The Blade That Remains

A retired adventurer must dust off his sword and gather old comrades to face down the demon lord who kidnapped his son in this action-packed fantasy from the author of the A Thousand Li series.

Once among the greatest of adventurers, Tai Lun retired to the frontier to raise a family and never looked back. When his son follows in his footsteps and is captured by the newly ascended demon lord, Tai’s past comes calling—and there are dues to be paid.

To save his son, Tai must cross the ruins of a fallen empire and come face-to-face with the consequences of his past mistakes. If he hopes to succeed, he’ll need the very best. Luckily for him, “the best” are his old friends, former companions on his adventures—if he can convince them to give up their comfortable lives.

One final adventure awaits them, with stakes greater than ever before: the life of Tai’s son.

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