Gain

A revolutionary new case that building muscle is our body’s most powerful tool for improving quality of life, extending longevity, and safeguarding against disease—from renowned nutritional scientist and champion powerlifter Dr. Layne Norton

For far too long, muscle mass has been viewed as a side effect of exercise rather than a cornerstone of lifelong health. In Gain, pioneering nutritional scientist and two-time world champion powerlifter Dr. Layne Norton reframes muscle as a vital organ in its own right, as deserving of attention as the heart or brain. He explains why muscle matters, covering both the science of building more muscle and the demystification of exactly how to go about strength training. And Dr. Norton covers all the topics that are on your mind, like protein (it isn’t as complicated as you think), calories (endless dieting isn’t the best way to build muscle), GLP-1s (you’ll need strength training whether you stay on them indefinitely or want to go off), supplements (spoiler, creatine is the best one), and every aspect of creating an individualized to you, efficient, and effective muscle and strength-building training program.

Norton wrote Gain to help you not only live longer, but live better. It turns out that muscle contributes to a number of health-improving factors, such as how much energy you have, how even-keeled you feel, how much discomfort you experience, your libido, and your processing speed (and also helps prevent wrinkles). But the true benefit extends well beyond the physiological. Because muscles are freedom: the freedom to participate in life, exactly as you want, with less pain and without second thought. To start a new hobby or sport, to travel, to pick up your kids or grandkids, to sleep well. To say “yes.”

Whether you’re in the gym every day or haven’t touched a weight before, Gain is an accessible blueprint for building and maintaining strength at any age.

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