NOW #13 THE NEW COMICS ANTHOLOGY

In our latest issue, NOW #13, cartoonist Kayla E. (USA) returns with an all-new “Precious Rubbish” strip exploring childhood trauma through her darkly humorous lens; she also contributes this issue’s cover. Nathan Gelgud (USA) makes his NOW debut with two strips adapting dialogue from interviews with filmmaker Paul Schrader, while indie humor phenom Josh Pettinger (UK) also appears for the first time. Anchoring the issue is Caitlin Skaalrud’s (USA) inspiring and beautiful “How to Make Comics,” a 40-page poetic howl about the need to make art and the sacrifices that come with that need (“LEARN THE COPPER TASTE OF HUNGER”). Also featuring: Ross Murray (New Zealand), Roman Muradov (Armenia), Josh Simmons (USA), Cynthia Alfonso (Spain), Steven Weissman (USA), Emil Friis Ernst (Denmark), and Stacy Gougoulis (Australia).NOW: The New Comics Anthology is still the best value in comics: every issue is a self-contained cross-section of the best short comics stories the globe has to offer and it has established itself as the preeminent anthology of first-rate international comics talent. With all-new, never-before-seen material from a mix of emerging and established talent, NOW is the perfect answer to the question, “Why Comics?”

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