I had plans to launch this week’s column much differently, until the most shocking thing was revealed: someone’s advertising comics! Let’s talk about that and nine other things I liked or didn’t like from the week of comics in another edition of Comics Disassembled.

1. DC Compact Comics, Being…ADVERTISED?

If it sort of feels like I’ve been overdoing the DC Compact Comics (aka the digest sized, $9.99 collections of DC classic comics it launched this year) hype train of late, I’m sorry. But it has to continue onwards here. That’s because DC has done the one thing that could even further accelerate the success of this program.

They created a commercial for these editions!

*gasp*

This type of thing is super rare, but if anyone has a history of doing it, it’s DC. Look back to the success of the New 52 for proof of that, where the publisher’s marketing campaign for that relaunch played a huge part in it popping the way it did. And doing so for this Compact Comics makes a ton of sense. It’s the type of product that could speak to non-comics readers in a way few others can thanks to its price point and — as the spot attests to — its accessibility. Did you know these books can easily fit in a person’s bag? And that you can take them camping (as shown above)? Well, if you didn’t, you do now thanks to this commercial. It’s a good message, even if the spot cuts about 500 too many times in its 34 second run time. But hey, I’ll take it! A spot is a spot, and a little freneticism in editing never killed anyone (I don’t think). Good job by you, DC! Now, I just hope they run these as part of an ad campaign instead of simply posting it and hoping for the best. That’d be even better! Fingers crossed!

2. Transformers, Going Middle Grade

I really loved the announcement of Transformers: Worst Bot Ever: Meet Ballpoint, an upcoming middle grade graphic novel from writer Brian “Smitty” Smith and artist Marz Jr. from this week, and it’s for three main reasons.

One is it sounds like a lot of fun. I like stories that embrace that not everyone is an A-lister but can play their part in a story, like the adventures of Tag & Bink from Star Wars, for just one example. This comic being about a Decepticon that changes into a ballpoint pen — that’s not stated in the announcement but I think it’s safe to assume based on the character’s look and name — is perfect because it always seemed like every Transformer turned into something cool. Why wasn’t there ever a washer machine or an iron or something like that? Well, this comic digs into that concept, and I bet the creative team had a lot of fun doing so.

Another is that it’s a middle grade Transformers graphic novel. As a kid whose gateway into comics were Marvel’s series about those Robots in Disguise back in the late 1980s, making sure the younger readers of today have a path to jumping in seems immensely valuable, even though I suspect Daniel Warren Johnson and Jorge Corona’s work on the main title could fly for some kids and parents. Still, having an option that works with these characters while having a fun idea is sure to help.

Lastly, it’s good to see more coming from Skybound Comet, their young adult and middle grade imprint. Besides Tillie Walden’s (excellent) Clementine series and Sea Serpent’s Heir, it has seemed a little quiet from them of late. I’m not sure how much of a priority Comet is for Skybound these days, but I hope they keep it going because it’s a nice addition to their mix in my opinion.