Ralph Compton Blood on the Gallows

A detective uses his gun to speak for the oppressed in this Ralph Compton western.

Former big city detective John McBride is an easy-going man—until people rub him the wrong way. So he’s less than pleased when the fast-gun marshal of Rest and Be Thankful warns him to behave himself, or else he’ll wind up swinging next to the three hanged men outside of town.

Driven by the plight of the town’s terrified citizenry, and one beautiful woman in particular, McBride takes on the local lawman, an evil mayor and his cruel son, and a small army of hired gunmen. 

Helped by a mysterious white-haired preacher who shoots first and asks questions later, McBride will give the townsfolk reason to be thankful—and their vicious tormentors eternal rest in hell.


More Than Eight Million Ralph Compton Books in Print

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