National Archive Hunters 2: Eternal Flame

Twins Ike and Iris Carter race from D.C. to Paris to New York on the trail of one of America's most iconic treasures, before it disappears like smoke. The second book in a breathtaking and hilarious middle grade action-adventure series.

Fresh off saving the French Four—a quartet of American treasures—and their mom's museum, Carter twins Ike and Iris are back in Washington, D.C. when they're summoned to the National Archives by the FBI Art Crimes Team because the Statue of Liberty is missing.

Well, not the statue. But pieces of the flame packed away in 1916 have somehow vanished. The Smithsonian has organized an elaborate, high-profile event around the artifacts in six days — with the presidents of both the U.S. and France set to attend —and the flame's absence will be a national embarrassment.

The National Archive Hunters jump into action, learning everything they can about Lady Liberty's construction, including that Gustave Eiffel helped original sculptor Frederic Bartholdi by designing the supports for the flame . . . and that one of Eiffel's original sketches is missing. They need to see what was so important on that page, and that means getting to France, where another set of Eiffel's sketches is housed.

Ike and Iris need a French connection tout de suite, or the relationship between America and its oldest ally might be snuffed out.

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