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Everything you didn’t realize you needed to know about lasers, the incredible technology that makes the modern world possible

Lasers are the quintessential technology of our wildest science-fictional dreams. In our collective imagination, they have waged battles in space, transported cows in tractor beams, and very nearly sliced James Bond in half. Meanwhile, off-screen, scientists have used real-life lasers to achieve even more ambitious goals, like global telecommunications, self-driving cars, quantum computing, and nuclear fusion.

The story of lasers is an account of both humanity’s impressive scientific ingenuity and our insatiable urge to mess around with technology we don’t really understand. Laser scientist Janelle Shane takes us on a wildly entertaining journey through an extraordinary swath of scientific history, contemporary and cutting-edge technology, and mind-exploding physics. With plenty of wit and delightful illustrations, she explains what lasers are, how they work, and their many amazing capabilities and applications.

By the end, you’ll learn just how much of our modern world relies on lasers, and how close many of their popular sci-fi uses are to becoming a reality. It’s all possible thanks to our obsessive quest to harness and manipulate the power of light.

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