SWORD IN STONE VOL. 2: MERLINS TALE

"It's up to you how far you’ll go. If you don’t try, you’ll never know. ” —Merlin Find out how Merlin tried and succeeded in becoming the most powerful wizard in King Arthur’s realm in this enchanting tale! Orphaned at a young age by his mother, a Sprite, and father, an Elf, Merlin was taken in by a band of travelers and show people. Early on, Merlin displayed mysterious powers that grew quickly and became uncontrollable. However, a familiar young sorceress saw Merlin’s potential firsthand. Her name was Mim! She convinced Merlin to join her in adventuring into the world to learn more about their magical abilities together. This meant leaving the only home Merlin had ever known, but he wanted to discover more about his power and help people. Little did Merlin know that what Mim wanted to achieve was more wicked in nature! A spellcasting story set in the world of Disney’s classic The Sword in the Stone.

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