Comic dollars sold in to comic stores were up a robust 9% in October over the same month in 2007, although it appears to us that October may have been a five week month for Diamond shipping.  Still, September and October were the first up months for comic sales since January, so periodical comics appear to be a bright spot in an otherwise dismal economy. 

 

The gains weren’t in circulations at the top of the chart, where most titles were down.  But ten of the top 25 books were $3.99 this October, compared to only two $3.99 books in October of 2007, so price increases are certainly a factor.  Another is strength at the bottom of the chart, where the #300 title clocked over 4,200 copies, vs. just 3,000 copies for the #300 title a year ago.  


Sales on the top 100 graphic novels were up 5% vs. the same group in October of 2007, for an overall 8% increase in dollars in the top 300 comics and top 100 graphic novels combined.

 

In an economy where “flat is the new up,” it’s great to see a bright spot in sales of pop culture products.  We recall the late early 80s, perhaps the last time that unemployment hit the levels we seem to be headed toward, as a robust growth period for comics.  Here’s hoping that the same trend holds true this time.

 

Note that you can now find the latest market reports from ICv2 by clicking on the "Markets" button at the top of every page on ICv2.com.



For the top 300 comics in October, see "Top 300 Comics Actual--October 2008."

For the top 100 graphics novels in October, see "Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--October 2008."

For an overview and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in October, see "Top Comics Slide in October."

For the top 300 comics in September, see "Top 300 Comics Actual--September 2008."

For the top 100 graphics novels in September, see
"Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--September 2008."

For an overview and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in September, see
"'Secret Invasion' Rules Again."  For an analysis of the dollar trends in September, see "Comic Sales up in September."

For our index to our reports on the top comic and graphic novel preorders for January 2000 through October 2008, see "ICv2's Top 300 Comics and Top 100 GNs Index."