Sleaze

A libertine expat translator wakes up to discover her (married) one-night stand dead and is subsequently blackmailed into investigating his untimely demise.

Mari—a raffish freelancer with a penchant for martinis, gossip, and men of less than sterling character—has a problem. Jean-Michel, her fling from the previous night, didn't wake up in the morning. And when his femme fatale widow comes knocking, insisting her no-good husband was murdered, Mari finds herself pressed into the role of reluctant gumshoe.

With the help of her friends, fellow émigrés and inveterate reprobates, Mari begins a desultory dive into Jean-Michel's recent—shady—dealings. As Mari warms to her new character of amateur sleuth, she stumbles upon a sinister conspiracy involving an exclusive wellness retreat, guerrilla activists, and a narcotics sting.

Meanwhile, the Mediterranean city where Mari lives is electrified by an escalating series of politically charged kidnappings. And as this web of power, influence, and collusion grows even more tangled, Mari is forced to reckon with her long-buried feelings for her best friend, who might be more tied up in the Jean-Michel affair than he'd like to admit. Through Mari’s dissolute, gimlet-eyed gaze, Francesca Reece delivers an irrepressible, hilarious, virtuosic homage to the classic caper.

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