The Red Sleeve, Volume 1

A palace maid and a crown prince, both with big dreams of their own, find their fates intertwine . . . . The manhwa adaptation of Kang Mikang’s historical romance masterpiece is available in English print for the first time.

Sung Deokim is a bright and strong-willed girl training to become a gungnyeo, a palace maid serving in the royal court of Joseon. Unlike the other young maids, who enjoy daydreaming about romance and marriage, Deokim’s greatest wish is to live her life however she chooses.

In addition to her palace duties, Deokim transcribes literature to earn extra money and support her siblings. But her aptitude for complex texts soon catches the attention of the royal family, turning her side gig into a dangerous political game. And when the infamous crown prince gets involved, Deokim’s heart might be at greater risk than she’s ever imagined possible.

Volume 1 collects episodes 1–14 of the webcomic The Red Sleeve.

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