October 1996 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops
Estimated Comics Preordered by North American Comics Shops
Based on Reports from Diamond Comic Distributors
and Heroes World Distribution
Second-issue sales of the "Heroes Reborn" line slipped enough to let the usual X-titles into the top slots in this, the second month a fused chart was available combining sales from Diamond and Heroes World.
DC broke the Top 10 this time, though it was with a Marvel crossover book. The top regular DC book was in 32nd place. Diamond computed dollar rankings while Heroes World did not; the chart below estimates likely dollar rankings for the Marvel issues.
It is not absolutely clear whether the Heroes World data includes United Kingdom sales; it's presumed that it doesn't, but if it did, the Marvel figures below would be reduced by somewhat less than 10%. That would still give Marvel domination of the rankings.
Click to skip to the Top Graphic Novels at Diamond for the month.
—John Jackson Miller
This list includes all items on Diamond's Top 300 chart and all comics offered by Heroes World.
Items marked (resolicitation) were offered in an earlier month but never shipped; disregard any previously reported figure, as earlier orders were canceled when the books were resolicited.
Click to read the methodology for this table's estimates.
Distributor charts are regional commodity reports, not measures of a work's total reach. Read our FAQ.
The links lead to current listings for each item on eBay. You can also find the books at your comics shop.
| Units | Dollars | Comic-book Title | Issue | Price | Publisher | Est. units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | X-Men | 59 | $1.95 | Marvel | 202,024 |
| 2 | 4 | Uncanny X-Men | 339 | $1.95 | Marvel | 200,127 |
| 3 | 7 | Wolverine | 108 | $1.95 | Marvel | 179,775 |
| 4 | 1 | Spawn the Impaler | 1 | $2.95 | Image | 172,838 |
| 5 | 9 | Spawn | 55 | $1.95 | Image | 162,896 |
| 6 | 10 | Fantastic Four (Vol. 2) | 2 | $1.95 | Marvel | 162,475 |
| 7 | 2 | DC/Marvel: All Access | 1 | $2.95 | DC | 150,664 |
| 8 | 14 | Iron Man (Vol. 2) | 2 | $1.95 | Marvel | 139,986 |
| 9 | 15 | Generation X | 22 | $1.95 | Marvel | 137,175 |
| 10 | 16 | Curse of the Spawn: Dark Future Part 2 Blood Lust | 1 | $1.95 | Image | 136,955 |
| 11 | 19 | Captain America (Vol. 2) | 2 | $1.95 | Marvel | 131,863 |
| 12 | 20 | Avengers (Vol. 2) | 2 | $1.95 | Marvel | 130,961 |
| 13 | 21 | X-Man | 22 | $1.95 | Marvel | 130,441 |
| 14 | 23 | X-Force | 61 | $1.95 | Marvel | 125,752 |
| 15 | 5 | Spider-Man | 75 | $2.95 | Marvel | 124,664 |
| 16 | 6 | X-Men Unlimited | 13 | $2.95 | Marvel | 122,694 |
| 17 | 12 | Gen13 | 14 | $2.50 | Image | 121,937 |
| 18 | 24 | X-Factor | 129 | $1.95 | Marvel | 119,680 |
| 19 | 25 | Cable | 38 | $1.95 | Marvel | 119,162 |
| 20 | 28 | Magneto | 2 | $1.95 | Marvel | 116,973 |
| 21 | 42 | Amazing Spider-Man | 418 | $1.50 | Marvel | 112,113 |
| 22 | 32 | X-Men: Rise of the Apocalypse | 3 | $1.95 | Marvel | 105,266 |
| 23 | 34 | Mystique & Sabretooth | 1 | $1.95 | Marvel | 102,851 |
| 24 | 35 | Excalibur | 104 | $1.95 | Marvel | 100,793 |
| 25 | 47 | Spectacular Spider-Man | 241 | $1.50 | Marvel | 99,661 |
| 26 | 39 | Sensational Spider-Man | 11 | $1.95 | Marvel | 97,569 |
| 27 | 40 | X.S.E. | 2 | $1.95 | Marvel | 96,662 |
| 28 | 26 | Witchblade | 10 | $2.50 | Top Cow | 92,391 |
| 29 | 8 | Lady Death: The Crucible | 1 | $3.50 | Chaos | 91,719 |
| 30 | 18 | Tales of the Witchblade | 1 | $2.95 | Top Cow | 87,245 |
| 31 | 56 | Incredible Hulk | 448 | $1.50 | Marvel | 86,843 |
| 32 | 13 | Green Lantern (Enhanced) | 81 | $3.95 | DC | 72,269 |
| 33 | 50 | Elektra | 2 | $1.95 | Marvel | 71,317 |
| 34 | 30 | Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire | 6 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 70,988 |
| 35 | 31 | X-Files | 23 | $2.95 | Topps | 70,750 |
| 36 | 52 | Batman | 537 | $1.95 | DC | 70,014 |
| 37 | 33 | Darkchylde/Glory | 1 | $2.95 | Extreme | 68,852 |
| 38 | 54 | Supergirl | 4 | $1.95 | DC | 67,312 |
| 39 | 43 | WildC.A.T.S | 33 | $2.50 | Image | 66,276 |
| 40 | 36 | Darkchylde/Avengelyne | 1 | $2.99 | Maximum | 65,120 |
| 41 | 38 | Star Wars: Golden Age of the Sith | 1 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 65,078 |
| 42 | 58 | Detective Comics | 704 | $1.95 | DC | 64,168 |
| 43 | 11 | Batman: The Long Halloween | 1 | $4.95 | DC | 63,230 |
| 44 | 59 | Venom: Tooth & Claw | 1 | $1.95 | Marvel | 63,132 |
| 45 | 60 | Superman | 118 | $1.95 | DC | 62,705 |
| 46 | 64 | Nightwing | 3 | $1.95 | DC | 56,677 |
| 47 | 29 | X-Files Season One | 4 | $3.95 | Topps | 56,236 |
| 48 | 90 | Journey into Mystery | 504 | $1.50 | Marvel | 55,408 |
| 49 | 44 | Crypt of Dawn | 1 | $2.95 | Sirius | 54,576 |
| 50 | 70 | Batman: Shadow of the Bat | 57 | $1.95 | DC | 53,960 |
| 51 | 45 | Spider-Man Unlimited | 14 | $2.95 | Marvel | 53,545 |
| 52 | 92 | Spider-Man: Redemption | 4 | $1.50 | Marvel | 53,541 |
| 53 | 93 | Abominations | 1 | $1.50 | Marvel | 53,506 |
| 54 | 17 | Superman/WW: Whom the Gods Would Destroy | 1 | $4.95 | DC | 53,372 |
| 55 | 71 | Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight | 89 | $1.95 | DC | 51,580 |
| 56 | 72 | Robin | 36 | $1.95 | DC | 51,230 |
| 57 | 57 | Preacher | 20 | $2.50 | DC | 51,202 |
| 58 | 22 | Preacher Special: The Story of You Know Who | 1 | $4.95 | DC | 49,745 |
| 59 | 37 | Batman: Death of Innocents | 1 | $3.95 | DC | 49,241 |
| 60 | 84 | Flash | 120 | $1.75 | DC | 49,136 |
| 61 | 48 | Robin Plus | 1 | $2.95 | DC | 48,947 |
| 62 | 76 | Catwoman | 40 | $1.95 | DC | 48,373 |
| 63 | 49 | Spider-Man Team-Ups | 5 | $2.95 | Marvel | 47,589 |
| 64 | 69 | Lady Death & The Women of Chaos Gallery | 1 | $2.25 | Chaos | 47,316 |
| 65 | 27 | World's Finest: Superboy/Robin | 1 | $4.95 | DC | 46,637 |
| 66 | 115 | What If? | 92 | $1.50 | Marvel | 46,097 |
| 67 | 53 | Shi: Kaidan | 1 | $2.95 | Crusade | 45,768 |
| 68 | 82 | Wonder Woman | 116 | $1.95 | DC | 44,851 |
| 69 | 83 | Untold Tales of Spider-Man '96 | $1.95 | Marvel | 44,468 | |
| 70 | 55 | Green Lantern Plus | 1 | $2.95 | DC | 44,165 |
| 71 | 66 | Dreaming | 7 | $2.50 | DC | 43,892 |
| 72 | 172 | Untold Tales of Spider-Man | 16 | $.99 | Marvel | 43,359 |
| 73 | 67 | Wetworks | 22 | $2.50 | Image | 42,982 |
| 74 | 89 | Star Fleet Academy | 1 | $1.95 | Marvel | 42,713 |
| 75 | 68 | CyberForce | 28 | $2.50 | Top Cow | 42,695 |
| 76 | 94 | Batman: Gordon's Law | 1 | $1.95 | DC | 41,000 |
| 77 | 61 | Avengelyne | 0 | $2.99 | Maximum | 40,867 |
| 78 | 97 | Azrael | 24 | $1.95 | DC | 40,678 |
| 79 | 184 | Marvel Fanfare | 4 | $.99 | Marvel | 40,451 |
| 80 | 98 | Daily Bugle | 1 | $1.95 | Marvel | 40,246 |
| 81 | 129 | Silver Surfer | 123 | $1.50 | Marvel | 39,977 |
| 82 | 185 | Professor X and the X-Men | 14 | $.99 | Marvel | 39,820 |
| 83 | 73 | Astro City Vol. 2 | 3 | $2.50 | Homage | 39,194 |
| 84 | 102 | Teen Titans | 3 | $1.95 | DC | 38,970 |
| 85 | 62 | Azrael Plus | 1 | $2.95 | DC | 38,557 |
| 86 | 134 | Daredevil | 359 | $1.50 | Marvel | 38,479 |
| 87 | 105 | Star Trek: Voyager | 2 | $1.95 | Marvel | 38,231 |
| 88 | 75 | Angels of Destruction | $2.50 | Marvel | 38,208 | |
| 89 | 106 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | 2 | $1.95 | Marvel | 37,661 |
| 90 | 107 | Superboy | 34 | $1.95 | DC | 37,472 |
| 91 | 65 | Wonder Woman Annual | 5 | $2.95 | DC | 37,304 |
| 92 | 78 | Weapon Zero | 8 | $2.50 | Top Cow | 35,945 |
| 93 | 79 | 2099: World of Tomorrow | 4 | $2.50 | Marvel | 35,626 |
| 94 | 81 | Black Knight: Exodus | $2.50 | Marvel | 35,396 | |
| 95 | 51 | Backlash | 25 | $3.95 | Image | 35,175 |
| 96 | 127 | Impulse | 20 | $1.75 | DC | 34,489 |
| 97 | 99 | Hitman | 9 | $2.25 | DC | 34,447 |
| 98 | 128 | Superman Adventures | 2 | $1.75 | DC | 34,391 |
| 99 | 130 | Aquaman | 27 | $1.75 | DC | 34,153 |
| 100 | 85 | Glory/Celestine: Dark Angel | 2 | $2.50 | Extreme | 34,013 |
| 101 | 119 | Birds of Prey: Manhunt | 4 | $1.95 | DC | 33,621 |
| 102 | 88 | X-O Manowar Vol. 2 | 1 | $2.50 | Acclaim | 33,376 |
| 103 | 91 | Grifter | 4 | $2.50 | Image | 32,942 |
| 104 | 96 | House of Secrets | 3 | $2.50 | DC | 31,871 |
| 105 | 123 | Superboy & The Ravers | 4 | $1.95 | DC | 31,717 |
| 106 | 110 | Starman | 25 | $2.25 | DC | 31,303 |
| 107 | 162 | Punisher | 14 | $1.50 | Marvel | 31,237 |
| 108 | 46 | Barry Windsor-Smith: Storyteller | 1 | $4.95 | Dark Horse | 31,037 |
| 109 | 100 | Books of Magic | 31 | $2.50 | DC | 30,806 |
| 110 | 41 | Vampirella 25th Anniversary Special | $5.95 | Harris | 30,400 | |
| 111 | 103 | StormWatch | 41 | $2.50 | Image | 30,232 |
| 112 | 213 | Uncanny Origins | 4 | $.99 | Marvel | 30,212 |
| 113 | 80 | Hellboy: Wake the Devil | 5 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 30,057 |
| 114 | 108 | Star Lord | 1 | $2.50 | Marvel | 28,660 |
| 115 | 109 | Brass | 3 | $2.50 | Image | 28,594 |
| 116 | 87 | Crow: Wild Justice | 1 | $2.95 | Kitchen Sink | 28,377 |
| 117 | 175 | Ghost Rider | 80 | $1.50 | Marvel | 28,061 |
| 118 | 122 | Legion of Super-Heroes | 87 | $2.25 | DC | 27,789 |
| 119 | 114 | Glory | 16 | $2.50 | Extreme | 27,698 |
| 120 | 124 | Legionnaires | 43 | $2.25 | DC | 27,299 |
| 121 | 161 | Batman & Robin Adventures | 13 | $1.75 | DC | 27,159 |
| 122 | 95 | Vampirella Strikes | 7 | $2.95 | Harris | 27,019 |
| 123 | 132 | Lobo/Demon: Helloween | 1 | $2.25 | DC | 26,171 |
| 124 | 101 | Lady Rawhide | 1 | $2.95 | Topps | 26,073 |
| 125 | 120 | Allegra | 3 | $2.50 | Image | 25,996 |
| 126 | 112 | Strangers in Paradise Vol. 3 | 2 | $2.75 | Homage | 25,352 |
| 127 | 136 | Night Force | 1 | $2.25 | DC | 25,184 |
| 128 | 121 | Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror | 2 | $2.50 | Bongo | 25,016 |
| 129 | 137 | Simpsons Comics | 25 | $2.25 | Bongo | 24,918 |
| 130 | 138 | Hellblazer | 108 | $2.25 | DC | 24,820 |
| 131 | 139 | Bloody Mary | 3 | $2.25 | DC | 24,652 |
| 132 | 86 | Legionnaires Annual | 3 | $3.50 | DC | 24,267 |
| 133 | 74 | Razor | 1 | $3.95 | London Night | 24,197 |
| 134 | 174 | Power of Shazam! | 21 | $1.75 | DC | 24,197 |
| 135 | 145 | Lobo | 34 | $2.25 | DC | 23,917 |
| 136 | 178 | Tempest | 2 | $1.75 | DC | 23,882 |
| 137 | 131 | Evil Ernie | 1 | $2.50 | Chaos | 23,707 |
| 138 | 113 | Friends of Maxx | 2 | $2.95 | Image | 23,518 |
| 139 | 150 | Lobo: Death & Taxes | 3 | $2.25 | DC | 23,315 |
| 140 | 77 | Savage Dragon/Destroyer Duck | 1 | $3.95 | Image | 23,294 |
| 141 | 166 | Sovereign Seven | 17 | $1.95 | DC | 23,175 |
| 142 | 168 | New Gods | 13 | $1.95 | DC | 23,126 |
| 143 | 116 | Ash: The Fire Within | 3 | $2.95 | Event | 22,475 |
| 144 | 237 | Adventures of the X-Men | 9 | $.99 | Marvel | 22,329 |
| 145 | 117 | Madman Comics | 11 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 22,328 |
| 146 | 118 | Predator: Dark River | 4 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 22,244 |
| 147 | 156 | Green Arrow | 115 | $2.25 | DC | 21,873 |
| 148 | 141 | Black Lamb | 2 | $2.50 | DC | 21,810 |
| 149 | 142 | Youngblood | 13 | $2.50 | Extreme | 21,782 |
| 150 | 143 | Grifter and The Mask | 2 | $2.50 | Dark Horse | 21,690 |
| 151 | 144 | Sandman Mystery Theatre | 45 | $2.50 | DC | 21,578 |
| 152 | 157 | Spectre | 48 | $2.25 | DC | 21,543 |
| 153 | 189 | Green Lantern (Unenhanced) | 81 | $1.75 | DC | 21,522 |
| 154 | 104 | Green Lantern Gallery | 1 | $3.50 | DC | 21,417 |
| 155 | 147 | Lady Supreme | 4 | $2.50 | Extreme | 21,305 |
| 156 | 125 | Tomoe | 1 | $2.95 | Crusade | 20,773 |
| 157 | 182 | Essential Vertigo: The Sandman | 5 | $1.95 | DC | 20,626 |
| 158 | 126 | Sovereign Seven Annual | 2 | $2.95 | DC | 20,514 |
| 159 | 152 | Terminal City | 6 | $2.50 | DC | 20,486 |
| 160 | 154 | Supreme | 43 | $2.50 | Extreme | 20,171 |
| 161 | 133 | Showcase '96 | 11 | $2.95 | DC | 19,926 |
| 162 | 155 | Leave It to Chance | 2 | $2.50 | Homage | 19,716 |
| 163 | 170 | Scare Tactics | 1 | $2.25 | DC | 19,373 |
| 164 | 135 | Ash: The Fire Within | 3 | $2.95 | Event | 19,254 |
| 165 | 192 | Steel | 33 | $1.95 | DC | 19,079 |
| 166 | 201 | Aztek The Ultimate Man | 5 | $1.75 | DC | 19,079 |
| 167 | 63 | Mythos: The Final Tour | 1 | $5.95 | DC | 19,037 |
| 168 | 256 | Adventures of Spider-Man | 9 | $.99 | Marvel | 18,342 |
| 169 | 146 | Stray Bullets | 11 | $2.95 | El Capitan | 18,155 |
| 170 | 151 | Bone | 12 | $2.95 | Image | 17,658 |
| 171 | 149 | Bionix | 1 | $2.99 | Maximum | 17,588 |
| 172 | 153 | Decade of Dark Horse | 4 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 17,259 |
| 173 | 173 | Space Jam | 1 | $2.50 | DC | 17,049 |
| 174 | 179 | Seekers into the Mystery | 11 | $2.50 | DC | 16,558 |
| 175 | 206 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | 4 | $1.95 | Image | 16,558 |
| 176 | 167 | Grendel: Devil's Legacy | 3 | $2.75 | Dark Horse | 16,404 |
| 177 | 158 | Battlestar Galactica: Journey's End | 4 | $2.99 | Maximum | 16,180 |
| 178 | 160 | 1111 | 1 | $2.95 | Crusade | 16,152 |
| 179 | 196 | Cyberella | 4 | $2.25 | DC | 16,047 |
| 180 | 163 | Body Bags | 3 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 15,830 |
| 181 | 186 | Poison Elves | 17 | $2.50 | Sirius | 15,711 |
| 182 | 164 | Power Rangers Zeo/Youngblood | 1 | $2.95 | Extreme | 15,676 |
| 183 | 165 | Jaguar God | 6 | $2.95 | Verotik | 15,529 |
| 184 | 169 | Satanika | 5 | $2.95 | Verotik | 15,004 |
| 185 | 234 | Ultraforce | 13 | $1.50 | Marvel | 14,999 |
| 186 | 171 | Black Pearl | 2 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 14,668 |
| 187 | 195 | New Men | 23 | $2.50 | Extreme | 14,493 |
| 188 | 205 | Vermillion | 3 | $2.25 | DC | 14,388 |
| 189 | 176 | Blood: A Tale | 2 | $2.95 | DC | 14,199 |
| 190 | 111 | Elfquest | 6 | $4.95 | Warp | 14,192 |
| 191 | 177 | Dark Horse Presents | 114 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 14,185 |
| 192 | 180 | Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan | 4 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 13,891 |
| 193 | 183 | Priest | 3 | $2.99 | Maximum | 13,401 |
| 194 | 187 | Hate | 25 | $2.95 | Fantagraphics | 13,247 |
| 195 | 188 | Ranma 1/2 Part Five | 11 | $2.95 | Viz | 12,869 |
| 196 | 190 | Gunsmith Cats: The Return of Gray | 3 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 12,694 |
| 197 | 210 | Power Rangers Zeo | 2 | $2.50 | Extreme | 12,631 |
| 198 | 191 | Vanguard: Strange Visitors | 1 | $2.95 | Image | 12,617 |
| 199 | 211 | Vertigo Verite: Unseen Hand | 4 | $2.50 | DC | 12,596 |
| 200 | 217 | Hazard | 6 | $2.25 | Image | 12,582 |
| 201 | 219 | Gemini Blood | 4 | $2.25 | DC | 12,554 |
| 202 | 193 | Hercules: The Legendary Journeys | 5 | $2.95 | Topps | 12,491 |
| 203 | 251 | Rune: Hearts of Darkness | 2 | $1.50 | Marvel | 12,425 |
| 204 | 252 | Prime | 13 | $1.50 | Marvel | 12,396 |
| 205 | 212 | Kid Supreme | 6 | $2.50 | Extreme | 12,386 |
| 206 | 194 | Real Adventures of Jonny Quest | 2 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 12,323 |
| 207 | 159 | Incredible Hulk Megazine | $3.95 | Marvel | 12,246 | |
| 208 | 223 | Cerebus | 211 | $2.25 | Aardvark-Vanaheim | 12,141 |
| 209 | 242 | Pinky and the Brain | 6 | $1.75 | DC | 12,099 |
| 210 | 197 | Asylum | 8 | $2.99 | Maximum | 11,951 |
| 211 | 233 | Essential Vertigo: Swamp Thing | 2 | $1.95 | DC | 11,608 |
| 212 | 140 | Witchblade Collected Edition | 4 | $4.95 | Top Cow | 11,104 |
| 213 | 203 | Rack & Pain Killers | 3 | $2.95 | Chaos | 11,048 |
| 214 | 202 | Razor Uncut | 27 | $3.00 | London Night | 10,908 |
| 215 | 204 | Razor Uncut | 28 | $3.00 | London Night | 10,845 |
| 216 | 207 | Blade of the Immortal Genius | 1 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 10,831 |
| 217 | 208 | Chronowar | 3 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 10,740 |
| 218 | 209 | Gamera | 3 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 10,740 |
| 219 | 181 | Legend of Mother Sarah: City of the Angels | 1 | $3.95 | Dark Horse | 10,194 |
| 220 | 259 | Takion | 7 | $1.75 | DC | 9,984 |
| 221 | 214 | Hari Kari: Rebirth | 1 | $2.95 | Blackout | 9,984 |
| 222 | 215 | Cyberfrog: Reservoir Frog | 2 | $2.95 | Harris | 9,830 |
| 223 | 238 | Mickey Spillane's Mike Danger | 7 | $2.25 | Big | 9,781 |
| 224 | 239 | Leonard Nimoy's Primortals | 6 | $2.25 | Big | 9,718 |
| 225 | 216 | Battle Angel Alita Part Seven | 1 | $2.95 | Viz | 9,711 |
| 226 | 218 | Knights on Broadway | 4 | $2.95 | Broadway | 9,592 |
| 227 | 241 | Donald Duck | 300 | $2.25 | Gladstone | 9,466 |
| 228 | 264 | Animaniacs | 20 | $1.75 | DC | 9,368 |
| 229 | 245 | Neil Gaiman's Lady Justice | 7 | $2.25 | Big | 9,333 |
| 230 | 221 | Horseman | 2 | $2.95 | Kevlar | 9,326 |
| 231 | 222 | Grackle | 2 | $2.95 | Acclaim | 9,312 |
| 232 | 220 | Razor/Morbid Angel: Soul Search | 3 | $3.00 | London Night | 9,193 |
| 233 | 225 | Usagi Yojimbo | 6 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 9,123 |
| 234 | 235 | Fang: Testament | 2 | $2.50 | Sirius | 8,892 |
| 235 | 227 | Lilith: Demon Princess | 2 | $2.95 | Antarctic | 8,787 |
| 236 | 226 | China & Jazz: Code Name Double Impact | 1 | $3.00 | High Impact | 8,668 |
| 237 | 200 | Tomb of Dracula: Halloween | $3.95 | Marvel | 8,653 | |
| 238 | 294 | Sabrina the Teenage Witch | 1 | $1.50 | Archie | 8,605 |
| 239 | 229 | Hellborne | 3 | $3.00 | London Night | 8,283 |
| 240 | 299 | Uncle Scrooge Adventures | 42 | $1.50 | Gladstone | 8,206 |
| 241 | 230 | Morbid Angel: To Hell and Back | 1 | $3.00 | London Night | 8,192 |
| 242 | 232 | Thundergod | 4 | $2.95 | Crusade | 7,786 |
| 243 | 231 | Pandora | 1 | $3.00 | Brainstorm | 7,695 |
| 244 | 305 | Disney Comic Hits | 15 | $1.50 | Marvel | 7,590 |
| 245 | 240 | Big Bang Comics | 5 | $2.95 | Image | 7,275 |
| 246 | 265 | Kurt Busiek's Astro City | 1 | $2.25 | Image | 7,268 |
| 247 | 243 | Xenozoic Tales | 14 | $2.95 | Kitchen Sink | 7,134 |
| 248 | 271 | I-Bots | 7 | $2.25 | Big | 6,973 |
| 249 | 260 | Tales from the Crypt | 18 | $2.50 | Gemstone | 6,959 |
| 250 | 224 | Acme Novelty Library | 8 | $3.95 | Fantagraphics | 6,889 |
| 251 | 246 | New Love | 2 | $2.95 | Fantagraphics | 6,854 |
| 252 | 289 | Spawn | 45 | $1.95 | Image | 6,826 |
| 253 | 253 | Snowman 1944 | 1 | $2.75 | Express | 6,742 |
| 254 | 274 | Youngblood Classics | 2 | $2.25 | Extreme | 6,735 |
| 255 | 248 | No Need for Tenchi | 7 | $2.95 | Viz | 6,574 |
| 256 | 250 | Vampress Luxura | 2 | $2.95 | Brainstorm | 6,546 |
| 257 | 247 | Demonique | 2 | $3.00 | London Night | 6,504 |
| 258 | 228 | Coventry | 1 | $3.95 | Fantagraphics | 6,413 |
| 259 | 236 | Maison Ikkoku Part Six | 3 | $3.50 | Viz | 6,336 |
| 260 | 270 | Icon | 40 | $2.50 | DC | 6,315 |
| 261 | 254 | Gravediggers | 4 | $2.95 | Acclaim | 6,273 |
| 262 | 324 | Sonic the Hedgehog | 42 | $1.50 | Archie | 6,238 |
| 263 | 298 | Sonic Live Special | 1 | $2.00 | Archie | 6,231 |
| 264 | 272 | 6 Lethal Origins | 1 | $2.50 | Byron Preiss | 6,224 |
| 265 | 258 | La Blue Girl | 4 | $2.95 | CPM | 6,007 |
| 266 | 257 | Crystal Breeze Unleashed | 1 | $3.00 | High Impact | 5,979 |
| 267 | 278 | They Call Me The Skul | 1 | $2.50 | Byron Preiss | 5,895 |
| 268 | 198 | Walt Disney's Comics & Stories | 607 | $5.95 | Gladstone | 5,839 |
| 269 | 261 | Primal Rage | 2 | $2.95 | Sirius | 5,804 |
| 270 | 262 | Code Name Scorpio | 1 | $2.95 | Antarctic | 5,783 |
| 271 | 279 | Araknis | 5 | $2.50 | Mushroom | 5,762 |
| 272 | 263 | Hot Tails | 8 | $2.95 | Fantagraphics | 5,762 |
| 273 | 280 | Wise Son: The White Wolf | 2 | $2.50 | DC | 5,720 |
| 274 | 283 | Berlin | 3 | $2.50 | Black Eye | 5,615 |
| 275 | 285 | Weird Science | 18 | $2.50 | Gemstone | 5,566 |
| 276 | 249 | Super Taboo | 11 | $3.50 | Fantagraphics | 5,531 |
| 277 | 266 | Return of Lum Part Three | 6 | $2.95 | Viz | 5,510 |
| 278 | 267 | Tribe | 0 | $2.95 | Good | 5,510 |
| 279 | 268 | Big Blown Baby | 3 | $2.95 | Dark Horse | 5,489 |
| 280 | 275 | Hellina: Hell's Angel | 1 | $2.75 | Lightning | 5,475 |
| 281 | 287 | Suit | 1 | $2.50 | Byron Preiss | 5,440 |
| 282 | 339 | Archie | 455 | $1.50 | Archie | 5,370 |
| 283 | 288 | Shock SuspenStories | 18 | $2.50 | Gemstone | 5,363 |
| 284 | 341 | Sonic: The Death Egg Saga | 2 | $1.50 | Archie | 5,349 |
| 285 | 269 | Previews Presents: Queens of Halloween Ashcan | 2 | $3.00 | Diamond | 5,328 |
| 286 | 290 | Static | 42 | $2.50 | DC | 5,279 |
| 287 | 273 | Riot Act Two | 7 | $2.95 | Viz | 5,223 |
| 288 | 277 | Demon Gun | 3 | $2.95 | Crusade | 5,020 |
| 289 | 344 | Betty & Veronica | 107 | $1.50 | Archie | 5,006 |
| 290 | 319 | Archie's Christmas Stocking | 4 | $2.00 | Archie | 4,915 |
| 291 | 345 | Cheryl Blossom Goes Hollywood | 2 | $1.50 | Archie | 4,894 |
| 292 | 300 | Hardware | 46 | $2.50 | DC | 4,852 |
| 293 | 281 | Superfist Ayumi | $2.95 | Fantagraphics | 4,831 | |
| 294 | 282 | Vamperotica | 20 | $2.95 | Brainstorm | 4,782 |
| 295 | 346 | Betty | 45 | $1.50 | Archie | 4,698 |
| 296 | 357 | Wizard (Free Promotion) | 63 | $.00 | Wizard | 4,666 |
| 297 | 286 | Bio Booster Armor Guyver Part Five | 6 | $2.95 | Viz | 4,649 |
| 298 | 303 | Glory | 1 | $2.50 | Image | 4,579 |
| 299 | 348 | Veronica | 59 | $1.50 | Archie | 4,467 |
| 300 | 291 | Demon Beast Invasion | 1 | $2.95 | CPM | 4,397 |
| 301 | 292 | Eddie Campbell's Bacchus | 18 | $2.95 | Eddie Campbell | 4,383 |
| 302 | 293 | Star Blazers | 8 | $2.95 | Argo | 4,376 |
| 303 | 309 | Akiko | 8 | $2.50 | Sirius | 4,369 |
| 304 | 310 | Wandering Star | 17 | $2.50 | Sirius | 4,362 |
| 305 | 295 | Fist of the North Star Part Three | 4 | $2.95 | Viz | 4,355 |
| 306 | 296 | Reality Check | 2 | $2.95 | Sirius | 4,299 |
| 307 | 313 | Gothic Nights Two | $2.50 | Rebel | 4,292 | |
| 308 | 297 | Lost | 1 | $2.95 | Caliber | 4,278 |
| 309 | 244 | Manga Vizion Vol. 2 | 10 | $4.95 | Viz | 4,243 |
| 310 | 350 | Betty & Veronica Spectacular | 21 | $1.50 | Archie | 4,194 |
| 311 | 317 | Joe Psycho & Moo Frog | 2 | $2.50 | Goblin | 4,068 |
| 312 | 307 | Betty & Veronica Double Digest | 62 | $2.75 | Archie | 4,054 |
| 313 | 340 | Vampire Bayne Vol. 2 | 1 | $2.00 | Comicolor | 4,019 |
| 314 | 284 | Sanctuary Part Five | 8 | $3.50 | Viz | 3,998 |
| 315 | 312 | Archangels the Saga | 4 | $2.75 | Eternal | 3,921 |
| 316 | 302 | Elementals vs. Charnal Priests Special | 2 | $2.95 | Comico | 3,900 |
| 317 | 314 | Archangels the Saga | 3 | $2.75 | Eternal | 3,879 |
| 318 | 304 | Gold Digger | 32 | $2.95 | Antarctic | 3,865 |
| 319 | 276 | Ninja High School Yearbook 1996 | $3.95 | Antarctic | 3,760 | |
| 320 | 326 | Demongate | 6 | $2.50 | Sirius | 3,718 |
| 321 | 306 | Sade | 5 | $3.00 | London Night | 3,718 |
| 322 | 352 | Scooby Doo | 16 | $1.50 | Archie | 3,704 |
| 323 | 255 | Pandora | 1 | $5.00 | Brainstorm | 3,690 |
| 324 | 311 | Tug & Buster | 6 | $2.95 | Art & Soul | 3,683 |
| 325 | 349 | Archie Digest | 145 | $1.79 | Archie | 3,613 |
| 326 | 330 | Warrior | 3 | $2.50 | Ultimate | 3,606 |
| 327 | 353 | Jughead | 88 | $1.50 | Archie | 3,536 |
| 328 | 315 | Rebels of Avalon | 1 | $2.95 | Comico | 3,522 |
| 329 | 351 | Betty & Veronica Digest | 85 | $1.79 | Archie | 3,473 |
| 330 | 316 | Elementals Sex Special | 4 | $2.95 | Comico | 3,459 |
| 331 | 335 | Warrior | 4 | $2.50 | Ultimate | 3,417 |
| 332 | 301 | Melty Feeling | 1 | $3.50 | Antarctic | 3,417 |
| 333 | 323 | Pals 'N' Gals Double Digest | 23 | $2.75 | Archie | 3,410 |
| 334 | 347 | Silver | 1 | $2.00 | Comicolor | 3,396 |
| 335 | 327 | Jughead's Double Digest | 41 | $2.75 | Archie | 3,368 |
| 336 | 331 | Milk & Cheese's Other #1 | $2.75 | Slave Labor | 3,228 | |
| 337 | 325 | Gideon | 1 | $2.95 | Caliber | 3,151 |
| 338 | 308 | Who Is the Crooked Man | 2 | $3.50 | Crusade | 3,144 |
| 339 | 199 | Witchblade Collected Ed. Vol. 4 w/Custom Slipcase | $10.95 | Top Cow | 3,130 | |
| 340 | 322 | Moxi: Strange Daze | 1 | $3.00 | Lightning | 3,130 |
| 341 | 343 | Adventures of the Mask | 10 | $2.50 | Dark Horse | 3,074 |
| 342 | 336 | Nira X: Soulskurge | 1 | $2.75 | Express | 3,060 |
| 343 | 329 | Rose and Gunn | 3 | $3.00 | London Night | 3,046 |
| 344 | 332 | Blood Hunter | 1 | $2.95 | Brainstorm | 2,997 |
| 345 | 333 | Safety Belt Man: All Hell | 5 | $2.95 | Sirius | 2,983 |
| 346 | 337 | W | 1 | $2.95 | Good | 2,843 |
| 347 | 354 | Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego | 4 | $1.75 | DC | 2,780 |
| 348 | 356 | Calibrations | 5 | $.99 | Caliber | 2,773 |
| 349 | 338 | Lady Bathory - Baby Universal | 3 | $2.95 | Comico | 2,759 |
| 350 | 321 | Batman: Legacy Collectors Set | 1 | $3.55 | DC | 2,661 |
| 351 | 342 | Blue Dog | 1 | $3.00 | Ground Zero | 2,605 |
| 352 | 328 | Batman: Legacy Collectors Set | 2 | $3.55 | DC | 2,598 |
| 353 | 318 | Taboux Book Three | 1 | $3.95 | Antarctic | 2,535 |
| 354 | 334 | Box Office Poison | 1 | $3.50 | Antarctic | 2,500 |
| 355 | 148 | Onslaught: Marvel Universe Gold | $50.00 | Marvel | 1,059 | |
| 356 | 355 | Archie's Story & Game Digest | 37 | $1.79 | Archie | 2,479 |
| 357 | 320 | Biologic Show | 2 | $3.95 | Fantagraphics | 2,465 |
October 1996 Graphic Novel Sales to Comics Shops
Estimated Graphic Novels and Trade Paperbacks Preordered by North American Comics Shops Based on Reports from Diamond Comic Distributors
This list includes all items on Diamond's Top Graphic Novel charts. If you don't see a book, Diamond released no data for it.
The links lead to title details on Amazon (paid links). You can also find the books at your comics shop.
Diamond ranked its graphic novels by dollar volume first, meaning that there's an incomplete look at the top ten by units. Heroes World graphic novel data was also not available, so Marvel is not included in this list.
| Dollars | Units | Trade Paperback title | Price | Publisher | Est. units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | Batman: The Dark Knight Returns 10th Anniv Slipcase Ed. | $100.00 | DC | n/a |
| 2 | 7 | Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 6 | $49.95 | DC | n/a |
| 3 | 10 | Batman: The Dark Knight Returns 10th Anniv HC | $45.00 | DC | n/a |
| 4 | 14 | Aliens/Predator Deadliest of the Species | $29.95 | Dark Horse | n/a |
| 5 | 2 | Big Book of Thugs | $14.95 | DC | n/a |
| 6 | 1 | Amber: The Guns of Avalon #3 | $6.95 | DC | n/a |
| 7 | 13 | Sin City: That Yellow Bastard HC | $25.00 | Dark Horse | n/a |
| 8 | 5 | Bone Vol. 3: Eyes of the Storm | $16.95 | Cartoon | n/a |
| 9 | 22 | Freak Force Vol. 1 | $29.95 | Image | n/a |
| 10 | 15 | WildC.A.T.S/Cyberforce: Killer Instinct | $16.95 | Image | n/a |
