Hero Adjacent

A reluctant wizard. A chinchilla(ish) sidekick. A busboy with the voice of an angel and the fingers of a pickpocket. Of course they’ll save the world! If only they could figure out what to fight, and where…

A life-affirming and humorous fantasy debut, perfect for fans of TJ Klune, Travis Baldree, and Terry Pratchett.

When the Chosen One rejects your call, you might need to choose…another one.

After years of drudgery, Athragast the wizard is ready to retire, but the world needs saving in under two weeks, and when the Prince rejects his big “destiny” speech, he isn’t left with many options. A thieving busboy, an armadillo-chinchilla type thing that goes peep, and some troubled sellswords might be the best he can scrounge up on a budget.

Then Athie’s furry familiar steals the wrong warlock’s cigar, and things get a whole lot worse. The Runes of Destiny are flung across the land, and Athie must get them back in time to figure out where the world-ending battle is taking place. The crew must séance with druids, party with goblins, and charm rhyming gargoyles right out of their couplets. Along the way, Athie might just learn what it means to be a hero—at any age.

This whimsical, witty hug of a book is calling all lovers of fantasy, found family, crackling fires, and cozy socks. Stand up and face your destiny. Think of the children! Be a hero, or at least, be hero adjacent.

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