Web presses use paper on rolls, and the rolls come in set sizes. It could very well be that increasing the width of the book would have no increase in paper cost. They are probably already cutting and throwing waste away. And the height is already fine as is, there would just be less empty space at the bottom.

Considering they were printing from scans, it would have been nice to print the art a little larger (to the actual original-printed size), as shrinking it is making it look darker and denser. I would have NO problem with the binding jutting out an extra inch or so past my 1970's Kirby Omnibi. I am totally with Famac on this!

Getting back to the book itself...I am really enjoying this series. The reproduction isn't absolutely the best it can be, sure, but it IS quite good for the age of the material. The lack of effort on the Sandman book's scans definitely affected my reading pleasure, but that is not a problem here. And also, the Newsboy Legion is just better written than Sandman, and lots more fun! S&K were not only influenced by their own life experiences, but also the excellence of the script writing in Warner Brothers films of the day. They've got the gangster settings and the social relevance and the comedy bits, all tied up with a nice collection of well-developed (for the period) and individual characters in the kids. Even the Guardian isn't just a typical, broad-shouldered, tights wearing cliche, probably thanks to the policeman secret I.D.

If Joe Simon's recollection of the strip's origin (as related in the introduction) can be taken seriously, then this series was cobbled together to take care of some of the Boy Commandos overload. If so, they still managed to get their creative ducks in a row real fast because the strip works from the first issue and just keeps going strong. I usually get bored reading even just a few Golden Age stories in a row, but these have been great.

Totally recommended!