IMAGINARY FIENDS

IT TAKES A MONSTER TO FIGHT A MONSTER. When she was 10 years old, Melba Li was sent to a mental institution for attempted murder—a crime she blamed on a spidery phantom called "Polly Peachpit. " Now, on her 18th birthday, Melba receives an unexpected offer from the FBI: in exchange for a reprieve from her sentence, she will work with Special Agent Virgil Crockett to hunt down I. M. P. s—Interdimensional Mental Parasites—that prey on the minds of humans. Polly Peachpit is one of those I. M. P. s, and Crockett needs Melba to convince her childhood tormentor to help with his mission—and resist her manipulations to kill again. From the writer of Image horror hits HACK/SLASH and REVIVAL , IMAGINARY FIENDS collects all six issues of the unforgettable Vertigo miniseries in an Image edition, with new art. Collects IMAGINARY FIENDS #1-6

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