One of the legendary publishers of the 1990s, Valiant Entertainment, returned to comic shops in May with X-O Manowar #1, relaunching the series about a Visigoth barbarian who wears an alien suit of armor, giving the publisher the best-selling Small Press comic to comics retailers in May.
Other publishers in the top ten include Abstract Studios, Archie Comics, Bongo Comics, BroadSword, and Zenescope Entertainment.
Kodansha Comics' Sailor Moon Volume 5 was May's top-selling Small Press Graphic Novel.
Other publishers in the top ten include Action Lab, Houghton-Mifflin, Red 5 Comics, Top Shelf Productions, Yen Press, and Zenescope Entertainment.
Diamond Comic Distributors defines Small Presses as publishers outside the top-10 bestselling publishers over the previous six months. In offering these breakdowns of the bestselling small press comics and graphic novels, a spotlight is shown on these publishers, affording them recognition for their strong sales in a crowded marketplace. To help retailers contextualize the relationship between the Small Press sales rankings, each chart offers for each book the overall ranking for the month amongst all publishers.
TOP 50 SMALL PRESS COMICS
Based on Total Unit Sales of Products Invoiced in May 2012
| QTY RANK |
OVERALL QTY RANK |
OVERALL DOLLAR RANK |
INDEX | ITEM CODE |
DESCRIPTION | PRICE | VENDOR |
| 1 | 43 | 26 | 31.73 | MAR121222-M | X-O MANOWAR #1 | $3.99 | VAL |
| 2 | 210 | 226 | 6.59 | FEB120761 | SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #236 | $2.99 | ARC |
| 3 | 216 | 232 | 6.38 | MAR120768 | SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #237 | $2.99 | ARC |
| 4 | 219 | 140 | 6.31 | MAR121292-M | GFT ALICE IN WONDERLAND #6 (MR) | $5.99 | ZEN |
| 5 | 224 | 210 | 6.02 | MAR120703 | RACHEL RISING #8 | $3.99 | ABS |
| 6 | 227 | 247 | 5.84 | FEB120816 | BART SIMPSONS PAL MILHOUSE #1 | $2.99 | BON |
| 7 | 228 | 201 | 5.83 | MAR121288-M | CALL OF WONDERLAND #1 (MR) | $3.99 | ZEN |
| 8 | 244 | 260 | 5.26 | MAR120769 | SONIC UNIVERSE #40 | $2.99 | ARC |
| 9 | 246 | 252 | 5.18 | MAR120897 | TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #74 (MR) | $2.95 | BRO |
| 10 | 250 | 263 | 5.04 | MAR120839 | SIMPSONS COMICS #190 | $2.99 | BON |
| 11 | 251 | 255 | 5.02 | MAR121294-M | GRIMM FAIRY TALES #73 (MR) | $2.99 | ZEN |
| 12 | 262 | 279 | 4.66 | FEB120759-M | MEGA MAN #13 | $2.99 | ARC |
| 13 | 263 | 280 | 4.66 | MAR120838 | FUTURAMA COMICS #61 | $2.99 | BON |
| 14 | 265 | 257 | 4.61 | DEC110960 | RASL #14 (MR) | $3.50 | CAR |
| 15 | 269 | 272 | 4.50 | MAR121290-M | GFT JUNGLE BOOK #3 (MR) | $2.99 | ZEN |
| 16 | 277 | 278 | 4.28 | MAR121296-M | GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS #17 (MR) | $2.99 | ZEN |
| 17 | 283 | 283 | 4.15 | FEB121215-M | GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS #16 (MR) | $2.99 | ZEN |
| 18 | 285 | 217 | 4.10 | MAR121298-M | GFT OVERSIZED COSPLAY SPECIAL (MR) | $4.99 | ZEN |
| 19 | 286 | 275 | 4.08 | MAR120773-M | FATHOM KIANI VOL 2 #2 | $3.50 | ASP |
| 20 | 287 | 305 | 4.03 | MAR120837 | BART SIMPSON COMICS #71 | $2.99 | BON |
| 21 | 294 | 302 | 3.75 | NOV111165-M | GFT PRESENTS NEVERLAND HOOK #5 | $2.99 | ZEN |
| 22 | 304 | 321 | 3.47 | MAR120756 | ARCHIE #633 | $2.99 | ARC |
| 23 | 306 | 195 | 3.44 | JAN121209 | TICK #100 TICK MEETS INVINCIBLE | $6.99 | NEW |
| 24 | 310 | 309 | 3.36 | DEC110853-M | SOULFIRE VOL 3 #8 | $3.50 | ASP |
| 25 | 313 | 256 | 3.28 | MAR120840 | SIMPSONS SUMMER SHINDIG #6 | $4.99 | BON |
| 26 | 320 | 335 | 3.09 | FEB121141 | ATOMIC ROBO REAL SCIENCE ADV #2 | $2.75 | RED |
| 27 | 326 | 347 | 2.92 | MAR120771-M | STAN LEES MIGHTY 7 #2 | $2.99 | ARC |
| 28 | 331 | 319 | 2.70 | MAR121141 | COURTNEY CRUMRIN #2 | $3.99 | ONI |
| 29 | 340 | 338 | 2.40 | FEB121224 | CHARMED #21 (MR) | $3.50 | ZEN |
| 30 | 343 | 332 | 2.35 | MAR121144 | SIXTH GUN #22 | $3.99 | ONI |
| 31 | 349 | 270 | 2.27 | FEB121072 | KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #186 | $5.99 | KEN |
| 32 | 351 | 346 | 2.21 | MAR121140 | SECRET HISTORY OF DB COOPER #3 | $3.99 | ONI |
| 33 | 369 | 354 | 2.04 | FEB120820 | SIMPSONS ILLUSTRATED #2 | $3.99 | BON |
| 34 | 374 | 356 | 1.99 | DEC118186 | LADY MECHANIKA #2 | $3.99 | ASP |
| 35 | 384 | 366 | 1.73 | FEB120758 | LIFE WITH ARCHIE #19 | $3.99 | ARC |
| 36 | 387 | 388 | 1.66 | MAR120701 | GLAMOURPUSS #25 | $3.00 | AAR |
| 37 | 395 | 391 | 1.51 | MAR120822 | URSA MINOR #1 (MR) | $3.50 | BIG |
| 38 | 398 | 384 | 1.41 | JAN120797 | GOLD DIGGER #138 | $3.99 | ANT |
| 39 | 399 | 409 | 1.41 | FEB120806 | REX ZOMBIE KILLER ONE SHOT | $3.50 | BIG |
| 40 | 400 | 407 | 1.41 | NOV111008 | MEDITERRANEA #7 | $2.99 | GG |
| 41 | 401 | 406 | 1.40 | NOV111006 | GORE #6 (MR) | $2.99 | GG |
| 42 | 405 | 387 | 1.37 | FEB120754 | BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #201 | $3.99 | ARC |
| 43 | 409 | 392 | 1.23 | JAN120793 | CAVEWOMAN MUTATION #2 | $3.75 | AMR |
| 44 | 410 | 399 | 1.22 | MAR120758 | ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #229 | $3.99 | ARC |
| 45 | 412 | 427 | 1.17 | MAR120762 | JUGHEAD #213 | $2.99 | ARC |
| 46 | 413 | 401 | 1.17 | MAR120760 | B & V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #225 | $3.99 | ARC |
| 47 | 414 | 375 | 1.17 | JAN121179 | BELA LUGOSI TALES FROM GRAVE #2 (RES) | $4.99 | MON |
| 48 | 415 | 405 | 1.15 | MAR120757 | ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #16 | $3.99 | ARC |
| 49 | 416 | 408 | 1.15 | FEB120752 | B & V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #224 | $3.99 | ARC |
| 50 | 417 | 390 | 1.07 | MAR121192 | CLINT 2.0 #1 (MR) | $6.99 | TIT |
TOP 50 SMALL PRESS GRAPHIC NOVELS
Based on Total Unit Sales of Products Invoiced in May 2012
| QTY RANK |
OVERALL QTY RANK |
OVERALL DOLLAR RANK |
INDEX | ITEM CODE |
DESCRIPTION | PRICE | VENDOR |
| 1 | 24 | 58 | 2.13 | FEB121079 | SAILOR MOON TP KODANSHA ED VOL 05 | $10.99 | RAN |
| 2 | 65 | 79 | 1.27 | JAN121332 | GRIMM FAIRY TALES TP VOL 11 (MR) | $15.99 | ZEN |
| 3 | 72 | 64 | 1.19 | JAN121241 | ATOMIC ROBO TP VOL 06 GHOST OF STATION X | $18.95 | RED |
| 4 | 79 | 156 | 1.09 | FEB121078 | NEGIMA GN VOL 34 (MR) | $10.99 | RAN |
| 5 | 85 | 62 | 1.03 | FEB121067 | ARE YOU MY MOTHER A COMIC DRAMA HC | $22.00 | HOU |
| 6 | 109 | 180 | 0.87 | MAR121276 | SOUL EATER TP VOL 09 | $11.99 | HAC |
| 7 | 116 | 149 | 0.81 | OCT111285 | GRIMM FAIRY TALES THE LIBRARY TP | $15.99 | ZEN |
| 8 | 128 | 165 | 0.71 | MAR121301 | GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS TP VOL 03 (MR) | $15.99 | ZEN |
| 9 | 139 | 244 | 0.67 | MAY111195 | LOEG III CENTURY #2 1969 (MR) | $9.95 | TOP |
| 10 | 142 | 191 | 0.65 | FEB120706 | PRINCELESS TP VOL 01 | $14.95 | ACT |
| 11 | 145 | 193 | 0.64 | FEB120736 | STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE TP VOL 01 BERRY FUN | $14.99 | APE |
| 12 | 146 | 228 | 0.63 | MAR121275 | PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA GN VOL 01 | $11.99 | HAC |
| 13 | 153 | 346 | 0.60 | MAR121136 | NINJAGO GN VOL 03 RISE O/T SERPENTINE | $6.99 | NBM |
| 14 | 154 | 235 | 0.60 | MAR121274 | PANDORA HEARTS GN VOL 10 | $11.99 | HAC |
| 15 | 158 | 144 | 0.58 | JAN120833 | BEST OF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG HC | $24.99 | ARC |
| 16 | 159 | 238 | 0.57 | MAR121271 | MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA GN VOL 12 | $11.99 | HAC |
| 17 | 161 | 325 | 0.56 | FEB094465 | LOEG III CENTURY #1 1910 (MR) | $7.95 | TOP |
| 18 | 164 | 114 | 0.55 | JAN121159 | MEGALEX COMPLETE STORY HC (MR) | $29.95 | HUM |
| 19 | 166 | 174 | 0.55 | JAN121093 | FALLEN WORDS GN (MR) | $19.95 | DRA |
| 20 | 172 | 393 | 0.54 | AUG110785 | KUNG FU PANDA DIGEST GN VOL 02 ELEMENTAL | $6.95 | APE |
| 21 | 177 | 93 | 0.53 | NOV110991 | STEVE DITKO ARCHIVES HC VOL 03 MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER | $39.99 | FAN |
| 22 | 185 | 403 | 0.51 | JAN121207 | THREE STOOGES GN VOL 01 BED BUGGED | $6.99 | NBM |
| 23 | 200 | 206 | 0.47 | JAN121214 | COLDEST CITY HC | $19.99 | ONI |
| 24 | 206 | 203 | 0.46 | NOV111007 | MEDITERRANEA TP VOL 01 | $18.99 | GG |
| 25 | 214 | 294 | 0.44 | FEB121151 | CERTAIN SCIENTIFIC RAILGUN GN VOL 04 | $11.99 | ST. |
| 26 | 221 | 214 | 0.43 | FEB121167 | MAKESHIFT MIRACLE HC VOL 01 GIRL FROM NOWHERE | $19.99 | UDO |
| 27 | 227 | 236 | 0.41 | FEB121098 | FAIRY TALES OF OSCAR WILDE HC VOL 05 HAPPY PRINCE | $16.99 | NBM |
| 28 | 228 | 311 | 0.41 | FEB108442 | SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 01 PRECIOUS LITTLE LIFE | $11.99 | ONI |
| 29 | 233 | 286 | 0.40 | FEB121116 | CROGANS LOYALTY HC | $14.99 | ONI |
| 30 | 234 | 312 | 0.40 | MAR121273 | OMAMORI HIMARI GN VOL 07 (MR) | $11.99 | HAC |
| 31 | 246 | 197 | 0.37 | MAR121075 | BABYS IN BLACK HC | $24.99 | ST. |
| 32 | 249 | 147 | 0.36 | FEB042691 | FROM HELL TP | $35.00 | TOP |
| 33 | 250 | 265 | 0.36 | DEC111184 | JUDGE DREDD CRUSADE TP | $16.99 | POC |
| 34 | 251 | 241 | 0.36 | MAR121278 | UNTIL DEATH DO US PART GN VOL 01 | $18.99 | HAC |
| 35 | 255 | 542 | 0.35 | DEC111148 | NINJAGO GN VOL 02 MASK OF THE SENSEI | $6.99 | NBM |
| 36 | 258 | 547 | 0.35 | SEP111183 | NINJAGO GN VOL 01 CHALLENGE OF SAMUKAI | $6.99 | NBM |
| 37 | 260 | 192 | 0.35 | NOV110990 | POPEYE HC VOL 06 ME LIL SWEE PEA | $29.99 | FAN |
| 38 | 266 | 303 | 0.34 | JUL110801 | RICHIE RICH TP VOL 01 WELCOME TO RICH RESCUE | $14.99 | APE |
| 39 | 267 | 196 | 0.34 | JAN121091 | NONNONBA GN (MR) | $26.95 | DRA |
| 40 | 269 | 245 | 0.33 | JAN120822 | COW BOY A BOY AND HIS HORSE HC | $19.95 | ARA |
| 41 | 274 | 348 | 0.33 | FEB120995 | STARRY SKY GN VOL 01 | $12.95 | DIG |
| 42 | 275 | 131 | 0.32 | MAR111170 | INCAL CLASSIC COLLECTION HC (HUMANOIDS ED) (MR) | $44.95 | HUM |
| 43 | 276 | 252 | 0.32 | JAN121173 | LOVE HINA OMNIBUS TP KODANSHA ED VOL 03 | $19.99 | RAN |
| 44 | 280 | 366 | 0.32 | AUG101105 | YO GABBA GABBA COMIC BOOK TIME HC | $24.99 | ONI |
| 45 | 281 | 616 | 0.31 | AUG110789 | RICHIE RICH DIGEST GN VOL 02 PURSUIT OF PESOS | $6.99 | APE |
| 46 | 286 | 360 | 0.31 | FEB121000 | TYRANT FALLS IN LOVE GN VOL 06 (MR) | $12.95 | DIG |
| 47 | 288 | 364 | 0.31 | FEB120996 | SAMEJIMA KUN & SASAHARA KUN GN (MR) | $12.95 | DIG |
| 48 | 290 | 374 | 0.30 | FEB120998 | GOOD MORNING GN (MR) | $12.95 | DIG |
| 49 | 291 | 266 | 0.30 | MAR121134 | BEST OF THE THREE STOOGES | $19.99 | NBM |
| 50 | 298 | 291 | 0.29 | FEB121119 | HOLLIDAY GN (MR) | $19.99 | ONI |
This information may not be reproduced in any format without the express permission of Diamond Comic Distributors.
Item codes followed by -M indicate multiple covers and skus at the standard SRP.
How does Diamond calculate the charts? It all starts at the comic book shop.
Data for Diamond’s sales charts — which include the monthly market shares and all top product charts — are compiled by Diamond Comic Distributors from a universe of over 3,500 accounts, comprised of comic book specialty shops and other merchant stores and buyers. The shops are primarily located in North America, with a percentage of sales also to international stores and buyers located throughout the world. The account base includes not only brick-and-mortar comic book specialty shops, but also Internet stores, chain stores, and other specialty stores.
Unit and dollars sales are calculated based upon orders invoiced and shipped to Diamond accounts during any given month, which comprises initial pre-orders, advance reorders, and reorders, minus any copies that are received back from a title marked as returnable.
About the Diamond Sales Index: The Sales Index of selected monthly Best Seller Charts is presented as a comparative tool for retailers and publishers. It presents Diamond’s monthly sales for individual titles in relation to Diamond’s total sales for the issue of DC Comics' monthly Batman comic book. (Batman is used as the control title — with a value of 100 — because sales of Batman usually remain relatively stable.) This allows for easy comparison to other titles and helps retailers gauge their orders for all other titles. This formula is only a guide, other factors may impact a titles’ ability to sell in certain locations and clientele.
