What Do We Know About Wizards?

The What Do We Know About? series explores the mysterious, the unknown, and the unexplained. Are wizards based in fact or fiction? Do they have supernatural powers to heal, shape-shift, and control the weather? Discover everything we know about these magical, legendary sorcerers.

Famous wizards throughout history have helped shape our modern understanding of their magic and folklore. From Merlin and The Sword in the Stone, to Gandalf of The Hobbit, we understand that wizards are wise, mythical figures, but are they real?

Over thousands of years, the image of a wizard has shifted across cultures and regions. Before the term “wizard” was widely used, wise, knowledgeable figures were known as shamans, alchemists, or magicians. In prehistoric Europe, they waved ivory wands and performed rituals to help tribes hunt for food. In the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia, magicians known as ashipu cast away evil spirits and curses. Mysterious and skilled spellcasters called druids living in France and Britain fought back against the rise of the Roman Empire.

Find out everything we know about the legends of wizards in this new book for curious young readers.

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