George R. R. Martin Presents Wild Cards: Showdown

The fate of the world hangs in the balance when the ultimate biological weapon is unleashed in the stunning finale of a classic trilogy set in the Wild Cards universe created by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Game of Thrones—previously published as Wild Cards: Black Trump.

Now featuring a stunning new cover!

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.
 
The Card Sharks—a shadowy organization determined to wipe out the wild card virus at all costs—have been brought to light thanks to the efforts of nat investigator Hannah Davis and ace-politician-turned-joker Gregg Hartmann. 

But a cornered animal is a dangerous animal, and the Sharks have one final card to play: the Black Trump. This is the ultimate biological weapon, designed to kill everyone with the wild card virus—and its success rate is one hundred percent. 

Across the world—from New York’s teeming Jokertown and the Joker Quarter of old Jerusalem to the Republic of Free Vietnam—the viral bombs are ticking . . . and time is running out.

Book Three 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