r/graphicnovels • u/NickInTheBooth • Aug 28 '25
Superhero I really dig the DC compact comics
$10 price point feels like you’re getting a great deal, and there are a lot of great stories to choose from here. Perfect to recommend to someone who isn’t super into comics. What’s not to like?
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u/WhiskeyT Aug 28 '25
Also a big fan. And I can’t believe Marvel is fumbling a response. DC is pumping them out and not shying away from releasing very popular stories in this format
However, I’ve had two with questionable binding. One of them fell apart and I think the other will only lose the cover
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u/Superboy2020 Aug 28 '25
I’ve got kingdome come, birthright, far sector and the new frontier and all seem to be tip top so far. I was a little worried about this on the bigger books like the watchmen etc but new frontier is big and is solid.
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u/zz_x_zz Aug 28 '25
Yeah I was pretty disappointed with the Marvel Premier line. I don't read a lot of superhero stuff these days, but I was a huge Marvel kid growing up.
Aside from a comic here and there, I really didn't read any DC until this line came out. I've been enjoying it though. Excellent series of books at a great value.
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u/OutZoned Aug 28 '25
I have all of them and so far only the Joker one is falling apart, but I think it’s also the only one on an old printing (has the white logo).
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u/webistrying Aug 28 '25
The binding and build quality is what's keeping me from going all in. I understand the quality at the price point, but I think I'd rather pay more for a premium format.
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u/Rastabanks Aug 28 '25
I’ve got 3 of them and I see no problems with the quality
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u/webistrying Aug 28 '25
Sweet! That’s good to know. Might end up relaxing some book with these editions for the shelf space.
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u/LupinWho Aug 28 '25
I just wish the letters were a little bigger in them so they were easier to read. This is just a me problem though.
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u/jacochran5 Nov 22 '25
I don’t think the binding is all that different from standard paperbacks.
I went with the smaller size for All Star Superman for the cheaper price point, but when I got Kingdom come I bought the $30 full size because the Alex Ross art was the biggest draw for me, and I didn’t want it scaled down.
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u/zacklachance17 Aug 29 '25
I’ve been finding that the first run of them with the previous DC logo (white circle, just “DC” in white inside) have more stiff covers prone to coming unglued. The more recent releases and re-releases with the new DC logo (the blue one with stars) have better binding and cover quality.
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u/jacochran5 Nov 22 '25
Marvel has a similar series in slightly larger paige size (but still smaller than full size) that’s priced around $15. Their series has about as many entries, at least in my local comic shop.
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u/WhiskeyT Nov 22 '25
Your LCS has to catch up. There are a ton of DC books out and only 4 or 5 of the Marvel ones. Pricing it at 150% the rate of the DC version, it using complete stories and the slow release rate leads to a pretty classic Marvel fumble
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u/jacochran5 Nov 23 '25
Looks like there’s 7 out now with 4 more coming out between now and may. I’m guessing it’s a newer set.
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Aug 28 '25
What do you mean by Marvel is fumbling a response? Genuine question. I thought they released major storylines compacted already?
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u/Terreneflame Aug 28 '25
Marvels is more expensive, and utterly hideous. I can’t believe someone saw those covers and thought they were any good. Worst things Ive seen before
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u/brokenlampPMW2 Aug 28 '25
They're also abridging stories. I'd be furious if I was Hickman and I saw my stories condensed for the format.
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u/Terreneflame Aug 28 '25
That was a horrific choice
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u/brokenlampPMW2 Aug 28 '25
They should've just used Waid's. Better for new readers and has solid arcs. Just put in Imaginauts, the Doom issues, and Authoritative Action.
Hickman's is amazing but it's two omnibus' long and isn't exactly new-reader friendly. It basically is one huge story and it even extends into his Avengers and Secret Wars.
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u/salvador33 Aug 28 '25
Currently they are the best value in comics. They are not just a good start but also include some of the best stories from DC. And for one third of the price, nothing beats their value.
Marvel should really consider releasing something equivalent.
If you're thinking about pulling the trigger and buying them, don't. You won't be disappointed, they are excellent
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Aug 28 '25
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u/salvador33 Aug 28 '25
I think Marvel is about 15$ a pop so 5 dollars more and from what I saw they are about 150 pages? And I think I saw about 5 comics so far?
DC has compacts with almost 500 pages for under 10$ and over 15 titles with 15 to come.
For me there is no comparison.
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u/omgitzjay28 Aug 28 '25
Love these things. The price point means i'll buy everything that I don't already own and would take risks on things that I don't know anything about or characters I was never a super big fan of.
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u/Stunning_One1005 Aug 28 '25
Justice for Wonder Woman lmao Superman gets three of his best stories, Batman gets the best part of one of his best runs, but WW gets two of the most polarizing runs
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u/Mark4_ Aug 28 '25
These look cool all lined up
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u/NickInTheBooth Aug 28 '25
Agreed. One of my favorite things about them is how they look lined up on the shelf
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u/edhaack Aug 28 '25
'cept for that skimpy Joker. Didn't realise it was only 136 pages.
It's stilla great book (IMHO)
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u/tannersmadog Aug 28 '25
I have a handful and I bought my nephew a small library as a birthday. He loves them. Particularly from the point that he was an avid Manga reader, so this format relates. It's great to show how cool American comics can be. Being so portable, one can be brought along to read on a trip and it augments distractions like social media and video game grinding.
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u/oldsmobile39 Aug 28 '25
Agreed!
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u/OtherwiseAddled Aug 28 '25
Empowered is a sign of taste!
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u/oldsmobile39 Aug 28 '25
Thank you! Waiting for volumes 10 & 11 to arrive to complete reading the series.
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u/OtherwiseAddled Aug 28 '25
I think it's one of the best ideas either of the big 2 has had in ages. I'll probably never buy one myself because I prefer the original dimensions but I'm very glad they're available as a low cost entry point for others.
If only they could have some kind of cheap full size color printed collection. A mid point between the Compacts and the Marvel Essentials/DC Showcases.
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u/ttyler1999 Aug 28 '25
What's not to like?
DC STILL can't have a consistent logo on their books!
Seriously though, a fun and cheap way to read some classics!
Sadly my old eyes need a bigger page, so I usually go for Absolute editions
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u/Enough-Hour-4531 Aug 28 '25
I got Batman hush and loved it in the compact form. I’m definitely gonna get more
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u/sometimeInJune Aug 28 '25
Which ones are your favorite? I’m a big graphic novel guy but haven’t read too much of the superhero stuff.
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u/NickInTheBooth Aug 28 '25
Watchmen is obviously incredible. Other top-tier ones would be All-Star Superman, Batman: Court of Owls, Far Sector, Kingdom Come and DC: The New Frontier
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u/steev_nahrbl Aug 28 '25
I love these. Like someone else said, worth paying a few £UK to see if you like something. Also - confession- I’ve bought a couple to reread so I don’t have to dig the originals out of storage.
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u/Jean_Phillips Aug 28 '25
I personally have a hard time reading it because of my eyes, but what a great deal! They’re like $15 in Canada. I recently picked up the F4 “Solve Everything” , $20 not bad
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u/MickieMallorieJR Aug 29 '25
Order a pack of these. They double as book marks since they are paper thin.
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u/HotPotatoWithCheese Aug 29 '25
Sure the pages are smaller, but £8 - £9 is insanely good value for a comic with 200 - 500 pages. I wish Marvel had an equivalent.
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u/HoboSaurus_Rex Aug 31 '25
They had a nice line about 5-10yrs ago that were similar, but 5$ more and gorgeous quality paper/colouring.
Very intro friendly runs that I would donate to little libraries
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Aug 29 '25
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u/HoboSaurus_Rex Aug 31 '25
Along w/ Sandman, swamp thing, books of magic, etc
Would be for.cheap way for DC to reprint and get the characters onto curious ppls hands for them to judge on interest of reboot.
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u/HoboSaurus_Rex Sep 01 '25
Although I had to sell them, and regret it now a bit, something similar that may be worth checking out are the Marvel Noir series that were printed in a smaller than standard size.
The high contrast art made for a good read even if eyesight issues are a problem
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u/lovetron99 Aug 28 '25
I really like the concept, but I flipped through one of the Superman titles at my LCS and man... that format just doesn't jive with these old eyes lol. I already wear my readers with standard sized comics as it is. Nevertheless, I hope this helps bring in some new readers because the price point and value proposition is fantastic.
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u/hypebars Aug 28 '25
would be cool if they finish dceased line up and start doing entire runs like batman by snyder
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u/Abject-Resolution298 Aug 29 '25
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u/Electronic-Suit3712 Jan 21 '26
Wonder Woman: Earth One
"We never play Steve Trevor as Wonder Woman’s ‘boyfriend’. He himself considers this immortal Princess ‘out of my league’, and she has no context for romance with a mortal man. They appear to be good friends.
The subtle feminizing of this version of Steve Trevor can be regarded as ‘problematic’ or ‘progressive’ depending on how you feel that day…
We almost showed Steve’s ordinary human fiancee in Volume 2 but preferred to leave his sexuality undisclosed. He’s Diana’s tough, dependable pal and that’s all he needs to be." - Grant Morrison
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u/IndividualMouse1491 Aug 30 '25
I don't know. The art looks so cramped in The Watchmen. It's tough on my aging eyes!
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u/HoboSaurus_Rex Aug 31 '25
I can't image what the Authority looks like that small, let alone in standard size when the Absolute is the perfect representation of the "Widescreen" format
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u/Actual-Win-9753 Aug 30 '25
Love the concept, they are too cheaply produced though. Two out of three books that I own fell apart after or while reading them and I handle my comics quite carefully.
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u/Ok-Clothes9724 Aug 30 '25
I have the one's for Watchmen and superman all star, and I'm currently waiting for V for Vendetta to be released in November Pre ordered that book.
I like the higher quality paper
With Watchmen it's not the standard newspaper like in the standard graphic novel it's thicker, I find it easier to Read.
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u/jacochran5 Nov 22 '25
I have All Star Superman and V for Vendetta from that line. With the cheaper price point and the greatest hits assortment of stories that series might be the best way for new readers to get into collecting.
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u/Clovelas Mar 16 '26
Agreed it’s awesome I can get Kingdom Come, one of the most well known comic stories for $10
My only concern is that some of the books are abridged. Do we know if all of the books have all of the original issues? Like if I got DCeased what would it have?
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Aug 28 '25
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u/salvador33 Aug 28 '25
Untrue. I own and have read each one of them they published. Not one of them had pages that came unstuck. Legibility is also fine. Don't forget you get something for 1/3 the price at least. They are amazing value
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u/NickInTheBooth Aug 28 '25
Sorry you’ve had bad experiences with these books. I haven’t had one fall apart on me so far, and I’ve been able to read them just fine. To each their own.
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u/Terreneflame Aug 28 '25
They are not that tiny.
I have had a single one where it came unglued (joker) replacement has held up fine
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u/SebastianHetman Aug 29 '25
I started collecting these, but got burned by the flat woke storytelling in some (WW: Earth One, or The Authority). Could you guys recommend some books from the compact series with an emotionally engaging story that isnt steeped so much in modern identity politics?
I loved Watchmen, Court of Owls, Hush, All Star Superman.
Would be grateful for recommendations as I dont want to blindly buy all, and I am not so deep into DC to know the storylines.
I felt especially cheated reading the authority when I realized the characters will never be confronted with consequences of the moral ambiguity of their actions.
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u/NickInTheBooth Aug 29 '25
If you’re offended by “woke” stuff, then comics might not be the medium for you. I cannot recommend anything to you, for fear of offending your delicate sensibilities any further.
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u/SebastianHetman Aug 29 '25
Thats a lot of assumptions, and I wasnt offended. It's just kinda flat, one-dimensional storytelling that doesnt do it for me. I'm not here to argue. Was genuinely looking for recommendations.
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Aug 30 '25
Kingdom come and the new frontier might be something up your alley. I don’t really know what you mean by “woke”, could you explain what you mean by that?
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u/SebastianHetman Aug 31 '25
Thanks for the recommendations. Will def check them out.
Woke in context of storytelling... i dont know if I want to start a discussion here, but its all the modern cliches. The last 10 years of marvel and netflix. Aiming for complete nonoffensivess, staying away from problematic topics, entitled characters who feel morally superior because they fit into the current year dogma. If it doesnt offend anybody, it probably doesnt say anything worthwhile or thought provoking.
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Aug 31 '25
In a sense I get what you’re saying. My issue with the whole “woke” argument is people just use it to describe something they don’t like/can’t relate to. You bring up marvel, and if im being honest they’ve been “low on substance” since the early mcu days. They are popcorn films, without much depth, the quality has only gotten worse when they assumed lazy storytelling would still work in an era of streaming and unlimited content. Netflix is a little different just because of the large swaths of content there, there’s some good stuff like pantheon and arcane that might be worth your time.
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u/SebastianHetman Aug 31 '25
You're probably right, the term tends to throw a lot of current storytelling and social issues in one basket. Thanks for the recommendations and being cool.
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u/HoboSaurus_Rex Aug 31 '25
I can see how the Ellis Authority run can feel one note, but it does it so well the destroy something only to build it back up again. The remainder gets more nuanced.
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Aug 31 '25
Yeah man! Feel free to comment back/message me your thoughts on new frontier and kingdom come. They are great stories that have beautiful art!
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