COMIC BOOK CREATOR #43

"Big" John Buscema basks in the spotlight of CBC #43, with a one-on-one interview with the legendary artist conducted by editor Jon B. Cooke — where the Marvel stalwart reveals the moment when comics broke his heart — plus a in-depth biographical essay on the artist along with a gallery of his fabled behind-the-original-art pages amazing "warm up" artwork. We examine the tragic fate of prolific ’70s/’80s Marvel scripter Bill Mantlo, co-creator of Rocket Raccoon and Cloak and Dagger. Also, the fascinating, inside tale of Eastern Color Printing, earliest publisher of American comic books, the first collaboration in an occasional series by historian/researcher Shaun Clancy and Jon B. Cooke. There’s also part two of our lively Shary Flenniken interview, creator of Trots ’n’ Bonnie, about her charming cartooning for National Lampoon. Ted Jalbert talks with Ivan Katz about life with his dad, Jack Katz, and we include Steven Fears' interview with the great (and underrated) cartoonist Ric Estrada about his varied career, as well as a look at Bazooka Joe comics… and Hembeck, too!

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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