The Dark Time

A USA TODAY bestseller!

In this propulsive new installation of the bestselling and award-winning series, Peter Ash rides to the aid of an investigative reporter who may have stumbled on a story more explosive than even Peter can handle.

Usually, investigative journalist Katelyn Thorsen just shrugs off death threats as part of the job. This time, however, the threat is on a whole new level. If she doesn’t back away from a story, both Katelyn and her thirteen-year-old daughter will be killed.

Enter Peter Ash—former Marine and current protector of last resort. When his girlfriend, June Cassidy, alerts him to the situation, he doesn’t hesitate. For Peter, escalating danger can only be countered by an aggressive response, but he has to get Katelyn and her daughter out of the line of fire before he can follow the threats back to their source.

This isn’t Peter’s first dance with the devil. He’s faced deadly trials before, but somehow this one feels different. Upon arrival, he’s thrown into a maelstrom of mystery and violence greater than anything he expected. It’s clear this is no ordinary story. The forces at play are more insidious and the stakes are far higher.

Even after June and Peter’s best friend, Lewis, arrive in town to help, this challenge may be too much for them—and the consequences of failure will be catastrophic.

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