Top 100 Comics: January 2012
Feb 03, 2012
Darkseid scattered Earth's heroes, forcing Green Lantern to take the lead to save the world in Geoff Johns and Jim Lee's Justice League #5 from DC Comics, the best-selling comic book sold to specialty retailers in January.
In January DC Comics achieved an accomplishment unseen since January 2005: a publisher taking all of the top ten spots on the monthly comics sales chart. The publisher's Batman #5 ranked #2, Action Comics #5 ranked #3, Detective Comics #5 ranked #4, Green Lantern #5 ranked #5, Batman: The Dark Knight #5 ranked #6, Superman #5 ranked #7, The Flash #5 ranked #8, Batman and Robin #5 ranked #9, and Aquaman #5 ranked #10.
Marvel Comics' top book in January was Kieron Gillen and Carlos Pacheco's Uncanny X-Men #5 which ranked #11.
Dark Horse Comics' top comic for the month was Buffy the Vampire Slayer #9, based on Joss Whedon's fan-favorite television series, which ranked #63.
IDW Publishing relaunch of J. Scott Campbell's Danger Girl in January with Danger Girl: Revolver #1 was the publisher's top book for the month at #97.
Rounding out the premier publishers, Image Comics' top book in January was Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard's The Walking Dead #93 at #59.
TOP 100 COMIC BOOKS
Based on Total Unit Sales of Products Invoiced in January 2012
QTY RANK |
DOLLAR RANK |
INDEX | ITEM CODE | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | VENDOR |
1 | 1 | 106.20 | NOV110104-M | JUSTICE LEAGUE #5 | $3.99 | DC |
2 | 3 | 100.00 | NOV110133-M | BATMAN #5 | $2.99 | DC |
3 | 2 | 80.53 | NOV110125-M | ACTION COMICS #5 | $3.99 | DC |
4 | 4 | 76.13 | NOV110138-M | DETECTIVE COMICS #5 | $2.99 | DC |
5 | 5 | 75.01 | NOV110154-M | GREEN LANTERN #5 | $2.99 | DC |
6 | 11 | 58.87 | NOV110140-M | BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #5 | $2.99 | DC |
7 | 14 | 56.49 | NOV110129-M | SUPERMAN #5 | $2.99 | DC |
8 | 18 | 54.88 | NOV110113-M | FLASH #5 | $2.99 | DC |
9 | 15 | 50.20 | NOV110145 | BATMAN AND ROBIN #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
10 | 24 | 49.88 | NOV110109-M | AQUAMAN #5 | $2.99 | DC |
11 | 7 | 48.64 | NOV110564-M | UNCANNY X-MEN #5 | $3.99 | MAR |
12 | 8 | 48.41 | NOV110563 | UNCANNY X-MEN #4 | $3.99 | MAR |
13 | 9 | 45.62 | NOV110560-M | WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #4 | $3.99 | MAR |
14 | 6 | 44.97 | NOV110566-M | WOLVERINE #300 | $4.99 | MAR |
15 | 10 | 44.89 | NOV110504-M | AVENGERS X-SANCTION #2 | $3.99 | MAR |
16 | 52 | 44.16 | NOV110111-M | WONDER WOMAN #5 | $2.99 | DC |
17 | 13 | 43.82 | NOV110527-M | AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #677 | $3.99 | MAR |
18 | 16 | 42.00 | NOV110493-M | AVENGERS #21 | $3.99 | MAR |
19 | 56 | 41.85 | NOV110183-M | TEEN TITANS #5 | $2.99 | DC |
20 | 17 | 41.57 | NOV110531-M | AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #678 | $3.99 | MAR |
21 | 19 | 40.93 | NOV110520-M | SCARLET SPIDER #1 | $3.99 | MAR |
22 | 20 | 40.55 | NOV110495-M | NEW AVENGERS #20 | $3.99 | MAR |
23 | 21 | 40.13 | NOV110525-M | AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #3 | $3.99 | MAR |
24 | 59 | 40.08 | NOV110158-M | GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #5 | $2.99 | DC |
25 | 60 | 39.79 | NOV110147-M | BATWOMAN #5 | $2.99 | DC |
26 | 27 | 39.33 | NOV110149 | BATGIRL #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
27 | 22 | 39.12 | NOV110576-M | UNCANNY X-FORCE #20 | $3.99 | MAR |
28 | 28 | 38.65 | NOV110153 | NIGHTWING #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
29 | 34 | 38.62 | NOV110575 | UNCANNY X-FORCE #19.1 | $2.99 | MAR |
30 | 23 | 38.19 | NOV110515-M | ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #6 | $3.99 | MAR |
31 | 36 | 37.98 | NOV110589 | DEADPOOL #49 | $2.99 | MAR |
32 | 29 | 37.30 | NOV110157 | GREEN LANTERN CORPS #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
33 | 25 | 35.98 | NOV110480-M | CAPTAIN AMERICA #7 | $3.99 | MAR |
34 | 12 | 35.44 | NOV110507 | AVENGERS ANNUAL #1 | $4.99 | MAR |
35 | 26 | 35.16 | NOV110477-M | INCREDIBLE HULK #4 | $3.99 | MAR |
36 | 41 | 34.59 | NOV110544-M | FANTASTIC FOUR #602 | $2.99 | MAR |
37 | 68 | 33.57 | NOV110164-M | SWAMP THING #5 | $2.99 | DC |
38 | 47 | 33.33 | NOV110529-M | DAREDEVIL #8 | $2.99 | MAR |
39 | 44 | 32.65 | NOV110542-M | FF #14 | $2.99 | MAR |
40 | 37 | 32.41 | NOV110160 | RED LANTERNS #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
41 | 30 | 30.91 | NOV110562 | WOLVERINE AND X-MEN ALPHA AND OMEGA #1 | $3.99 | MAR |
42 | 42 | 30.37 | NOV110152 | CATWOMAN #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
43 | 33 | 29.84 | NOV110487-M | DEFENDERS #2 | $3.99 | MAR |
44 | 31 | 29.67 | NOV110570-M | X-MEN #23 | $3.99 | MAR |
45 | 43 | 29.35 | NOV110150 | RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
46 | 32 | 29.18 | NOV110497-M | SECRET AVENGERS #21 | $3.99 | MAR |
47 | 54 | 28.80 | NOV110583-M | X-MEN LEGACY #261 | $2.99 | MAR |
48 | 35 | 28.73 | NOV110484-M | MIGHTY THOR #10 | $3.99 | MAR |
49 | 45 | 28.58 | NOV110132 | SUPERGIRL #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
50 | 57 | 28.48 | OCT110674 | X-MEN LEGACY #260 | $2.99 | MAR |
51 | 48 | 28.38 | NOV110108 | JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
52 | 49 | 28.27 | NOV110163 | JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
53 | 51 | 27.98 | NOV110166 | ANIMAL MAN #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
54 | 61 | 27.07 | NOV110499 | SECRET AVENGERS #21.1 | $2.99 | MAR |
55 | 38 | 26.94 | NOV110491-M | INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #512 | $3.99 | MAR |
56 | 39 | 26.72 | NOV110518 | ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #6 | $3.99 | MAR |
57 | 40 | 26.04 | NOV110517 | ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #6 | $3.99 | MAR |
58 | 55 | 25.81 | NOV110131 | SUPERBOY #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
59 | 64 | 24.21 | NOV110472 | WALKING DEAD #93 (MR) | $2.99 | IMA |
60 | 46 | 23.86 | NOV110579 | ASTONISHING X-MEN #46 | $3.99 | MAR |
61 | 50 | 23.28 | NOV110524 | CARNAGE USA #2 | $3.99 | MAR |
62 | 62 | 23.17 | NOV110118 | GREEN ARROW #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
63 | 66 | 23.10 | NOV110020-M | BTVS SEASON 9 FREEFALL #5 | $2.99 | DAR |
64 | 63 | 22.57 | NOV110175 | SUICIDE SQUAD #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
65 | 105 | 22.31 | NOV110171-M | STORMWATCH #5 | $2.99 | DC |
66 | 69 | 22.02 | NOV110533-M | VENOM #12 | $2.99 | MAR |
67 | 65 | 21.86 | NOV110146 | BIRDS OF PREY #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
68 | 73 | 21.18 | NOV110535 | CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BUCKY #626 | $2.99 | MAR |
69 | 75 | 20.46 | NOV110474 | FEAR ITSELF FEARLESS #6 | $2.99 | MAR |
70 | 76 | 20.05 | NOV110475 | FEAR ITSELF FEARLESS #7 | $2.99 | MAR |
71 | 79 | 19.70 | NOV110586-M | X-FACTOR #230 | $2.99 | MAR |
72 | 198 | 19.32 | OCT110967 | LORD OF THE JUNGLE #1 (MR) | $1.00 | DE |
73 | 58 | 18.76 | NOV110181 | ALL STAR WESTERN #5 [*] | $3.99 | DC |
74 | 86 | 18.31 | NOV110578 | NEW MUTANTS #36 | $2.99 | MAR |
75 | 87 | 18.29 | NOV110482-M | JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #633 | $2.99 | MAR |
76 | 85 | 18.29 | NOV110151 | HUNTRESS #4 | $2.99 | DC |
77 | 53 | 17.92 | SEP110631 | SUPERIOR #7 (MR) | $4.99 | MAR |
78 | 77 | 17.81 | NOV110170 | DEMON KNIGHTS #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
79 | 78 | 17.67 | NOV110189 | LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
80 | 89 | 17.56 | NOV110546 | PUNISHER #7 | $2.99 | MAR |
81 | 67 | 17.53 | NOV110547 | MOON KNIGHT #9 | $3.99 | MAR |
82 | 90 | 17.41 | NOV110541 | HULK #47 | $2.99 | MAR |
83 | 95 | 16.75 | NOV110476 | AVENGERS ACADEMY #24 | $2.99 | MAR |
84 | 83 | 16.58 | NOV110144 | BATWING #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
85 | 82 | 16.53 | NOV110122 | SAVAGE HAWKMAN #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
86 | 84 | 16.46 | NOV110174 | DEATHSTROKE #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
87 | 100 | 15.89 | NOV110574 | X-23 #20 | $2.99 | MAR |
88 | 71 | 15.88 | NOV110142-M | BATMAN ODYSSEY VOL 2 #4 | $3.99 | DC |
89 | 101 | 15.77 | NOV110551 | THUNDERBOLTS #168 | $2.99 | MAR |
90 | 74 | 15.72 | NOV110354-M | FATALE #1 (MR) [*] | $3.50 | IMA |
91 | 92 | 15.68 | NOV110167 | FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
92 | 102 | 15.57 | NOV110552 | THUNDERBOLTS #169 | $2.99 | MAR |
93 | 94 | 15.21 | NOV110119 | DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
94 | 96 | 14.86 | NOV110188 | LEGION LOST #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
95 | 80 | 14.80 | JUN110712-M | BRILLIANT #2 (MR) | $3.95 | MAR |
96 | 98 | 14.71 | NOV110117 | FURY OF FIRESTORM THE NUCLEAR MEN #5 [*] | $2.99 | DC |
97 | 70 | 14.69 | NOV110287-M | DANGER GIRL REVOLVER #1 | $3.99 | IDW |
98 | 110 | 14.47 | NOV110585 | GENERATION HOPE #15 | $2.99 | MAR |
99 | 112 | 14.41 | NOV110580 | MAGNETO NOT A HERO #3 | $2.99 | MAR |
100 | 72 | 14.39 | NOV110315 | TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ONGOING #6 | $3.99 | IDW |
This information may not be reproduced in any format without the express permission of Diamond Comic Distributors.
For retailers, Diamond offers the Top 300 Comics and Top 300 Graphic Novels sales charts on the Diamond Tools page of the Diamond Retailer Services website to provide more information about the industry's top selling publications.
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 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 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.