Hungry Like The Sleuth

Roxy Carlisle holds an eternal flame for her favorite decade—the 1980s. With her Aqua Net ’do and neon nails, she embodies the fashion and culture she sells in her vintage ’80s shop, Big Hair, inspiring new generations of material girls and wild boys. But now she’s desperately seeking clues in a fun new mystery series for readers of Ellery Adams and Elle Cosimano.

From skinny ties and lace fingerless gloves to VCRs and cassette tapes, Roxy sells the best of 80s kitsch, music, and fashion. Located on Ventura Boulevard in Hollywood, California, Big Hair attracts locals and tourists looking for analog novelty and a retro escape from 21st-century living. But while she and her girlfriends just wanna have fun, someone who’s seen too many slasher films murders Roxy’s manicurist.

As one of Maria Garcia’s last clients—and an eyewitness who saw a hooded man flee from the alley where she stumbled upon her body—Roxy finds herself part of the investigation, led by a handsome LAPD detective. And as the police search for the suspected killer, Roxy becomes tangled in an even larger mystery so puzzling, she’ll need all her wits and charm to solve it . . .

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