Diamond’s just released charts for August show sales up quite a bit from last year but given that August was the nadir of comics sales, it’s not quite as impressive.
Still, things are trending up, led by Marvel’s latest Fantastic Four #1, which led in dollars and units. The Legend of Korra Vol 3 led graphic novels in units, while a $100 Garth Ennis Punisher book led in dollars.
Marvel whomped DC by more than 10 percentage points, probably due to FF orders.
August was the fourth growth month out of five, and only the second month in two years in which both comics dollar sales and graphic novel dollar sales were up in the Direct Market. August was the pit of the 2017 recession, and Marvel beat its performance that month handily, by 22% — this despite releasing 20 fewer comics in the month. Industrywide, 11% fewer new comics were released — perhaps an echo of publishing decisions made months earlier, in the throes of the recession; despite that lack of new material, comics units were down 5% and dollars were up 5%. The DM continues to whittle down the deficit for the year; with more weak 2017 months to compare with, the chances for the year finishing slightly ahead continue to improve.
Later on, however, Milelr notes what I spotted: total comics and GN sales are down -4.71% in units from last year, an admittedly crappy month. Fewer comics are being published, it’s true, but August also had the benefit of being a five week month.
Are coming dying? Of course not. But we have hit a sort of lull moment here. The return of the flagship title of the Marvel U – led by stalwarts Dan Slott and Sara Pichelli – is cause for rejoicing, but an influx of new blood and new hits is also needed.
TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS
|
PUBLISHER |
DOLLAR SHARE |
UNIT SHARE |
| MARVEL COMICS |
40.87% |
43.12% |
| DC ENTERTAINMENT |
27.51% |
31.02% |
| IMAGE COMICS |
8.90% |
9.08% |
| IDW PUBLISHING |
4.43% |
3.81% |
| DARK HORSE COMICS |
3.05% |
2.37% |
| BOOM! STUDIOS |
2.58% |
2.30% |
| VIZ MEDIA |
1.33% |
0.54% |
| DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT |
1.32% |
1.12% |
| TITAN COMICS |
0.98% |
0.66% |
| AFTERSHOCK COMICS |
0.63% |
0.72% |
| OTHER NON-TOP 10 |
8.40% |
5.27% |
COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS
|
|
DOLLARS |
UNITS |
|
AUGUST 2018 VS. JULY 2018 |
||
| COMICS |
-1.95% |
-6.19% |
| GRAPHIC NOVELS |
33.98% |
28.57% |
| TOTAL COMICS/GN |
6.88% |
-3.97% |
| TOYS |
49.89% |
32.04% |
|
AUGUST 2018 VS. AUGUST 2017 |
||
| COMICS |
5.04% |
-5.25% |
| GRAPHIC NOVELS |
2.91% |
1.44% |
| TOTAL COMICS/GN |
4.37% |
-4.71% |
| TOYS |
13.76% |
4.26% |
|
YEAR-TO-DATE 2018 VS. YEAR-TO-DATE 2017 |
||
| COMICS |
1.31% |
-6.80% |
| GRAPHIC NOVELS |
-6.73% |
-8.83% |
| TOTAL COMICS/GN |
-1.10% |
-6.95% |
| TOYS |
-5.15% |
-8.32% |
NEW TITLES SHIPPED
|
PUBLISHER |
COMICS SHIPPED |
GRAPHIC NOVELS SHIPPED |
MAGAZINES SHIPPED |
TOTAL SHIPPED |
| MARVEL COMICS |
86 |
45 |
0 |
131 |
| DC ENTERTAINMENT |
72 |
30 |
1 |
103 |
| IMAGE COMICS |
61 |
16 |
0 |
77 |
| IDW PUBLISHING |
39 |
24 |
0 |
63 |
| DARK HORSE COMICS |
23 |
21 |
0 |
44 |
| BOOM! STUDIOS |
27 |
14 |
0 |
41 |
| TITAN COMICS |
15 |
10 |
3 |
28 |
| DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT |
14 |
6 |
0 |
20 |
| AFTERSHOCK COMICS |
13 |
2 |
0 |
15 |
| VIZ MEDIA |
0 |
15 |
0 |
15 |
| OTHER NON-TOP 10 |
114 |
180 |
31 |
325 |
| TOTAL |
464 |
363 |
35 |
862 |
TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY UNITS SHIPPED
|
RANK |
DESCRIPTION |
PRICE |
ITEM CODE |
VENDOR |
|
1 |
FANTASTIC FOUR #1 |
$5.99 |
JUN180762-M | MAR |
|
2 |
INFINITY WARS #1 |
$5.99 |
JUN180789-M | MAR |
|
3 |
BATMAN #52 |
$3.99 |
JUN180463-M | DC |
|
4 |
BATMAN #53 |
$3.99 |
JUN180465-M | DC |
|
5 |
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #3 |
$3.99 |
JUN180856-M | MAR |
|
6 |
THE SANDMAN UNIVERSE #1 (MR) |
$4.99 |
JUN180422-M | DC |
|
7 |
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #4 |
$3.99 |
JUN180858-M | MAR |
|
8 |
SUPERMAN #2 |
$3.99 |
JUN180537-M | DC |
|
9 |
JUSTICE LEAGUE #5 |
$3.99 |
JUN180507-M | DC |
|
10 |
JUSTICE LEAGUE #6 |
$3.99 |
JUN180509-M | DC |
TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED
|
RANK |
DESCRIPTION |
PRICE |
ITEM CODE |
VENDOR |
|
1 |
FANTASTIC FOUR #1 |
$5.99 |
JUN180762-M | MAR |
|
2 |
INFINITY WARS #1 |
$5.99 |
JUN180789-M | MAR |
|
3 |
THE SANDMAN UNIVERSE #1 (MR) |
$4.99 |
JUN180422-M | DC |
|
4 |
BATMAN #52 |
$3.99 |
JUN180463-M | DC |
|
5 |
PUNISHER #1 |
$4.99 |
JUN180809-M | MAR |
|
6 |
BATMAN #53 |
$3.99 |
JUN180465-M | DC |
|
7 |
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #3 |
$3.99 |
JUN180856-M | MAR |
|
8 |
INFINITY WARS #2 |
$4.99 |
JUN180799-M | MAR |
|
9 |
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #4 |
$3.99 |
JUN180858-M | MAR |
|
10 |
VENOM: FIRST HOST #1 |
$3.99 |
JUN180823-M | MAR |
TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY UNITS SHIPPED
|
RANK |
DESCRIPTION |
PRICE |
ITEM CODE |
VENDOR |
|
1 |
LEGEND OF KORRA VOLUME 3 : TURF WARS PT 3 TP |
$10.99 |
FEB180062 | DAR |
|
2 |
DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: OUT OF THE BOTTLE TP |
$9.99 |
FEB180156 | DC |
|
3 |
EAST OF WEST VOLUME 8 TP |
$16.99 |
JUN180144 | IMA |
|
4 |
BLACK PANTHER BOOK 1: A NATION UNDER OUR FEET TP |
$16.99 |
JUN160956 | MAR |
|
5 |
SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL VOL. 1: ISN’T IT BROMANTIC? TP |
$17.99 |
MAY160926 | MAR |
|
6 |
RAT QUEENS VOL. 5: COLOSSAL MAGIC NOTHING TP (MR) |
$16.99 |
MAY180229 | IMA |
|
7 |
THE FLASH VOL. 1: LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE TP |
$17.99 |
OCT160292 | DC |
|
8 |
KILL OR BE KILLED VOLUME 4 TP (MR) |
$16.99 |
JUN180190 | IMA |
|
9 |
I HATE FAIRYLAND VOLUME 4 TP (MR) |
$16.99 |
JUN180176 | IMA |
|
10 |
SEX CRIMINALS VOL. 5: FIVE-FINGERED DISCOUNT TP (MR) |
$16.99 |
JUN180239 | IMA |
TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED
|
RANK |
DESCRIPTION |
PRICE |
ITEM CODE |
VENDOR |
|
1 |
PUNISHER MAX BY GARTH ENNIS OMNIBUS VOL. 2 HC (MR) |
$100.00 |
FEB180917 | MAR |
|
2 |
JACK KIRBY: MARVEL HEROES & MONSTERS ARTIST EDITION |
$90.00 |
FEB180485 | IDW |
|
3 |
X-MEN REVOLUTION BY CHRIS CLAREMONT OMNIBUS HC |
$100.00 |
FEB180914 | MAR |
|
4 |
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN EPIC COLLECTION: VENOM TP |
$39.99 |
JUN180972 | MAR |
|
5 |
SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL VOL. 1: ISN’T IT BROMANTIC? TP |
$17.99 |
MAY160926 | MAR |
|
6 |
BLACK PANTHER BOOK 1: A NATION UNDER OUR FEET TP |
$16.99 |
JUN160956 | MAR |
|
7 |
THE FLASH VOL. 1: LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE TP |
$17.99 |
OCT160292 | DC |
|
8 |
X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX SAGA OMNIBUS HC |
$100.00 |
FEB180915 | MAR |
|
9 |
SEVEN SOLDIERS BY GRANT MORRISON OMNIBUS HC |
$75.00 |
FEB180312 | DC |
|
10 |
INFINITY GAUNTLET TP |
$24.99 |
JUL110745 | MAR |
TOP 10 BOOKS BY UNITS SHIPPED
|
RANK |
DESCRIPTION |
PRICE |
ITEM CODE |
VENDOR |
|
1 |
THE OVERSTREET COMIC BOOK PRICE GUIDE VOLUME 48 SC |
$29.95 |
APR181580-M | GEM |
|
2 |
THE YEAR’S BEST SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY 2018 |
$19.95 |
JAN188603 | PRI |
|
3 |
DOCTOR WHO: ONE DOCTOR TWO HEARTS HC |
$9.99 |
DEC178057 | BBC |
|
4 |
JOHN BYRNE X-MEN ARTIFACT EDITION HC |
$75.00 |
MAR180554 | IDW |
|
5 |
STAR WARS LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK: I AM A WOOKIE |
$4.99 |
MAY181770 | GOL |
|
6 |
LULU IS A RHINOCEROS |
$16.99 |
FEB188267 | WIC |
|
7 |
JIM HENSON’S THE DARK CRYSTAL ARTIST TRIBUTE HC |
$24.99 |
FEB181211 | BOO |
|
8 |
BE A STAR, WONDER WOMAN BOARD BOOK |
$7.99 |
MAY181564 | CAP |
|
9 |
DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: WONDER WOMAN FOR PRESIDENT |
$5.99 |
MAY181938 | RAN |
|
10 |
COURAGEOUS CAPTAIN AMERICA LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK |
$4.99 |
MAR161966 | GOL |
TOP 10 TOYS BY DOLLARS INVOICED
|
RANK |
DESCRIPTION |
ITEM CODE |
VENDOR |
|
1 |
OVERWATCH: D.VA “CLASSIC SKIN” NENDOROID | NOV178113 | GOO |
|
2 |
VOLTRON: HYPERPHASE VOLTRON SDCC 2018 5-PIECE GIFT SET | JAN189071 | PLA |
|
3 |
X-MEN LEGENDS 6-INCH ACTION FIGURES | JUL178804 | HAS |
|
4 |
MARVEL GALLERY: TACO TRUCK DEADPOOL PVC FIGURE | MAR182429 | DST |
|
5 |
DRAGONBALL SUPER DRAGON STARS ACTION FIGURES | FEB188788 | BAN |
|
6 |
AVENGERS INFINITY WAR MC-004: INFINITY GAUNTLET REPLICA STATUE | DEC178326 | BEA |
|
7 |
PACIFIC RIM UPRISING SELECT SERIES 2 ACTION FIGURES | JAN182369 | DST |
|
8 |
SW BLACK SERIES 6IN AF ASST 201803 | FEB188917 | HAS |
|
9 |
SDCC 2018 POP MARVEL TELEPORTING LOCKJAW & BLACK BOLT PX 2PK | DEC178718 | FUN |
|
10 |
DC GALLERY BATMAN TAS 25 ANNIV HARLEY QUINN DLX PVC FIG | APR172648 | DST |
TOP 10 GAMES BY DOLLARS INVOICED
|
RANK |
DESCRIPTION |
ITEM CODE |
VENDOR |
|
1 |
STARFINDER RPG :ARMORY HC | MAY182931 | PAI |
|
2 |
PATHFINDER PLAYTEST RULEBOOK SC | MAY182921 | PAI |
|
3 |
STARFINDER RPG CORE RULEBOOK HC | JUN173371 | PAI |
|
4 |
PATHFINDER PLAYTEST RULEBOOK HC | MAY182922 | PAI |
|
5 |
PATHFINDER PLAYTEST RULEBOOK DELUXE HARDCOVER | MAY182923 | PAI |
|
6 |
PATHFINDER RPG: ULTIMATE COMBAT POCKET EDITION | MAY182927 | PAI |
|
7 |
PATHFINDER RPG: BESTIARY 5 POCKET EDITION | MAY182926 | PAI |
|
8 |
GLOOMHAVEN 2017 EDITION | MAR188530 | CEP |
|
9 |
PATHFINDER RPG: PLANAR ADVENTURES HC | APR182573 | PAI |
|
10 |
PATHFINDER PLAYTEST ADVENTURE: DOOMSDAY DAWN | MAY182924 | PAI |
Both this August and last August had five weeks, so the release counts should be in an even comparison. I think Marvel was rushing to finish titles before Legacy last August, and several publishing slots were not replaced afterwards. I discussed that in a little more depth in the video report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRN2IuWnkfY
If more money is made by selling less books, that might not necessarily be a bad thing. It might just mean you are using your resources more effectively.
But seeing as these figures only show orders placed by stores, and indication of sell-through is difficult to obtain, the conclusion could also just be that the industry is once again covering losses by increasing prices.
It’s probably a bit of both, and I really think downsizing is the way to go for most companies. It’s just that, to me, Marvel still doesn’t seem downsized! 20 titles below last year, and they are still padding stories in endless preludes, hunt for’s and warps? New blood can’t come fast enough!
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