The Doomsday Men

On the eve of World War II, three unlikely heroes join forces in the Mojave Desert to thwart atomic doomsday—a rollicking tale of adventure from one of the twentieth century's great, underappreciated masters.

Young Englishman Malcom Darbyshire falls in love with his mysterious American tennis partner at a tournament on the French Riviera; when she vanishes without so much as telling him her real last name, he knows he must do whatever he can to find her again. Meanwhile, American physicist George Glenway Hooker finds himself in London, on the trail of a brilliant colleague who disappeared just as he seemed on the verge of a breakthrough. And Jimmy Edlin, globetrotting entrepreneur, is called back to Los Angeles to help investigate the death of his brother, a reporter whose latest story may have gotten him killed. Ordinary men, all—until their separate quests bring them face to face with a plot to end the world.

Malcom, George, and Jimmy’s paths converge in the Mojave Desert, where, under the bright California sun, they must untangle the schemes of the secretive MacMichael family before it’s too late. As they dodge shadowy pursuers, don disguises, infiltrate a wacky LA doomsday cult, break into an impenetrable desert bunker, and embark on feats of aviation bravado, they must make new allies, rely on one another, and hold tight to their faith in humankind to save the day.

First published in 1938, and written against the backdrop of the rise of Hitler and Mussolini in Europe, J. B. Priestley’s prescient tale of attempted world destruction is both highly entertaining and resonant for our nuclear age.

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