Posted in: Comics | Tagged: batpenis

Marvel Marketshare Lead Over DC Reduced in September 2018, Though Wolverine Beats Crisis, Doomsday and Damned

The Return of Wolverine #1 was the most ordered comic of September 2018, in the North American direct market of comic stores. But then, it did have a tonne of variant covers, with every Wolverine costume conceivable getting its own, with plenty of retailer exclusive covers to boot. As ever this chart only records orders by stores in North America, not sales to customers.

It beat out the launch of DC's big event book Heroes In Crisis #1, with the latest issue of Doomsday Clock #7

And it also helped – but wasn't solely responsible for – Marvel's ten-eleven point marketshare lead over DC Comics in September

Marvel Comics had a 39.86% dollar share and a 43.24% unit share compares to DC's 29.06% dollar share and a 32.76% unit share.

However this was down on August for Marvel, financially, when they had a 40.87% dollar share and a 43.12% unit share. It may be down to Fantastic Four #1. And probably thanks to Batman Damned and Heroes In Crisis, DC's marketshare was up slightly from 27.51% dollar share and 31.02% unit share.

Image Comics, was the main benefactor, returning to its more usual 10.13% dollar share and a 8.74% unit share, which has been knocked back for the last few months after Saga went on a break. Though the ninth Saga collection hitting the top of the graphic novel chart probably helped.

Outside of the top ten below, The Walking Dead #183 ranked #19; Dark Horse Comics' Stranger Things #1 ranked #20; BOOM! Studios' Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #31 ranked #111; IDW Publishing's Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons #2, a co-publication with Oni Press, ranked #118; and Dynamite Entertainment's Vampirella/Dejah Thoris #1 ranked #129.

And while 2018 is still down on 2017, the gap between the years-so-far narrows with every month, at least as far as revenue is concerned. Comics/graphic novels up to September 2018 is only 0.55% down in revenue raised than 2017 at this point. If the recovery continues, then 2018 will be a small increase in dollars spent on 2017. This quarter compared with the third quarter of 2017 is up 5.81% in terms of comics/graphic novels sales. But it has a lot to make up for.

And while September sales are a drop on August sales, August was a five-week month compared to September's four. Basically, it's good news – just.

It may also be worth noting that Batman: Damned performed rather well for a mature readers title, and that was before anyone knew about – added extras. It is reported to have sold over 110,000 to the direct market and at $6.99, beating out Batman #55 and Heroes In Crisis #1 into second place in terms of dollars raised for DC Comics. And, if eBay is anything to go by, a lot more dollars raised for certain comic book retailers.

TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS

 COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS

NEW TITLES SHIPPED

TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY UNITS SHIPPED

TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED

TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY UNITS SHIPPED

TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED

TOP 10 BOOKS BY UNITS SHIPPED

TOP 10 TOYS BY DOLLARS INVOICED

TOP 10 GAMES BY DOLLARS INVOICED

How does Diamond calculate the charts? It all starts at the comic book shop.

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