My Country

A fascinating collection of true tales from Canadian history. Pierre Berton brings the past alive with stories of hardship and romance, mystery and magic, tragedy and high heroism: Charles Blondin tripping across Niagara’s gorge on a tightrope; Ned Hanlan rowing his way into history; and the phantom Indian, Gun-an-noot, eluding his pursuers for thirteen years. The past comes to life again in Berton’s prose, as the reader disappears with Sir John Franklin and his men into the popular mists, and takes to the air with Billy Bishop, the greatest Canadian air ace of the First World War. Berton does not hesitate to explore the dark corners of Canadian history, such as the genocide of the Beothuk in Newfoundland. Here, too, are more contemporary stories: the great Cross-Canada hike of 1921; the Vancouver Post Office sit-in of 1938; and the strange safari of mystery man Charles Bedaux into the wilds of British Columbia in 1934. My Country has something for everyone.

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