As a follow-up to Diamond Distribution’s Top 20 Publishers, Top 300 Comics, and Top 300 TPBs & GNs for November 2009, I have used the raw data to construct the sales charts for small press titles in November 2009.

Diamond provided their own small press charts, but I chose to ignore them, for a couple of reasons. Mainly because 90% of the books in their charts were manga titles, and seeing as manga gets its own charts, I don’t think it’s far that they should also appear in the small press charts.

After removing all manga titles, I decided to only count titles from publishers holding under 1% of the total market share, and who only publish a small handful of titles each month.

In a change from how I used to do these charts, I have removed all titles published by Archie Comics. Diamond count them as a small press publisher, but I have come to realize that the direct market sales that Archie gets though Diamond are only a fraction of their total sales, as most of their comics and digests are sold to bookstore chains and supermarkets, so in reality, their sales are MUCH higher! I really don’t think you can consider any comic a small press titles it it’s being sold at the checkout in Walmart!

Also note that I have also removed Random House from the list, as even though they have under 1% market share, they are still one of the biggest book publishers in the US! So, not small press.

So, please enjoy the revised, and I hope you’ll agree far more interesting, small press charts…

Index

• Top Small Press Comics
• Top Small Press TPBs & OGNs

[Return to index]

Top Small Press Comics

The Top 10

The Top ranking small press comic for November was Supergod #1 (Avatar Press), at position #138 overall. Supergod is a new five-part miniseries by Warren Ellis, with artwork by Garrie Gastony. The comic is a superhuman story, but not the sort of affair where you’ll see men flying around with their underwear on over their trousers, and saving people from burning buildings. In fact, if you are familiar with Ellis’ work at Avatar Press, you will know that this is the third superhuman series which he has produced for the publishing house, all of which take a somewhat alternative look at the superhero mythos. In short, these three series, Black Summer, No Hero, and now Supergod, take a more realistic look at what would happen if there were a small number of individuals in the world in possession of god like powers. The stories tend to focus on these individuals becoming corrupt, and abusing their new found powers. (click here for my review)

Position two goes to Vampirella Second Coming #3 (Harris Comics), with an overall ranking of #160. Continuing Harris Comics’ successful reboot of the Vampirella franchise that they acquired after Warren Publishing went bankrupt.

Position three goes to Echo #16 (Abstract Studios), with an overall ranking of #172. Echo #16 is the latest chapter in Terry Moore’s fantastic sci-fi epic. In this issue Terry takes a break from all the recent action to give us a powerful character driven storyline featuring Julie coming to terms with her new powers, to try and find a cure for Ivy’s sick daughter.

Position four goes to Fathom #9 (Aspen Studios), with an overall ranking of#180. Continuing the latest series of Micheal Turner’s first creator-owned series.

Position five goes to Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose #59 (Broadsword Comics), with an overall ranking of #188. Tarot is written and drawn by Jim Balent, and tells the story of a warrior witch, and her family, friends and lovers. The comic generally features stories of fantasy action and adventure interspersed with frequent scenes of nudity.

Position six goes to Simpsons Comics #160 (Bongo Comics), with an overall ranking of #202. This issue was written by Patric Verrone, with artwork by Phil Oritz, Mike DeCarlo and Art Villanueva.

Position seven goes to Jericho Season 3 #1 (Devil’s Due Publishing), with an overall ranking of#203. Jericho Season 3 – Civil War is a six-issue miniseries that serves as the continuing storyline of the CBS television show Jericho following its cancellation. It is being written by Jason M. Burns and the Jericho writing team.

Position eight goes to Chronicles of Wormwood: Last Battle #2 (Avatar Press), with an overall ranking of #204. ‘The Last Battle’ is the latest series of Garth Ennis’ story of Wormwood, a benevolent Antichrist, his best friend Jesus, and a talking rabbit (Jimmy).

Position nine goes to Stumptown #1 (Oni Press), with an overall ranking of #224. Stumptown is a brand new ongoing crime series from Oni Press. The series is written and created by Greg Rucka, and marks his first creator-owned comic series since the Eisner award-winning Queen & Country. The artwork on the series is by Mattew Southworth, and is coloured by Lee Loughridge. (click here for my review)

Position ten goes to Futurama Comics #46 (Bongo Comics), with an overall ranking of #230. This issue was written by Patric Verrone, with artwork by Mike Kazaleh.

Beyond the Top Ten

Beyond the top ten looks like a veritable smorgasbord of small press publishers. However, the most prevalent company is Avatar Press, who rack up a total of five titles in this month’s charts, three of which are written by Warren Ellis!

I always find the bottom of the charts to be a little depressing, looking at all these great titles that I loved, but no-one else seems interested in! Except Luke McBain, that is. Who the hell bought that??????

Small Press Rank	Quantity Rank	Dollar Rank	Index	Item Code	Description	Price	Publisher
1	138	110	20.65	SEP090628-M	SUPERGOD #1 (MR)	$3.99	AVA
2	160	223	16.02	SEP090573-M	VAMPIRELLA SECOND COMING #3	$1.99	HAR
3	172	160	14.84	JUL090641	TERRY MOORES ECHO #16	$3.50	ABS
4	180	191	13.54	JUN090710-M	FATHOM #9	$2.99	ASP
5	188	197	12.11	SEP090722	TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #59 (MR)	$2.95	BRO
6	202	217	11.04	SEP090674	SIMPSONS COMICS #160	$2.99	BON
7	203	209	10.97	AUG090767-M	JERICHO SEASON 3 #1	$3.99	DDP
8	204	175	10.78	AUG090675-M	CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD LAST BATTLE #2 (MR)	$3.99	AVA
9	224	201	9.61	AUG091027	STUMPTOWN #1 (MR)	$3.99	ONI
10	230	239	9.26	SEP090673	FUTURAMA COMICS #46	$2.99	BON
11	237	213	8.40	AUG090678-M	ABSOLUTION #3 (MR)	$3.99	AVA
12	242	224	8.01	JUL090711-M	GRAVEL #15 (MR)	$3.99	AVA
13	251	245	7.55	APR090758	I AM LEGION #6 (MR)	$3.50	DDP
14	257	229	7.11	SEP090966	TANK GIRL SKIDMARKS #1	$3.99	TIT
15	274	219	6.08	SEP090937	TICK NEW SERIES #1	$4.95	NEW
16	276	273	6.01	AUG090656	CASPER & THE SPECTRALS #1	$2.99	ARD
17	278	271	5.75	SEP090918	TMNT #1 FULL COLOR ONE SHOT	$3.25	MIR
18	280	231	5.53	JUL090983	KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #155	$4.99	KEN
19	288	297	4.64	AUG091037-M	HERCULES KNIVES OF KUSH #4	$2.99	RAL
20	293	323	4.18	SEP090731	SPARTACUS BLOOD AND SAND #2 (MR)	$3.99	DDP
21	295	287	4.13	SEP090583	PRESIDENT EVIL #3 EAT PRESS	$3.99	ANT
22	296	280	4.05	AUG090996	PHANTOM GHOST WHO WALKS #6	$3.99	MOO
23	297	304	4.02	SEP090593	DAYS MISSING #4	$2.99	ARC
24	311	313	3.49	JUN090813	ZOMBIES THAT ATE THE WORLD #6 (MR)	$3.50	DDP
25	312	296	3.48	SEP090667	FEMALE FORCE #9 STEPHENIE MEYER	$3.99	BLU
26	313	317	3.36	SEP090919	TALES OF TMNT #64	$3.25	MIR
27	314	328	3.36	SEP090580	GOLD DIGGER #112	$2.99	ANT
28	322	301	3.10	AUG090880	COMIC BOOK COMICS #4	$3.99	EVI
29	324	314	3.05	AUG091028	RESURRECTION VOL 2 #5	$3.99	ONI
30	325	303	3.04	AUG090993	DOMINO LADY #3 (MR)	$3.99	MOO
31	335	344	2.61	SEP091050	AGON MERC FLIPBOOK	$2.99	ZEN
32	338	289	2.49	JUN090697	SECRET HISTORY BOOK 06 (MR)	$5.95	ARC
33	340	339	2.40	SEP090954	DRONE #1	$3.50	RED
34	351	338	2.10	SEP090986	LUKE MCBAIN #1	$3.99	12
35	355	332	2.05	JUN090726-M	IGNITION CITY #5 (MR)	$3.99	AVA

[Return to index]

Top Small Press TPBs & OGNs

The Top 10

The top ranking small press collection for November was Strange Suspense: The Steve Ditko Archives (Vol. 1) (Fantagraphics Books), with an overall ranking at position #86. Before Spider-Man, before Dr. Strange, before Mr. A, the legendary Steve Ditko was conjuring all manners of horrors at his drawing table. For the first time, all of Ditko’s pre-Comics Code horror and suspense stories from the first two years of his career are collected in one beautifully designed hardcover, restored to their full, lurid, four-color glory. Edited and with an introduction by Blake Bell, author of the acclaimed biography Strange and Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko.

Position two goes to Jesus Hates Zombies Featuring Lincoln Hates Werewolves Vol. 3 (Alternative Press), with an overall ranking of #87. In this latest series of Stephen Lindsey’s zombie extravaganza, the zombie plague has swept across the Earth, and Jesus has been sent down to take care of it. Along with Laz, (his loyal zombie sidekick) Jesus must unite the remaining humans to stand up and defeat the zombie menace. A werewolf-slaying Abe Lincoln makes his debut here, fighting in the 19th century while Jesus saves the world in the 21st century. Will these two historical heroes finally cross paths? You’ll have to read to find out!

Position three goes to League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume III: Century #1 1910 (Top Shelf), with an overall ranking of #89. The latest volume of Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s magnum opus is still riding high in the charts six months after its initial publication! Amazing!

Position four goes to Johnny the Homicidal Maniac: Director’s Cut GN (Slave Labor Graphics), with an overall ranking of #103. Written & Illustrated by Jhonen Vasquez, this softcover book collects all seven issues of Johnny the Homicidal Maniac by Jhonen Vasquez. NOT included in this collection are the Meanwhile stories of the Wobbly-Headed Bob stories.

Position five goes to Wasteland, Book 5: Tales of the Uninvited (Oni Press), with an overall ranking of #121. Written by Antony Johnston, ‘Tales of the Uninvited’ is a special volume that collects all the previously uncollected stand-alone issues of the series together in one place. As such, it can be read by pretty much anyone with a familiarity of the comic’s premise, and no knowledge of the ongoing series story threads is really necessary to enjoy the collection. (Click here for my review)

Position six goes to Knights of the Dinner Table: Bundle of Trouble, Vol. 28 (Kenza & Company), with an overall ranking of #144. Written by Jolly Blackburn, this new perfectbound trade paperback contains three full issues worth of classic strips from Knights of the Dinner Table #93 to #95.

Position seven goes to Lenore: Noogies Previews Exclusive HC Color Edition (Diamond Exclusive), with an overall ranking of #149. Lenore: Noogies collects Roman Dirge’s original Lenore comics in color for the first time

Position eight goes to Little Mouse Gets Ready (Toon Books), with an overall ranking of #161. Little Mouse is a children’s graphic novel written and drawn by Jeff Smith.

Position nine goes to Scott Pilgrim, Vol. 1: Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life (Oni Press), with an overall ranking of #166. Bryan Lee O’Malley’s classic is seeing a big sales boost as people prepare for the upcoming movie based on Scott Pilgrim Vol 1.

Position ten goes to Doctor Who: The Window’s Curse TP (Panini), with an overall ranking of #174. This is the second volume of comic strips collecting the tenth Doctor’s complete adventures from the pages of Doctor Who Magazine and the Doctor Who Storybook. The original color strips by creators including Ian Edgington, Rob Davis, Mike Collins, and others are digitally mastered and collected in graphic novel form for the first time ever.

Beyond the Top 10

Check it out, Judge Dredd Case Files Volume 14 (2000 AD / Rebellion Developments) made it into the charts! A victory for Thrill Power!

I’m also pleased to see The Dead: Kingdom of Flies TP (Beserker comics) charting. This is a great zombie series by Alan Grant and Simon Bisley, and I can’t recommend it strongly enough!

	Quantity Rank	Dollar Rank	Index	Item Code	Description	Price	Vendor	ISBN-13
1	86	27	1.63	JUL090862	STRANGE SUSPENSE STEVE DITKO ARCHIVES HC VOL 01	$39.99	FAN	9.78161E+12
2	87	230	1.59	SEP090570	JESUS HATES ZOMBIES LINCOLN HATES WEREWOLVES GN VOL 03 (OF 4	$6.99	ALT	9.78193E+12
3	89	242	1.55	FEB094465	LOEG III CENTURY #1 1910 (MR)	$7.95	TOP	9.7816E+12
4	103	86	1.39	STAR07025	JOHNNY HOMICIDAL MANIAC DIRECTORS CUT SC	$19.95	SLA	9.78094E+12
5	121	142	1.16	SEP090939	WASTELAND TP VOL 05 TALES O/T UNINVITED (MR)	$13.95	ONI	9.78193E+12
6	144	159	1.03	SEP090915	KODT BUNDLE OF TROUBLE TP VOL 28	$12.99	KEN	9.78159E+12
7	149	92	0.98	MAY091032	LENORE NOOGIES PX HC COLOR ED	$24.95	TIT	9.78185E+12
8	161	203	0.91	JAN098019	JEFF SMITH LITTLE MOUSE GETS READY HC	$12.95	RAW	9.78194E+12
9	166	247	0.89	MAY042851	SCOTT PILGRIM GN VOL 01 SP PRECIOUS LITTLE LIFE (MAY042851)	$11.95	ONI	9.78193E+12
10	174	77	0.85	AUG091022	DR WHO WIDOWS CURSE TP	$31.95	DIA	9.78185E+12
11	191	181	0.78	JUN091067	JAMES BOND OMNIBUS	$16.95	TIT	9.78185E+12
12	197	107	0.76	AUG090884	PIM & FRANCIE IN GOLDEN DAYS HC	$28.99	FAN	9.78161E+12
13	198	186	0.76	OCT090946	BORGIA HC VOL 03 FLAMES (MR)	$14.95	HEA	9.78194E+12
14	204	193	0.72	JUN083688	BOMB TP	$14.95	ASY	9.78098E+12
15	220	246	0.67	NOV084364	TALES FROM WONDERLAND TP VOL 01	$12.99	ZEN	9.78098E+12
16	226	111	0.65	JUL090984	FAT FREDDYS CAT OMNIBUS (MR)	$29.99	DIA	9.78086E+12
17	230	97	0.63	SEP090953	JUDGE DREDD COMPLETE CASE FILES TP VOL 14	$32.50	DIA	9.78191E+12
18	267	223	0.52	DEC084219	ATOMIC ROBO TP VOL 02	$19.95	RED	9.78098E+12
19	268	155	0.52	FEB042691	FROM HELL TP	$35	TOP	9.78096E+12
20	276	169	0.5	MAY090647	MOUSE GUARD HC VOL 02 WINTER 1152	$24.95	ARC	9.78193E+12
21	292	262	0.47	AUG090697	DEAD KINGDOM OF FLIES TP (MR)	$15	DIA	7.93574E+11
22	296	245	0.47	AUG090902	NYLON ROAD GRAPHIC MEMOIR GN	$16.99	ST.	9.78031E+12

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