The Irish Wine Trilogy

The Irish Wine Trilogy is the original group of short comic novels that first introduced Dick Wimmer’s beloved cast of characters, the same characters who most recently reappeared in The Wildly Irish Sextet.

In these novels, which span ten years and two continents, readers are introduced to Seamus Boyne, “the greatest painter since Picasso”; his old friend, erstwhile writer, and practicing pest-control specialist Gene Hagar; his beautiful Dutch wife—and Hagar’s lost love—Ciara; and his estranged, rebellious teenage daughter, Tory. From the first pages, in which an overwrought Boyne’s suicide attempt is rudely interrupted by an attempted assassination, readers are in for a wild ride. A staged death, an unexpected father-daughter reunion, a madcap adventure of kidnapping and mistaken identity, and bizarre love triangles are some of the hijinks and tomfoolery to be found in Irish Wine, Boyne’s Lassie, and Hagar’s Dream—now back in print, to the delight of Seamus Boyne devotees across the land.

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