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 March 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 Superheroes 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.
ComicHub March 2022 Top 100 Graphic Novels Sales Chart
Top 10
- Nice House On The Lake Vol. 1 (DC Comics)
- Moon Knight Lemire Smallwood The Complete Collection (Marvel Comics)
- Batman Year One Deluxe Edition (DC Comics)
- Me You Love In The Dark Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Something is Killing the Children Vol. 1 (BOOM! Studios)
- Mighty Marvel Masterworks Daredevil Vol. 1 (Marvel Comics)
- Batman Vol. 1 Court of Owls (NEW 52) (DC Comics)
- My Hero Academia Vol. 30 (VIZ Media)
- Moon Knight Vol. 1 Midnight Missions (Marvel Comics)
- Radiant Black Vol. 2 (Image Comics)
Marvel Comics and DC Comics tied for first place with three titles apiece in the Top 10. Marvel Comics did not see any improvement as they also placed three titles in the Top 10 in February 2022. However, this was a massive improvement for DC Comics which placed zero titles in the Top 10 in February 2022. Also, it should be pointed out that DC Comics did nab the overall number one spot in the Top 100 Graphic Novels Sales Chart with Nice House On The Lake Vol. 1.
Marvel Comics’ three titles came from two different franchises. Once again, we continue to see a boost in Moon Knight graphic novels due to the Disney+ Moon Knight show. I may think the Moon Knight show is desperately boring and dumb. But, you cannot argue with the obvious success that Marvel Comics is experiencing with the Moon Knight show on Disney+. That is some excellent synergy.
On the other hand, DC Comics once again relies heavily on Bruce Wayne. Two of DC Comics’ three titles are Bruce Wayne titles. Even worse, they are Bruce Wayne titles from over thirty years ago and from almost ten years ago. This is not a ringing endorsement for current DC Comics.
Image Comics came in third place with two titles. This was better than the one title Image Comics placed in the Top 10 in February 2022.
Viz and Boom tied for fourth place with one title apiece in the Top 10. This was worse than what both Viz and Boom did in February 2022 when both publishers had two titles apiece in the Top 10.
Top 25
- Batman Hush (New Edition) (DC Comics)
- JLA / Avengers (Hero Initiative Edition) (Hero Initiative)
- Death of Doctor Strange (Marvel Comics)
- Something Is Killing The Children Vol. 4 (BOOM! Studios)
- Righteous Thirst For Vengeance Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Marvel-Verse Moon Knight (Marvel Comics)
- Once & Future Vol. 4 (BOOM! Studios)
- Saga Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Batman White Knight (DC Comics)
- Ice Cream Man Vol. 1 Rainbow Sprinkles (Image Comics)
- Snow Angels Vol. 1 (Dark Horse Comics)
- My Hero Academia Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Astro City Metrobook Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba Stories Water & Flame (VIZ Media)
- Berserk Deluxe Edition Vol. 1 HC (Dark Horse Comics)
Image Comics scored first place by placing six titles in the Top 25. What a dramatic turnaround March 2022 was for Image Comics. In February 2022, Image Comics only placed two titles in the Top 25.
Marvel Comics and DC Comics tied for second place as both publishers placed five titles apiece in the Top 25. DC Comics also placed five titles in the Top 25 in February 2022, so things held steady for them. On the other hand, Marvel Comics improved over the four titles that they placed in the Top 25 in February 2022.
Of course, DC Comics is all about one man: Bruce Wayne. Four of DC Comics’ five titles were Bruce Wayne titles. No other Batman Franchise character made it into the Top 25. Even worse, once again, the newest Bruce Wayne title was Batman White Knight from five years ago. Batman Hush? That is twenty years old. Again, DC Comics is unable to generate any interest in any title published within the past five years.
On the other hand, Marvel Comics pulled from three different franchises for their five titles. Again, Moon Knight is the main driver of Marvel Comics’ success. Three of the five Marvel Comics titles in the Top 25 are from the Moon Knight franchise. The power of Disney+.
Viz Media and Boom Studios tied for fourth place as each placed three titles apiece in the Top 25. This was a backslide for Viz Media which had placed five titles in the Top 25 in February 2022. On the other hand, this was a slight improvement for Boom Studios who placed two titles in the Top 25 in February 2022.
Dark Horse Comics took sixth place with two titles in the Top 25. This was a bit worse than the three titles Dark Horse Comics placed in the Top 25 in February 2022.
Hero Initiative came in last place with one title in the Top 25 thanks to the classic Marvel Comics and DC Comics team-up epic tale.
Top 50
- X-Men By Gerry Duggan Vol. 1 (Marvel Comics)
- Dark Knight Returns (New Edition) (DC Comics)
- The Department of Truth Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Batman Three Jokers HC (DC Comics)
- Moon Knight By Bendis & Maleev The Complete Collected (Marvel Comics)
- X-Men Trial of Magneto (Marvel Comics)
- Something is Killing the Children Vol. 2 (BOOM! Studios)
- Batman Dark Victory (New Edition) (DC Comics)
- Fire Power By Kirkman & Samnee Vol. 4 (Image Comics)
- Radiant Black Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Berserk Deluxe Edition Vol. 10 HC (Dark Horse Comics)
- Batman Ego And Other Tails (DC Comics)
- Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Sandman Vol. 1 Preludes & Nocturnes 30th Ann. Ed. (DC Comics)
- Spidey & His Amazing Friends Team Spidey Does It All (Marvel Comics)
- Chivalry HC (Dark Horse Comics)
- Maus Survivors Tale Vol. 1 My Father Bleeds History (Pantheon Books)
- Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries Vol. 1 (DC Comics)
- Deadpool Samurai Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Monstress Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Batman A Death In the Family (New Edition) (DC Comics)
- EC Archives Tales From Crypt Vol. 2 (Dark Horse Comics)
- Stray Dogs Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Not All Robots (AWA)
- Something is Killing the Children Vol. 3 (BOOM! Studios)
DC Comics dominated all other publishers by placing twelve titles in the Top 50. This was a big improvement over February 2022 when DC Comics only put eight titles in the Top 50.
Of course, the same problems are evident with DC Comics’ success. Ten of the twelve DC Comics in the Top 50 were Bruce Wayne titles. And, again, we are talking about Bruce Wayne titles that in some cases are decades old. Out of the ten Bruce Wayne titles only one, Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries Vol. 1 was published within the past five years. That is horrendous. To make matters even more concerning, no other character from the Batman Franchise other than Bruce Wayne made it into the Top 50.
Image Comics came in second place with eleven titles. This was even better than the nine titles that Image Comics placed in the Top 50 in February 2022. Image Comics continues to flex its muscles in the graphic novels industry.
Marvel Comics came in third place with nine titles. We see yet another Moon Knight title in the charts at this spot making it a total of four Moon Knight titles in the Top 50. The other five Marvel titles came from an assortment of franchises including Spider-Man, X-Men, and Dr. Strange. It should be a bit disconcerting to Marvel to see X-Men graphic novels not making an appearance in the sales chart until you get into the bottom half of the Top 50. This should be interesting to see how this progresses in the coming months.
Viz Media, Boom Studios, and Dark Horse Comics all tied for fourth place with five titles apiece. March 2022 was a disappointing month for Viz Media as their five titles in the Top 50 were much less than their nine titles in the Top 50 in February 2022.
Boom Studios enjoyed a slight increase over their four titles in the Top 50 in February 2022. Dark Horse Comics enjoyed more success in March 2022 as they improved over their three titles in the Top 50 in February 2022.
Pantheon Books, AWA, and Hero Initiative were all tied with one title apiece.
Top 75
- Watchmen (DC Comics)
- Lobster Johnson Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (Dark Horse Comics)
- Animal Crossing New Horizons Vol. 2 Deserted Island Diary (VIZ Media)
- Batman Curse of the White Knight (DC Comics)
- Teen Titans Go DC Super Hero Girls Exchange Students GN (DC Comics)
- Chainsaw Man Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Chainsaw Man Vol. 9 (VIZ Media)
- Uzumaki 3 In 1 Deluxe Edition Junji Ito HC (VIZ Media)
- Darkhold (Marvel Comics)
- Hellbound Vol. 1 (Dark Horse Comics)
- Batman Vol. 5 Fear State HC (2020) (DC Comics)
- Alice In Borderland Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Avatar Last Airbender Omnibus Vol. 5 North & South (Dark Horse Comics)
- All-Nighter (Dark Horse Comics)
- Department of Truth Vol. 2 (Image Comics)
- Batman Vol. 2 the City of Owls (NEW 52) (DC Comics)
- Chainsaw Man Vol. 2 (VIZ Media)
- Batman The Damned (DC Comics)
- Batman / Fortnite Zero Point HC (DC Comics)
- Sonic The Hedgehog Vol. 10 Test Run (IDW Publishing)
- Amazing Spider-Man Beyond Vol. 2 (Marvel Comics)
- Carnage Black White And Blood (Marvel Comics)
- Dark Nights Metal (DC Comics)
- Hawkeye Kate Bishop Team Spirit (Marvel Comics)
- Sonic Hedgehog Sonic & Tails Best Buds Forever (IDW Publishing)
DC Comics separated themselves from the pack by a large distance as they took first place by placing twenty titles in the Top 75. This is a massive improvement over the mere twelve titles that DC Comics placed in the Top 75 in February 2022.
Of course, the raw numbers do not tell the whole story. Fifteen of DC Comics’ twenty titles are Bruce Wayne titles. There is not any other character from the Batman franchise in the Top 75. Further, only a mere five titles of DC Comics’ twenty titles are from the past three years. That is terrible.
Marvel Comics took second place with thirteen titles in the Top 75. This is a nice improvement over the two titles that Marvel placed in the Top 75 in February 2022. Marvel continues to show excellent diversity in terms of the number of franchises they place in the Top 75.
Image Comics took third place with twelve titles in the Top 75. This result is not as good as the fifteen titles that Image Comics placed in the Top 75 in February 2022.
Viz Media came roaring back and took fourth place with eleven titles in the Top 75. Still, this is less than the fourteen titles that Viz Media put in the Top 75 in February 2022.
Dark Horse Comics nabbed fifth place with nine titles in the Top 75. This was a huge improvement over the four titles that Dark Horse Comics slotted in the Top 75 in February 2022.
Boom Studios took sixth place with five titles in the Top 75. This was down a tad from the six titles that Boom Studios had in the Top 75 in February 2022.
IDW Publishing finally makes an appearance in the sales chart with two titles in the Top 75. This is the same as what IDW Publishing did in February 2022.
Pantheon Books, AWA, and Hero Initiative all tied for last place with one title apiece.
Top 100
- Fist of The North Star Vol. 4 HC (VIZ Media)
- Amazing Spider-Man Beyond Vol. 1 (Marvel Comics)
- DC League Of Super-Pets Picture Book (Random House)
- Paper Girls Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Eve (BOOM! Studios)
- Superman Action Comics Vol. 1 Warworld Rising (DC Comics)
- Akira Kodansha Edition Vol. 1 (Kodansha Comics)
- BRZRKR Vol. 1 (BOOM! Studios)
- Maus Survivors Tale Vol. II And Here My Trouble Began (Pantheon Books)
- Deserter Junji Ito Story Collected HC (VIZ Media)
- Mighty Marvel Masterworks Doctor Strange World Beyond Vol. 1 (Marvel Comics)
- Harley Quinn And The Birds of Prey The Hunt For Harley (DC Comics)
- Invincible Compendium Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Saga Vol. 2 (Image Comics)
- Daredevil By Chip Zdarsky Vol. 1 To Know Fear (Marvel Comics)
- Death of Doctor Strange Companion (Marvel Comics)
- Green Arrow Stranded (DC Comics)
- Many Deaths of Laila Starr (BOOM! Studios)
- Nocterra Vol. 1 Full Throttle Dark (Image Comics)
- Orochi Perfect Edition Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Joker War Saga (DC Comics)
- The Batman Box Set (DC Comics)
- Kaiju No 8 Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Batman White Knight Presents Harley Quinn (DC Comics)
- Critical Role Vox Machina Origins Vol. 1 (Dark Horse Comics)
DC Comics absolutely dominated all publishers by slotting twenty-six titles in the Top 100. This obliterated the seventeen titles that DC Comics put in the Top 100 in February 2022.
Of course, Seventeen of the twenty-six titles in the Top 100 were Bruce Wayne titles. But, in the 76-100 range we finally get two non-Bruce Wayne titles from the Batman franchise. This highlights the grave importance that Bruce Wayne presents to DC Comics and the Batman franchise.
We also finally get the appearance of a Superman title in the 76-100 range. It is a Kal-El title. We see nothing from other iconic franchises like Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, or Justice League.
The battle for second, third, and fourth place was tightly contested and separated only by two titles. Marvel Comics took second place with seventeen titles. This was just slightly better than the sixteen titles that Marvel Comics placed in the Top 100 in February 2022.
Image Comics took third place with sixteen titles in the Top 100 which was a disappointing finish. This was lower than the twenty-one titles that Image placed in the Top 100 in February 2022.
Viz Media nabbed fourth place with fifteen titles in the Top 100. This almost equaled the sixteen titles that Viz Media placed in the Top 100 in February 2022. Once again, Viz Media goes into Marvel Comics and DC Comics’ backyard and has an impressive showing. Manga continuing to have success in the traditional safe space for American superhero comics is a sign of the ever-increasing power of manga. It is going to be fascinating to see how this progresses over the rest of 2022.
Dark Horse Comics took fifth place with ten titles in the Top 100. This was a nice improvement over the six titles that Dark Horse Comics put in the Top 100 in February 2022.
Boom Studios took sixth place with eight titles in the Top 100. This was down from the six titles that Boom Studios put in the Top 100 in February 2022.
Pantheon Books and IDW Publishing each had two titles in the Top 100. AWA, Hero Initiative, Kodansha Comics, and Random House each had one title apiece.
NPD BookScan March 2022 Top 20 Author Graphic Novels
Top 10
- SOLO LEVELING, VOL. 1 (YEN PRESS) 9,351 units
- THEY CALLED US ENEMY (TOP SHELF PROD) 7,166 units
- SOLO LEVELING VOL. 2 (YEN PRESS) 6,529 units
- SOLO LEVELING VOL. 3 (YEN PRESS) 6,057 units
- LORE OLYMPUS: VOLUME ONE (DEL REY) 4,353 units
- MARCH: BOOK ONE (TOP SHELF PROD) 3,211 units
- LORE OLYMPUS: VOLUME ONE HC (DEL REY) 2,558 units
- GENDER QUEER: A MEMOIR (ONI PRESS) 2,131 units
- THE NICE HOUSE ON THE LAKE VOL. 1 (DC COMICS) 2,045 units
- SAPIENS: A GRAPHIC HISTORY: THE BIRTH OF HUMANKIND (HARPER PERENNIAL) 1,850 units
March 2022 was a rough month for author graphic novels. The title in the number one spot in March 2022 did sell a little more than 1,000 units over the title in the number one spot in February 2022. By the number five spot, sales are in the 4,000 unit range while in February 2022 sales were in the three thousand range. However, as we progress down the Top 10 sales get worse in March 2022 than they were in February 2022. By the number 10 spot sales in March 2022 were in the 1,000 unit range while in February 2022, the number 10 spot had sales in the 2,000 unit range.
Once again, titles from the Eastern market completely dominate the Top 10. South Korean digital comic Solo Leveling took the number one spot and placed three volumes in the Top 10. New Zealand webtoon Lore Olympus places two volumes in the Top 10.
Overall, the sales numbers for the March 2022 Top 10 Author Graphic Novels are rather unimpressive. In fact, the March 2022 Top 10 Author Graphic Novels sales numbers are even worse than failing American superhero graphic novels.
Top 20
- 1984: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL (MARINER BOOKS) 1,767 units
- INVINCIBLE COMPENDIUM VOL. 1 (IMAGE COMICS) 1,762 units
- CRITICAL ROLE: THE MIGHTY NEIN ORIGINS–CALEB WIDOGAST (DARK HORSE COMICS) 1,755 units
- THE ABANDONED EMPRESS VOL. 1 (YEN PRESS) 1,713 units
- FUN HOME: A FAMILY TRAGICOMIC (MARINER BOOKS) 1,657 units
- CRITICAL ROLE: THE MIGHTY NEIN ORIGINS–JESTER LAVORRE HC (DARK HORSE COMICS) 1,483 units
- CRITICAL ROLE: VOX MACHINA ORIGINS LIBRARY ED. HC: SERIES I & II COLLECTION (DARK HORSE COMICS) 1,476 units
- TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD: A GRAPHIC NOVEL HC (HARPER) 1,420 units
- I WAS THEIR AMERICAN DREAM: A GRAPHIC MEMOIR (CLARKSON POTTER) 1,401 units
- INVINCIBLE COMPENDIUM VOL. 2 (IMAGE COMICS) 1,340 units
As we look at the Top 20, we get another South Korean manga added to the mix in The Abandoned Empress. We also get three volumes from the Critical Role franchise.
Sales in the Top 20 were slightly weaker in March 2022. The number eleven spot in March 2022 had sales in the 1,000 unit range compared to February 2022 when the number eleven spot had sales in the 2,000 unit range. However, the title in the number 20 spot did slightly better in March 2022 with 1,340 units compared to February 2022 when the title in the number 20 spot sold 1,241 units.
All in all, the sales numbers for the Top 20 Author Graphic Novels were rather unimpressive in March 2022.
NPD BookScan March 2022 Top 20 Superheroes Graphic Novels
Top 10
- BATMAN: YEAR ONE (DC COMICS) 9,870 units
- BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN (DC COMICS) 4,952 units
- MOON KNIGHT BY LEMIRE & SMALLWOOD: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION (MARVEL COMICS) 4,222 units
- BATMAN: THE COURT OF OWLS (DC COMICS) 3,172 units
- BATMAN: HUSH (NEW EDITION) (DC COMICS) 2,931 units
- BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS (DC COMICS) 2,695 units
- WATCHMEN (2019 EDITION) (DC COMICS) 2,604 units
- BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE DLX. ED. HC (NEW EDITION) (DC COMICS) 2,445 units
- BATMAN: THE IMPOSTER (DC COMICS) 2,252 units
- BATMAN: DARK VICTORY (DC COMICS) 2,246 units
Superheroes graphic novels did much better in March 2022 than they did in February 2022. And it was not even close. The number one title in March 2022 sold 9,870 units which destroyed the February 2022 number one title which only sold 2,224 units.
Sales continued to be stronger throughout the Top 10 in March 2022. In February 2022, sales dropped into the 1,000 unit range by the number four spot. In March 2022, sales did not drop into the 1,000 unit range at all in the Top 10. In fact, the number 10 title in March 2022 sold 2,246 units which were better than the number one title in February 2022 which sold 2,224 units.
DC Comics absolutely beat the shit out of Marvel Comics. DC Comics placed nine titles in the Top 10. This is even better than the eight volumes that DC Comics put in the Top 10 in February 2022.
Of course, all of DC Comics’ success comes with major caveats. Eight of DC Comics’ nine volumes were Bruce Wayne titles. No other members of the Batman franchise can be found in the Top 10. Even worse, no other franchises are in the Top 10. This is unacceptable for a company that has iconic characters like Kal-El, Diana Prince, Hal Jordan, and Barry Allen.
Four of DC Comics’ nine titles are over thirty years old. Three of DC Comics’ nine titles are over twenty years old. That makes a whopping seven of DC Comics’ nine titles over twenty years old. Only one DC Comics volume in the Top 10 was published in the past two years. Again, DC Comics remains obtuse over the fact that most of their readers are not interested in their current content or recent content from the past five years.
Marvel Comics limped into the Top 10 with one pathetic title. Hilarious. The tone title was a Moon Knight volume. Again, Disney+ continues to help generate some real reader interest in the Moon Knight franchise. Unfortunately, not much else from Marvel is generating reader interest.
Top 20
- BATMAN VOL. 2: THE CITY OF OWLS (THE NEW 52) (DC COMICS) 2,153 units
- THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS (DC COMICS) 1,715 units
- BATMAN/FORTNITE: ZERO POINT HC (DC COMICS) 1,494 units
- THE BATMAN BOX SET (DC COMICS) 1,435 units
- BATMAN: THREE JOKERS HC (DC COMICS) 1,403 units
- MOON KNIGHT BY BENDIS & MALEEV: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION (MARVEL COMICS) 1,387 units
- HORIZON ZERO DAWN VOL. 2: LIBERATION (TITAN COMICS) 1,312 units
- BATMAN: A DEATH IN THE FAMILY (DC COMICS) 1,312 units
- THE SANDMAN VOL. 1: PRELUDES & NOCTURNES 30TH ANN. ED. (DC COMICS) 1,260 units
- BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT (DC COMICS) 1,214 units
Sales in the Top 20 in March 2022 were stronger from top to bottom than the sales in the Top 20 in February 2022. In March 2022, the title in the number 11 spot sold 2,153 units. In February 2022, the title in the number 11 spot sold 954 units. In March 2022, the title in the number 20 spot sold 1,214 units. In February 2022, the title in the number 20 spot sold 704 units.
DC Comics continued their total domination by placing seventeen volumes in the Top 20. This is even better than the fifteen volumes that DC Comics placed in the Top 20 in February 2022. Honestly, is Marvel Comics even trying?
Of course, fifteen of DC Comics’ seventeen titles are Bruce Wayne titles. The two non-Bruce Wayne titles in the Top 20 are the Watchmen and the Sandman. Both are over thirty years old. Out of the seventeen DC Comics titles, only two were published in the past two years.
Marvel Comics staggered into second place with a pathetic two titles. Both of them are from the Moon Knight franchise. A year ago, I would never have thought that Marvel Comics would only place two titles in the Top 20 and that both would be from the Moon Knight franchise! Again, kudos to Disney+ for generating increased reader interest in Moon Knight. Other than that, Marvel Comics should be embarrassed.
Titan Comics almost tied Marvel Comics for second place with one title in the Top 20.
All in all, sales numbers were up in March 2022 for superhero graphic novels. However, DC Comics is still relying almost completely on Bruce Wayne to power their sales and on comics published over twenty years ago. This Top 20 does not show great health for DC Comics’ current product. And Marvel Comics? They just are not even trying.
NPD BookScan March 2022 Top 20 Manga Graphic Novels
Top 10
- MY HERO ACADEMIA VOL. 30 (VIZ MEDIA) 57,071 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA, VOL. 1 (VIZ MEDIA) 35,446 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA–STORIES OF WATER AND FLAME (VIZ MEDIA) 31,866 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 1 (VIZ MEDIA) 29,378 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 2 (VIZ MEDIA) 25,375 units
- MY HERO ACADEMIA VOL. 1 (VIZ MEDIA) 22,812 units
- TOILET-BOUND HANAKO-KUN VOL. 0 (YEN PRESS) 20,173 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA VOL. 2 (VIZ MEDIA) 19,386 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 14 (VIZ MEDIA) 19,262 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 3 (VIZ MEDIA) 19,216 units
Sales for the Top 20 manga in March 2022 were similar to the sales numbers in February 2022. The number one title in March 2022 sold 57,071 units. In February 2022, the number one title sold 52,309 units. However, in March 2022, the title in the number two spot sold in the 30,000 unit range. In February 2022, sales did not drop into the thirty thousand range until spot number three. Still, in March 2022, sales did not drop into the 20,000 unit range until spot number four which is identical to February 2022. In March 2022, the number 10 title sold 19,216 units which is slightly better than the number 10 title in February 2022 which sold 18,407 units.
Once again, Viz Media absolutely dominates the manga Top 10. Viz Media placed nine titles in the Top 10. Yen Press managed to sneak one title into the Top 10.
The Top 10 is populated by five different franchises. Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man tied for first place with three volumes apiece in the Top 10. I love seeing Chainsaw Man blow up to be such a huge franchise. I have been a fan of this franchise since the debut of its first chapter on the Shonen Jump app. You never know what franchise is going to get white-hot and take off. I thought Chainsaw Man was amazing but I was unsure if the franchise would enjoy widespread success in America. I am thrilled to see how much success Chainsaw Man is having in the States.
My Hero Academia came in third with two volumes in the Top 10. Jujutsu Kaisen and Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun tied for fourth place with one volume each in the Top 10.
Five different franchises in the Top 10 is fairly good diversity. It is important that we continue to see the number of different franchises in the Top 10 continue to increase. That will show long-term success and depth in the manga industry in the States.
Top 20
- BERSERK DELUXE VOL. 1 HC (DARK HORSE COMICS) 19,077 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 4 (VIZ MEDIA) 18,881 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA VOL. 12 (VIZ MEDIA) 18,450 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 1 (VIZ MEDIA) 18,334 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA VOL. 3 (VIZ MEDIA) 16,794 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 9 (VIZ MEDIA) 16,592 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 1 (VIZ MEDIA) 16,178 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 2 (VIZ MEDIA) 15,858 units
- KAIJU NO. 8 VOL. 1 (VIZ MEDIA) 15,508 units
- BERSERK DELUXE VOL. 10 HC (DARK HORSE COMICS) 15,481 units
Sales for the Top 20 were much stronger in March 2022 than they were in February 2022. The title in the number 11 spot in March 2022 sold 19,077 units. The title in the number 11 spot in February 2022 sold 16,972 units. In February 2022, the title in the number 13 spot sold 14,072 units. Conversely, in March 2022, the title in the number 20 spot sold 15,481 units.
Once again, it is all about Viz Media as they placed a stunning seventeen titles in the Top 20. This is not great to see. You never want to see just one company completely dominating an industry. Competition is vital for growth. The competition also always benefits the consumer. Hopefully, the other manga publishers can rise to the challenge and focus more energy and attention on the American market.
Dark Horse Comics came in second place with two titles in the Top 20. Yen Press came in their place with one title in the Top 20.
Chainsaw Man and Demon Slayer tied for first place as each franchise placed five volumes in the Top 20. Jujutsu Kaisen came in third place with three volumes in the Top 20.
My Hero Academia and Berserk tied for fourth place as each placed two volumes in the Top 20. Spy X Family, Kaiju No. 8, and Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun all tied for sixth place as each franchise placed one volume in the Top 20.
It is impressive that the Chainsaw Man and Demon Slayer franchises combined to account for half of the manga volumes in the Top 20. However, I hope we see less dominance by one or two franchises going forward.
Overall, the Top 20 manga chart was populated by eight different franchises. That is not too bad in terms of diversity. It is interesting to see Kaiju No. 8 appearing to cool off. I would have thought this manga was primed to become the next sales chart beast.
I am also keeping an eye on Spy X Family. This is an absolute gem of a title. I fully expect Spy X Family to sell even better with the new anime now streaming.
All in all, the manga sales chart looks fantastic and the future is looking bright for the manga industry.
NPD BookScan March 2022 Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels
Top 10
- MY HERO ACADEMIA VOL. 30 (VIZ MEDIA) 57,071 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA, VOL. 1 (VIZ MEDIA) 35,446 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA–STORIES OF WATER AND FLAME (VIZ MEDIA) 31,866 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 1 (VIZ MEDIA) 29,378 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 2 (VIZ MEDIA) 25,375 units
- MY HERO ACADEMIA VOL. 1 (VIZ MEDIA) 22,812 units
- TOILET-BOUND HANAKO-KUN VOL. 0 (YEN PRESS) 20,173 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA VOL. 2 (VIZ MEDIA) 19,386 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 14 (VIZ MEDIA) 19,262 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 3 (VIZ MEDIA) 19,216 units
Top 20
- BERSERK DELUXE VOL. 1 HC (DARK HORSE COMICS) 19,077 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 4 (VIZ MEDIA) 18,881 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA VOL. 12 (VIZ MEDIA) 18,450 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 1 (VIZ MEDIA) 18,334 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA VOL. 3 (VIZ MEDIA) 16,794 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 9 (VIZ MEDIA) 16,592 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 1 (VIZ MEDIA) 16,178 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 2 (VIZ MEDIA) 15,858 units
- KAIJU NO. 8 VOL. 1 (VIZ MEDIA) 15,508 units
- BERSERK DELUXE VOL. 10 HC (DARK HORSE COMICS) 15,481 units
Aaaand, the Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels sales chart is identical to the Top 20 Manga sales chart. Western superhero comics continue to take an absolute beating from their manga competitors. Note that the best-selling superhero title was Batman: Year One which sold 9,870 units. That is not even remotely close to what the number 20 manga title which sold 15,481 units.
There is not much else to say. Marvel Comics and DC Comics continue their inevitable slide into irrelevancy with each month.
All right, that is it for March 2022. Will manga continue its utter dominance in the Top 20 in April? We will find out!
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