Top 100 Graphic Novels: May 2012
Earth's heroes joined forces to confront the threat posed by Darkseid in Justice League Volume 1: Origin, the best-selling Geoff Johns and Jim Lee storyline for DC Comics. The collected hardcover edition of the storyline was the best-selling graphic novel to comics retailers in May.
DC Comics had a strong month with graphic novel sales, taking six of the top ten spots. Also in the top ten were Batman Volume 1: The Court of Owls, the story arc by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, at #2; Chip Kidd and Dave Taylor's original graphic novel Batman: Death By Design at #4; Animal Man Volume 1: The Hunt at #5; the hardcover edition of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen at #9; and Green Lantern Volume 1: Sinestro at #10.
Image Comics had three books in the top ten, all from Robert Kirkman's zombie series, The Walking Dead. Volume 1: Days Gone Bye ranked #3, Volume 4: Hearts Desire ranked #6, and Volume 2: Miles Behind Us ranked #8.
Marvel Comics rounded out the top ten with the hardcover edition of Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr.'s Kick-Ass 2 at #7.
Among the other Premier Publishers, Dark Horse Comics' top book in May was Avatar: The Last Airbender Volume 2: The Promise, Part 2 at #11, while IDW Publishing's top book was Locke & Key Volume 4: Keys to the Kingdom at #18.
TOP 100 GRAPHIC NOVELS
Based on Total Unit Sales of Products Invoiced in May 2012
| QTY RANK |
DOLLAR RANK |
INDEX | ITEM CODE | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | VENDOR |
| 1 | 1 | 6.58 | JAN120299 | JUSTICE LEAGUE HC VOL 01 ORIGIN | $24.99 | DC |
| 2 | 2 | 6.07 | JAN120300 | BATMAN HC VOL 01 THE COURT OF OWLS | $24.99 | DC |
| 3 | 14 | 5.57 | JUL068351 | WALKING DEAD TP VOL 01 DAYS GONE BYE | $9.99 | IMA |
| 4 | 3 | 5.43 | JAN120285 | BATMAN DEATH BY DESIGN DELUXE ED HC | $24.99 | DC |
| 5 | 10 | 4.41 | FEB120247 | ANIMAL MAN TP VOL 01 THE HUNT | $14.99 | DC |
| 6 | 16 | 3.52 | SEP088205-M | WALKING DEAD TP VOL 04 HEARTS DESIRE | $14.99 | IMA |
| 7 | 4 | 3.42 | MAR120637 | KICK-ASS 2 PREM HC (MR) | $24.99 | MAR |
| 8 | 18 | 3.36 | SEP088204-M | WALKING DEAD TP VOL 02 MILES BEHIND US | $14.99 | IMA |
| 9 | 8 | 3.33 | JUL080172 | WATCHMEN HC | $39.99 | DC |
| 10 | 7 | 3.29 | JAN120301 | GREEN LANTERN HC VOL 01 SINESTRO | $22.99 | DC |
| 11 | 37 | 3.12 | JAN120087 | AVATAR LAST AIRBENDER TP VOL 02 PROMISE PART 2 | $10.99 | DAR |
| 12 | 26 | 2.95 | NOV082245 | WALKING DEAD TP VOL 03 SAFETY BEHIND BARS | $14.99 | IMA |
| 13 | 9 | 2.94 | JAN120731 | SPIDER-MAN SEASON ONE PREM HC | $24.99 | MAR |
| 14 | 28 | 2.90 | FEB120248 | CATWOMAN TP VOL 01 THE GAME | $14.99 | DC |
| 15 | 19 | 2.87 | FEB120258 | BATMAN AND ROBIN TP VOL 03 BATMAN ROBIN MUST DIE | $17.99 | DC |
| 16 | 11 | 2.75 | JAN120302 | WONDER WOMAN HC VOL 01 BLOOD | $22.99 | DC |
| 17 | 21 | 2.69 | JAN120091 | EMPOWERED TP VOL 07 (MR) | $16.99 | DAR |
| 18 | 13 | 2.65 | MAR120354 | LOCKE & KEY TP VOL 04 KEYS TO THE KINGDOM | $19.99 | IDW |
| 19 | 27 | 2.50 | FEB120289 | AMERICAN VAMPIRE TP VOL 02 (MR) | $17.99 | DC |
| 20 | 63 | 2.46 | FEB121183 | NARUTO TP VOL 56 | $9.99 | VIZ |
| 21 | 23 | 2.43 | MAR120680 | UNCANNY X-FORCE TP VOL 03 DARK ANGEL SAGA BOOK 01 | $19.99 | MAR |
| 22 | 119 | 2.38 | MAR120443 | PRO ONE SHOT (MR) | $7.99 | IMA |
| 23 | 44 | 2.19 | SEP088206-M | WALKING DEAD TP VOL 05 BEST DEFENSE | $14.99 | IMA |
| 24 | 58 | 2.13 | FEB121079 | SAILOR MOON TP KODANSHA ED VOL 05 | $10.99 | RAN |
| 25 | 47 | 2.11 | OCT110502 | WALKING DEAD TP VOL 15 WE FIND OURSELVES (MR) | $14.99 | IMA |
| 26 | 49 | 2.09 | FEB120250 | JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL TP VOL 01 SIGNAL MASTERS | $14.99 | DC |
| 27 | 32 | 2.01 | FEB120254 | GREEN LANTERN BRIGHTEST DAY TP | $19.99 | DC |
| 28 | 33 | 1.99 | FEB120255 | BRIGHTEST DAY TP VOL 02 | $19.99 | DC |
| 29 | 45 | 1.98 | MAR120684 | ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN DOSM FALLOUT TP | $19.99 | MAR |
| 30 | 22 | 1.96 | FEB120664 | AVENGERS X-SANCTION HC | $24.99 | MAR |
| 31 | 31 | 1.90 | JAN120102 | SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN TP VOL 11 | $19.99 | DAR |
| 32 | 54 | 1.84 | MAR120679 | MIGHTY THOR BY MATT FRACTION TP VOL 01 | $19.99 | MAR |
| 33 | 60 | 1.84 | SEP088207 | WALKING DEAD TP VOL 06 SORROWFUL LIFE | $14.99 | IMA |
| 34 | 94 | 1.80 | FEB120285-M | FABLES TP VOL 01 LEGENDS IN EXILE NEW ED (MR) | $12.99 | DC |
| 35 | 70 | 1.77 | FEB120251 | STORMWATCH TP VOL 01 THE DARK SIDE | $14.99 | DC |
| 36 | 69 | 1.76 | FEB120249 | GREEN ARROW TP VOL 01 THE MIDAS TOUCH | $14.99 | DC |
| 37 | 66 | 1.75 | NOV082242 | WALKING DEAD TP VOL 09 HERE WE REMAIN (MR) | $14.99 | IMA |
| 38 | 68 | 1.74 | SEP088208-M | WALKING DEAD TP VOL 07 THE CALM BEFORE | $14.99 | IMA |
| 39 | 48 | 1.71 | MAR120860 | IRREDEEMABLE TP VOL 09 | $16.99 | BOO |
| 40 | 20 | 1.69 | FEB120266 | BATMAN KNIGHTFALL NEW ED TP VOL 02 KNIGHTQUEST | $29.99 | DC |
| 41 | 52 | 1.69 | FEB120259 | BATMAN BRUCE WAYNE THE ROAD HOME TP | $17.99 | DC |
| 42 | 97 | 1.67 | MAR120677 | ASTONISHING X-MEN TP VOL 07 MONSTROUS | $16.99 | MAR |
| 43 | 73 | 1.67 | JUN090332 | WALKING DEAD TP VOL 10 WHAT WE BECOME | $14.99 | IMA |
| 44 | 74 | 1.66 | FEB082136 | WALKING DEAD TP VOL 08 MADE TO SUFFER (MR) | $14.99 | IMA |
| 45 | 76 | 1.66 | APR110444 | WALKING DEAD TP VOL 14 NO WAY OUT (MR) | $14.99 | IMA |
| 46 | 82 | 1.60 | OCT090390 | WALKING DEAD TP VOL 11 FEAR THE HUNTERS (MR) | $14.99 | IMA |
| 47 | 85 | 1.60 | SEP100413 | WALKING DEAD TP VOL 13 TOO FAR GONE (MR) | $14.99 | IMA |
| 48 | 39 | 1.54 | JUL110745 | INFINITY GAUNTLET TP | $24.99 | MAR |
| 49 | 103 | 1.49 | MAR120675 | MAGNETO NOT A HERO TP | $14.99 | MAR |
| 50 | 98 | 1.48 | APR100438 | WALKING DEAD TP VOL 12 LIFE AMONG THEM | $14.99 | IMA |
| 51 | 51 | 1.46 | JAN120092 | CHANNEL ZERO TP COMPLETE COLLECTION | $19.99 | DAR |
| 52 | 40 | 1.45 | FEB120260 | BATMAN PREY TP | $24.99 | DC |
| 53 | 43 | 1.41 | MAR120666 | UNCANNY X-FORCE OTHERWORLD PREM HC | $24.99 | MAR |
| 54 | 65 | 1.36 | MAR120670 | OZ OZMA OF OZ GN TP | $19.99 | MAR |
| 55 | 30 | 1.36 | JAN120330 | FABLES DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 05 (MR) | $29.99 | DC |
| 56 | 29 | 1.35 | JAN120078 | BTVS SEASON 8 LIBRARY HC VOL 01 LONG WAY HOME | $29.99 | DAR |
| 57 | 36 | 1.35 | MAR120353 | JOE HILL THE CAPE HC | $24.99 | IDW |
| 58 | 139 | 1.34 | MAR120676 | GENERATION HOPE END OF A GENERATION TP | $15.99 | MAR |
| 59 | 116 | 1.32 | MAR120432 | HAUNT TP VOL 03 | $14.99 | IMA |
| 60 | 5 | 1.31 | MAR092419 | WALKING DEAD COMPENDIUM TP VOL 01 (MR) | $59.99 | IMA |
| 61 | 83 | 1.30 | JAN120944 | INCORRUPTIBLE TP VOL 06 | $16.99 | BOO |
| 62 | 123 | 1.28 | MAR120688 | STAND TP VOL 03 SOUL SURVIVORS | $19.99 | MAR |
| 63 | 120 | 1.28 | FEB120646 | MARVELS AVENGERS PRELUDE TP | $14.99 | MAR |
| 64 | 35 | 1.28 | FEB120290 | DEADENDERS TP (MR) | $29.99 | DC |
| 65 | 79 | 1.27 | JAN121332 | GRIMM FAIRY TALES TP VOL 11 (MR) | $15.99 | ZEN |
| 66 | 50 | 1.26 | DEC110714-M | SILVER SURFER PARABLE PREM HC | $24.99 | MAR |
| 67 | 99 | 1.26 | FEB120265 | SUPERMAN GROUNDED TP VOL 01 | $17.99 | DC |
| 68 | 84 | 1.22 | FEB120014 | STAR WARS KNIGHT ERRANT TP VOL 02 DELUGE | $18.99 | DAR |
| 69 | 95 | 1.20 | NOV118095-M | BATMAN DARK KNIGHT RETURNS TP | $19.99 | DC |
| 70 | 166 | 1.20 | FEB120675 | AMAZING SPIDER-MAN SECRET ORIGINS TP | $14.99 | MAR |
| 71 | 91 | 1.19 | FEB120298-M | SANDMAN TP VOL 09 THE KINDLY ONES NEW ED (MR) | $19.99 | DC |
| 72 | 64 | 1.19 | JAN121241 | ATOMIC ROBO TP VOL 06 GHOST OF STATION X | $18.95 | RED |
| 73 | 157 | 1.17 | MAR120647 | AVENGERS CONTEST TP | $16.99 | MAR |
| 74 | 42 | 1.16 | JUL110248 | BIBLE HC | $29.99 | DC |
| 75 | 25 | 1.16 | SEP110190 | SPIRIT WORLD HC | $39.99 | DC |
| 76 | 53 | 1.15 | FEB120035 | BALTIMORE HC VOL 02 CURSE BELLS | $24.99 | DAR |
| 77 | 186 | 1.12 | FEB121185 | ONE PIECE TP VOL 62 | $9.99 | VIZ |
| 78 | 46 | 1.09 | MAR120656 | VENOM CIRCLE OF FOUR PREM HC | $29.99 | MAR |
| 79 | 156 | 1.09 | FEB121078 | NEGIMA GN VOL 34 (MR) | $10.99 | RAN |
| 80 | 71 | 1.07 | MAR120368 | COMIC BOOK HISTORY OF COMICS GN | $21.99 | IDW |
| 81 | 106 | 1.06 | FEB120267 | SHOWCASE PRESENTS SEA DEVILS TP VOL 01 | $19.99 | DC |
| 82 | 108 | 1.05 | MAR120685 | DEADPOOL MAX TP INVOLUNTARY ARMAGEDDON | $19.99 | MAR |
| 83 | 124 | 1.03 | MAR120658 | CAPTAIN AMERICA BY ED BRUBAKER PREM HC VOL 02 | $19.99 | MAR |
| 84 | 104 | 1.03 | JAN120105 | FLCL OMNIBUS GN | $19.99 | DAR |
| 85 | 62 | 1.03 | FEB121067 | ARE YOU MY MOTHER A COMIC DRAMA HC | $22.00 | HOU |
| 86 | 113 | 1.02 | MAR120695 | ESSENTIAL BLACK PANTHER TP VOL 01 | $19.99 | MAR |
| 87 | 121 | 1.02 | FEB058406-M | WATCHMEN TP | $19.99 | DC |
| 88 | 12 | 1.01 | DEC110708-M | MMW AVENGERS HC VOL 12 | $59.99 | MAR |
| 89 | 78 | 1.00 | MAY090178 | BATMAN HUSH COMPLETE TP | $24.99 | DC |
| 90 | 56 | 1.00 | MAR120644 | AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS PREM HC VOL 03 | $29.99 | MAR |
| 91 | 41 | 1.00 | FEB120444 | HACK SLASH OMNIBUS TP VOL 04 | $34.99 | IMA |
| 92 | 202 | 1.00 | MAR120683 | VILLAINS FOR HIRE TP KNIGHT TAKES KING | $14.99 | MAR |
| 93 | 204 | 0.99 | MAR120681 | WOLVERINE AND BLACK CAT CLAWS 2 TP | $14.99 | MAR |
| 94 | 57 | 0.96 | FEB120268 | STARMAN OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 | $29.99 | DC |
| 95 | 92 | 0.96 | FEB120262 | DC UNIVERSE LEGACIES TP | $24.99 | DC |
| 96 | 61 | 0.95 | MAR120643 | NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS PREM HC VOL 03 | $29.99 | MAR |
| 97 | 24 | 0.95 | FEB120647 | AVENGERS ART OF AVENGERS HC SLIPCASE | $49.99 | MAR |
| 98 | 118 | 0.95 | MAR120645 | AVENGERS ACADEMY PREM HC SECOND SEMESTER | $24.99 | MAR |
| 99 | 141 | 0.94 | MAR110542 | CHOKER TP VOL 01 (MR) | $16.99 | IMA |
| 100 | 143 | 0.94 | MAR120687 | HALO FALL OF REACH COVENANT TP | $16.99 | MAR |
This information may not be reproduced in any format without the express permission of Diamond Comic Distributors.
For retailers, Diamond offers the Top 300 Comics and Top 300 Graphic Novels sales charts on the Diamond Tools page of the Diamond Retailer Services website to provide more information about the industry's top selling publications.
How does Diamond calculate the charts? It all starts at the comic book shop.
Data for Diamond’s sales charts – which include the monthly market shares and all top product charts – are compiled by Diamond Comic Distributors from a universe of over 3,500 accounts, comprised of comic book specialty shops and other merchant stores and buyers. The shops are primarily located in North America, with a percentage of sales also to international stores and buyers located throughout the world. The account base includes not only brick-and-mortar comic book specialty shops, but also Internet stores, chain stores, and other specialty stores.
Unit and dollars sales are calculated based upon orders invoiced and shipped to Diamond accounts during any given month, minus any copies that are distributed free of cost.
About the Diamond Sales Index: The Sales Index of selected monthly Best Seller Charts is presented as a comparative tool for retailers and publishers. It presents Diamond’s monthly sales for individual titles in relation to Diamond’s total sales for the issue of DC Comics' monthly Batman comic book. (Batman is used as the control title – with a value of 100 – because sales of Batman usually remain relatively stable.) This allows for easy comparison to other titles and helps retailers gauge their orders for all other titles. This formula is only a guide, other factors may impact a titles’ ability to sell in certain locations and clientele.
