MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 27

Comic master John Byrne concludes his all-time great run on Fantastic Four, and celebrates the teams 25th anniversary!

John Byrne concludes his iconic tenure as Fantastic Four writer/artist and he’s going to make history every step of the way! He begins with the shocking resurrection of Jean Grey. How do you follow that up? With the return of the true Doctor Doom in a next-level war with the Beyonder! Then, our heroes journey into the Negative Zone with Nick Fury to face Blastaar and a resurgent Annihilus, but when their return trip catapults them to 1936 they’re faced with a classic dilemma. Do you stop Nick Fury from killing Hitler? It all builds a triple-sized 25th anniversary extravaganza that seeks to bring the Thing back into the fold, set where else but Monster Island?

COLLECTING: THE FANTASTIC FOUR (1961) #286-296 and material from MARVEL FANFARE (1982) #37

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