WITCHBLADE #25

LANDMARK 25th ISSUE! In the wake of the Aphrodite IX case, Sara Pezzini — and her partner, Jake — could both use some R&R. But Sara has more responsibilities than most New York detectives, and bearing the Witchblade means serving as a magnet for supernatural powers... most of which are far from nice. The landmark oversized issue #25 represents a key turning point in the WITCHBLADE saga, and to celebrate, we are reprinting the original WITCHBLADE#25 cover from 1998 by MICHAEL TURNER! And thanks to our amazing partners, the celebration spreads across Image titles with WITCHBLADE TEAM-UP VARIANTS, including this issue’s connecting cover that joins with THE DARKNESS #8, featuring art by PAT BOUTIN & STEVE FIRCHOW!

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