Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Batman Publications are March 2013 Bestsellers

BATMAN Dominates with Two of DC Entertainment’s Best-Selling Comic Books in March

White-hot writer Scott Snyder pens both top-selling BATMAN periodical and collection

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DC Entertainment, the largest English-language comic book publisher in the world, announced today that BATMAN Vol. 2: THE CITY OF OWLS was the best-selling graphic novel and BATMAN #18 was DC Entertainment’s top-selling periodical to comic shop retailers in March 2013, according to the world’s largest comic book distributor, Diamond Comic Distributors.

Writer Scott Snyder – a lifelong fan of Batman – has brought a dynamic and frenetic energy to his portrayal of The Dark Knight, and it’s resonated with readers. Paired with fan-favorite artist Greg Capullo, Snyder’s depiction of Batman has helped cement DC Comics’ line-wide “The New 52” initiative as essential reading for fans of the iconic hero.

Snyder’s hot streak is far from over. In June, the writer will add Superman to his resume, as he launches SUPERMAN UNCHAINED, an all-new, ongoing series with superstar artist and DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee.

“Who’s cooler than Batman?” said Diane Nelson, DC Entertainment President. “Year in and year out, we continue to be amazed by the power of Batman as a pop culture icon. The latest numbers from our channels support that: people love the character, and love the adventure, excitement and drama Scott, Greg and all our talented creators bring to the books each month. Coupled with strong comic shop, book trade and digital sales and continued positive award and review attention, it’s clear March was a strong month for DC Entertainment.”

“Anyone who knows me knows Batman is my favorite character, hands down,” Snyder said. “When I took over writing Batman, the one question I asked myself was ‘if this was my only chance at the character, what would my story be?’ I’m so honored and proud that fans have responded and made the work that artist Greg Capullo and I have done a best-seller in book and periodical form.”

DC Entertainment’s book trade sales continued to be strong, as new titles expanded and supported the already impressive DC Entertainment library of graphic novels and collections. Titles spinning out of DC Comics’ game-changing “The New 52” relaunch have seen marked success and are experiencing the biggest increases through digital and bookstore channels.

Hitting The New York Times Hardcover Bestseller lists in March at #1 are the Vertigo titles SLEEPER Omnibus and FABLES Deluxe Edition Book Six, while the DC Comics titles BATMAN Vol 1: THE COURT OF OWLS, BATMAN: NIGHT OF THE OWLS, and JUSTICE LEAGUE Vol. 2 also landed on the list.

On The New York Times Paperback Bestsellers lists DC Comics titles CATWOMAN Vol. 2 and BATMAN: THE BLACK MIRROR and backlist favorite WATCHMEN all made appearances in March.

The INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US digital-first comic, based on the hugely-anticipated video game hitting stores on April 16, continued to dominate digital sales, taking six out of the top 10 spots, including No. 1, and 11 out of the top 20 bestselling titles for the month. Rounding out the digital top 10 was BATMAN #18, BATMAN AND ROBIN #18, JUSTICE LEAGUE #18 and BATMAN INC. #9. The shocking events of BATMAN INC. #8 continued to drive interest and sales with the book ranking in the top 20 for the second consecutive month.

The top-selling March products for DC Collectibles, the exclusive line of toy and collector items from DC Entertainment, include the We Can Be Heroes Justice League seven-pack box set, Vertigo Cover Girls Death statue, Justice League Superman action figure, DC Comics – The New 52 Green Arrow action figure, and the first Lee Bermejo statue from new Superman: The Man of Steel product line.

DC Entertainment titles continue to garner accolades and award nominations, with the latest praise coming for Vertigo’s SAUCER COUNTRY, written by Paul Cornell with art by Ryan Kelly. The first collection of the series was nominated for science fiction’s most prestigious award, the Hugo. Also, BEFORE WATCHMEN: SILK SPECTRE artist Amanda Conner was nominated for the prestigious National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Award.

On April 1st MAD celebrated Alfred E. Neuman’s 12th birthday (again). In celebration of the momentous occasion, various DC Comics titles will have MAD themed variant covers throughout the month of April, injecting the magazine’s unique blend of humor and satire into “The New 52.”

Earlier this week, DC Entertainment kicked-off year two of their We Can Be Heroes giving campaign. The second year of the biggest philanthropic initiative in DC Entertainment and its parent company, Warner Bros.’ corporate history, is designed to raise funds to benefit the more than 8 million men, women and children in the Horn of Africa. The first initiative started this week with the launch of a Super Hero-themed crowdfunding campaign hosted by Indiegogo, the world’s largest crowdfunding platform. Made up of several mini-campaigns throughout 2013, the initiative kicked off with exclusive, one-of-a-kind Batman-themed experiences. For more information on We Can Be Heroes, visit www.WeCanBeHeroes.org.


About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched www.WeCanBeHeroes.org — a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League Super Heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.


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