The Smushkins: Big, Bigger, Biggest

The sweet, spirited Smushkins visit the circus—and explore comparative endings—with a novelty concept book enticing little ones to fold out the pages. Cute, cuter, cutest!

The Smushkins bring their singular brand of gentle humor and offbeat creativity to this lively look at comparative endings (-er and -est) with a fun interactive element. Imagining themselves as circus performers, Opie lifts a barbell that is heavy, while Moe lifts a barbell that is heavier (thanks to Dog and Ki standing on either end). Now fold out the page to see Puff lifting the heaviest barbell—plus an elephant! Whether the point of comparison is speed (Moe is fast on a unicycle and Opie is faster on rollerblades, but Puff is fastest being shot out of a cannon) or a more open-ended category like silliness or bounciness, just leave it to the Smushkins to find a delightful way to help young readers understand it!

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