Bettina and the Ball

In her autobiographical picture book, acclaimed educator and former college basketball player Bettina Love reflects on how she first fell in love with basketball at her father’s knee—honoring the beauty and brilliance of childhood joy.

From one of the most important voices on the lives of Black children today comes a story that champions girls who love sports and touts the importance of perseverance and following your dreams, regardless of what others say you can or can’t do. “Practice and patience, Love,” Bettina’s dad tells her when her love affair with basketball begins. And she takes his advice to heart, from the ba-dum ba-dum of her dribbling to the beautiful swish when the ball finds the net. From the time Bettina wakes until the time she sleeps, she and the ball spend all day together, dancing to the beat of her heart. And when a bigger kid chases her off the court because she’s a girl, it takes only her dad’s reminder that nobody can tell her what or whom to love, and she feels her heartbeat again, stronger than ever. Paired with Frank Morrison’s energetic illustrations, Bettina Love’s picture-book debut makes clear that when you love something fearlessly, not only can it be contagious—it can be everything.

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