PHANTOM DELUXE EDITION VOL. 1: THE COMPLETE NEWSPAPER DAILIES (1936-1937)

The Phantom returns with a deluxe edition of the first volume of the strip, long out of print. The all new volume contains new documentary material, essays by noted comics historian Ron Goulart and Phantom expert Ed Rhoades, and a checklist of all the dailies from 1936-1994 (the end of the Sy Barry years). The volume includes three ground-breaking, adventure filled stories which define the series and the characters: "The Singh Brotherhood," February 17 - November 7, 1936; "The Sky Band," November 9, 1936 - April 10, 1937; and "The Diamond Hunters. " April 12 - September 18, 1937. Limited to only 1000 copies. The first, original, and best masked hero to ever grace the pages of comic strips and comic books returns with Hermes Press' complete reprint of The Phantom. Frequently referred to as the "granddaddy of all costumed superheroes," The Phantom was created in 1936 by Lee Falk with artwork by Ray Moore. The strip hit the funny pages of newspapers well before the Dark Knight or Superman made their first appearances and has been acknowledged as an influence on every "masked man of mystery" since. The Phantom set the standard for action, adventure, intrigue, and romance in adventure comic strips and comic books - it has frequently been copied but never equaled. See it all from the beginning in Hermes Press' deluxe edition of Volume One.

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