Solidarity Song

A lyrical, stirring portrait of the twentieth-century coal miners who fought, undaunted, for the right to unionize West Virginia, culminating in one of the largest labor uprisings in American history

West Virginia, 1921. Coal is king, labor laws are practically nonexistent, and an unauthorized civilian army is preparing to march across a mountain and face open gunfire. The marchers—union miners gathered from across the state—are determined to liberate their brethren in non-union territory, where mine operators are rumored to be killing would-be organizers. For the marchers, many of whom are Black Americans or European immigrants, it’s a battle for justice that’s been brewing for decades.

The extraordinary soldiers in this fight have largely been forgotten to history, but in these pages they’re brought back to life with vibrancy and care: among them Mother Jones, a firebrand labor activist who dedicated her life to organizing strikers; William Clark, who sought fairer wages and an escape from Jim Crow; and Anna Savilla, who testified before U.S. senators about the violence done to women's bodies.

Through their lives, West Virginia native Catherine Venable Moore traces the bloody but inexorable fight for unionization and workers’ rights: one that would take two decades, coming one hard-won mining town at a time, and occur in the face of early twentieth century company owners’ control of workers through brutal private police and financial extortion. Nevertheless, the labor movement slowly gained momentum, and in doing so, became an early proving ground for interracial solidarity. With each new member, the union strengthened—winning watershed victories, enduring through the failures, and always keeping faith.

Into this stirring social history, Moore also weaves poignant essays that lay bare the importance of protecting workers’ rights to organize and wrestle with the meaning of solidarity across time, examining and illuminating the ways we strive for and fall short of true fraternity in the present. Riveting, evocative, and deeply researched, Solidarity Song puts us on the front lines of a forgotten fight for labor rights that spanned decades—the impacts of which still powerfully reverberate today.

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