Sunchild

When adopted Elena visits Guatemala to meet her birth mother, she is called to save the village that would have been her home—using special magic traits that only she can access.

Aura Elena Baker didn't even want to find the woman who gave her away. But she’ll do anything to make her dad happy, and he wants to try. Maybe they’ll find some answers, he says, like why her tears are purple and her tongue turns yellow when she’s angry, why when she’s happy enough, she lifts off the ground.

Elena’s dad thinks maybe life would be safer and simpler without these “specials.” But her birth mother, Caterina, cherishes them. Elena is a lifter, she explains, from a long Mayan tradition; so is Elena's half-sister, Colel. Even more shocking, Elena’s adoption wasn't her mother's choice, not at all.

Amidst the joy of reunion comes terrible news: Caterina’s village (Elena’s village, in another life…) is in the crosshairs of a palm oil development that would steal the land and poison the water. Elena’s dad wants to flee back to Texas, but Colel pushes her to join the fight. Caught in the middle, only Elena can answer the question: who will she become?

Woven with magical realism, Sunchild is a captivating story of identity, family, and ecological justice from Guatemalan-Anglo American and Pura Belpré Honoree Rebecca Balcárcel, author of Shine On, Luz Véliz! and The Other Half of Happy.

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