Ursula K. Le Guin: The Complete Earthsea, Volume One (LOA #400)

URSULA K. LE GUIN’S FANTASY MASTERPIECE, COMPLETE IN THE DEFINITIVE LIBRARY OF AMERICA EDITION OF HER WORKS

This first volume gathers the beloved classic A Wizard of Earthsea and its two sequels. plus two related stories

Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea novels and stories are set in the far-flung archipelago of Earthsea, a place of magic where names have power, a wood called the Immanent Grove lies at the center of the world, and dragons fly on the winds of the western isles. The original three novels in the 1960s and 70s were the first and most successful of the descendants of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and were the progenitors, in their turn, of all the wizard school and dragonlord fantasy series that have come since.

Here in one volume are:

• A Wizard of Earthsea (1968), the original wizard school fantasy, follows a young man called Sparrowhawk, whose true name—a source of power not to be shared with others—is Ged, as he both learns to wield the magic in him and discovers its shadow side.
• The Tombs of Atuan (1971), in which Le Guin’s focus shifts to a young woman whose true name was taken from her when she became priestess of the Nameless Ones, the dark old powers of Earthsea. When Ged arrives to steal her temple’s greatest treasure, Tenar recovers her name and learns the gifts of interdependence and weakness.
• And The Farthest Shore (1972), which follows Ged, now Archmage of all Earthsea, as he embarks on a long journey with the teenage Prince Arren to find out why magic seems to be draining out of the Archipelago, an odyssey that will lead them to the end of the world and the dry land of death beyond.

Le Guin’s Earthsea is one of the most beloved and influential fantasy series of the 20th century.

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