Graphic novels led the market in comic stores in October, with a whopping 53.9% increase over sales in October 2011.  Comics were up 7.4%, bringing an over-all 19.5% increase in the comics and graphic novel market in comic stores in October.  This is a very impressive increase, given that the market was up 12% in October 2011 behind the #2 issues of the New 52.

As was the case in bookstores (see "'The Walking Dead' Lurches Back to the Top"), The Walking Dead had a lot to do with the growth in graphic novels, with the second $59.99 Walking Dead Compendium volume at #3, and the first two trade paperbacks at numbers 4 and 5.  DC’s Superman Earth One HC volume was #1, and Image’s surprisingly strong Saga TP: Vol. 1 was the #2 graphic novel in October.  Only one Marvel cracked the top ten graphic novels: Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe at #7.

The end of Marvel’s Avengers vs. X-Men event and the launch of Marvel NOW! topped the comic charts, with Uncanny Avengers #1 the top comic in October and Avengers vs. X-Men #12 at #2. A Plus X #1 was #5; Marvel had five of the top ten titles and three of the top five.  DC had four of the top ten, with the usual New 52 suspects, and The Walking Dead #103 was #9.

Marvel topped the market share charts behind its strong comic performance, with a 35% share compared to a 31.5% share for DC.  Image’s share was 8.5%, powered by its strong graphic novel performance.

For an overview and analysis of comic sales in October, see "'Uncanny Avengers' Debuts on Top."

For our estimates of actual sales by Diamond U.S. from comic specialty stores on comic books shipped during October, see "Top 300 Comics Actual--October 2012."

For our estimates of actual sales by Diamond U.S. from comic specialty stores on graphic novels shipped during October, see "Top 300 Graphic Novels Actual--October 2012."


For our estimates of actual sales by Diamond U.S. from comic specialty stores on graphic novels shipped during September, see "Top 300 Graphic Novels Actual--September 2012."

For an overview and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in September, see "'Zero' Issues Spark Market in September."  For an analysis of the dollar trends in September, see "Comics Dip in September."

For our index to our reports on the top comic and graphic novel preorders for January 2000 through November 2012, see "ICv2's Top 300 Comics and Top 300 GNs Index."