The Antarcticans

A firsthand account of what it’s like to spend a year living and working in Antarctica through the eternal winter



Located 3,500km from the nearest city on a volcanic island near Antarctica, lies New Zealand’s only polar research station: Scott Base. In The Antarcticans, Matty Jordan offers a rare, vivid look at life in the world’s most inhospitable environment. Through stunning photography and captivating storytelling, the book explores a landscape of curious penguins, all-day auroras, and "frozen-in-time" vistas.

Beyond the scenery, Matty provides a behind-the-scenes perspective on the challenges of working in the coldest, windiest place on Earth. As tourism to the "White Continent" grows, the book also serves as a practical guide for responsible travel, detailing what to expect from expedition cruises, vast penguin colonies, and historic sites.

Ultimately, The Antarcticans is a story of human connection. Set within a remote research facility, it highlights how a sense of community can flourish even in total isolation. It offers readers a temporary escape from our fast-paced "real world" into a magical, otherworldly environment where friendship and adventure are essential for survival.

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