Sales of graphic novels rose from $375 million in 2007 to $395 million in 2008, according to figures released by ICv2 at the ICv2 Graphic Novel Conference.

In Part One of this three-part interview, Buckley talks about the current state of the comics and graphic novel market, including the possible impacts of the economic turmoil; the impact of increasing bookstore sales on Marvel’s publishing strategy, especially on comics for kids.

Sales of periodical comics by Diamond Comic Distributors declined again in August, the seventh consecutive month of declines.

The dollar total for comics purchased by comic stores dropped again in July, by 3%, the sixth consecutive month of year over year declines.

Marvel’s decline in profits on sales to the direct market were one of the few blemishes on an otherwise outstanding quarter.

Sales of periodical comics fell 3% in June, declining for the fifth month in a row.

Sales of periodical comics declined in May for the fourth month in a row posting a 6% drop.

DK Publishing is back with Marvel Chronicle ($50), a deluxe full color 352-page, year-by-year survey of the history of the “House of Ideas”

Comic and graphic novel sales to comic stores dropped 3% in April 2008 vs. the year ago period.

Secret Invasion #1 launched at a high level, with over 250,000 copies sold by Diamond Comic Distributors to independent retailers in April.