Both and Neither

Author of The Fact of a Body, and winner of this year’s Whiting Creative Nonfiction Grant, Alex Marzano-Lesnevich weaves memoir and history to explore how we bear witness to trans lives, past and present.

In Both and Neither: A Memoir and History of Gender (Or, A Haunting), Alex Marzano-Lesnevich weaves memoir and history to explore how we bear witness to trans lives, past and present, following four lives that have made—and unmade—gender in the public imagination.

Built on deep research and delivered with striking clarity, Marzano-Lesnevich brings into focus a fascinating cast: Joseph Lobdell, a nineteenth-century trans man confined to an asylum for loving a woman; Gerd Katter, a carpenter and early patient at Berlin’s Institute for Sexual Science; Pauli Murray, the visionary whose ideas helped ignite civil rights and feminist movements; and Claude Cahun, the artist who defied gender through radical self-invention.

And, as the archive opens, the story turns inward. Marzano-Lesnevich reckons with their own desires, relationships, and becoming, where intimacy’s ecstasy and ache collide with history’s long shadow. Both and Neither fuses daring scholarship with emotional precision to reclaim a past too often erased, reimagining what it means to be seen.

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