DC’s Compact Comics continue to be a huge hit in stores, but more than that, a game changer for the entire industry. And in “better late than never” news, Dark Horse Comics will publish its own line of Compact Editions starting in May of 2027.
First off, they’re doing it the right way, i.e. basically aping DC to publish paperbacks in a 5.5 x 8.5″ trim size for $9.99. However, the wrinkle here is that, at least based on the initial slate, they’ll all include two previously collected trade paperbacks per Compact Edition.
“With these compact, value-priced editions, we’re excited to give readers the opportunity to try out some of our most beloved publishing lines!” Editor-in-Chief Dave Marshall said via press release.
Given Dark Horse’s extremely deep bench of titles, it’s an odd mix to launch with… Nothing against any of them in particular, but The Goon seems like a no-brainer, as does Black Hammer. However, the lack of, say, Sin City, Umbrella Academy, Hellboy or even Usagi Yojimbo is a bit surprising, not to mention some of the older, beloved licensed properties; or perhaps Concrete, given the new series is currently hitting stores?
Regardless, there’s more to come… Check out the full initial lineup below, via PR from Dark Horse:
The Witcher Compact Edition: The Bear and the Butterfly and The Ballad of Two Wolves features one story about Geralt of Rivia on the hunt for a vampire, and another about a bloodthirsty werewolf plaguing the town of Grimmwald. The 200-page (5.5 x 8.5”) paperback arrives in bookstores and comic shops on May 25, 2027, for $9.99.
Black Hammer Compact Edition: Secret Origins and The Event TPB collects the first two story arcs of the series when the old superheroes of Spiral City are mysteriously banished to a bizarre farm they can’t escape! Perfectly timed for celebrating 10 years of Black Hammer, the 344-page (5.5 x 8.5”) paperback arrives in bookstores and comic shops on June 1, 2027, for $9.99.
Cyberpunk 2077 Compact Edition: Trauma Team and Psycho Squad is a mind-melting introduction into Night City with two stories of its most notorious specialty units. The 200-page (5.5 x 8.5”) paperback arrives in bookstores and comic shops on June 29, 2027, for $9.99.
Also coming soon to pre-order, Canto Compact Edition: The Shrouded Man allows readers to relive or experience the first two volumes of the adventures of everyone’s favorite little clockwork hero in one 328-page (5.5 x 8.5”) paperback. The book includes Canto: If I only Had a Heart #1-6, Canto: The Hollow Man #1-5 and Canto & The Clockwork Faeries one shot. This compact edition arrives in bookstores and comic shops on July 6, 2027, for $9.99.
More compact editions, including Eric Powell’s Eisner Award-winning cult classic The Goon Compact Edition: Nothin’ But my Misery and My Murderous Childhood will be announced and available to preorder soon.
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