One Day a Mayfly

A mayfly newly born in the city gives meaning to “seize the day” in this lyrical, stunningly illustrated story at once poignant and uplifting.

One early spring day, Mayfly emerges from a lake in the middle of the city, looks around, lifts her wings nervously, and takes flight. Nobody notices, except for a little girl in a yellow raincoat, following close behind. Mayfly has been given just one day—her birthday!—but she intends to live life to the fullest, with the wind beneath her wings. Michael Speechley’s striking illustrations follow the mayfly’s flight from close-up views to bird’s-eye panoramas, contrasting the natural world of the lake and the bustling city around it. As Mayfly completes her life cycle and people live theirs in parallel, oblivious to the tiny creature nearby, she embraces the uncertainty and joy of life—and the surprises that lie around any corner. Beautifully designed in “calendar” format, with a simple, poetic text and warm visual humor and clues, here is a book with appeal for fans of Duck, Death, and the Tulip—a bittersweet ode to the wonder and possibility of life.

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