Ruggers

Tender, visceral, and beautifully written, Ruggers is an intricate portrait of friendship and love set in the brutal world of collegiate rugby.

Sam is a timid junior at Boston University, happy to slide through her college years unnoticed at the back of lecture halls or hiding out in her studio apartment. She only comes alive on the rugby team, whether sliding through tackles or disappearing to the offhanded hook ups with her best friend and teammate, Gnat.

But when a battered shoulder threatens to keep her out for the season, Sam is forced to question what life might look like off the rugby pitch and navigate a new disconnect between what she wants, what her body is capable of, and the expectations put on her as a veteran player on the team—a schism that only grows when she meets Molly, the President of the Queer Student Union, who makes her feel and consider things she hasn’t before.

Suddenly, Sam finds herself straddling two worlds, struggling to keep them separate, unsure of how to bring them together, and completely unprepared for when they inevitably collide.

Told in two interlocking perspectives: the collective voice of the rugby team and the singular voice of Sam, Ruggers is an exploration of queerness and self-discovery—a powerful ode to the imperfect ways in which we shape ourselves and our communities.

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