Women and Children

An electric novel about the pleasures and perils of experience and what it means to come of age, from the “stylish, elegant” (Mary Gaitskill) author of Acts of Service.

Everyone has a love story, but hers would be distinguished. It would mark her. She wanted to be so marked.

Prima arrives for her first year of college, determined to enter the lawless, sumptuous world of adulthood. When she begins a relationship with her literature professor, the popular and enigmatic Heiss, she feels as if she has crossed into new terrain—a world of dimly lit restaurants, bitter cocktails, midnight cab rides across Manhattan, and the astonishing intimacies of sex.

But Prima isn’t the first student to catch Heiss’s eye. She soon finds herself on the radar of faculty and former students, eager to protect young women from encounters they may later regret. And, in the midst of Prima and Heiss’s affair, a flood of intrusions from the past force Heiss to grapple with the treacherous responsibilities of desire.

Is Prima’s a grand love story or a travesty? Can we anticipate how we’ll feel about our formative experiences when we’re older? Women & Children is a riveting story of youth, agency, and power—what it means to wield it and yield to it—from a writer who has “made the human creature feel like something new” (Sheila Heti).

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