Dads on Duty

Dr. Alok Patel, Stanford/UCSF pediatrician and on-air contributor for ABC news, brings his expert insight and delightful humor to this fun, accessible parenting book.

In a world where moms are burnt out, plenty of dads have the desire to be proactive parents and supportive partners, but they need guidance to put this into action. That's where Dads on Duty comes in. It's a smart, funny survival guide for modern dads navigating their baby's first year of life.

Organized month-by-month to match real pediatric milestones, this book tells you what you'll observe in your child, what protocols to take, and which appointments to set up. Dr. Patel breaks down the science of baby development and calls out common myths. There's Q&As from fellow dads, and candid insight from top medical and parenting experts. New dads will learn how to support their partner like a pro, keep their baby safe, survive sleep deprivation, and show up as the kind of dad they want to be.

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