Love Ignited 2027

The acclaimed annual anthology Love Ignited returns for another stab at (weird) romance...and hopefully, this time, not literally! Seven all-new stories of heartbreak, betrayal, passion, and devotion from an all-star line-up of fan-favorite and rising star creators.

Eisner Award-winning superstar illustrator Jen Bartel (Blackbird) returns to comics to provide both a stunning cover and to write and illustrate the story behind it. Emerging voices Molly Mahan (Shade, The Changing Girl) and Matthew Dunn (What’s The Furthest Place From Here?) delve into the past and a union that transcends the earthly plane, while cartoonist Maxine Zilkenat (Bugbarian) explores parental love and loss on the high seas.

Meanwhile, Michael W. Conrad (In Bloom, Wonder Woman) teams with Marley Zarcone (Shade the Changing Girl) to examine the memory of a love lost closer to home… at the comic book store. Morgan Hampton (Green Lantern) and Noel Kelly (The Dogsitter) whisk us away to an intergalactic dating reality show. Joanne Starer (Dinner Date) and Elisa Romboli (The Ring: The Man Who Beats the Man) explore matters of the heart at a murder mystery party.

And finally, Eisner and Ringo Award winner Jordie Bellaire (Redlands, Exquisite Corpses) delves into one’s love of big top circus bicycle performers...and their bicycles. No, really. Perfectly timed for romance season and readers looking to explore the nature of love through an unconventional lens.

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