Tough comparables continue to keep the market for comics and graphic novels in the direct market growing at a more sedate 5% pace, after blistering the charts with double digit growth earlier this year.  Strong sales of the Civil War line in the comparable months a year ago hurt comic category growth rates in both July and August, with a 7% growth rate in August after a 6% growth rate in July. 

The fact that the market is eking out gains against such a major editorial event in the year ago period is actually an indicator of a strong underlying market this year.  The big drop-off in Countdown sales vs. 52's isn't helping either,  making the continued growth, albeit at a slower pace, even more impressive. 

Graphic novels were down 6% vs. 2006 in August, because graphic novels were also having a strong summer in 2006, with over 11,000 copies of the $19.99 Marvel Zombies hardcover sold in August 2006.

For the top 300 comics in August, see 'Top 300 Comics Actual--August 2007.'

For the top 100 graphics novels in August, see 'Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--August 2007.'

For an overview and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in August, see '''World War Hulk'Back on Top.'

For the top 300 comics in July, see 'Top 300 Comics Actual--July 2007.'

For the top 100 graphics novels in July, see 'Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--July 2007.'

For an over-view and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in July, see 'Thor' Tops Comics in July.'  For an analysis of the dollar trends in July, see 'July Comic Sales Up Modestly.'

For our index to our reports on the top comic and graphic novel preorders for January 2000 through August 2007, see 'ICv2's Top 300 Comics and Top 100 GNs Index.'