Monarchs

Prepare to be awed by the beauty and abundance of monarch butterflies, captured as never before in this large-format coffee table book from a National Geographic Explorer.

More than 140 breathtaking photographs fill this book, many unique glimpses of monarchs in the Mexico mountains where they overwinter. Page upon beautiful page, chock-full of glorious butterflies!

With a riot of color and incredible images of the beloved butterfly in all its stages and locations, Jaime Rojo’s Monarchs—the first significant photographic book about the monarch butterfly—is the culmination of a 20-year-long quest by an award-winning photographer to reveal the migration, behavior, and fragility of this iconic species.

In words and pictures, Rojo tracks the journey that all North American monarchs follow—an amazing annual round-trip migration thousands of miles long. Rojo’s personal narrative and unique photographs begin in the concentrated Mexican forests where millions of butterflies overwinter. From there, he travels to the American heartland, sharing both wonder and distress over the dwindling presence of milkweed, the monarch caterpillar’s necessary food.

We meet not only the iconic butterfly but also the people along the way who treasure these beautiful creatures: Michoacan residents who adorn their Day of the Dead celebrations with monarch designs; scientists who are bringing cutting-edge technology to the study of this remarkable migration; and legions of Canadians and Americans who work together, planting pollinator gardens and raising, tagging, and releasing monarchs in a passionate effort to support the species.

For all who love the monarch butterfly—and everyone who marvels at the colors, patterns, and remarkable life cycles of nature—this beautiful book with its one-of-a-kind photographs will be a treasure enjoyed for years to come.

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