Robert B. Parker's Lockdown

Police Chief Jesse Stone faces off against a team of trained killers in this latest installment of Robert B. Parker’s beloved series.

Just before midnight, Jesse Stone is called to the local ER by his girlfriend, Dr. Rachel Lowenthal, to see the victim of a gunshot wound. Jesse thinks it’s more or less a routine crime — until he arrives at the hospital to find Wilson Cromartie, AKA Crow, one of the deadliest hit men alive, and Jesse’s sometime friend and ally.

Crow is tight-lipped about how he got the wound, but he has one warning for Jesse before he passes out on his way into surgery: “You better get ready. They’re coming.”

Jesse calls every available cop in Paradise because he knows Crow is always serious. Just as he gets back-up from his loyal officers Molly Crane and Luther “Suitcase” Simpson, the hospital is cut off by a group of armed men in black vehicles.

Over the next six hours, Jesse is forced to defend Crow and every patient in the hospital from a force of smart, highly trained killers — without knowing who they are or what they want. He’s trapped and outgunned. The killers think they’re dealing with just another small town cop. They think this is going to be easy.

Jesse is about to prove them wrong.

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