Diamond Comic Distributors has released the Top Ten list of comics shipping in the direct market for February 2012, and once again, the big two publishers take home a number one spot each.
Marvel once again took the dollar share for the month of February, which shouldn’t come as a big surprise as DC has fewer $3.99 books than Marvel. The dollar share amount is quite large though, with Marvel taking 35.92% of the money on the table, with DC only bringing in 29.47%. This number also worked its way into the unit share sold, with Marvel taking 38.61%, against DC’s 35.28%.
While it looks like a big win for the House of Ideas, the Warner Bros. owned comic publisher has a few bragging points of its own – 10 of them in fact, as DC once again swept the Top Ten comics sold in the direct market.
[table id=59 /]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 comic book specialty shops located in North America and around the world. The account base includes brick-and-mortar comic book specialty shops, Internet merchants, 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.
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One of my theories on the relaunch was that they were redirecting the focus of the company onto their big names, the MM free big seven. Look at that top ten.
From a strictly business perspective you really have to hand it to DC. They certainly hit their mark.