Maybe It's Him

An anti-self-help guide for women who are starting to suspect that the real problem in their relationship is him

Couples therapy is supposed to be about building trust, reciprocity, and mutual respect. After sixteen years of working as a couples counselor, however, Lisa Sherper came to an uncomfortable realization: despite paying lip service to these values, many men simply aren’t interested in an equal partnership.

Yet women find it incredibly difficult to confront this fact head-on. Drawing on intimate stories from former clients, Maybe It's Him exposes the often-subtle ways that our patriarchal society conspires to keep women in unequal relationships. Between men who express vulnerability only to provide cover for dominating behaviors, therapists who bend over backward to shield them from shame, and family members who normalize gendered double standards, women are often left confused, disoriented, and depleted. Despite doing the lion’s share of cooking, cleaning, caring, and planning, they habitually assume that repairing a broken relationship is their responsibility. Meanwhile, men let themselves off the hook.

Sherper offers women in relationships like these the kind of bracing honesty that is all too rare in couples therapy. As hard as it is to admit that your husband, your child’s father, is not willing to give as much as he receives, it is essential to stop making excuses for him. Rather than doing more to save the relationship, what women really need is to start doing less.

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