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Marvel Leads as Comics’ Gains in January Stumbles in February

Posted on March 15, 2019 by Graphic Policy Team Leave a comment

February 2019 was a rough month compared to January 2019 according to Diamond Comic Distributors who released the month’s sales data.

Comics, graphic novels, and toys were all down in February 2019 compared to January 2019. All were down double digits in both dollars and units. Compared to February 2018, February 2019 saw gains in toys but was down slightly for comics and graphic novels.

So far, 2019 is still up as far as dollars compared to 2018. Comics are up 4.82% in dollars but down 1.51% in units. Graphic novels are up 5.0% in dollars and down 2.56% in units. Comics and graphic novels are up 4.87% in dollars and down 1.59% in units. Toys are up 27.83% in dollars and also up 39.44% in units.

Marvel Comics was February’s top publisher, leading in dollar share with 40.20% (+0.96) and unit share with 44.48% (+3.19). DC was second, with a dollar share of 28.69% (-1.01) and unit share of 30.64% (-2.75). Image Comics was third, with a 9.49% dollar share (+1.93). and a 9.30% unit share (+1.53). Dark Horse Comics was fourth with a 3.25% dollar share (-0.70) and a 2.58% unit share (-0.39), followed by Dynamite Entertainment with a 2.58% dollar share (+0.45) and a 2.35% unit share (+0.52), then IDW Publishing with a 2.55% dollar share (-1.10) and a 2.20% unit share (-1.12), and BOOM! Studios with a 2.38% dollar share (+0.06) and a 2.26% unit share (+0.03).

DC had five titles in the top ten including the top selling issue with The Batman Who Laughs #3. Marvel Comics also had five titles among the top ten: Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman’s Venom #11 ranked #4. Among the premier publishers, Image Comics’ The Walking Dead #188 ranked #28, BOOM! Studios’ Buffy the Vampire Slayer #2 ranked #71, Dynamite Entertainment’s Red Sonja #1 ranked #98, Dark Horse Comics’ William Gibson’s Alien 3 #4 ranked #133, and IDW Publishing’s Sonic the Hedgehog #13 ranked #144.

Tom King and Mitch Gerads’ critically-acclaimed Mister Miracle from DC was February’s best-selling graphic novel. Marvel Comics had a strong month in February with seven titles among the top ten, led by Christos Gage and Clayton Crain’s Spider-Geddon at #2. Chelsea Cain and Kate Miemczyk’s Man-Eaters Volume 1 from Image Comics also made the top ten, ranked #7.

BBC Books’ Doctor Who: Scratchmen, an original novel by beloved Doctor Who actor Tom Baker based on his 1970s screenplay, was February’s best-selling book.

Based on the character from DC’s Dark Nights: Metal currently starring in his own mini-series, the POP! DC Comics: The Batman Who Laughs Vinyl Figure from Funko, a PREVIEWS exclusive, was the best-selling toy product of February. Diamond Select Toys’ Marvel Gallery: Squirrel Girl PVC Figure ranked #5. DC Collectibles had four products in the top ten, led by the DC Designer Series: Nightwing & Batman by Ryan Sook Statue at #6.

Based on the anime sensation, Shinobi 7’s My Hero Academia: The Card Game was February’s best-selling game product. Paizo Publishing had a strong month with four products in the top ten; the Pathfinder Pawns: Bestiary Box was their top product at #3. IDW Games had two products in the top ten, led by the Sonic the Hedgehog: Crash Course Board Game at #7.

TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS

PUBLISHER	DOLLARSHARE	UNITSHARE
MARVEL COMICS	40.20%	44.48%
DC	28.69%	30.64%
IMAGE COMICS	9.49%	9.30%
DARK HORSE COMICS	3.25%	2.58%
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT	2.58%	2.35%
IDW PUBLISHING	2.55%	2.20%
BOOM! STUDIOS	2.38%	2.26%
VIZ MEDIA	1.78%	0.67%
ST. MARTINS PRESS	0.60%	0.16%
ONI PRESS INC.	0.56%	0.39%
OTHER NON-TOP 10	7.91%	4.96%

COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS

	DOLLARS	UNITS
FEBRUARY 2019 VS. JANUARY 2019
COMICS	-21.31%	-18.10%
GRAPHIC NOVELS	-26.09%	-25.43%
TOTAL COMICS/GN	-22.71%	-18.65%
TOYS	-19.93%	-35.10%
FEBRUARY 2019 VS. FEBRUARY 2018
COMICS	-6.06%	-8.47%
GRAPHIC NOVELS	-3.16%	-8.47%
TOTAL COMICS/GN	-5.27%	-8.47%
TOYS	20.34%	18.44%
YEAR-TO-DATE 2019 VS. YEAR-TO-DATE 2018
COMICS	4.82%	-1.51%
GRAPHIC NOVELS	5.00%	-2.56%
TOTAL COMICS/GN	4.87%	-1.59%
TOYS	27.83%	39.44%

NEW TITLES SHIPPED

PUBLISHER	COMICS SHIPPED	GRAPHIC NOVELS SHIPPED	MAGAZINES SHIPPED	TOTALSHIPPED
MARVEL COMICS	86	40	0	126
DC	59	28	1	88
IMAGE COMICS	47	19	0	66
DARK HORSE COMICS	24	13	0	37
IDW PUBLISHING	22	11	0	33
BOOM! STUDIOS	21	10	0	31
VIZ MEDIA	0	27	0	27
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT	20	1	0	21
SEVEN SEAS ENTERTAINMENT	0	21	0	21
ONI PRESS	4	3	0	7
OTHER NON-TOP 10	106	131	22	259
TOTAL	389	304	23	716

TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY UNITS SHIPPED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #3	$4.99	DEC180539-M	DC
2	BATMAN #64	$3.99	DEC180510-M	DC
3	BATMAN #65	$3.99	DEC180515-M	DC
4	VENOM #11	$3.99	DEC180962-M	MAR
5	HEROES IN CRISIS #6	$3.99	DEC180521-M	DC
6	AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #15	$3.99	DEC180951-M	MAR
7	UNCANNY X-MEN #12	$3.99	DEC180906-M	MAR
8	THE FLASH #64	$3.99	DEC180512-M	DC
9	UNCANNY X-MEN #11	$7.99	DEC180896-M	MAR
10	AVENGERS: NO ROAD HOME #1	$4.99	DEC180831-M	MAR

TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #3	$4.99	DEC180539-M	DC
2	UNCANNY X-MEN #11	$7.99	DEC180896-M	MAR
3	BATMAN #64	$3.99	DEC180510-M	DC
4	BATMAN #65	$3.99	DEC180515-M	DC
5	VENOM #11	$3.99	DEC180962-M	MAR
6	AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #16	$4.99	DEC180953-M	MAR
7	HEROES IN CRISIS #6	$3.99	DEC180521-M	DC
8	RETURN OF WOLVERINE #5	$4.99	NOV180950-M	MAR
9	AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #15	$3.99	DEC180951-M	MAR
10	UNCANNY X-MEN #12	$3.99	DEC180906-M	MAR

TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY UNITS SHIPPED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	MISTER MIRACLE TP (MR)	$24.99	OCT180598	DC
2	SPIDER-GEDDON TP	$24.99	NOV181026	MAR
3	INFINITY WARS TP	$34.99	NOV181024	MAR
4	IMMORTAL HULK VOLUME 2: GREEN DOOR TP	$15.99	NOV181036	MAR
5	MY HERO ACADEMIA VOLUME 17 GN	$9.99	DEC182240	VIZ
6	DEADPOOL: SECRET AGENT DEADPOOL TP	$14.99	NOV180967	MAR
7	MAN-EATERS VOLUME 1 TP	$12.99	DEC180123	IMA
8	INFINITY GAUNTLET: DELUXE EDITION TP	$34.99	AUG181075	MAR
9	CAPTAIN AMERICA VOL. 1: WINTER IN AMERICA TP	$17.99	NOV181022	MAR
10	AMAZING SPIDER-MAN BY NICK SPENCER VOL. 2 TP	$15.99	NOV181033	MAR

TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	MISTER MIRACLE TP (MR)	$24.99	OCT180598	DC
2	HE MAN & THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE OMNIBUS HC	$150.00	JUL180761	DC
3	CAPTAIN MARVEL/MS. MARVEL: A HERO IS BORN OMNIBUS HC	$100.00	AUG181069-M	MAR
4	VENOMNIBUS HC VOL 02	$125.00	AUG181071	MAR
5	INFINITY WARS TP	$34.99	NOV181024	MAR
6	INFINITY GAUNTLET: DELUXE EDITION TP	$34.99	AUG181075	MAR
7	SPIDER-GEDDON TP	$24.99	NOV181026	MAR
8	STAR WARS BY JASON AARON OMNIBUS HC	$125.00	SEP180997	MAR
9	MARVEL MASTERWORKS: LUKE CAGE POWER MAN VOL. 3	$75.00	AUG181073-M	MAR
10	WONDER WOMAN BY PHIL JIMINEZ OMNIBUS HC	$75.00	AUG180663	DC

TOP 10 BOOKS BY UNITS SHIPPED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	DOCTOR WHO: SCRATCHMAN HC	$23.99	DEC181681	BBC
2	ALAN MOORE: WRITING FOR COMICS GN (MR)	$5.95	STAR18707	AVA
3	FAST ENOUGH: BESSIE STRINGFIELD’S FIRST RIDE HC	$17.99	NOV181857	LIO
4	JIM HENSON’S LABYRINTH: A DISCOVERY ADVENTURE HC	$14.99	OCT181271	BOO
5	MARVEL SUPERHERO ADVENTURES: MIGHTY MARVELS SC	$4.99	DEC181953	MAR
6	COMICS JOURNAL #303	$14.99	NOV181771	FAN
7	WORLD OF READING: THIS IS CAPT MARVEL SC	$4.99	DEC181955	MAR
8	GRIMM FAIRY TALES ADULT COLORING BOOK VOLUME 1	$12.99	OCT151871	ZEN
9	BLOODBORNE OFFICIAL ARTWORKS SC	$44.99	MAR172148	UDO
10	MARVEL: POWERS OF A GIRL HC	$16.99	DEC181952	MAR

TOP 10 TOYS BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	POP! DC HEROES: THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS VINYL FIGURE	JUN188595	FUN
2	ONE-12 COLLECTIVE: MARVEL: IRON MAN STEALTH ARMOR FIGURE	JUN178877	MEZ
3	OVERWATCH: WIDOWMAKER FIGMA	JAN188448	GOO
4	FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN PLAY ARTS KAI: CLOUD STRIFE & FENRIR FIGURE	MAY188937	SQU
5	MARVEL GALLERY: SQUIRREL GIRL COMIC PVC FIGURE	AUG182582	DIA
6	DC DESIGNER SERIES: NIGHTWING & BATGIRL BY RYAN SOOK STATUE	JUL180809	DC
7	OVERWATCH: JUNKRAT “CLASSIC SKIN” NENDOROID	MAY189432	GOO
8	DC ESSENTIALS: NIGHTWING FIGURE	AUG180673	DC
9	DC ESSENTIALS: SHAZAM & BLACK ADAM ACTION FIGURE 2-PACK	JUN180604	DC
10	DC ESSENTIALS: HARLEY QUINN FIGURE	AUG180675	DC

TOP 10 GAMES BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	MY HERO ACADEMIA CARD GAME	JUL183082	SHI
2	MARVEL HEROCLIX: EARTH X BOOSTER BRICK	JUL188756	NEC
3	PATHFINDER PAWNS BESTIARY BOX	FEB168541	PAI
4	TOME OF BEASTS HC	JUN168476	PAI
5	WORLD OF LAZARUS: MODERN AGE RPG CAMPAIGN SETTING HC	MAR182717	GRE
6	STARFINDER PAWNS: ALIEN ARCHIVE 2 PAWN BOX	DEC183290	PAI
7	SONIC THE HEDGEHOG: CRASH COURSE BOARDGAME	MAY180772	IDW
8	INVADER ZIM: DOOMSDAY DICE GAME	AUG180835	IDW
9	MAGIC THE GATHERING TCG: RAVNICA ALLEGIANCE BOOSTER PACKS	AUG183195	WIZ
10	STARFINDER ADVENTURE PATH: FIRE STARTERS PART 1	DEC183289	PAI

Diamond Relaunches the Comic Shop Locator Service

Posted on February 28, 2019 by Graphic Policy Team Leave a comment

Diamond has upgraded the comicshoplocator.com website with a new mobile-friendly design and a focus on comic shops as fan-friendly places to visit.

The new, mobile-friendly site features an easier to use search function, a comic shop event calendar, comic shop spotlights, and information on new weekly releases at comic book shops.

The new website builds upon the success of the Comic Shop Locator Service (CSLS) which, since 1996, has directed over six million customers searching for comics and other merchandise to comic book specialty shops throughout North America and worldwide. Publishers and manufacturers who support the comic book specialty market routinely features the CSLS logo and website in books, on packaging, and on their websites.

The site is maintained and funded by Diamond and comic book specialty shops. Retailers interested in having their store listed on the Comic Shop Locator Service should contact their Diamond Retailer Services Representative. Comic Shop Locator profiles are maintained by retailers through the proprietary CSLS Management Tools available in the My Account section of Diamond’s Retailer Services Website, which allow retailers to customize their profiles, and to get access to monthly stats on how many online referrals they have received.

DC Gains Ground While Marvel Tops January 2019 With Big Gains Overall in Units and Dollars

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Brett

Marvel again topped by dollars and units in sales by DC Comics gained some ground in January 2019 according to Diamond Comic Distributors.

Comics, graphic novels, and toys all saw big gains from the previous month and the same month in the previous year. Comics were up 11.93% in dollars and up 13.49% in units. Graphic novels were up 42.79% in dollars and up 40.93% in units. Together, comics and graphic novels were up 19.47% in dollars and up 15.18% in units. Toys saw massive gains of 154.01% increase in dollars and 234.27% in units compared to December 2018.

Things also were up compared to the same time last year. Comics were up 15.32% in dollars and up 5.03% in units. Graphic novels were up 11.98% in dollars and up 2.36% in units. Together comics and graphic novels were up 14.33% in dollars and up 4.82% in units. Toys saw an increase of 34.53% in dollars and up 57.58% in units compared to January 2018.

DC Comics had five titles in the top ten with The Batman Who Laughs #2 being the top comic in units and second best in dollars. Marvel Comics also had five titles in the top ten with Captain Marvel #1 at #2. Among the premier publishers, Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead #187 was Image Comics‘ top book at #30; BOOM! Studios‘ Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1, a present day reimagining of Joss Whedon’s cult television series, was their best-selling book for January at #70; Dark Horse Comics‘ Stranger Things #4, based on the Netflix television series, ranked #85; Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons #4, the final issue of IDW Publishing‘s crossover event, ranked #98; and Dynamite Entertainment‘s Elvira: The Shape of Elvira #1 ranked #174.

Marvel Comics was January’s top publisher, leading in both the dollar share 39.24% (-1.56) and unit share 41.29% (-2.46) categories. DC was second, with a dollar share of 29.70% (+2.96) and unit share of 33.39% (+3.88). Image Comics was third, with a 7.56% (-1.01) dollar share and a 7.77% (-0.73) unit share. Dark Horse Comics was fourth with a 3.95% (+0.58) dollar share and a 2.97% (+0.39) unit share, followed by IDW Publishing with a 3.75% dollar share (+0.13) and a 3.32% (-0.07) unit share, then BOOM! Studios with a 2.32% (-0.63) dollar share and a 2.23% (-0.26) unit share, and Dynamite Entertainment with a 2.13% (-0.11) dollar share and a 1.83% (-0.28) unit share.

The collected edition of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Dark Nights: Metal from DC topped the graphic novel chart in January. Also in the top ten from DC were Dark Days: Road to Metal at #8 and Sean Murphy’s Batman: White Knight at #9. Marvel Comics had five titles in the top ten, led by Jim Starlin, George Perez, and Ron Lim’sThe Infinity Gauntlet at #2, followed by The Life of Captain Marvel at #3, Star Wars: Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith Volume 4 at #4, Cosmic Ghost Rider: Baby Thanos Must Die at #5, and Spider-Geddon: Edge of Spider-Geddon at #10. Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston’s Black Hammer Volume 3: Age of Doom Part 1 from Dark Horse Comics ranked #6. Image Comic was also in the top ten; Rob Guillory’s Farmhand Volume 1 ranked #7.

Wicked Cow Studios’ Lulu Is a Rhinoceros, a picture book for young readers about a dog who wants to be a rhinoceros by Jason Flom and Sophie Corrigan, was January’s best-selling book. Gemstone’s Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide Volume 48 returned to the charts at #5.

Funko’s POP! Power Rangers: Lord Drakkon Vinyl Figure, a PREVIEWS exclusive figure, was January’s best-selling toy product. Also in the top ten from Funko was the PREVIEWS Exclusive POP! DC Heroes: The Batman Who Laughs Vinyl Figure at #5. Diamond Select Toys had two products in the top ten, led by the Marvel Select: Avengers Infinity War: Iron-Spider Action Figure at #6. Also in the top ten, DC Collectibles’ Harley Quinn: Pink White & Black Valentine by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau Variant Statue ranked #10.

January’s best-selling game product, Green Ronin Publishing’s Critical Role: Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting, a sourcebook for the Critical Role role-playing game, topped the sales charts for a second month in a row. Paizo Publishing had a strong month with six products in the top ten, led by the Starfinder RPG Core Rulebook at #2. Also in the top ten, Dynamite Entertainment’s Red Sonja Tarot Card Set ranked #10.

TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS

PUBLISHER	DOLLARSHARE	UNITSHARE
MARVEL COMICS	39.24%	41.29%
DC	29.70%	33.39%
IMAGE COMICS	7.56%	7.77%
DARK HORSE COMICS	3.95%	2.97%
IDW PUBLISHING	3.65%	3.32%
BOOM! STUDIOS	2.32%	2.23%
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT	2.13%	1.83%
VIZ MEDIA	1.55%	0.61%
TITAN COMICS	0.80%	0.60%
ARCHIE COMICS	0.78%	0.77%
OTHER NON-TOP 10	8.31%	5.20%

COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS

	DOLLARS	UNITS
JANUARY 2019 VS. DECEMBER 2018
COMICS	11.93%	13.49%
GRAPHIC NOVELS	42.79%	40.93%
TOTAL COMICS/GN	19.47%	15.18%
TOYS	154.01%	234.27%
JANUARY 2019 VS. JANUARY 2018
COMICS	15.32%	5.03%
GRAPHIC NOVELS	11.98%	2.36%
TOTAL COMICS/GN	14.33%	4.82%
TOYS	34.53%	57.58%

NEW TITLES SHIPPED

PUBLISHER	COMICS SHIPPED	GRAPHIC NOVELS SHIPPED	MAGAZINES SHIPPED	TOTALSHIPPED
MARVEL COMICS	102	40	0	142
DC	87	31	0	118
IMAGE COMICS	57	10	0	67
IDW PUBLISHING	39	17	0	56
DARK HORSE COMICS	27	19	0	46
BOOM! STUDIOS	25	11	0	36
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT	19	6	0	25
VIZ MEDIA	0	25	0	25
TITAN COMICS	10	9	0	19
ARCHIE COMICS	13	5	0	18
OTHER NON-TOP 10	136	186	37	359
TOTAL	515	359	37	911

TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY UNITS SHIPPED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #2	$4.99	NOV180414-M	DC
2	CAPTAIN MARVEL #1	$4.99	NOV180783-M	MAR
3	GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1	$4.99	NOV180771-M	MAR
4	CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1	$4.99	NOV180740-M	MAR
5	AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #14	$3.99	NOV180903-M	MAR
6	BATMAN #62	$3.99	NOV180402-M	DC
7	BATMAN #63	$3.99	NOV180404-M	DC
8	HEROES IN CRISIS #4	$3.99	NOV180457-M	DC
9	HEROES IN CRISIS #5	$3.99	NOV180459-M	DC
10	FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #1	$4.99	NOV180793-M	MAR

TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	CAPTAIN MARVEL #1	$4.99	NOV180783-M	MAR
2	THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #2	$4.99	NOV180414-M	DC
3	GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1	$4.99	NOV180771-M	MAR
4	CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1	$4.99	NOV180740-M	MAR
5	AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #14	$3.99	NOV180903-M	MAR
6	FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #1	$4.99	NOV180793-M	MAR
7	YOUNG JUSTICE #1	$4.99	NOV180376-M	DC
8	BATMAN #62	$3.99	NOV180402-M	DC
9	BATMAN #63	$3.99	NOV180404-M	DC
10	HEROES IN CRISIS #4	$3.99	NOV180457-M	DC

TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY UNITS SHIPPED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	DARK NIGHTS: METAL TP	$19.99	OCT180569	DC
2	THE INFINITY GAUNTLET TP	$24.99	JUL110745	MAR
3	THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN MARVEL TP	$15.99	OCT181018-M	MAR
4	STAR WARS: DARTH VADER: DARK LORD OF THE SITH VOLUME 4: FORTRESS VADER TP	$19.99	OCT181014	MAR
5	COSMIC GHOST RIDER: BABY THANOS MUST DIE TP	$15.99	NOV181028	MAR
6	BLACK HAMMER VOL. 3: AGE OF DOOM PART I TP	$19.99	SEP180278	DAR
7	FARMHAND VOLUME 1 TP (MR)	$12.99	OCT180065	IMA
8	DARK DAYS: THE ROAD TO METAL TP	$19.99	OCT180568	DC
9	BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT TP	$19.99	JUL180733	DC
10	SPIDER-GEDDON: EDGE OF SPIDER-GEDDON TP	$15.99	OCT181015	MAR

TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	CONAN THE BARBARIAN OMNIBUS VOLUME 1 HC	$125.00	JUL181158-M	MAR
2	THE INFINITY GAUNTLET TP	$24.99	JUL110745	MAR
3	DARK NIGHTS: METAL TP	$19.99	OCT180569	DC
4	MARVEL MASTERWORKS: UNCANNY X-MEN VOL. 11 HC	$100.00	JUL181165-M	MAR
5	HOUSE OF MYSTERY: THE BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS VOL. 1 HC	$99.99	JUN180578	DC
6	INFINITY TP	$49.99	JUN140730	MAR
7	MARVEL MASTERWORKS: MARVEL TEAM-UP VOL. 4 HC	$75.00	JUL181163-M	MAR
8	STAR WARS: DARTH VADER: DARK LORD OF THE SITH VOLUME 4: FORTRESS VADER TP	$19.99	OCT181014	MAR
9	BLACK HAMMER VOL. 3: AGE OF DOOM PART I TP	$19.99	SEP180278	DAR
10	SPIDER-MAN: BEN REILLY OMNIBUS VOLUME 1 HC	$125.00	JUL181167	MAR

TOP 10 BOOKS BY UNITS SHIPPED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	LULU IS A RHINOCEROS	$16.99	FEB188267	WIC
2	BLOODBORNE OFFICIAL ARTWORKS SC	$44.99	MAR172148	UDO
3	CAPTAIN MARVEL LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK	$4.99	NOV181804	RAN
4	A FRIEND LIKE PIKACHU: POKEMON LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK	$4.99	NOV181802	RAN
5	OVERSTREET COMIC BOOK PRICE GUIDE VOL. 48 SC	$29.95	APR181580-M	GEM
6	FAST ENOUGH: BESSIE STRINGFIELD’S FIRST RIDE HC	$17.99	NOV181857	LIO
7	OVERLORD LIGHT NOVEL VOLUME 9 HC	$20.00	NOV182175	HAC
8	STAR TREK: I AM MR SPOCK LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK	$4.99	NOV181801	RAN
9	STAR TREK: I AM CAPTAIN KIRK LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK	$4.99	NOV181800	RAN
10	DC SUPER VILLAINS ORIGINS: THE JOKER TP	$4.95	DEC182051	CAP

TOP 10 TOYS BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	POP! POWER RANGERS: LORD DRAKKON VINYL FIGURE	JUN188596	FUN
2	OVERWATCH: MEI FLOATING SNOWBALL REPLICA	JUL189227	BLI
3	OVERWATCH: GENJI SWORD REPLICA	JUL189228	BLI
4	INFINITY WAR: THANOS ARTFX+ STATUE	MAR188569	KOT
5	POP! DC HEROES: THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS VINYL FIGURE	JUN188595	FUN
6	MARVEL SELECT: AVENGERS INFINITY WAR: IRON-SPIDER FIGURE	JAN188710	DST
7	ONE-12 COLLECTIVE: MARVEL: THOR RAGNAROK: GLADIATOR HULK	OCT178172	MEZ
8	AQUAMAN MOVIE GALLERY: AQUAMAN PVC FIGURE	AUG182575	DST
9	PERSONA 5: JOKER FIGMA	JUN178415	GOO
10	HARLEY QUINN: PINK WHITE BLACK VALENTINE BY LAU VARIANT STATUE	JUL180806	DC

TOP 10 GAMES BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	CRITICAL ROLE: TAL’DOREI CAMPAIGN SETTING HC	JUN173357	GRE
2	STARFINDER RPG: CORE RULEBOOK HC	JUN173371	PAI
3	PATHFINDER RPG: ULTIMATE CAMPAIGN POCKET EDITION	NOV182880	PAI
4	PATHFINDER RPG: ULTIMATE INTRIGUE POCKET EDITION	NOV182881	PAI
5	PATHFINDER RPG CORE RULEBOOK	JUN091729	PAI
6	GLOOMHAVEN 2017 EDITION	MAR188530	ALL
7	STARFINDER RPG: ARMORY HC	MAY182931	PAI
8	STARFINDER RPG: ALIEN ARCHIVE 2 HC	AUG183177	PAI
9	MY HERO ACADEMIA CARD GAME	JUL183082	SHI
10	RED SONJA TAROT CARD SET	JUN181151	DYN

Vault Comics Becomes a Final Order Cut-Off Publisher and Gets a New Section in Previews

Posted on February 5, 2019 by Graphic Policy Team

On the two-year anniversary of its first book hitting shelves, Vault Comics has announced that they will be included in Diamond‘s Final Order Cut-Off order system for retailers. Items listed in the February 2019 Previews catalog will be the first offerings listed in the Final Order Cut-Off system.

In the announcement, the publisher said this is the first of several initiatives from them this year to support retailers.

Also beginning in the February 2019 Previews catalog, Vault Comics will now have it’s own section listing the publisher’s monthly offerings.

The Final Order Cut-Off date — normally a Monday, except under special circumstances like holidays — is the date on which some Vendors commit to a print/production run for a title/product. Initial Orders and Reorders for items carrying an FOC date may be increased or decreased by this date. FOC dates are subject to change; such changes (and subsequent adjustments to the affected item’s ship date) are regularly announced in all Diamond publications.

Retailers may adjust orders for all items from participating Vendors on the Final Order Cut-Off section of the Retailer Services Website’s FOC Weekly Adjust or Monthly Adjust pages in the Orders section. Premier Vendor titles are color-coded by publisher (Vault Comics is found in the green section) for easy reference. Customers may also adjust their orders by contacting their Diamond Retailer Services Representative.

Bedside Press Goes Exclusive in a Distribution Deal with Diamond

Posted on January 27, 2019 by Graphic Policy Team

Diamond Comic Distributors, the world’s largest distributor of English-language comic books, graphic novels, and pop culture merchandise, is pleased to announce that it has signed a distribution agreement with Bedside Press to exclusively distribute their products to comic book specialty store markets worldwide. Diamond was also awarded the rights to exclusively distribute Bedside Press’ new releases to the book market under the banner of its sister company, Diamond Book Distributors.

Located in Winnipeg, MB, Canada, Bedside Press is an innovative publishing company focused on graphic novels and prose books. Headed by publisher Hope Nicholson, the company is dedicated to promoting history and showcasing uplifting new voices through thoughtful storytelling.

Bedside Press boasts two Eisner Award nominations since its inception in 2014. A Bunch of Jews and Other Stuff, nominated for Best Anthology in 2018, is Trina Robbins’ graphic novel adaptation of her father’s 1938 short story collection that depicts life in a small Jewish village in Belarus along with his later immigration to Brooklyn at the age of sixteen. Enough Space for Everyone Else, which focuses on telling gripping stories about the possibilities of life in space without the common themes of war and colonialism, received a Best Short Story nomination for one of its self-contained tales, “The Transplant,” by Megan Gedris. In addition to these Eisner nominated works from Bedside Press, their anthology Gothic Tales of Haunted Love received The Kirkus Star, which is a prestigious designation in the book industry to mark works of exceptional merit.

Bedside Press has several new publications slated for 2019, including Maiden, Mother, Crone and Love After the End. Maiden, Mother, Crone, releasing in Spring 2019,is an anthology collection of fantasy fiction written by transwomen and transfeminine writers and curated by celebrated poet and author Gwen Benaway. Love After the End, releasing October 2019, functions as a semi-sequel to Bedside Press’s award-winning Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time and imagines a variety of fantastical future worlds as told by Indigenous peoples through the lens of Two-Spirit and queer heroes in the leading roles.

Diamond Announces December’s Top Selling Products as 2018 Sees Losses

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Brett

It’s all about Batman as the character took five of the top ten comics for December as announced by Diamond Comic Distributors.

In total, DC Entertainment had seven titles in the top ten. Marvel Comics had three titles in the top ten. Among the premier publishers, Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead #186 was Image Comics‘ top book in December at #18; BOOM! Studios‘ Firefly #2, based on Joss Whedon’s television series, was their best-selling comic at #60; Marvel Action: Avengers #1 was IDW Publishing‘s top book at #86; Dark Horse Comics‘ Hellboy Winter Special 2018 ranked #112; and Dynamite Entertainment’s John Wick #4 was their top book at #145.

Despite having seven of the top ten titles, Marvel was the top publisher in both dollars and units for the month.

Marvel Comics was the top publisher in December, with a 38.57% dollar share (-2.23) and 44.09% unit share (+0.34). DC Entertainment was second, with a 31.51% dollar share (+4.77) and a 30.75% unit share (+1.24). In third was Image Comics at 8.73% in dollars (+0.16) and 9.06% in units (+0.56), followed by IDW Publishing at 4.10% in dollars (+0.48) and 3.55% in units (+0.16), BOOM! Studios with 2.98% in dollars (+0.03) and 2.38% in units (+0.11), Dark Horse Comics with 2.82% in dollars (-0.52) and 2.37% in units (+0.21), and Dynamite Entertainment with 2.11% in dollars (+0.13) and 2.10% in units (+0.01).

Compared to the previous month, comics, graphic novels, and toys were down across the board. Toys saw a drop of 58.05% in dollars and 53.99% in units while graphic novels were down over 17% in both dollars and units and comics were down a little over 3.5% in both. Compared to the same month in the previous year, comics were up over 9% in dollars though down slightly in units while graphic novels saw a sharp decline in both dollars and units. Toys too saw a massive drop.

Year to year, comics saw a dollars increase of 2.04% in 2018 compared to 2017 but were down 5.67% in units sold. Less is being sold for more. Graphic novels were down in both dollars and units. Toys too saw a decrease in dollars and units. Overall, comics and graphic novels were down in both dollars and units compared to 2017, 1.08% in dollars and 5.98% in units.

Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang’s Paper Girls Volume 5 from Image Comics was December’s best-selling graphic novel. DC Entertainment had three titles in the top ten, led by Batman Volume 8: Cold Days at #2. Dark Horse Comics’ Avatar: The Last Airbender: Imbalance Part 1 ranked #3. BOOM! Studios was also in the top ten;Saban’s Power Rangers: Soul Dragon, an original graphic novel, ranked #4. Marvel Comics also had three titles in the top ten; Star Wars Volume 9: Hope Dies was their top charting book for the month at #5.

Inspired by the long-running BBC series, BBC Books’ Doctor Who: TARDIS Type-40 Instruction Manual, a technical manual that explores the Doctor’s time and space vessel, was the best-selling book in December. Gemstone Publishing’s The Overstreet Price Guide to Star Wars Collectibles ranked #7 for the month.

Diamond Select Toys’ Ghostbusters Series 9 Action Figures, featuring characters from the late 1980s animated television series The Real Ghostbusters, was December’s best-selling toy product and one of three products from the manufacturer in the top ten. DC Collectibles had three products among the top ten, as well, led by the DC Artists Alley: The Flash by Uminga Vinyl Figure at #5. Mezco also had three products in the top ten, including the PREVIEWS Exclusive One:12 Collective: Marvel Comics: Dr. Strange (Defenders) Action Figure at #2.

Green Ronin Publishing’s Critical Role: Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting, a sourcebook for the Critical Role role-playing game, was December’s best-selling game product. Paizo had a strong month, with seven products in the top ten, led by the Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook at #2.

TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS

PUBLISHER	DOLLARSHARE	UNITSHARE
MARVEL COMICS	38.57%	44.09%
DC ENTERTAINMENT	31.51%	30.75%
IMAGE COMICS	8.73%	9.06%
IDW PUBLISHING	4.10%	3.66%
BOOM! STUDIOS	2.98%	2.38%
DARK HORSE COMICS	2.82%	2.37%
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT	2.11%	2.10%
VIZ MEDIA	1.03%	0.38%
TITAN COMICS	0.82%	0.59%
VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT LLC	0.71%	0.78%
OTHER NON-TOP 10	6.62%	3.85%

COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS

	DOLLARS	UNITS
DECEMBER 2018 VS. NOVEMBER 2018
COMICS	-3.53%	-3.58%
GRAPHIC NOVELS	-17.46%	-17.18%
TOTAL COMICS/GN	-7.35%	-4.55%
TOYS	-58.05%	-53.99%
DECEMBER 2018 VS. DECEMBER 2017
COMICS	9.29%	-0.42%
GRAPHIC NOVELS	-26.35%	-35.98%
TOTAL COMICS/GN	-2.26%	-3.72%
TOYS	-44.01%	-47.06%
YEAR 2018 VS. YEAR 2017
COMICS	2.04%	-5.67%
GRAPHIC NOVELS	-8.22%	-9.71%
TOTAL COMICS/GN	-1.08%	-5.98%
TOYS	-6.39%	-6.48%

NEW TITLES SHIPPED

PUBLISHER	COMICS SHIPPED	GRAPHIC NOVELS SHIPPED	MAGAZINES SHIPPED	TOTALSHIPPED
MARVEL COMICS	90	38	0	128
DC COMICS	52	37	1	90
IMAGE COMICS	52	10	0	62
IDW PUBLISHING	32	10	0	42
BOOM! STUDIOS	24	16	0	40
DARK HORSE COMICS	21	11	0	32
VIZ MEDIA LLC	0	23	0	23
TITAN COMICS	8	7	2	17
DYNAMITE	13	1	0	14
VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT LLC	5	2	0	7
OTHER NON-TOP 10	101	113	9	223
TOTAL	398	268	12	678

TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY UNITS SHIPPED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #1	$4.99	OCT180464-M	DC
2	BATMAN: DAMNED #2 (MR)	$6.99	SEP180424-M	DC
3	DOOMSDAY CLOCK #8	$4.99	SEP180426-M	DC
4	BATMAN #60	$3.99	OCT180483-M	DC
5	BATMAN #61	$3.99	OCT180485-M	DC
6	AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #11	$3.99	OCT180921-M	MAR
7	FANTASTIC FOUR #5	$7.99	OCT180766-M	MAR
8	AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #12	$3.99	OCT180925-M	MAR
9	BATMAN ANNUAL #3	$4.99	OCT180487	DC
10	SHAZAM #1	$4.99	SEP180436-M	DC

TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #1	$4.99	OCT180464-M	DC
2	BATMAN: DAMNED #2 (MR)	$6.99	SEP180424-M	DC
3	DOOMSDAY CLOCK #8	$4.99	SEP180426-M	DC
4	FANTASTIC FOUR #5	$7.99	OCT180766-M	MAR
5	BATMAN #60	$3.99	OCT180483-M	DC
6	BATMAN #61	$3.99	OCT180485-M	DC
7	BATMAN ANNUAL #3	$4.99	OCT180487	DC
8	SHAZAM #1	$4.99	SEP180436-M	DC
9	INFINITY WARS #6	$5.99	OCT180866-M	MAR
10	FANTASTIC FOUR WEDDING SPECIAL #1	$4.99	OCT180778-M	MAR

TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY UNITS SHIPPED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	PAPER GIRLS VOLUME 5 TP	$14.99	OCT180099	IMA
2	BATMAN VOLUME 8: COLD DAYS TP	$16.99	SEP180545	DC
3	AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER: IMBALANCE PART ONE TP	$10.99	JUN180347	DAR
4	SABAN’S POWER RANGERS: SOUL DRAGON ORIGINAL GN	$19.99	AUG181366	BOO
5	STAR WARS VOLUME 9: HOPE DIES TP	$19.99	SEP180996	MAR
6	THE FLASH VOLUME 8: FLASH WAR TP	$16.99	SEP180570	DC
7	MY HERO ACADEMIA VOLUME 16 GN	$9.99	OCT182065	VIZ
8	THOR VOLUME 1: GOD OF THUNDER REBORN TP	$17.99	SEP181005	MAR
9	VENOM: FIRST HOST TP	$15.99	SEP181007	MAR
10	BATMAN: DETECTIVE COMICS VOL. 8: ON THE OUTSIDE TP	$16.99	SEP180548	DC

TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	PAPER GIRLS VOLUME 5 TP	$14.99	OCT180099	IMA
2	BATMAN: THE GOLDEN AGE OMNIBUS VOL. 6 HC	$125.00	MAY180571	DC
3	FANTASTIC FOUR BY WAID & WIERINGO OMNIBUS HC	$100.00	JUN180968	MAR
4	MARVEL MASTERWORKS: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 20 HC	$75.00	JUN180962-M	MAR
5	JEPH LOEB & TIM SALE: YELLOW, BLUE, GRAY & WHITE OMNIBUS HC	$100.00	JUN180964	MAR
6	BATMAN VOLUME 8: COLD DAYS TP	$16.99	SEP180545	DC
7	SABAN’S POWER RANGERS: SOUL DRAGON ORIGINAL GN	$19.99	AUG181366	BOO
8	MARVEL UNIVERSE BY JOHN BYRNE OMNIBUS VOL. 2 HC	$125.00	JUN180960	MAR
9	BEFORE WATCHMEN OMNIBUS HC	$125.00	JUN180573	DC
10	WONDER WOMAN DIANA PRINCE: CELEBRATING THE 60S OMNIBUS HC	$125.00	MAY180594	DC

TOP 10 BOOKS BY UNITS SHIPPED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	DOCTOR WHO: TARDIS TYPE-40 INSTRUCTION MANUAL HC	$19.99	MAY188247	BBC
2	DOCTOR WHO: COMBAT MAGICKS HC	$10.99	APR188135	BBC
3	MONSTER HUNTER ILLUSTRATIONS 2 HC	$54.99	OCT182056	UDO
4	LULU IS A RHINOCEROS	$16.99	FEB188267	WIC
5	DC SUPER HEROES: SUPER HEROES SAY PLEASE BOARD BOOK	$10.99	JUL181774	DOW
6	DRAGON QUEST ILLUSTRATIONS HC (30TH ANNIVERSARY)	$34.99	OCT182063	VIZ
7	OVERSTREET PRICE GUIDE TO STAR WARS COLLECTIBLES SC	$30.00	SEP181814	GEM
8	SWORD ART ONLINE NOVEL VOLUME 15 SC	$14.00	OCT182104	YEN
9	OVERSTREET COMIC BOOK PRICE GUIDE VOLUME 48 SC	$29.95	APR181580	GEM
10	FINAL FANTASY: ULTIMANIA ARCHIVE VOLUME 2 HC	$39.99	JUL180505	DAR

TOP 10 TOYS BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	GHOSTBUSTERS SELECT SERIES 9 ACTION FIGURES	JUL182490	DST
2	ONE-12 COLLECTIVE: MARVEL PX DEFENDERS DOCTOR STRANGE AF	AUG178702	MEZ
3	PACIFIC RIM 2 SELECT AF SERIES 3 ASST	JUL182498	DST
4	ONE-12 COLLECTIVE DC CATWOMAN AF	JAN189082	MEZ
5	DC ARTISTS ALLEY FLASH BY UMINGA VINYL FIG	JUN180600	DC
6	ONE-12 COLLECTIVE MARVEL DOCTOR STRANGE AF	APR178082	MEZ
7	DC ARTISTS ALLEY BATGIRL BY MURASE VINYL FIG	JUN180598	DC
8	MARVEL GALLERY ANT-MAN & THE WASP MOVIE WASP PVC FIGURE	JUL182500	DST
9	X-MEN LEGENDS ARCHANGEL 6IN AF CS	JUN188419	HAS
10	DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS BATMAN & CATWOMAN STATUE	MAY180613	DC

TOP 10 GAMES BY DOLLARS INVOICED

RANK	DESCRIPTION	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	CRITICAL ROLE: TAL’DOREI CAMPAIGN SETTING HC	JUN173357	GRE
2	PATHFINDER RPG: CORE RULEBOOK	JUN091729	PAI
3	TOME OF BEASTS HC	JUN168476	PAI
4	STARFINDER RPG: CORE RULEBOOK HC	JUN173371	PAI
5	DUNGEONS & DRAGONS RPG: CORE RULEBOOK GIFT SET	SEP182834	WIZ
6	STARFINDER RPG: ARMORY HC	MAY182931	PAI
7	PATHFINDER RPG FLIP TILES: URBAN STARTER SET	OCT182919	PAI
8	MY HERO ACADEMIA: THE CARD GAME	JUL183082	SHI
9	STARFINDER RPG: PACT WORLDS HC	JAN182863	PAI
10	PATHFINDER FLIP-MAT BASIC (NEW EDITION)	MAR138328	PAI

Comic and Graphic Novel Annual Sales Decrease in 2018 Compared to 2017

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Brett

After initially announcing that 2018’s annual sales for comics has increased, Diamond Comic Distributors has sent out a correction that in fact, that’s not the case.

Compared to 2017, 2018’s comic and graphic novel sales were down in both units and dollars. The distributor had previously reported that dollar sales were up 0.6%. In reality, that wasn’t true.

Diamond has sent out a correction with overall comic and graphic novel sales down 1.08% compared to 2017 and units down 5.98% over the same time period.

Comics themselves saw dollars increase 2.04% in 2018 compared to 2017 and units decreased 5.67%. Less was sold for more.

Graphic Novels saw the biggest dip with dollars down 8.22% and units down 9.71%. With the explosion of graphic novel sales, it’s possible the bubble has burst slightly or with so many ways to purchase them now, the direct market suffered.

Toys saw a down year as well with dollars down 6.39% and units down 6.48%. 2018 was a volatile year for toys with the closure of Toys R Us which has had ripple effects, this result may be some of that.

Diamond Announces 2018 Gem Award Winners

Posted on January 17, 2019 by Graphic Policy Team

Diamond Comic Distributors has announced the winners of the 2018 Diamond Gem Awards, selected by comic book specialty retailers and celebrated within the comic book industry as a key annual award honoring sales success.

DC Entertainment took home Comic Book Publisher of the Year (Over 3% Market Share) in 2018 and had the Top Dollar Comic Book with Action Comics #1000. Retailers recognized DC with the most Gem Awards–six–including the Comic Book of the Year $3.99 or Under with Heroes In Crisis #1; Comic Book of the Year – Over $3.99 with Action Comics #1000; Reprint TP or HC of the Year with Batman White Knight; Best All Ages Series with DC Super Hero Girls; and Best All-Ages Original/Reprint Graphic Novel with DC Super Hero Girls: Date With Disaster. DC Collectibles, the collectibles branch of DC Entertainment won Collectible Statue of the Year with the Batman Black and White: The Batman Who Laughs statue.

Marvel Comics earned five Gem Awards, including Top Dollar Market Share Publisher of the Year, Licensed Comic of the Year with Star Wars: Darth Vader Dark Lord of the Sith Volume 2; Anthology of the Year with Thanos Legacy #1; Best Free Comic Book Day Book with FCBD 2018 Avengers Captain America; and Best New Comic Book Series with Immortal Hulk.

Image Comics received two Gem Awards, taking home Backlist Publisher of the Year and Original Graphic Novel of the Year with My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies.

Dark Horse Comics received two Gem Awards, for Licensed Comic of the Year with Stranger Things #1 and Trade Book of the Year with The Legend of Zelda Encylopedia.

IDW Publishing received a Gem Awards, taking home Game Product of the Year with Batman: The Animated Series Gotham Under Siege.

Retailers also recognized BOOM! Studios as Comic Book Publisher of the Year (Under 3% Market Share), VIZ Media with two Gem Awards, including Manga Publisher of the Year; and Diamond Select Toys with two Gem Awards, including Toy Manufacturer of the Year.

A panel of Diamond product specialists selected the supplier nominees for the Diamond Gem Awards based on each entry’s overall impact on the industry, while comics and related merchandise were chosen on the merits of their sales performance and quality from 2018. Members of the most critical segment that serves the comic book-buying public–comic book specialty retailers across the United States and worldwide–then selected the winners.

2018 Diamond Gem Award Suppliers of the Year

2018 Comic Book Publisher of the Year – Over 3%: DC Entertainment

2018 Comic Book Publisher of the Year – Under 3%: BOOM! Studios

2018 Backlist Publisher of the Year: Image Comics

2018 Top Dollar Comic Book Publisher of the Year: Marvel Comics

2018 Manga Publisher of the Year: VIZ Media

2018 Game Manufacturer of the Year: WizKids/ NECA

2018 Toy Manufacturer of the Year: Diamond Select Toys

2018 Diamond Gem Award Products of the Year

2018 Comic Book of the Year – Under $3.99: Heroes in Crisis #1, DC Entertainment

2018 Comic Book of the Year – Over $3.99: Action Comics #1000, DC Entertainment

2018 Top Dollar Comic Book: Action Comics #1000, DC Entertainment

2018 Best New Comic Book Series: Immortal Hulk, Marvel Comics

2018 Best All Ages Series: DC Super Hero Girls, DC Entertainment

2018 Best All Ages Original/Reprint GN: DC Super Hero Girls, Date With Disaster, DC Entertainment

2018 Licensed Comic of the Year: Stranger Things #1, Dark Horse Comics

2018 Licensed TP or HC of the Year: Star Wars Darth Vader Dark Lord Sith Volume 2: Legacy’s End, Marvel Comics

2018 Original Graphic Novel of the Year: My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies, Image Comics

2018 Reprint TP or HC of the Year: Batman White Knight, DC Entertainment

2018 Indie Graphic Novel of the Year: Berlin: The Complete Edition, Drawn + Quarterly

2018 Manga TP of the Year: My Hero Academia, Volume 13

2018 Anthology of the Year: Thanos Legacy #1

2018 Magazine of the Year: Heavy Metal, Heavy Metal Magazine

2018 Trade Book of the Year: The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Comics

2018 Best Free Comic Book Day Book: FCBD 2018 Avengers Captain America, Marvel Comics

2018 Game Product of the Year: Batman: The Animated Series Gotham Under Siege, IDW Games

2018 Toy Product of the Year: Marvel Select Thor: Ragnarok Gladiator Hulk Action Figure

2018 Toy Line of the Year: Funko POP!, Funko

2018 Collectible Statue of the Year: Batman Black and White: The Batman Who Laughs Statue, DC Collectibles

Diamond Announces the Top Selling Comics and Graphic Novels of 2018 as Annual Sales Increased

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Brett

Diamond Comic Distributors has announced the top selling comics and graphic novels of 2018. Marvel was the top publisher of the year with The Infinity Gauntlet taking the slot for bestselling graphic novel of the year. That’s not surprising due to all of the excitement and success around Avengers: Infinity War in theaters. DC Comics came in second place for publishers and had the bestselling comic of the year with Action Comics #1000. Image Comics ranked third for publishers and lead the graphic novel chart with six out of the top ten titles.

Annual comic book sales to the comic book specialty market increased in 2018, up +3.3% for the year, while graphic novel sales dipped -6.6% from 2017. Combined, annual sales of comic book and graphic novels to comic book shops were up slightly in 2018, by .6%.

Marvel Comics finished the year as the comic book specialty market’s top publisher, leading in both Dollar and Unit Market Shares, with a 38.24% Dollar Market Share and a 40.4% Unit Market Share. Marvel Comics top comic book, Amazing Spider-Man #800, the ten-year landmark issue led by Dan Slott and Stuart Immomen, charted at #2 for the year. Overall, Marvel had seven titles in the top ten comics of the year, including the preceding Amazing Spider-Man #798 and #799, as well as Fantastic Four #1, Amazing Spider-Man #1, Return of Wolverine #1, and Venom #1. That’s four comics written by Dan Slott in the top ten. Marvel Comics also had the top graphic novel of the year with The Infinity Gauntlet, the epic crossover event from Jim Starlin, George Pérez, and Rom Lim.

DC Entertainment was the comic book specialty market’s number two publisher in 2018 with a 30.04% Dollar Market Share and a 33.82% Unit Market Share. DC Entertainment had three of the year’s top ten comics; in addition to Action Comics #1000, Batman #50, and The Batman Who Laughs #1 were among the top ten.

Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples’ award-winning science fiction epic, Saga from Image Comics once again dominated the top ten graphic novels chart and solidified Image Comics as the year’s third largest comic book publisher, with a 9.93% Dollar Market Share and a 9.9% Unit Market Share. Image Comics took six of the top ten graphic novel spots, with Saga Volume 9 charting as the #2 best-selling graphic novel for 2018. Saga Volumes 1 and 8 also placed in the top ten, along with The Walking Dead Volume 29 Lines We Cross (#6), Paper Girls Volume 1 (#7), and Monstress Volume 1 (#10). The best-selling comic book for the year from Image was Mark Millar’s The Magic Order #1 at #18.

IDW Publishing was the comic book specialty market’s fourth largest publisher, propelled by its licensed titles from Hasbro, Disney, and Lucasfilm. The company’s Dollar Market Share was 3.83% for the year. Marvel Action: Spider-Man #1, was IDW’s top-selling comic book, landing at #460 for the year.

Dark Horse Comics‘ mix of creator-owned and licensed titles helped the company to be the fifth-ranked publisher in the comic book specialty market in 2018 with a 2.92% Dollar Market Share. Dark Horse’s top comic book for the year Stranger Things #1, based upon the popular Netflix series, at #184.

BOOM! Studios was the sixth ranked publisher at 2.24%, and Dynamite Entertainment was seventh at 1.86%. Viz Media, Titan Comics, and Oni Press rounded out the top ten comic book publishers for 2018.

2018 TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS

PUBLISHER	DOLLARSHARE	UNITSHARE
MARVEL COMICS	38.24%	40.40%
DC ENTERTAINMENT	30.04%	33.82%
IMAGE COMICS	9.93%	9.90%
IDW PUBLISHING	3.83%	3.30%
DARK HORSE COMICS	2.92%	2.10%
BOOM! STUDIOS	2.24%	1.90%
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT	1.86%	1.73%
VIZ MEDIA	1.22%	0.46%
TITAN COMICS	0.87%	0.61%
ONI PRESS	0.83%	0.54%
OTHER NON-TOP 10	8.01%	5.25%

2018 TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS

QTYRANK	RETAILRANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	1	ACTION COMICS #1000	$7.99	FEB180142-M	DC ENTERTAINMENT
2	2	AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #800	$9.99	MAR180831-M	MARVEL COMICS
3	3	BATMAN #50	$4.99	MAY180450-M	DC ENTERTAINMENT
4	4	FANTASTIC FOUR #1	$5.99	JUN180771-M	MARVEL COMICS
5	5	AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1	$5.99	MAY180784-M	MARVEL COMICS
6	6	RETURN OF WOLVERINE #1	$4.99	JUL180968-M	MARVEL COMICS
7	9	VENOM #1	$4.99	MAR180803-M	MARVEL COMICS
8	10	AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #798	$3.99	FEB180832-M	MARVEL COMICS
9	8	BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #1	$4.99	OCT180464-M	DC ENTERTAINMENT
10	13	AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #799	$3.99	FEB180836-M	MARVEL COMICS

2018 TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS

QTYRANK	RETAILRANK	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	ITEM CODE	VENDOR
1	1	INFINITY GAUNTLET TP	$24.99	JUL110745	MARVEL COMICS
2	4	SAGA TP VOL 09 (MR)	$14.99	JUL180297	IMAGE COMICS
3	19	SAGA TP VOL 01 (MR)	$9.99	AUG120491	IMAGE COMICS
4	6	SAGA TP VOL 08 (MR)	$14.99	OCT170715	IMAGE COMICS
5	2	ACTION COMICS 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN HC	$29.99	DEC170241	DC ENTERTAINMENT
6	8	WALKING DEAD TP VOL 29 LINES WE CROSS	$16.99	JAN180844	IMAGE COMICS
7	38	PAPER GIRLS TP VOL 01	$9.99	JAN160645	IMAGE COMICS
8	7	BATMAN WHITE KNIGHT TP	$19.99	JUL180733	DC ENTERTAINMENT
9	3	DARK NIGHTS METAL DELUXE ED HC	$29.99	JAN180379	DC ENTERTAINMENT
10	33	MONSTRESS TP VOL 01 (MR)	$9.99	APR160803-M	IMAGE COMICS

PREVIEWS Exclusive “Fallout” X-01 Power Armor Quantum Variant Figure Now Available to Pre-Order

Posted on December 22, 2018 by Graphic Policy Team

Diamond Comic Distributors and Three A Trading Company have partnered to brings fans an exclusive “Quantam” color variant Fallout figure. Three A’s PREVIEWS Exclusive X-01 Power Armor Quantum Variant collectible figure is now available to pre-order at comic shops!

The X-01 Power Armor Quantum Variant collectible figure stands 14.5″ tall and features over 35 points of articulation. This Power Armor Quantum Variant includes a new highly-detailed male head, exchangeable X-01 helmet with a light-up LED function, and Assaultron Blade. All X-01 Quantum outer-armor pieces are detachable and interchangeable with all future and previous Threezero Fallout Power Armor collectible figures. Under the detachable outer-armor, you will find an endoskeleton with amazing attention to detail.

The PREVIEWS Exclusive X-01 Power Armor Quantum Variant collectible figure from Three A Trading Company (NOV188441; SRP: $380.00) is now available for pre-order at comic shops and will be available in stores September 2019.

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