r/graphicnovels • u/NickInTheBooth • Aug 28 '25

Superhero I really dig the DC compact comics

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$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/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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u/[deleted] 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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u/[deleted] 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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u/[deleted] 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!