If you bought a book from DC Comics in September, then give yourself a pat on the back because you helped them attain the top spot in the industry for that month. Not only that, it was the fourth consecutive September that they’ve done so. The first was back in 2011 with the historic launch of The New 52, followed by Zero Month in 2012, which detailed the origins of your favorite heroes. 2013 brought us Villains Month, which not only shined the spotlight on DC’s most vile characters, but also ushered in the highly popular 3D lenticular covers. The decision to go 3D once again with this September’s covers for the big Futures End event no doubt helped sales a great deal. I wonder what they’re cooking up for next year.
For more details, check out the official press release from DC below:
BURBANK, Calif. (October 3, 2014) – The future has arrived.
DC Entertainment topped the comic book sales charts for the month with a jaw-dropping figure of nearly 3.5 million comic books sold, making the company the No. 1 comic book publisher in dollars and units for September, according to Diamond Comic Distributors, the largest comic book distributor in the world. This is the fourth year in a row DC has been the industry’s top publisher in September.
The sales were propelled in large part by the record-breaking success of DC Comics’ month-long “FUTURES END” event in which DC Comics–The New 52 flashed forward five years. Each Futures End book featured a standard 2-D cover and an innovative “3-D Motion” cover that showcased both the current and future state of the character or team, becoming instant collectors’ items. Taking the #3 slot was BATMAN: FUTURES END #1 followed by HARLEY QUINN: FUTURES END #1 taking #4.
The #1 book, according to Diamond is BATMAN: DEATH OF THE FAMILY Book & Joker Mask Set– this seminal Batman trade paperback graphic novel is paired with a replica hand-painted vinyl latex mask of Batman’s greatest foe.
“Our publishing business continues to be a top priority for DC Entertainment and I couldn’t be more proud of our team’s success this September,” said Diane Nelson, DC Entertainment President. “The excitement behind so many of our titles, including Batgirl, Gotham Academy, Arkham Manor and Catwoman, as well as the upcoming launch of our next weekly series, Earth 2: World’s End, demonstrates the strength of this business when we focus on great storytelling. With the upcoming start of the pivotal new storyline in Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman and the innovative “Scent-Ticular” Harley Quinn Annual, 2014 looks to be a record-setting year for the entire DC Entertainment business.”
The comic book sales news sets the stage for DCE’s major presence at next week’s New York Comic-Con. While the talk of the town’s been the future, NYCC brings fans to Gotham with the continued celebration of the world’s most famous hero, Batman. The Dark Knight’s 75th Anniversary will take center stage with a stunning display featuring Batman costumes from the character’s various film appearances worn by Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney and Christian Bale, and a very special cape and cowl from BATMAN v. SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE director Zack Snyder.
Vertigo recently launched the acclaimed miniseries BODIES, about a time-spanning serial killer by Si Spencer and THE NAMES, a story set in the world of high finance and revenge written by veteran Peter Milligan. This month also sees the publication of Vertigo’s DEFY Covers where the story starts directly on the cover itself, in an innovative panel design that continues on page one of some fan favorite titles.
On the digital front, new titles ARROW: SEASON 2.5 and FLASH SEASON ZERO launched to great fanfare and sales as the new Fall TV Season gets underway. Perennial digital bestseller INSJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US marked a climactic ending to YEAR TWO followed by the launch of YEAR THREE this week.
DC Collectibles’ Batman: Arkham City: Harley Quinn/Batman/Nightwing/Robin Action Figure 4-Pack based on the hit game from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment was the best-selling toy product in September, and one of DC Collectibles’ five products among the top ten best selling toys on the Diamond charts for September.
On the book trade side, JUSTICE LEAGUE: FOREVER EVIL, BATMAN Vol. 3, BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE, and INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US Vol. 2, appeared on The New York Times Hardcover Graphic Book Bestseller list. While FABLES Vol. 20 landed on The New York Times Paperback Graphic Book Bestseller list.
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.