Lullaby of the Dawn, Volume 4

Night after night, Elva steps forth into the black sea with sword in hand, driving back creatures that surge forth from the waves - for he is one of the 'kannagi,' white-haired, ageless warrior priests chosen by the divine to protect the people of the island. Although kannagi are destined to live short and lonely lives, Elva has found devoted companion in Alto, whose touch heals the black stains left by the cursed sea, and who has sworn to serve him and free him from his cursed fate.

Piece by piece, Alto, Elva, and their allies are unraveling the secrets of the kannagi, the mysterious black sea, and their isolated island home — but every new revelation only brings more questions. After confronting Lord Shiyan and his own painful childhood, Elva finally feels that he is ready to deepen his connection with Alto, and for the two of them to become lovers in truth. But Alto is coming face to face with painful truths of his own as the origins of his healing abilities and immunity to the black sea finally come to light.

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