Label 228

Label 228 is a gathering of street art executed on priority mail labels (Label 228, in official parlance) and displayed in public spaces. It’s a remarkably prevalent method of exposure featured by graffiti artists worldwide. These labels are free, portable, and quick and easy to exhibit, offering artists the chance to spend more time creating their work than if they were to paint and write directly on walls, vehicles, and public objects.

camden noir launched his Label 228 project by putting out a call to artists, asking them to send him their artwork or anything, for that matter, on priority mail labels. Within six months, he received over 500 labels from artists all over the world. At this point, he has over 1,500 labels from over 600 artists. This is a collection of the best of those labels, in a beautiful, full-color book.

The artists featured in Label 228 include Mecro, Downtimer, Mat Curran, Daniel Fleres, Zoso, Aaron Kraten, Lightsleepers, David Flores, Matt Linares, Kegr, Josh Taylor, Robots Will Kill!, Nano, Dolla, and many more.

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