COMIC BOOK CREATOR #32

William Stout discusses his diverse career, including bootleg album art beginnings, underground comix, movie poster masterworks (including Wizards and Rock ’n' Roll High School), film production (Raider of the Lost Ark, etc.), passionate environmental advocacy, and, of course, his landmark work with the late, great Byron Preiss, The Dinosaurs, and so much more! Our "flip-side" features a massive tribute to Preiss, the visionary packager/publisher who helped bring comics to a whole new level and collaborated with many greats, including Harvey Kurtzman, Jim Steranko, Harlan Ellison, Ray Bradbury, Joe Kubert, Howard Chaykin, Gray Morrow, and many others. It includes Byron's only comprehensive career-spanning interview and an exhaustive historical retrospective with insight from dozens who knew him, including Paul Levitz, Danny Fingeroth, Alex Jay, Marv Wolfman, and many more. Plus Greg Biga talks with artist Mike Deodato, and we present Part Two of our look at cartoonist Frank Borth! Edited by Jon B. Cooke.

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