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MAY 1998 Comic Book Preorders from Diamond Comic Distributors
Comic-book Title Issue Price Publisher Est. preorders
1 Uncanny X-Men 357 $1.99 Marvel 143,000
2 X-Men 77 $1.99 Marvel 135,200
3 Thor 1 $2.99 Marvel 134,700
4 Spawn 74 $1.95 Image 130,500
5 Avengers 6 $1.99 Marvel 112,300
6 Wolverine 126 $1.99 Marvel 107,600
7 Fantastic Four 7 $1.99 Marvel 102,300
8 JLA 20 $1.95 DC 99,900
9 Captain America 7 $1.99 Marvel 91,900
10 Iron Man 6 $1.99 Marvel 89,800
11 Green Lantern 100 $2.95 DC 82,400
12 Witchblade 23 $2.50 Image 82,300
13 Darkness 15 $2.50 Image 79,800
14 Spirit Of Tao 1 $2.50 Image 74,800
15 Crimson 1 $2.50 Image 71,000
16 Curse Of Spawn 21 $1.95 Image 70,900
17 Generation X 40 $1.99 Marvel 67,900
18 JLA Year One 7 $1.95 DC 66,900
19 Incredible Hulk 466 $1.99 Marvel 66,300
20 Amazing Spider-Man 436 $1.99 Marvel 66,000
21 X-Force 79 $1.99 Marvel 65,500
22 Tales Of The Darkness 2 $2.95 Image 64,200
23 X-Factor 147 $1.99 Marvel 63,600
24 Battle Chasers 2 $2.50 Image 63,000
25 X-Man 40 $1.99 Marvel 61,600
26 Peter Parker Spider-Man 93 $1.99 Marvel 61,000
27 Cable 56 $1.99 Marvel 59,100
28 Spectacular Spider-Man 259 $1.99 Marvel 58,600
29 Sensational Spider-Man 29 $1.99 Marvel 56,600
30 Ascension 7 $2.50 Image 56,500
31 Gen 13 29 $2.50 Image 55,100
32 JLA 80 Page Giant 1 $4.95 DC 54,800
33 Superman 136 $1.95 DC 54,600
34 Action Comics 746 $1.95 DC 53,200
35 Adventures Of Superman 559 $1.95 DC 52,900
36 Kiss The Psycho Circus 10 $2.25 Image 52,900
37 Superman Man Of Steel 81 $1.95 DC 52,800
38 Thunderbolts 16 $1.99 Marvel 50,300
39 Batman 556 $1.95 DC 50,200
40 JLA Tomorrow Woman 1 $1.95 DC 49,700
41 Excalibur 122 $1.99 Marvel 49,300
42 300 1 $2.95 Dark Horse 49,000
43 Detective Comics 723 $1.95 DC 48,500
44 Astro City Vol. 2 15 $2.50 Image 47,600
45 Batman Batgirl 1 $1.95 DC 46,800
46 Nightwing 22 $1.95 DC 45,300
47 Alpha Flight 12 $2.99 Marvel 44,100
48 Preacher 39 $2.50 DC 42,700
49 Deadpool 18 $1.99 Marvel 41,800
50 Superman Lois Lane 1 $1.95 DC 41,300
51 Robin 55 $1.95 DC 41,100
52 Star Wars Crimson Empire 6 $2.95 Dark Horse 40,600
53 Flash 139 $1.95 DC 40,400
54 Batman Shadow Of The Bat 76 $1.95 DC 39,400
55 Marvel Universe 2 $1.99 Marvel 39,100
56 Young Justice The Secret 1 $1.95 DC 39,000
57 Jim Lees C23 2 $2.50 Image 38,900
58 Wonder Woman Donna Troy 1 $1.95 DC 37,600
59 Crimson Chromium Ed 1 $4.50 Image 37,500
60 Nightwing And Huntress 3 $1.95 DC 37,400
61 Wonder Woman 135 $1.95 DC 37,200
62 X-Files 40 $2.95 Topps 37,100
63 Catwoman 59 $1.95 DC 36,800
64 Batman Legends Of The Dark Knight 108 $1.95 DC 36,600
65 Supergirl 23 $1.95 DC 36,600
66 Tenth 9 $2.50 Image 35,900
67 Lady Death 5 $2.95 Chaos 34,500
68 Birds Of Prey The Ravens 1 $1.95 DC 34,400
69 Marvel Annual 98/Spider-Man & Devil Dinosaur $2.99 Marvel 33,900
70 Starman The Mist 1 $1.95 DC 33,800
71 Green Lantern Secret Files 1 $4.95 DC 33,700
72 Iron Fist 1 $2.50 Marvel 33,200
73 Coven 8 $2.50 Awesome 33,200
74 Gen 12 4 $2.50 Image 32,800
75 What If? 110 $1.99 Marvel 32,500
76 Star Wars Shadows Of The Empire Evolution 4 $2.95 Dark Horse 32,300
77 Marvel Annual 98/Deadpool & Death $2.99 Marvel 32,200
78 Green Arrow 134 $2.50 DC 31,800
79 Heroes For Hire 13 $1.99 Marvel 31,600
80 Legends Of The DC Universe 6 $1.95 DC 31,000
81 Batman Chronicles 13 $2.95 DC 30,000
82 Starman 44 $2.25 DC 29,500
83 Silver Surfer 141 $1.99 Marvel 29,400
84 Avengers Rough Cut 1 $2.99 Marvel 29,000
85 Xena Warrior Princess Blood Lines 1 $2.95 Topps 28,400
86 Gen 13 Bootleg 18 $2.50 Image 28,100
87 Ka Zar 15 $1.99 Marvel 28,000
88 Xena Warrior Princess Orpheus 3 $2.95 Topps 27,500
89 Teen Titans 22 $1.95 DC 27,400
90 Aquaman 46 $1.95 DC 27,400
91 Green Lantern 1963 Annual 1 $4.95 DC 27,200
92 WilDCats 49 $2.50 Image 27,200
93 Azrael 43 $1.95 DC 27,000
94 Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron Masquerade 3 $2.95 Dark Horse 26,800
95 Daredevil 377 $1.99 Marvel 26,500
96 Batman Gordon Of Gotham 2 $1.95 DC 25,500
97 Superboy 53 $1.95 DC 25,200
98 Hitman 28 $2.25 DC 24,600
99 Maverick 11 $1.99 Marvel 24,400
100 DV8 18 $2.50 Image 24,100
101 Books of Magic 50 $2.50 DC 23,600
102 Batman: Gotham Adventures 2 $1.95 DC 23,300
103 Legion of Superheroes 106 $2.25 DC 23,200
104 Youngblood 4 $2.50 Awesome 22,900
105 Legionnaires 62 $2.25 DC 22,800
106 Savage Dragon 49 $2.50 Image 22,300
107 Stormwatch 7 $2.50 Image 22,100
108 Dreaming 26 $2.50 DC 21,200
109 Menace 2 $2.50 Awesome 21,200
110 HarDCore Station 1 $2.50 DC 21,100
111 Shi 12 $2.95 Crusade 21,100
112 Shi 11 $2.95 Crusade 21,100
113 Fury Agent 13 2 $2.99 Marvel 20,900
114 Scarlet Crush 4 $2.50 Awesome 20,900
115 Quicksilver 9 $1.99 Marvel 20,800
116 Vampirella/Painkiller Jane 1 $3.50 Harris 20,500
117 Impulse 39 $1.95 DC 20,400
118 Strangers in Paradise Vol. 3 15 $2.75 Abstract 20,000
119 Wetworks 40 $2.50 Image 20,000
120 Kabuki 4 $2.95 Image 19,900
121 Superman Adventures 21 $3.95 DC 19,700
122 Kents 12 $2.50 DC 19,500
123 Marvel Team-Up 11 $1.99 Marvel 19,100
124 Gangland 2 $2.95 DC 18,200
125 Power of Shazam 40 $1.95 DC 18,000
126 Dragonball Z 3 $2.95 Viz 17,900
127 Lost in Space 2 $2.95 Dark Horse 17,900
128 Star Trek TNG: Riker Special $3.50 Marvel 17,900
129 Star Trek Unlimited 10 $2.99 Marvel 17,700
130 Resurrrection Man 15 $2.50 DC 17,600
131 Jack Kirby's Fourth World 17 $1.95 DC 17,500
132 Leave it to Chance 10 $2.95 Image 17,300
133 Nevada 3 $2.50 DC 17,300
134 Spirit: New Adventures 3 $3.50 Kitchen Sink 17,100
135 Evil Ernie: Destroyer 9 $2.95 Chaos 17,100
136 Dreaming: Trial and Error $5.95 DC 16,900
137 Omen 2 $2.95 Chaos 16,800
138 Star Trek: Untold Voyages 5 $3.50 Marvel 16,600
139 Chase 6 $2.50 DC 16,500
140 Shi: The Essential Dark Crusade $2.95 Crusade 16,400
141 Cryptic Writings of Megadeth 4 $2.95 Chaos 16,300
142 Marvel 1 $1.00 Marvel 16,100
143 Shadows and Light 3 $2.99 Marvel 16,100
144 Dragonball 3 $2.95 Viz 16,000
145 Conan: River of Blood 2 $2.50 Marvel 16,000
146 Hellblazer 127 $2.25 DC 15,800
147 Supreme 60 $2.99 Awesome 15,800
148 Lobo 53 $2.25 DC 15,800
149 Marvel 2 $1.00 Marvel 15,700
150 Aliens: Stalker 1 $2.50 Dark Horse 15,600
151 Adventures in the DC Universe 16 $1.95 DC 15,400
152 Transmetropolitan 11 $2.50 DC 14,600
153 House of Secrets 21 $2.50 DC 11,600
154 Sandman Mystery Theatre 63 $2.50 DC 14,600
155 Welcome Back to the House of Mystery $5.95 DC 14,200
156 Werewolf by Night 6 $2.99 Marvel 14,200
157 Steel 52 $2.50 DC 13,200
158 Sovereign Seven 36 $2.25 DC 12,700
159 Man-Thing 8 $2.25 Marvel 12,500
160 Major Bummer 12 $2.50 DC 12,200
161 Dead King 2 $2.95 Chaos 12,000
162 Crow/Razor: Kill the Pain 2 $3.00 London Night 12,000
163 Gunsmith Cats: Goldie vs. Misty 7 $2.95 Dark Horse 11,900
164 Hate 30 $3.95 Fantagraphics 11,800
165 Chronos 5 $2.50 DC 11,600
166 Vertigo Visions: Tomahawk $4.95 DC 11,600
167 Young Heroes in Love 14 $1.95 DC 11,100
168 Quantum & Woody 16 $2.50 Acclaim 11,100
169 Blade of the Immortal: On Slient WIngs 1 $2.95 Dark Horse 11,000
170 Creeper 8 $2.95 DC 10,800
171 Ranma 1/2 Part Seven 4 $2.95 Viz 10,700
172 Vampirella Retro 3 $2.50 Harris 10,600
173 Neon Genesis Evangelion Book Two 3 $3.50 Viz 10,500
174 Seekers 3000 2 $2.50 Marvel 10,400
175 Battlestar Galactica 5 $2.99 Realm 9,900
176 Cerebus 230 $2.25 Aardvark-Vanaheim 9,600
177 Poison Elves 35 $2.50 Sirius 9,600
178 Elfquest 24 $4.95 Warp 9,600
179 Turok 3 $2.50 Acclaim 9,200
180 Magic: The Gathering Crucible 3 $2.95 Dark Horse 8,900
181 Deity 0 $2.95 Hyperwerks 8,900
182 Satanika 10 $3.50 Verotik 8,900
183 Tarzan: Carson of Venus 1 $2.95 Dark Horse 8,600
184 X-O Manowar 20 $2.50 Acclaim 8,500
185 Challengers of the Unknown 18 $2.50 DC 8,500
186 X-Men Manga 8 $2.99 Marvel 8,400
187 X-Men Manga 9 $2.99 Marvel 8,400
188 Tarzan: Primeval 2 $2.95 Dark Horse 8,200
189 Sonic the Hedgehog 61 $1.75 Archie 8,100
190 Scud: Tales from the Vending Machine 3 $2.50 Fireman 8,100
191 Jackie Chan's Spartan X 3 $2.95 Image 7,900
192 Sharky 3 $2.50 Image 7,900
193 Warrior Nun Areala 6 $2.95 Antarctic 7,800
194 A Distant Soil 25 $3.95 Image 7,800
195 Essential Vertigo: Sandman 24 $1.95 DC 7,800
196 Michael Moorcock's Multiverse 9 $2.50 DC 7,800
197 Dark Horse Presents 132 $2.95 Dark Horse 7,400
198 Nocturnals: Witching Hour $4.95 Dark Horse 7,300
199 Drakuun: Shadow of the Warlock 4 $2.95 Dark Horse 7,300
200 777 The Wrath 3 $3.00 Avatar 7,300
201 Pinky and the Brain 24 $1.95 DC 7,000
202 Inu Yasha 14 $3.25 Viz 7,000
203 Coven Collected Edition 1 $4.95 Awesome 7,000
204 Spider-Man Manga 14 $2.99 Marvel 6,900
205 Spider-Man Manga 15 $3.99 Marvel 6,900
206 Oni Double Feature 5 $2.95 Oni 6,900
207 Zombieworld: Winters Dregs 1 $2.95 Dark Horse 6,800
208 Empty Zone 1 $2.50 Sirius 6,700
209 Acme Novelty Library 10 $4.95 Fantagraphics 6,600
210 New Bondgae Fairies: Fairie Fetish 3 $2.95 Fantagraphics 6,600
211 Concrete Jungle: Legend of the Black Lion 2 $2.50 Acclaim 6,600
212 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 17 $2.95 Image 6,400
213 Shadowman 19 $2.50 Acclaim 6,300
214 Magnus: Robot Fighter 17 $2.50 Acclaim 800
215 Robotech 8 $2.95 Antarctic 6,300
216 Knuckles 15 $1.75 Archie 6,200
217 Marvel Adventures 16 $1.50 Marvel 6,200
218 Sabrina: The Teenage Witch 16 $1.75 Archie 6,100
219 Robotech: Escape 1 $2.95 Antarctic 6,100
220 Troublemakers 18 $2.50 Acclaim 6,100
221 No Need for Tenchi Part Four 6 $2.95 Viz 5,900
222 Tenth Collected 1 $4.95 Image 5,800
223 Knight Watchman 1 $2.95 Image 5,800
224 Scooby Doo 12 $1.95 DC 5,800
225 Shotgun Mary 2 $2.95 Antarctic 5,700
226 Bloodshot 15 $2.50 Acclaim 5,700
227 Essential Vertigo: Swamp Thing 21 $2.25 DC 5,600
228 Animaniacs 39 $1.95 DC 5,400
229 Ashen Victor 2 $2.95 Viz 5,400
230 Oink: Blood and Circus 2 $4.95 Kitchen Sink 5,200
231 Book 1 $3.50 Dreamsmith 5,100
232 Maison Ikkoku Part Seven 11 $3.25 Viz 5,000
233 Warrior Nun Black and White 10 $2.95 Antarctic 5,000
234 Lost Heroes 2 $2.95 Davdez 5,000
235 Siren 1 $2.95 Image 4,800
236 Archie 474 $1.75 Archie 4,800
237 John Bolton's Strange Wink 3 $2.95 Dark Horse 4,800
238 Vault of Horror 23 $2.50 Gemstone 4,800
239 Roswell 6 $2.95 Bongo 4,800
240 Legend of Mother Sarah City of Angels 7 $3.95 Dark Horse 4,800
241 Luftwaffe 1946 10 $2.95 Antarctic 4,700
242 Dead or Alive: A Cyberpunk Western 2 $2.50 Dark Horse 4,700
243 Silky Whip 2 $3.50 Fantagraphics 4,700
244 Secret Plot 8 $2.95 Fantagraphics 4,700
245 Warhammer Monthly 3 $2.95 Games Workshop 4,600
246 Jungle Tales of Cavewoman 1 $2.95 Basement 4,500
247 Betty & Veronica 126 $1.75 Archie 4,500
248 Piracy 5 $2.50 Gemstone 4,400
249 Looney Tunes 42 $1.95 DC 4,400
250 Legend of Lemnear 5 $2.95 CPM 4,400
251 La Cosa Nostroid 9 $2.95 Fireman 4,300
252 Kill your Boyfriend 2nd Prnt $5.95 DC 4,300
253 Betty 64 $1.75 Archie 4,200
254 Two Faces of Tomorrow 10 $3.95 Dark Horse 4,200
255 Two Fisted Tales 24 $2.50 Gemstone 4,200
256 Girls of Ninja High School 1998 $2.95 Antarctic 4,200
257 Bohos 2 $2.95 Image 4,100
258 Gold Digger 40 $2.95 Antarctic 4,100
259 Eat-Man Part Two 4 $3.25 Viz 4,100
260 Titanic 1 $2.95 Angel 4,100
261 Cutie Honey 6 $2.95 Ironcat 4,000
262 Cheryl Blossom 12 $1.75 Archie 4,000
263 Cavewoman: Missing Link 4 $2.95 Basement 3,900
264 Return of Lum Part Four 10 $2.95 Viz 3,900
265 Veronica 78 $1.75 Archie 3,900
266 Mobile Police Patlabor Part Two 5 $2.95 Viz 3,900
267 Chirality 15 $2.95 CPM 3,900
268 New Vampire Muyu Vol. 2 2 $2.95 Ironcat 3,800
269 Archie Double Digest 101 $2.95 Archie 3,800
270 Castle Waiting 6 $2.95 Olio 3,800
271 Archie and Friends 30 $1.75 Archie 3,800
272 Midnight Panther School Daze 2 $2.95 CPM 3,600
273 Origins of Reid Fleming 1 $3.00 Deep Sea 3,600
274 Tigress 1 $2.95 Basement 3,500
275 Betty & Veronica Digest 97 $1.95 Archie 3,500
276 Milk 5 $2.95 Radio 3,400
277 Starchild Mythopolis 5 $2.95 Image 3,400
278 Archie's Pals n Gals Double Digest 34 $2.95 Archie 3,400
279 Dragon Wars 2 $2.95 Ironcat 3,400
280 Strangers in Paradise Gold Logo Reprint Vol. 2 10 $2.75 Abstract 3,400
281 Archie's Vacation Special 6 $2.25 Archie 3,400
282 Sinthia 4 $2.95 Lightning 3,300
283 Star Wars: Jabba the Hutt Betrayal $2.50 Dark Horse 3,300
284 Jughead 107 $1.75 Archie 3,300
285 Cartoon Network Presents 12 $1.95 DC 3,200
286 Reality Check 10 $2.95 Sirius 3,200
287 Snowman 2 2 $3.50 Avatar 3,200
288 Jughead's Double Digest 53 $2.95 Archie 3,200
289 Flintstones and Jetsons 12 $1.95 DC 3,200
290 Battlestar Galactica Variant Cover 1 $2.99 Realm 3,200
291 Land of Nod 4 $2.95 Dark Horse 3,100
292 Faith Encore Ed. 1 $2.95 Lightning 3,000
293 Nights into Dreams 4 $1.75 Archie 3,000
294 Thieves and Kings 22 $2.35 I Box 3,000
295 Gun Crisis 1 $2.95 Ironcat 2,900
296 Laugh Digest 143 $1.95 Archie 2,900
297 Shut Up and Die 3 $2.95 Image 2,900
298 Jughead with Archie Digest 142 $1.95 Archie 2,800
299 Love Drive 1 $2.95 Ironcat 2,700
300 Foot Soldiers 5 $2.95 Image 2,700
MAY 1998 Trade Paperback Preorders from Diamond Comic Distributors
Trade Paperback title Price Publisher Est. preorders
1 Made Men TPB $5.99 Marvel 13,900
2 Spawn TPB VI $9.95 Image 7,700
3 Tenth #0 $5.00 American 6,000
4 Mage The Hero Defined $5.00 American 6,000
5 Jla: Rock Of Ages Tp $9.95 DC 5,800
6 Studio Secrets Wildstorm Approach To Comic Book Art $16.95 Image 4,800
7 Essential Wolverine Vol 3 $12.99 Marvel 4,300
8 Uncle Scrooge #311 $6.95 Gladstone 3,900
9 Mage The Hero Defined Tp Vol 1 $9.95 Image 3,800
10 Strangers In Paradise Vol 5: Immortal Enemies Tp $1.95 Abstract 3,200
11 Thor DFE Alternate Cover #1 $6.95 Dynamic Forces 3,200
12 Mixxzine Pocket Manga Sailor Moon $11.95 Mixxzine 3,100
13 Walt Disney Comics and Stories #626 $6.95 Gladstone 3,100
14 Simpsons Comics on Parade $11.95 Bongo 2,900
15 Star Wars: Jabba the Hutt $9.95 Dark Horse 2,400
16 Bone Vol. 5: Rockjaw $22.95 Cartoon 2,400
17 X-Men Visionaries: Chris Claremont $24.99 Marvel 2,200
18 Spirit of Wonder $12.95 Dark Horse 2,200
19 Uncle Scrooge Adventures in Color #45 $9.95 Gladstone 2,000
20 Uncle Scrooge Adventures in Color #46 $9.95 Gladstone 2,000
21 Bring Back the Bad Guys $24.99 Marvel 2,000
22 Xxxenophile Collected Vol. 4 $9.95 Xxxenophile 1,800
23 Elric: Stormbringer $17.95 Dark Horse 1,800
24 777: The Wrath Nude #3 $6.00 Avatar 1,700
25 Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck #2 $9.95 Gladstone 1,700
MAY 1998 Publisher Market Shares of Diamond's FINAL comic book, TPB, and magazine sales
DIAMOND OVERALL SHARES DOLLARS
DC 24.22%
Marvel 23.67%
Image 17.09%
Dark Horse 5.17%
Wizard 3.52%
Topps 2.61%
Viz 2.12%
Chaos 1.32%
Fantagraphics 1.06%
Kitchen Sink 1.03%
Others 18.19%
CBG Market Estimates
Note: These figures were preorders, meaning (a) initial orders may have been higher and (b) some of these comics may not have come out. The actual sales for the month may be higher or lower (usually, higher).

 

Unit Sales for Diamond's Top 300 Comic Books (est.):

6.99 million copies

 

Dollar Sales for Diamond's Top 300 Comic Books (est.):

$16.97 million

 

Dollar Value for Diamond's Top 25 Trade Paperback preorders (est.):

$934,000

 

Combined Dollar Sales for Diamond's Top 300 Comics and Top 25 TPBs (est.) :

$17.9 million

 

Minimum Dollar Value for ALL Diamond's Trade Paperback preorders (est.):

$2.44 million

 

Minimum Combined Dollar Sales for Diamond's Top 300 Comics and all TPBs (est.) :

$19.41 million

 

Average price of comic books in Diamond's Top 300:

$2.66

 

Average price of comic books in Diamond's Top 300, weighted by orders:

$2.43

 

Source: Initial reports provided by Diamond Comic Distributors

CBG calculations by John Jackson Miller