Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed
The Color of Books
The Color of Books
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ABOUT
Each brightly hued notebook cover in The Color of Books features a diverse and inclusive collage of book titles in that color family: The purple notebook includes favorites such as The Color Purple by Alice Walker and Empress Orchid by Anchee Min. The gray notebook features The House of Stone by Anthony Shadid and The Wings of the Dove by Henry James. The blue notebook spans from The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave to Almost Transparent Blue by Ryu Murakami. Other titles across the color spectrum include The Devil in the White City, Black Beauty, and The Yellow House, with 160 total book titles featured across the eight notebook covers.
With ombré covers, lined pages for writing, and checklists of featured titles, The Color of Books delivers a one-of-a-kind way to discover new books. You'll never run out of ideas for what to read next!
STANDARD, PRIMARY, DM AND VARIANT COVERS
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.
PRODUCT TYPES
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