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 Non-Premier comic to comics retailers for the month.
Dynamite Entertainment had a strong May, with five titles in the top ten, led by The Shadow #2 at #2. Also in the top ten were The Boys #66 at #5, The Spider #1 at #6, Game of Thrones #8 at #7, and Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris #12 at #10.
Also in the top ten were BOOM! Studios with three titles, led by Adventure Time #4 at #3, and AVatar Press with <Crossed:Badlands #5 at #9.
The adventures of the young ninjas-in-training continued in VIZ Media's Naruto Volume 56, the best-selling Non-Premier graphic novel sold to comics retailers in May.
Other publishers in the top ten include BOOM! Studios, Houghton Mifflin, Kodansha Comics, Red 5 Comics, Yen Press, and Zenescope Entertainment.
TOP 50 NON-PREMIER 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 | 119 | 86 | 16.33 | MAR120924 | SHADOW #2 | $3.99 | DE |
| 3 | 125 | 103 | 15.07 | MAR120884 | ADVENTURE TIME #4 | $3.99 | BOO |
| 4 | 133 | 294 | 13.95 | MAR120853 | HIGHER EARTH #1 | $1.00 | BOO |
| 5 | 146 | 115 | 12.27 | MAR120936 | BOYS #66 (MR) | $3.99 | DE |
| 6 | 169 | 142 | 9.32 | MAR128256-M | THE SPIDER #1 | $3.99 | DE |
| 7 | 184 | 162 | 8.02 | MAR120979 | GAME OF THRONES #8 (MR) | $3.99 | DE |
| 8 | 188 | 177 | 7.47 | MAR120887 | GARFIELD #1 | $3.99 | BOO |
| 9 | 190 | 171 | 7.24 | MAR120798-M | CROSSED BADLANDS #5 (MR) | $3.99 | AVA |
| 10 | 192 | 181 | 7.15 | DEC110981-M | WARLORD OF MARS DEJAH THORIS #12 (MR) | $3.99 | DE |
| 11 | 203 | 180 | 6.90 | MAR120802-M | CROSSED BADLANDS #6 (MR) | $3.99 | AVA |
| 12 | 208 | 193 | 6.64 | MAR128148-M | FANBOYS VS ZOMBIES #2 | $3.99 | BOO |
| 13 | 209 | 194 | 6.59 | JAN121003 | VAMPIRELLA #17 | $3.99 | DE |
| 14 | 210 | 226 | 6.59 | FEB120761 | SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #236 | $2.99 | ARC |
| 15 | 212 | 197 | 6.56 | JAN121057 | LORD OF THE JUNGLE #4 (MR) | $3.99 | DE |
| 16 | 215 | 199 | 6.43 | MAR120952 | DEJAH THORIS & WHITE APES OF MARS #2 (MR) | $3.99 | DE |
| 17 | 216 | 232 | 6.38 | MAR120768 | SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #237 | $2.99 | ARC |
| 18 | 218 | 203 | 6.34 | FEB120960 | KEVIN SMITH BIONIC MAN #9 | $3.99 | DE |
| 19 | 219 | 140 | 6.31 | MAR121292-M | GFT ALICE IN WONDERLAND #6 (MR) | $5.99 | ZEN |
| 20 | 224 | 210 | 6.02 | MAR120703 | RACHEL RISING #8 | $3.99 | ABS |
| 21 | 225 | 212 | 5.94 | JAN121035 | GARTH ENNIS JENNIFER BLOOD #13 (MR) | $3.99 | DE |
| 22 | 227 | 247 | 5.84 | FEB120816 | BART SIMPSONS PAL MILHOUSE #1 | $2.99 | BON |
| 23 | 228 | 201 | 5.83 | MAR121288-M | CALL OF WONDERLAND #1 (MR) | $3.99 | ZEN |
| 24 | 233 | 214 | 5.65 | MAR120859 | IRREDEEMABLE #37 | $3.99 | BOO |
| 25 | 240 | 211 | 5.54 | MAR120900-M | LADY DEATH #17 (MR) | $3.99 | AVA |
| 26 | 244 | 260 | 5.26 | MAR120769 | SONIC UNIVERSE #40 | $2.99 | ARC |
| 27 | 245 | 222 | 5.24 | FEB120962 | BIONIC WOMAN #2 | $3.99 | DE |
| 28 | 246 | 252 | 5.18 | MAR120897 | TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #74 (MR) | $2.95 | BRO |
| 29 | 247 | 223 | 5.12 | FEB120981 | RED SONJA WITCHBLADE #3 | $3.99 | DE |
| 30 | 250 | 263 | 5.04 | MAR120839 | SIMPSONS COMICS #190 | $2.99 | BON |
| 31 | 251 | 255 | 5.02 | MAR121294-M | GRIMM FAIRY TALES #73 (MR) | $2.99 | ZEN |
| 32 | 253 | 231 | 4.98 | MAR120848 | HELLRAISER #14 (MR) | $3.99 | BOO |
| 33 | 254 | 227 | 4.94 | NOV110945 | RED SONJA #66 | $3.99 | DE |
| 34 | 255 | 229 | 4.93 | DEC111025 | GREEN HORNET #25 | $3.99 | DE |
| 35 | 256 | 240 | 4.75 | FEB120837 | INCORRUPTIBLE #29 | $3.99 | BOO |
| 36 | 259 | 237 | 4.71 | FEB120953 | VOLTRON #5 | $3.99 | DE |
| 37 | 262 | 279 | 4.66 | FEB120759-M | MEGA MAN #13 | $2.99 | ARC |
| 38 | 263 | 280 | 4.66 | MAR120838 | FUTURAMA COMICS #61 | $2.99 | BON |
| 39 | 265 | 257 | 4.61 | DEC110960 | RASL #14 (MR) | $3.50 | CAR |
| 40 | 269 | 272 | 4.50 | MAR121290-M | GFT JUNGLE BOOK #3 (MR) | $2.99 | ZEN |
| 41 | 270 | 243 | 4.49 | MAR120987 | THE LONE RANGER #5 | $3.99 | DE |
| 42 | 271 | 244 | 4.44 | MAR120998 | ARMY OF DARKNESS #4 | $3.99 | DE |
| 43 | 272 | 246 | 4.43 | FEB120934 | VAMPIRELLA VS DRACULA #4 | $3.99 | DE |
| 44 | 273 | 235 | 4.37 | MAR120911-M | LADY DEATH ORIGINS CURSED #2 (MR) | $3.99 | AVA |
| 45 | 274 | 219 | 4.36 | MAR120967 | LORD OF THE JUNGLE ANNUAL #1 (MR) | $4.99 | DE |
| 46 | 275 | 248 | 4.35 | JAN121074 | QUEEN SONJA #29 | $3.99 | DE |
| 47 | 277 | 278 | 4.28 | MAR121296-M | GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS #17 (MR) | $2.99 | ZEN |
| 48 | 278 | 249 | 4.27 | DEC111019 | DARK SHADOWS #5 | $3.99 | DE |
| 49 | 281 | 253 | 4.18 | MAR120812-M | FERALS #5 (MR) | $3.99 | AVA |
| 50 | 283 | 283 | 4.15 | FEB121215-M | GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS #16 (MR) | $2.99 | ZEN |
TOP 50 NON-PREMIER 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 | 20 | 63 | 2.46 | FEB121183 | NARUTO TP VOL 56 | $9.99 | VIZ |
| 2 | 24 | 58 | 2.13 | FEB121079 | SAILOR MOON TP KODANSHA ED VOL 05 | $10.99 | RAN |
| 3 | 39 | 48 | 1.71 | MAR120860 | IRREDEEMABLE TP VOL 09 | $16.99 | BOO |
| 4 | 61 | 83 | 1.30 | JAN120944 | INCORRUPTIBLE TP VOL 06 | $16.99 | BOO |
| 5 | 65 | 79 | 1.27 | JAN121332 | GRIMM FAIRY TALES TP VOL 11 (MR) | $15.99 | ZEN |
| 6 | 72 | 64 | 1.19 | JAN121241 | ATOMIC ROBO TP VOL 06 GHOST OF STATION X | $18.95 | RED |
| 7 | 77 | 186 | 1.12 | FEB121185 | ONE PIECE TP VOL 62 | $9.99 | VIZ |
| 8 | 79 | 156 | 1.09 | FEB121078 | NEGIMA GN VOL 34 (MR) | $10.99 | RAN |
| 9 | 85 | 62 | 1.03 | FEB121067 | ARE YOU MY MOTHER A COMIC DRAMA HC | $22.00 | HOU |
| 10 | 109 | 180 | 0.87 | MAR121276 | SOUL EATER TP VOL 09 | $11.99 | HAC |
| 11 | 113 | 361 | 0.86 | FEB121190 | POKEMON BLACK & WHITE GN VOL 07 | $4.99 | VIZ |
| 12 | 116 | 149 | 0.81 | OCT111285 | GRIMM FAIRY TALES THE LIBRARY TP | $15.99 | ZEN |
| 13 | 124 | 140 | 0.73 | MAR120791 | CALIGULA TP VOL 01 (MR) | $19.99 | AVA |
| 14 | 128 | 165 | 0.71 | MAR121301 | GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS TP VOL 03 (MR) | $15.99 | ZEN |
| 15 | 132 | 195 | 0.69 | FEB120839 | PLANET OF THE APES TP VOL 02 | $14.99 | BOO |
| 16 | 139 | 244 | 0.67 | MAY111195 | LOEG III CENTURY #2 1969 (MR) | $9.95 | TOP |
| 17 | 142 | 191 | 0.65 | FEB120706 | PRINCELESS TP VOL 01 | $14.95 | ACT |
| 18 | 145 | 193 | 0.64 | FEB120736 | STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE TP VOL 01 BERRY FUN | $14.99 | APE |
| 19 | 146 | 228 | 0.63 | MAR121275 | PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA GN VOL 01 | $11.99 | HAC |
| 20 | 153 | 346 | 0.60 | MAR121136 | NINJAGO GN VOL 03 RISE O/T SERPENTINE | $6.99 | NBM |
| 21 | 154 | 235 | 0.60 | MAR121274 | PANDORA HEARTS GN VOL 10 | $11.99 | HAC |
| 22 | 158 | 144 | 0.58 | JAN120833 | BEST OF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG HC | $24.99 | ARC |
| 23 | 159 | 238 | 0.57 | MAR121271 | MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA GN VOL 12 | $11.99 | HAC |
| 24 | 161 | 325 | 0.56 | FEB094465 | LOEG III CENTURY #1 1910 (MR) | $7.95 | TOP |
| 25 | 162 | 222 | 0.56 | FEB120875 | ROGER LANGRIDGES SNARKED TP VOL 01 | $14.99 | BOO |
| 26 | 164 | 114 | 0.55 | JAN121159 | MEGALEX COMPLETE STORY HC (MR) | $29.95 | HUM |
| 27 | 166 | 174 | 0.55 | JAN121093 | FALLEN WORDS GN (MR) | $19.95 | DRA |
| 28 | 171 | 152 | 0.54 | JAN120963 | TANPOPO COLLECTION HC VOL 01 | $24.99 | BOO |
| 29 | 172 | 393 | 0.54 | AUG110785 | KUNG FU PANDA DIGEST GN VOL 02 ELEMENTAL | $6.95 | APE |
| 30 | 177 | 93 | 0.53 | NOV110991 | STEVE DITKO ARCHIVES HC VOL 03 MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER | $39.99 | FAN |
| 31 | 185 | 403 | 0.51 | JAN121207 | THREE STOOGES GN VOL 01 BED BUGGED | $6.99 | NBM |
| 32 | 187 | 138 | 0.51 | FEB120822 | AMORY WARS SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH 3 HC ULT ED | $29.99 | BOO |
| 33 | 200 | 206 | 0.47 | JAN121214 | COLDEST CITY HC | $19.99 | ONI |
| 34 | 206 | 203 | 0.46 | NOV111007 | MEDITERRANEA TP VOL 01 | $18.99 | GG |
| 35 | 214 | 294 | 0.44 | FEB121151 | CERTAIN SCIENTIFIC RAILGUN GN VOL 04 | $11.99 | ST. |
| 36 | 221 | 214 | 0.43 | FEB121167 | MAKESHIFT MIRACLE HC VOL 01 GIRL FROM NOWHERE | $19.99 | UDO |
| 37 | 227 | 236 | 0.41 | FEB121098 | FAIRY TALES OF OSCAR WILDE HC VOL 05 HAPPY PRINCE | $16.99 | NBM |
| 38 | 228 | 311 | 0.41 | FEB108442 | SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 01 PRECIOUS LITTLE LIFE | $11.99 | ONI |
| 39 | 233 | 286 | 0.40 | FEB121116 | CROGANS LOYALTY HC | $14.99 | ONI |
| 40 | 234 | 312 | 0.40 | MAR121273 | OMAMORI HIMARI GN VOL 07 (MR) | $11.99 | HAC |
| 41 | 241 | 427 | 0.37 | DEC032764 | NAUSICAA OF VALLEY OF WIND TP VOL 01 2ND ED | $9.95 | VIZ |
| 42 | 246 | 197 | 0.37 | MAR121075 | BABYS IN BLACK HC | $24.99 | ST. |
| 43 | 249 | 147 | 0.36 | FEB042691 | FROM HELL TP | $35.00 | TOP |
| 44 | 250 | 265 | 0.36 | DEC111184 | JUDGE DREDD CRUSADE TP | $16.99 | POC |
| 45 | 251 | 241 | 0.36 | MAR121278 | UNTIL DEATH DO US PART GN VOL 01 | $18.99 | HAC |
| 46 | 255 | 542 | 0.35 | DEC111148 | NINJAGO GN VOL 02 MASK OF THE SENSEI | $6.99 | NBM |
| 47 | 256 | 254 | 0.35 | FEB120990 | ZORRO RIDES AGAIN TP VOL 01 | $19.99 | DE |
| 48 | 258 | 547 | 0.35 | SEP111183 | NINJAGO GN VOL 01 CHALLENGE OF SAMUKAI | $6.99 | NBM |
| 49 | 259 | 257 | 0.35 | FEB120984 | QUEEN SONJA TP VOL 03 COMING OF AGE | $19.99 | DE |
| 50 | 260 | 192 | 0.35 | NOV110990 | POPEYE HC VOL 06 ME LIL SWEE PEA | $29.99 | FAN |
This information may not be reproduced in any format without the express permission of Diamond Comic Distributors.
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, minus any copies that are distributed free of cost.
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 generally remain 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.
