Global publisher DC launched a new line in their graphic novel slate in June 2024 to overwhelming success: DC Compact Comics. Featuring a 5.5″ x 8.5″ standard book trim for trade paperback novels and sold at $9.99 US, the new format pulled bestselling, new-reader-friendly titles from DC’s evergreen library to populate this new collection of compact editions of adult graphic novels.
“DC has one of the world’s largest comics libraries, and DC Compact Comics allow new or curious graphic novel readers to easily pick up a copy of one of DC’s most iconic stories in an approachable, value-priced format similar to mass paperbacks and manga,” said Anne DePies, DC’s SVP and general manager. “By innovating DC’s storytelling across popular genres like mystery, science fiction, adventure, thriller, and more, we’re able to continuously deliver new products and expand distribution channels.”
Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons and All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely launched DC’s new publishing program, while Hugo Award-winning sci-fi graphic novel Far Sector by N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell—along with perennial classic graphic novels like Catwoman: Trail of the Catwoman by Darwyn Cooke and Ed Brubaker, Batman: The Court of Owls Saga by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, and more—soon followed.
All 10 DC Compact Comics titles published in 2024 have gone back for second printings, with Watchmen receiving a third printing this past September to meet demand for the newest edition of DC’s bestselling thriller-genre graphic novel. DC Compact Comics are available wherever books are sold, with new stock replenishing sold-out shelves before the end of 2024.
- September 24, 2024
- Third Printing — Watchmen: DC Compact Comics Edition (THRILLER) by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons; ISBN 9781779527325
- November 12, 2024
- Second Printing — All-Star Superman: DC Compact Comics Edition (SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY) by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely; ISBN 9781779527257
- Second Printing — Batman: The Court of Owls Saga: DC Compact Comics Edition (THRILLER) by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo; ISBN 9781779527271
- December 10, 2024
- Second Printing — Batman: Hush: DC Compact Comics Edition (MYSTERY) by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee; ISBN 9781779527264
- Second Printing — Far Sector: DC Compact Comics Edition (SCIENCE FICTION) by N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell; ISBN 9781779527295
- Second Printing — Harley Quinn & the Gotham City Sirens: DC Compact Comics Edition (ADVENTURE) by Paul Dini and Guillem March; ISBN 9781779527301
- Second Printing — Wonder Woman: Earth One: DC Compact Comics Edition (FANTASY) by Grant Morrison and Yanick Paquette; ISBN 9781779527332
- Second Printing — Joker: DC Compact Comics Edition (THRILLER) by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo; ISBN 9781779527318
- December 17, 2024
- Second Printing — Catwoman: Trail of the Catwoman: DC Compact Comics Edition (ADVENTURE) by Darwyn Cooke and Ed Brubaker; ISBN 9781779527288
- Second Printing — American Vampire Book One: DC Compact Comics Edition (HORROR) by Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, and Stephen King; ISBN 9781779527349
DC is expanding their DC Compact Comics collection of graphic novels into 2025 with 15 new titles covering a variety of popular genres, including science fiction, thriller, horror, fantasy, adventure, comedy, and mystery. Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross, Batwoman: Elegy by Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III, DC: The New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke, V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, We3 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, and more are featured in the expansion of DC’s successful new publishing line. New titles will begin hitting shelves in May 2025 and will continue monthly through November 2025.
“The expansion of our DC Compact Comics collection into 2025 allows us to showcase the breadth and depth of DC’s iconic characters,” continued DePies. “The DC Compact Comics collection is now available at airports, libraries, select mass market and online retailers, plus bookstores, local comics shops, and more. We want to make it as easy as possible for readers to discover more from DC’s extensive library of comics. DC Compact Comics are an affordable entry point to the DC Universe, and every title is a new-reader-friendly, self-contained graphic novel.”
- May 6, 2025
- Kingdom Come: DC Compact Comics Edition (FANTASY) by Mark Waid and Alex Ross; ISBN 9781799501299
- May 27, 2025
- Static: Season One: DC Compact Comics Edition (ADVENTURE) by Vita Ayala, Reginald Hudlin, Nikolas Draper-Ivey, and Denys Cowan; ISBN 9781799501541
- June 3, 2025
- DCeased: DC Compact Comics Edition (HORROR) by Tom Taylor, Trevor Hairsine, and Stefano Gaudiano; ISBN 9781799501633
- June 17, 2025
- Batwoman: Elegy: DC Compact Comics Edition (ADVENTURE) by Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III; ISBN 9781799501824
- June 24, 2025
- Superman: Birthright: DC Compact Comics Edition (ADVENTURE) by Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu, and Gerry Alanguilan; ISBN 9781799501916
- July 1, 2025
- The Authority Book One: DC Compact Comics Edition (ADVENTURE) by Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch; ISBN 9781799501992
- July 15, 2025
- Superman/Batman: Book One: DC Compact Comics Edition (ADVENTURE) by Jeph Loeb, Ed McGuinness, and Michael Turner; ISBN 9781779502135
- August 5, 2025
- DC: The New Frontier: DC Compact Comics Edition (SCIENCE FICTION/ADVENTURE) by Darwyn Cooke; ISBN 9781799502340
- August 19, 2025
- Wonder Woman: Blood and Guts: DC Compact Comics Edition (ADVENTURE) by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang; ISBN 9781799502494
- September 2, 2025
- Death: DC Compact Comics Edition (FANTASY) by Neil Gaiman; ISBN 9781799502647
- September 16, 2025
- Harley Quinn: Wild at Heart: DC Compact Comics Edition (ADVENTURE/COMEDY) by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti; ISBN 9781799503033
- October 7, 2025
- Batman: The Long Halloween: DC Compact Comics Edition (MYSTERY) by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale; ISBN 9781799502883
- October 21, 2025
- Y: The Last Man Book One: DC Compact Comics Edition (SCIENCE FICTION/ADVENTURE) by Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra, and José Marzán Jr.; ISBN 9781799502890
- November 4, 2025
- V for Vendetta: DC Compact Comics Edition (THRILLER) by Alan Moore and David Lloyd; ISBN 9781799503132
- November 18, 2025
- We3: DC Compact Comics Edition (SCIENCE FICTION/ADVENTURE) by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely; ISBN 9781799503255