The Essential S.E. Hinton

Stay gold with this beautiful paperback boxed set featuring The Outsiders and three more classic S. E. Hinton novels set in Tulsa, Oklahoma—just in time for the 60th anniversary of The Outsiders!

S. E. Hinton’s groundbreaking, international bestseller The Outsiders, which she began writing at fifteen, is credited with birthing the young adult genre. Its story of working-class teens learning raw life lessons on the loss of innocence and the importance of brotherhood has resonated with millions of readers. Hinton returned to these themes again and again in her novels, collected here in a keepsake boxed set, including:

The Outsiders: The original bestselling classic that follows fourteen-year-old Ponyboy Curtis as he navigates the tragic violence between two teenage gangs.
That Was Then, This Is Now: Foster brothers Mark and Bryon choose different paths as their world spins out of control.
Rumble Fish: Rusty-James desperately tries to win the affection of his older brother against the backdrop of gang violence in his hometown.
Tex: Fourteen-year-old Tex is a carefree, loyal brother and son—until family secrets are revealed.

New fans and longtime readers alike will lose themselves in the world of The Outsiders with this four-book boxed set.

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