George R. R. Martin Presents Wild Cards: Card Sharks

An arson investigator uncovers a conspiracy with  world-shattering consequences in the explosive first book of a classic trilogy set in the Wild Cards universe created by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Game of Thrones.

Now featuring a stunning new cover and an all-new short story!

An alien virus ravages the world, with effects as random as a hand of cards. Those infected either draw the black queen and die, draw an ace and receive superpowers, or draw the joker and are bizarrely mutated. The uninfected are known as nats.

When a fire destroys a Jokertown church, killing and injuring more than a hundred jokers, nat arson investigator Hannah Davis suspects foul play. Following leads throughout Jokertown, she stumbles on the Card Sharks conspiracy: a decades-spanning plot to eradicate the wild card virus—and everyone affected by it.

But Hannah’s findings alone won’t be enough to expose the Sharks; it’s her word against that of powerful and well-connected government figures, who don’t much care about a threat that affects only jokers. She’ll need to trace the Sharks’ conspiracy all the way back to humanity’s first exposure to the virus, learning from those whose lives were forever altered by the Card Sharks. And she’ll need to do it quickly, before the Sharks’ plans come to fruition—and bring about the end of all wild carders forever.

Book One of the Card Shark Triad
CARD SHARKS • MARKED CARDS • SHOWDOWN

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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