Elmer and the Dragon

A boy and his dragon explore a mysterious new island in this charming tale featuring the original black-and-white illustrations—from the author of My Father’s Dragon, hailed as “a real delight” (The New Yorker) and now a Netflix animated film

“Rich, humorous, thoroughly satisfying.”—Library Journal (starred review)

After his exciting adventures on Wild Island, Elmer Elevator is ready to go home. Luckily, his new friend, the baby dragon, offers to fly him there. But when a storm forces them to make an emergency landing, they find themselves on Feather Island. This exotic place is inhabited by all the escaped canaries of the world and ruled by King Can XI, a curious canary desperately searching for buried treasure. Can clever Elmer use his creativity to save the day one more time?

First published in 1950, Elmer and the Dragon has delighted generations of young readers. It is classic storytelling at its finest.

Read all of Elmer’s adventures!
My Father’s Dragon
The Dragons of Blueland

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