DC has always been forward-thinking when it comes to how to get trade collections and graphic novels into new readers’ hands. Whereas other publishers focus on monthly comics exclusively or struggle to figure out how to grab sales in both comic book shops and wider-ranging book stores, DC has had it on lock for decades. And now they’re introducing a brand new line of comics that are smaller — and more affordable: DC Compact Comics.
“The DC Compact Comics price and sizing is perfect for readers of prose and manga looking to pick up a new-reader-friendly storyline in a self-contained full color graphic novel,” said Anne DePies, SVP & General Manager, DC via a press release provided to Comic Book Club. “This 5.5″ x 8.5″ paper cut is the most widely circulated softcover book size in the US and is popular among graphic novel aficionados in international markets. At $9.99, it’s a great price point for retailers to stock these classic titles. For readers, DC Compact Comics deliver a new graphic novel reading experience that fits in the palm of their hands, with no loss of readability.”
For size comparison, your regular American Manga book is about 5″ x 7.5″. Meanwhile, trade paperbacks (which collect multiple issues of a single comic) range in size, but go from 6.625″ x 10.25″ (the same size as a monthly comic book) to 6.75″ x 10.375″ inches. Or to use a handy size comparison graphic sent over by DC Publishing:
There you go! It’s smaller. Confirmed.
The price point is probably the even bigger deal. Whereas graphic novels/trade collections also vary wildly in price, they’re usually at least $10+, if not in the high teens and beyond. This $9.99 price point doesn’t just make the books more affordable, it puts them in the same price range as a Manga volume, aka something that potential readers might be more casually inclined to pick up and try out, versus a $24.99 hardback graphic novel
You’re probably wondering about what books they’re going to release, right? The full list is essentially a rundown of DC’s all-stars (including at least one All-Star) and ranges from classic books like Watchmen to more modern, lauded, Hugo award-winning runs like N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell’s Far Sector.
Though specific dates weren’t provided, the new line does launch in June of 2024. The initial lineup is considered the beginning of the program. One could assume if these sell well, there’s more to come. Here’s the full rundown of books, per DC:
- Watchmen by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons
- Batman: The Court of Owls by Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo
- All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely
- Far Sector by N.K. Jemisin, Jamal Campbell
- Wonder Woman: Earth One by Grant Morrison, Yanick Paquette
- American Vampire Book One by Scott Snyder, Stephen King, Rafael Albuquerque
- Batman: Hush by Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee
- Joker by Brian Azzarello, Lee Bermejo
- Harley Quinn & the Gotham City Sirens by Paul Dini, Peter Calloway, Tony Bedard, Guillem March, Andres Guinaldo
- Catwoman: Trail of the Catwoman by Darwyn Cooke, Ed Brubaker
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