Diamond's Top 300 Comics for August 2011

Media Release -- The dawn of the new DC Universe and the start of the "New 52" relaunch began with August's Justice League #1 from superstar creators Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, giving DC Comics the best-selling comic book for the month — and the best-selling comic year-to-date — to comics retailers.

In total, DC Comics had four of the top ten best-selling books for the month. August's #2 best-selling book was Johns and Andy Kubert's Flashpoint #5, the concluding chapter of the five-part mini-series that sent The Flash into a dark alternate history and set the stage for the New 52 relaunch. Flashpoint #4 also shipped in August and was ranked #4 for the month. Also in the top ten for DC Comics was War of the Green Lanterns Aftermath #2 at #8.

Marvel Comics took the remaining six spots in the top ten, led by Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen's Fear Itself #5 at #3. Ultimate Comics Fallout #4, which introduced readers to Miles Morales, the new Spider-Man, ranked #5. Two chapters of Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos' "Spider-Island" storyline were also in the top ten; Amazing Spider-Man #667 ranked #6 and Amazing Spider-Man #668 ranked #9. Avengers #16, a tie-in to Fear Itself, ranked #7, and New Avengers #15, also a Fear Itself tie-in, ranked #10.

Among the premier publishers, Dark Horse Comics' Angel and Faith #1, the first issue of a new series set in Joss Whedon's universe of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, was their top-selling book at #104. IDW Publishing's top book for August was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1, which ranked #48 for the month. Finally, Image Comics' The Walking Dead #88 from Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard was the publisher's top book, ranked #51 for the month.

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, which comprises initial pre-orders, advance reorders, and reorders, minus any copies that are received back from a title marked as returnable.

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.