The Hammer of God

“Entertaining . . . [Arthur Clarke] handles both ideas and characters with deftness and wit; in short, the outstanding living science fiction writer is romping.”—Chicago Sun-Times

In the year 2110 technology has cured most of our worries. But even as humankind enters a new golden age, an amateur astronomer points  his telescope at just the right corner of the night sky and sees disaster hurtling toward Earth: a chunk of rock that could annihilate civilization.  

While a few fanatics welcome the apocalyptic destruction as a sign from God, the greatest  scientific minds of Earth desperately search for a way to  avoid the inevitable. On board the starship Goliath Captain Robert Singh and his crew must race  against time to redirect the meteor form its deadly collision course.

Suddenly they find themselves  on the most important mission in human history—a mission whose success may require the ultimate sacrifice.

Praise for The Hammer of God

“Clarke is still at the top of his game.”—The Detroit News

“As good as anything he has written . . . For a hard science-fiction treat, I suspect The Hammer of God won’t be topped.”—Star Tribune, Minneapolis

“Classic Clarke . . . A good story.”—The Denver Post

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