DC and Marvel swapped places atop the January sales charts just released by Diamond comics. Marvel Comics was January’s top publisher in dollars with a 34.30% retailer dollar share and a 36.69% unit share. But DC led in units shipped with a 38.94% unit share and a 33.80% retailer dollar share.
Doomday Clock #3 was the top shipping periodical of the month; DC had six of the top ten.
On the Graphic novel chart, Dark Horse’s The Legend of Korra Volume 2: Turf Wars Part 2 was the best-selling graphic novel of January. Image had five of the top ten.
Diamond just added separate charts for top dollars and units. I can see the chart wonks heads spinning as we speak. Marvel’s $40 Viaion collection topped the dollars chart easily.
In sales trajectories, January 2018 was up a little from December 2017 – which is pretty astounding considering how huge the holiday market is supposed to be. NO wonder so many shops have been closing.
But sales are down 1.97% in dollars and 10.26% in units from a year ago. I think it’s the last number that’s significant; a 10% in units shipped over a year’s time fits pretty well with the drops we’ve heard from publishers and shops.
TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS
TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS
| PUBLISHER | DOLLAR
SHARE |
UNIT
SHARE |
| MARVEL COMICS | 34.30% | 36.69% |
| DC ENTERTAINMENT | 33.80% | 38.94% |
| IMAGE COMICS | 948% | 823% |
| IDW PUBLISHING | 442% | 351% |
| DARK HORSE COMICS | 250% | 127% |
| BOOM! STUDIOS | 213% | 174% |
| DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT | 161% | 225% |
| VIZ MEDIA | 129% | 044% |
| TITAN COMICS | 096% | 074% |
| ONI PRESS INC. | 089% | 048% |
| OTHER NON-TOP 10 | 863% | 571% |
COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS
| DOLLARS | UNITS | |
| JANUARY 2018 VS. DECEMBER 2017 | ||
| COMICS | 6.08% | 7.60% |
| GRAPHIC NOVELS | -6.09% | -11.86% |
| TOTAL COMICS/GN | 2.13% | 5.79% |
| TOYS | 5.72% | 12.29% |
| JANUARY 2018 VS. JANUARY 2017 | ||
| COMICS | -4.29% | -11.40% |
| GRAPHIC NOVELS | 3.96% | 6.09% |
| TOTAL COMICS/GN | -1.97% | -10.26% |
| TOYS | 24.19% | 17.66% |
NEW TITLES SHIPPED
| PUBLISHER | COMICS SHIPPED | GRAPHIC NOVELS SHIPPED | MAGAZINES SHIPPED | TOTAL SHIPPED |
| MARVEL COMICS | 86 | 41 | 0 | 127 |
| DC ENTERTAINMENT | 89 | 28 | 0 | 117 |
| IMAGE COMICS | 62 | 18 | 0 | 80 |
| IDW PUBLISHING | 43 | 25 | 0 | 68 |
| BOOM! STUDIOS | 24 | 12 | 0 | 36 |
| TITAN COMICS | 18 | 10 | 3 | 31 |
| DARK HORSE COMICS | 10 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
| VIZ MEDIA | 0 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT | 13 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
| ONI PRESS | 5 | 4 | 0 | 9 |
| OTHER NON-TOP 10 | 128 | 123 | 22 | 273 |
| TOTAL | 478 | 296 | 25 | 799 |
TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY UNITS INVOICED
| RANK | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
| 1 | DOOMSDAY CLOCK #3 | $4.99 | NOV170212-M | DC |
| 2 | DARK NIGHTS METAL #5 | $3.99 | OCT170206-M | DC |
| 3 | BATMAN #38 | $2.99 | NOV170231-M | DC |
| 4 | BATMAN #39 | $2.99 | NOV170233-M | DC |
| 5 | THE WALKING DEAD #175 (MR) | $3.99 | NOV170604-M | IMA |
| 6 | AVENGERS #675 | $4.99 | OCT170809-M | MAR |
| 7 | BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT #4 | $3.99 | NOV170239-M | DC |
| 8 | AMAZING SPIDER-MAN/VENOM: VENOM INC. OMEGA #1 | $4.99 | NOV170955-M | MAR |
| 9 | BATMAN AND THE SIGNAL #1 | $3.99 | NOV170210-M | DC |
| 10 | OLD MAN HAWKEYE #1 | $3.99 | NOV170921-M | MAR |
TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED
| RANK | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
| 1 | DOOMSDAY CLOCK #3 | $4.99 | NOV170212-M | DC |
| 2 | DARK NIGHTS METAL #5 | $3.99 | OCT170206-M | DC |
| 3 | AVENGERS #675 | $4.99 | OCT170809-M | MAR |
| 4 | THE WALKING DEAD #175 (MR) | $3.99 | NOV170604-M | IMA |
| 5 | AMAZING SPIDER-MAN/VENOM: VENOM INC. OMEGA #1 | $4.99 | NOV170955-M | MAR |
| 6 | BATMAN #38 | $2.99 | NOV170231-M | DC |
| 7 | BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT #4 | $3.99 | NOV170239-M | DC |
| 8 | BATMAN #39 | $2.99 | NOV170233-M | DC |
| 9 | BATMAN AND THE SIGNAL #1 | $3.99 | NOV170210-M | DC |
| 10 | OLD MAN HAWKEYE #1 | $3.99 | NOV170921-M | MAR |
TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY UNITS SHIPPED
| RANK | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
| 1 | LEGEND OF KORRA VOLUME 2: TURF WARS PT 2 TP | $10.99 | SEP170087 | DAR |
| 2 | THE WICKED & THE DIVINE VOLUME 6: IMPERIAL PHASE PART 2 TP (MR) | $16.99 | NOV170862 | IMA |
| 3 | DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: DATE WITH DISASTER TP | $9.99 | NOV170216 | DC |
| 4 | DESCENDER VOLUME 5: RISE OF THE ROBOTS TP | $16.99 | NOV170741 | IMA |
| 5 | KILL OR BE KILLED VOLUME 3 TP (MR) | $16.99 | NOV170691-M | IMA |
| 6 | SAGA VOLUME 8 TP (MR) | $14.99 | OCT170715 | IMA |
| 7 | WOLVERINE: OLD MAN LOGAN VOL. 6: DAYS OF ANGER TP | $17.99 | NOV171057-M | MAR |
| 8 | VISION HC | $39.99 | OCT170993 | MAR |
| 9 | SAGA VOLUME 1 TP (MR) | $9.99 | AUG120491 | IMA |
| 10 | HARLEY QUINN VOLUME 4: SURPRISE, SURPRISE TP | $16.99 | OCT170360 | DC |
TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED
| RANK | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
| 1 | VISION HC | $39.99 | OCT170993 | MAR |
| 2 | THE WICKED & THE DIVINE VOLUME 6: IMPERIAL PHASE PART 2 TP (MR) | $16.99 | NOV170862 | IMA |
| 3 | GENE COLAN’S TOMB OF DRACULA ARTIST EDITION HC | $125.00 | AUG170497 | IDW |
| 4 | SUPERMAN: THE GOLDEN AGE OMNIBUS VOLUME 5 HC | $125.00 | AUG170343 | DC |
| 5 | MARVEL MASTERWORKS: DAREDEVIL VOLUME 12 HC | $75.00 | JUL171204-M | MAR |
| 6 | MARVEL MASTERWORKS: SUB-MARINER VOLUME 8 HC | $75.00 | JUL171206-M | MAR |
| 7 | LEGEND OF KORRA VOLUME 2: TURF WARS PT 2 TP | $10.99 | SEP170087 | DAR |
| 8 | DESCENDER VOLUME 5: RISE OF THE ROBOTS TP | $16.99 | NOV170741 | IMA |
| 9 | KILL OR BE KILLED VOLUME 3 TP (MR) | $16.99 | NOV170691-M | IMA |
| 10 | DEADPOOL & CO. OMNIBUS HC | $125.00 | JUL171192 | MAR |
TOP 10 BOOKS BY UNITS SHIPPED
| RANK | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
| 1 | BLACK PANTHER LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK | $4.99 | NOV172179 | RAN |
| 2 | DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: HARLEY QUINN AT SUPER HERO HIGH | $13.99 | NOV172187 | RAN |
| 3 | DC SUPER FRIENDS: THE FLASH LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK | $4.99 | NOV172183 | RAN |
| 4 | WONDER WOMAN IS RESPECTFUL PICTURE BOOK | $4.95 | NOV172176 | CAP |
| 5 | NIGHT, NIGHT GROOT BOARD BOOK | $7.99 | NOV172194 | HAC |
| 6 | BATMAN IS TRUSTWORTHY PICTURE BOOK | $4.95 | NOV172171 | CAP |
| 7 | THE FLASH IS CARING PICTURE BOOK | $4.95 | NOV172172 | CAP |
| 8 | SUPERMAN IS A GOOD CITIZEN PICTURE BOOK | $4.95 | NOV172174 | CAP |
| 9 | JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE JOKER & HARLEY QUINNS JLA JAILHOUSE SC | $5.95 | NOV172192 | CAP |
| 10 | THE SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOLUME 125 SC | $14.95 | OCT172091 | SAN |
TOP 10 TOYS BY DOLLARS INVOICED
| RANK | DESCRIPTION | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
| 1 | DRAGONBALL SUPER DRAGON STARS ACTION FIGURES | DEC168933 | BAN |
| 2 | ONE-12 COLLECTIVE: MARVEL: X-FORCE DEADPOOL ACTION FIGURE | FEB178707 | MEZ |
| 3 | OVERWATCH: D.VA 20-INCH STATUE | AUG178473 | BLI |
| 4 | BORUTO -NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS: NARUTO FIGURE | MAY178022 | BAN |
| 5 | MARVEL SELECT: THOR RAGNAROK: GLADIATOR HULK FIGURE | JUL172803 | DST |
| 6 | POP! DRAGON BALL SUPER: GOTENKS VINYL FIGURE | AUG178958 | FUN |
| 7 | MARVEL SELECT: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2: DRAX & BABY GROOT ACTION FIGURE | JAN172662 | DST |
| 8 | DRAGONBALL Z MANGA DIMENSIONS: VEGITO FIGURE | JAN178995 | BAN |
| 9 | OVERWATCH: TRACER FIGMA | MAY178050 | GOO |
| 10 | MARVEL SELECT: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2: STAR-LORD & ROCKET FIGURE | JAN172663 | DST |
TOP 10 GAMES BY DOLLARS INVOICED
| RANK | DESCRIPTION | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
| 1 | VAMPIRELLA TAROT CARDS SET | AUG171626 | DE |
| 2 | RICK AND MORTY MONOPOLY | DEC172927 | USA |
| 3 | MAGIC THE GATHERING TCG: HOUR OF DEVASTATION BOOSTER PACKS | APR173295 | WIZ |
| 4 | MARVEL DICE MASTERS: MIGHTY THOR 90 GRAVITY FEED PACKS | JUN173411 | NEC |
| 5 | MAGIC THE GATHERING TCG: IXALAN BOOSTER PACKS | JUN173398 | WIZ |
| 6 | DC DICE MASTERS: BATMAN GRAVITY FEED PACKS | SEP168742 | NEC |
| 7 | TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: SHADOWS OF THE PAST BOARD GAME | APR160482 | IDW |
| 8 | FANTASY FLIGHT GAMES STARTER | OCT178573 | ASM |
| 9 | MAGIC THE GATHERING TCG: HOUR OF DEVASTATION BUNDLE PACK | APR173296 | WIZ |
| 10 | DROPMIX MUSIC GAMING SYSTEM | JUL178809 | HAS |
How does Diamond calculate the charts? It all starts at the comic book shop.
Data for Diamond’s sales charts — which includes the monthly market shares and all top product charts — are compiled by Diamond Comic Distributors from sales made to thousands of comic book specialty shops located inNorth Americaand around the world. Additional sales made to online merchants and other specialty retailers may be included as well.
Unit and dollar market shares are calculated based upon orders for comic books, graphic novels, and magazines invoiced and shipped to Diamond customers during any given month, which comprises pre-orders, advance reorders, and reorders, minus any copies that are received back from a title marked as returnable. Please note that comics marked with an asterisk (*) have had their reported quantities reduced due to retailer returnability, and thus may rank lower on the charts than their actual sales would reflect.
The New Titles Count Chart includes all titles that were invoiced by Diamond to retailers for the first time during the month and is not the official solicited title count for the month. Variant edition comic books and graphic novels at the same price point count as a single SKU. Variant edition comic books, lenticular covers, digital combo packs, and graphic novels at different price points count as separate SKUs for each edition.
January beat December because of the extra week. Had the first Wednesday been January 2, chances are it would have been tabulated with December, as it has been in past years when that’s happened. The last five-week January in accounting terms was in 2008.
Decembers haven’t been great indicators of the holidays for a while, incidentally; more and more, the big holiday books drop in November, or even earlier. (What we do see in December is a lot of heavy discounting on graphic novels as publishers seek to make their year.)
The unit sales change, meanwhile, is partially an illusion. Last January was when Marvel offered a free 10% overship on its entire line, and those comics counted for the charts. While the unit figure in comics is not to be trusted, in graphic novels the unit figure does appear to represent about 35,000 more graphic novels shipped. We’ll see what the discounting looks like within that list on Monday.
My post on the month: http://blog.comichron.com/2018/02/fifth-week-helps-january-comics-sales.html
Good on DC. So many of their top creators (Snyder, Capullo, King, Janin, Williamson, Porter, Venditti, Van Sciver, Murphy and Fabok, just to name a few!) are so nice and polite to customers/fans on twitter. Even a few DC editors have been really nice too. Its great to see that the respectful pros are climbing the sales charts. They deserve it!
“So many of their top creators (. . . Van Sciver . . .) are so nice and polite to customers/fans on twitter.
Yeah it was so nice when he told someone to kill themselves.
Skip – how many years ago was that? Learn to move on already. Not everyone is perfect. It looks like he has learnt from that, based on how he acts now.
After this list, and the Top 10 Graphic Novels of the Year list (which showed most of DC’s sales coming from Alan Moore trades), you have to wonder if DC would even still be in business if it wasn’t for Alan Moore.
“Not everyone is perfect”
1. Telling someone to kill themselves is a far cry from perfect.
2. This isn’t some innocent slip people habitually fall into. That takes serious scumbaggery.
3. You seem willing to forgive him despite his lack od remorse.
4. You were talking about “nice and polite” creators. EVS is anything but.
Skip – you listed 4 points but didn’t answer how long ago he said it, Although point 1 we both agree on, no ones perfect. People try and act superior and say they are, but usually those people are just as bad if not worse. Also, who are you to say if someone is remorseful or not?
“didn’t answer how long ago he said it”
It was less than three years ago. This is who he still is.
“no ones perfect”
Well then I guess we can all go around murdering and raping, because why strive for perfection if it’s impossible.
“People try and act superior and say they are, but usually those people are just as bad if not worse.”
No, people are not usually like this, especially those who are concerned with scum like Ethan Van Sciver.
“who are you to say if someone is remorseful or not?”
Ethan Van Sciver has never apologized for his behavior. He is not remorseful, and neither are you.
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