PICTORIAL HISTORY OF CLASSIC NURSE

The 1960s and 1970s witnessed upheavals in American culture, an explosion of new ideas in cinema; a renaissance in American abstract painting, and, yes, lots of semi-salacious, suggestive, and down right kitschy “Nurse Paperbacks” which boasted covers which were eye-catching and enticing. Each of these covers are little gems that present images which reeled readers in. This book chronicles these covers and presents the first pictorial history of classic “nurse” paperback covers and features an in-depth essay about the genre and profiles many of the artists involved in creating the artwork for these tomes. Each of these covers showcase a different aspect of the genre and were created by some of the finest illustrators of the era. Each cover, many reproduced from the original paintings, show the tongue in check humor employed in the creation these pop-culturally iconic covers.

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