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 2023 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.
These are unit and dollar sales rankings based on sales tracked at point-of-sale by the ComicHub system at stores selling American comics around the world. During the period for which these reports were generated, there were over 125 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 March 2023 Top 20 Kids Graphic Novels
NPD BookScan March 2023 Top 20 Author Graphic Novels
NPD BookScan March 2023 Top 20 Superhero Graphic Novels
NPD BookScan March 2023 Top 20 Manga Graphic Novels
NPD BookScan March 2023 Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels
ComicHub March 202 Top 100 Graphic Novels Sales Chart
Top 10
Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, the titles in the numbers 1-10 range typically sell in the 11,000-3,000 unit range.
- Do A Powerbomb (Image Comics)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Last Ronin HC (IDW Publishing)
- Nice House On The Lake Vol. 2 (DC Comics)
- Teen Titans Robin GN (DC Comics)
- Something is Killing the Children Vol. 1 (BOOM! Studios)
- Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow (DC Comics)
- Saga Vol. 10 (Image Comics)
- Batman Superman World’s Finest Vol. 1 The Devil Nezha HC (DC Comics)
- Many Deaths of Laila Starr Dlx. Ed. HC (BOOM! Studios)
- Dark Ride Vol. 1 Hell Ticket (Image Comics)
DC Comics squeezed out a first-place finish with four volumes in the Top 10. Year-over-year numbers were up over the three volumes that DC Comics had in the Top 10 in March 2022.
Image Comics came in second place with three volumes in the Top 10. Year-over-year numbers were up from the two volumes that Image Comics had in the Top 10 in March 2022.
BOOM! Studios took third place with two volumes in the Top 10. Year-over-year numbers were up over the one volume that BOOM! Studios had in the Top 10 in March 2022.
IDW Publishing had one title in the Top 10. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is single-handily saving IDW Publishing these days. Year-over-year numbers were up from the zero titles that IDW Publishing had in the Top 10 in March 2022.
Marvel Comics was notably absent from the Top 10. In March 2022, Marvel Comics had three volumes in the Top 10. This is not the direction Marvel Comics wants to see.
Top 25
Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, the titles in the numbers 11-25 range typically sell in the 3,000 to 2,000 unit range.
- Creepshow Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- My Hero Academia Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Spy X Family Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- The Adventure Zone Vol. 5 Eleventh Hour (First Second Books)
- Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Chainsaw Man Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Mighty Marvel Masterworks Daredevil Vol. 2 Alone Against Underworld (Marvel Comics)
- Something is Killing the Children Vol. 2 (BOOM! Studios)
- A.X.E. Judgment Day (Marvel Comics)
- Berserk Dlx. Ed. Vol. 13 HC (Dark Horse Comics)
- Nice House On The Lake Vol. 1 (DC Comics)
- Hulk Grand Design Treasury Edition (Marvel Comics)
- Moth Keeper (Random House Graphic)
- Bea Wolf HC (First Second Books)
- Dungeons & Dragons Honor Among Thieves Official Movie Prequel (IDW Publishing)
Competition in the Top 25 was incredibly close. DC Comics stole a close first-place finish with five volumes in the Top 25. Year-ver-year numbers were flat as DC Comics also had five volumes in the Top 25 in March 2022.
VIZ Media and Image Comics tied for second place with four volumes apiece in the Top 25. Year-over-year numbers were up for Viz Media, with three volumes in the Top 25 in March 2022. Year-over-year numbers were down for Image Comics who had six volumes in the Top 25 in March 2022.
What an amazing job by Viz Media. It must be remembered that the ComicHub chart is based on sales from American local comic shops. These are the bastions of American comic books. It has been large bookstores like Barnes & Noble have been the traditional home for manga. To see Viz Media making such incredible inroads into the local comic shops is impressive.
BOOM! Studios and Marvel Comics tied for third place with three volumes apiece in the Top 25. Year-over-year numbers were flat for BOOM! Studios which had three volumes in the Top 25 in March 2022. Year-over-year numbers continued to be down for Marvel Comics which had five volumes in the Top 25 in March 2022.
IDW Publishing and First Second Books tied for fourth place with two volumes apiece in the Top 25. Year-over-year numbers were up for both publishers which had zero volumes in the Top 25 in March 2022.
Random House and Dark Horse Comics tied for fifth place with one volume in the Top 25. Year-over-year numbers were down for Dark Horse Comics which had two volumes in the Top 25 in March 2022. Year-over-year numbers were up for Random House which had zero volumes in the Top 25 in March 2022.
Top 50
Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, the titles in the numbers 26-50 range typically sell in the 1,900 to 1,000 unit range.
- Berserk Dlx. Ed. Vol. 1 HC (Dark Horse Comics)
- My Hero Academia Vol. 33 (VIZ Media)
- Moon Knight Vol. 3 Halfway To Sanity (Marvel Comics)
- Spy X Family Vol. 9 (VIZ Media)
- Saga Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Spider-Punk Banned In DC (Marvel Comics)
- Doom Patrol By Gerard Way And Nick Derington The Dlx. Ed. HC (DC Comics)
- Watchmen (DC Comics)
- Flashpoint (DC Comics)
- Something is Killing the Children Vol. 3 (BOOM! Studios)
- X-Men By Gerry Duggan Vol. 3 (Marvel Comics)
- Count Crowley Vol. 1 (Dark Horse Comics)
- Its Lonely At The Centre of The Earth (Image Comics)
- Jessica Jones The Variants (Marvel Comics)
- Batman The Imposter (DC Comics)
- Sandman Book One (DC Comics)
- Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Superman Action Comics Vol. 3 Warworld Revolution (DC Comics)
- Daredevil And Elektra By Chip Zdarsky Vol. 1 Red Fist Saga (Marvel Comics)
- Secret Wars (Marvel Comics)
- Something Is Killing The Children Vol. 5 (BOOM! Studios)
- All Star Superman (Black Label) (DC Comics)
- Batman Year One Dlx. Ed. (DC Comics)
- Department of Truth Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Something Is Killing The Children Vol. 4 (BOOM! Studios)
DC Comics started to pull away from the competition by taking first place with thirteen volumes in the Top 50. Year-over-year numbers were up from the twelve volumes that DC Comics had in the Top 50 in March 2022.
Marvel Comics surged into second place with nine volumes in the Top 50. Year-over-year numbers were flat as Marvel Comics had nine volumes in the Top 50 in March 2022.
VIZ Media and Image Comics tied for third place with seven volumes apiece in the Top 50. Year-over-year numbers were up for VIZ Media which had five volumes in the Top 50 in March 2022. Year-over-year numbers were down sharply for Image Comics which had eleven volumes in the Top 50 in March 2022.
It is a big accomplishment for Viz Media to be able to tie Image Comics in the Top 50 in sales in American local comic shops. This is another strong Top 50 showing by the manga publisher.
BOOM! Studios took fourth place with six volumes in the Top 50. Year-over-year numbers were up slightly from the five volumes that BOOM! Studios had in the Top 50 in March 2022.
Dark Horse Comics came in fifth place with three volumes in the Top 50. Year-over-year numbers were down from the five volumes that Dark Horse Comics had in the Top 50 in March 2022.
IDW Publishing and First Second Books tied for sixth place with two titles apiece in the Top 50. Year-over-year numbers were up for both publishers who had zero volumes in the Top 50 in March 2022.
Random House came in seventh place with one volume in the Top 50. Year-over-year numbers were up for Random House which had zero volumes in the Top 25 in March 2022.
Top 75
Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, the titles in the numbers 51-75 range typically sell in the 1,000 to 900 unit range.
- X-Men Red By Al Ewing Vol. 2 (Marvel Comics)
- Batgirls Vol. 2 Bat Girl Summer (DC Comics)
- BRZRKR Vol. 1 (BOOM! Studios)
- Edge of Spider-Verse (Marvel Comics)
- Monstress Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Chainsaw Man Vol. 5 (VIZ Media)
- Bruce Wayne Not Super GN (DC Comics)
- Grim Vol. 1 (BOOM! Studios)
- House of X / Powers of X (Marvel Comics)
- Chainsaw Man Vol. 2 (VIZ Media)
- Batman Beyond Neo-Year (DC Comics)
- Batman Who Laughs (DC Comics)
- Chainsaw Man Vol. 3 (VIZ Media)
- Gambit Thick As Thieves (Marvel Comics)
- Many Deaths of Laila Starr (BOOM! Studios)
- Shazam Thundercrack (DC Comics)
- Black Paradox By Junji Ito HC (VIZ Media)
- Deadpool by Kelly Thompson (Marvel Comics)
- Kingdom Come (DC Comics)
- Last Days of Black Hammer From World of Black Hammer (Dark Horse Comics)
- Star Wars Legends Epic Collection Old Republic Vol. 5 (Marvel Comics)
- Chainsaw Man Vol. 4 (VIZ Media)
- Naruto 3-In-1 Edition Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Uzumaki 3 In 1 Dlx. Ed. Junji Ito HC (VIZ Media)
- Defenders Beyond (Marvel Comics)
DC Comics continued its winning streak by taking first place with nineteen volumes in the Top 75. Year-over-year numbers were down as DC Comics had twenty volumes in the Top 75 in March 2022.
Marvel Comics came in second place with sixteen volumes in the Top 75. Year-over-year numbers were up from the thirteen volumes that Marvel Comics had in the Top 75 in March 2022.
VIZ Media blew the doors off Image Comics as it raced to third place with fourteen volumes apiece in the Top 75. Year-over-year numbers were up from the eleven volumes that VIZ Media had in the Top 75 in March 2022.
BOOM! Studios came in third place with nine volumes in the Top 75. Year-over-year numbers were up from the five volumes that BOOM! Studios had in the Top 75 in March 2022.
Image Comics slumped to fourth place with eight volumes in the Top 75. Year-over-year numbers were down sharply from the twelve volumes that Image Comics had in the Top 75 in March 2022.
Dark Horse Comics took fifth place with four volumes in the Top 75. Year-over-year numbers were down substantially from the nine volumes that Dark Horse Comics had in the Top 75 in March 2022.
IDW Publishing and First Second Books came in sixth place with two titles apiece in the Top 75. Year-over-year numbers were flat for IDW Publishing which had two volumes in the Top 75 in March 2022. Year-over-year numbers were up for First Second Books which had zero volumes in the Top 75 in March 2022.
Random House remained in seventh place with one volume in the Top 75. Year-over-year numbers were up for Random House which had zero volumes in the Top 25 in March 2022.
Top 100
Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, the titles in the numbers 76-100 range typically sell in the 900 to 700 unit range.
- Berserk Vol. 1 Black Swordsman (Dark Horse Comics)
- Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba Vol. 2 (VIZ Media)
- Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 19 (VIZ Media)
- Spy X Family Vol. 2 (VIZ Media)
- Fantastic Four Full Circle HC (Abrams Comicarts)
- Hilo Vol. 9 Gina & Last City On Earth (Random House)
- Nightwing Vol. 1 Leaping Into The Light HC (DC Comics)
- Scurry (Image Comics)
- Choujin X Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
- Solo Leveling Vol. 6 (Yen Press)
- Batman The Killing Joke Dlx. Ed. HC (2021 Printing) (DC Comics)
- Dead Lucky Vol. 1 A Massive-Verse Book Mv (Image Comics)
- Sandman Vol. 2 (2022) (DC Comics)
- Nightwing Vol. 2 Get Grayson HC (DC Comics)
- Department of Truth Vol. 4 (Image Comics)
- House of Slaughter Vol. 1 (BOOM! Studios)
- Lion & The Eagle (AfterShock Comics)
- Star Wars the Mandalorian Vol. 1 Season One Part One (Marvel Comics)
- Jojos Bizarre Adventure Part 5 Golden Wind Vol. 7 HC (VIZ Media)
- Kang Saga of Once And Future Conqueror (Marvel Comics)
- Love Everlasting Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
- Sins of The Black Flamingo (Image Comics)
- Crazy Food Truck Vol. 3 (VIZ Media)
- Batman Spawn The Classic Collection (DC Comics)
- Alice Ever After (BOOM! Studios)
DC Comics won March 2023 by taking first place with twenty-four volumes in the Top 100. Year-over-year numbers were down from the twenty-six volumes that DC Comics had in the Top 100 in March 2022. This has to be disappointing for DC Comics as it continues to try and rebuild itself from the damage of years of bad decisions.
VIZ Media pulled off a shocking second-place finish in March 2023 with an impressive twenty volumes apiece in the Top 100. Year-over-year numbers were up from the fifteen volumes that VIZ Media had in the Top 100 in March 2022.
This is an astounding finish for the manga publisher. For VIZ Media to beat Marvel Comics in their traditional safe space of local comic shops is a sign of a continuing change in the market.
Marvel Comics slumped to third place with eighteen volumes in the Top 100. However, year-over-year numbers were up slightly from the seventeen that Marvel Comics had in the Top 100 in March 2022.
Image Comics came in a distant fourth place with thirteen volumes in the Top 100. Year-over-year numbers were down from the sixteen volumes that Image Comics had in the Top 100 in March 2022.
BOOM! Studios took fifth place with eleven volumes in the Top 100. This was up from the eight volumes that BOOM! Studios had in the Top 100 in March 2022.
Dark Horse Comics came in sixth place with five volumes in the Top 100. Year-over-year numbers were down from the ten volumes that Dark Horse Comics had in the Top 100 in March 2022.
IDW Publishing, First Second Books, and Random House tied for seventh place with two titles apiece in the Top 100. Yen Press, Abrams Comicarts, and Aftershock Comics tied for eighth place with one volume apiece in the Top 100.
NPD BookScan March 2023 Top 20 Kids Graphic Novels
Top 10
- DOG MAN VOL. 11: TWENTY THOUSAND FLEAS UNDER THE SEA HC (Graphix) 225,612 units
- CAT KID COMIC CLUB VOL. 4: COLLABORATIONS HC (Graphix) 52,047 units
- BABY-SITTERS CLUB VOL. 13: MARY ANNE’S BAD LUCK MYSTERY (Graphix) 32,476 units
- DOG MAN VOL. 10: MOTHERING HEIGHTS HC (Graphix) 27,523 units
- DOG MAN VOL. 9: GRIME AND PUNISHMENT HC (Graphix) 26,948 units
- DOG MAN VOL. 7: FOR WHOM THE BALL ROLLS HC (Graphix) 21,149 units
- BABY-SITTERS LITTLE SISTER, VOL. 6: KAREN’S BIRTHDAY (Graphix) 19,298 units
- DOG MAN VOL. 8: FETCH-22 HC (Graphix) 18,842 units
- DOG MAN VOL. 3: A TALE OF TWO KITTIES HC (Graphix) 18,197 units
- FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S VOL. 1: FAZBEAR FRIGHTS (Graphix) 17,868 units
Normally, I do not include the Top Kids Graphic Novels Chart in this article. Mainly, because the followers of the Revolution had little interest in this category. However, I felt that I had to include this chart for March 2023 because of one volume that entered this chart.
As always, the Top 20 Kids Graphic Novels chart is basically just the Dav Pilkey Sales Chart. Pilkey is dominating this category like nobody else. It is always impressive.. Pilkey is the creator and author of Dog Man and Cat Kid. Pilkey had seven volumes in the Top 10.
Baby-Sitters Club had two volumes in the Top 10. The Baby-Sitters Club is a series of novels written by Ann Martin and published between 1986-200. The Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels are written by different authors.
Five Nights at Freddy’s had one volume in the Top 10. This is no surprise. My youngest son and his friends are all Five Nights at Freddy fanatics.
When it comes to the Battle of the Publishers there really is no competition at all in this category. Graphix swept the Top 10.
Top 20
- CAT KID COMIC CLUB VOL. 3: ON PURPOSE HC (Graphix) 16,816 units
- FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S VOL. 2: FAZBEAR FRIGHTS (Graphix) 15,938 units
- DOG MAN VOL. 1 HC (Graphix) 15,903 units
- INVESTIGATORS: AGENTS OF S.U.I.T. HC (First Second) 15,799 units
- DOG MAN VOL. 4: DOG MAN AND CAT KID HC (Graphix) 15,748 units
- DOG MAN VOL. 5: LORD OF THE FLEAS HC (Graphix) 15,694 units
- BABY-SITTERS CLUB VOL. 12: JESSI’S SECRET LANGUAGE (Graphix) 14,485 units
- DOG MAN VOL. 6: BRAWL OF THE WILD HC (Graphix) 13,900 units
- DOG MAN VOL. 2: UNLEASHED HC (Graphix) 13,743 units
- TEEN TITANS: ROBIN (DC Comics) 13,697 units
Dav Pilkey dominated the competition by placing thirteen volumes in the Top 20. Baby-Sitters Club took second place with three volumes in the Top 20. Five Nights at Freddy’s took third place with two volumes in the Top 10.
Graphix crushed all of the other publishers by placing eighteen volumes in the Top 20.
Who was one of those two publishers not named Graphix? DC Comics! What a surprise! DC Comics and Marvel Comics have largely abandoned the Kids market as they continue to mostly target readers between the ages of 30-50.
Teen Titan: Robin barely made the Top 20, but it made it with 13,697 units! This graphic novel is written by Kami Garcia and drawn by Gabriel Piccolo. Hey, this is nothing that impressive, but it is better than Marvel Comics.
This does bring up the question if DC Comics will put more energy into publishing graphic novels that squarely target the Kids market going forward.
NPD BookScan March 2023 Top 20 Author Graphic Novels
Top 10
- SOLO LEVELING VOL. 6 (Yen Press) 18,285 units
- THE ADVENTURE ZONE: THE ELEVENTH HOUR (First Second Books) 8,473 units
- SOLO LEVELING VOL. 1 (Yen Press) 7,076 units
- VILLAINS ARE DESTINED TO DIE VOL. 2 (Yen Press) 4,635 units
- SOLO LEVELING VOL. 2 (Yen Press) 4,309 units
- LORE OLYMPUS: VOL. THREE HC (Del Rey) 4,204 units
- SOLO LEVELING VOL. 5 (Yen Press) 3,816 units
- THE REMARRIED EMPRESS VOL. 2 (Yen Press) 3,734 units
- SOLO LEVELING VOL. 3 (Yen Press) 3,722 units
- LORE OLYMPUS: VOL. TWO HC (Del Rey) 3,617 units
Yen Press won the Battle of the Publishers, placing seven volumes in the Top 10. Del Rey came in a distant second place with two volumes in the Top 10.
Once gain, the Author Graphic Novels list is completely dominated by Korean manwha/webtoons. Solo Leveling placed five volumes in the Top 10. Villains Are Destined to Die and The Remarried Princess placed one volume apiece in the Top 10. This means that South Korean manwha/webtoons placed seven volumes in the Top 10.
Lore Olympus, a webtoon from New Zealand, placed two volumes in the Top 10. The Adventure Zone: The Eleventh Hour is the sole graphic novel from the United States.
Month-over-month sales were down at the number 1 spot. In February 2023, the volume in the number 1 spot sold 19,757 units. However, month-over-month sales for the remainder of the Top 10 were up. In March 2023, Unit sales did not slip below the 5,000 unit mark until the number 4 spot, and the volume in the number 10 spot sold 3,617 units. In February 2023, sales slipped below the 5,000 unit mark by the number 2 spot, and the volume in the number 10 spot sold 2,722 units.
Year-over-year sales were up at the number 1 spot as the volume in March 2022 sold 9,351 units. Year-over-year numbers were up slightly for the rest of the Top 10. In March 2022, sales dropped below the 3,000 unit mark by the number 7 spot.
Top 20
- THEY CALLED US ENEMY (Top-Shelf Prod.) 3,584 units
- LORE OLYMPUS: VOL. ONE (Del Rey) 3,505 units
- LORE OLYMPUS: VOL. ONE HC (Del Rey) 3,472 units
- SOLO LEVELING VOL. 4 (Yen Press) 3,300 units
- THE BEGINNING AFTER THE END VOL. 2 (Yen Press) 3,175 units
- GENDER QUEER: A MEMOIR (Oni Press) 2,921 units
- MARCH: BOOK ONE (Top Shelf Prod.) 2,507 units
- LORE OLYMPUS: VOL. THREE (Del Rey) 2,283 units
- KILLING STALKING: DELUXE EDITION VOL. 2 (Seven Seas Ent.) 2,129 units
- VILLAINS ARE DESTINED TO DIE VOL. 1 (Yen Press) 2,056 units
Yen Press won the Battle of the Publishers, placing ten volumes in the Top 20. Del Rey came in a distant second place with five volumes in the Top 10. Top Shelf Prod came in third place with two volumes in the Top 20.
Korean manwha/webtoons continue to dominate the Top 20. Solo Leveling placed six volumes in the Top 20. Villains Are Destined to Die put two volumes in the Top 20. The Remarried Princess and Killing Stalking placed one volume apiece in the Top 20. This means that South Korean manwha/webtoons placed ten volumes in the Top 20.
Lore Olympus, a webcomic from New Zealand, placed five volumes in the Top 20. The Beginning After The End is a Japanese webtoon.
Eastern manwha/webcomics dominated the Author Graphic Novels Chart by placing sixteen volumes in the Top 20. Thank the comic gods for foreign graphic novels or else the Author Graphic Novels chart would be a total wasteland. Only four volumes from the United States made it into the Top 20.
Month-over-month numbers were up slightly in the bottom half of the Top 20. In February 2023, the volume in the number 11 spot sold 2,582 units. Sales dropped below the 3,000 unit mark by the number 8 spot. The volume in the number 20 spot sold 2,005 units.
In March 2023, the volume in the number 11 spot sold 3,584 units. Sales did not slip below the 3,000 unit mark until the number 16 spot. The volume in the number 20 spot sold 2,056 units.
Year-over-year numbers were also up. In March 2022, the volume in the number 11 spot sold 1,767 units. The volume in the number 20 spot sold 1,340 units.
NPD BookScan March 2023 Top 20 Superhero Graphic Novels
Top 10
- TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: THE LAST RONIN HC (IDW Publishing) 14,228 units
- WATCHMEN (2019 EDITION) (DC Comics) 2,144 units
- SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW (DC Comics) 1,848 units
- THE SANDMAN BOOK ONE (DC Comics) 1,827 units
- DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES–THE FEAST OF THE MOON (IDW Publishing) 1,739 units
- THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS (DC Comics) 1,357 units
- BATMAN: YEAR ONE (DC Comics) 1,330 units
- BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD’S FINEST VOL. 1: THE DEVIL NEZHA (DC Comics) 1,314 units
- BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE DLX. ED. HC (NEW EDITION) (DC Comics) 1,034 units
- V FOR VENDETTA (DC Comics) 958 units
DC Comics took first place by placing eight volumes in the Top 10. Four of the eight volumes are from the Batman franchise. Five of the eight volumes are from over thirty years ago. Another volume is from six years ago. Only two volumes are from the past two years. This is an awful sign for DC Comics that they have to rely on old stories to power their sales success.
It is interesting to note that James Gunn name dropping Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow during DC Studios’ big press conference did spark some interest in this graphic novel. The downside is that it was an extremely small amount of interest as this volume only moved a paltry 1,848 units. Most people who are interested in DC movies still have no desire to read comic books.
IDW Publishing grabbed a distant second place with two volumes in the Top 10. Marvel Comics had zero volumes In the Top 10. That is embarrassing.
The Superheroes graphic novels category had another bad month. Month-over-month were up at the number 1 spot as the number one title in February 2023 sold 6,605 units. However, the sales from spots 2-10 were largely flat. In February 2023, sales dropped below the 2,000 unit mark by the number 2 spot. In March 2023, sales dropped below the 2,00 unit mark by the number 3 spot. In February 2023, sales dropped below the 1,000 unit mark by the number 10 spot, and the volume in the number 10 spot sold 946 units. In March 2023, sales dropped below the 1,000 unit mark by the number 10 spot, and the volume in the number 10 spot sold 958 units.
Year-over-year were up at the number 1 spot as the volume in the number 1 spot in March 2022 sold 9,870 units. However, year-over-year sales were down for the rest of the Top 10. In March 2022, sales in the Top 10 never dropped below the 2,000 unit mark. The volume in the number 10 spot sold 2,246 units.
This is awful news. The Superhero category was terrible in 2022. I was not sure it could get worse. Well, it has gotten worse and I am not sure that DC Comics or Marvel Comics is doing to do anything in 2023 to make things any better.
Top 20
- BATMAN ’89 HC (DC Comics) 900 units
- FLASHPOINT (DC Comics) 890 units
- ALL-STAR SUPERMAN (DC Comics) 864 units
- THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (Penguin Classics) 787 units
- BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS (DC Comics) 761 units
- BATMAN: HUSH (NEW EDITION) (DC Comics) 755 units
- SUPERMAN: ACTION COMICS VOL. 3: WARWORLD REVOLUTION (DC Comics) 700
- MOON KNIGHT VOL. 3: HALFWAY TO SANITY (Marvel Comics) 696
- BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN (DC Comics) 681
- THE SANDMAN BOOK TWO (DC Comics) 680
DC Comics took first place by placing sixteen volumes in the Top 10. Eight of the sixteen volumes are from the Batman franchise. Six of the sixteen volumes are from over thirty years ago. Three of the sixteen volumes are from twenty years or more ago. Two volumes are from over ten years ago. Another volume is from six years ago. Only four volumes are from the past two years.
To put this into perspective, nine of DC Comics’ sixteen volumes are from at least twenty years ago. That is 56% of the volumes from DC Comics. Eleven of DC Comics’ sixteen volumes are from at least ten years ago. That is 68% of the volumes from DC Comics. This highlights that DC Comics has completely missed the target with their decisions over the past five years. There is no doubt that there is far more interest in DC Comics’ stories from thirty and twenty years ago than there is interest in their content from the past five years. This is a continuing problem for DC Comics.
We do see that James Gunn name dropping All-Star Superman during the DC Studios press conference did lead to some interest in this old story. However, again, it was a paltry number of people amounting to just 864 units.
IDW Publishing grabbed a distant second place with two volumes in the Top 10.
Of course, despite the obvious problems with DC Comics having to rely on old properties to power their sales success it is still better than Marvel Comics. Marvel Comics placed one volume in the Top 20. That is horrendous. There is nothing good to see here for Marvel Comics.
Month-over-month numbers were largely flat. In February 2023, the volume in the number 11 spot sold 885 units, and the volume in the number 20 spot sold 651 units. In March 2023, the volume in the number 11 spot sold 900 units, and the volume in the number 20 spot sold 680 units.
Year-over-year were down. In March 2022, the volume in the number 11 spot sold 2,153 units, and the volume in the number 20 spot sold 1,214 units. Things just continue to look grim for the American superhero category.
NPD BookScan March 2023 Top 20 Manga Graphic Novels
Top 10
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 9 (Viz Media) 39,644 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 19 (Viz Media) 29,110 units
- MY HERO ACADEMIA VOL. 33 (Viz Media) 21,526 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA VOL. 1 (Viz Media) 18,212 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 1 (Viz Media) 15,130 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 1 (Viz Media) 14,492 units
- BERSERK DELUXE VOL. 13 (Dark Horse Comics) 13,372 units
- MY HERO ACADEMIA VOL. 1 (Viz Media) 12,959 units
- TOILET-BOUND HANAKO-KUN VOL. 17 (Yen Press) 12,843 units
- BLUE LOCK VOL. 5 (Kodansha Comics) 12,284 units
As usual, Viz Media dominated all publishers with seven volumes in the Top 10. Yen Press, Kodansha Comics, and Dark Horse Comics all placed one volume apiece in the Top 10.
There was incredible diversity in the number of franchises in the Top 10. Many months the Manga category is dominated by one franchise. That is not the case with March 2023. Spy x Family and My Hero Academia had two volumes. Those were the only two franchises with more than one volume in the Top 10. I do like to see more diversity of franchises in the Top 10 rather than a single franchise dominating the chart.
We have one new franchise appearing in the Top 10 in March 2023: Blue Lock. It is always fun to see what new manga titles are going to crack into the Top 10. Blue Lock is well done and worthy of a Top 10 finish.
Month-over-month sales were up across the Top 10. In February 2023, the volume in the number 1 spot sold 31,645, and sales dropped below 10,000 units by the number 8 spot. The volume in the number 10 spot sold 9,200 units. In March 2023, the volume in the number 1 spot sold 39,644 units, and sales never dropped below 10,000 units. The volume in the number 10 spot sold 12,284 units.
Year-over-year were down sharply. In March 2022, the volume in the number 1 spot sold 57,071 units. The volume in the number 10 spot sold 19,216 units.
Top 20
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 2 (Viz Media) 11,846 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 2 (Viz Media) 11,568 units
- BLUE LOCK VOL. 1 (Kodansha Comics) 10,631 units
- TOMBS: JUNJI ITO STORY COLLECTION HC (Viz Media) 10,371 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 4 (Viz Media) 10,083 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 3 (Viz Media) 10,029 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 3 (Viz Media) 10,023 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 5 (Viz Media) 9,794 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 1 (Viz Media) 9,649 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 7 (Viz Media) 8,935 units
Viz Media continued to dominate all publishers with sixteen volumes in the Top 20. Kodansha Comics had two volumes in the Top 20. Yen Press and Dark Horse Comics had one volume apiece in the Top 20.
Chainsaw Man pulled away from all of the other franchises with six volumes in the Top 20. Spy x Family came in second place with four volumes in the Top 20. These two franchises continue to be the apex predators of the Manga category. I do not see this changing anytime soon.
My Hero Academia, Blue Lock, and Jujutsu Kaisen placed two volumes apiece in the Top 20.
Month-over-month sales were up across the board. In February 2023, the volume in the number 11 spot sold 8,762 units, and the volume in the number 20 spot sold 7,119 units. In March 2023, the volume in the number 11 spot sold 11,846 units, and the volume in the number 20 spot sold 8,935 units.
Year-over-year were down sharply. In March 2022, the volume in the number 11 spot sold 19,077 units, and the volume in the number 20 spot sold 15,481 units.
NPD BookScan March 2023 Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels
Top 10
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 9 (VIZ Media) 39,644 units
- JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 19 (VIZ Media) 29,110 units
- MY HERO ACADEMIA VOL. 33 (VIZ Media) 21,526 units
- SOLO LEVELING VOL. 6 (Yen Press) 18,285 units
- DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA VOL. 1 (VIZ Media) 18,212 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 1 (VIZ Media) 15,130 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 1 (VIZ Media) 14,492 units
- TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: THE LAST RONIN HC (IDW Publishing) 14,228 units
- BERSERK DELUXE VOL. 13 HC (Dark Horse Comics) 13,372 units
- MY HERO ACADEMIA VOL. 1 (VIZ Media) 12,959 units
Manga continued to dominate all other competitors as manga took eight spots in the Top 10. There was one South Korean manwha. The only American volume was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin.
Top 20
- TOILET-BOUND HANAKO-KUN VOL. 17 (Yen Press) 12,843 units
- BLUE LOCK VOL. 5 (Kodansha Comics) 12,284 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 2 (VIZ Media) 11,846 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 2 (VIZ Media) 11,568 units
- BLUE LOCK VOL. 1 (Kodansha Comics) 10,631 units
- TOMBS: JUNJI ITO STORY COLLECTION (VIZ Media) 10,371 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 4 (VIZ Media) 10,083 units
- CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 3 (VIZ Media) 10,029 units
- SPY X FAMILY VOL. 3 (VIZ Media) 10,023 units
- BEA WOLF (First Second Books) 9,892 units
Manga obliterated all competitors by capturing seventeen spots in the Top 20. Korean manwha took one spot in the Top 20. One American comic book. And…..a middle-grade graphic novel?
I am unsure why Bea Wolf is in the Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels chart. Bea Wolf is a kids graphic novel. We know this because the publisher themselves, MacMillan Publishers, lists Bea Wolf as a middle-grade graphic novel whose age range is 8-12. Soooo, what gives this including this on the Top 20 Adult graphic novels chart? Bea Wolf did not even come anywhere close to making the Top 20 Kids Graphic Novels list. This is bizarre and makes no sense.
How far off the mark are DC Comics and Marvel Comics? The best-selling DC Comics title in the Superhero category was Watchmen which sold a mere 2,144 units. That is not even remotely close to getting into the Top 20.
How about the DC Comics that cracked the Kids Graphic Novels chart? Teen Titans: Robin sold 13,697 units which would have placed it at the number 9 spot in the Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels chart. DC Comics certainly had far more success in getting kids interested in the Robin graphic novel than they can get anyone interested in their comic books targeting the adult reader.
Marvel Comics’ best-selling volume was Moon Knight Vol. 3: Halfway to Sanity, selling a pathetic 696 units. That is lightyears away from making the Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels chart.
There is no doubt that Marvel Comics and DC Comics have their work cut out for them in a market that continues to be dominated by manga. The lack of sales success by any comics within the past five years from Marvel Comics and DC Comics should be a warning sign to the editorial staff of both publishers. At least DC Comics appears mildly interested in trying to compete in this market. It seems Marvel Comics has largely conceded the market entirely to the competition.
All right, that is it for March 2023. Will manga continue dominating the market in April 2023? We will find out! Until then, stay safe and be good!
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