The Magnificent Bastard 2

The Wildest Samurai Who Ever Lived

Tetsuo Hara’s masterful follow-up to the generation-defining Fist of the North Star—a rollicking samurai epic inspired by a real-life legend.

A BAT OUT OF HELL

After saving Hotaru’s life, Keiji shares a rare moment of peace with the beautiful former ninja. One never truly leaves the ninja life, however, and their blissful days are cut short when her old master comes knocking… With a proclivity for eating bats and powers of mind control, the Bat of Kai is the most cunning and ruthless opponent Keiji has ever faced. Meanwhile, the Kaga ninja army, burning for vengeance and girded with explosives, mobilizes with a singular purpose: Keiji must die!

Experience the golden age of the samurai from the iconic artist of Fist of the North Star.

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