October comic sales in the direct market declined 14% vs. the year ago period, the biggest decline since May. Sales on the top 100 graphic novels dropped 30% vs. October 2008, producing an over-all decline for the top 300 comics and top 100 graphic novels combined of 17%.The year over-all has been near flat in comic stores, with a 1% decline in comic sales, 10% in graphic novels, and 2% over-all through the end of Q3 despite some months with significant declines.
Whether 2009 will be able to match or exceed 2008 will depend on the rest of Q4. Looking ahead to the rest of the quarter, it appears that comparables will be more forgiving in November, although December 2008 will be tough to top. Regardless, one month does not a quarter make, so we will wait for more info before assuming the market is falling off a cliff in the run-up to the holidays.
For an overview and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in October, see "DC Sweeps Top Spots."
For our estimates of actual orders to Diamond
For our estimates of actual orders to Diamond
For our estimates of actual orders to Diamond
For our estimates of actual orders to Diamond
For an overview and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in September, see "'Blackest Night' Tops in September." For an analysis of the dollar trends in September see "Comics Up 12% in September."
For our index to our reports on the top comic and graphic novel preorders for January 2000 through October 2009, see "ICv2's Top 300 Comics and Top 300 GNs Index."
