The War over Rent

Historian, professor and data scientist Jo Guldi turns the David and Goliath story of the 19th century Irish Land Wars to show how a small band of revolutionary Irish peasants—pioneering nonviolent activism and minting ideas like rent control and land transfer—took on the British Empire and won their land back from absentee landlords.

The War Over Rent is one part gripping, under-told history, one part recipe for agitation. The victory of what historians term the “Irish Land War” is breathtaking in its implications.

In the 19th century, Irish peasants took on the British Empire and won, wresting stolen land back from absentee landlords, and reshaping the world around them. In terms of access to police, the state, capital, land, or courts—the traditional implements of power—Irish activists garnered inconceivable wins from rent control to the wholesale transfer of land from rich to poor.

How did they do it? And is the success of the Land War repeatable today? With clear echoes in our own times of wealth disparity and housing crises around the word, this surprising and magnificent Irish history can teach us how to fairly redistribute land without killing our landlords today.

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)

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• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

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• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
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Trade Paperback (TP)

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• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
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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