Whitebelts

If Fantasia was an inky graphic novel exploring friendship in middle age, nostalgia for a carefree youth, and the dangers of clinging to the past.

At times fantastical and bizarre, Baitinger's fluid and amorphous cartooning is in a league of its own.

Off to indulge in a bit of boyhood fun, Dietz—a family man in his 40s, judo teacher, and civil engineer—carves out the time in his busy life to go on a road trip with his childhood friend, Volker—a sticky-fingered musician, who’s just caught a cold.

Their destination is Leipzig, where they’ll visit the third chum in their trio, Acki—a punk squatter who they’ve largely lost touch with, except for calls on birthdays and holidays. You know how it goes…

A comedy of errors and quest narrative, upon arriving in Leipzig, the two are still missing one crucial piece of information: Acki's new address. As our mismatched pair tromp through the city in search of their missing friend, who won’t answer his phone, we’re brought on a wholly imaginative journey with fluid lines that transport us from hotel, to bar, to museum with equal parts elegance and absurdity.

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