Queen In Black: The Light and the Dark

Hela casts her shadow over Venom, Thor and more of Marvel’s heroes!

After his failed bond with Carnage, Eddie Brock is languishing in a jail cell as Hela begins her assault on Earth. Eddie desperately wants to get back to Venom — but without a symbiote, how will he escape?! Meanwhile, Beta Ray Bill is the only hero in Midgard who even remembers Hela as the Goddess of Death — but does that mean he can help his team to counter a Queen in Black? And Tony Stark dons his new Black Metal Armor as the ultimate weapon against Knull, God of the Void — but does he have command of his own squad? The fate of the world hangs in the balance between the Defenders of light and dark! But while the world has forgotten the original God of Thunder, Hela has plans for Sigurd Jarlson, the very mortal Thor!

COLLECTING: Queen in Black: Venom Unchained (2026) #1-3, Queen in Black: Defenders of Light and Dark (2026) #1-3, Queen in Black: Thor (2026) #1

Written by: Charles Soule, Tom Waltz & Al Ewing

Penciled by: Juanan Ramírez, Zé Carlos & Sergio Dávila

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