GOLDEN AGE CLASSICS BLACK CONDOR & THE RAY SOFTEE VOL. 2

GOLDEN AGE CLASSICS BLACK CONDOR & THE RAY TP SOFTEE VOLUME 2 BLACK CONDOR - CRACK COMICS #12 - #21 April 1941 - February 1942? THE RAY - SMASH COMICS #23 - #30 June 1941 - January 1942? Lou Fine was one of the most impressive and influential artists to ever work in comics. His fluid figures were admired and copied by such greats as Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. In the early 40's, the heyday of the Golden Age, he worked for Everett M. "Busy" Arnold at Quality Comics along with such greats as Reed Crandall, Jack Cole and Will Eisner and in addition to his impressive covers, he worked on such comics as the Black Condor; aka Richard Grey Jr. having lost his parents was raised by giant black condors and after studying his condor foster parents, he learned to fly. He befriended a hermit monk named Father Pierre who convinced him that he should use his unique attributes to do good and so was born the Black Condor. Lou Fine also created The Ray, a reporter named Hubert 'Happy' Terrill who was covering the story of a high-flying "strato-balloon" exploring the upper atmosphere. An electrical storm struck and while closing the outer airlock door, "Happy" got the full brunt of the storm's energy and the unfiltered sunlight giving him his super powers to absorb energy from his surroundings and emit it from his body in any form he chose, also using it to propel himself through the air.

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