Dungeon Crawler Carl: Deluxe Edition (Dungeon Crawler Carl #1, Hardcover)

Same chaos, fancier outfit. Carl is still standing in the snow in his boxers, Princess Donut is still the most entitled show cat in the known universe, and Earth is still a twisting alien dungeon broadcast to the entire galaxy for laughs. What changes here is everything you hold: a hardcover dressed head to toe in artwork by Victo Ngai, built to sit face out on the shelf.

The case itself hides a maze you can actually solve. The jacket has illustrations printed on the inside, the edges are stenciled, and a ribbon marker printed with Carl and Donut keeps your place between floors. Then there are the extras longtime crawlers will flip to first: a Q&A with Matt Dinniman conducted by Princess Donut herself (she has notes), and part one of the bonus story "Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret."

A gorgeous first read for the friend who keeps saying they'll start the series, and an easy yes for anyone who already has.

• Book 1 of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman, Ace hardcover, 464 pages
• Cover and artwork by Victo Ngai, with decorated endpapers and art on the inside of the jacket
• Fully illustrated case with a solvable maze, plus stenciled edges
• Four-color printed ribbon marker featuring Carl and Donut
• Bonus content: an author Q&A hosted by Princess Donut and part one of "Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret"