It’s hard to believe that three years ago the compact comic didn’t exist; now it seems like every publisher is adopting the format. DC Comics started the wave with their announcement in 2023 (see “DC Launches New Line of ‘Compact Comics’“), and they set the format: A complete story in an easy-to-hold 5.5″ x 8.5” paperback, with a wallet-friendly price of $9.99. Different publishers stretch the format this way and that, with lower page counts or higher prices, but what all these books have in common is that they are a cheap, accessible way to read classic stories or explore new comics.
DC has been ramping up their line rapidly, so they have the most to choose from. Upcoming titles include Swamp Thing: The Anatomy Lesson and Paul Dini and Batman: Harley and Ivy, both due out on October 6; Crisis on Infinite Earths, set for November 3; and Mister Miracle and Justice League: Origin, slated for December 1 release. There’s also a box set coming on November 3 that includes All-Star Superman, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: The Long Halloween, DC: The New Frontier, Kingdom Come, and Watchmen, a solid lineup of classics priced at $49.99, ten bucks cheaper than if they were sold individually.
Marvel Comics, not to be outdone, has launched its Premier Editions; these are priced higher, at $14.99, and Marvel is releasing them at a slower pace. There are two new ones coming between here and the end of the year: X-Men: Yesterday’s X-Men, set for October 6, and Death of Captain America, due out on November 3.
Oni Press is getting into small comics in a big way, with Adventure Time (several are already out, and On the Case will be released on November 24), Rick and Morty, and three collections from the 2015 Archie reboot (see “A New ‘Archie’ #1 in 2015“): Archie, by Mark Waid and Fiona Staples, on September 29, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, by Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish, on October 13, and Jughead, by Chip Zdarsky and Erica Henderson, on October 27. All the Oni titles are priced at $9.99.
BOOM! Studios gets in the act with Vol. 1 of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers hitting the stands on September 22 with an MSRP of $14.99.
Vault Comics’ compact edition of Vampire: The Masquerade, based on the RPG, was released on September 1, and the horror story The Plot will be out on September 15. Both carry MSRPs of $19.99, which is high for a compact comic. The fantasy title Barbaric hits the shelves on October 13 with a more compact price of $14.99.
Dynamite Entertainment, on the other hand, understands the assignment, keeping to the $9.99 price point for Red Sonja: She-Devil with a Sword, set for November 17, and Vampirella Masters: Kurt Busiek due out on December 1.
If the whole compact comics category seems robust right now, just wait till next year, when DC starts releasing its Compact Comics Adventures line (see “DC to Publish ‘Compact Comics Adventures’ for Young Readers“) and, at the other end of the spectrum, Rebellion lets loose with all of Judge Dredd in compact form (see “Rebellion Announces ‘Judge Dredd’ Compact Comics“).
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Source: ICV2
