{"id":4907,"date":"2013-03-08T17:43:00","date_gmt":"2013-03-08T17:43:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2020-08-01T15:36:46","modified_gmt":"2020-08-01T20:36:46","slug":"february-2012-comics-sales-up-idw-sets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/comichron.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/08\/february-2012-comics-sales-up-idw-sets\/","title":{"rendered":"February 2013 comics sales up, IDW sets new record"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

February 2013 orders for comics and graphic novels continued to outpace sales of a year ago, according to preliminary direct market sales data released today by Diamond Comic Distributors<\/b><\/a>. The 10% increase year-to-year is made more impressive by the fact that the comparison month was a very rare leap year February with five shipping weeks.<\/p>\n

(The Flashback column for Februaries past<\/b><\/a> is now online here at Comichron: click to read about the best-sellers from February five, ten, 25, and even 50 years ago.)<\/p>\n

Retailers ordered around $39.6 million in comic books and collected editions from Diamond in the month, bringing the year-to-date to nearly $80.7 million. Comics sales \u2014 helped by the multiple-cover-and-how Justice League of America <\/i>#1<\/b><\/a> release \u2014 beat their previous performance handily.<\/p>\n

The edition had 53 covers<\/a><\/b> (I think!) depicting state flags in addition to the U.S. flag. Wartime American flag covers from the 1940s are a favorite of Golden Age collectors, and this product continues in that tradition. (It also raises the multiple-cover bar for the next publisher: I think the Northern Mariana Islands<\/a><\/b> territory has a flag!)<\/p>\n

Graphic novel sales were down, if only just slightly. Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s N<\/b>emo: Heart of Ice<\/b><\/i><\/a> hardcover from Top Shelf was the best-selling graphic novel.<\/p>\n

The aggregate change figures:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
DOLLARS<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
UNITS<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
FEBRUARY 2013 VS. JANUARY 2013<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
COMICS<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
5.04%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
3.73%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
GRAPHIC NOVELS<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
-20.37%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
-14.28%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
TOTAL COMICS\/GN<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
-3.53%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
2.33%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
FEBRUARY 2013 VS. FEBRUARY 2012<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
COMICS<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
15.91%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
14.75%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
GRAPHIC NOVELS<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
-1.47%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
0.90%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
TOTAL COMICS\/GN<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
10.48%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
13.73%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
YEAR-TO-DATE 2013 VS. YEAR-TO-DATE 2012<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
COMICS<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
18.95%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
17.20%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
GRAPHIC NOVELS<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
17.14%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
15.04%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
TOTAL COMICS\/GN<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
18.39%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
17.05%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

The top-selling comics for the month:<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
RANK<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
DESCRIPTION<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
PRICE<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
VENDOR<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Justice League of America #1<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$3.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
DC <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Uncanny X-Men #1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$3.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Marvel<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Batman #17<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$3.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
DC <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
4<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Justice League #17<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$3.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
DC <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
5<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Superior Spider-Man
\n#3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$3.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Marvel<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
6<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Superior Spider-Man
\n#4<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$3.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Marvel<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
7<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Uncanny X-Men #2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$3.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Marvel<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
8<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Uncanny Avengers #4<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$3.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Marvel<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
9<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Detective Comics
\n#17<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$3.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
DC <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
10<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Secret Avengers #1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$3.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Marvel<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/div>\n

The top-selling graphic novels for the month:<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
RANK<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
DESCRIPTION<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
PRICE<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
VENDOR<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Nemo: Heart of Ice HC<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$14.95<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Top Shelf<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Batman: The Night
\nof the Owls HC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$29.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
DC <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Adventure Time
\nVolume 2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$14.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Boom<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
4<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
The Walking Dead
\nVol. 1: Days Gone Bye<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$14.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Image<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
5<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Saga Volume 1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$9.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Image<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
6<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Batman: The Black
\nMirror<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$16.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
DC <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
7<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Catwoman Volume 2:
\nDollhouse<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$14.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
DC <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
8<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Star Trek: The Next
\nGeneration\/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 Volume 2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$17.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
IDW<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
9<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Batgirl Vol. 1: The
\nDarkest Reflection<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$14.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
DC <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
10<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Adventure Time
\nVolume 1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
$14.99<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Boom<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/div>\n

IDW set a record dollar share for itself last February, and it seems to have done so again this February, topping 7% for the first time. Click to see more Diamond-era sales records<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The market shares:<\/p>\n

TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
PUBLISHER<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
DOLLAR<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
SHARE<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
UNIT<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
SHARE<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Marvel Comics<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
34.86%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
38.46%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
DC Entertainment<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
29.22%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
32.89%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Image Comics<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
7.76%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
7.89%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
IDW Publishing<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
7.09%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
6.04%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Dark Horse Comics<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
4.82%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
4.16%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Dynamite Entertainment<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
2.80%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
2.55%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Boom! Studios<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
1.97%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
1.75%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Eaglemoss
\nPublications<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
1.42%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
0.30%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Zenescope
\nEntertainment<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
0.99%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
0.73%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Valiant
\nEntertainment<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
0.94%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
0.98%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Other<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
8.11%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
4.25%<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Dark Horse’s share of comic book and graphic novel sales, it
\nshould be noted, may not be as high as its actual share of Diamond’s
\noverall sales: as with last month, its national bestseller Legends of Zelda: Hyrule Historia<\/a>
\n<\/b><\/i>book was the #1 book sold by Diamond. I do not believe that the “Books” category has historically been part of the market share calculations seen above; I don’t know if that’s changed. The “Magazines” category is counted, which explains Eaglemoss’s presence.<\/p>\n

The full report should be along next week. In the meantime, check out the February Flashback column<\/b><\/a>, with its reports on Stormwatch #1<\/b>‘s number-one performance 20 years ago last month, among many other historical tidbits.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

February 2013 orders for comics and graphic novels continued to outpace sales of a year ago, according to preliminary direct market sales data released today by Diamond Comic Distributors. The 10% increase year-to-year is made more impressive by the fact that the comparison month was a very rare leap year February with five shipping weeks. … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4908,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[76,17],"class_list":["post-4907","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-2013-sales","tag-diamond-monthly-reports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/comichron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4907","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/comichron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/comichron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comichron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comichron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4907"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/comichron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4907\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6472,"href":"https:\/\/comichron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4907\/revisions\/6472"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comichron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4908"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/comichron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4907"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comichron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4907"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comichron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4907"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}