We All Serve: Honoring Our Military Kids

A moving and inclusive tribute to our youngest servicepeople—known as “brats”—honors the bravery, resilience, patience, and adaptability of US military families.

When at least one of your parents is in the United States Armed Forces, you’re a military kid. Some say “military brat,” which stands for Born Resilient and Tough. Brats look like other kids but don’t live like other kids. In a military family, if one person serves, everyone serves. For Navy brats, making friends all over the world—learning to say, “So long till next time”—is another act of service. Staying brave on the home front when your dad, a United States Marine, deploys overseas is another act of service. And when one of your moms is stationed in Greenland, serving means celebrating Christmas late, among the daffodils, during her leave. Born to a mission that their parents chose, military kids are hardy like dandelions, always ready for the winds of change. Some even help care for wounded warriors or support parents with PTSD. Together or apart, at home or abroad, in peace or during war, military families boast heroes of all stripes. Illustrated with warmth and empathy by a former Army brat, this nuanced portrait captures their strength and sacrifice with grace and compassion.

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