Ollie's Hainted Blues

An abandoned child gets new roots when an elderly Black woman from the Gullah Geechee community takes her in and makes her feel at home, in this poignant novel by National Book Award finalist Shelia P. Moses.

A year after Ollie’s father dies, her stepmother, Miss Pauline, abandons her at a train station. Fortunately, the folks in town where she’s been left know just where to bring her—to Miss Dearly. One of the first things Ollie notices, besides Miss Dearly’s kindness, is that her doors and porch ceiling are all painted blue. Ollie quickly learns that, according to a Gullah Geechee tradition, the “haint blue” paint keeps away evil spirits. And it seems like the haint blue is doing its job, because as Ollie acclimates to life with Miss Dearly, enjoying amazing meals, helping with chores, and soaking up Miss Dearly’s endless supply of wisdom, she’s never felt more secure. Even being a little bullied at school doesn’t get her down. But then they get word that Miss Pauline’s coming back for Ollie. A court date is set, but since Miss Pauline isn’t one to play by the rules, Miss Dearly decides it’s time to take Ollie to Sapelo Island, where her people are. There, protected and loved among the Gullah Geechee community, Ollie begins to understand that the magic of haint blue is fine, but the real magic is in people and their love—and the people who love Ollie are going to work together to make sure Miss Pauline never again lays a finger on her.

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