The Dead Darlings

In this YA thriller, every member of a punk band is a suspect when the lead singer is murdered. For fans of Holly Jackson and Karen M. McManus!

The Devil’s Darlings are having a year most bands can only dream of. A major record deal, a nationwide tour—even a stage at Coachella. But behind the scenes, there’s trouble. Kira, the guitarist, resents being band manager. Quinn, the drummer, has writer’s block. Everly, the bassist, is distracted by her boyfriend. And Sunday, the beautiful lead singer rocketing them to stardom, has been spiraling into the occult.

Diablo Hall, long rumored to be haunted, is Sunday's latest obsession. At dusk on a snowy night, the band sneaks into the house, intending to stay overnight and shoot the music video for their latest single. By morning, Sunday is dead—found in a room locked from the inside. The police rule the death a suicide, and yet Kira is certain Sunday didn't take her own life.

A year later, a documentary crew sets up at Diablo Hall to investigate whether Sunday’s death was the result of paranormal activity. When the show asks the band to participate in reenactments of that night, Kira sees her chance to prove that no ghosts were involved. Sunday was murdered—and someone in the band is a killer.

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