Even without the effect of the fifth shipping week in August 2016 (August 2015 had four), the market still showed solid double digit growth for the month. Diamond noted that it had shipped over 10 million non-promotional comics during August for the first time in nearly 20 years.
The big month was enough to turn the year positive. Year to date comics and graphic novel sales to comic stores were up 2.71% through August, with nearly identical numbers for comics (up 2.66%) and graphic novels (up 2.81%).
For the second consecutive month, DC had the top market share in August, but unlike July (see "DC Tops Marvel’s Market Share in Comic Stores in July"), in August the lead was substantial, over eight share points.
August 2016 Comic Channel Market Share
39.27% DC Entertainment
30.78% Marvel Comics
7.66% Image Comics
4.92% IDW Publishing
3.08% Dark Horse Comics
1.98% BOOM! Studios
1.57% Dynamite Entertainment
1.19% Titan Comics
1.14% VIZ Media
0.83% Oni Press
7.58% Other Non-Top 10
DC had nine of the top ten comic titles in August, with three #1s, Harley Quinn, All-Star Batman, and Suicide Squad the top three books of the month. Beyond #1s, DC’s Batman and Justice League are holding as top ten titles with their later issues.
Top 10 Comics – August 2016
- Harley Quinn #1
- All-Star Batman #1
- Suicide Squad #1
- Amazing Spider-Man #16
- Suicide Squad Rebirth #1
- Batman #4
- Batman #5
- Justice League #2
- Harley Quinn #2
- Supergirl Rebirth #1
Marvel did better on the graphic novel chart, where it took the top slot and four of the top five. For DC, the influence of the theatrical release of Suicide Squad in August was clear, as it was on the periodical chart: Killing Joke was its top title, at #2 overall, with two Harley Quinn products also in the top 10.
Top 10 Graphic Novels – August 2016
- Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol 3: The Shu Torun War TP
- Batman: The Killing Joke Special Edition HC
- Black Panther Book 1: Nation Under Our Feet TP
- Spider-Man/Deadpool Vol. 1: Isn’t It Bromantic TP
- Star Wars Volume 3: Rebel Jail TP
- Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles HC
- Saga Volume 6 TP
- Teen Titans Earth One Volume 2 HC
- Harley Quinn Book and Mask Set
- Harley Quinn & The Suicide Squad: An Adult Coloring Book TP
For our estimates of actual sales by Diamond U.S. from comic specialty stores on comic books shipped during August, see "Top 300 Comics Actual -- August 2016."
For our estimates of actual sales by Diamond U.S. from comic specialty stores on graphic novels shipped during August, see "Top 300 Graphic Novels -- August 2016."
For our estimates of actual sales by Diamond U.S. from comic specialty stores on comic books shipped during July, see "Top 300 Comics Actual -- July 2016."
For our estimates of actual sales by Diamond U.S. from comic specialty stores on graphic novels shipped during July, see "Top 300 Graphic Novels -- July 2016."
For our index to our reports on the top comic and graphic novel preorders for January 2000 through August 2016, see "ICv2's Top 300 Comics and Top 300 GNs Index."