The First Sacrifice

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Assassini comes the standalone sequel to the unforgettable suspense classic The Wind Chill Factor
 
Twenty years have passed since John Cooper triggered a series of events that shattered the underground rise of the Fourth Reich. Unable to make peace with his own history, Cooper has submerged himself in the old films he plays at his Boston movie house—until a message comes from his estranged sister in Germany . . . a plea for help. Her only child is missing.
 
Cooper finds the Berlin of the nineties disturbingly familiar. The threat that was hidden twenty years ago is now out in the open—neo-Nazi thugs roam the streets, murdering and terrorizing. And a charismatic leader has emerged to point the way to a great new Germany. He is Wolf Koller . . . and he is married to Cooper’s sister.
 
The search for his niece leads Cooper into a labyrinth of half-truths and veiled warnings—and, ultimately, terrifying violence. For a new conspiracy exists in Germany, and the stakes are higher than ever before.

“Gifford, a master at building suspense . . . has written a worthy sequel to the novel that launched his career.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune

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