JEPH LOEB & TIM SALE: SPIDER-MAN

One of the most moving Spider-Man stories of all time, revisiting his early days by legendary creative team Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale!

“It's about remembering someone so important to me I was going to spend the rest of my life with her.” What Peter Parker didn't know was that Gwen Stacy would only get to spend the rest of her life with him. This is the story of how they fell in love — or, more appropriately, how they almost didn't! Spider-Man's been unmasked by the Green Goblin himself — now it's Spidey's turn to do the unmasking. To get the girl of his dreams, Peter must run a gauntlet of the Goblin, the Rhino, the Lizard, two Vultures, and a mysterious man in the shadows controlling it all. But will the biggest hurdle of all be Mary Jane Watson?

COLLECTING: Spider-Man: Blue (2002) 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