Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness & Surgery

The most trusted medical resource, now updated, expanded and revised

For almost three decades, readers have turned to The Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness & Surgery for the most comprehensive and easy-to-use tool for diagnosing, understanding and seeking treatment for any illness—from the common cold to life-threatening cancer and heart disease. With up-to-date information on new medical therapies, drugs and surgeries, this authoritative, all-in-one handbook will help sort out the confusing and conflicting information found online and many other places.

This edition has been completely revised and updated throughout and features:

•More than 20 new illness and disorders topics, ranging from Chronic Pain Syndrome to Perimenopause to Silent Stroke and Smoking Addiction

•Appendix covering diets and other preventive measures

•An extensive Glossary of medical-related words and terminology with easy-to-understand explanations about medical tests and brief descriptions of certain rare diseases and disorders

From signs and symptoms to information on complications and outcomes, from diagnostic tests to advice on when to call the doctor, The Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness & Surgery is the most reliable and accessible resource available.

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