Mighty

A romping and rearing all-American epic: one failing dairyman’s search for true love, self-worth, and answers surrounding the murder of his wayward father—éminence grise and namesake of Mighty, Wyoming

Bartholomew “BeeBee” Byrd has struck a deal with the devil. That devil happens to be his father, Mighty Turner, a former itinerant preacher who’s left a trail of bastard children in his wake. For five more years, Mighty will continue to fund BeeBee’s struggling dairy farm, as long as he supplies a prime steer for each of Mighty's infamous yearly luaus.

When, at the fifth and final luau, Mighty turns up dead, BeeBee begins frantically writing to the CIA, addressing his plaintive letters to “Faceless Shadow.” But he’s not after the truth behind his father’s murder. What BeeBee really wants is any and all information regarding the whereabouts of “Yugoslavian” exchange student, Nikki Dizdarevic, who “coincidentally” disappeared the night of the murder. She may or may not have committed the crime, but she’s most certainly the love of his life.

Written in BeeBee’s cracked, courtly voice, the letters pile up into a bizarre and beguiling dossier, a tangle of personal history, family lore, and state secrets. It’s all too strange—and too sincere—for the CIA to ignore: bank heists and bomb shelters, wolf attacks and astral projections, major conspiracies and minor poets, a vanished hippie commune and a high-security-clearance grandmother with a background in brainwashing.

Mighty is a novel of a thousand joys—a tug-of-war between love and doom—and one only Bud Smith could write.

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