V. Malar: Greatest Hallowali of All Time

Learn more about Diwali and Halloween as Malar reunites with her cousins in Seattle

As warm and engaging as its prequels, this third V. Malar story takes place in Seattle during Malar’s first trip to America. Excited to sightsee and spend fun-filled time with her cousins Priya and Kamal, Malar is especially eager to celebrate the Festival of Lights with family—bursting firecrackers, making kolams, and snacking on delicious sweets. But Malar soon discovers that Priya and Kamal are more interested in Halloween than Diwali, which happens to fall in the same week. The family decides to try out a new celebration: Hallowali, a combination of both holidays. At first, she and her cousins are reluctant, but as Malar learns new traditions like pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating, she sees there is always fun to be had when you celebrate with loved ones. As much an ode to patience, creativity, and negotiating bonds as a ticket to the Greatest Hallowali of All Time, this festive new story from Suma Subramaniam and Archana Sreenivasan champions the rich adaptability of family love. Lively back matter—including a glossary, information on the holidays, and a Hallowali cookie recipe—extends the cross-cultural themes.

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