Vampyrates!

Empress Nira of the Vampirium fights to reclaim her throne in this bloody rags to bloody riches tale of vengeance written by New York Times bestselling author Fred Van Lente with illustrations by visionary artist Luca Pizzari.

They took everything...her throne, her name, her power. Fanatics blinded by faith, led by a bloodstained traitor, thought they could erase her. But Empress Nira of the Vampirium is not so easily forgotten.

Industry titan Fred Van Lente (The Incredible Hercules, Marvel Zombies) alongside visionary artist Luca Pizzari (X-Men: Red, Black Night) take to the high seas in an all-new bloodstained, swashbuckling adventure!

Betrayed by her treacherous cousin and barely escaping a coup led by religious zealots, the young, sword-wielding Empress Nira stows away on a pirate ship. Under the guise of cabin girl, she hungers for vengeance as she fights her way up the ranks of the crew to win her captain’s trust.

This is not just a fight for a crown. It is a war for her soul. And Empress Nira will not stop until she reclaims her throne.

Collecting Vampyrates! #1-5 for the first time, this dark saga of vampires and pirates awaits those who dare to follow into the shadows.

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