The Night Witches

An extraordinary story about the first all-female flying squadron told through the eyes of its only Jewish member, The Night Witches is an empowering portrait of friendship and sacrifice, from the Crooks Corner Book Prize-longlisted author of In the Shadow of the Greenbrier.

1976, Baltimore: Twenty-year-old Miriam Shelasky is still living at home, helping her father with the books for his failing business. All her Polish immigrant parents want is for her to finish night school and marry a nice Jewish boy. But Miriam has other dreams. Women have only just begun working as airline pilots. And Miriam has always dreamt of flying. But her parents, scarred by the war, have made it clear that this is not her fate.

1941, Soviet Russia: Polina Gelman and Galina Dokutovich have been best friends since childhood, and fascinated with airplanes for as long as they can remember. So when war breaks out, and they hear the Soviet army is forming an all-female flying regiment, they won’t take no for an answer. Polina and Galina train as night bombers, soaring in the dark over enemy territory. But as they approach their biggest mission, a surprising betrayal threatens to come between the two women, jeopardizing their careers and their lives.

Alternating between 70s Baltimore and WWII Russia, The Night Witches tells the true story of the only all-female flying squadron. A powerful tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the silence of true courage, The Night Witches cements Emily Matchar as an extraordinary storyteller in historical fiction.

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