Tunnels

Tunnels is a high-octane “mechanical tale” exploring family dynamics, grief, and mental health in a fantasy adventure from award-winning French cartoonist Michaël Sanlaville (Lastman, Banana Sioule).

The story begins as a mundane family road trip: a couple and their three daughters (Jolène, Samantha, and baby Mila) are traveling in their Volvo station wagon toward a summer vacation. The narrative shifts abruptly after the family passes through a series of tunnels and finds themselves in a distorted, nightmarish landscape. They are thrust into a deadly, high-speed chase, pursued by mysterious, black-helmeted drivers in futuristic racing cars. What starts as a claustrophobic survival thriller, described as a blend of Mad Max, Steven Spielberg’s Duel, and Wacky Races, evolves into a poignant exploration of family bonds and the psychological weight of loss. Sanlaville utilizes a nervous, cinematic art style to capture the relentless sense of motion, culminating in a surprising final act that shifts the story’s scale from action-adventure to an emotional family drama.

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