COMICS JOURNAL #308

In this issue, Gary Groth conducts a career-spanning interview with Y: The Last Man comics artist Pia Guerra about her turn to editorial cartooning and future projects. John Jennings explores the vision behind the graphic imprint Megascope, devoted to "rediscovering powerful speculative work by and about people of color." Jennie S. Law interviews Civil Rights activists Jennifer Lawson and Courtland Cox about their ingenious strategies — comics pamphlets about gaining political power, going undercover, mass meetings — to register voters in Lowndes County circa 1965. Nicknamed "Bloody Lowndes," 80% of its population was Black, yet only two Black people were registered to vote. Also: a gallery of Frank Leet's one-panel cartoons illustrating Don Marquis's (Archy and Mehitabel) verse, a conversation with Alex Graham about self-publishing a 400-page graphic novel, a Rob Guillory (Chew, Farmhand) sketchbook, an original comic by Meg O'Shea, and more.

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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