The way readers experience comics is evolving. From deluxe oversized hardcovers to affordable trade paperbacks, comic fans have always embraced new formats that make reading more accessible, collectible, and fun.
Now, a new format is emerging — the compact graphic novel — bringing together the quality of traditional collected editions with the portability and affordability that modern readers crave.
So, what exactly is a compact graphic novel, and why are publishers like Vault Comics, DC Comics, and Marvel Comics all embracing this new format?
What Are Compact Graphic Novels?
A compact graphic novel is a smaller, portable edition of a comic book series collected into a single volume which are typically around 5.5” x 8.5”, similar in size to a standard trade paperback novel.
Compact graphic novels feature the same complete stories and high-quality artwork as their full-sized counterparts, but in a more affordable, bookshelf-friendly size. Think of them as the perfect hybrid between a manga volume and a Western graphic novel — easier to hold, carry, and collect.
The format first gained attention with DC Compact Comics and Marvel’s Premier Collection, both of which introduced iconic superhero stories in portable, low-cost editions. But now, independent publishers like Vault Comics are redefining what compact graphic novels can be both in design and storytelling.
Vault Comics’ VANTAGE: The Next Evolution of Compact Graphic Novels
Vault Comics is proud to introduce VANTAGE, a new line of compact-sized graphic novels featuring some of the publisher’s most beloved titles.
Each Vault VANTAGE Compact Edition is a 5.5” x 8.5” softcover designed for modern readers who want powerful storytelling in a sleek, collectible format. Each book retails for just $14.99 and contains either a complete series or multiple arcs of Vault’s bestselling comics.
Launched in November 2025, the first wave of Vault VANTAGE Compact Graphic Novels includes:
- Money Shot: Compact Book 1 — Collects issues #1–#10 of the raunchy, intergalactic comedy about scientists exploring the cosmos… intimately.
- These Savage Shores: Compact Edition — The Eisner-nominated gothic horror masterpiece set against the 18th-century Indian coast.
- Witchblood: Compact, Book 1 – The Hounds of Love — A supernatural road trip through the modern Wild West filled with witches, vampires, and vengeance.
Each title preserves the complete art and story of the original graphic novels, now reimagined as portable, premium-quality editions that fit comfortably in your hand (or pocket dimension).
Why Compact Graphic Novels Are Here to Stay
Compact graphic novels are more than a passing trend; they represent a shift in how readers want to experience comics.
- Portable: Easier to carry than traditional trades or deluxe hardcovers.
- Affordable: At $14.99, readers can collect more series without breaking the bank.
- Shelf-Friendly: Smaller spines, bigger collections.
- Manga-Adjacent Appeal: A perfect entry point for manga readers curious about Western comics.
Vault’s VANTAGE line focuses on making acclaimed creator-owned stories more accessible to a wider audience, whether you’re discovering These Savage Shores for the first time or revisiting Money Shot in a sleek new format.
The Future of the VANTAGE Line
The debut wave of Vault VANTAGE Compact Editions hits comic shops in November 2025, followed by book market distribution in early 2026.
Wave Two will include fan-favorite series Barbaric, Dark One, The Plot, Money Shot Vol. 2, and Vampire: The Masquerade in compact editions.
Compact Graphic Novels. Bold Stories. Small Format. Big Impact.
Vault Comics’ VANTAGE line redefines what a compact graphic novels can be — smaller, smarter, and made for the next generation of comic fans.