Rise of the King: Dungeons & Dragons

In the chaotic aftermath of the Sundering, the orcs of Many-Arrows reignite their bloody feud with Bruenor Battlehammer.

Having escaped Gauntlgrym, the Companions of the Hall are united in body and spirt—but not in ideals. As the Darkening casts its shadows upon the northern cities of the Shining White, portending war, the past rears its angry head. Old debts insist on payment and old wrongs demand to be set right. The bloody dwarf-orc feud reignites with disastrous consequences.

When drow Quenthel Baenre urges the orcs into war, a new and bloodthirsty king takes the throne of Many-Arrows. The savage orc hordes gather under his command, bringing an end to the decades of peace in the North. Dwarf steel meets ancient enemies, painting the Spine of the World in red.

In the middle of this chaos, the Companions march onwards to rescue Pwent from his vampiric curse, to reclaim Bruenor’s throne, to combat the treachery of the drow, and to defeat the orcs. As the world repeats a deadly cycle of violence and hate, Drizzt Do’Urden is forced into a fight for his life, his loved ones, and his very soul.

Rise of the King is the second book in the Companions Codex and the twenty-ninth book in the Legend of Drizzt series.

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