So You Want to Be a Fossil?

Real science meets quirky humor as prehistoric creatures, from mighty Tyrannosaurus rex to extra-lucky jellyfish, audition to be the star of the museum—a famous fossil!

Prehistoric animals flock to the natural history museum hoping to be the next rare fossil. Dinosaurs, insects, and even saber-toothed cats think they’ve got what it takes. The trilobite thinks they’re a shoe-in—they have fossil relatives, after all! But then the casting director, a triceratops, reveals the truth about the long, LONG fossilization process (first, you have to die). So many things have to go right, like getting buried quickly, and so many things can go wrong, like getting stretched, melted by magma, or even just never being found. By the end of the try-outs, the audience has dwindled to a few brave souls with fossil stars in their eyes. Back matter includes selected sources and a clever Q&A between the casting director and the auditioners.

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