Dasher and the Haunted Cave

The New York Times bestselling author of Dasher and its sequels introduces a new character in this soon-to-be classic that infuses holiday magic—and the spirit of helping—into the spookiest of seasons.

On a fall night approaching Halloween, Dasher is practicing her flying when she comes across some elves sharing ghost stories around a campfire. Dasher joins them as her friend Greta tells the story of the Ghost of the North Pole, a spirit who creates fog and spooky noises to scare Santa and the elves. Dasher knows that ghosts aren’t real, but when she gets lost in the fog on her way home, she begins to wonder if the story might be true—especially when she hears eerie moans coming out of a cave. Dasher is afraid of encountering a real ghost, but . . . do those calls actually sound more like cries for help? Can Dasher muster enough bravery to see who they’re coming from—and maybe even make a new friend in the process? With the gentlest of suspense and beautifully lit illustrations, Matt Tavares’s fourth story about the good-hearted Dasher shows that friends can be found in the most unexpected places.

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