Some titles have been truncated or abbreviated for space reasons.

Publisher abbreviations have also been used.

MAR = Marvel

DAR = Dark Horse

DRE = Dreamwave

IMA = Image

TIT = Titan Publishing

CAR = Cartoon Books

HAR = Harris

CRO = CrossGen

BON = Bongo

TKP = Tokyo Pop

These estimates are based on ICv2 estimates of comic sales by Diamond North America during July, 2003.  They do not include sales made by Diamond UK, orders on these titles placed after the end of July, or copies purchased by Diamond but held in inventory at the end of July.  

Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, CrossGen, and Image distribute 100% of their comic store orders through Diamond.  Some other publishers distribute directly to stores or through other distributors and as a result this analysis may underestimate their sales. 

Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Image, and CrossGen distribute some of their titles through channels other than comic specialty stores, e.g., newsstands and bookstores.  These quantity estimates do not reflect distribution through those channels. 

Most of the titles on this chart are also distributed to Europe by Diamond UK, which can account for significant sales for the publisher, ranging from 3-20% of the US numbers.  Sales by Diamond UK are not included in the numbers above.

One other factor to consider is that sales through Diamond and other comic distributors are non-returnable to retailers.  That means that there is a considerable unknown percentage of books unsold at the retailer level, probably amounting to 5-20% of sales.

For the top 50 graphic novels actual orders in June, see 'Top 50 Graphic Novels Actual--June 2003.'

For an overview and analsysis of the actual June orders and an explanation of the transition to our new reporting, see 'Top Comics Dip In June' and and 'ICv2 Kicks Off New Top 300 Reporting.'