Red-Dirt Marijuana and Other Tastes

Before New Journalism, before the waggish cinema of Woody Allen, before the Gonzo World of Hunter S. Thompson, Saturday Night Live, and National Lampoon, there was the legendary Terry Southern—author of Candy and The Magic Christian and the screenwriter of Dr. Strangelove and Easy Rider.

Red-Dirt Marijuana and Other Tastes, widely recognized as an underground classic, is a collection of Southern's short pieces, two dozen hilarious, well-observed, and devastating sketches that expose the hypocrisy of American social mores. This edition features an introduction by George Plimpton, one of Southern's longtime literary allies and former editor of The Paris Review.

“Terry Southern is the illegitimate son of Mack Sennett and Edna St. Vincent Millay.” —Kurt Vonnegut

“Terry Southern writes a clean, mean, coolly deliberate, and murderous prose.” —Norman Mailer

“If there was a Mt. Rushmore of modern American humor, Terry Southern would be the mountain they carve it on.”
—Michale O'Donoghue

“Impressive . . . He is both acutely aware of, and the absolute master of the nuances, the ludicrous snobbishness, the deliberate exclusivity of clique vocabulary. . . . With demoniacal cunning he masquerades as the guardian of taste, of responsibility, and of common decency (Mr. Southern's italics, of course).” —New York Times

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