August 2022 Graphic Novels Sales Charts Including Super Hero Comics and Manga

It is that time of the month when we get to check out the latest graphic novels sales numbers. As always, ICv2 is the best source for these sales numbers. ICv2 released several sales charts for August 2022 including the ComicHub Top 100 Graphic Novels, the Top 20 Author Graphic Novels, Top 20 Superheroes Graphic Novels, Top 20 Manga Graphic Novels, and Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels.

The ComicHub Top 100 Graphic Novels sales chart is based on point-of-sale numbers by the ComicHub system at stores selling American comics around the world. During the period for which these reports were generated, there were over 100 stores using the ComicHub system.

The Top 20 Author Graphic Novels, Top 20 Superhero Graphic Novels, Top 20 Manga Graphic Novels, and Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels sales charts are all based on NPD BookScan numbers. NPD BookScan collects weekly point-of-sale data on print books from over 16,000 locations through direct reporting from all major retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target, independent bookstores, and many others. NPD BookScan covers approximately 85% of the U.S. trade print book market.

ComicHub August 2022 Top 10

Comic Hub August 2022 Top 25

ComicHub August 2022 Top 50

ComicHub August 2022 Top 75

ComicHub August 2022 Top 100

NPD BookScan August 2022 Top 20 Author Graphic Novels

NPD BookScan August 2022 Top 20 Superhero Graphic Novels

NPD BookScan August 2022 Top 20 Manga Graphic Novels

NPD BookScan August 2022 Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels

ComicHub August 2022 Top 100 Graphic Novels Sales Chart

Top 10

Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, the titles in the numbers 1-10 range typically sell in the 11,000-3,000 unit range.

1. Ms Marvel Vol. 1 No Normal (Marvel Comics)
2. Sandman Vol. 1 (New Edition) (DC Comics)
3. Something is Killing the Children Vol. 1 (BOOM! Studios)
4. Fantastic Four Full Circle HC (Abrams ComicArts)
5. Paper Girls Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
6. Sandman Vol. 2 (New Edition) (DC Comics)
7. Blacksad They All Fall Down Part 1 HC (Dark Horse Comics)
8. Sandman Vol. 1 Preludes & Nocturnes 30th Ann. Ed. (DC Comics)
9. Bleach 20th Anniversary Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
10. Devils Reign (Marvel Comics)

The Battle for the Top 10 continues to be a tight fight. DC Comics managed to come out on top by putting three titles in the Top 10. This was one title better than what DC Comics did in the Top 10 in July 2022. Year over year numbers showed an increase as DC Comics placed zero titles in the Top 10 in August 2021.

Of course, the win for DC Comics is a mix of both good and bad news. The good news is that the Netflix Sandman TV show continues to generate interest in older Sandman collections. All three DC Comics titles in the Top 10 were from the Sandman franchise. It is interesting to see the power that the various streaming TV shows have had on comic book sales.

In general, it has been commented over and over about how successful MCU or DCU movies have never translated to increased comic book sales. However, we are clearly seeing a connection between streaming TV shows and increased comic book sales numbers. This has been evident with WandaVision and Moon Knight and now with Ms. Marvel and Sandman. It may be the longer episodic format of the streaming shows that is generating more interest in the comic books over a longer period of time as compared to a one-and-done theatrical release movie.

At any rate, the Sandman Netflix show is definitely causing an increased interest in the Sandman franchise. Look, anytime DC Comics can get any franchise not named Batman to have any success that is a good thing.

Of course, the bad news is that DC Comics still fails to get any reader interest in anything they have published in the past five years. This is a real concern as it continues to highlight the disconnect between what DC Comics’ editorial staff thinks readers want and what readers actually desire.

Marvel Comics took second place with two titles in the Top 10. This tied what Marvel Comics did in the Top 10 in July 2022. Year-over-year numbers show an improvement for Marvel Comics as they placed zero titles in the Top 10 in August 2021.

Again, we see the impact of a streaming TV show on comic sales. Ms. Marvel Vol. 1 took the overall number one spot. This has to be connected to the fact that Marvel Studios rolled out the Ms. Marvel show on Disney+. While the Ms. Marvel show was a bomb, it still proved that a streaming TV show can absolutely have an impact on comic book sales. This has to make Marvel Comics happy.

VIZ Media, Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, Abrams ComicArts, and Dark Horse Comics all had one title apiece in the Top 10.

Top 25

Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, the titles in the numbers 11-25 range typically sell in the 3,000 to 2,000 unit range.

11. Critical Role Mighty Nein Origins Yasha Nydoorin HC (Dark Horse Comics)
12. Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow (DC Comics)
13. Chainsaw Man Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
14. Mighty Marvel Masterworks X-Men Vol. 2 (Marvel Comics)
15. Saga Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
16. Batman ’89 HC (DC Comics)
17. Razorblades Omnibus Book 1 HC (Image Comics)
18. Dragon Ball Super Vol. 16 (VIZ Media)
19. Paper Girls Complete Story HC (Image Comics)
20. Sandman Vol. 3 (New Edition) (DC Comics)
21. Batman Earth One Complete Collection (DC Comics)
22. Berserk Deluxe Edition Vol. 11 HC (Dark Horse Comics)
23. One Piece Vol. 100 (VIZ Media)
24. Heartstopper Vol. 1 (Graphix)
25. Berserk Deluxe Edition Vol. 1 HC (Dark Horse Comics)

DC Comics grabbed first place with seven titles in the Top 25. This was an improvement over the four titles in the Top 25 in July 2022. Year-over-year numbers were up for DC Comics as they only placed two titles in the Top 25 in August 2021.

Four of DC Comics’ seven titles were from the Sandman franchise. Two of the seven titles were from the Batman franchise. One title came from the Supergirl franchise.

VIZ Media, Image Comics, and Dark Horse Comics all tied for second place with four titles in the Top 25.

This was an improvement for VIZ Media which had three titles in the Top 25 in July 2022. Year-over-year numbers were down slightly as VIZ Media had five titles in the Top 25 in August 2021. Having said that, VIZ Media has to be incredibly happy to continue to have this type of success in local comic shops, the traditional safe place for American comic books. Local comic shops are continuing to diversify by adding manga in order to offset the decline in sales from Marvel Comics and DC Comics.

Image Comics was down from the six titles they had in the Top 25 in July 2022. Year-over-year numbers were also down as Image Comics had seven titles in the Top 25 in August 2021.

Marvel Comics came in a disappointing fifth place with just three titles in the Top 25. This is the same that Marvel Comics did in the Top 25 in July 2022. Year-over-year numbers were also the same as Marvel Comics also placed three titles in the Top 25 in August 2021. None of this is encouraging.

The fact that Viz Media’s manga beat Marvel Comics in local comic shops should be embarrassing for the House of Ideas. It also should be noted that the only Marvel Comics title in between the numbers 11 and 25 spots was a very old X-Men collection. Not a great sign of interest in Marvel Comics’ offerings from the past few years.

BOOM! Studios, Abrams ComicArts, and Graphix all had one title apiece in the Top 25.

Top 50

Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, the titles in the numbers 26-50 range typically sell in the 1,900 to 1,000 unit range.

26. Sandman Vol. 2 The Doll’s House 30 Ann. Ed. (DC Comics)
27. Something is Killing the Children Vol. 2 (BOOM! Studios)
28. Strange Academy Vol. 3 Wish-Craft (Marvel Comics)
29. Batman Year One Deluxe (DC Comics)
30. Gunslinger Spawn Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
31. Nice House On The Lake Vol. 1 (DC Comics)
32. Marvel-Verse She-Hulk (Marvel Comics)
33. Spawn Compendium Vol. 3 (Image Comics)
34. Zatanna The Jewel of Gravesend (DC Comics)
35. DC League of Super-Pets The Great Mxy-Up GN (DC Comics)
36. Star Wars Rebels (Dark Horse Comics)
37. Paper Girls Vol. 2 (Image Comics)
38. My Hero Academia Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
39. Fantastic Four Full Circle HC PX Slipcase Ed. (Abrams ComicArts)
40. Step By Bloody Step (Image Comics)
41. House of Slaughter Vol. 1 (BOOM! Studios)
42. Watchmen (DC Comics)
43. Department of Truth Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
44. Echolands Vol. 1 HC (Image Comics)
45. Hulk By Donny Cates Vol. 1 Smashtronaut (Marvel Comics)
46. Many Deaths of Laila Starr (BOOM! Studios)
47. Lore Olympus Vol. 2 (Del Rey Manga)
48. Rooster Fighter Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
49. Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Ominous Omnibus Vol. 1 (Abrams ComicArts)
50. Tokyo Revengers Omnibus Vol. 1 (Seven Seas Ent.)

DC Comics took first place with thirteen titles in the Top 50. This was down slightly from the twelve titles that DC Comics had in the Top 50 in July 2022. Year-over-year numbers are up over the six titles that DC Comics had in the Top 50 in August 2021.

Eight of DC Comics’ thirteen titles came from the Sandman and Batman franchises which continue to do the heavy lifting for DC Comics’ sales success. The year-over-year increased sales success for DC Comics is directly due to the Sandman franchise.

Image Comics grabbed second place with ten titles in the Top 50. This tied what Image Comics did in the Top 50 in July 2022. Year-over-year numbers were also the same as Image Comics had ten titles in the Top 50 in August 2021.

VIZ Media and Marvel Comics tied for third place with six titles in the Top 50. Viz Media beat Marvel Comics in the Top 25 and then tied Marvel Comics in the Top 50 in the safe space of local comic shops. Stunning. It is odd enough to see manga popping up in local comic shops these days. But, five years ago, it was unimaginable to think that manga would perform this well against Marvel Comics in local comic shops.

VIZ Media tied what they did in the Top 50 in July 2022. This is the third month in a row that VIZ Media had five titles in the Top 50. However, year-over-year numbers were down as VIZ Media placed seven titles in the Top 50 in August 2021.

Marvel Comics tied what they did in the Top 50 in July 2022. Year-over-year numbers were down for Marvel Comics as they had ten titles in the Top 50 in August 2021.

Dark Horse Comics came in fifth place with five titles in the Top 50. This was up from the two titles in the Top 50 in July 2022. Year-over-year numbers were up from the four titles that Dark Horse Comics had in August 2021.

BOOM! Studios had four titles in the Top 50. Abrams ComicArts had three titles in the Top 50. Graphix, Del Rey Manga, and Seven Seas Ent. all had one title apiece in the Top 50.

Top 75

Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, the titles in the numbers 51-75 range typically sell in the 1,000 to 900 unit range.

51. Uzumaki 3 In 1 Dlx. Ed. Junji Ito HC (VIZ Media)
52. Avengers Epic Collection Vol. 8 Kang War (Marvel Comics)
53. Clementine Book 1 (Image Comics)
54. Daredevil Woman Without Fear (Marvel Comics)
55. Ice Cream Man Sundae Edition Vol. 1 HC (Image Comics)
56. The Umbrella Academy Vol. 1 (Dark Horse Comics)
57. Harley Quinn The Animated Series Vol. 1 The Eat Bang Kill Tour HC (DC Comics)
58. Monstress Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
59. Rogue Sun Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
60. Something Is Killing The Children Vol. 4 (BOOM! Studios)
61. Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 17 (VIZ Media)
62. Bolero (Image Comics)
63. Dceased (DC Comics)
64. House of X / Powers of X (Marvel Comics)
65. Orphan & Five Beasts (Dark Horse Comics)
66. Star Wars Crimson Reign (Marvel Comics)
67. Batman Who Laughs (DC Comics)
68. Sandman Vol. 4 (New Edition) (DC Comics)
69. Something is Killing the Children Vol. 3 (BOOM! Studios)
70. Dune Book 2 Muad Dib HC (Abrams ComicArts)
71. Mighty Marvel Masterworks Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 3 (Marvel Comics)
72. Robin & Batman HC (DC Comics)
73. Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries Vol. 2 (DC Comics)
74. Girl From Other Side Siuil Run Dlx. Ed. Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (Seven Seas Ent.)
75. Amazing Screw On Head HC Ann. Ed. HC (Dark Horse Comics)

DC Comics came in first place with nineteen titles in the Top 75. This was up slightly from the seventeen titles that DC Comics had in the Top 75 in July 2022. Thirteen of the nineteen titles came from the Sandman and Batman franchises.

Image Comics took second place with fifteen titles in the Top 75. This was actually up from the fourteen titles that Image Comics had in the Top 75 in July 2022.

Marvel Comics surged ahead and came in third place with eleven titles in the Top 75. However, this was down from the thirteen titles that Marvel Comics had in the Top 75 in July 2022.

VIZ Media and Dark Horse Comics tied for fourth place with eight titles apiece in the Top 75. VIZ Media was up two titles from the six titles they had in the Top 75 in July 2022. Dark Horse Comics was up big from the four titles that they had in the Top 75 in July 2022.

BOOM! Studios came in sixth place with six titles in the Top 75. This was down from the eight titles that BOOM! Studios had in July 2022.

Abrams ComicArts had four titles in the Top 75. Seven Seas Ent. had two titles in the Top 75. Graphix and Del Rey Manga had one title apiece in the Top 75.

Top 100

Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, the titles in the numbers 76-100 range typically sell in the 900 to 700 unit range.

76. Nightmare Before Christmas Mirror Moon (Tokyopop)
77. Sandman Vol. 3 Dream Country 30th Ann. Ed. (DC Comics)
78. Dai Dark Vol. 4 (Seven Seas Ent.)
79. Heartstopper Vol. 2 (Graphix)
80. Moon Knight Vol. 1 Midnight Missions (Marvel Comics)
81. Paper Girls Vol. 3 (Image Comics)
82. Teen Titans Go Undead GN (DC Comics)
83. Chainsaw Man Vol. 2 (VIZ Media)
84. Astro City Metrobook Vol. 2 (Image Comics)
85. Batman Hush (New Edition) (DC Comics)
86. Batman White Knight Vol. 1 (DC Comics)
87. Alien Vol. 2 Revival (Marvel Comics)
88. Maus Complete Collection (Pantheon Books)
89. Paper Girls Vol. 6 (Image Comics)
90. Saga Vol. 2 (Image Comics)
91. Batmans Mystery Casebook GN (DC Comics)
92. Bible 2 Vol. 1 Hail To King of Jews (Source Point Press)
93. Silver Surfer Rebirth (Marvel Comics)
94. Batman Vol. 1 the Court of Owls (New 52) (DC Comics)
95. Star Wars Darth Vader Dark Lord Sith Vol. 1 Imperial Machine (Marvel Comics)
96. Stray Dogs Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
97. Whats The Furthest Place From Here Vol. 1 (Image Comics)
98. Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba Vol. 1 (VIZ Media)
99. Bone Orchard Mythos Vol. 1 Passageway HC (Image Comics)
100. Department of Truth Vol. 3 (Image Comics)

DC Comics took first place with twenty-five titles in the Top 100. This was down slightly from the twenty-six titles that DC Comics had in the Top 100 in July 2022. However, year-over-year numbers were up from the thirteen titles that DC Comics put in the Top 100 in August 2021. Of course, Eighteen of DC Comics’ twenty-five titles were from the Sandman and Batman franchises.

Image Comics grabbed second place with twenty-three titles in the Top 100. This was up from the eighteen titles that Image Comics had in the Top 100 in July 2022. Year-over-year numbers were also up as Image Comics had twenty titles in the Top 100 in August 2021.

Marvel Comics came in a distant third place with fifteen titles in the Top 100. This is down from the seventeen titles that Marvel Comics had in the Top 100 in July 2022. Year-over-year numbers were way down from the twenty-eight titles that Marvel Comics had in the Top 100 in August 2021. These numbers should be alarming for Marvel Comics.

VIZ Media grabbed fourth place with ten titles in the Top 100. This tied what VIZ media did in the Top 100 in July 2022. Year-over-year numbers were up from the nine titles that VIZ Media put in the Top 100 in August 2022. There is plenty here to make VIZ Media happy.

Dark Horse Comics came in fifth place with eight titles apiece in the Top 100. This was a big improvement over the eight titles that Dark Horse Comics put in the Top 100 in July 2022. Year-over-year numbers were up slightly from the seven titles that Dark Horse Comics had in the Top 100 in August 2021.

BOOM! Studios had six titles in the Top 100. Abrams ComicArts had four titles in the Top 100. Seven Seas Ent. had three titles in the Top 100. Graphix had two titles in the Top 100. Del Rey Manga, Tokyopop, Pantheon Books, Source Point Press had one title apiece in the Top 75.

NPD BookScan August 2022 Top 20 Author Graphic Novels

Top 10

1. LORE OLYMPUS: VOLUME TWO HC (Del Rey) 11,485 units
2. LORE OLYMPUS: VOLUME TWO (Del Rey) 9,982 units
3. SOLO LEVELING VOL. 1 (Yen Press) 7,532 units
4. LORE OLYMPUS: VOLUME ONE (Del Rey) 6,995 units
5. LORE OLYMPUS: VOLUME ONE HC (Del Rey) 6,589 units
6. SOLO LEVELING VOL. 4 (Yen Press) 6,083 units
7. SOLO LEVELING VOL. 2 (Yen Press) 5,304 units
8. DUNE: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL BOOK 2 – MUAD’DIB HC (Abrams) 4,747 units
9. SOLO LEVELING VOL. 3 (Yen Press) 4,561 units
10. CRITICAL ROLE: THE MIGHTY NEIN ORIGINS – YASHA NYDOORIN HC (Dark Horse Comics) 4,433 units

The Top 10 Authors Graphic Novels sales chart has become the permanent playpen for the two Eastern webcomics in Lore Olympus and Solo Leveling. If it were not for these two franchises then the Authors Graphic Novels category would be in serious trouble. Lore Olympus and Solo Leveling placed four volumes apiece in the Top 10.

As a result, Del Rey and Yen Press tied for first place with four volumes apiece in the Top 10. Abrams and Dark Horse Comics tied for third place with one volume apiece in the Top 10.

Sales were down by a large margin in August 2022. In August 2022, the number one volume sold 11,485 units. In July 2022, the number one volume sold 56,462 units. In July 2022, the volume in the number 2 spot sold 24,510.

In August 2022, sales dipped below the 7,000 unit mark by the number 4 spot. In July 2022, sales did not drop below the 7,000 unit mark until the number 6 spot. In August 2022, sales dropped below the 5,000 unit mark by the number 8 spot. In July 2022, sales did not drop below the 5,000 unit mark by the number 10 spot.

Top 20

11. THEY CALLED US ENEMY (Top Shelf Prod.) 4,195 units
12. THE ART OF WAR: A GRAPHIC NOVEL HC (Canterbury Classics) 3,076 units
13. THE BEGINNING AFTER THE END VOL. 1 (Yen Press) 3,075 units
14. MARCH: BOOK ONE (Top Shelf Prod.) 2,884 units
15. GENDER QUEER: A MEMOIR DLX. ED. (Oni Press) 2,591 units
16. FUN HOME: A FAMILY TRAGICOMIC (Mariner Books) 2,387 units
17. INVINCIBLE COMPENDIUM VOL. 1 (Image Comics) 2,075 units
18. PAPER GIRLS: THE COMPLETE STORY (Image Comics) 1,932 units
19. PAPER GIRLS VOL. 1 (Image Comics) 1,492 units
20. SPAWN COMPENDIUM VOL. 3 (COLOR EDITION) (Image Comics) 1,414 units

Yen Press took first place with five volumes in the Top 20. Del Rey and Image Comics tied for second place with four volumes apiece in the Top 20. Top Shelf came in fourth place with two volumes in the Top 20.

Abrams, Dark Horse Comics, Canterbury Classics, One Press, and Mariner Books all had one volume apiece in the Top 20.

Sales in the second half of the Top 20 Author Graphic Novels are unimpressive for another month. However, in August 2022, the volume in the number 11 spot sold 4,195 which was slightly higher than the title in the number 11 spot in July 2022 which sold 3,102 units. In August 2022, sales dropped below the 2,000 unit mark by the number 18 spot. In July 2022, sales dropped below the 2,000 unit mark by the number 17 spot. In August 2022, the volume in the number 20 spot sold 1,414 units. In July 2022, the volume in the number 20 spot sold 1,589 units.

NPD BookScan August 2022 Top 20 Superhero Graphic Novels

Top 10

1. THE SANDMAN BOOK ONE (DC Comics) 17,711 units
2. THE SANDMAN BOOK TWO (DC Comics) 7,792 units
3. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: THE LAST RONIN HC (IDW Publishing) 5,177 units
4. THE SANDMAN VOL. 1: PRELUDES & NOCTURNES 30TH ANN. ED. (DC Comics) 4,922 units
5. THE SANDMAN BOOK THREE (DC Comics) 4,753 units
6. THE SANDMAN BOOK FOUR (DC Comics) 3,681 units
7. WATCHMEN (2019 EDITION) (DC Comics) 2,514 units
8. THE SANDMAN VOL. 2: THE DOLL’S HOUSE ANN. ED. (DC Comics) 2,408 units
9. THE SANDMAN VOL. 3: DREAM COUNTRY ANN. ED. (DC Comics) 1,944 units
10. BATMAN: YEAR ONE (DC Comics) 1,759 units

DC Comics crushed everyone by placing nine titles in the Top 10. Of course, the Sandman accounted for seven of DC Comics’ nine titles. Behold the power of the Netflix Sandman TV show. Of course, it has to be disappointing that DC Comics still cannot get anyone interested in anything they have published in the past five years.

IDW Publishing put one title in the Top 10 thanks to the power of the 1980s mega franchise the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Marvel Comics placed zero titles in the Top 10. This is even worse than July 2022 when Marvel Comics only had one title in the Top 10. This is an incredibly troubling trend for Marvel Comics.

Overall, sales for the Superhero graphic novels category continue to be horrendous. Sales were way down for the July 2022 Superhero Graphic Novels chart. In July 2022, the title in the number one spot sold 26,634 units. In August 2022, the number one title only moved 17,711 units.

The rest of the Top 10 was slightly better in August 2022 than it was in July 2022. In August 2022, sales dropped below the 5,000 unit mark by the number 4 spot. In July 2022, sales dropped below the 5,000 unit mark by the number 3 spot. In August 2022, sales dropped below the 3,000 unit mark by the number 7 spot. In July 2022, sales dropped below the 3,000 unit mark by the number 4 spot. In August 2022, the number 10 selling title sold 1,749 units. This is close to the number 10 title in July 2022 which sold 1,531 units.

Top 20

11. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN HC (Penguin Classics) 1,662 units
12. THE SIMPSONS TREEHOUSE OF HORROR OMINOUS OMNIBUS VOL. 1: SCARY TALES & SCARIER TENTACLES (Abrams Comicarts) 1,656 units
13. MS. MARVEL VOL. 1: NO NORMAL (Marvel Comics) 1,580 units
14. THE SANDMAN VOL. 4: SEASON OF MISTS 30TH ANN. ED. (DC Comics) 1,436 units
15. STRANGER THINGS AND DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (Dark Horse Comics) 1,396 units
16. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (Penguin Classics) 1,297 units
17. BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE DLX. ED. HC (NEW EDITION) (DC Comics) 1,164 units
18. DEVIL’S REIGN (Marvel Comics) 1,134 units
19. BATMAN/FORTNITE: ZERO POINT HC (DC Comics) 1,028 units
20. THE SANDMAN VOL. 5: A GAME OF YOU 30TH ANN. ED. (DC Comics) 1,006 units

DC Comics took first place with thirteen titles in the Top 20. This was up from the ten titles that DC Comics put in the Top 20 in July 2022. However, year-over-year numbers were down as DC Comics had fourteen titles in the Top 20 in August 2021.

Nine of the thirteen titles came from the Sandman franchise. Three of the thirteen titles came from the Batman franchise. The only title that DC Comics put in the Top 20 that was outside of the Sandman and Batman franchises was the Watchmen.

While it is great that DC Comics is benefitting from the Netflix Sandman TV Show there is much to be concerning here in these numbers. DC Comics continues to completely fail to get readers interested in anything that they have done outside in the past five years outside of the Batman franchise. The tone-deaf approach of DC Comics’ editorial staff continues to be reflected in the sales charts.

Marvel Comics and Penguin Classics tied for second place with two titles apiece in the Top 20. Marvel Comics was down from the three titles they had in the Top 20 in July 2022. Year-over-year numbers were also down as Marvel Comics had four titles in the Top 20 in August 2021. Marvel Comics’ inability to generate much interest from readers is a continuing concern.

Penguin Classics benefitted from some old Spider-Man stories to power their sales success. New comics from Marvel Comics might be struggling in the graphic novels sales chart, but collections for old comics seem to still do well.

IDW Publishing, Abrams Comicarts, and Dark Horse Comics all put one title apiece in the Top 20.

Sales for the Top 20 Superhero Graphic Novels continue to be dreadful. In August 2022, the title in the number 11 spot sold 1,662 units. This is close to the title in the number 11 spot in July 2022 which sold 1,428 units. In August 2022, the title in the number 20 spot sold 1,006 units. This is close to the title in the number 20 spot in July 2022 which sold 1,024 units.

There is just nothing positive at all in the continually moribund numbers for the Superhero Graphic Novels category.

NPD BookScan August 2022 Top 20 Manga Graphic Novels

Top 10

1. JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 17 (Viz Media) 37,254 units
2. ONE PIECE VOL. 100 (Viz Media) 21,368 units
3. DRAGON BALL SUPER VOL. 16 (Viz Media) 20,468 units
4. SPY X FAMILY VOL. 2 (Viz Media) 18,980 units
5. TOILET-BOUND HANAKO-KUN VOL. 14 (Yen Press) 18,914 units
6. BLEACH 20TH ANN. ED. VOL. 1 (Viz Media) 18,290 units
7. CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 1 (Viz Media) 17,985 units
8. SPY X FAMILY VOL. 1 (Viz Media) 16,360 units
9. DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA VOL. 1 (Viz Media) 15,970 units
10. MY HERO ACADEMIA VOL. 31 (Viz Media) 15,454 units

VIZ Media dominated all of the competition by placing nine titles in the Top 10. Yen Press put one title in the Top 10. I love that manga is doing better and better in the North American market. But, it is vital that some of the other big Japanese manga publishers decide to compete with VIZ/Shueisha in this market. There is absolutely an appetite for more manga. The more competition the better for the consumer. At some point, publishers like Kodansha and Shogakukan need to get more aggressive in the North American market.

It is fantastic to see such a diverse selection of franchises in the Top 10. A total of nine different franchises made it into the Top 10. This is excellent news for manga fans. Gone are the days when the Manga sales chart was dominated by just a small handful of franchises. The explosive growth of manga has allowed numerous different franchises to gain sales success here in the United States. This speaks to the growing popularity of manga as consumers are readily trying out a larger cross-section of titles than ever before.

Sales numbers were a bit lower in the Top 4 compared to July 2022. However, sales in the rest of the Top 10 were better in August 2022. In August 2022, sales in the Top 10 did not drop below the 15,000 unit mark. In July 2022, sales dropped below the 15,000 unit mark by the number 7 spot.

Top 20

11. KOMI CAN’T COMMUNICATE VOL. 20 (Viz Media) 13,399 units
12. CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 11 (Viz Media) 12,728 units
13. TOILET-BOUND HANAKO-KUN VOL. 15 (Yen Press) 12,463 units
14. KAIJU NO. 8 VOL. 3 (Viz Media) 12,008 units
15. MY DRESS-UP DARLING VOL. 6 (Square Enix) 11,949 units
16. CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 2 (Viz Media) 11,283 units
17. MY HERO ACADEMIA VOL. 1 (Viz Media) 11,264 units
18. JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 16 (Viz Media) 11,124 units
19. DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA VOL. 2 (Viz Media) 10,922 units
20. CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 10 (Viz Media) 9,959 units

VIZ Media dominated everyone with volume titles in the Top 20. Yen Press had two volumes in the Top 20. Square Enix had one volume.

Chainsaw Man was the most popular franchise with four volumes in the Top 20. Spy x Family, My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun had two. One Piece, Dragon Ball Super, Komi Can’t Communicate, Kaiju No. 8, and My Dress Up Darling all had one volume apiece in the Top 20.

It is awesome to see how many different manga titles are in the Top 20 versus having to rely on just a few franchises. I am not surprised that Chainsaw Man is leading the way since there is a ton of hype leading into the new anime set to be released on October 11, 2022.

Sales were up slightly across the bottom half of the Top 20. In August 2022, the volume in the number 11 spot sold 13,299 units. In July 2022, the volume in the number 11 spot sold 12,227 units. In August 2022, sales did not dip below the 11,000 mark until spot number 19. In July 2022, sales dipped below the 11,000 unit mark at spot number 18. Weirdly enough, the number 20 title in July 2022 and the number 20 title in August 2022 both sold 9,959 units. Creepy.

NPD BookScan August 2022 Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels

Top 10

1. JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 17 (Viz Media) 37,254 units
2. ONE PIECE VOL. 100 (Viz Media) 21,368 units
3. DRAGON BALL SUPER VOL. 16 (Viz Media) 20,468 units
4. SPY X FAMILY VOL. 2 (Viz Media) 18,980 units
5. TOILET-BOUND HANAKO-KUN VOL. 14 (Yen Press) 18,914 units
6. BLEACH 20TH ANN. ED. VOL. 1 (Viz Media) 18,290 units
7. CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 1 (Viz Media) 17,985 units
8. THE SANDMAN BOOK ONE (DC Comics) 17,711 units
9. SPY X FAMILY VOL. 1 (Viz Media) 16,360 units
10. DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA VOL. 1 (Viz Media) 15,970 units

The Top 10 Adult Graphic Novels sales chart was all about manga. Again. The only non-manga title to appear in the Top 10 was Sandman Book One which came into the number 8 spot.

Top 20

11. MY HERO ACADEMIA VOL. 31 (Viz Media) 15,454 units
12. KOMI CAN’T COMMUNICATE VOL. 20 (Viz Media) 13,399 units
13. CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 11 (Viz Media) 12,728 units
14. TOILET-BOUND HANAKO-KUN VOL. 15 (Yen Press) 12,463 units
15. KAIJU NO. 8 VOL. 3 (Viz Media) 12,008 units
16. MY DRESS-UP DARLING VOL. 6 (Square Enix) 11,949 units
17. LORE OLYMPUS: VOLUME TWO HC (Del Rey) 11,485 units
18. CHAINSAW MAN VOL. 2 (Viz Media) 11,283 units
19. MY HERO ACADEMIA VOL. 1 (Viz Media) 11,264 units
20. JUJUTSU KAISEN VOL. 16 (Viz Media) 11,124 units

Manga rules over everyone as manga places nineteen volumes into the Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels sales chart. It is amazing. This is even better than July 2022 when manga placed seventeen volumes in the Top 20 Adult Graphic Novels chart.

The Sandman Book Two in the number 2 spot on the Superhero Graphic Novels chart only sold 7,792 units. That is not even close to Chainsaw Man Vol. 10 which came in the number 20 spot in the Manga chart with 9,959 units.

The superhero title in the number 20 spot sold just 1,006 units. That is how massive the gap is between manga and American superhero comics. Manga continues to devastate American superhero comic books and there seems to be no end to this domination anytime soon.

All right, that is it for August 2022. Will manga continue its utter dominance in the Top 20 in September 2022? We will find out! Until then, stay safe and be good!

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