DC was the #1 publisher in comic stores in September for the first time in recent memory, behind sales of its line-wide relaunch. DC’s dollar win was narrow, at 35.74% vs. Marvel’s 35.37%, by less than a half percent (reflecting DC’s lower cover prices), but the unit share win was over 5% (43.04% vs. Marvel’s 37.88%). DC had eight out of the top ten comic titles (by pieces), including the top seven slots.
It’s worth noting that since DC’s New 52 titles were returnable, the quantities used for DC titles in this reporting included a reserve for returns, which may be high or low (we suspect high, given the wholesale sell-out activity on the titles). Any variation will come through in December reporting, when returns are due.
As they were in August, comic sales were up year over year, with an 8.37% dollar increase over September 2010. Graphic novel sales were very weak, down 18.44% vs. the previous year. That left the total for comics and graphic novels still negative, down around 1% vs. sales in September 2010.
Q3 sales were up over-all, though, with a 3.55% increase for comics and graphic novels combined over Q2 2010. Comic sales were up 6.18% and graphic novel sales down 1.75% vs. the year ago period.
For an overview and analysis of comic sales in September, see "'Batman' #1 Tops September Sales."
For our estimates of actual sales by DiamondU.S. from comic specialty stores on comic books shipped during September, see "Top 300 Comics Actual--September 2011."
For our estimates of actual sales by DiamondU.S. from comic specialty stores on graphic novels shipped during September, see "Top 300 Graphic Novels Actual--September 2011."
For our estimates of actual sales by DiamondU.S. from comic specialty stores on comic books shipped during August, see "Top 300 Comics Actual--August 2011."
For our estimates of actual sales by DiamondU.S. from comic specialty stores on graphic novels shipped during August, see "Top 300 Graphic Novels Actual--August 2011."
For an overview and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in August, see "'Justice League' Laps the Field in August." For an analysis of the dollar trends in August, "Top 300 Shows Less Growth in August."
For our index to our reports on the top comic and graphic novel preorders for January 2000 through September 2011, see "ICv2's Top 300 Comics and Top 300 GNs Index."
For an overview and analysis of comic sales in September, see "'Batman' #1 Tops September Sales."
For our estimates of actual sales by Diamond
For our estimates of actual sales by Diamond
For our estimates of actual sales by Diamond
For our estimates of actual sales by Diamond
For an overview and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in August, see "'Justice League' Laps the Field in August." For an analysis of the dollar trends in August, "Top 300 Shows Less Growth in August."
For our index to our reports on the top comic and graphic novel preorders for January 2000 through September 2011, see "ICv2's Top 300 Comics and Top 300 GNs Index."