Hip Hops

A beautiful hardcover Pocket Poets collection of poetic tributes to beer from around the world and through ages.

From the ancient "Hymn to Ninkasi" (the Sumerian goddess of beer) to eighth-century Chinese poet Li Bai's "Bring in the Ale" to Robert Graves's "Strong Beer," the poems collected here attest to humankind's long attraction to the foamy and intoxicating product of malted grains. A surprising variety of poets have penned tributes to the brew; their tantalizing poems include Robert Burns's "John Barleycorn," Edgar Allan Poe's "Lines on Ale," Frank O'Hara's "Beer for Breakfast," Sylvia Plath's "The Beer Tastes Good," Muriel Rukeyser's "Beer and Bacon," and Tom Waits's "Warm Beer and Cold Women." Whether pulling up to the celestial bar in Keats's "Mermaid Tavern" or to the grittier, jazzier one in Carl Sandburg's "Honky Tonk in Cleveland, Ohio" (where "the cartoonists weep in their beer"), lovers of beer and poetry are sure to find something to celebrate in these tantalizing pages.

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