The mysteries surrounding Sarah and her clones from the hit BBC America series Orphan Black deepen in IDW Publishing’s Orphan Black #1, written by series co-creator John Fawcett and arriving in shops in advance of the third season premiere, the best-selling comic book of February 2015 according to information provided by Diamond Comic Distributors, the world’s largest distributor of comics, graphic novels, and pop culture merchandise.
Marvel Comics had seven comics in the top ten, led by Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larocca’s Darth Vader #1 at #2, and was February’s top publisher with a 38.44% dollar share and a 39.33% unit share. DC Entertainment, with Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman #39 as their top comic at #5, had a 25.91% dollar share and a 28.15% unit share. Image Comics was third for the month with a 10.51% dollar share and a 10.61% unit share. IDW Publishing came in fourth with a 5.57% dollar share and 8.06% unit share. In fifth was Dark Horse Comics with a 3.48% dollar share and a 2.66% unit share.
DC Entertainment’s Superman: Earth One Volume 3, the latest volume in J. Michael Straczynski’s series of original graphic novels, was February’s best-selling graphic novel. Image Comics had seven graphic novels among the top ten, led by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky’s Sex Criminals Volume 2: Two Worlds One Cop at #2. Marvel Comics rounded out the top ten with two titles, led by G. Willow Wilson’s Ms. Marvel Volume 1: No Normal at #8.
Sanctum Publishing’s The Shadow Double Novel Volume 92 was February’s best-selling book. Also among the top ten was Dark Horse Comics; Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia ranked #3 for the month.
Diamond Select Toys’ Marvel Select: Ultron Action Figure, based on the long-time Avengers foe, was February’s best-selling toy product. DC Collectibles had four products in the top ten, led by the DC Comics Bombshells: Hawkgirl Statue, based on Ant Lucia’s artwork, at #2.
WizKids/NECA’s DC HeroClix: Justice League: Trinity War Booster Brick, an expansion for the best-selling miniatures game, was February’s best-selling gaming product. Also among the top ten was Diamond Select Toys; their Jay & Silent Bob Monopoly, a custom edition of the venerable board game based on Kevin Smith’s films, ranked #2.
TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS
| PUBLISHER | DOLLAR
SHARE |
UNIT
SHARE |
| MARVEL COMICS | 38.44% | 39.33% |
| DC ENTERTAINMENT | 25.91% | 28.15% |
| IMAGE COMICS | 10.51% | 10.61% |
| IDW PUBLISHING | 5.57% | 8.06% |
| DARK HORSE COMICS | 3.48% | 2.66% |
| DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT | 2.63% | 2.38% |
| BOOM! STUDIOS | 2.12% | 2.12% |
| EAGLEMOSS PUBLICATIONS LTD | 0.95% | 0.18% |
| VIZ MEDIA | 0.89% | 0.32% |
| AVATAR PRESS INC | 0.85% | 0.64% |
| OTHER NON-TOP 10 | 8.64% | 5.54% |
NEW TITLES SHIPPED
| PUBLISHER | COMICS SHIPPED | GRAPHIC NOVELS SHIPPED | MAGAZINES SHIPPED | TOTAL
SHIPPED |
| DC COMICS | 94 | 26 | 1 | 121 |
| MARVEL COMICS | 79 | 28 | 0 | 107 |
| IMAGE COMICS | 61 | 15 | 0 | 76 |
| DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT | 34 | 6 | 0 | 40 |
| BOOM ENTERTAINMENT | 33 | 6 | 0 | 39 |
| DARK HORSE COMICS | 27 | 9 | 0 | 36 |
| IDW PUBLISHING | 23 | 8 | 0 | 31 |
| VIZ LLC | 0 | 25 | 0 | 25 |
| AVATAR PRESS INC | 8 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| EAGLEMOSS | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| OTHER NON-TOP 10 | 99 | 96 | 26 | 221 |
COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS
| DOLLARS | UNITS | |
| FEBRUARY 2015 VS. JANUARY 2014 | ||
| COMICS | 3.22% | 6.42% |
| GRAPHIC NOVELS | -18.17% | -17.23% |
| TOTAL COMICS/GN | -3.56% | 4.53% |
| FEBRUARY 2015 VS. FEBRUARY 2014 | ||
| COMICS | 20.42% | 22.14% |
| GRAPHIC NOVELS | 0.08% | -12.28% |
| TOTAL COMICS/GN | 14.17% | 19.18% |
| YEAR-TO-DATE 2015 VS. YEAR-TO-DATE 2014 | ||
| COMICS | 15.20% | 15.76% |
| GRAPHIC NOVELS | 8.64% | -0.34% |
| TOTAL COMICS/GN | 13.20% | 14.43% |
TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS
| RANK | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
| 1 | ORPHAN BLACK #1 | $3.99 | DEC140468-M | IDW |
| 2 | DARTH VADER #1 | $4.99 | DEC140792-M | MAR |
| 3 | SPIDER-GWEN #1 | $3.99 | DEC140832-M | MAR |
| 4 | STAR WARS #2 | $3.99 | DEC140806-M | MAR |
| 5 | BATMAN #39 | $3.99 | DEC140325-M | DC |
| 6 | AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #14 | $3.99 | DEC140845-M | MAR |
| 7 | DARTH VADER #2 | $3.99 | DEC140803-M | MAR |
| 8 | AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #15 | $3.99 | DEC140849-M | MAR |
| 9 | SILK #1 | $3.99 | DEC140837-M | MAR |
| 10 | JUSTICE LEAGUE #39 | $3.99 | DEC140263-M | DC |
TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS
| RANK | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
| 1 | SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE VOLUME 3 HC | $22.99 | OCT140340 | DC |
| 2 | SEX CRIMINALS VOLUME 2: TWO WORLDS ONE COP TP (MR) | $14.99 | OCT140654 | IMA |
| 3 | THE FADE-OUT VOLUME 1 TP (MR) | $9.99 | DEC140664 | IMA |
| 4 | SAGA VOLUME 4 TP (MR) | $14.99 | OCT140644 | IMA |
| 5 | CHEW VOLUME 9: CHICKEN TENDERS TP (MR) | $14.99 | DEC140632 | IMA |
| 6 | TREES VOLUME 1 TP (MR) | $14.99 | DEC140696 | IMA |
| 7 | THE WALKING DEAD VOLUME 11 HC (MR) | $34.99 | DEC140703 | IMA |
| 8 | MS. MARVEL VOLUME 1: NO NORMAL TP | $15.99 | JUN140725 | MAR |
| 9 | SAGA VOLUME 1 TP (MR) | $9.99 | AUG120491 | IMA |
| 10 | KICK-ASS 3 TP (MR) | $24.99 | DEC140939 | MAR |
TOP 10 BOOKS
| RANK | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
| 1 | THE SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOLUME 92 SC | $14.95 | DEC141899 | SAN |
| 2 | NEIL GAIMAN & DAVE MCKEAN: CRAZY HAIR SC | $6.99 | DEC141894 | HAR |
| 3 | LEGEND OF ZELDA: HYRULE HISTORIA HC | $34.99 | SEP120055 | DAR |
| 4 | STREET FIGHTER: WORLD WARRIOR ENCYCLOPEDIA HC | $34.99 | DEC141695 | UDO |
| 5 | DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL VOLUME 79 SC | $14.95 | NOV141853 | SAN |
| 6 | MODERN MASTERS VOLUME 30: PAOLO RIVERA SC | $15.95 | NOV141664 | TWO |
| 7 | NEIL GAIMAN: TRIGGER WARNING HC | $26.99 | DEC141895 | HAR |
| 8 | DC COMICS VISUAL HISTORY HC | $50.00 | DEC141865 | DK |
| 9 | EARLY PHOTOGRAPHS OF BETTIE PAGE SC (MR) | $19.99 | DEC141862 | BIN |
| 10 | MARVEL COMICS IN THE 1980S SC | $27.95 | SEP141665 | TWO |
TOP 10 TOYS
| RANK | DESCRIPTION | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
| 1 | MARVEL SELECT: ULTRON ACTION FIGURE | MAR121603 | DST |
| 2 | DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS: HAWKGIRL STATUE | AUG140386 | DC |
| 3 | MARVELL JUBILEE BISHOUJO STATUE | AUG142464 | KOT |
| 4 | DC COMICS VARIANT PLAY ARTS KAI: HARLEY QUINN FIGURE | AUG148399 | SQU |
| 5 | DC COMICS: THE NEW 52: NIGHTWING ACTION FIGURE | NOV140358 | DC |
| 6 | DC COMICS SUPER VILLAINS: HARLEY QUINN 2ND EDITION BUST | JUN140318 | DC |
| 7 | AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2l SPIDER-MAN MAF EX DELUXE FIGURE | FEB148328 | MED |
| 8 | BATMAN ARKHAM ORIGINS SERIES 1: BATMAN FIGURE | JUN130307 | DC |
| 9 | GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: ELECTRONIC DANCING BABY GROOT | SEP148110 | KID |
| 10 | SOFT SPOTS: PORTABLE PUPPY PLAYSET | APR148308 | ACT |
TOP 10 GAMES
| RANK | DESCRIPTION | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
| 1 | DC HEROCLIX JUSTICE LEAGUEL TRINITY WAR BOOSTER BRICK | DEC142573 | NEC |
| 2 | JAY & SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK MONOPOLY | DEC142209 | DST |
| 3 | MAGIC THE GATHERING TCG: FATE REFORGED BOOSTER PACKS | JAN152654 | WIZ |
| 4 | DC HEROCLIX WAR OF LIGHT GRAVITY PACKS | DEC142579 | NEC |
| 5 | DC HEROCLIX JUSTICE LEAGUE: TRINITY WAR GRAVITY PACKS | DEC142576 | NEC |
| 6 | RISK: THE WALKING DEAD SURVIVAL EDITION | OCT128267 | USA |
| 7 | DC HEROCLIX JUSTICE LEAGUE: TRINITY WAR BOOSTER PROMO | DEC142574 | NEC |
| 8 | DC HEROCLIX JUSTICE LEAGUE: TRINITY WAR FAST FORCES 6-PACK | DEC142577 | NEC |
| 9 | MAGIC THE GATHERING TCG: FATE REFORGED FAT PACK | JAN152656 | WIZ |
| 10 | MONOPOLY: THE WALKING DEAD SURVIVAL EDITION | OCT128266 | USA |
How does Diamond calculate the charts? It all starts at the comic book shop.
Data for Diamond’s sales charts — which includes the monthly market shares and all top product charts — are compiled by Diamond Comic Distributors from sales made to thousands of comic book specialty shops located in North America and around the world. Additional sales made to online merchants and other specialty retailers may be included as well.
Unit and dollar market shares are calculated based upon orders for comic books, graphic novels, and magazines invoiced and shipped to Diamond customers during any given month, which comprises pre-orders, advance reorders, and reorders, minus any copies that are received back from a title marked as returnable. 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.
The New Titles Count Chart includes all titles that were invoiced by Diamond to retailers for the first time during the month and is not the official solicited title count for the month. Variant edition comic books and graphic novels at the same price point count as a single SKU. Variant edition comic books, lenticular covers, digital combo packs, and graphic novels at different price points count as separate SKUs for each edition.
***
ABOUT DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS (DCD)—Diamond is at the nexus of comics and pop culture merchandise. Based in Baltimore, MD, DCD is the world’s largest distributor of English-language comic books and pop-culture related merchandise, servicing thousands of specialty retailers worldwide. For more information, visit Diamond on the web at www.diamondcomics.com.
© 2015 Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. All rights reserved. Diamond, the Diamond logo, Diamond Books logo, and PREVIEWS are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Diamond Comic Distributors in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective copyright owners.