ROY THOMAS A LIFE IN FOUR COLORS 1940-1966

The man Stan Lee dubbed “Rascally Roy” and “Roy the Boy” tells the full, uncensored story of his emergence as one of the brightest stars in the Marvel Comics firmament! It's all here, starting with his Midwestern beginnings devouring the late, great Golden Age of Comics, to the glorious flowering of comics fandom during the first half of the 1960s (including the 1961 founding of Alter Ego and all that that first super-hero fanzine spawned). Roy details his brief and turbulent time as editorial assistant of DC’s “Superman” titles under Mort Weisinger, and the pivotal first year-plus of his career at Marvel, working with Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, John Romita, Bill Everett, and some of the brightest stars of the Marvel Age of Comics! Plus: you’ll have a ringside seat at some of the earliest comics conventions, and at the fateful 1965 New York Herald Tribune interview that caused a seismic rift between Lee and Kirby. This full-color hardcover is illustrated with rare and unseen art and behind-the-scenes photos from the dawn of the Silver Age of comics, so don’t delay! Buy it today—read it tomorrow—’cause Roy’s already hard at work on the follow-up volume that covers the rest of his Marvel tenure, from 1967 to 1980! With a spectacular cover by Jerry Ordway.

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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