Strange Harm

From the author of Motherthing—When a teenage girl disappears from a supposedly haunted wood, everyone has a theory. Their stories are strange, but the truth is even stranger.

When Janie Yearling disappears from the small town of Gold River, her parents, Calvin and Annette, immediately make the primetime rounds, pleading for her safe return on every talk show and network news program that will have them. Annette becomes a bona fide star; her exquisite poise in the face of such pain is a marvel. Calvin, on the other hand, can’t stop crying long enough to get a word out; he becomes a punch line at best and, at worst, a potential suspect.

Fifteen years later, they’re no closer to finding out what happened to Janie; only now, no one cares. Janie’s story is circling the daytime TV drain when a young woman who’d once suffered her own star-making tragedy asks if Calvin and Annette want to be the subject of her new podcast. Calvin is skeptical, but Annette is thrilled—this could be their last chance to find out what really happened to their girl.

Was it the creepy drifter who crossed paths with Janie in town that night, like most people believe? Or was it Calvin’s pet theory—one the disturbed podcaster seems to be stoking, even though it drives Annette up the wall—that Druda, the tortured spirit said to haunt the river, pulled her into another world? Chilling, funny, and ultimately moving, Strange Harm is a kaleidoscopic novel about the many layers of narrative at work on us constantly—keeping us scared, keeping us anxious, and keeping the truth concealed.

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