DC Compact Comics

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The first 10 DC Compact collection releases

DC Compact Comics is a line of full-color paperbacks from DC Comics. Announced in November 2023, ahead of a June 2024 launch, they were described as "perfect for readers of prose and manga looking to pick up a new-reader-friendly storyline in a self-contained full color graphic novel".[1]

At 5.5" x 8.5" (digest size), they are smaller than the traditional 6.6" x 10.2" of a collected trade paperback comic.

The initial 10 titles released in 2024 were: Batman: The Court of Owls, Watchmen, All-Star Superman, Far Sector, Batman: Hush, Wonder Woman: Earth One, Harley Quinn & The Gotham City Sirens, Joker, American Vampire Book One, and Catwoman: Trail of the Catwoman – with a further 15 books announced for 2025.[2]

One of those 15, Death, a spin-off from the Sandman series, was cancelled following sexual assault allegations against its writer, Neil Gaiman.[3]

As well as being dedicated to a specific character or series, each release is also designated by genre via a tag in the top right of the cover. These genres include science fiction, thriller, horror, fantasy, adventure, and mystery.

Reception

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The announcement was largely greeted positively in the comics community with SKTCHD's David Harper saying the line was, "...honestly the best thing to come from one of the Big Two in I don't even know how long".[4] Gordon Jackson at Gizmodo noted that "DC's Compact Comics Line Is the Smartest Thing It's Done in Years".[5] In Comicsbeat, Joe Grunenwald stressed that "the size, price and content are all suitable for mass market".[6]

Sales

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Four of 2024's overall top-10 bestselling graphic novels came from DC's Compact Comic line. Batman: The Court of Owls ranked fourth, with All-Star Superman fifth, Batman: Hush sixth, and Watchmen seventh.[7] By June 2025, up to a year after release, only Watchmen had dropped out of the monthly top-ten graphic novel chart.[8]

Meanwhile, new releases continued to launch near the top of the chart. In May 2025, Kingdom Come debuted at number two. A month later, DCeased went into the chart at two, with Superman: Birthright in five.[9][8] Superman-Batman Vol. 1 was the biggest seller of July 2025, which coincided with the release of DC Studios' Superman movie. Six of the top-ten best-selling graphic novels were Compact Comics.[10]

Impact

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The line launched five months ahead of the DC Finest series, which was aimed at a similar market to the Marvel Epic Collection.

In 2025, Marvel Comics released Premier Collection, a similar line of digest-sized 9in x 6in releases "featuring Marvel's most celebrated and prestigious storylines and creators from its entire comic book legacy".[11]

Later the same year, two more companies indicated they would be launching similar lines of digest-sized comics. First, Vault Comics launched their Vantage line, which are the same print size as Compact Comics. The first three will be released in December 2025, but Vault has confirmed that more will be released in a second wave.[12]

Next, IDW Comics solicited a Classic Collection - with Godzilla: Rulers Of Earth, Locke & Key, The Rocketeer, and D4VE to be released between February and May 2026.[13] These books are the same 9in x 6in size as Marvel's Premier Collection

List of volumes

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American Vampire

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
Book One 2010–2011 Scott Snyder,
Stephen King 		Rafael Albuquerque Horror 320 1 Oct 2024 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

The Authority

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
Relentless 1999–2000, 2017
  • The Authority (vol. 1) #1–12
  • Planetary/The Authority: Ruling the World #1
  • "Requiem" from WildStorm: A Celebration of 25 Years
 Warren Ellis Bryan Hitch Adventure 360 1 Jul 2025 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Batman

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
The Dark Knight Returns 1986
  • Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1–4
 Frank Miller Frank Miller, Klaus Janson Adventure / Thriller 200 7 Apr 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Arkham Asylum 1989
  • Batman: Arkham Asylum - A Serious House on Serious Earth OGN
 Grant Morrison Dave McKean Thriller 144 2 Sep 2025 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Gotham by Gaslight 1989
  • Batman: Gotham by Gaslight OGN
 Brian Augustyn Mike Mignola Thriller 120 20 Jan 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
The Long Halloween 1996–1997
  • Batman: The Long Halloween #1–13
 Jeph Loeb Tim Sale Mystery 376 7 Oct 2025 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Hush 2002–2003 Jeph Loeb Jim Lee Mystery 312 6 Aug 2024 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
The Court of Owls Saga 2011–2012
  • Batman (vol. 2) #1–11
 Scott Snyder Greg Capullo Thriller 304 4 Jun 2024 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
White Knight 2017–2018
  • Batman: White Knight #1–8
 Sean Murphy Sean Murphy, Matt Hollingsworth Adventure 216 3 Feb 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Batwoman

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
Elegy 2009–2010 Greg Rucka J. H. Williams III Adventure 240 17 Jun 2025 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Catwoman

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
Trail Of The Catwoman 2001–2002 Darwyn Cooke, Ed Brubaker Darwyn Cooke Adventure 336 1 Oct 2024 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

DCeased

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
DCeased 2019
  • DCeased #1–6
 Tom Taylor Trevor Hairsine Horror 216 3 Jun 2025 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

The Flash

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
Rebirth 2009–2011
  • The Flash: Rebirth #1–6
  • The Flash (vol. 3) #1–7
 Geoff Johns Ethan Van Sciver Adventure 352 17 Mar 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Green Arrow

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
Green Arrow: Year One 2007 Andy Diggle Jock Adventure 152 5 May 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Harley Quinn

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
Harley Quinn and the Gotham City Sirens 2009–2010 Paul Dini, Guillem March Guillem March Adventure 320 3 Sep 2024 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Wild at Heart 2013–2014 Amanda Conner Jimmy Palmiotti Adventure 392 16 Sep 2025 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Joker

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
Joker 2008
  • Joker
 Brian Azzarello Lee Bermejo Thriller 136 3 Sep 2024 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Nightwing

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
Leaping into the Light 2021–2022 Nightwing (vol. 4) #78–88 Tom Taylor Bruno Redondo Adventure 296 3 Mar 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Static

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
Season One 2021–2022
  • Static: Season One #1–6
 Vita Ayala, Reginald Hudlin Adventure 184 27 May 2025 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Supergirl

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
Woman of Tomorrow 2021–2022
  • Supergirl: Woman of Tomorow #1−8
 Tom King Bilquis Evely Adventure 216 6 Jan 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Superman

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
All-Star Superman 2005–2008
  • All-Star Superman #1–12
 Grant Morrison Frank Quitely Fantasy 296 2 Jul 2024 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Birthright 2003–2004
  • Superman: Birthright #1–12
 Mark Waid Leinil Francis Yu, Gerry Alanguilan Adventure 312 24 Jun 2025 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Superman/Batman

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
Book One[14] 2003–2004
  • Superman/Batman (vol. 1) #1–6, 8-13
  • "When Clark Met Bruce" from Superman/Batman Secret Files & Origins 2003
 Jeph Loeb Ed McGuinness, Michael Turner Adventure 304 15 Jul 2025 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Wonder Woman

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
Blood And Guts 2011–2012 Brian Azzarello Cliff Chiang, Tony Akins Adventure 280 19 Aug 2025 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Earth One 2016–2021
  • Wonder Woman: Earth One Vol. 1–3
 Grant Morrison Yanick Paquette Fantasy 376 6 Aug 2024 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Y: The Last Man

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Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
Unmanned 2002–2003
  • Y: The Last Man #1–10
 Brian K. Vaughan Pia Guerra, José Marzan Jr. Science fiction 248 21 Oct 2025 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Miniseries

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This section includes books that have self-contained miniseries and are unlikely to have a sequel.

Title Years covered Issues collected Writers Artists Genre Pages Pub. date ISBN
DC: The New Frontier 2004–2005
  • DC: The New Frontier #1–6
  • Justice League: The New Frontier Special
 Darwyn Cooke Dave Stewart Science fiction 416 5 Aug 2025 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Far Sector 2019–2021
  • Far Sector #1–12
 Nora Keita Jemisin Jamal Campbell Science fiction 296 2 Jul 2024 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Kingdom Come 1996
  • Kingdom Come #1–4
 Mark Waid Alex Ross Fantasy 208 6 May 2025 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
V For Vendetta 1982–1989
  • Chapters from Warrior #1-16 and #18-26
  • V For Vendetta #7-10
 Alan Moore David Lloyd Thriller 368 4 Nov 2025 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Watchmen 1986–1987
  • Watchmen #1–12
 Alan Moore Dave Gibbons Thriller 416 4 Jun 2024 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
We3 2004
  • We3 #1–3
 Grant Morrison Frank Quitely Science fiction / Adventure 144 18 Nov 2025 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Upcoming releases

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Title Pub. date ISBN
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow 6 Jan 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight 20 Jan 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Batman: White Knight 3 Feb 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Nightwing: Leaping into the Light 3 Mar 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
The Flash: Rebirth 17 Mar 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns 7 Apr 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Green Arrow: Year One 5 May 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Gotham Central 19 May 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Superman: Red Son 2 Jun 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Batman: Under the Red Hood 16 Jun 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Batgirl of Burnside 7 Jul 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year One 21 Jul 2026 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Cancelled

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Title ISBN
Death Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

See also

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References

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  8. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  14. ^ Later reprints would omit the Book One subtitle.
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