Smile: Any Given Smile #2

The AAL Football Championship is days away—and quarterback Max Dupree is cracking under the weight of it. The pressure to win, the whispers from the sidelines, the sense that something bigger than just the game is at stake…it’s starting to cost him more than his focus.

Across town, St. Augustine Tribune reporter Rita is chasing a lead no one else will touch—a string of suicides with a chilling connection to the AAL. The deeper she digs, the clearer it becomes: This isn’t coincidence. It’s a pattern. And each and every one of the deceased died smiling…

As Max spirals and Rita closes in, the truth behind the city’s gambling underworld threatens to surface. And it could cost them both everything.

The clock is ticking. The game is fixed. And someone is going to lose far more than the championship in issue #2 of Any Given Smile, based on the critically acclaimed film franchise.

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