A Handful of Arrows

From the acclaimed author of Optic Nerve and Portrait of an Unknown Lady, a rich and whimsical collection exploring the way works of art move both through the physical world and our cultural imaginations

One night in Buenos Aires, during the filming of his movie Tetro, Francis Ford Coppola told María Gainza, "An artist comes into the world with a quiver of golden arrows. He can shoot them all as a young man, as an adult, or even as an old man. He can also shoot them a few at a time, spaced out over the years. That would be ideal, but you know, the ideal is the enemy of the good."

A Handful of Arrows is full of gems and curiosities: in it, you'll find a watercolor by Cézanne stolen from a Buenos Aires museum, a walk along Thoreau's Walden Pond, the mysterious paintings of Bodhi Wind in Californian pools featured in Robert Altman's enigmatic Three Women, photographs rescued from a briefcase, evocative oil paintings by Catalan painter Nicolás Rubió of a French village where he spent the Spanish Civil War, the cosmopolitan life and memories of sculptor María Simón, the travels of painter Francis Hopkinson and his assistant Moon in Mexico, and a cursed painting by Titian.

Straddling the line between essay and narrative, María Gainza continues to explore new ways of understanding art and history, breaking down genre barriers and inviting readers into her kaleidoscopic world.

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