The Future of Comic Books are Compact (DC Comics and Their Compact Comics)

[@KodyCollects]

What do you think of DC’s Compact Comics? I think they’ve hit on something here, I imagine we’ll be seeing a lot more of these from everyone.

[@ronynninjastar2414]

The Big 2 need to focus on making BETTER STORIES than trying to copy manga book format. Also, the entire business model of comics needs to change. Veteran artists and writers shouldn't always be so dependent on conventions.

[@TheFerg714]

​@@ronynninjastar2414The comics industry has a thousand problems, but these compact comics are a great step in the right direction.

[@rap3208]

@@ronynninjastar2414 they are not abandoning the regular sizes that you and old comic readers want, they are trying to attract new readers, you'll still have your old format comics and books.

[@wilsonng994]

It's perfect. It might be cheaper and easier for new readers who want to get into some of DC's essential stories and best storylines.

[@jabe8821]

The DC compact comics are a great example of what the American comic scene in general should do and that is design lines/imprints from scratch to cater and appeal to both casual/non comics readers along with regular readers.

[@KodyCollects]

Absolutely agreed. I think there’s an interesting conversation around the idea of TPs in a world where compact comics like this sell better. I think a replacement might be worth it if it makes so many more new fans. But I hope and believe there will always be hardcovers for more hardcore collectors, so at least there will be that.

[@jabe8821]

@@KodyCollects I think that making TPB with newsprint and not that glossy paper that DC would be a good way to lower TBP prices

[@doctordoom85]

@@jabe8821 As an alternative option, sure, but that would be very frustrating as the only choice for a TPB. I was going to pick up the new Gotham Academy TPB that collects the whole run, but saw it had that cheap newsprint paper, so now I’ll have to track down the individual older TPBs. People who buy physical generally care about quality, you start cutting corners to lower prices too much to try to get more sales, you might end up losing more sales ultimately as your established readers will notice the downgrade in quality. The compact books might be one thing, but the normal sized TPBs should not cheap out on paper. Readers want to be able to read their book without feeling like they might accidentally tear a page.

[@TheFerg714]

​@@doctordoom85Considering the abundant success of manga, you're just plain wrong. Readers don't care all that much about paper quality. They just want to read the damn story cheaply and easily.

[@doctordoom85]

@@TheFerg714 Hey, smart guy, the paper quality I was particularly talking about was lower than manga. Do a little research next time before saying something that actually is “plain wrong” since you weren’t even understanding what I was talking about.

[@ADistantImage]

They should have started this 15 years ago

[@KodyCollects]

True I agree

[@GenArt_Off]

Compact comics is what the american comic industry need. Great stories in great prices in great size. This should've happened sooner but am glad that it can happen now.

[@KodyCollects]

Yes took them long enough, but hope to see it expand

[@rajdeepsingha3523]

These compact editions make comics accessible to a global audience as well. Buying single issues or trades is just ridiculously expensive, rare and hard to keep up with in India. While these ones are more accessible, at least for the comic enthusiasts, without breaking the bank, and let us experience some of the best stories in a print format.

[@KodyCollects]

That’s a great point, thanks for sharing your experience. Hope these editions can make it easier for comic collectors and readers all around the world. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to collect single issues.

[@doctorsam5771]

Finally American comics are adapting the Manga volumes formats, thank God. This size is so much more comfortable to hold and read than normal size American comics it's not even funny.

[@jesuscuellar3624]

Basically they are doing the equivalent of mass market paperbacks for books, and honestly I am surprised they haven't done something like this sooner. As much as I appreciate the paper quality and size of traditional paperbacks, on Amazon buying three paperbacks (that are like 16 issues total, give or take) can end up costing around $40. This is far more profitable for those of us that want physical copies but can't afford to keep up buying over 5 paperbacks in a monthly basis.

[@KodyCollects]

Yes well said, seems like something they would’ve put out a long time ago. But they seem to be cost effective enough to keep making them as they just announced wave 2. And most consumers seem to love them for reasons you mentioned. I hope it makes a lot of new fans and really think they can help grow the comic book fandom.

[@Icedcoffee03]

As someone who doesn't like single issues but likes trade paperbacks, this compact size is really cool. These smaller manga sized comics are perfect for traveling with. I'll definitely be looking out for some.

[@TheLogos-man]

The algorithm is is working cause I literally just bought the all star Superman book yesterday. Thought it was such a nice copy and it was such a famous Superman story I had to get it. Highly recommend if you want a copy of that storyline

[@KodyCollects]

Yeah if they keep doing the classic DC Comic storylines like that, they have a real hit on their hands.

[@mythrilorsomething]

As someone who reads manga and comics I think this is pretty cool tbh, a good switch up from £100 omnibuses

[@KodyCollects]

Absolutely. Great entry level starting price

[@vincentimbesi3947]

I’m so happy to hear these books are selling! This is smart move by DC!

[@KodyCollects]

Yep they’ve really nailed it with the compact comics. $10 is crazy

[@peacove]

Already got court of owls, watchmen, and all star superman. I love how they sell great stories at a cheaper price and I’ll be looking out for more in the future

[@RomeojollybunFilms]

I’m really excited mines to be delivered! It’s my very first DC comics to own and readd, All Star Superman and Wonder Woman Earth One adding Watchmen to the listt 🥰

[@KodyCollects]

First to own?! That’s awesome! It seems like DC Comics are making news fans like crazy with these new releases.

[@k.g.7591]

Manga style and anthologies are the future. You’re not going to be judged for holding comics because it looks like you’re reading a book. You can put it in a bag and know it will be sturdy and won’t be in danger.

[@ericjohnson9623]

I like these in theory, but I hope DC makes new stories for this format. I flipped through Watchmen at the store, and it was too small for the amount of information crammed in the nine panel format. Something that is structurally more like manga, less panels per page and larger panels, would be perfect.

[@Saelestria-jd3uq]

Compact comics are great, now I can put stuff on my shelf and make my collection look visually appealing

[@guicorintia89]

Here in Brazil all comics were published in this format from the 60's to 90's. When the publishers started printing then in the American format, they became quite expensive.

[@yaitsenko]

Same thing in Ukraine. But many publishers releasing comics in hardcovers

[@MaximumWarp2099]

Been saying the American comics industry needed to do this for over ten years now. About time they finally saw the writing on the wall. I was in B&N with my manga fan nephew the other day and saw All-Star Superman in this new digest format and couldn’t recommend it high enough to him. Fingers crossed he will pick it up sometime.

[@KodyCollects]

It’s a great option for younger audiences for sure

[@PhilipABuck]

I’ve actually seen DC do his before. Years ago they were printing old 50’s & 60’s comics in collections but sadly they were black and white. “The Mighty Thor” was reprinted by Marvel in a “Digest” size like Archie Comics & Manga and was in color. I definitely agree this is a great way to get people to try something new or read a story they wouldn’t spend the big money on & then maybe spend on larger trade paper back collections. The smaller print books are definitely easier to read for most younger folks than some elder readers or hard of sight. Definitely pros & cons. I think it’s like digital comics, it’s great to have a large variety of ways to read comics & open it up to everyone at different price points etc.

[@ErnestoOchoaII]

The compact are good for me because there’s stories I haven’t read but don’t feel like buying a pricey collected edition version.

[@KodyCollects]

For sure. Great way to check out a series before committing to a more expensive version

[@BThings]

This is cool! I've definitely shifted more towards manga over the past few years, because it's more affordable and I like the form factor better (it's more like a prose book). I really hope this catches on long-term with US publishers.

[@vcom741]

I will kick myself into stratosphere if the solution to comic book industry’s decline all this time has been form factor. Though to be honest, the price is probably another thing that these books solve. For 10 bucks you can get around 10 chapters of a manga, or a full completed storyline of a particular comic run (Batman Court of Owls) or the full run of the book (Watchmen). It’s so weird that the solution all this time would’ve been this simple.

[@ericg1100]

The “form factor” is just bringing them closer to the size of manga, i dont see whats so amazing about it; i want the book in whatever size it was designed for or bigger (see xmen grand design)

[@TheFerg714]

The point is to cut costs and make the products cheaper.

[@rap3208]

They already have you as a customer, they are catering and trying to attract those manga readers who would like to try american comics too, and perhaps those who doesn't have much money to spare for regular comics.

[@nicktroisi6347]

I think it’s a genius idea, it’s a great way for new readers to collect them and way more affordable. They look really nice on the shelf too and don’t take up a lot of space either. I mean you could take these with you and read them on a long road trip or on a plane or on a bus whatever

[@TheRedCap30]

Comics are like crack, you gotta offer something decent and reasonably priced for newbies so they will stay along for the ride.

[@dallassegno]

This is the proper size

[@dandandan5591]

I really hope DC has seen the positive feedback that the Compacts have received!

[@SomethingSomewhereJustOnce]

Is Marvel doing this or there's any indication from them that they might do it in future for some of their famous storylines?

[@malmercury]

if they’re smart they will 😭

[@LaughingWolf18]

Manga collectors: Been there, done that, my boi 🤣😂

[@ronynninjastar2414]

Facts. DC is acting like they're really being innovative 😂. Most of DC books ain't even making the top 100 and that's a shame. The only good series that I know (besides Batman) that always stays in the top 50 is World's Finest by Mark Waid. That series should be the blueprint for the main universe stuff. But I don't work for DC 😂.

[@rap3208]

@@ronynninjastar2414 They don't act like thery're being innovative, they just want to sell new and evergreen comics. THEY JUST WANT TO SURVIVE. How come all your opinions are so WRONG!

[@sonang7721]

Time for US comics to embrace the Anthology model again for monthly issues. And it's need to be cheap too

[@seannyhan2254]

Love it. I've been screaming that someone needs to do this for years. I was worried about readability, too, but it's no problem at all.

[@blast_processing6577]

Marvel needs to follow suit.

[@bigz2008]

nah . I'm not getting any younger. and I find even standard size issue the text is too small for me sometimes. deluxe oversize and omnibus for life

[@KodyCollects]

I’m with you there. I’m a hardcover guy all the way. These don’t necessarily speak to me, but for new fans I’m super happy they have a cheap and easy entry into the hobby

[@rap3208]

This is not for you...nor for me, you'll still have your regular comics, TPB, Deluxe size GN or omnibus books. This compact size books is to attract new buyers that won't buy otherwise. I'm all up for it if it will increase readership as the old readers die off. perhaps it will come out of that tiny niche place that comics went to.

[@malmercury]

omg this is exactly what the western comic industry needed

[@brushonfire8800]

they did this 20+ years ago when I was a kid. it was called "digest size" they made it specifically for markets like scholastic and to try to stay on the grocery racks with archie etc.. they are bringing it back now because book stores and big retailers like target+walmart don't want to stock all their products in the volume and number of SKUs that they publish. so many of them end up being remaindered or damaged because of shelf space needs and they can use that limited shelf space for manga instead which sells way better. my local big chain bookstore that's the flagship for its city has cut the western graphic novel section to two shelves while they have expanded the manga section from one ten foot wide wall to about a quarter of the second floor and it has as much space allotted as general fiction it wont make that much of a difference anyways tho: the reason manga is so popular is because it by and large is written for a general youth audience and western comics have been written for a niche weirdo audience for a good number of years now

[@ronynninjastar2414]

@@brushonfire8800 I only see this as a short term success, not anything long term. The stories and business practices need to improve if there's going to be a real change in the comics industry. I managed to simply piss off a few ppl by simply saying the content inside of the comics needs to improve, not the size of the comics themselves.

[@Stealthybat39]

Yesss now release it worldwide

[@KodyCollects]

Hope so

[@zaqqaz]

I actually love this format.

[@gotgame226]

I’ll never stop buying floppy’s, but these do look like an attractive option.

[@KodyCollects]

Agreed. I still love new comic book day single issues, but for collecting older series and for new readers? Compact comics are a game changer

[@garybradley912]

I think it's a great idea! Give more content at an affordable price. Just subbed, btw! I'm a big comic book fan and love talking and listening to other fans.

[@danixove2358]

Compacts and bigger+cheaper books have been 'the future' for 20+ years now, as the comic-book format, created with short auto-conclusive stories and a fast-paced narrative in mind, is a very weird choice for modern long arcs and does nothing to make the material accessible. Idk why, but for some reason the US industry of superhero comics seems. Very. Slow. At. Evolving. In fact, the future has been the present for a while in mostly any other comic industry.

[@TheDownrockRecordsArcade]

I've been wondering when they were going to do this. I usually by the first issue of comic and then get the rest in trade paperback

[@KodyCollects]

That’s a good strategy for reading comics

[@diogodifrente4283]

The compact comics are great I sweard i had this idea for american comics for a while, glad they actually made it. Its especially convenient as a student. Like I wanna buy the new superman stuff but I aint gonna pay 20euros for a ptb with less than 200pages when these are available.

[@heroestrek]

Great and informative vid! I agree that these are going to be perennial best sellers from DC, I am sure all the American comics companies will be jumping on the compact bandwagon soon. Have you seen the ad DC put together for the compact editions? They know they have a hit on their hands and are actually promoting it. I love these....especially when travelling....

[@KodyCollects]

Yes great points. When DC actually markets their comics, you know it’s a hit 😂 I’m happy this format seems to be taking off

[@JabelsXY]

I love the idea of that dc compact series

[@KodyCollects]

Yeah it’s a great idea. Seems like a no brainer

[@wc999]

its a good idea, attract consumers with full stories and cheaper prices.. marvel should pick up on this too

[@ColasTeam]

In my country buying single issues isn't really convenient since shipping costs are very highn and customs doesn't like it when you get packages from abroad constantly, so whenever I buy a comic I generally buy omnibuses/compilations. But since they're very large and unwieldy I usually just end up having a bettet time reading on my laptop off a piracy website... Something in this form factor would be ideal for me! Gotta let Dark Horse and IDW know.

[@CrumbRats]

Is the deluxe worth picking up if I haven’t read more than issue one, I can get it for about $20 and it seems like a decent price for the hardcover and extra content

[@KodyCollects]

Hm I would say it’s worth it. But I’m biased. Hardcover deluxe editions are my favorite way to collect important comic book stories. I might recommend reading the whole series somehow to see if it’s a story you want to collect. But overall I would say deluxe editions are always worth it to have the “best” version of a short series with larger art and extras like you mentioned

[@sirspookingham5329]

I just bought the compact version of Court of Owls. The paper is not as high quality, but the pages are matte-meaning that they don’t shine too much.

[@rap3208]

I much prefer this kind of paper, the colors and the art jump out alive. ART on glossy paper is so flat (I hate it!) , it is reflective that you have to keep changing angles so you can read it, and...it is heavy.

[@GoodXylophone]

It's like a manga

[@KodyCollects]

Yep exactly. Pretty smart especially if they can keep it at that low $10 price point

[@tylerbrunton7696]

Chip said he loved me! Scandalous. I used to work with him, he's basically the guy you met all the time.

[@lannypenn]

this is really cool. I honestly like this idea

[@KodyCollects]

Seems like a no brainer

[@CABROWN]

Very cool form factor. I hope this is the future

[@mattbaines5262]

Marvel has been doing this for years, often collecting titles that appeal to younger readers. I gavr compact editions of Ms Marvel, Unstoppable Wasp, and Kate Bishop's Hawkeye

[@KodyCollects]

Thanks for the info. I’ll have to look for some and compare. Sounds like it isn’t essential runs though like Kraven’s Last Hunt for example? That would be more what I’m looking for in a line like this. Less stuff split up by characters, and more stuff split up like how DC is doing it. Popular runs or series I guess

[@mattbaines5262]

@@KodyCollects I think I've seen some of the Marvel Masterworks in compact edition but not specific classic storylines. That would be cool tho! There are so many, and it would be great to try them out without having to pay a premium for something that takes up a lot of shelf space.

[@TheFerg714]

It's good that Marvel is doing that, but they didn't bring the prices down to $10.

[@richle905]

They need to fix the glue. My copy of Batman Owls Court fell apart the first day.

[@KodyCollects]

Really? Wonder if that’s a one off

[@soshiderek]

Great for its compactness and price. Still, the writing could be quite small for some.

[@rap3208]

Maybe they adjust the words just a tad for these compact books?

[@KodyCollects]

That makes sense

[@nicholascollins4907]

You mean trades?

[@Crypticbutton]

Marvel has something similar they have been doing since like 2021 with some of their series but they were aimed to the younger crowd. They did Ms Marvel and Miles Morales and they were $10-ish a piece

[@Stupidfy88]

Oh right, the Marvel-Verse. I have one for Venom. But those are more TPBs rather than a compact book.

[@s9yadvent]

not even marketing for them though

[@KodyCollects]

Interesting

[@KodyCollects]

Seems like a no brainer

[@KodyCollects]

Thanks for the info!

[@vancecunningham5032]

Marvel has been releasing their early comics in a line called Mighty Marvel Masterworks, compact and aimed towards kids. It's the same deal

[@minestwenty7849]

Hey man do these still keep the covers for each of the chapters? If not ots a huge loss

[@KodyCollects]

The watchmen one does. Not sure about the rest. But that’s a good point

[@lexofpower2822]

I’m liking the idea of Compact comics from DC. Sadly marvel isn’t trying, they would benefit from new readers on this format. We live in a world where Marvel is extremely popular, you’d think putting out the source material for people that are interested in would be done like 5 or 6 years ago, But no. Great video

[@KodyCollects]

Thank you! Yeah I agree, but I bet with DC and Image dabbling in the format Marvel will soon

[@christoonist]

Are these called trade paperbacks? Rename an old idea.

[@malmercury]

Trades are about 5-8 issues in full size format that range anywhere from around $13-$20, these seem to be a cheaper alternative of the same idea with the same content in a more compact form :)

[@DeansCartoons]

Not really trade paperbacks are typically like 5-6 issues long and are like $15-20 these are about 11-13 issues long for $10

[@comic_food_guy]

DC discovered Manga, and now their fan base is acting like they reinvented the wheel.

[@dupdo1878]

I just bought batman hush 5 days ago

[@KodyCollects]

That’s a fun story

[@juliandavidac]

Yeah more accesible, that's great for the art itself, we need more readers less influencers😂, but dude your views blow up with this video, kudos man 🎉🎉🎉

[@KodyCollects]

Thank you! and yeah I have no idea why this one blew up like it did lol

[@dolev2945]

This might actually make stop buying modern comics if they all end up being small. I care a lot about the actual art in comics, and making the books smaller is basically a way of making the art less important because it makes the details harder to see and appreciate, so this could cause a bad chain reaction for art in comics. But we’ll see I guess

[@kirbles2035]

Comics fans are too much of a force for them to completely stop making regular size comics. Perfect example of this in practice would be the deluxe editions of BERSERK. If manga are popular for their form factor, wouldn't those not do well? Most likely future is compact comics getting bought by casual readers, and regular size books still being made for more hardcore fans like you.

[@TheFerg714]

Bruh the art still looks fine in the smaller format. You're basically now given the choice between a smaller budget version or a bigger more expensive version.

[@TheFerg714]

​@@kirbles2035Berserk is an outlier. Most manga titles don't get the deluxe treatment.

[@dolev2945]

@@TheFerg714 yeah it looks “fine”, but when I’m reading something like All Star Superman which is drawn by Frank Quitely I want to fully see all the details of his art because he’s an artist that puts a LOT of effort and time into his art.

[@dolev2945]

@@TheFerg714 and BTW I meant if this new compact format becomes the standard of monthly issues then that will probably stop me from buying monthlies

[@yc5391]

yes but not collectable, dont get too excited

[@ronynninjastar2414]

Doesn't matter if most of the CURRENT stories are trash. Of course they would reprint the hit series first to play it safe. They wouldn't reprint Superman: Son of Kal-El or Tim Drake: Robin for obvious reasons. Instead of trying to copy the Japanese manga book sizes, get some writers who actually care about the DC characters and make better stories. Also, pay these writers and artists well if they're making a good product. Less and less people are reading comics not because of the format of the books, but because of what's currently going on INSIDE of the books. I know that Skybound did this with the INVINCIBLE series and it can work for that specific book because the story is actually written well. Unlike Marvel and DC.

[@JP-1990]

Mildly disagree. There are a ton of really great stories out there that are simply inaccessible due to pricing and lack of availability. While I do agree that woke trash is exactly that, manga has demonstrated that people are willing to be forgiving of mediocre storytelling or even art if the price is bearable, which, let's face it, is what most comics used to be for the longest time.

[@ronynninjastar2414]

​@@JP-1990"Pricing and lack of availability". You do know there's plenty of crowdfunded books that take days/weeks/months to fund and fulfill and people still buy them no matter the cost right? Eric July's Rippaverse is a good example of this. Are the books flawed at the moment? Yes. But people are coming back for more so the new company is doing something right. DC wouldn't make these "compact" books for most of the current storylines because that would be a huge risk. Of course the hit reprints are selling like hotcakes 😂. There's really no risk at all. As far as there being "mediocre" storylines for a long time, the main BUYING demographic always came back for more. Then sometime around 2014-2016 things went down the toilet and the rest is history.

[@alvarolopezrodriguez3255]

And the high prices. Many people can't pay 100 or more dollars for one Big comic

[@ronynninjastar2414]

@@alvarolopezrodriguez3255 if being born in America has taught me anything it's that if it's something people REALLY want, they'll go broke for it. They'll work double or quadruple OT for it if they have to. Examples include: luxury brands, expensive shoes/clothes, cars, etc. It's not "too expensive" if someone really wants it 🤷🏾‍♂️.

[@JP-1990]

@@ronynninjastar2414 Are these comics available at Target and Walmart? Are they available in libraries or at schools?

[@thepoloranger420]

I agree bro

[@danielleister1]

interesting

[@radicalraqueza]

So Comics are trying to be more like Manga, cool 😎

[@haroldnecmann7040]

Not cool man😢

[@TheFerg714]

​@@haroldnecmann7040Why not?

[@lonniecfireillbemayorsomeday]

Yeah they cool

[@AlanpaulTalbot]

It was always in colour..are people only aware of watchmen now?

[@KodyCollects]

When they announced this format, there was concern that they would turn it all black and white to save money during printing. Which was a fair concern, as people were confused how they could keep the price at $10

[@AlanpaulTalbot]

@@KodyCollects well their concerns were well founded with the release of Watchmen noir$39.99 for the first 12 issues of watchmen!.the integral thing about watchmen was the colours for the characters and everything surrounding them.i agree with the compact idea.I have been waiting for compact AKIRA since i was a kid but the prices in ireland ( like everything else)for comics and graphic novels is robbery!✌👊

[@zkccv96]

i hope they stop everything else and release these compact only

[@KodyCollects]

Haha I don’t know about that but I do hope they support this format

[@paulpizzlewizzle]

They still have to rely on classics.

[@dancosta2126]

😊 I hope not.

[@KodyCollects]

I feel like there will always be other formats too. Hopefully compact comics are just added

[@LEONWOLF-sn2hn]

Have you seen manga? Same idea

[@KodyCollects]

Yep exactly I said that in the video

[@tristanhogue4690]

The future of comics? lol, can barely even read the words in these editions

[@KodyCollects]

Really? I didn’t think it was bad in watchmen. But maybe it’s worse in the other compact comics? I’m not sure

[@anaveragegamer359]

nah bro its makes then available to a bigger audience for example i live half a world away from US so i can never read floppies

[@mrmicro22]

Nonsense, bring back the Treasury editions! 12x18 inches. Perfect for the subway.

[@RamManNo1]

Nah. Pass. They don’t fit in with my 800000000 other comics and trades. Too little too late.

[@comic_food_guy]

So they are copying Manga? Does DC have an original idea anymore.

[@squidsona8509]

This will do more good then harm, single issues are outdated.

[@ronynninjastar2414]

The ONLY good series they have in my opinion is World's Finest which should be the blueprint for the main universe stuff.

[@chrischriskidnicky6088]

It’s the size of the book,not the content

[@lulu_TheWitchBoy]

@@squidsona8509heck nah, we love single issues with the beautiful covers, and variants.

[@rap3208]

The purpose is to sell more comics and they will do this if it does the job.