Hello Darkness #21

Hello Darkness plummets into the blackest depths of the human heart in this special mystery/thriller-themed anthology issue!

In “Leading the Witness” by Ed Brisson and Damian Couceiro, a chance encounter with a stranger sends an innocent man down a never-ending spiral of self-fulling murder.

And in “A Chase of Chianti, Heavily Discounted,” New York Times–bestselling crime writer Duane Swierczynski and George Romero Foundation’s artist-in-residence Ryan Carr get gruesome when a tough-as-nails mobster’s affair with his boss’s wife winds him up in a spot even his legendary pain threshold won’t withstand.

All this and more for a bountiful bouquet of blood and bullets from BOOM!’s smash-hit horror series.

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