It is that time of the month when we get to check out the latest graphic novels sales numbers. As always, ICv2 is the best source for these sales numbers. ICv2 released several sales charts for June 2022 including the ComicHub Top 100 Graphic Novels, the Top 20 Author Graphic Novels, Top 20 Superheroes Graphic Novels, Top 20 Manga Graphic Novels, and Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels.
The ComicHub Top 100 Graphic Novels sales chart is based on point-of-sale numbers by the ComicHub system at stores selling American comics around the world. During the period for which these reports were generated, there were over 100 stores using the ComicHub system.
The Top 20 Author Graphic Novels, Top 20 Superhero Graphic Novels, Top 20 Manga Graphic Novels, and Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels sales charts are all based on NPD BookScan numbers. NPD BookScan collects weekly point-of-sale data on print books from over 16,000 locations through direct reporting from all major retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target, independent bookstores, and many others. NPD BookScan covers approximately 85% of the U.S. trade print book market.
NPD BookScan June 2022 Top 20 Author Graphic Novels
NPD BookScan June 2022 Top 20 Superhero Graphic Novels
NPD BookScan June 2022 Top 20 Manga Graphic Novels
NPD BookScan June 2022 Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels
ComicHub June 2022 Top 100 Graphic Novels Sales Chart
Top 10
- Bone Orchard Mythos: The Passageway HC (Image Comics)
- Clementine Book 1 (Image Comics)
- Something is Killing the Children Vol. 1 (BOOM! Studios)
- House of Slaughter Vol. 1 (BOOM! Studios)
- Moon Knight Lemire Smallwood Complete Collection (Marvel Comics)
- Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Sandman Vol. 1 (2022) (DC Comics)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Last Ronin HC (IDW Publishing)
- Superman Son of Kal-El Vol. 1 The Truth HC (DC Comics)
- Department of Truth Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
The Battle for the Top 10 was a close one again in June 2022. Image Comics squeezed out a first-place win with three titles in the Top 10. This was up from the two titles Image Comics had in the Top 10 in May 2022.
DC Comics and Boom Studios tied for second place with two titles apiece in the Top 10. Both DC Comics and Boom Studios did the exact same as they did in May 2022. What is interesting to note is that neither of the DC Comics titles in the Top 10 were Batman tiles! This is the second month in a row that DC Comics has had two titles in the Top 10 that were not Batman titles! Big things are happening for DC Comics!
Marvel Comics, VIZ Media, and IDW Publishing all tied for fourth place as each had one title in the Top 10. This was a decrease for Marvel Comics as they had two titles in the Top 10 in May 2022. VIZ Media equaled their May 2022 result in the Top 10. IDW Publishing did better as they had no titles in the Top 10 in May 2022.
Top 25
- Nice House On The Lake Vol. 1 (DC Comics)
- The Boys Omnibus Vol. 1 (Dynamite Ent.)
- Sailor Moon Naoko Takeuchi Collection Vol. 1 (Kodansha Comics)
- Saga Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Deadpool Samurai 2 (VIZ Media)
- Deadly Class Vol. 11 A Fond Farewell Part 1 (Image Comics)
- Ms. Marvel Vol. 1 No Normal (Marvel Comics)
- Something is Killing the Children Vol. 2 (BOOM! Studios)
- Something Is Killing The Children Vol. 4 (BOOM! Studios)
- Many Deaths of Laila Starr (BOOM! Studios)
- Murder Falcon Dlx. Ed. HC (Image Comics)
- My Hero Academia Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Mighty Marvel Masterworks Captain America Vol. 1 Sentinel Liberty (Marvel Comics)
- Maus Complete Collection (Pantheon Books)
- Moon Knight Vol. 1 Midnight Missions (Marvel Comics)
Image Comics took first place with six titles in the Top 25. This was an improvement over their four titles in the Top 25 in May 2022.
Boom Studios grabbed second place with five titles in the Top 25. This tied what they did in May 2022.
Marvel Comics came in third place with four titles in the Top 25. This is a disappointing Top 25 finish and down from their seven titles in the Top 25.
VIZ Media and DC Comics tied for fifth place with three titles apiece in the Top 25. This was down from the four titles that DC Comics had in the Top 25 in May 2022. However, this was an improvement for VIZ Media over their two titles in the Top 25 in May 2022.
DC Comics had zero Batman titles in the Top 25. This explains why DC Comics only had a pathetic three titles in the Top 25. DC Comics have put themselves into a corner where they are so reliant on Batman that if his titles do not sell then they have nothing else at all to prop up their sales numbers. At some point, DC Comics’ overreliance on Batman is going to cost them dearly.
Kodansha Comics, IDW Publishing, Dynamite Entertainment, and Pantheon Books all tied for sixth place as each had one title in the Top 25.
Top 50
- King Spawn Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Crossover Vol. 2 (Image Comics)
- Demon Days Treasury Edition (Marvel Comics)
- Miles Morales Marvel Universe (Marvel Comics)
- Static Season One HC (DC Comics)
- Mazebook HC (Dark Horse Comics)
- We Only Find Them When They’re Dead Vol. 2 (BOOM! Studios)
- Paper Girls Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Batman Year One Dlx. Ed. (DC Comics)
- What’s The Furthest Place From Here Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Batman White Knight Vol. 1 (DC Comics)
- Rick Grimes 2000 HC (Image Comics)
- Something is Killing the Children Vol. 3 (BOOM! Studios)
- Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba Vol. 2 (VIZ Media)
- Batman Reptilian HC (DC Comics)
- Sonic The Hedgehog Vol. 11 Zeti Hunt (IDW Publishing)
- Batman / Fortnite Zero Point HC (DC Comics)
- Moon Knight By Bendis & Maleev Complete Collected (Marvel Comics)
- The Umbrella Academy Vol. 1 Apocalypse Suite (Dark Horse Comics)
- Department of Truth Vol. 3 (Image Comics)
- Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Batman Hush (New Edition) (DC Comics)
- Batman Who Laughs (DC Comics)
- Star Wars Darth Vader Dark Lord Sith Vol. 1 Imperial Machine (Marvel Comics)
- Sandman Vol. 1 Preludes & Nocturnes 30th Ann. Ed. (DC Comics)
Image Comics grabbed first place with twelve titles in the Top 50. This was an improvement over the nine titles Image Comics had in May 2022.
DC Comics took second place with eleven titles in the Top 50. This was the same as what DC Comics did in May 2022. DC Comics’ sudden increase in titles is from Batman. Six of DC Comics’ eleven titles were Batman titles.
Marvel Comics slumped into third place with eight titles in the Top 50. This was a sharp drop off from the fourteen titles that Marvel Comics had in the Top 50 in May 2022.
Boom Studios nipped at Marvel Comics’ heels and took fourth place with seven titles in the Top 50. This was an improvement over their six titles in the Top 50 in May 2022.
VIZ Media came in at fifth place with five titles in the Top 50. This is exactly the same as what VIZ Media did in May 2022.
IDW Publishing and Dark Horse Comics slotted in at sixth place with two titles apiece in the Top 50. This was an improvement for both Dark Horse Comics and IDW Publishing compared to their May 2022 numbers.
Kodansha Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, and Pantheon Books came in last place as each had one title in the Top 50.
Top 75
- Batman The Adventures Continue Season 2 (DC Comics)
- Snow Angels Vol. 2(Dark Horse Comics)
- Nightwing Fear State HC (DC Comics)
- Cat Kid Comic Club Vol. 3 On Purpose HC (Graphix)
- Star Wars Darth Vader Vol. 1 Vader (Marvel Comics)
- Thor Saga of Gorr The God Butcher (Marvel Comics)
- Chainsaw Man Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Department of Truth Vol. 2 (Image Comics)
- Eat The Rich (BOOM! Studios)
- Galaxy The Prettiest Star (DC Comics)
- Grendel Omnibus Vol. 1 Hunter Rose (2nd Ed.) (Dark Horse Comics)
- Berserk Dlx. Ed. Vol. 1 HC (Dark Horse Comics)
- Dark Nights Metal (DC Comics)
- Uzumaki 3 In 1 Dlx. Ed. HC Junji Ito (VIZ Media)
- Penguin Classics Marvel Collection Vol. 3 The Amazing Spider-Man (Penguin Books)
- House of M (Marvel Comics)
- Monstress Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Reckless Vol. 4 Ghost In You HC (Image Comics)
- Justice League Last Ride (DC Comics)
- Mamo (BOOM! Studios)
- Marvels Voices Pride (Marvel Comics)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Best of TMNT Collection Vol. 1 (IDW Publishing)
- Death Note Black Edition Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Death Note Short Stories (VIZ Media)
- Avengers Forever Vol. 1 Lords of Earthly Vengeance (Marvel Comics)
DC Comics nudged out Image Comics for first place with sixteen titles in the Top 75. Eight of DC Comics’ sixteen titles are from the Batman franchise. This is the second month in a row that DC Comics has declined in the Top 75. This is down from the nineteen titles in the Top 75 in May 2022 which was down from twenty-one titles in the Top 75 in April 2022. That is the wrong direction for DC Comics.
Image Comics took second place with fifteen titles in the Top 75. This is up slightly from their fourteen titles in May 2022.
Marvel Comics came in third place with thirteen titles in the Top 75. This was much less than their eighteen titles in May 2022.
VIZ Media and Boom Studios took fourth place with nine titles in the Top 75. This was an improvement for VIZ Media compared to their eight titles in May 2022. This was also up for Boom Studios compared to their seven titles in May 2022.
Dark Horse Comics came in fifth place with five titles in the Top 75. IDW Publishing took sixth place with three titles in the Top 75. Kodansha Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Pantheon Books, Penguin Books, and Graphix each had one title in the Top 75.
Top 100
- Batman Vol. 1 the Court of Owls (New 52) (DC Comics)
- Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba Vol. 3 (VIZ Media)
- Thor By Jason Aaron Complete Collection Vol. 1 (Marvel Comics)
- Elfquest Stargazers Hunt Vol. 2 (Dark Horse Comics)
- Watchmen (DC Comics)
- Jane Foster Saga of Mighty Thor (Marvel Comics)
- Radiant Black Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Teen Titans Go Undead GN (DC Comics)
- Dark Knight Returns (New Edition) (DC Comics)
- Marvel-Verse Moon Knight (Marvel Comics)
- Primordial HC (Image Comics)
- Chainsaw Man Vol. 10 (VIZ Media)
- The Boys Omnibus Vol. 2 (Dynamite Ent.)
- Die Vol. 1 Fantasy Heartbreaker (Image Comics)
- Ghost Rider Return of Blaze (Marvel Comics)
- Minecraft Wither Without You Vol. 3 (Dark Horse Comics)
- Sandman Vol. 2 (2022) (DC Comics)
- Sonic Hedgehog Sonic & Tails Best Buds Forever (IDW Publishing)
- Sonic The Hedgehog Vol. 1 Fallout (IDW Publishing)
- Stray Dogs Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Gyo 2 In 1 Dlx. Ed. HC Junji Ito (VIZ Media)
- Gender Queer Memoir (Lion Forge)
- Good Asian Vol. 2 (Image Comics)
- Teen Titans Go DC Super Hero Girls Exchange Students GN (DC Comics)
- Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 2 (VIZ Media)
DC Comics nabbed first place with twenty-two titles in the Top 100. This was slightly up from the twenty-one titles they had in May 2022. Ten of DC Comics’ twenty-two titles were from the Batman franchise.
Image Comics came in second place with twenty titles in the Top 100. This was up from their eighteen titles in May 2022.
Marvel Comics took third place with seventeen titles in the Top 100. This was down considerably from their twenty-five titles in May 2022. What a huge drop.
VIZ Media grabbed fourth place with thirteen titles in the Top 100. This was an increase over their twelve titles in May 2022. VIZ Media has to be pleased with the impressive strides they have made in American comics’ backyard. Local comic book shops have long been the safe place for American comics. However, it is clear that more and more local comic book shops are beginning to sell manga. The result is that VIZ Media is now a consistent presence in this once-protected market.
Boom Studios came in fifth place with nine titles in the Top 100. This was up slightly from their eight titles in May 2022.
Dark Horse Comics came in sixth place with seven titles in the Top 100. IDW Publishing took seventh place with five titles in the Top 100. Dynamite Entertainment came in eighth place with two titles in the Top 100. Kodansha Comics, Pantheon Books, Penguin Books, Graphix, and Lion Forge each had one title in the Top 100.
NPD BookScan June 2022 Top 20 Author Graphic Novels
Top 10
- SOLO LEVELING VOL. 4 (Yen Press) 11,454 units
- SOLO LEVELING VOL. 1 (Yen Press) 9,109 units
- SOLO LEVELING VOL. 2 (Yen Press) 6,933 units
- LORE OLYMPUS: VOL. ONE TP (Del Rey) 6,730 units
- SOLO LEVELING VOL. 3 (Yen Press) 6,022 units
- LORE OLYMPUS: VOL. ONE HC (Del Rey) 5,945 units
- THEY CALLED US ENEMY (Top Shelf Prod.) 5,651 units
- THE BOYS OMNIBUS VOL. 1 (Dynamite Ent.) 4,494 units
- INVINCIBLE COMPENDIUM VOL. 1 (Image Comics) 3,546 units
- MARCH: BOOK ONE (Top Shelf Prod.) 2,771 units
The Top Author Graphic Novels is all about Solo Leveling for a second straight month. Webtoons are continuing to be the fuel for Author graphic novels. Solo Level destroyed all of the competition as it took the top three spots and put four volumes in the Top 5. Fellow Eastern webtoon, Lore Olympus, put two volumes in the Top 6. We do not get the first non-webtoon title until the number 7 spot.
Yen Press took first place with four volumes in the Top 10. Del Rey and Top Shelf tied for second place with two volumes apiece in the Top 10.
Sales at the number one spot in June 2022 were down considerably from the number one spot in May 2022 (21,328 units). Sales dropped below 5,000 units by the number 8 spot in June 2022. That was slightly better than in May 2022 when sales went below 5,000 units by the number 6 spot. The number 10 selling title in June 2022 moved 2,771 units. That was slightly better than the number 10 selling title in May 2022 which sold 2,380 units.
Top 20
- AFTER: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL (VOL. 1) (Frayed Pages) 2,690 units
- GENDER QUEER: A MEMOIR (Oni Press) 2,554 units
- THE BOYS OMNIBUS VOL. 2 (Dynamite Ent.) 2,424 units
- INVINCIBLE COMPENDIUM VOL. 2 (Image Comics) 2,179 units
- FANGS HC (Andrews McMeel) 2,012 units
- THE BOYS OMNIBUS VOL. 3 (Dynamite Ent.) 1,822 units
- INVINCIBLE COMPENDIUM VOL. 3 (Image Comics) 1,759 units
- SAPIENS: A GRAPHIC HISTORY: THE BIRTH OF HUMANKIND (VOL. 1) (Harper Perennial) 1,444 units
- FUN HOME: A FAMILY TRAGICOMIC (Mariner Books) 1,378 units
- THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY VOL. 1: APOCALYPSE SUITE (Dark Horse Comics) 1,326 units
The bottom half of the Top 20 Author Graphic Novels is where you will find the various American titles. It is interesting to see The Umbrella Academy Vol. 1 pop up on this chart. No doubt, the new season of the Umbrella Academy on Netflix led to this increased interest in this old volume.
Yen Press took first place with its four titles in the Top 20. Image Comics and Dynamite Entertainment tied for second place with three volumes each. Del Rey and Top Shelf tied for third place with two volumes apiece.
The unit sales for the bottom half of the Top 20 Author Graphic Novels continue to be weak. In June 2022, unit sales dropped below 2,000 units by the number 16 spot. This was a slight improvement over May 2022 when sales dropped below 2,000 units by the number 14 spot. In June 2022, the number 20 title sold 1,326 units. In May 2022, the number 20 title sold 1,042 units.
NPD BookScan June 2022 Top 20 Superhero Graphic Novels
Top 10
- THE SANDMAN BOOK ONE (DC Comics) 4,852 units
- THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (Penguin Classics) 4,647 units
- MOON KNIGHT BY LEMIRE & SMALLWOOD: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION (Marvel Comics) 2,751 units
- STRANGER THINGS AND DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (Dark Horse Comics) 2,686 units
- BATMAN/FORTNITE: ZERO POINT HC (DC Comics) 2,274 units
- WATCHMEN (2019 EDITION) (DC Comics) 2,264 units
- STRANGER THINGS: ZOMBIE BOYS (Dark Horse Comics) 2,247 units
- BATMAN: YEAR ONE (DC Comics) 2,218 units
- THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (Penguin Classics) 1,890 units
- THE SANDMAN BOOK TWO (DC Comics) 1,757
DC Comics easily won first place with five titles in the Top 10. As always, DC Comics’ success was powered by Batman, Sandman, and the Watchmen. Like it is every month.
Penguin Classics and Dark Horse Comics tied for first place with two titles apiece in the Top 10. For Penguin Classics, they benefitted from Marvel Comics’ most popular character: Peter Parker. It is interesting to note that both of these titles were classic Spider-Man stories from Stan Lee. Yeah, two of the three best-selling Marvel Comics graphic novels were from the 1960s.
Marvel Comics had one title in the Top 10. This lone offering came from the Moon Knight franchise which came in at the number 3 spot. I know I keep mentioning this, but I am just so amazed at how Marvel Comics has enjoyed such an amazing resurrection of the Moon Knight franchise.
Sales for American superhero titles remain embarrassingly awful. Having said that, the number one title in June 2022 sold 4,852 units. This was slightly better than the number one title in May 2022 which sold 4,514. Yeah, I know. It is not much, but you have to take your positive news wherever you can find it in this category.
In June 2022, sales dipped below 3,000 units by the number 3 spot. This was exactly the same as in May 2022. In June 2022, sales dropped below 2,000 units by the number 9 spot. This was a slight improvement over May 2022, where sales dropped below 2,000 units by the number 6 spot.
Top 20
- CAPTAIN AMERICA (Penguin Classics) 1,730 units
- BLACK PANTHER (Penguin Classics) 1,646 units
- BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN (DC Comics) 1,533 units
- STRANGER THINGS: THE BULLY (Dark Horse Comics) 1,510 units
- LIFE IS STRANGE VOL. 6: SETTLING DUST (Titan Comics) 1,502 units
- SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL VOL. 1: THE TRUTH (DC Comics) 1,367 units
- STRANGER THINGS: THE TOMB OF YBWEN (Dark Horse Comics) 1,333 units
- BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE DLX. ED. HC (NEW EDITION) (DC Comics) 1,302 units
- STAR WARS: DARTH VADER, VOL. 1: VADER (Marvel Comics) 1,276 units
- THE SANDMAN VOL. 1: PRELUDES & NOCTURNES 30TH ANN. ED. (DC Comics) 1,201 units
DC Comics took first place with nine titles in the Top 20. This was down from DC Comics’ fourteen titles in the Top 20 in May 2022. I know this will shock you. But, DC Comics’ success continues to be powered by Batman and Sandman.
Penguin Classics and Dark Horse Comics tied for second place. Penguin Classics added two more volumes in Don McGregor’s Black Panther and Jack Kirby’s Captain America. This means that six of the eight Marvel Comics properties in the Top 20 were from the 1960s and the 1970s. This should be alarming to Marvel Comics.
Dark Horse Comics’ success was completely powered by Stranger Things. There is no doubt that Stranger Things has become one of the most popular franchises in America.
Marvel Comics took fourth place with two titles in the Top 10. One was from the Moon Knight franchise. The other was the Star Wars franchise. More specifically, it was Darth Vader. Marvel Comics needs to figure out why their current superhero offerings are struggling to make the Top 20.
Sales in the bottom half of the Superhero Top 20 chart are terrible. However, it should be noted that In June 2022, sales never dropped below the 1,000 unit mark. In May 2022, sales dropped below the 1,000 unit mark by the number 14 spot. In June 2022, the number 20 title sold 1,201 units. In May 2022, the number 20 title sold 765 units. It is a slight improvement, by the numbers are still hideous.
NPD BookScan June 2022 Top 20 Manga Graphic Novels
Top 10
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 11 (VIZ Media) 73,354 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 1 (VIZ Media) 49,482 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 16 (VIZ Media) 36,075 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA VOL. 1 (VIZ Media) 28,822 units
- WOTAKOI: LOVE IS HARD FOR OTAKU VOL. 6 (Kodansha Comics) 26,513 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 2 (VIZ Media) 23,436 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 0 (VIZ Media) 20,726 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 3 (VIZ Media) 20,372 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 4 (VIZ Media) 20,068 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 7 (VIZ Media) 19,649 units
In June 2022, the number one title sold 73,354 units. This was a massive jump up from May 2022, when the number one title sold 38,154 units. In June 2022, sales did not drop below the 30,000 unit mark until the number 4 spot. This was better than in May 2022 when sales went below the 30,000 unit mark by the number 2 spot. In June 2022, sales did not drop below the 20,000 unit mark until the number 10 spot. Again, this was a big improvement over May 2022, where sales dropped below the 20,000 unit mark by the number 3 spot. In June 2022, the number 10 title sold 19,649 units. This was a big jump up over the number 10 title in May 2022 which sold 13,927 units.
VIZ Media dominated all publishers and took first place with nine volumes in the Top 10. Kodansha Comics managed to sneak one volume into the Top 10. As consumers, all we can hope is that Viz Media’s incredible success encourages other manga publishers to increase their efforts in the North American market.
Chainsaw Man Vol 11 took the number one spot with an insane 73,354 units! Wow. This was even better than the 65,657 units that Chainsaw Man Vol. 10 sold in April 2022. Just imagine what these sales numbers are going to be like once the Chainsaw Man anime hits Crunchyroll later this year.
Despite Chainsaw Man’s eye-popping first place number, June 2022 was all about Spy x Family which continues to benefit from the Spy x Family anime currently on Crunchyroll. Spy x Family placed five volumes in the Top 10. That is an impressive showing. I am thrilled that this wonderful manga is seeing such excellent success.
Jujutsu Kaisen continues to do well as it placed two volumes in the Top 10. Interest in Demon Slayer continues to be strong despite it ending back on May 17, 2020. That is a real testament to this excellent manga.
Top 20
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 6 (VIZ Media) 19,253 units
- TOILET-BOUND HANAKO-KUN VOL. 1 (Yen Press) 18,355 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 1 (VIZ Media) 18,222 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 10 (VIZ Media) 17,997 units
- DEATH NOTE SHORT STORIES (VIZ Media) 17,276 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA VOL. 2 (VIZ Media) 17,075 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 5 (VIZ Media) 16,585 units
- DEADPOOL: SAMURAI VOL. 2 (VIZ Media) 15,289 units
- MY HERO ACADEMIA VOL. 1 (VIZ Media) 15,279 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 2 (VIZ Media) 15,031 units
In June 2022, sales did not drop below the 15,000 unit mark at all. This is a huge improvement over May 2022 when the number 11 title sold 13,765 units. In June 2022, the number 20 title sold 15,031 units. This was a big improvement over May 2022, where the number 20 title sold 10,747 units. From top to bottom, the June 2022 Top 20 Manga sales chart was much stronger than in May 2022.
To no surprise, VIZ Media took first place with eighteen volumes in the Top 20. There is simply no competition for VIZ Media at the moment. Yen Press and Kodansha Comics each had one volume in the Top 20.
Spy x Family dominated the Top 20 with six volumes. Jujutsu Kaisen took second place with four volumes in the Top 20. Chainsaw Man and Demon Slayer tied for third place with two volumes apiece in the Top 20.
What is nice to see is the diversity in the number of manga titles in the Top 20 sales chart. Less reliance on a single franchise means the North American manga market is continuing to grow and become even more healthy. The June 2022 Top 20 Manga sales chart was comprised of nine different franchises.
Now, it is worth taking a look at Deadpool: Samurai Vol. 2. This is a manga based on a Marvel property. Look at the massive difference in sales numbers between Deadpool: Samurai Vol. 2 and the rest of the Top 20 Superhero Sales Chart. The number one selling superhero title was The Sandman Book One with 4,852 units. Deadpool: Samurai Vol. 2 obliterated that number by selling 15,289 units.
This striking difference between Deadpool: Samurai’s success and the lack of success of any of Marvel Comics’ other titles is not necessarily a bad thing for Marvel Comics. This can be an invaluable learning moment for Marvel Comics. It is imperative for Marvel Comics to examine why Deadpool: Samurai is far more successful than their American-made superhero comic books. Marvel Comics should then take the lessons learned from the approach that is taken with Deadpool: Samurai and use it in their American-made superhero comics. It is obvious that the problem is not that readers do not like Marvel Comics’ characters. The problem is the manner in which Marvel Comics presents its stories.
NPD BookScan June 2022 Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels
Top 10
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 11 (VIZ Media) 73,354 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 1 (VIZ Media) 49,482 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 16 (VIZ Media) 36,075 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA VOL. 1 (VIZ Media) 28,822 units
- WOTAKOI: LOVE IS HARD FOR OTAKU VOL. 6 (Kodansha Comics) 26,513 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 2 (VIZ Media) 23,436 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 0 (VIZ Media) 20,726 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 3 (VIZ Media) 20,372 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 4 (VIZ Media) 20,068 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 7 (VIZ Media) 19,649 units
Yup. It is all manga all of the time in the June 2022 Top 10 Adult Graphic Novels sales chart.
Top 20
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 6 (VIZ Media) 19,253 units
- TOILET-BOUND HANAKO-KUN VOL. 1 (Yen Press) 18,355 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 1 (VIZ Media) 18,222 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 10 (VIZ Media) 17,997 units
- DEATH NOTE SHORT STORIES (VIZ Media) 17,276 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA VOL. 2 (VIZ Media) 17,075 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 5 (VIZ Media) 16,585 units
- DEADPOOL: SAMURAI VOL. 2 (VIZ Media) 15,289 units
- MY HERO ACADEMIA VOL. 1 (VIZ Media) 15,279 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 2 (VIZ Media) 15,031 units
Aaaand, it is also all manga all of the time in the June 2022 Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels sales chart. Manga’s dominance is breathtaking. Manga took all twenty spots in the Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels sale chart from January – April 2022. In May 2022, Manga only took nineteen of the twenty spots in the Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels sales chart because Solo Leveling snuck into that chart. However, here we are in June 2022, and manga makes it a clean sweep again. With the first half of 2022 done, manga has now completely swept the Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels sales chart in five out of six months.
Let’s put a spotlight on just just how far American superhero comics are compared to manga. The best-selling superhero title in June 2022 was The Sandman Book One with 4,852 units. That number does not even come close to the manga in the number 20 spot which moved 15,031 units. This is such a massive gap.
All right, that is it for June 2022. Will manga continue its utter dominance in the Top 20 in July 2022? We will find out!
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