Smokeshow

Rich men can’t help but want Rory Campbell. She’s charming, obliging, and obscenely beautiful. But if she seems too good to be true, that’s because she is.

Rory Campbell is on a date with a man she actually likes. Nolan is charming, kind, and devastatingly earnest—a rare combination in her line of work. She’s more used to men like the Silicon Valley billionaires who openly ogle her breasts as they monologue about tech. Like Murphy, her ethically non-monogamous boyfriend who cares more about the plight of the working class than he does their relationship. Or like her father, who’s serving prison time for murdering her mother. Rory's used to the men in her life being scummy at best and scary at worst—really, she can only rely on her stepmom, Suze, a true crime obsessive who took her in and never let go. But well-meaning corporate executive Nolan is refreshingly normal—maybe even trustworthy.

That would make one of them: her name isn’t Rory, it’s Paula. And he’s not just a date—he’s a target.

Years earlier, Murphy brought Paula onboard The Project: a covert network of activists hellbent on taking down corrupt capitalists through targeted espionage. Paula’s job: infiltrate, extract, disappear. She’s done it dozens of times before, but this time, nothing is going to plan. The Project goes quiet and Paula is left improvising in a city she barely knows, killing time with the man she’s supposed to be killing.

But as Nolan’s nefarious employer closes in, Paula begins to suspect that she may be a pawn in a much larger game than she realized. She’s given Nolan no reason to trust her, but finds herself hoping he will anyway, in this cat-and-mouse game where falling for the wrong person could be the most dangerous move of all.

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