Life and Limb

The pieces in Life and Limb are diverse in subject and voice. Some of the narratives in Life and Limb deal directly with the subject of skateboarding; others are about completely non-related subjects such as tree-eating, the historical and cultural significance of boulders, and setting fire to cemeteries.

Despite, or maybe because of this diversity, they all express certain aesthetics common to skateboarders everywhere: an iconoclastic sense of creativity fostered by a lifetime spent (mostly) outside the restrictive bounds of team sports, a collaborative artistic spirit and a disdain for overt competitiveness, humor, an appetite for risk that often borders on self-destructiveness, a youthful distrust of authority and a reluctance to resign one’s self to the "adult" world of commerce and responsibility. While all the contributing writers have been heavily influenced by skateboarding, the stories in Life and Limb don’t glorify or idealize the sport. In fact many of the pieces reveal the dark side of skateboarding—the curse that accompanies the blessing of a lifetime spent rolling very fast over very hard surfaces.

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