The Man, The Myth, The Legend

JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. WHERE LIVING IS ANYTHING BUT GUARANTEED.

William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone are back as Smoke Jensen’s biggest fan discovers the real-world dangers of hero worship in the Wild West . . .

New Yorker Randolph Bartlett has come to Big Rock, Colorado, to meet the real Smoke Jensen, the legendary gunslinger mythologized in the dime novels Randolph has thrilled to since he was a kid. Impressed by his gumption, Smoke invites Randolph to the Sugarloaf for an education in hard-working life in the true West. But the lessons turn downright dangerous when Randolph disappears, last seen barely alive and tossed into a boxcar like any other tramp heading for California. Trouble found that greenhorn in Big Rock and Smoke is dead-set on finding out why by taking to the boxcars himself.

In disguise and infiltrating the dicey hobo jungles is bad enough. Catching up to Randolph in San Francisco’s lawless Barbary Coast is worse. Both men are catching fire every which way—from the ruffians who rule the rails to a gang of tong hatchet men to a flesh-and-blood enemy of Randolph’s on a deadly personal pursuit.

Randolph never asked to be an outlaw, let alone live a gun-blazing, action-packed adventure of his own. The hail of bullets, assassins, and treachery to come could make for a hell of a Smoke Jensen dime novel of his own. Should he live to write it . . .

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