The Law of White Spaces

The Law of White Spaces is compsed of five compelling case studies, unified by their obsession with what Oliver Sacks has called “the quintessential human condition of sickness.”

Doctor Abraham Fleischmann suddenly fails to remember the name of his best friend. Months later, he stands at his brother’s graveside, unable to utter more than one phrase of the prayer for the dead. Vera looks like a beautiful six-year-old. But she is sixteen. Over a period of twenty years, three brothers contract different diseases with identical symptoms. When two of the brothers die, the third is infected with a mortal fear.

Gentle in their telling, ruthlessly honest in their conclusions, these stories testify to one character’s declaration that “everything is written in the white spaces between one letter and the next. The rest doesn’t count.”

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