With sales down on an individual basis on a lot of comic titles and weak graphic novel sales (see 'Sales Still Sliding on Top Titles'), the market struggled to a 2% increase in dollars for November 2003 vs. November 2004.  This compares favorably to last month, when dollars were down 16% vs. October 2003. 

 

The market found that modest growth in periodical sales, which were up 7%; graphic novels were down 25% vs. the previous year.   The big problem on the graphic novel list was at the top, where sales on Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 11 (2004) had to compete with those on JLA Liberty and Justice (2003), which sold almost five times as many copies. 

 

We glanced at the quarter to date numbers, to see if the slight increase in sales this month would bring sales for the quarter back in the positive realm.  But sales were down around 15% for October and November combined, up only slightly from the 16% decline in October (see 'Comic Dollars Skid 16% in October). 

 

It will take a good December to bring the total for Q4 into positive growth. 
 
For the top 300 comics in November, see 'Top 300 Comics Actual--November 2004.'
 
For the top 100 graphics novels in November, see 'Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--November 2004.'
 
For an over-view and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in November, see 'Sales Still Sliding on Top Comics.'
 
For the top 300 comics in October, see 'Top 300 Comics Actual--October 2004.'
 
For the top 100 graphics novels in October, see 'Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--October 2004.'
 
For an over-view and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in October, see 'Some Top Comic Titles Rebound from September.'  For an analysis of the dollar trends in October, see 'Comics and Graphic Novels Skid 16% in October.'
 
For our index to our reports on the top comic and graphic novel preorders for January 2000 through November 2004, see 'ICv2's Top 300 Comics and Top 100 GNs Index.'