The Far Blue

The bestselling author of The Dog Stars returns with a riveting novel of one man’s resilience against the ocean’s ferocious power as a husband finds himself swept out to sea off the coast of Maine and, while fighting for his very survival, encounters the looters and profiteers who seek to enrich themselves amid the chaos of the storm.

“Get off the island. This is a bad one.” When Jordi Stohlquist’s phone rings in the pre-dawn hours, the ocean looks calm and glassy as a postcard. His cottage, a cabin perched above the sea, is stout as a lighthouse on a promontory, and Jordi finds it hard to believe that some bad weather could destroy what nearly two centuries of Nor’easters could not.

Still, everyone on the island is ordered to evacuate, and so Jordi wakes his wife, Jin, and drives her and their big dog, Mancha, down to the ferry. He kisses her on the pier, surrounded by hundreds of island residents, and Jin begs Jordi to join her on the boat, but he assures her that he’ll be fine and returns to storm proof the cottage they bought a mere four months ago.

As the swells begin to roll in—eight feet, now ten—whitecaps spuming off the tops, waves exploding against the rocks, Jordi boards up the windows and ties down all he can, stopping only when a massive truck skids up to the cottage, disgorging four armed lobstermen in foul weather gear. In a shocking act of self-defense, Jordi is cast into the open ocean, and what follows—at sea, on a strange island, amid the wreckage of a ship, and deep in his own heart—is a thrilling story of survival against all odds.

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