Sales Charts

Yes, much like the annual tradition of looking at last year's sales lists, it's time for another annual tradition: scratching your head and wondering...

Here's the top 500 selling graphic novels of 20912 courtesy of Diamond. We'll have more analysis later but Marvel's top GN was THANOS QUEST #1 coming in at #31, which is petty mind boggling. The Saga trade was #12, Watchmen #14. Otherwise it was all Walking Dead and New 52. Dark Horse's best seller was AVATAR LAST AIRBENDER TP VOL 01 PROMISE PART 1 at #34, another sign that kids comics are on the ascendant.

Here's the list finally, and aside from The Walking Dead at the top, it's all Marvel and DC until #90 which is My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. Never though I would write that. Dynamite's MASKS #1 comes in at 196, and Saga #1 at 251. Otherwise, it's mostly all Marvel and DC.

Diamond released its preliminary year-end data for 2012 today, and it wasn't a big surprise. The Walking Dead #100 was the top selling comics of the year, and the first Wlaking Dead trade toped the GN charts. Marvel was the top publishers over DC. Sales were up for the year; even graphic novels, which had lagged at times because of the Borders debacle, ended up in double digits point over 2011. Comics sales overall were up nearly 15%—a healthy growth margin that reflects all the good things we'e been talking about.

Colleen Doran spills the beans gives some metrics on what everyone knows—Nielsen's Bookscan Numbers are way low. Especially, it seems, where comics are concerned. She cites several books she has worked on, comparing her royalty statements and Bookscan numbers:

Every week, the New York Times runs bestseller listings, which include "Graphic Books".  There's a listing for Hardcover, Paperback, and Manga titles.  The Times...

When the New York Times first started their "graphic books" bestseller lists, they included one for manga.  Why manga?  Why not one for superheroes,...

So as the new year approaches, I continue my look back at the graphic novels which made the New York Times bestseller lists in...

As the end of the year approaches, it is commonplace to take a look back at the year, see where we've been, and if...

For you number-lovers out there, and we know you are out there, here's something a bit more speculative but still interesting. Retailer Matt Blind...

It has somehow escaped our attention until this very moment that Deadline has been running ratings charts for all those YouTube channels that have...

While we don't know numbers for digital comics sales, you can always grab a snapshot at the iTunes bookstore. And pre-Wednesday, it's all WALKING...