Total sales on the Lone Wolf and Cub Vol. 1 trade paperback from Dark Horse have now passed 50,000 copies in all channels combined. This is a remarkable number of copies for a manga with no TV, video, or other tie-ins to support its sales; it sells solely on the strength of its art and story.  The book was released a little over two years ago as the first in a monthly series of $9.95 trade paperbacks, and has been selling consistently ever since.  The series finale is looming this month with the release of the final volume (28) so its shelf life will probably not last much beyond 2003, but it already has to rank as one of the best-selling manga trade paperbacks, and indeed as one of the best-selling graphic novels of the last few years.