Railroad Rustlers

JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. WHERE TRUST ON THE PRAIRIE CAN BE SHOT TO HELL.

A railroad security agent hurls headlong into treachery in this blazing new adventure by legendary Western authors William W. and J.A. Johnstone.

Newly hired railroad bull, Mitchell Ashe, is rolling across the Kansas prairie on his way to Abilene when the train halts dead in its tracks. Guns drawn, a gang of thieves have their eyes on the mail car. But Ashe’s priority is rescuing a wealthy woman, unattended, frightened, and forever thankful. The rustlers may have made off with their plunder, much to the fury of Ashe’s boss, but Ashe has made a fetching ally. The pretty young lady is Lorelei Wilson, mistress of powerful railroad director, Thomas Wheelwright.

The brazen robberies are just beginning and more complicated than Ashe anticipates. Entire cattle cars are being wiped clean of their stock. No witnesses and no leads; only dead ends. It’s as if someone is tipping off the thieves and misdirecting the man hired to trap them. Given Lorelei’s inside access to Wheelwright’s ways of the rails, it appears the woman Ashe trusts could be as devious as the rustlers themselves. Following his suspicions leads Ashe straight into danger. He’s not looking for glory, just the truth. If he can survive the pursuit of it . . .

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