The Expendables

A novel about the men of the First Air Cavalry in Vietnam and the bloody battle of the la Drang
 
Black, white, rich, poor, southerner, and northerner—in Vietnam they became brothers, brothers beyond blood. Men like Vinny, Blake, Eugene, and tough old Flynn had nothing in common—except the raw courage that was their greatest weapon during the fierce thirty-five-day conflict of the la Drang, the first battle to pit a U.S. Army division against a regular North Vietnamese Army division.
 
This is their story, and the story of the men who fought with them—and the 304 who didn’t return. Their lives and deaths are etched in the horror and agony of day-to-day combat and nights of exhaustion and mortars. In a hard and dirty war, it was easy to find selfless courage and respect for one another.
 
“Military fiction buffs looking for immersion in authentic renderings of infantry combat will appreciate [The Expendables].”—Publishers Weekly

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