with this collection of seasonal shorts!

In "What Child Is This," a simple carpenter becomes witness to a great becoming as the virgin girl in his charge gives birth to an occurrence beyond all reason, by Benito Cereno and Miklós Felvidéki.

Then in Joni Hägg and Sami Kivelä's "Nuutipukki," a Nordic folkish tradition turns into a perennial nightmare when the annual visitor isn’t a cheery old elf, but his twisted counterpart instead…

And get a taste of Hanukkah Horror with “Each Light Brings More Shayd” from Elie Lichtschein, an unsettling exploration of the ties that bind us, and shapeshifting chicken-footed demons.

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