Playing Aces

Ex-friends. Rivals. Teammates. From the author of the fan-favorite Breakaway series (“top-notch yearners”—The New York Times) comes an electric young adult hockey romance about two rising star players forced to team up for their final season—if their hearts can survive the proximity.

Seventeen-year-old hockey phenoms Milo and Cole were best friends before they faced off during last season’s playoff final. But after a fight that left them both brokenhearted and Cole with a complex hand injury, they’re no longer speaking… even if they can’t stop thinking about each other.

Months later, Milo returns to his hometown of Ann Arbor to play for the Aces—a.k.a. Cole’s team—which means facing the boy who’d rather shoot him eye daggers than the puck. Meanwhile Cole is trying to make a comeback that will satisfy the scouts and his Hall of Fame dad, but he can’t train alone. Too bad there’s only ever been one player who can match him on the ice, and he’s the last person whose help Cole wants.

With their championship season and NHL dreams on the line, Milo and Cole will have to set aside all their hurt and anger. Except maybe it’s not hate they’re feeling after all…

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