The Kettle

A gripping Western about two brothers on a westward journey of revenge, cutting a scorched path across the winter frontier—until the graves they're digging begin to look like their own

Arriving back on their Ohio farm after a trip, brothers Walter and Jed find their homestead torched and ruined, their Ma and Pa and sister Sweet Mary burnt to a crisp. Their tremendous grief immediately turns to violence: they scoop up the ashy remains of their family in one of the only objects left on the farm, a tin kettle. Attaching the kettle to their horses, they head west to pick up the path of Spring Frog and Frank Booth, the leaders of a gang they know to be the cause of their family’s great ruin.

What follows is an odyssey of the body and the soul. The violent path they carve across the west will leave no one untouched, no bridge not burned. Alongside the beauty of the landscape in winter is the relentless grim reaper of their revenge. Each new location brings them new opportunities to amend their ways, to seek a path different from the vengeful road they are on, and, each time the brothers turn away, to play out their vicious hand.

Elwood Reid’s first novel in over a decade is a bold and beautiful tale of the old west and family secrets, a dazzling document of violence and history and human nature.

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