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December 1997 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops

Estimated Comics Preordered by North American Comics Shops
Based on Reports from Diamond Comic Distributors


#1 Most Ordered Issue
#1
#2 Most Ordered Issue
#2
#3 Most Ordered Issue
#3
#4 Most Ordered Issue
#4
#5 Most Ordered Issue
#5

Covers and issue links on this page lead to current eBay listings. This site may be compensated if you make a purchase.

Another disappointing year for comics sales ended with several of its larger events. From Image, Darkness #11, with its then-record-setting 11 variant covers, released the last week of the year with the highest preorder numbers of the year, more than 357,000 copies.

Meanwhile, Marvel finished up its round of "Heroes Return" relaunches, undoing the "Heroes Reborn" relaunches from a little over a year before. The new titles outperformed the most recent issues of the titles they replaced, but that would not last for long.

And DC took advantage of the fifth week in December for a fifth-week even, "New Year's Evil."

While 1997 was down from 1996, it did at least represent an end to the Distribution Wars, which had concluded in April. The number of preordered copies barely topped 100 million.

Click to skip to the Top Graphic Novels for the month.

—John Jackson Miller


This list includes all items on Diamond's Top 300 charts, plus any post-#300 items from its Top Independent Publisher charts.
If you don't see a book, Diamond released no data for it.
Items marked (resolicited) 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.
Title links below lead to current listings for the issues on eBay. As an eBay Partner, this site may be compensated if you make a purchase.


UnitsDollarsComic-book TitleIssuePricePublisherEst. units
11Darkness11$2.50Image357,006
22Avengers1$2.99Marvel194,439
33Iron Man1$2.99Marvel186,328
47Fantastic Four2$1.99Marvel157,735
59Uncanny X-Men352$1.99Marvel156,519
611X-Men72$1.99Marvel151,534
712Spawn69$1.95Image147,249
813Captain America2$1.99Marvel142,765
914Wolverine121$1.99Marvel121,830
106JLA15$2.95DC109,108
1123Curse Of Spawn16$1.95Image94,211
1226Generation X35$1.99Marvel88,553
1328JLA Year One2$1.95DC88,274
1429JLA Paradise Lost2$1.95DC83,205
1518Wolverine Days of Future Past3$2.50Marvel83,194
164Superman Red Superman Blue Coll Ed0$4.95DC79,720
1730X-Man35$1.99Marvel78,357
185X-Man Wildcats The Dark Age0$4.50Marvel78,357
198Generation X Gen 130$3.99Marvel78,325
2031X-Force74$1.99Marvel78,325
2133X-Factor142$1.99Marvel77,151
2217Cable51$2.99Marvel75,841
2335Incredible Hulk451$1.99Marvel70,408
2427Divine Right4$2.50Image69,087
2520Tales of the Witchblade4$2.95Image66,292
2638Amazing Spider-Man431$1.99Marvel66,218
2715Gen 1325$3.50Image66,061
2839Superman132$1.95DC65,629
2943Adventures Of Superman555$1.95DC61,497
3036Kiss The Psycho Circus6$2.25Image61,160
3110Uncle Sam2$4.95DC60,997
3234Creech2$2.50Image60,844
3324X-Man 970$2.99Marvel60,755
3442Excalibur117$1.99Marvel60,344
3547Peter Parker Spider-Man88$1.99Marvel58,639
3651Spectacular Spider-Man254$1.99Marvel56,728
3759Superman Man Of Steel76$1.95DC53,633
3863New Years Evil Gog1$1.95DC53,117
3965Batman551$1.95DC52,638
4060Alpha Flight7$1.99Marvel52,485
4161Sensational Spider-Man24$1.99Marvel52,264
4269Deadpool13$1.99Marvel49,922
4373Unlimited Access3$1.99Marvel48,474
4476New Years Evil Prometheus1$1.95DC48,048
4544Bishop Xavier Security Enforcer2$2.50Marvel47,827
4678Legends of the DC Universe1$1.95DC47,600
4779Detective Comics718$1.95DC47,374
4881Green Lantern95$1.95DC45,595
4980Thunderbolts11$1.99Marvel45,574
5025Longshot0$3.99Marvel45,469
5137Star Wars Crimson Empire1$2.95Dark Horse44,937
5253Preacher34$2.50DC44,816
5387Nightwing17$1.95DC43,563
5488Batman Predator III Blood Ties4$1.95DC43,389
5590Flash134$1.95DC42,668
5657Tenth4$2.50Image42,121
5740 Xena Warrior Princess Xena1$2.95Topps41,931
5819Spawn Movie Adaptation0$4.95Image41,873
5941Xena Warrior Princess2$2.95Topps41,652
6092Batman Legends of the Dark Knight103$1.95DC41,526
6164Voodoo2$2.50Image41,384
6295Supergirl18$1.95DC40,263
6397New Years Evil Scarecrow1$1.95DC39,936
6498New Years Evil Darkseid1$1.95DC39,763
6570Kitty Pryde Agent Of Shield3$2.50Marvel39,689
6671Pitt16$2.50Full Bleed39,636
6746Conspiracy1$2.99Marvel39,336
68100Batman Shadow of the Bat71$1.95DC39,236
6972Gen 13 Bootleg14$2.50Image39,136
7049X-Files37$2.95Topps38,773
71101Wonder Woman130$1.95DC38,705
72102New Years Evil Mr. Mzyzptlk1$1.95DC38,699
7316Preacher Special Cassidy Blood And Whiskey0$5.95DC38,668
7450Robin50$2.95DC38,557
7575Wildcore2$2.50Image37,920
76104New Years Evil The Rogues1$1.95DC37,805
7752Spider-Man Unlimited19$2.99Marvel37,705
78106Catwoman54$1.95DC37,041
7955Conspiracy2$2.99Marvel36,804
8056Star Wars The Last Command2$2.95Dark Horse36,320
8158Birds Of Prey Batgirl1$2.95DC35,588
82107Ka Zar10$1.99Marvel35,583
83110New Years Evil Dark Nemesis1$1.95DC35,499
84111New Years Evil Body Doubles1$1.95DC35,488
8583Gen 13 Interactive3$2.50Image34,957
8684Chase1$2.50DC34,825
87112Maverick6$1.99Marvel34,762
8832Gen1325$4.50Image34,483
8967Werewolf By Night1$2.99Marvel33,762
9068Shadows & Light1$2.99Marvel33,562
91115Quicksilver4$1.99Marvel33,383
92118Heroes For Hire8$1.99Marvel32,846
93105Starman39$2.25DC32,630
9421Neil Gaiman & Charles Vess Star3$5.95DC32,388
9593Mage The Hero Defined6$2.50Image31,941
96120Elektra15$1.99Marvel31,714
97125Supergirl Prysm Shot1$1.95DC31,425
98126Teen Titans17$1.95DC31,330
9922Superman Distant Fires0$5.95DC31,320
10096Arcanum7$2.50Image31,172
101121Silver Surfer138$1.99Marvel31,072
10277Satana2$2.99Marvel31,062
10399 Fighting American Rules of the Game1$2.50Awesome30,862
104133Robin Argent Double Shot1$1.95DC30,098
105103Moon Knight2$2.50Marvel29,877
106135What If?105$1.99Marvel29,193
10748Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron Making0$3.95Dark Horse29,014
10886X-Files Ground Zero2$2.95Topps28,930
109142Aquaman41$1.95DC38,835
110138Daredevil372$1.99Marvel28,472
11189Batgirl Adv1$2.95DC28,440
112108DV814$2.50Image28,235
113145Azrael38$1.95DC28,224
114144Marvel Team Up6$1.99Marvel27,751
11594Shi The Series5$2.95Crusade26,945
116114Stormwatch3$2.50Image26,756
117131Hitman23$2.25DC26,345
118151Maxx35$1.95Image25,908
11966Superman Red Superman Blue Standard Ed.0$3.95DC25,856
120152Power of Shazam35$1.95DC25,793
121153Journey Into Mystery517$1.99Marvel25,250
122156Superboy48$1.95DC25,092
123141Legion Of Super Heroes101$2.25DC25,019
124159Superboy Risk Double Shot1$1.95DC24,882
125143Legends of the Legion1$2.25DC24,877
12685Shi East Wind Rain2$3.50Crusade24,692
127124Savage Dragon44$2.50Image24,577
128163Impulse34$1.95DC24,535
129146Legionnaires57$2.25DC24,387
130127Dreaming21$2.50DC24,277
131166Impulse Atom Double Shot1$1.95DC24,140
132128Conan The Usurper3$2.50Marvel24,119
13345Bad Boy0$4.95Oni24,050
13474Hellboy Christmas Special0$3.95Dark Horse24,024
135130DV8 vs. Black Ops3$2.50Image23,861
136109Vampirella2$2.95Harris23,629
137134Kents7$2.50DC23,319
138136Books Of Magic45$2.50DC23,219
139171Batman Adv The Lost Years2$1.95DC23,119
140113Man-Thing3$2.99Marvel22,961
141140Awesome Holiday Special1$2.50Awesome22,624
14254Secret Origins0$4.95DC22,508
143116 Martha Washington Saves The World1$2.95Dark Horse22,445
144117Ash2$2.95Event22,176
145119Kabuki2$2.95Image22,145
146148Resurrection Man10$2.50DC21,750
147132Stangers In Paradise Vol. III11$2.75Abstract21,539
14862X-Files Season One Conduit0$4.95Topps20,971
149122Evil Ernie Destroyer4$2.95Chaos20,860
15091Books Of Magic Annual2$3.95DC20,724
151169Simpsons Comics34$2.25Bongo20,397
152129Superman Adv Special Superman1$2.95DC20,371
153182Jack Kirbys 4th World12$1.95DC19,997
154154Spectre Final Issue62$2.50DC19,660
155158Invisibles Vol. 213$2.50DC19,523
156137Leave It To Chance8$2.95Image19,429
157160Green Arrow129$2.50DC19,392
158161Phantom Guard3$2.50Image19,392
159162Predator Vs Judge Dredd3$2.50Dark Horse19,318
160188Star Trek Voyager14$1.99Marvel18,639
161189Star Trek Voyager15$1.99Marvel18,307
162191Star Trek Deep Space Nine15$1.99Marvel18,292
163147Ghost Rider93$2.99Marvel18,292
164194Star Trek Starfleet Academy15$1.99Marvel17,913
165195Star Trek Early Voyages13$1.99Marvel71,823
166196Superman Adv16$1.95DC17,813
167172Creeper3$2.50DC17,481
168181Hellblazer122$2.25DC17,465
169200Adventures In The DC Universe11$1.95DC17,265
170173House Of Secrets17$2.50DC17,165
171174Aliens Kidnapped1$2.50Dark Horse17,155
172175Inferno4$2.50DC17,097
173184Lobo48$2.25DC16,970
174205Superboy & The Ravers18$1.95DC16,586
175155Supreme56$2.99Awesome16,397
176139Pantha1$3.50Harris16,165
177180Sandman Mystery Theatre59$2.50DC16,002
178165Predator Nemesis1$2.95Dark Horse16,002
179167Painkiller Jane7$2.95Event15,686
180168Spider-Man Manga4$2.99Marvel15,397
181198Sovereign Seven31$2.25DC15,312
182170Spider-Man Manga5$2.99Marvel15,307
183187Transmetropolitan6$2.50DC15,107
18482Lobo Fragtastic Voyage0$5.95DC14,907
185212Young Heroes In Love9$1.95DC14,570
186176Ghost32$2.95Dark Horse14,470
187177 Paul Chadwicks Concrete Strange1$2.95Dark Horse14,396
188178Omen Save The Chosen3$2.95Chaos14,370
189192Hawk & Dove4$2.50DC14,323
190157Ticks Big Yule Log Special 980$3.50New England13,975
191197Darque Passages1$2.50Acclaim13,870
192179More Than Mortal3$2.95Liar13,849
193199Terminal City Aerial Graffiti4$2.50DC13,560
194201Steel47$2.50DC13,381
195204Major Bummer7$2.50DC13,259
196183Gunsmith Cats Goldie Vs Misty2$2.95Dark Horse13,033
197150Oh My Goddess Special Youre So Bad0$3.95Dark Horse12,796
198207Michael Moorcocks Multiverse4$2.50DC12,486
199123Astro City Vol. 2 3D0$4.95Image12,417
2002152020 Visions10$2.25DC12,117
201193Battlestar Galactica1$2.99Realm11,949
202202Blade of the Immortal Dreamsong6$2.95Dark Horse11,328
203203Ranma ½ Pt Six13$2.95Viz11,317
204213X-O Manowar15$2.50Acclaim11,038
205186DV8 Voyager Pack14$3.50Image10,822
206217Poision Elves30$2.50Sirius10,775
207206Scud The Disposable Assassin19$2.95Fireman10,707
208218Solar Hell On Earth4$2.50Acclaim10,696
209149Elfquest19$4.95Warp10,617
210228Cerebus225$2.25Aardvark-Vana10,507
211208 Sergio Aragones Louder Than Words6$2.95Dark Horse10,217
212222Quantum & Woody11$2.50Acclaim10,122
213210Desperadoes4$2.95Image9,949
214247Essential vertigo the Sandman19$1.95DC9,906
215211Kelley Jones The Hammer3$2.95Dark Horse9,759
216225Turok Tales of the Lost Land0$2.50Acclaim9,606
217226Trinity Angels10$2.50Acclaim9,549
218214 Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan Moon Men1$2.95Dark Horse9,317
219216Zombieworld home For The Holidays0$2.95Dark Horse9,175
220236Challengers of the Unknown13$2.25DC9,127
221257Sonic The Hedgehog56$1.75Archie9,122
2222207th System1$2.95Sirius8,748
223219Razor Embrace The Spawning0$3.00London Night8,659
224223Drakuun The Revenge Of Gustav5$2.95Dark Horse8,401
225237Magnus Robot Fighter12$2.50Acclaim8,212
226238Doctor Tomorrow8$2.50Acclaim8,196
227224Elfquest Worldpool Special2$2.95Warp8,185
228240Shadowman14$2.50Acclaim8,075
229164Pulp Vol. 21$5.95Viz8,033
230227Cutie Honey1$2.95Ironcat8,033
231229Battle Angel Alita Pt Eight7$2.95Viz7,896
232221Inu Yasha A Feudal Fairy Tale9$3.25Viz7,790
233301Marvel Adventures11$1.50Marvel7,780
234246Bloodshot10$2.50Acclaim7,733
235231Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles15$2.95Image7,727
236264Pinky And The Brain20$1.95DC7,717
237250Troublemakers13$2.50Acclaim7,554
238255Sonic Super Special4$2.25Archie7,306
239235Lost2$2.95Chaos6,990
240294Knuckles10$1.75Archie6,911
241239No Need For Tenchi Pt Four1$2.95Viz6,869
242295Sabrina The Teenage Witch11$1.95Archie6,859
243241Serpentina1$2.95Lightning6,832
244242Neon Genesis Evangelion4$2.95Viz6,764
245243Robotech Vermillion3$2.95Antarctic6,606
246244Dark Horse Presents127$2.95Dark Horse6,580
247245Warrior Nun Black And White6$2.95Antarctic6,580
248278Scooby-Doo7$1.95DC6,559
249209Acme Novelty Library9$4.50Fantagraphics6,553
250248Dork5$2.95Slave Labor6,522
251249New Bondage Fairies14$2.95Fantagraphics6,464
252185Mystic Funnies1$5.95Nincompoop6,369
253290 Adventurous Uncle Scrooge Mcduck2$1.95Gladstone6,238
254251Imortal Two7$2.95Image6,217
255293Animaniacs34$1.95DC6,206
256272Essential Vertigo Swamp Thing16$2.25DC6,174
257261Man Called A X5$2.50DC6,169
258296Xero10$1.95DC6,143
259252Hong On The Range1$2.95Image6,132
260253Sinthia2$2.95Lightning6,101
261232 Legend Of Mother Sarah City of Angels2$3.95Dark Horse5,743
262233Grendel Devil By The Deed0$3.95Dark Horse5,680
263307Uncle Scrooge And Donald Duck2$1.95Gladstone5,648
264256Badger8$2.95Image5,511
265286Scare Tactics11$2.25DC5,480
266254Maison Ikkoku Pt Seven6$3.25Viz5,459
267321Archie469$1.75Archie5,401
268234Two Faces Of Tomorrow5$3.95Dark Horse5,395
269258Espers5$2.95Image5,385
270259Plastic Little5$2.95CPM5,337
271317Donald Duck307$1.95Gladstone5,274
272260Razor Uncut43$3.00London Night5,222
273262Hypersonic2$2.95Dark Horse5,201
274263A Distant Soil23$2.95Image5,116
275325Betty & Veronica121$1.75Archie5,032
276266Eat-Man5$2.95Viz4,995
277267Neon Genesis Evangelion Coll Ed.4$2.95Viz4,995
278289Haunt of Fear22$2.50Gemstone4,901
279275Strangers In Paradise Gold Logo Ed.5$2.75Abstract4,869
280330Nights Into Dreams2$1.75Archie4,853
281322Looney Tunes37$1.95DC4,843
282333Betty59$1.75Archie4,722
283271Mobile Police Patlabor6$2.95Viz4,722
284274Deity4$2.95Hyperwerks4,632
285273Darque Razor3$3.00London Night4,569
286276Redeemers1$2.95Antarctic4,527
287337Cheryl Blossom10$1.75Archie4,474
288338Veronica73$1.75Archie4,427
289308Crime Suspenstories22$2.50Gemstone4,406
290329Cartoon Network Presents7$1.95DC4,390
291279Ninja High School60$2.95Antarctic4,311
292280American Spendor Odds & Ends0$2.95Dark Horse4,269
293281Return of Lum Part Four5$2.95Viz4,243
294282Chi Chian2$2.95Sirius4,237
295283Soulwind6$2.95Image4,195
296285New Vampire Miyu4$2.95Ironcat4,185
297287Chirality10$2.95CPM4,179
298316Frontline Combat11$2.50Gemstone4,179
299288Rheintochter1$2.95Antarctic4,169
300268The God Of Sex21$3.50Fantagraphics4,137


December 1997 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.

The graphic novel charts remained a mix of actual trade paperbacks and issues that simply had high cover prices.



UnitsDollarsTrade Paperback titlePricePublisherEst. units
11Tales of the Age of Apocalypse Sinister Bloodline$5.99Marveln/a
24Witchblade Collected Edition #6$4.95Imagen/a
32Darkchylde #1-5 TPB$14.95Imagen/a
47Verotik Illustrated #2$6.95Verotikn/a
53Jack Kirby's New Gods$11.95DCn/a
618Tales of the Age of Apocalypse$5.99Marveln/a
75Boba Fett: Death, Lies, and Treachery$12.95Dark Horsen/a
810Grunge: The Movie$9.95Imagen/a
99Strangers in Paradise Vol. 4$12.95Abstractn/a
106Ranma 1/2 Vol. 10$15.95Vizn/a