I don’t think it matters how many of these sell to comic fans. The success or failure will be measured by how they sell to general book readers in department stores, bookshops, airports etc.
i picked up watchmen on a whim at my comic store like two weeks ago bc it was 10 bucks and im a broke college student, and my mind was BLOWN!! i really hope they keep putting out these compact editions!!
Here in South America, DC's publisher has been coming out with similar editions to these for a few years, and, though not as cheap as these Compact Classics, they're still a lot cheaper than trades or hardcovers. I got "V for Vendetta" a year ago, and recently "Dark Victory" (I already had "The Long Halloween" in a very cheap format that was released a decade ago). Other stories published like that include "Blackest Night" in two volumes, "The Death Of Superman" and a whole lotta others. I hope this format reaches its intended audience, and maybe even more people.
I am a bit of a manga collecter whos been wanting to get into american comics and even though the page quality isn't as good, the fact that they're so affordable and the size is so easy to store, I am considering picking these up. Also the fact that they're colored as well, and they're still the same price as your standard manga volume is great.
They got me hooked line and sinker. I did not know that’s what these compact editions were for. About two months ago I was in a little bookstore, saw Court of Owls, saw it was ten bucks, bought it. Read it in one sitting. Fast forward to now and I’ve spent almost $500 on about 20 Batman graphic novels, subscription to KindleUnlimited, ComixologyUnlimited, just bought Joker compact lol. girlfriend says I have a problem and she might be right…
We have all been there! It’s amazing! But remember really take advantage of the streaming service and sample before you buy physically. As much as it feels like it there’s no rush!
My picks for the next rounds of compact editions: 1. Batman the Long Halloween/ Dark Victory: By Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. 2. The Flash Rebirth: By Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver 3. Black Lighting: Cold Dead Hands by Tony Isabella and Clayton Henry 4. The Blackest Night: By Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis 5. Strange Adventures: By Tom King and Mitch Gerads 6. Nightwing vol 1: By Tom Taylor and Bruno Redando. I have more though, Jake and Jordan heart the comment if you want the other ideas.
Big fan of all the animated DC properties, but had barely read any of the comics, the price and space needed to store them is off-putting to me. Then I was in Barnes & Noble last month, and did a double take when I saw the All-Star Superman compact edition. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. 10 bucks for almost 300 pages of comic? It was also sitting on the shelf next to the normally sized $35 edition, that gave me a good laugh. And thus I bought my first ever superhero comic. I hope they keep this up, because it's fricking brilliant; it works to draw in new readers.
Nice little cute format, even though i prefer the Absolutes and the Omnis. My answer would be TheLongHalloween, cause it's also very new reader friendly
I want to see more Batman compact editions as he's one of my favorite heroes so something like the long Halloween would be awesome. I just got into comics so these new compact editions are going to be a great way to read more stories without worrying too much about the cost.
I’ve been reading comics for years and I’m about to go to college. I wanted a way to be able to bring some of my favorite DC stories and I’m so glad that they’re doing this right when I’m about to head out. It’s very exciting and very nice. Hopefully this is a sign comic sales will start to go up again.
As someone who has been reading and collecting manga for almost two decades, but always found DC too confusing to get into, these are 100% for me. Already picked up both books and very much looking forward to reading them.
As someone who does a lot of traveling for work and just got into comic books in the last two years, I love the compact. Crisis on Infinite Earth as a compact would be insane and awesome to see!
He’s doing the top 10 lists. such as top 10 runs by a writer, 10 best villains in dc. You could make a video explaining what makes comic books are great and not boring. Convince people who find the material to be “embarrassing” specifically the studio heads of Warner Bros.
I would love Batman Year Two in this Compact Edition. I have trades, I have standard size hardcovers, Deluxe Editions and Omnis, but there's some stories that I want to read but that I don't want to spend so much money on them. So this format is perfect!
I was in my local book store the other day, and I saw Far Sector, a book I've always wanted to read and now feel I need to with Jo being in Absolute Green Lantern, in both Compact and regular TPB. I was tempted to get the cheaper one, but I reasoned that if it was cheaper, it was because it must have been edited to have "non-essential" parts removed to make it shorter. The "Compact" in the name enforced this theory of mine. And since DC doesn't know how to use their Twitter account, I had never heard of Compact Comics and had no idea what they were. So I just assumed compact meant "edited down" and bought the regular version, ignoring my wallet's protests all the while. Tl;dr, are these compact comics the full story? There's no parts removed to make them more compact? They're the exact same story as the regular and Absolute editions?
@@TBATB Oh good! The name really threw me off. And I didn't think the size or paper quality alone would justify that much of a price difference. Thanks for the info! I'll definitely keep an eye out for more of these.
I think after last night's discussion I would like to see The New Frontier in compact edition... I think it will be a great gateway for new readers into other characters. They would get a array of characters, while getting some origins of few characters as well.
I would love to see this format replace tpb all together honestly. $10 for 12 issues is a much better value but then #15-19 for 5-6 issues. I think the paper quality/colours being not as nice is totally fine. Or make tpb in the same paper/colour quality to bring the price down
as a mainly manga reader, this is so for me. I love the price, the format, the straightforwardness. I was always turned off by DC and Marvel IP's because there's too much for someone like me. Sure, there are some standalone comic runs/books and those interested me the most. But everything besides that is just confusing if you're not into it. Those Compact Editions are the perfect way for me to get into the comics from the beginning, so to say. I really hope that concept transfers over to Marvel and maaaybe Image Comics (although it's not too confusing and overwhelming there)
The other reason is that manga covers so many genres. While comics are literally superhero genre 99% of the time and other genres are niches. Kinda sad when you think about it.
Even though I have some of these in their regular size Tpb's and Deluxe Editions I had to buy these as a completist despite the art being shrunk down to appreciate.
Was in my local Waterstone’s the other day and was pleasantly surprised to see Court of Owls (compact) for £8.99, it was the only copy and I had £10 saved in points - figured it was a no brainier. Have been meaning to read more Batman comics and this was a very budget friendly option.
I was a skeptic until you mentioned the price, but I don't think it'll make a significant impact. Price matters sure, but Marvel and DC forget the most important thing. Publishing engaging, good stories and not cancelling one when they do get it. And even if we got that sorted, they need to stop messing with the numbering or create new schemes, reading One Piece would be way harder if the chapters changed numbering several times. Anyway, Red Son and Batman Year One would be good yeah
Here in South Africa, these would be amazing. TPB and HC are so hard to get because theyre so expensive, while manga is miles cheaper, so these new formsts should be a game changer.
I hope other publishers like Dark Horse and Image take notes because they would REALLY benefit from this format because a bunch of their books are entirely self contained like manga
The should do longer runs that are complete, and can offer something similar to a longer running manga. For example, Starman, Sandman Mystery Theatre, Hellblazer. So much classic stuff stories of big characters they could do to. Batman Strange Apparitions, Saga of Ra's Al Ghul. Compile a few Legends of the Dark Knights stories together: 'Shaman', 'Gothic', 'Prey', 'Venom' etc
I had Osamu Tezuka's Apollo in that format and it's great, and you can have a special edition at this format too, less paper easier for sell, the thing is keeping the paper mate, that's the best thing about comics the art looks so much better and easier to read
I’m a manga reader and have really wanted to get into comics but have been very hesitant because of the shape difference. (I don’t like the thin spines and tall look). This has now convinced me to read comics
Here are a few DC could do: -Batwoman Elegy (plus a few more issues thrown in to fill it out) -Nightwing (the run with Scott McDaniel art) -Gotham Academy (multiple volumes) -Dark Knights of Steel -Batman TMNT (all three miniseries all in one volume maybe?) -Starman (multiple volumes) -Sandman Mystery Theatre (multiple volumes) -Saga of the Swamp Thing (a handful of volumes) -Contagion+Legacy [90s Batman] -A sort of Legends of the Dark Knight series, why stories from LotDK itself, plus others that are too shot for their own volume -Batman Cataclysm -Batman No Man's Land The problem is that DC doesn't really have that many stories that are the right length (10-12 issues), so once they do things like Watchmen, Hush etc, they'd have to cobble together stories, which may not appeal to the audience these are going for, eg the Batman stuff of Azzarello and Risso, which could be Broken City (6 issues) and Knight of Vengeance (3 issues), and which are totally unrelated to each other.
You have some amazing suggestions, and also brought up an excellent point. It’s the case of Year one being too small, so they would probably have to package the inferior year two
Last year I sold all my omnis and went digital for comics because of space but I’m going to be diving back in for these and keep them with my manga collection.
That's one well worn Watchman TPB. 😉 These seem like a perfect type of book to reach new audiences for an affordable price and easy to pick up and take on the go. Nice that they're also getting more than 2 or 3 issues.
I had two TPBs (one I gave to my brother), a hardcover edition and now the single-issue hardcover boxed set. Spotted that again at Ollie's maybe two months ago. My oldest copy I've had over 20 years now!
So funny that in USA and Canada these are $10 - $20 whilst here in Australia the Compact Editions are priced the same as all other GNs at $30 - $50… still going to buy them but just saying
When ypu consider you are paying upto 5 quid for a 20 page single issue, these are Fantastic value and like epic collection it's ordered...I've often wondered why dc or marvel dont actually compete with manga formats and this is an alternative
The appealing part to me is that for the price of a trade paperback I can get the compact edition AND the kindle edition. IMO reading on my iPad is the definitive version to read comics. More portable than a book, more comfortable, has its own light, less likely to get damaged in my backpack or from the way I’m holding it. But I like having something on my shelf too. But because the collections cost so much I usually have to choose Edit: plus I read so much manga anyways that the form factor is more what I’m used to
Batman Years 1-3 in one volume. Death and Return of Superman in 2-3 Volumes. Geoff Johns Teen Titans run spread over a few volumes. Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1 volume.
this is perfect for someone like me because I've been wanting to get into comics but there's so many I don't know where to start. Definitely buying all of them! Also, are there any scarecrow comic books you could recommend? Hes my favorite Dc character behind Batman.
I know it goes against the “single story” approach to these volumes, but I’d kill for some Batman and Robin Adventures in this format. Those comics seem perfect for this price point and size.
There are so many good stories that could come out in these budget compact editions. I really like the concept. I agree Watchmen is a little dense for a shrunken format, but I think they might be having one heavy-hitter book with each run of releases. I would be very surprised if these books continued and we didn't have a 'Dark Knight Returns', 'Batman Year One', 'V For Vendetta', etc, as a 'core' book for other releases to orbit.
this is how i got into invincible theres a small size version that are starting to come out and are great for people getting into comics from the show like me, ended up getting the hardcover compendiums and now im saving up to get the library editions lol
I would kill for a compact edition of Legends of the Dark knight, especially Venom and Shaman but there’s so many good ones I’ve been waiting on this manga style books from marvel/dc FOREVER! So excited for this format for me and my friends who exclusively read manga!
i just was up in london for a week, and saw the court of owls saga HAD to snatch it, my collection is super small at the moment and i lack the space aswell so it was the perfect buy for me!
I thought the "compact" comics would legit be the same size as manga, but oh, I guess not. Watchmen is a weird choice because it's text-heavy... but maybe the higher ups at DC just went with it since it's a best seller. I think Tim Sale's art could work since it's simple, so it won't suffer as much if it's shrunken down. So The Long Halloween, Superman: For All Seasons, and Superman: Kryptonite I think could all be good compact comics. Jeph Loeb's dialgoue isn't too wordy if I recall. Maybe even Darwyn Cooke's art could work well if it's in a smaller format too, since it's pretty simple. Like, you can look at Tim Sale's and Darwyn Cooke's art at a smaller size and there wouldn't be too big of a loss.
I think I'll be picking them up for my canoe camping trip in Sweden this summer. I can't take a lot of (expensive) books with me and I won't mind that much if a 10 dollar book gets wet!
I think it also helps someone to explore other character outside of their favourite. I have no idea what Far Sector is about, but 9.99 a whole story? why not? At least it will look pretty on my shelf if I don't like it (and it is affortable to just gift to anyone else)
Excellent, I only think that they should slightly change in which order those books are going to be released: 1st week is obviously All Star Superman and Batman Court of Owls 2nd WW Earth One and GL Far Sector 3rd Batman Hush and Harley & GC Sirens 4th Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow and Catwoman Trail of Cat 5th Superman Birthright and Aquaman by Johns 6th New Frontier and Hawkman by Venditti 7th Watchmen and V for Vendetta
@@TBATB I just thought to myself which stories are either standalone or serve as good entry points (that are 10-13 issues long). 16 modern titles in 2 months would be a smart publishing move for a first wave this year. B&S are THE superheroes of DCU so they are great at launching this, WW has to be spotlighted next and that GL is both fresh and different enough that earns it's spot. Since the Bat is probably the most popular character on the planet it's not surprising that they would want to release a second book, Hush is a good choice because Long Halloween has been reprinted in other editions a lot. Harley is here because she has become very recognizable recently and this tale does a nice job promoting those women. Later Supergirl makes sense if they want to prepare/polish her for the upcoming movie and Catwoman represents just a fun story that would help in scratching that itch for potential new customers :) At this point they need to show some love to our Man of Steel again, while Aquaman simply deserves to have his own spot in this line-up. Also there should be something that's generaly liked with a larger cast of JL and another title that deserves to get his chance. I choose that Hawkman run because it has finally made me interested in the character and this run was really underappreciated. Thanks for showcasing those. Any ideas for Flash or Arrow in a compact format?
I'd love to see a Grayson compact edition! I'm just getting into comics and these seem perfect for me. Would be amazing to win the giveaway too, but I might just end up buying court of owls regardless!
The size and price point makes it much for viable for educators like me to use comics in English/ Language Arts curriculum! I am making it my quest to get Far Sector Approved for my AP Language course!
The book I want collected the most is Will Pfeifer's run on HERO it's 22 issues so it might need to be split in 2. Other books would be Superman : BIRTHRIGHT and Kingdom Come both by Mark Waid
Thank you for explaining the compact comics because I was contemplating getting All Star Superman but now I'll wait for the compact edition(I'm one of the broke students).😂 I'd want a compact version of the Long Halloween and Dark Knights of Steel
@@TBATB I’m still reading through some runs, but so far… “The Return of Barry Allen” I saw a lot of potential in the rest of Mark Waid’s run by the time I was through this story
The next compact should be something easy to get into. Something like Final Crisis by Grant Morrison 😅 Ok, seriously now: Supersons and Batman The Long Halloween. I wanted to say Superman Red Son, but you stole my thunder. Great vid!
@@seito1276 I didn’t know enough to not know what I didn’t know if that makes any sense. I took the story at face value and just went on the wild ride afterwards I read everything backwards chronologically so 52 then infinite crisis crisis on infinite earth and it made much more sense.
@@TBATBsometimes (not usually), just sometimes, it’s good to go into it completely blind and reverse engineer things. That way you can piece it together without going into it with presuppositions.
