Flash!

A gorgeously illustrated picture book biography about John Bonner Buck: from his childhood curiosity about why fireflies flash to the consequential discoveries he made as a scientist.

When John Bonner Buck was a boy, he'd lie on the grass in his backyard and wait for the fireflies. First, one pinprick of light would appear and then another. Soon the entire sky sparkled with fireflies. Why do fireflies flash? John wondered.

John always had a curiosity about the natural world. Each fall, he'd scan the skies for migrating geese. In the chill of winter, he'd write poems about woodchuck burrows. In the spring, he'd follow butterflies, awed by their symmetry. But every summer, the fireflies would appear again and again. John wondered, why do they flash?

He would spend his entire life as a scientist pursuing the answer to that question. Solving the mystery would take him across the globe: to the jungles of Thailand and the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. Before long, John knew more about fireflies than anyone else on the planet. His research led to the development of groundbreaking technology to treat epilepsy, Parkinson's Disease and cancer. His research even inspired a sensor to detect alien life.

Laura Ramos's lush artwork offers a visual feast for nature lovers and Heidi King's lyrical text pays wonderful homage to a pioneering scientist and the fireflies who helped light his way.

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