Common Sense

The incendiary political pamphlet that helped launch the American Revolution, introduced by Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Gordon S. Wood

The revolutionary fervor that sparked the American Revolution in 1776 had been a long time coming. Since the early 1760s, hundreds of pamphlets had been published on both sides of the Atlantic debating the limits of Great Britain’s authority over its North American colonies. Yet most of these were written by educated gentlemen for educated readers like themselves.

Common Sense by Thomas Paine, published on January 10, 1776, was entirely different. It was like a bomb thrown into the midst of a sedate debate—exploding with a force that stunned and alarmed the gentry elites. Paine sought readers everywhere, especially in the tavern- and artisan-centered worlds of the cities. Even more important than the work’s accessibility was the fact that Paine wrote with a rage and a moral fury that few before him had ever expressed. He tapped into a deep anger shared by many common, middling people in these years—shopkeepers, traders, petty merchants—people weary of being scorned and held in contempt by a monarchical, aristocratic, hierarchical world.

Common Sense became the most influential pamphlet in the entire Revolutionary era, going through twenty-five editions in 1776 alone and selling 150,000 copies. Introduced here by Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Gordon S. Wood, this is the singular, electrifying work that galvanized a nation—and a people—who were ready for independence.

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