Full Court Fever

Michael Mancino's middle school basketball team is what you might call "vertically challenged."

They have the skills, but what they lack in height has cost them the first two games of the season. So when Michael and his team meet Dikembe Obiku, a new student from Nigeria, they are sure they've found their saving grace. Dikembe is athletic and taller than most of the teachers, but there's one problem: He's never played basketball before!

Their chances of making the ultimate comeback seem impossible. That is, until Michael discovers an old issue of Sports Illustrated about the similarly "vertically challenged" UCLA Bruins who won the 1964 NCAA Championship with an aggressive and hard-to-beat full-court zone press. Can their team learn a thing or two from these Davids and take down their own Goliaths in the next game?

In the afterword, readers can learn more about the 1964 UCLA Bruins.

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