The Co-Creation

A daring new planetary history, one that focuses our attention on the beautiful and dynamic dance between life and Earth, from Olivia Judson, the bestselling and award-winning author of Dr. Tatiana’s Sex Advice to All Creation

How do we–living creatures–fit into the grand cosmic tapestry unfolding all around us? With rare style and radical originality, Olivia Judson proposes a grand new vision of the nature of life and advances a dazzling argument about how Earth went from an alien world utterly devoid of life 4.4 billion years ago to a planet of riotous life today. She describes how Earth gave rise to a new force of nature—lifeforms—and shows how, over vast spans of time, these lifeforms have acted to transform Earth. To tell this story, Judson divides the planet’s history into a series of five expansions—rock, light, oxygen, flesh, fire—each characterized by the evolution of lifeforms able to access a new source of energy. This conception not only provides a new way to think about the history of this planet, but also about the development of life-planet systems elsewhere.

In prose that is by turns erudite, philosophical, amusing, poetic, vivid, yet always accessible, Judson reveals astonishing connections between the microscopic and the cosmic, the animate and the inanimate, and places us humans in the broader planetary and cosmic story. She explains where we have come from, how we differ from other lifeforms, and examines our deepest nature. This book brings a powerful mix of awe, solace, and wonder, and will forever change the way you see yourself and your planetary home.

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