North and South: A Tale of Two Hemispheres

Get a fascinating global view of how the animal world adapts to the seasons with this simultaneous look at both Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

In January in the Scottish Highlands, a mountain hare is camouflaged from predators in its white winter coat, while in New Guinea, a bright-green tree python guards her eggs. Come March, a warm Arctic spring lures polar bears out from their den, while in Australia, newly hatched crocodiles go for their first swim inside their mother’s jaws. When autumn comes to the north, monarch butterflies start migrating south, just as bar-tailed godwits set off from New Zealand to their breeding grounds on the Alaskan tundra. In a remarkable exploration of animals’ lives, Sandra Morris’s informative text and beautiful illustrations take readers through the months of the year in both the northern and southern parts of the globe, with an eye to how various species adapt to the changing seasons. Extensive end matter offers further descriptive facts about some twenty-five featured animals.

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