Dead as Dirt

Lovable, snarky food critic Bernice Black returns to solve the bombing of NYC’s hottest vegetarian restaurant, Dirt, in W.M. Akers’ follow up to USA Today bestselling To Kill a Cook (“A delectably unhinged mystery” —Kirkus)

Bernice Black is trying to enjoy life—(cautiously) dating Susan, writing for the St. Mark’s Arch, and enduring the health food craze taking over downtown Manhattan. Between fruitarian cafés, restaurants cooking only with cider vinegar, and dessert menus made entirely of unsalted nuts, Bernice is ready to give up on food writing altogether.

Then Dirt opens. The food is incredible, the chef is magnetic, and Bernice quickly becomes obsessed with both. But when the restaurant explodes (literally) and owner/chef Muriel Blood turns up dead, Bernice finds herself chasing another murder mystery—one tied to Susan’s past. And when Susan disappears, things get very personal.

W.M. Akers’ Dead as Dirt is a gritty, laugh-out-loud mystery about food, obsession, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.

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