History Smashers: Wildfires

Myths! Lies! Fire-starting cows? Grab your hoses, beloved author and educator Kate Messner is about to extinguish some common misconceptions and outright myths about wildfires!

On October 8, 1871, Catherine O'Leary's cow kicked a lantern igniting the Great Chicago Fire, right? WRONG! That story is total moo-larkey.

Okay, but it was huge wildfire that did a ton of damage, right? It did destroy much of the city, but it wasn't a wildfire. Did you know the Peshtigo Fire in Wisconsin took place on the same day and was almost 500 times larger?

We can at least agree that all wildfires are dangerous and should be put out immediately, right? Not necessarily. Some fires are important for the ecosystem, and by busting the myths about wildfires, together humans, plants, and animals can forge a path to a happier and safer world for everyone.

Grab your helmet and join New York Times bestselling author Kate Messer as she leads the History Smashers to put out everything you thought you knew about wildfires.

Ready to bust new myths? Check out more titles in the History Smashers series: The Mayflower • The Titanic • The American Revolution • Ancient Egypt

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