The Search for Our Cosmic Neighbors

"Savage’s graceful ink-and-watercolor illustrations, with their delicate washes of color, are filled with enchanting details. . . .Clever, funny, and worth discussing." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Are we alone in the universe? Scientific exploration meets magical adventure in a third stunningly illustrated picture book from the creator of the celebrated The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish.

Commander Julia and her team have one mission: to head into the vast unknown and answer the greatest question of our universe: Are we alone? But after visiting countless moons and planets of every size and color, they’ve found . . . absolutely nothing. For the sake of her crew, who have been crammed into a rocket ship for ten long years, Commander Julia makes the call: it’s time to return home after checking one last planet. And it is on this seemingly desolated wasteland, just as their patience and hope have finally faded, that they find the answer they’ve been looking for—while facing new questions about who they are, what to do next, and what it means it have a home. Laced with humor and wisdom, this third gorgeously illustrated picture book from award-winning creator Chloe Savage blends scientific exploration with magical adventure, filling us with wonder, awe, and the potential for newfound joy every step of the way.

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