Her Tale of Shim Chong, Volume 1

Two young women from opposite walks of life struggle to find their place in an oppressive society . . . and find solace in each other. This manhwa reimagination of a beloved Korean folk tale is now available in English print for the first time.

Shim Chong has been a beggar her entire life. Her father is blind, and her mother died when Chong was only one week old. Every day is a bitter struggle to survive, and Chong sees no future for herself—until one night, she rescues a beautiful young woman floating in the river. The woman is the new bride of Chancellor Jang, a nobleman twice her age. To Chong’s surprise, Lady Jang warmly welcomes her to the chancellor’s estate. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, the two form an unusual bond . . . but will the classist and patriarchal society they live in ultimately break them apart?

Volume 1 collects episodes 1–13 of the webcomic Her Tale of Shim Chong.

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