Sales of periodical comics in February declined a scant 2% from those in the second month of 2008.  Comic totals were aided substantially by reprints of Amazing Spider-Man #583, which became the first comic to top the charts for two months in a row since ICv2 began analyzing sales through Diamond Comic Distributors in 2001.  Interestingly ASM #583 sold nearly 50% more comics than the top comic in February 2008, but the #25 comic in 2009 was at 48,360, while the #25 book in 2008 was substantially higher at 58,045.  The top seven comics in February all had cover prices of $3.99 or higher.

Marvel’s Dark Reign event placed six titles in the top 25, while DC placed four Origins & Omens books among the top 25. 

Graphic novel sales in the direct market declined for the first time since May of 2008, falling a substantial 9%, a decline that would have been much steeper if not for the presence of Watchmen, which sold nearly twice as many copies as the #2 title, Batman RIP.

For the top 300 comics in February, see "Top 300 Comics Actual--February 2009."

For the top 300 graphics novels in February, see "Top 300 Graphic Novels Actual--February 2009."

For an overview and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in February, see "'Obama' Comic on Top Again."

For the top 300 comics in January, see "Top 300 Comics Actual--January 2009."

For the top 300 graphic novels in January, see "Top 300 Graphic Novels Actual--January 2009."

For an overview and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in January, see "'Amazing Spider-Man' #583 Sets Sales Record."  For an analysis of the dollar trends in January, see "Comic Sales Drop in January."

For our index to our reports on the top comic and graphic novel preorders for January 2000 through February 2009, see "ICv2's Top 300 Comics and Top 100 GNs Index."