The Monster on the Bus

"Now I know why Mom made me ride my bike to school. I missed so much!" —Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

"Josh Lieb continues to put out hilarious children's books that make up for his conspicuous lack of hilarious children's existential one act plays. Get on that, Lieb!!" —Jon Stewart, host of The Problem with Jon Stewart


A spooky and hilarious spin on a classic children’s song, from the author of Chapter Two is Missing and the illustrator of The Panda Problem

It’s the first day of school, and for Cassius and Angelique, that means their first ride on the school bus. The school bus can be a little intimidating for first-time riders! Will you have a friend to sit next to? Will the driver be nice? . . . and in the case of this bus ride, will that monster eat your backpack?

As the wheels go round and round, the bus gets more and more off course. Is that. . .a T. Rex sitting in the back? And doesn’t that look like a wizard sitting in the front? Cassius and Angelique must outsmart a wild cast of characters if they want to make it to school on time!

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