Digest-size

Digest size is a magazine size, smaller than a conventional or "journal size" magazine but larger than a standard paperback book, approximately , but can also be and , similar to the size of a DVD case. These sizes have evolved from the printing press operation end. Some printing presses refer to digest-size as a "catalog size". The digest format was considered to be a convenient size for readers to tote around or to leave on the coffee table within easy reach.

Examples

The most famous digest-sized magazine is ''Reader's Digest'', from which the size appears to have been named. ''TV Guide'' also used the format from its inception in 1953 until 2005. ''CoffeeHouse Digest'' is a national magazine distributed free of charge at coffeehouses throughout the United States. ''Bird Watcher's Digest'' is an international magazine that has retained the digest size since its creation in 1978.

Digest size is less popular now than it once was. ''TV Guide'' dropped it in favor of a larger format. The science fiction magazines ''Analog'' and ''Asimov's'' had switched to a format slightly larger than digest size several years earlier. The main publications remaining in digest size now are ''Reader's Digest'', ''Prevention'', ''Guideposts Magazine'' and some ''Archie'' comics digests. ''Children's Digest'' was originally in digest size but switched long ago to a larger format as well (though keeping the word "Digest" in its name). ''Writer's Digest'' is another publication with the word in its name that is not actually produced at that size.

Science fiction digests

Since the 1950s it has also been used by several science fiction magazines including:
*''Analog'' (originally ''Astounding'', full magazine size from March 1963 to March 1965)
*''Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine''
*''Galaxy Science Fiction''
*''The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction''
*''New Worlds''
*'' Other Worlds''
*''Science Fantasy''
*''Worlds of If''

Comics digests

From the late 1960s on, several comic book publishers put out "comics digests," consisting mostly if not entirely of reprinted material, usually about Gold Key Comics produced three digest titles that lasted until the mid-1970s: ''Golden Comics Digest'', ''Mystery Comics Digest'', and ''Walt Disney Comics Digest''. DC Comics produced several in the early 1980s (including ''DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest'' and ''The Best of DC''), and Harvey Comics also published a few during the same time (including ''Richie Rich Digest Magazine''). Archie Comics has produced a number of digests, primarily for reprint editions.

The manga graphic novel format is similar to digest size, although slightly narrower and generally thicker.

The A5 paper size used by many UK fanzines is slightly wider and taller than digest size.

In Italy, ''Topolino'''s Disney comics title has been published in the format since 1949, inspired by ''Reader's Digest'' (which was also published by Arnoldo Mondadori Editore). Also Diabolik and the vast amount of so called fumetti neri for adults are commonly published in this format.

The format is widely used in comics published in Italy, France, Brazil, Mexico, Spain and more countries.John Morrow, Jack Kirby, TwoMorrows Publishing, ''Collected Jack Kirby Collector'', 154, 2004. ,

References

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Magazine publishing
science fiction magazines
Comics formats