Something in the Water

From our earliest campfire legends to our biggest blockbuster movies, a deep dive into the stories we tell about water and the horrors it hides

In the 300,000 years Homo sapiens have walked the planet, we’ve explored less than 30% of the ocean. Yet, again and again, we’re pulled under by our enduring fascination with water, the mysteries it hides and the unrelenting power of its destructive force. Something in the Water is a fun and irreverent history of aquatic horror, one that is nearly as vast and deep as the waters it explores.

Each period and culture has its own stories of what lurks below: mermaid tales, fishing folklore, sea monsters, and flood legends. From Greek mythology to kaijus to Lovecraft to Shark Week, this book is a wild and light-hearted trip through our deepest, darkest nightmares. Each chapter is divided into subsections, presenting all aspects of aquatic horror, ranging from real-life oddities, ghost stories, and legends based on facts to more contemporary media portrayals in comic books, fiction, movies, and television.

Something in the Water chronicles our obsession with the nightmarish mysteries of aquatic horror and is a must-read for anyone who wonders what else slithers alongside the creatures of the deep.

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