Signed in Shadows

After months of running, Ven finds himself thrust into a dangerous world of magic and murder—and tumbling into a tantalizing throuple—in this spicy queer urban fantasy.

Ven Parna accidentally obtained a contract that gives him shadow-stepping powers, which he was super excited about until people tried to kill him for it. Broke and tired of running from pursuers who want his magic for themselves, he’s finally settled in his latest home—complete with a job, a friend, and his beloved cat—and he’d really prefer not to run again.

Of course, trouble finds him anyway in the form of (very hot, very wealthy) Kieran Matthews, who proposes a trade: Ven will use his rare magic to keep Kieran safe from his arranged fiancé, who may or may not have killed his own brother, and Kieran will use his seemingly unending financial resources to protect Ven from whoever’s chasing him. Ven accepts, and soon discovers that the fiancé, Darion, may be dangerous, but he’s also dangerously good-looking—and far kinder than Ven anticipated.

Caught in the crosshairs of rival magical mobs, the three men are forced to work together and their connection deepens. But Darion and Kieran are clearly keeping secrets, and whoever’s been chasing Ven is closing in. If Ven wants to survive, he’ll have to run again—or decide he values himself enough to fight for his new family.

This debut blends the fantasy elements of Holly Black’s The Book of Night with the banter of Casey McQuiston, all wrapped up in a magical life-or-death struggle.

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