Sunshine's Coming Through

A young Black boy and his father showcase their classic car at the Bud Billiken Parade, which celebrates the end of summer and prepares the Chicago community for back-to-school, exquisitely illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Noa Denmon.

The boom boom bam of a big bass drum is what the end of summer sounds like in Bronzeville. Today is the Bud Billiken Parade on Chicago’s South Side, and Dru and Daddy have been customizing their classic Cadillac named Sunshine since the first day of summer.

But Sunshine’s saying she’s not going to start. Dru and Daddy race to get Sunshine rolling while cymbals crash, tumblers pounce, and dancers strut their stuff. Dru wishes that summer would never end so he could work with Daddy forever, but the energy of the parade gets him revved up for the school year.

R.J. Owens’s rhythmic text and Caldecott Honoree Noa Denmon’s radiant illustrations capture the hope and possibility that shine with strong community and back-to-school excitement.

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