Ralph Compton Slaughter Canyon

In this classic Ralph Compton western, Uncle Sam wants a lawman to become an outlaw....

Deputy U.S. Marshal Matt Battles is being blackmailed—by President Chester A. Arthur. The commander in chief needs someone to discover why Hatfield J. Warful is gathering every notorious gunslinger in the West at his home in Slaughter Canyon. Thanks to a falsified news report planted by the Secret Service, Battles is now wanted for robbery and murder, leaving him no choice but to infiltrate Warful’s gang by posing as an outlaw on the run.

But Warful’s trigger-happy gunfighters share some unpleasant history with the supposed ex-Marshal, and they don’t care which side of the law he’s on. And if Battles doesn’t have enough worries being targeted by both lawman and outlaw alike, failing his mission could result in a second Civil War....
 
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