Three Plays by Terrence Mcnally

“Terrence McNally is one of our most original and audacious dramatists and one of our funniest.”—The New Yorker
 
These three stunning plays are a testament to the extraordinary talent and comedic brilliance of Terrence McNally. All produced off-Broadway to great acclaim, his most recent works are gathered here for the first time in a unique collection of drama, romance, and comedy. The Lisbon Traviata is a powerfully moving tragicomedy about a crumbling homosexual marriage. And in Frankie and Johnnie in the Clair de Lune, a man and a woman, “not young, not old, no great beauties, either one,” come together in a fresh and witty display of emotional fireworks. McNally himself describes the final piece, the bitingly honest and uproariously funny It’s Only a Play, as his “attempt to describe exactly what I was like to work in Broadway in the 1980s.” These three unforgettable works, starkly individual yet all charged with brilliant wit and searing intimacy, dazzle us with McNally’s wisdom, compassion, and extraordinary brand of comic genius.

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