DC has unveiled an ad for their new Compact Comics line that brings some of their most popular titles together in a portable 5.5″ x 8.5″ size, priced at just $9.99 per issue. Take a look:
Hey, check it out! I love how this ad suggests a cozy camping trip with a good book. Batman: Hush By lantern light. Watch as you laugh and have fun together as you read the story of Bruce Wayne’s jealous childhood friend turned vengeful serial killer. Real love goals!
But seriously, this is a great idea. At just an inch taller than your average comic book, the new series avoids the awkwardness of traditional graphic novels, which are printed on magazine-sized paper that can’t be folded. Even better, these little books come with whole The story arc format differs from the multi-volume format of trade paperbacks or your average manga series, and unlike most manga, each volume remains in full color but is printed on a slightly less glossy paper than your average $20+ graphic novel.
The reduced size means you can easily carry all 12 issues of Alan Moore with you. Watchmen Since you carry it with you everywhere you go, you can quote the pessimistic monologues of Rorschach or Dr. Manhattan at any social occasion. A day at the beach? “I threw away my disguise and became myself, free from fear, weakness and desire!” Going to church on Sunday with your family? “They claim to be in the business of building heaven, but their heaven is full of horror!” You’ll be very popular.
These are the four titles currently available, followed by future installments of the series.
- Watchmen Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons
- Batman: Court of Owls Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo
- All Star Superman By Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
- Far Sector N.K. Jemisin, Jamal Campbell
Coming soon:
- Wonder Woman: Earth One Grant Morrison, Yannick Paquette – August 6
- Batman: Hush By Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee – August 6
- Joker Brian Azzarello, Lee Bermejo – September 3
- Harley Quinn and the Sirens of Gotham City Paul Dini, Peter Callaway, Tony Bédard, Guillem Marti, Andrés Guinardo – September 3rd
- American Vampire Volume 1 By Scott Snyder, Stephen King and Rafael Albuquerque – October 1
- Catwoman: The Journey of Catwoman By Darwyn Cooke and Ed Brubaker – October 1st
- Kingdom Come – Mark Waid, Alex Ross – May 6, 2025
- Static: Season 1 – May 27, 2025
- end – June 3, 2025
- Batwoman: Elegy – June 17, 2025
- Superman: Birthright – June 24, 2025
- Superman/Batman: Book 1 – July 15, 2025
If these volumes sell well, DC might feel less averse to reviving its vast backlog of out-of-print titles or finally publishing story arcs that previously seemed unworthy of collecting. Or, what about print-on-demand versions of less popular arcs? Whatever the company decides, something needs to change in comics distribution and publishing, and this looks like a step in the right direction.
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