Seen!

A picture book biography of beloved Chinese American photographer Corky Lee, written by APALA-award winner Julie Leung.

In the 1960s, young Chinese American Corky Lee flips through an encyclopedia and learns about the Transcontinental Railroad and the Chinese migrant workers who helped build it. But in the group photo celebrating the completion of the work, there’s not a single Chinese face to be found. This starts his journey as a photographer, determined to capture the missing voices and faces during protests and festivals, strikes and parades.

Armed with a camera, Corky Lee documents the moments, big and small, that help Asian America be seen. This picture book biography features some of his most well-known photographs, including a reenactment of the completion of the transcontinental railroad featuring descendants of Chinese railroad workers, and his quieter portraits of everyday Americans.

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