Sales on the top 300 comics were up 5% in August vs. the year ago period, while sales on the top 100 graphic novels declined 16%.  We’re now in a period of very tough comparisons for graphic novel sales, with Watchmen really taking off in August 2008.  Almost the entire difference in graphic novel dollars between August 2008 and August 2009 can be accounted for by the difference in Watchmen sales. 

 

It was the third consecutive month of comic sales increases.  Comic dollars are higher in August 2009 because of price increases; piece sales actually declined 1% vs. August 2008. 

 

Sales on comics and graphic novels combined were up around 1% in August 2009 vs. the year ago period, another solid performance in a weak economy.

For an overview and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in August, see "Crossovers Continue On Top."

For our estimates of actual orders to Diamond U.S. from comic specialty stores on comic books scheduled to ship during August, see "Top 300 Comics Actual--August 2009."

For our estimates of actual orders to Diamond U.S. from comic specialty stores on graphic novels scheduled to ship during August, see "Top 300 Graphic Novels Actual--August 2009."

For our estimates of actual orders to Diamond U.S. from comic specialty stores on comic books scheduled to ship during July, see "Top 300 Comics Actual--July 2009."

For our estimates of actual orders to Diamond U.S. from comic specialty stores on graphic novels scheduled to ship during July, see "Top 300 Graphic Novels Actual--July 2009."

For an overview and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in July, see "Blackest, Dark Comics Top July."  For an analysis of the dollar trends in July see "Comics Up Again in July."

For our index to our reports on the top comic and graphic novel preorders for January 2000 through August 2009, see "ICv2's Top 300 Comics and Top 300 GNs Index."