Marvel was once again the #1 comic publisher in comic stores in October, according to rankings released by Diamond Comic Distributors, returning to the position it normally holds after three winning Rebirth launch months by DC (see "DC Wins Third Month").  The spread was a not inconsiderable five points.




October 2016 Comic Channel Market Share

35.89%                                  Marvel Comics
30.70%                                  DC Entertainment
  9.45%                                  Image Comics
  4.70%                                  IDW Publishing
  3.47%                                  Dark Horse
  2.85%                                  BOOM! Studios
  2.00%                                  Dynamite Entertainment
  1.23%                                  Titan Comics
  0.88%                                  VIZ Media
  0.81%                                  Oni Press
  8.00%                                  Other Non-Top 10

The comics and graphic novel business in comic stores was near flat in October, up 1.09% over 2015.  Comic periodicals drove the upside, with 5.74% growth, and graphic novels were down 10.4%.  The business in comic stores is up 2.48% year to date, behind a 3.59% growth in comics, and a .01% decline in graphic novels.

Diamond has also begun reporting its collector toy market changes; the category was down 15.81% vs. October 2015, and down 5.05% year to date.

BOOM! Studios had the #1 book in October with the first issue of Big Trouble in Little China/Escape from New York.  We’re assuming a subscription box or other special market sale helped drive sales on the book.

The first issues of Champions and Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme, at #2 and #3, were Marvel’s top books, with the latest issue of Civil War II and Darth Vader #25 rounding out Marvel’s books in the Top 10.  All but the first issue of Doctor Strange were up-price books.

DC Comics shipped Dark Knight III: The Master Race #6 in October, its top book for the month.

Top 10 Comics – October 2016

  1. Big Trouble in Little China/ Escape from New York #1
  2. Champions #1
  3. Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme #1
  4. Dark Knight III: The Master Race #6
  5. Batman #8
  6. Batman #9
  7. Civil War II #6
  8. Darth Vader #25
  9. All-Star Batman #3
  10. The Walking Dead #159

Marvel had the top book on the comic store graphic novel chart for October with another Champions product, Champions: No Time for Losers #1.  Image Comics had the most volumes in the Top 10, with five.

Top 10 Graphic Novels – October 2016

  1. Champions: No Time for Losers #1
  2. The Wicked & The Divine Vol. 4: Rising Action TP
  3. East Of West Volume 6 TP
  4. Tokyo Ghost Volume 2 TP
  5. Low Volume 3: Shore of The Dying Light TP
  6. Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Beats Up the Marvel Universe HC
  7. Doctor Strange: Flight of Bones TP
  8. Color Your Own Star Wars TP
  9. Trees Volume 2 TP
  10. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Book & Mask Set


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 2016."

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 -- October 2016."

For our estimates of actual sales by Diamond U.S. from comic specialty stores on comic books shipped during September, see "Top 300 Comics Actual -- September 2016."

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 -- September 2016."

​For our index to our reports on the top comic and graphic novel preorders for January 2000 through October 2016, see "ICv2's Top 300 Comics and Top 300 GNs Index."