Manipulation

In this prelude to Cold Blooded, Mike Black and his wife, Shy, are trying again to put that life behind them, raise their children, and spend the rest of their lives loving one another in peace. That peace is shattered when Elias Colton, a prominent member of the Black Business Association and close associate of New York City gangster Mike Black, is murdered.

The detectives assigned to the case believe that they have a suspect, and the motive is sex, money, or both. However, when Black and Shy are spotted at the funeral, the detectives know that it’s necessary to eliminate Black and The Family, the criminal organization that he controls, as prime suspects. They soon discover that the murder has international implications.

With the war behind them, everybody in The Family has gone back to making money. However, Underboss Rain Robinson is preoccupied with her situation with Carter Garrison, and she needs some space to figure out what to do. So when her cousin, Sapphire Langston, goes missing, Rain uses the disappearance as an excuse to distance herself from Carter.

At Sapphire’s apartment, someone has ransacked the place and is still there waiting when Rain arrives. Rain fights off her ambusher after a wild shootout, but now, as the search for Sapphire and the investigation of Elias Colton’s murder continues, it becomes evident that the two are connected.

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