The Red Bandanna

The story of Welles Crowther, whose actions on 9/11 offer a lasting lesson on character, calling, and courage

What would you do in the last hour of your life?

“[A] lovely book . . . Be like Welles Crowther. Take your bandanna, change the world.”
—Peggy Noonan, The Wall Street Journal

"Through one hero of that day, Rinaldi really tells the story of all of them, all those who saved others and couldn't save themselves.”
—Mike Lupica, NY Daily News

Fresh from college, Welles Crowther took a job on the 104th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center. When the Twin Towers fell, his parents came to accept that he would never come home, but the mystery of his final hours persisted. Eight months later, they learned of several survivors who were led to safety by a stranger. After leading them down, the young man turned around. "I'm going back up," was all he said. Despite the smoke and panic, one of them remembered a single detail clearly: the man was wearing a red bandanna. It was the one Welles's father had given him when he was a boy.

The story of a fearless choice, a crucible of terror and the indomitable spirit to answer it, Tom Rinaldi's The Red Bandanna celebrates the difference one life can make.

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