Estimated quantities for initial orders on comics shipping in October 2002 from pop culture stores ordering from Diamond US.

Marvel's Ultimate line was the strongest presence in the top ten comics ordered by U.S. pop culture stores for September, with four of the top ten.

Estimated quantities for initial orders on comics shipping in September 2002 from pop culture stores ordering from Diamond US.

The robust sales patterns that have characterized the Spider-Man-influenced summer of 2002 continued to make their mark on ICv2's Top Ten List for July. Even more than usual, big ticket items tended to dominate the lists this month.

With the amazing success of retro/revival comic series like Dreamwave's Transformers , Top Cow's Battle of the Planets , and Wildstorm's Thunder Cats , it was only a matter of time before Robotech, that other fan favorite science fiction animated series of the 1980s, got its chance at a new comic book incarnation.

London-based Titan Books has decided to go with CDS (Client Distribution Services) for distribution to the American bookstore market.

We recently caught up with Image Publisher Jim Valentino and asked him about the issues of the day, including what challenges he perceives from CrossGen's new initiative, what limits we may see on the currently hot retro trend, and Image's plans for its book distribution in the wake of the LPC bankruptcy, among other topics.

Comics based on retro toon and toy properties extended their lead in August comic orders from pop culture stores, with four out of the top 10 and six out of the top 20 comic titles fitting the retro mold.

Estimated quantities for initial orders on comics shipping in August 2002 from pop culture stores ordering from Diamond US.

Estimated quantities for initial orders on comics shipping in August 2002 from pop culture stores ordering from Diamond US.