The Midwife

A deadly virus forced civilization into groups based on blood type in this near-future dystopian, perfect for readers of The Handmaid’s Tale and Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven.

O Zone, 2042. The Ekonovirus made blood groups lethal to one another. Survivors are segregated by blood type into districts devoid of modern technology and comforts, and crossing borders is forbidden in an effort to halt the spread of the disease.

Thirty-five-year-old Maggie is an Invulnerable—immune to the virus due to her rare AB blood—allowing her to traverse regional borders. Not that she ever wants to leave Lara, her younger sister and the reason she chose to live in O Zone. But when Maggie is asked to help an at-risk pregnant woman in District A, she agrees, despite wanting to keep her invulnerable status a secret. Sam—an experienced courier, fellow Invulnerable, and someone Maggie never thought she would see again—leads the way. Before long, Maggie becomes a midwife-mentor to a group of District A women and must decide if she can open her heart to Sam, for a second time.

But when Lara becomes pregnant and develops a life-threatening condition, Maggie knows that Lara and her baby’s only hope lies with the hoarded medication from the highly militarized B Territory. Sam and Lara insist it’s a death wish. B Territory is notorious for its rumored experimentation on Invulnerables in search of a cure.

But Maggie has no choice. And what she finds in B Territory threatens everything she’s come to know about the new world.

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