Glass: Looking In, Looking Out

"As clear and colorful as its topic." —Kirkus Reviews

The author of Concrete: From the Ground Up brings her illuminating and often dry-humored approach to reflecting on another marvel of the everyday world.

Meteoric collisions, volcanic eruptions, lightning strikes. Three catastrophes, all capable of producing glass—the stuff we use to protect us from the elements, send images, store energy, aid with everyday tasks, and make medical and scientific progress possible. With the help of human ingenuity, glass has evolved from its lumpy natural origins to a refined wonder that helps humankind see into the farthest reaches of outer space or the smallest particles of life on Earth. Glass is all around us and is one of the most versatile—and sparkling—wonders of the material world, still changing the way we build, the way we think, the way we see. Enlivened with speech bubbles and full of memorable facts, this thoroughly engaging intro to the history and STEAM applications of glass is fortified with a bibliography in the back matter.

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