Gear × Magic: Reincarnated as an Engineer, I'll Save the Villainous Princess (Light Novel) Vol. 1

When a beggar boy stumbles on a rusted mech, he suddenly unlocks memories of his past life! Can he be the hero needed to rewrite this universe’s story or will his meager status hold him back? Catch all the action in this new isekai x mecha light novel series!

When Grimm, a young beggar boy, stumbles upon a suit of rusting GEAR in the ruins of his destroyed home, he awakens memories of his past life. He realizes he’s been reborn into the world of GEARxMAGIC, a hit anime about humanity’s war against half-human, half-machines known as Gargoyles—but wait, didn’t that anime have a bad ending?! The protagonist killed the imperial princess and doomed everyone! But maybe it doesn’t have to be that way… Armed with his knowledge of the IP and his engineering skills, Grimm hatches a plan to invent GEAR advanced enough to defeat the protagonist and save the princess’s life! But can he really rise from his humble beginnings to become a hero?

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