SHOCK TREATMENT AND OTHER STORIES

When the Comics Code forced EC Comics to abandon its popular horror and crime titles, EC launched a “New Direction” in hopes of attracting new readers. Among the new titles were two medical dramas, M.D. and Psychoanalysis, which were competing in a rapidly changing media landscape, increasingly dominated by television. It would be more than five years before TV caught up with EC with shows such as Dr. Kildare, Ben Casey, and The Eleventh Hour — precursors to the medical shows we know today. Artists Jack Kamen, Reed Crandall, George Evans, Graham Ingels, and Joe Orlando paired with writers Robert Bernstein, Jack Oleck, Carl Wessler, and Daniel Keyes to produce a series of taut tales of physical and psychological crises and the doctors who must make split-second life-or-death decisions. All the stories from M.D. and Psychoanalysis are collected in this volume, including: “The Fight for Life” (Ingels) — mankind’s fight against disease before modern medicine; “Shock Treatment” (Evans) — a young boy’s attempt at suicide; “The Lesson” (Crandall) — the race to save the life of a teenage girl mutilated in a high-speed crash; and “When You Know How” (Orlando) — during a blizzard, a doctor has to perform emergency surgery on a critically injured boy in his family’s kitchen using only the utensils at hand. Plus: all twelve stories from Psychoanalysis, each masterfully drawn by Jack Kamen and most written by Daniel Keyes about the struggles of three patients to reconcile their inner fears and turmoil with their outward lives. With an introduction by Dr. Travis Langley, author of the heroes-and-villains Psychology book series.

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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