Never been to a comic convention before? It’s time to fix that!

Conventions are a fun and safe way to meet new people and embrace your nerdy side! They offer you opportunities to see the latest and greatest things, shop for comics and collectibles, get signatures from your favorite artists and actors, and meet lots of new people with similar interests to yours. Some of our best friendships have been borne out of convention experiences.

We know that new things, especially large events, can be stressful and even seem rather overwhelming to start.

But never fear, the Gambit Spotters are here to guide you with some handy tips and tricks for making your first convention go as smoothly as possible!

This series is geared toward those of you who are VERY new to the convention circuit, but may have information beneficial to all. We’re always picking up new tips along the way from our fellow con-goers!

The first segment is going to focus on things that you need to do before the event, such as finding cons, buying your tickets, arranging places to stay, getting to the convention, and the most important part: what to wear?

Find your convention:

Where do you even begin? Well, first things first - you have to find a convention that you want to go to. I’m sure by now you’ve heard of some of the bigger cons; San Diego Comic Con, New York Comic Con, Galaxy Con – but there’s a TON of smaller cons out there for you to check out as well, you just have to know where to find them!

Start by creating a list of people you want to meet: Looking for specific artists? Comic book writers? Actors or voices of your favorite characters? Start by making a list of who you want to meet someday, and then use that list to find conventions where they appear. If you’re looking to meet a Gambit actor, use our handy Actor Spotting list to help find a con where they’re going to make an appearance. Some of the creatives you want to meet may post their con appearances on their social media accounts, so you can check those too to see if they have any dates posted nearby!

Not sure of names? Don’t panic. Start by looking at old comics and writing down writers and artists who have a style you like, or checking websites like IMDb which name all the actors for your favorite shows. Be sure to note what show/comic/movie/etc they’re from on your list so you don’t forget who’s who.

Track down a convention by word of mouth: Check with your nerdy friends or social media acquaintances to see if they have gone to any conventions that you might be interested in. This can also help you start to form a group of people to go with, if you’re nervous to go alone (Plus, you can save some money by carpooling or splitting a hotel)!

Use the internet to help you find a convention: If you don’t know anyone who can point you in the right direction, the best place to start your search is websites like Roster Con which allows you to search for events by location, media type, or even by looking for a specific guest. Use that resource to discover cons in your area that you may want to attend, and follow the provided links to learn more about the conventions that fit your criteria. There’s even fandom specific cons like the Uncanny Experience in Minneapolis that is exclusively for the X-Men Fandom (and it’s a great time!).

See if the conventions have guests that interest you: Look at the guests they have scheduled to appear and see if they have their panel schedule posted yet. Many conventions start posting updates months before the actual con, with guests even being added the weeks before. Check back frequently or follow their social media for important updates. Double check your list to see if any of the guests are people you want to see! Sometimes the guests might have announcements on their socials before the conventions update their websites, so make sure to check in a few different places.

See what kinds of panels they offer: There are two different ways to see celebrities, artists, and other important guests at cons: tabling, or signing autographs/photo ops/ selling merch in the convention hall - or as panelists during the convention (sometimes, they do both!) Panels are scheduled interviews where several celebrities are asked a series of questions or discuss certain projects. Panels are in rooms separate from the main convention and occur at specific times. Panels are generally included in the ticket price (if not, that will usually be posted). Be sure to check the convention website to see what panels they have planned, and if any of these interest you. There are also fandom panels, cosplay panels, podcasting panels, and many more options put on by creatives to check out as well! Check them out, you never know what cool things you may learn!

Start making a loose plan of what you want to see: It doesn’t have to be exhaustive- just start writing down things you see at the convention that you want to do. Panels that you’d like to go to, autographs you’d like to get while you’re there - vendors or artists you would like to buy from. You may end up making a first draft list that’s more than you can manage for the schedule, but don’t panic - we’ll be getting into planning more in Part 3.

Remember to Bookmark: Don’t forget to bookmark the websites to refer back to as the con dates approach, so you can buy tickets and view the schedule when it is posted.

Buying Your Tickets:

Figure out when tickets go on sale: Most cons are annual events and announce dates/ start offering tickets for the next year as soon as they finish the current convention. Be sure to keep an eye on convention websites for important dates and times for ticket sales if you’re planning on attending.

Take advantage of early-bird sales: Shop early and see if early-bird ticket pricing is offered. Many cons will offer discounted tickets in the months leading up to their event- If you plan on going far enough in advance you can take advantage of this and save some money.

Know how many days you plan on attending: Most conventions sell daily tickets for entry but offer multi-day tickets for those attending the whole event. If you plan on going for more than one day, the multi-day ticket may be a cheaper option than buying days individually.

Check for discounts: Be sure to take advantage of any discounts you may be eligible for, including things like student, active military, or senior citizen. Many conventions offer reduced price tickets for these groups. Going with a large group? See if there are group rates available. Some conventions offer discounts if you buy multiple tickets at the same time. Available discounts should be listed on the conventions website.

To VIP or not to VIP: Confused by the different levels? What do they mean? Well, each convention does things a little differently so it really depends on the con. All offer general admission which will get you in the door. Most will also offer some kind of VIP ticket (or several kinds of VIP tickets) that allows you a range of benefits including things like early access, designated seating, shorter lines, or other perks like merch and swag. If these perks fit into your budget and there’s a benefit to spending the extra money, VIP may be the way to go for you. But be sure to act fast because VIP tickets are usually limited to a pre-designated number and when they’re sold out, that’s it!

Don’t wait until the day of to buy your tickets: Sure, some smaller cons may offer day-of tickets, but if you’re already planning on going, don’t wait until you get there to pick up your ticket. Avoid suffering heartbreak at the door because the event sold out for the day.

Print your ticket or save it to your phone: Don’t lose your ticket confirmation before you get checked in to the event, otherwise you may be denied entry. Be sure to keep a copy of your ticket where you can easily access it. Do not depend on the convention to have your name on a list. At check-in, most bigger conventions will provide you with a badge to wear on provided lanyard during the convention, which acts as your ticket. You need to have this visible at all times, or provide it when asked. If you’re picking up your physical badge at the convention, have that email confirmation ready on your phone before you check in or go through security. Some bigger events may mail you your badge in advance of the convention to the address you provided when you checked out. Double check those options when you purchase your ticket so you know when to keep an eye on your mailbox.

Remember that tickets get you into the con, but certain things cost extra: Tickets generally give you access to the convention floor, artist alley, and panels. You will need to keep in mind that autographs and photos/selfies with creators will cost you more. Bigger cons will often have pre-sale packages for autographs/photos that can save you money, or help you plan your expenses accordingly prior to getting there. Creators sometimes also post their autograph prices on social media prior to the event, so check their pages to see. Some of these can be in excess of $100 - so it is important to do some research before the event.

Which brings us to another important step - remember to budget: Everything at conventions costs money. You have to pay to get tickets, pay to park the car- there’s things to buy, autographs to collect, food, and drinks … Be sure to plan your budget before you get there. Know how much you are willing to spend on big ticket items like autographs, and how much spending money you will need to bring. Keep in mind that ATM’s can be VERY expensive on site, so plan on bringing cash with you if you want to buy anything. Cash is also king in Artist Alley and the vendors on the convention floor too - it’ll be easier for you to haggle and make deals with vendors too. Having a set amount of cash ahead of time can also help you keep track of your spending and stay on budget (may have learned this the hard way).

Where to stay:

If you are traveling into the area to attend the convention, your best (and often cheapest) bet is to stay at one of the hotels recommended by the convention. Most will have a list of hotels they partnered with for reduced rates for convention attendees. These hotels are usually listed on their website, sometimes on a map, with distance from the venue listed (walk or drive time) so you can plan on how to get to the event.

The most important thing to note here: The event website will have special links to book with the event pricing already in place. Do NOT book through the hotel websites directly (unless they provide you with a code to do so) because you may not get the best rate that way. The event website will usually provide you with information on how to book from their list of recommended hotels, be sure to read information fully before booking.

Getting to the Con:

Driving: If you’re fairly local or staying close by, you can likely drive or rideshare to the convention. Most conventions do charge for parking, and that can get pretty pricey. Be sure to check the event website for parking information prior to hitting the road so you don’t find out the hard way when you arrive how much it costs and that they only take cash (learn from our mistakes, new ones). Many events do have drop-off spots for popular rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft as well if those are options to you. If you are at a busier convention or in a larger city, you may be able to find a quicker and/or cheaper rideshare if you walk a little ways away from the convention center during the busier parts of the day.

Public transportation: Public transportation may also be an option, depending on the convention location. Most major convention centers in big cities are fairly close to public transportation (bus, light rail, etc). Be sure to look into those options early so you know what kinds of transport and timetables are available to you. Some hotels may even have shuttles that can take you directly to the convention center from your hotel!

On foot: If you live close by or are staying close by at a hotel, walking to the event is always an option. Many convention centers have walking paths or signage to get you to and from nearby hotels. Map your route before the con starts to make sure there aren’t any issues and that it gets you to the right entrance.

Make sure to check the usual weather: Nothing stinks more than booking an accommodation further away and then realizing it’s going to be 100 degrees outside or pouring rain when you are there. Check the usual weather for that time of year to make sure that walking from the hotel to the venue is feasible without overheating or arriving sopping wet. Have a backup plan (like an uber or public transport) if walking conditions aren’t great.

To cosplay or not to cosplay:

Too intimidated to cosplay? That’s ok! You don’t have to commit to cosplay to attend comic-cons. You can go just as yourselves and still have a great time. The main thing is to be comfortable! If that involves you in comfy sneakers, jeans, and a nerd shirt, then so be it.

Going in street clothes the first time or two lets you experience navigating a con without a costume complicating your plans - and can help you understand what it will be like getting around a con in cosplay in the future if you decide to give it a go.

If you DO decide to cosplay, make sure that it’s something you can be comfortable walking around all day in. (We’ll dive deeper into some tips and tricks for navigating cosplay at comic conventions in Part 2) It’s a good idea to pack a change of clothes in a bag/your car or have a plan to go back to your hotel if you need to bail out partway through the day. There’s no shame in that at all!

Remember the goal is to have fun!

What’s next:

In the next segment we’re going to cover what you should bring to your first convention, compiled from a host of con-goers speaking from real-life experience, so stay tuned for Part 2!

Here’s a handy checklist for Part 1 for those who love lists:

• Make a list of who you want to see

• Find a convention you want to go to

• Check dates for the convention

• Check the weather for that location/time of year

• Look into travel/public transportation options

• Plan your budget

• Buy tickets to the convention

• Print/save your tickets somewhere safe (or see when they’ll be mailed to you)

• Book your hotel (if you’re getting one)

• Start planning your cosplay (if you are going to cosplay)

• Start looking at panels and making a rough plan/timeable of panels/things you want to see.

The first thing that you need to know is that all comic formats: Floppies, TPB’s, and omnibuses, come with a standard/base cover. They can also have optional covers called “variant covers” which come in a variety of designs and styles. Unlike a standard cover, not every book produced will have variant options, but in the modern era it is a likely occurrence.

So what’s the difference?

Usually it is just the outside cover art, though sometimes there may be special inserts added inside the comic as well. All other elements of the comic, TPB, or omnibus remains exactly the same. The interior of all of these comics contain the same panels, and they are the same story or collection of stories. You are basically choosing your favorite exterior art.

Shopping for a cover is like settling on the color of paint and trim level you want when you’re buying a car. Aesthetics go a long way, and sometimes the extra features will cost a little more. Options can be fun to look at, as long as you take one home that fits your budget. We’ll expand more into more detailed art options in part 4.

For the purposes of this article we’re going to be talking about mostly modern comics (post-1990). Diving into vintage comics is a whole ball of wax for another time. For the moment, let’s start with talking about the big differences between standard covers and variants.

Standard covers

All comic books are released with a standard or base cover option. They are also referred to as an “A Cover” “Regular Cover” “Main Cover” “Primary Cover.” Sometimes they’re just discussed as the “cover.” No matter the terminology, the meaning is the same, they are the primary cover/art for a particular issue.

The standard cover is the design that the team working on the book has selected to reflect the storyline contained inside (though sometimes they might be plot misdirects). The image is usually full color and features characters from the book and is commonly drawn by the artist doing the interior art on the comic issue, but that is not always the case. The standard cover is generally used in merchandising and advertisements for the issue.

Standard covers have the most issues printed and as such are the most common covers to find in retail spaces and on secondary markets. As far as rarity goes, they’re only rare if they are older, harder-to-find issues.

For an example, this is the standard cover for Uncanny X-Men, the first full appearance of Gambit which came out in 1990.

Now, sometimes standard covers of new issues are so popular they are reprinted- the result is simply referred to as a “reprint” or labeled with the number of the printing (for example, “2nd” or “3rd” printing). A fairly recent reprint is Uncanny X-Men (2024) #1. In this case, there are slight differences to coloration to differentiate the first and third printings which share the same cover art. It does not count as a variant unless the cover art is a completely different image.

In some cases, popular older comics are reprinted. For example, the standard cover of Uncanny X-Men (1981) #266 has been reprinted several times- including in 2019 and 2024. Reprints of older issues are often referred to as “facsimile” covers because they are a copy of the original. If you’re trying to track down older comics, be sure to double check that you are buying an original and not a facsimile cover. Responsible sellers will document this or put the year of publishing in the listing. The point is they look identical to the original. Another handy tip is to look at the price in the corner art - reprints will have a different price than the original (Note the 1990 comic shown above was $1.00, the more recent reprint below is priced at $4.99).

Of course, some things will add value to standard cover comics, such as a signature by the artist, or if they’re CGC graded. Graded comics are any that have been professionally rated (that’s the number in the upper left corner) and sealed into a plastic case to protect them. Once they’re sealed, that’s it. they remain there to hold their value. Having comics rated can be expensive and should only be done to comics that you think will hold or increase in value over time. We’ll do another post going deeper into CGC grading in the future.

Standard Covers that are seen as variants

Some standard covers (especially in comics from the 90’s and further back) had minor additions that cause them to be seen as variants.

Special inserts - Special inserts are advertisements which increase the value/rarity of the issue but the cover art will remain the same. One of the most popular and well known insert was done by Mark Jewelers. They included an advertisement for their stores in about 5% of the issues for certain titles. Uncanny X-Men (1990) #266 was one such title. Finding one of these in a good condition copy can skyrocket its value.

Newsstand Copies - Another thing to note, especially if you are looking for comics from the early X-Men days, is that there were different versions of the standard cover printed depending on their final retail destination.

Copies sold direct to comic shops did not used to have a UPC code. However, newsstand copies, intended for sale at streetside newsstands did. For the direct copies, they instead printed a drawing or small advertisement in the space where the UPC would be. Some circles consider newsstand copies an early variant, but the only thing different is the presence or absence of a barcode. This practice has since fallen out of use and all comics include a UPC on the front or back cover regardless of their point of sale location.

Value-wise, newsstand copies were generally treated more roughly due to increased contact by non-collectors, and have a decreased chance of remaining in good condition. If you happen to find one in excellent shape, it may end up being worth a pretty penny.

Variant cover history

In the modern era, many comics no longer just have the standard single cover option.

Most now come with more than one cover (well, at least they have since the mid-1980s). The first comic marketed with a variant cover was a DC Comic, Man of Steel (1986) #1 by John Byrne.

It sold so well that it kicked off a new era with companies producing more cover alternatives for people to purchase. This helped encourage collectors to pick up multiple copies of the same book and boosted comic sale numbers.

Variant covers have been a fairly successful market since they broke into the mainstream. Today they are one of the things most sought out by collectors, and they vary widely in rarity, artists, colors, and even materials.

Defining a variant

Now that we’ve given you some background into standard covers and how variants started becoming a thing, let’s dig deeper into variants and what that name entails.

Anything that is not the regular cover is a variant cover. In the Marvel world, you’ll hear these described as variants, or referred to by a letter other than A (which is your regular cover). So “B cover” “C Cover” or “D Cover” would be an indicator that they are a Marvel variant. The corner boxes will also indicate if they are a variant cover, usually using the words “Variant Edition” but sometimes they may not be marked.

Variant covers fall broadly into several categories. We’re going to try to explain those and show you some different examples as we discuss each one. Let’s start with the most common types.

Comic shop variants

These variants are the most common types of variant cover, available at your local comic shop storefronts or online.

Free-to-Order/Open Order variants - This doesn’t mean free to the consumer, this means that comic shops are free to order as many copies of a variant cover that they would like to try to sell. They are just a different cover art, and sell for the same retail price. Below is the regular cover for Uncanny X-Men (2024) #23 by David Marquez (who is doing the book interior), and two of the free-to-order variants by Domenico Cava and NetEase Games. They are usually listed by the artists name, for example the middle comic below would be the “Domenico Cava Variant”

Incentive Covers - Incentive covers are a way comic companies try to get retailers to order more issues of a particular book. Usually, these comics are listed with a ratio next to them such as 1:100, 1:50, or 1:25. This means is for every one copy of the variant cover, the store would have to order a certain amount of regular covers or free-to-order variants as well. For 1:100, it would be 100 comics, 1:50 it would be 50 comics, and 1:25 it would be 25. Other common ratios are 1:5 and 1:10.

Because Incentive covers are rarer, they usually fetch a higher price, well above “sticker cost.” Shops set their own pricing for these so they will vary from store to store. The more rare the ratio, the higher the price. Usually the price is pretty close to the ratio - e.g. 1:25 should be about $25 USD, 1:100 about $100 USD. Covers will be listed in shops and online as the “(ratio) (artist name) variant” so you should be able to expect at least roughly how much the comic will run.

The example we have for an incentive cover is Uncanny X-Men (2024) #23. The incentive cover is by Rickie Yagawa, and it is a 1:25. So this particular issue will be the “1:25 Rickie Yagawa Variant” and the store will only have one of these for every 25 regular covers or open order variants it has.

Incentive variants may also have special attributes to them beyond just different art. Those variants may be listed by attribute (such as virgin, connector, or foil) instead of or in addition to the artists name - we’ll get into that more specifically in part 4.

There’s also something called a “party” incentive for larger retailers that is generally tied to new title launches. If the store orders a large enough number of the new title issues and is part of the “launch” of said title, they get a “party” variant as an incentive for joining the launch party.

Incentive covers may also be marked as “retailer incentive” or “RI” covers on the secondary market, for those of you looking at places like eBay.

Retailer Exclusive Variants - Retailer exclusive variants are a special comic cover designed by the publisher and sent to stores who have ordered a set amount of copies. They are usually part of a limited production print run, resulting in low available numbers and greater rarity. Generally, a retailer exclusive variant is a single cover design (and possibly variants of that design, see below) which is sent to a single retailer (or partnership group). It may also have the purchasing stores name or logo printed on the front or back cover. To get these covers, you will need to visit the specific retailer that has them.

Retailer exclusives may be marked as such on the front cover, and may be advertised as “retailer exclusive” or “RE” on secondary markets. The price on these will vary by rarity and demand.

Store Variants are a type of retailer exclusive variant where the retailer or store directly commissions the publisher to produce a variant cover for their stores and only their stores based on art they request. In many cases, the retailer works with an artist or chooses from a list of approved artists to produce the cover art and submits that to the publisher. Store variants may also have their own variants as well (such as a black and white version). If you would like to purchase a store variant cover, you can only purchase it directly from the store that ordered it. For example, this variant for Uncanny X-Men (2024) #1 by Nathan Szerdy is only available through Unknown Comics or their partners, who had the cover made for their own use. Popular artists like J. Scott Campbell use their own art to commission store variants and then sell their cover work on their own website.

Non comic shop variants

There are also variant covers that are variants from specific places. Some of these are places for only the retailers, and some that are for everyday customers. Let’s break those down.

Special Event Retailer Exclusives: There are retailer exclusive variants that are meant to only be distributed at retailer events. These are more rare than traditional retailer exclusives, and are called Diamond Retailer Summit Variants. They are only printed in very limited numbers for these events, are specially marked, and can be quite expensive to acquire.

Convention/Event Variants - This seems pretty self explanatory. Convention variants are popular at larger comic conventions such as San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) and New York Comic Con (NYCC). They usually have a special logo on the front or back cover and are printed in low volumes/limited runs. Sometimes it is a single issue, sometimes, there’s about 1000 copies total. The issue below is the Fan Expo 2024 Stanley ‘Artgerm’ Lau Variant of Uncanny X-Men (2024) #1.

Another example is this David Marquez variant made for NYCC of Uncanny X-Men (2024) #4. Convention variants are fun to look for both at the con and at secondary markets!

DVD Variants - DVD variants are generally reprinted or special edition mini comics that were sold inside of DVD/Blu-ray releases. They are available at non-comic book stores like Target or Walmart. They are becoming less common now due to the rise of streaming - but they have been out in the last decade so keep an eye out!

Mail Away Variants - These are now rarer and mostly found on secondary markets. Mail away comic variants were the result of a partnership between comic producers and non-comic companies. Consumers would buy a product like cookies or a board game and mail in the UPC to be sent a variant cover. Sometimes, there would be a voucher for a comic or a full comic packaged in with a board game, such as this issue of Uncanny X-Men (1993) #297. These were mostly phased out by the early 2000s.

That should cover most of the common variant types you will come across as an X-Men collector coming into the fandom. Hopefully these explanations will help you start dipping your toes into the variant collecting hobby!

Next up: The variations in the variants! Stay tuned for part 4!

It was probably more than a little overwhelming at first, but I promise it will all make sense once you get into the comic shop and start looking around.

That being said, the most complicated part is over — and now we get to start on the fun part! Comic covers! We’re going to begin with information on the anatomy of a cover, so you get a basic understanding of the elements used in comic book cover design.

Getting started

All comics; single issues, trade paperbacks, and the omnibus — come with a cover. It’s the outside bit of the book with the flashy picture on it. It is how the book advertises what is inside, and is the first thing most people in the comic shop see. The artwork on the cover is meant to draw the reader in and make them want to read the contents.

Each book type comes with a standard/base cover, and can also have optional covers called “variant covers” which come in a variety of designs and styles.

We’ll dive into more about standard and variant covers in part 3 of this series, but for now let’s start with the basics, getting familiar with the parts of a cover!

The anatomy of a cover:

For the purposes of this article we’re going to lean more towards how Marvel does things, but other companies also follow similar “rules,” so this should still help you out, should you venture outside of the Marvel Verse.

We’re going to begin with our floppies. If you happen to have one handy, it might be worth it to have with you as you read along.

Single Issues:

Single issues in the modern era follow the same general look. They contain a whole page image, usually in full color, and typically referencing the story contained in a particular issue (though that is not always the case with variant covers — we’ll get into that next time).

Single issues have a box in the upper corner containing the logo of the publisher, and other important information such as the issue number, lot number, and rating (most of these are rated teen+), though sometimes the rating appears in different locations and is not within the box itself. In the past, the information also included dates, pricing information, and other logos. This box is referred to as a “corner box” and sometimes contains another image, like the corner box shown below from the third issue of Rogue: The Savage Land (2025). This corner box features Rogue, Ka-Zar and Magneto character faces. Corner box art has its own echelon of collectors too who seek out particular artists or rare examples.

The corner box can be on the right or the left side of the comic book. It usually depends on the art and the design flow of the cover. Here’s an example of a corner box on the right corner, Uncanny X-Men (2024) #2.

And an example of a corner box on the left corner, Uncanny X-Men (2024) #3.

Occasionally, they’ll also end up in a lower corner, though that is not as common, as shown in Uncanny X-Men (2024) #20. It again really depends on the design of the art on the cover, and where the box fits best, esthetically.

Beyond the corner box, you’ll also see the book title (usually a standardized logo, like “the Uncanny X-Men” shown above in all three examples). Sometimes the cover will include a tagline which may or may not be the issue title. In the examples above, the issue title of issue #2 is “Who are the Outliers?” and issue #3 is ”Catch the Elf” which are both shown below the title logo. Issue #20 does not include the issue title. It varies for the same reason the corner box moves- to accommodate the design of the cover art.

Also listed on the cover is the credits: generally the last names of those who worked on the issue. This is usually listed in the order writer, artist/penciller/inker, colorist, and letterer. In the examples above you’ll see “Simone Marquez Wilson” across the top of each issue for #2 and #3, and “Simone Vecchio Wilson” on the bottom left corner of issue #20. In these cases, that refers to Gail Simone (writer), David Marquez (artist), and Matthew Wilson (colorist) and Gail Simone (writer), Luciano Vecchio (artist), and Matthew Wilson (colorist), respectively.

Here’s a handy chart so you can see each part labeled.

More details of the cover elements are featured inside the book, where there’s more space to elaborate. The very first page of the comic usually contains the logo (again), the “stars” of the comic (aka, the characters appearing in this issue), a storyline summary or sometimes a review of what happened in previous issues, the issue title, full creator credits, and legal details like copyrights. That’s really better left inside so the art can be the focus of the outer cover. We’ll dig more into comic interiors in a future article.

Here’s the first page of Uncanny X-Men (2024) #20.

Trade Paperbacks and the Omnibus:

Trade Paperback and Omnibus covers vary, like most paperback and hardcover books.

They generally contain the the stylized book title, but other elements are included or excluded based on the overall cover design. Multi-issue books do not have a corner box or an issue number as seen in single issues.

Often, they include the publishers logo, the TPB/Omnibus name, and primary credits. They may also include a collection name, a tagline or a press/review snippet as well.

Sometimes, the art featured on the cover is the cover art from one of the issues contained in the book, and sometimes it is new art or a part of a previous cover. The primary image is not always full-page, sometimes it has a border or other banners/graphics to allow for the addition of extra text. The back covers sometimes also contain full page graphics. Back covers are usually where synopsis, included issues, and pricing information is located.

Like the comic covers, the point of the front cover is to draw the reader in and make them buy the book. Additional credits and wordier information about what the books include, like in floppies, is written out in the first page or two.

Here’s some examples of regular TPB/Omnibus covers.

A TPB for The Uncanny X-Men (2024), Red Wave, Collecting Uncanny X-Men (2024) 1-6, X-Men (2021) 35, Free Comic Book Day 2024: Blood Hunt/X-Men 1. It features a press/review snippet above the book title. The cover art is the same as Uncanny X-Men (2024) #1.

An older TPB, Lifedeath collecting Uncanny X-Men(1981) #53, #186, #198, #205 and #214. The cover contains elements of the cover for Uncanny X-Men #198.

A larger more recently released TPB relating to the LifeDeath arc- collecting Uncanny X-Men(1981) #176-188, Kitty Pryde and Wolverine (1984) #1-6 and material from Marvel Fanfare (1982) #40. It features a banner showing it is part of the “Epic Collection.” It is also based on an issue cover, Uncanny X-Men (1984) #185.

An omnibus for The Trial of Gambit collecting Uncanny X-Men (1981) #341-350, -1; X-Men (1991) #62-64, -1; Imperial Guard (1997) #1-3; Psylocke & Archangel: Crimson Dawn (1997) #1-4; Gambit (1997) #1-4; Bishop: Xavier Security Enforcer (1998) #1-3; Marvel Fanfare (1996) #4-5; Longshot (1998) #1; material from Marvel Valentine Special (1997) #1. It only contains cover art from Uncanny X-Men (1981) #350 and no additional text beyond the book title.

An omnibus for X-Men (1991), collecting X-Men (1991) #1-16 and Annual (1992) #1, Uncanny X-Men (1981) #281-297 and Annual (1992) #16, Ghost Rider (1990) #26-27, X-Factor (1986) #84-86, X-Force (1991) #16-18 And Stryfe’s Strike File #1 -- And Material From X-Factor Annual #7, X-Force Annual (1992) #1, Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #89 And X-Men: Odd Men Out. It features the book title and omnibus title, publisher logo and credits.

As you can see, there’s a lot of style variation in the paperback and hardcover books, but they generally tell you the pertinent information-

• What team of characters are involved

• Who published it

• The main storyline(s) included

• The writer, artist, and colorists involved

This helps you recognize and pick books that are relevant to your interests at first glance.

That concludes our comic lesson today, as always feel free to bookmark or print this article for reference, should you need to look it over again. You can also drop us a comment if you have any questions. We’re here to help!

Up next:

We’re going to get into variant covers!

We know it can be intimidating at first glance, but the Spotters are here to help start your comic collecting journey on the right foot.

This series will provide you with easy-to-understand information, so you know what you’re getting yourself into before you hit your local comic shop.

Let’s start with the basics.

• The Marvel Comic Universe

• Storyline lengths

• Types of comic books

• Where to buy

Finding the right universe

So let’s jump right into it with the important question - Where is Rogue?

That’s not a straightforward answer - but generally, she can be found in the primary Marvel universe, though she does have “variants” or other versions floating around too. Let’s dig into that.

The Primary Marvel Universe

The primary Marvel Universe/timeline is Earth-616. A majority of the X-Men Comics (commonly referred to collectively as the X-Books) contain interconnected stories about things occurring within this universe. Readers/collectors will often refer to this as “primary universe” or just by the “616” designator, so we can differentiate its connected storylines from any other universes or timelines.

616 is not the same universe as the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) though that does borrow heavily from the 616 continuity. It’s also not the same universe as X-Men the Animated series or X-Men ‘97. But again, they do borrow elements.

Some recent X-Men team books in the Primary Marvel Universe include:

• X-Men (2024) (also referred to as adjectiveless)

• Uncanny X-Men (2024)

• X-Factor (2024)

• Exceptional X-Men (2024)

• X-Force (2024)

• NYX (2024)

Rogue is currently in the Uncanny X-Men team book, though she has historically popped up all over the 616 universe, and not always in X-Books! If you’re looking for her specifically, X-Books are a great place to start.

Some book titles are re-used over time, and are cataloged as different volumes only differentiated by the starting year- shown in parenthesis after the title in databases. Uncanny X-Men is currently on Volume 6; Previous volumes are Uncanny X-Men (1981), Uncanny X-Men (2012), Uncanny X-Men (2013), Uncanny X-Men (2016) and Uncanny X-Men (2019). New titles will always start with volume 1, so if the title is ever re-used in the future they can appropriately catalog sequels.

Alternate Universes:

Anything occurring outside of the primary Marvel universe including potential futures or alternative timelines, is referred to as an Alternate Timeline or Alternate Universe (AU). Each of these creates a different “Earth” that is different from 616 and is given another universe designator such as Earth-1191 (timeline Bishop is from). If no official designator is given sometimes they will be given an unofficial temporary designator in the marvel database like Earth-TRN938 created for What If…? #-1. The Rogues in these universes are a variant of 616 Rogue. They are a separate person, and have different stories. Rogue has dozens of variants that have been created since her introduction.

Some well-known AU’s include:

• Age of Apocalypse (1995) / X-Men of Apocalypse (2025) Earth-295

• X-Men Forever (2009) Earth-161

• Ultimate Wolverine (2025) Earth-6160

• Unbreakable X-Men (2025) Earth-TRN1498 (part of the Age of Revelation)

• New Exiles (2008) Earth-6706

Ok, now lets get to the difference between the books!

Storyline lengths

One-Shots

A one shot is a short, stand-alone, or self contained story that is limited to a single issue or publication. You don’t need to know any previous storyline before diving into these, and some of them feature AU’s. 616 one-shots add to the character’s history, and may be referenced in in other comics or stories. One shots are labeled as #1 even though there are no following issues. They also are their own stand-alone volumes for the same reason.

A good example of an AU one shot is What If… Galactus Transformed Rogue? (2025)

Limited Series

A limited series is a story arc continuing over multiple books for a set amount of issues. The number of issues is predetermined, and it is set before production even starts on the comics. Sometimes a limited series is referred to as a miniseries (or mini), or a maxiseries (depending on the number of issues). The number of issues varies by company, but Marvel runs in the wheelhouse of 3-10 issues for a limited series/mini. Issues are numbered ascending starting with 1, by release. They may also have prequel issues with a 1/2, 0 or -1 issue #. Limited series may be solos (featuring one character) or team/team-up books, and may have multiple volumes (the multiple volumes may also include ongoing series with the same name). Limited series are also referred to as storyline “runs.”

A good example of a limited series solo is Rogue (1994) which contains 4 issues.

A good example of a team-up Limited Series is Rogue and Gambit (2018) which ran for 5 issues. It has a second volume, Rogue and Gambit (2023) that also ran for five issues.

Ongoing Series

An ongoing series is a comic series, containing multiple story arcs that runs indefinitely until it finishes the overall story it is trying to tell or it ends in cancellation. The number of comics is not limited to a particular stopping point, these generally run until they stop selling well or the overarching storyline concludes. Ongoing series are usually published monthly or bi-monthly on a set schedule. Issues are numbered ascending starting with 1, by release. They may also have prequel issues with a 1/2, 0 or -1 issue #. Ongoing series may be solos (featuring one character) or team/team-up books, and may have multiple volumes (the multiple volumes may also include limited series with the same name). Ongoing series, along with limited series are also referred to as storyline “runs.” Ongoing series also have something called an “Annual” that is one comic released yearly that is similar to a one-shot, but ties into the plot of the ongoing series and has yearly sequels as long as the ongoing is running.

A good example of a solo ongoing series is Rogue (2005) which ran for 12 issues.

A good example of a team ongoing series is Uncanny X-Men (2024) which is still in production.

Types of comics

Now that you’re familiar with the universe and story types, let’s figure out what kind of comic you’re going to look for. This comes down to preference- do you want to collect individual comics or have a heftier book for your bookshelf?

Single issues

Just as it says, this is a single-issue comic book. They’re individually numbered, and are either a one shot, or part of a limited/ongoing series. Paper copies are affectionately referred to as “floppies” because they do not have a hard cover. Floppies are generally loose on the shelves or stacked in comic shops for easy access.

Usually, comic shops will have a couple different sections for their single issues - current/new releases are usually out in a main display for easy selection:

If you’re looking for a series that has been ongoing for awhile or is no longer current, you can typically find those in boxes/shelves/drawers of older back-issues depending on your store. These are usually filed in some semblance of alphabetical order, and you may have to locate the “Misc” category of a letter to find what you’re looking for if there aren’t a lot of issues for that series. This can be more hit-or-miss, depending on the shop and the series. Here’s an example of “bin-diving” for issues of “Rogue”:

“bin-diving” is also quite popular at comic conventions, as retailers use those as a way to sell bin stock to people who may not otherwise go to their physical store. Conventions may have issues on a display wall as well, especially if they have a lot of older comics or special covers.

Some shops will have issues “bagged and boarded” or placed in a clear plastic sleeve with a plain white cardboard backer to protect them. If you purchase loose comics in store, you can pay extra to have your issues bagged and boarded for you. Most comics sold online come bagged and boarded as well. To keep them safe, many people put their floppies in personal “long boxes” or bins (as shown above) which can hold about 200 comics. There are also slightly smaller boxes called “short boxes” which also occasionally come printed, so you can store your floppies in smaller areas.

Here are a couple issues of Uncanny X-Men (2024) bagged and boarded as an example.

Collected Issues

Multiple single issues together in a larger publication is called a “collected issue.” There are two types of collected issues, Trade Paperbacks and Omnibuses.

Trade Paperbacks

Also called “trades” “TP” or “TPB,” a trade paperback is a collection of stories that were previously printed in individual issues, reprinted and bound into a small book. They usually contain a complete Limited/miniseries, a complete story arc from an ongoing series, or stories that share an arc across multiple comic titles. Ongoing series may have multiple TPB’s printed during their runs. Trade paperbacks are not numbered, they are usually named after the story arc they contain.

An example of a Trade Paperback containing a limited series, Rogue and Gambit: Ring of Fire. It collects Rogue and Gambit (2018) #1-5. (Note it has the same cover art as issue #1 of Rogue and Gambit (2018) shown above, but instead of the issue number, it has a title.

This is an example of a Trade Paperback containing a story arc from an ongoing series, Uncanny X-Men (2024). It is titled The Dark Artery, and collects Uncanny X-Men (2024) #9-16.

Omnibus

An omnibus is the biggest book you can get that collects comic stories. They are large format, hardcover books. An omnibus can include parts of an ongoing series (such as five years worth of ongoing issues at a time, or a particular longer arc), multiple smaller ongoing series together, an entire ongoing series in one book, or a combination of one-shots, limited series, and ongoing series. They may also be limited to a single writer or artist. Each omnibus will state what issues it collects, and it varies widely between books.

For example, the Trial of Gambit Omnibus coming out in 2026 collects Uncanny X-Men (1981) #341-350 And #-1, X-Men (1991) #62-64 And #-1, Imperial Guard (1997) #1-3, Psylocke & Archangel: Crimson Dawn (1997) #1-4, Gambit (1997) #1-4, Bishop: Xavier Security Enforcer (1998) #1-3, Marvel Fanfare (1996) #4-5, Longshot (1998) #1 And Material From Marvel Valentine Special (1997) #1. All of these issues are part of one related storyline.

Now that you know what’s what- let’s go buy some comics!

Where to get comics

If you prefer digital copies, the best bet (especially if you are looking for older comics or have a LOT of reading you want to do) is to purchase a subscription through Marvel Unlimited. It’s $9.99 a month and gives you access to the digital archives containing most of the marvel catalog. There’s a 3 month delay on new issues, but if you’re willing to wait it will save you in the long run versus buying hundreds of digital copies!

If you want new digital issues right when they drop, you can subscribe through Kindle devices using Comixology on Amazon. (US) You can buy one issue at a time or subscribe to get new releases automatically.

If you prefer paper copies, look for a local comic book shop (sometimes referred to as a LCS) in your area to make your purchases at. You can search online or in your local business directory to find one. League of Comic Book Geeks has a great locator for this purpose for those who live in the US! You can set up a “pull list” at your local shops so they set aside new releases from your favorite books every week for you to pick up and purchase! Some paper copies also include a code you can can which will also add them to your digital comics, if you collect digital as well.

If you live far from a comic shop, there’s several major comic retailers that offer online ordering/shipping. We’ve had success with Forbidden Planet (US and UK!) , or Third Eye Comics, Golden Apple Comics, and Midtown Comics in the US. You just have to find one that suits your needs.

And that’s where we’re leaving you today - hopefully this was not too much information overload. Feel free to bookmark or print this article for reference, should you need to look it over again. You can also drop us a comment if you have any questions. We’re here to help!

Up next:

As if all this information wasn’t enough to make your head spin- there’s more choices for you once you get to the shop. Over the next few parts of this series, we discuss cover options and variants!