Comics and graphic novel sales to North American comic stores declined 4.25% in November vs. the year ago period, according to information released today by Diamond Comic Distributors.  And that understates the true decline, because November 2016 was a five-week month, and November 2015 was a regular four-week month; had both years had the same number of weeks, the decline likely would have been closer to 20%.

The hit was in comics, which were down 12.71% vs. November 2015, while graphic novels were up 21.56%.

Year-to-date comic and graphic novel sales are still up 1.82% vs. 2015, with nearly identical growth rates for comics (1.85%) and graphic novels (1.74%).

Marvel’s share lead is moving back toward its pre-Rebirth levels.

November 2016 Comic Channel Market Share

38.08%                                  Marvel Comics
26.17%                                  DC Entertainment
  8.99%                                  Image Comics
  5.23%                                  IDW Publishing
  3.65%                                  Dark Horse Comics
  1.98%                                  BOOM! Studios
  1.61%                                  Titan Comics
  1.52%                                  VIZ Media
  1.40%                                  Dynamite Entertainment
  1.01%                                  Archie Comic Publications
10.38%                                  Other Non-Top 10

DC’s Batman is atop the Top 10 Comics chart, and in fact, all of DC’s four titles in the Top 10 are Batman titles.  Marvel’s eclectic mix in the Top 10 includes five titles, all tied to different characters.  And since it’s The Walking Dead season, Image Comics placed the latest issue in the Top 10.

Top 10 Comics – November 2016

1. Batman #10
2. Batman #11
3. Civil War II #7
4. All Star Batman #4
5. Invincible Iron Man #1
6. Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1
7. Batman Annual #1
8. Venom #1
9. The Walking Dead #160
10. IVX #0

Image Comic’s Paper Girls Vol. 2 was the bestselling graphic novel in November.  New titles or series in the Top 10 included Marvel’s Hip Hop Covers collection, Unbelievable Gwenpool Vol. 1, Moon Knight Vol. 1, and Deadpool v. Gambit: V Is for Vs.; and DC’s Sandman Overture and Rebirth Deluxe Edition.

Top 10 Graphic Novel – November 2016

1. Paper Girls Volume 2 TP
2. Marvel: The Hip-Hop Covers volume 1 HC
3. DC Super Hero Girls Vol. 2: Hits and Myths TP
4. Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 4: End of Games TP
5. Unbelievable Gwenpool Vol. 1: Believe It TP
6. Sandman Overture TP
7. DC Universe: Rebirth Deluxe Edition HC
8. Vision Vol. 2: Little Better Than Beast TP
9. Moon Knight Volume 1: Lunatic TP
10. Deadpool V Gambit: V Is for VS TP

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

For our estimates of actual sales by Diamond U.S. from comic specialty stores on graphic novels shipped during November, see "Top 300 Graphic Novels -- November 2016."

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