Orpheline: A Mermaid Lost and Found Story

Discovering a baby mermaid on the beach is a dream come true—until Cora realizes that her wonderful find is someone else’s loss. A beautifully illustrated story for mermaid fans and tenderhearted readers everywhere.

“I’m Cora,” I say. “Don’t be afraid. You aren’t lost anymore. You’re found.”
Combing the beach after a lashing storm, Cora is busy filling her bag with sea glass when she spies an amazing sight by the water’s edge: a tiny mermaid nestled in an abalone shell. Mama’s face turns pale when she sees her, but soon the half baby, half fish is squirming in the bathtub, giggling on wheelbarrow rides, exploring tide pools, and playing shadow games with Cora. All is blissful until Cora hears some strange whispering coming from the baby’s shell necklace, a voice that calls “Orpheline, Orpheline . . .” Protest as she will, Cora knows that this precious baby belongs to the sea—and to someone who misses her dearly. Poignant, atmospheric, and shimmering with mermaid magic, Orpheline will win the heart of every child who’s longed to have their fantasies come true, if only for a little while.

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