Crooked Cross

A thrilling, long-lost British novel—never before published in the U.S.—that warned of Hitler's rise through the story of an ordinary German family during six fateful months in 1933; it has been hailed as "a surprise breakout success" and "a word-of-mouth jaw-dropper" in the UK.

The Klugers are a tight-knit family living in a picturesque mountain village in Bavaria. As 1932 draws to a close, Herr Kluger is dismayed by the growing popularity of the Nazi Party but aware of its leader’s charisma: he warns his two sons, “Don’t you know that to hear that chap speak is to believe everything he says for twenty-four hours?” To his sons, however, the Party offers not only employment prospects but also meaning and purpose—a powerful draw for a generation whose life chances had been decimated by Germany's defeat in the Great War. Helmy, the sensitive elder brother, joins the Party with some hesitation, while Erich becomes a true believer.

Meanwhile, their beloved sister, Lexa, finds her engagement to her sweetheart under threat. Moritz Weissmann, though a Catholic, is half Jewish, and when it becomes clear he is at risk, Lexa's family urges her to break things off. She continues to see Moritz secretly, but as Hitler becomes Chancellor, laws restricting Jews are passed, Dachau is opened, and armed thugs roam the streets rounding up "enemies of the state," history closes in on the young lovers.

Crooked Cross, written while Sally Carson was visiting Germany in the early 1930s and witnessing the historic events it depicts, is insightful, moving, and shockingly prescient.

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