In the early 1970s, DC experimented with several new "Giant" formats. They created the 100-Page Super Spectacular which expanded the page counts of their giants. They pioneered the Tabloid-Sized Giants with Limited Collectors' Edition. They also made an attempt at creating a "mini-Giant" called the Digest.

The first (and only) early DC Digest was Tarzan Comic Digest #1 published in 1972. It contained 160 pages for 50¢ at a smaller size. DC had just acquired the publishing rights to Tarzan comics and was trying to find a new niche. For unspecified reasons, the Tarzan Comic Digest would be the only one of its kind. A second digest starring Laurel and Hardy was announced at the same time, but it never appeared. A standard size Laurel and Hardy one-shot was published that year.

The Digest-Size experiment was shelved for nearly 8 years until after the DC Implosion. In 1979, DC sought to recapture lost market share by placing their comics in the super-market checkout line. To do so required a smaller physical size, the "Digest".

DC launched two lines of digests. The first, called Best of DC Digest, featured super-hero material. The second was a western starring Jonah Hex. The second digest series eventually became DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest.

Best of DC Digest was 96 pages plus covers for 95¢. The first issues featured Superman, Batman, Super Friends, and Rudolph. Later issues alternated between Superman material and humor. Best of DC Digest #5, featuring the "Year's Best Comics Stories", was specially-sized at 128 pages plus covers. "Year's Best" became an annual event and often was larger in size and price.

In 1986, DC abandoned the Digest format completely, ending with Best of DC Digest #71.