TRIPWIRE #66

Under a Frank Miller cover, Tripwire talks to the legendary creator about a life in comics in the year that he brings out his autobiography, Push The Wall. Tripwire also takes a look back at his seminal 1986 comic stories: Batman: Year One and Daredevil Born again, both with artist David Mazzucchelli and both celebrating their 40th birthday. Tripwire also raises a glass to the 40th anniversary of John Byrne’s seminal Superman comic, Man Of Steel, which also commemorates its 40th this year and on the film side, Tripwire takes a look back at the 40th anniversary of James Cameron’s iconic action sci-fi Aliens, released back in 1986 too. In our regular 10 Questions With, we turn the spotlight on Scottish indie creator Monty Nero and we take a deep dive into Panick Entertainment’s second and third wave, chatting to company heads Kris Longo and Adam Schlagman as well as creators like David Dastmalchian and more. Tripwire also celebrates Marvel’s 65th anniversary by compiling a guide to the 30 most important creators from the House Of Ideas and with another significant milestone, Tripwire takes a look back at the genesis and evolution of Michael Moorcock’s most well-known creation, The White Wolf himself, Elric in its 65th year. Regulars like On The Shelf and Stripwire return as does a dive into Tripwire’s huge archive.

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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