Ulysses

Set over the course of a single day—June 16, 1904—and widely considered to be one of the most influential novels of the twentieth century, Joyce’s stylistic masterpiece is integral to Random House’s publishing history.

In celebration of Random House’s 100th anniversary, the publisher is reissuing this landmark publication as a hardcover edition featuring bold new cover art, a stunning paper-over-board design, and custom endpapers.

Ulysses was first introduced in the United States in 1918 in excerpts published by the literary magazine the Little Review, but the owners were arrested and charged with publishing obscenity, leading to a trial and the eventual banning of Ulysses in the United States. Due to the ban, the first complete English edition was published in Paris by Shakespeare & Company in 1922. In 1933, Random House engaged in and won a legal battle to overturn the ban and published the first authorized American edition in 1934 on the Modern Library list.

Set across a single day in Dublin in 1904, Ulysses follows salesman Leopold Bloom, his wife Molly, and a young intellectual named Stephen Dedalus as they wander the city. A feat of the imagination and largely inspired by Homer’s Odyssey, the story unfolds through stream of consciousness narration and experimental prose styles, making it one of the most important works of modernist literature.

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