DETECTIVE #1 (OF 2)

David and Maria Lapham, the Eisner Award-winning creators behind STRAY BULLETS, redefine the noir with THE DETECTIVE. Deftly combining the master worldbuilding of both Ridley Scott's BLADE RUNNER and the Wachowski's THE MATRIX with the intricate storytelling of Roman Polanski's CHINATOWN, and the groundbreaking visuals of Jack Kirby's FOURTH WORLD, the Laphams deliver a seminal neo-noir sci-fi epic. It's a cold morning in The City when Valencia Vallez wakes up in an unfamiliar bed with a revolver in her hand and a dead body at her side. She doesn't remember how she got there. She doesn't remember much of anything. Just the long list of names buzzing around her head--suspects in the brutal gangland execution of her husband. Lucky for her, Val's a homicide detective. The only trouble? In the City, so is everyone else. Val's hunt for answers has painted a target on her back. Caught between the crooked cops hot on her tail and the towering mechanical Judges looming over the City's rain-soaked streets, every lead Val runs down only raises more questions. What secrets lie hidden in Val's missing memories? Who is the Mastermind? In The City, the truth doesn't come easy. And when it does, you’ll wish it hadn't.

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