The Mystic Phyles: Beasts

Abigail Thaddeus is aware of her borderline geek status--which only keeps her secretly yearning for a life of fame and adventure. But as an eighth-grader in the tiny town of Westbrook, tucked away in her grandparents' ramshackle old mansion, her chances for glory are slim. That is, until she discovers a mysterious letter that launches her on an undercover quest to research mythical beasts.

With the help of her best friend, Charley, Abigail unearths little-known facts about mythical creatures, from the familiar unicorn to the bizarre bonnacon. The more she learns, the more she finds that all is not as it may seem. When a threatening letter arrives, the lines between fact and fiction and excitement and danger begin to cross. Pop, her overly-strict grandfather, and Ninny, her nutty grandmother, may both be part of a reality more complicated and mystical than Abigail ever imagined.

Will Abigail pursue top-secret knowledge at all costs or choose a path of safety? Her decision could bring eternal glory . . . or certain doom! In this scrapbook-style journal, Abigail's quest to investigate mythical beasts is full of adventure, mishap, spunky humor, colorful sketches, and historically based research.

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