Welcome to the Classic Comics & Collected Editions Forum!
Below is a general introduction to Collected Editions from all Publishers, with information that may be obvious to those who post here regularly but is vital to those new to Collected Editions...
Common Abbreviations/Terms
Collected Edition: A collection of single issues, bound together into a book.
TPB = Trade Paperback, a collection of comics in a softcover format usually 150-250 pages. Some larger TPBs can have up to 500 or more pages.
HC = Hardcover, a collection of comics in a hardcover format
OHC = Oversized Hardcover, refers to a hardcover that is larger in size than the trade paperback or regular sized hardcover format.
Deluxe = Oversized Hardcover, a name given to DC Oversized Hardcovers but also adopted by other publishers such as Image.
Omnibus = Also an OHC, but usually contains more issues from a specific comic run or writer.
Glued = Refers to the binding of a book, which is standard amongst trade paperbacks and in some hardcovers. It is not as good as a sewn binding.
Sewn = Refers to the binding of a book, preferred over a glued binding as it allows the book to open wider and lay flat. The preferred binding for hardcovers.
Gutter Loss = Refers to the loss of visible artwork and lettering on a page, caused by the binding.
IST = In Stock Trades, a popular web store to buy collected editions from
CGN = Cheap Graphic Novels, a popular web store to buy collected editions from
TOW = Tales of Wonder, a popular web store
LCS = Local Comic Store
Where to Buy
US:
In Stock Trades - IST http://www.instocktrades.com/
Cheap Graphic Novels - CGN http://www.cheapgraphicnovels.com/
Tales of Wonder- TOW www.talesofwonder.com
Canada
Chapters/Indigo http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/home/
International:
Amazon US or UK www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk
Book Depository US or UK www.bookdepository.com or www.bookdepository.co.uk
Abebooks www.abebooks.com
UK/Europe
Speedy Hen www.speedyhen.com
Amazon UK www.amazon.co.uk
Cheap Comics www.cheap-comics.com
Amazon Germany www.amazon.de
Publishers book Formats/Sizes:
Logo+DC.jpg
DC
Home of Batman, Superman and the Justice League
DC publishes books from imprints such as Vertigo and Wildstorm, as well as its own comics. These are in several formats, Trade Paperback(TPB), Showcase Presents(TPB), Hardcover(HC), Archives (HC), Deluxe(OHC), Omnibus and Absolute.
TPBs are the basic collection of comics, also the cheapest. Showcase Presents are collections of older comic runs in Black and White. Hardcovers are similar to TPBs but with a hard cover. DC Archives reprint runs from early comics published by DC and sometimes other publishers that have been restored. Deluxe editions are DC's OHC collections, often containing several issues. Omnibus editions contain large runs of comics in an oversized hardcover. Absolute Editions are the crown jewel of DC collected editions, larger than both Deluxes and Omnibus, collecting a single story or run in a slipcased hardcover. Regular HCs/Deluxes have a glued binding, Absolute Editions have sewn bindings. Currently DC Omnibus are using both sewn and glued bindings so please check the DC thread for more information on a specific book.
Sizes are below, and are generally accurate. Some earlier Omnibuses produced by DC were at the HC size rather than OHC size. There may be other books produced at different sizes than listed.
TPB - 10.1 x 6.6 inches
HC - 10.4 x 7 inches
Deluxe and Omnibus - 11 x 7.5 inches
Absolute - 12.5 x 8.25 (Without Slipcase) inches
A list of DC Hardcovers: Absolutes, Deluxe Editions and HC
A list of DC Hardcover Archives
DC TPBs
Showcase Presents
marvel-logo.jpg
Marvel
Home of the Avengers, Spider-man and the X-men
Marvel publishes books from its imprint Icon, as well as its own comics. in several formats, Digest (TPB), Trade Paperback(TPB), Essential(TPB), Hardcover(HC), Premiere hardcover (HC) Masterworks (also available in TPB), Oversized Hardcover(OHC), Omnibus and "Adamantium Collection".
Digest TPBs are similair to regular TPBs but at a smaller size. TPBs are the basic collection of comics, also the cheapest. Essential's are collections of older comic runs in Black and White. Hardcovers are similar to TPBs but with a hard cover. Premiere Hardcovers are similar to HCs but exclusively contain older classic comic runs. This line has been discontinued. Masterworks reprint runs from early comics published by Marvel that have been restored in regular HC or TPB form. Marvel OHCs, often contain several issues of recent comic runs or Events. Omnibus editions contain large runs of comics in an oversized hardcover. "Adamantium Collection" are the crown jewel of Marvel collected editions, larger than both Deluxes and Omnibus, collecting a single story or run in a slipcased hardcover. Regular HCs/OHCs have a glued binding, Masterworks HC and Omnibus editions have a sewn binding.
Sizes are below, and are generally accurate. There may be other books produced at different sizes than listed.
Digest TPB 7.8 x 5.3 inches
TPB/HC- 10.3 x 6.6 inches
Masterworks - 10 x 7 inches
OHC and Omnibus - 10.8 x 7.25 inches
Adamantium Collection - 20 x 13 inches
A list of Marvel Oversized Hardcovers
Marvel Omnibus Editions
Marvel Masterworks Editions
Marvel HCs & Premiere HCs
Masterworks TPBs
Marvel's Imprint Icon/Licensed Books
Marvel Epic/Ultimate Collection TPBS
Marvel TPBs
Essentials
324px-Dark_Horse_Comics_logo.svg.jpg
Dark Horse
Home of Hellboy, Conan, Sin City and others
Dark Horse books in several formats, Trade Paperback(TPB), Omnibus(TPB), Hardcover(HC), Archives (HC), Oversized Hardcover(OHC) and Library Editions.
Trade Paperbacks are the basic collection of comics, also the cheapest. Omnibus TPBs are smaller than regular TPBs but also contain more pages than a regular TPB. Hardcovers are similar to TPBs but with a hard cover. Oversized Hardcovers are bigger than regular HCs and also contain more issues. Library Editions are the crown jewel of Dark Horse editions, collecting several issues in the largest hardcover available. Dark Horse HCs tend to have sewn bindings, Library Editions always do, but check the Dark Horse thread for individual books.
Sizes are below, and are generally accurate. There may be other books produced at different sizes than listed.
Omnibus TPB - 8.8 x 6.8 inches
TPB - 10.2 x 6.6 inches
HC - 10.4 x 7 inches
OHC - 11 x 7.5 inches
Library Edition & Colossal - 12 x 9 inches
Dark Horse Archives/Library Editions
Image
Creator Owned
Image produces books in several formats, Trade Paperback(TPB), Hardcover(HC), Oversized Hardcover (OHC), Deluxe(OHC), Omnibus and Large OHC. Image books belong to the creators, so there can be big differences in the size of books called HC/Deluxe/Omnibus etc based on what the Writer/Artists desire their book to be made. Sizes are below, based off the Walking Dead sizes and are generally accurate. There may be other books produced at different sizes than listed.
Trade Paperbacks are the basic collection of comics, also the cheapest. Hardcovers are similar to TPBs but with a hard cover. Oversized Hardcovers are bigger than regular HCs and also contain more issues. Omnibus Editions are the crown jewel of Image editions, collecting several issues in the largest hardcover available.
TPB - 10.1 x 6.6 inches
HC - 10.4 x 7 inches
OHC - 11 x 7.5 inches
Omnibus - 12.6 x 8.5 inches
A complete list of Image series