King Alfred and the Ice Coffin

The illustrious creators of Arthur, the Always King return with a tale within a tale, focused on a heroic West Saxon king who championed the power of storytelling.

When Wulfstan, an intrepid ninth-century sailor, arrives at King Alfred’s court, he soon enchants the king with his riveting tale of stormy seas, thrilling races on horseback, and a ruler encased in ice. In this extraordinary collaboration, the award-winning Kevin Crossley-Holland and former British Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell reunite to bring Wulfstan’s tale, and the world of King Alfred the Great, to life. Told in lyrical prose and richly illustrated, this story of a West Saxon king known for fighting off the Vikings will captivate readers of all ages. An author’s note details King Alfred’s wish to enable his people to read books in their own language, learning Latin himself so he could translate the written works into English and incorporate tales of northern lands, such as the one retold here, that were recounted to him by travelers.

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