December's Top 50 Comics & Graphic Novels!

Trapped in Doctor Octopus' body, Peter Parker wages a desperate final battle against his old enemy in Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos' Amazing Spider-Man #700, the oversized anniversary issue of the long-running series from Marvel Comics and the best-selling comic book to specialty retailers in December 2012.

In total, Marvel Comics had six titles in December's top ten, all save Amazing Spider-Man #700 part of the Marvel NOW! initiative. Jonathan Hickman and Jerome Opena's Avengers #1 ranked #2, and their Avengers #2 ranked #6. Dennis Hopeless and Salvador Larroca's Cable and X-Force #1 ranked #7. Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen's All-New X-Men #3 ranked #9, and Daniel Way and Steve Dillon's Thunderbolts #1 ranked #10.

DC Comics rounded out the top ten with four titles. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman #15, part of the "Death of the Family" storyline, was the publisher's top book at #3. Geoff Johns and Ivas Reis' Justice League #15, the first chapter of the "Throne of Atlantis" crossover, ranked #4. John Layman and Jason Fabok's Detective Comics #15 ranked #5. Finally, Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason's Batman and Robin #15 ranked #8.

Among other Premier Publishers, Dark Horse Comics' top book for December was Mike Mignola's Hellboy at Hell #1 at #76 for the month.

IDW Publishing's My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic #2, based on the Hasbro property and fan-favorite cartoon, ranked #54.

Finally, Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead #105 was Image Comics' top-selling book in December at #28.

TOP 50 COMIC BOOKS
Based on Total Unit Sales of Products Invoiced in December 2012

Rick Grimes' desperate struggle for survival in the face of the zombie apocalypse begins as Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead Volume 1: Days Gone Bye from Image Comics, the first volume of the fan-favorite series and inspiration for the AMC series, returns to the top of the sales charts as December's best-selling graphic novel.

Image Comics had December's top six best-selling graphic novels and seven of the top ten. Four of those seven books were volumes of The Walking Dead; in addition to the first volume, Volume 2: Miles Behind Us ranked #2, Volume 3: Safety Behind Bars ranked #6, and Volume 17: Something to Fear ranked #9. Also from Image Comics, Chew Volume 6: Space Cakes ranked #3, Saga Volume 1 ranked #4, and Fatale Volume 2: Devil's Business ranked #5.

Dark Horse Comics' Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 Volume 2: On Your Own ranked #7.

DC Comics' Green Lantern Volume 2: Revenge of the Black Hand ranked #8.

Rounding out the top ten, Marvel Comics' Daredevil by Mark Waid Volume 2 ranked #10.

Finishing off the Premier Publishers, IDW Publishing's top book in December was Darwyn Cooke's Richard Stark's Parker: The Hunter at #39.

TOP 50 GRAPHIC NOVELS
Based on Total Unit Sales of Products Invoiced in December 2012

This information may not be reproduced in any format without the express written permission of Diamond Comic Distributors. 

Please note that comics marked with an asterisk have had their reported quantities reduced due to retailer returnability, and thus may rank lower on the charts than their actual sales would reflect.

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 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.