Despite a weak finish, graphic novel sales finished out the year up 10% in comic stores, according to our analysis of Diamond's sales to comic stores based on the monthly Top 100 Graphic Novel report.  Since backlist sales have also been strong this year, that percentage may understate the actual growth. 

 

December graphic novel sales were down 10%; fourth quarter graphic novel sales, despite a rockin' November, were down 1%. 

 

December comic periodical sales were up 6%.  Fourth quarter comic sales were up 5%.  And comic periodical sales were up only 4% for the year, which may be less than the average price increase. 

 

The combined total of comic and graphic novels sales in comic stores was up a respectable 5% for the year, tying the 5% increase in 2004 (see 'Q4 Down, 2004 Up').  The 2004 increase was the same for periodicals and graphic novels, vs. the weighting toward graphic novel increases in 2005.
 
For the top 300 comics in December, see 'Top 300 Comics Actual--December 2005.'
 
For the top 100 graphics novels in December, see 'Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--December 2005.'
 
For an overview and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in December, see '21 of 23 Top Comics Down in December.'
 
For the top 300 comics in November, see 'Top 300 Comics Actual--November 2005.'
 
For the top 100 graphics novels in November, see 'Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--November 2005.'
 
For an over-view and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in November, see 'Infinite Crisis #2 Sells Over 200K.'  For an analysis of the dollar trends in November, see 'Graphic Novels Drive Growth in November.'
 
For our index to our reports on the top comic and graphic novel preorders for January 2000 through December 2005, see 'ICv2's Top 300 Comics and Top 100 GNs Index.'