Pirate Academy: Missing at Sea

From Justin Somper, award-winning author of the Vampirates series, comes the second book in this new swashbuckling fantasy adventure series.

At the elite Pirate Academy, it's only been a few weeks since the Barracuda class's run-in with the dangerous League of True Pirates. But now they have more pressing matters at hand, like the upcoming Oceans Bound weekend! It's the first time the class will be given the chance to man their own crews and sail the seas without their teachers, and no one's more excited than Jacoby, Jasmine, and Neo.

As the Barracudas set sail and begin navigating the complex trail of tasks left for them by their Pirate Academy captains, the obstacles quickly become more and more treacherous. Soon it's clear: someone else has taken control of Oceans Bound. It's going to take everything they've got for the plucky young pirates to complete the course and triumph against their fiendish enemy.

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