Marvel Comics’ Secret Invasion #1 was the best-selling comic book title for 2008 based on total unit sales to comic book specialty shops, according to Diamond Comic Distributors, the world’s largest distributor of comics, graphic novels, and pop-culture products . All eight issues of the limited series crossover event placed in the top ten comics of 2008, and were joined by Uncanny X-men #500 (#6) and DC Comics’ first issue of its 2008 mega-event, Final Crisis #1 (#10).
In addition, Marvel Comics closed out 2008 as the top publisher, leading both Retail Dollar and Unit Market Shares, with a 46% Unit Market Share, and a 41% Retail Dollar Market Share. DC Comic’s was the comic book industry’s second leading publisher with 32% Unit Market Share, and a 30% Retail Dollar Market Share.
2008’s top-selling graphic novel was the perennial best-seller, DC Comics’ Watchmen TP, which enjoyed renewed success in the wake of the upcoming feature film in 2009. DC Comics also dominated graphic novel sales by taking seven of the top ten spots.
“Comic book and graphic novel sales through comic book specialty shops remained strong in 2008, with graphic novel sales increasing five-percent over 2007” remarked Diamond CEO Steve Geppi. “Our publishers did a tremendous job of creating compelling storylines that comic book fans wanted to see, and we remain optimistic about the comic book industry heading into 2009.”
2008 TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS
|
|
UNIT SHARE |
RETAIL DOLLAR SHARE |
|
MARVEL COMICS |
45.82% |
40.81% |
|
DC COMICS |
31.67% |
29.94% |
|
DARK HORSE COMICS |
5.05% |
6.49% |
|
IMAGE COMICS |
3.32% |
3.73% |
|
IDW PUBLISHING |
2.92% |
3.08% |
|
OTHERS |
11.22% |
15.95% |
2008 TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS
|
Quantity Rank |
Description |
Price |
Publisher |
|
1 |
SECRET INVASION #1 |
$3.99 |
Marvel Comics |
|
2 |
SECRET INVASION #2 |
$3.99 |
Marvel Comics |
|
3 |
SECRET INVASION #3 |
$3.99 |
Marvel Comics |
|
4 |
SECRET INVASION #4 |
$3.99 |
Marvel Comics |
|
5 |
SECRET INVASION #5 |
$3.99 |
Marvel Comics |
|
6 |
SECRET INVASION #6 |
$3.99 |
Marvel Comics |
|
7 |
UNCANNY X-MEN #500 |
$3.99 |
Marvel Comics |
|
8 |
SECRET INVASION #7 |
$3.99 |
Marvel Comics |
|
9 |
FINAL CRISIS #1 |
$3.99 |
DC Comics |
|
10 |
SECRET INVASION #8 |
$3.99 |
Marvel Comics |
2008 TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS
|
Quantity Rank |
Description |
Price |
Publisher |
|
1 |
WATCHMEN TP |
$19.99 |
DC Comics |
|
2 |
BATMAN THE KILLING JOKE SPECIAL ED HC |
$17.99 |
DC Comics |
|
3 |
JOKER HC |
$19.99 |
DC Comics |
|
4 |
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 10 WHYS AND WHEREFORES |
$14.99 |
DC Comics |
|
5 |
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 08 MADE TO SUFFER |
$14.99 |
Image Comics |
|
6 |
BATMAN DARK KNIGHT RETURNS TP |
$14.99 |
DC Comics |
|
7 |
FABLES TP VOL 10: THE GOOD PRINCE |
$17.99 |
DC Comics |
|
8 |
WANTED GN |
$19.99 |
Image Comics |
|
9 |
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 8 TP VOL 02: NO FUTURE FOR YOU |
$15.95 |
Dark Horse Comics |
|
10 |
Y THE LAST MAN TP VOL 01 UNMANNED |
$12.99 |
DC Comics |
This information may not be reprinted, reproduced or copied in any format without the express permission of Diamond Comic Distributors.
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 4,000+ 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 brick-and-mortar comic book specialty shops, Internet merchants, and other specialty stores.
Unit and dollars sales are calculated based upon orders invoiced and shipped to Diamond accounts during any given month, which comprises initial pre-orders, advance reorders, and reorders, minus any copies that are received back from a title marked as returnable.
