CONAN THE BARBARIAN THE ORIGINAL COMICS OMNIBUS VOL. 9

This epic omnibus chronicles the start of the third decade of monthly Conan the Barbarian comic book adventures. This volume collects over 700 pages features digitally remastered artwork and a bonus section of rarely seen artwork. Heralding a whole new array of creative talents including new writers Charles Santino, Michael Higgins as well Gerry Conway and new artists Ron Lim and Gary Hartle alongside legends like Alfredo Alcala and Gary Kwapisz. As Conan the Barbarian closed out the 1980s, it became a time of transition for the title, with storytelling innovations coming from veteran creators and new talent alike. In Val Semeiks' climactic run on the title, Conan weighs pleasure and pain in a magical desert city, wrests the Blade of Zed from a mad cleric, and runs a gantlet of fantastic beasts in a city of shadows. Larry Hama delivers the elegiac verse of 'Drumsong' while Don Perlin writes and draws the Western-styled 'The Mask of Vengeance. ' Gerry Conway makes Conan a cat's paw to a cult of cat people, after which Michael Higgins turns back the clock for an eight-issue 'Young Conan' storyline exploring Conan's formative years in Cimmeria. This 9th volume continues collects issue #214-240 of Conan the Barbarian, and issue #16 of the What If…

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