The Graphic Novel Archive Blog

Manga dominates yet again, holding 18 of 20 spots. Check out ICv2 for the complete breakdown.

From IFanboy.com: As reported by the Grand Rapids Press and discussed on the Bendis Board, David Pirkola, owner and operator of Apparitions Comics and Books in Grand Rapids, Michigan was robbed at his store and then shot by the robber. He is currently in stable, but critical condition at a local hospital.

Donations are being accepted to help David with his medical expenses. Please give what you can.

We’re all pulling for ya, David.

Entertainment Weekly has posted a list of recommended graphic novels reading, related to the big comic themed movies releasing throughout the summer. Site excerpt follows:

Why is Iron Man one ego trip away from hitting the hooch? Are Batman’s foes more tragic than the Dark Knight himself? Does the Hulk do anything other than smash crap? Here are the best print titles to get you up to speed for their tied-in popcorn movies

Thanks to Publishers Weekly’s The Beat for the pointer.

Newsarama recently interviewed Hope Larson, discussing her new graphic novel, Chiggers. Site excerpt follows:

Hope Larson’s evocative work on her first two graphic novels, Salamander Dream and Gray Horses, earned her a 2007 Special Recognition Eisner Award. Now, Larson is poised to reach a new and wide audience with Chiggers, a new original graphic novel from Simon & Shuster about two girls forming a unique friendship at summer camp. We called Larson up to find out what readers can expect from this story, and how she drew from her own experiences to tell this tale.

Visit Newsarama for the full interview.

Planning on attending the New York Comic Con this month? Be sure to check out ICv2’s Graphic Novel conference, “Breaking Out”. Details available via the NYCC website.

Diamond has released their Bestseller lists for February 2008.

Top 50 Graphic Novels and Trade Paperbacks
Top 25 Manga

While John Mayo and Chris Marshall provide a monthly breakdown of direct market graphic novel sales - GNs sold via comic shops - sales data for mainstream bookstores (the Barnes & Nobles, the Borders, etc) has been sorely missing, as such data is only available from sales aggregator BookScan. The pricey sales aggregator BookScan.

But thanks to pop culture site ICv2, we’ll now have an opportunity to view BookScan’s Top 20 Graphic Novels on a monthly basis.

Visit ICv2 for BookScan’s Top 20 graphic novels for March 2008.

(A quick observation. Assuming BookScan is properly categorizing comic book collected editions as graphic novels, it’s safe to say manga is the graphic novel genre of choice with the mainstream book store crowd, with only one western property (DC’s Watchmen softcover collection) placing in the Top 20.)

In case you missed it, Newsarama’s Brian Hibbs has published his annual graphic novel sales analysis, based on Bookscan 2007 sales data. A long read, but certainly interesting if you’re in any way curious as to how graphic novels are performing in the traditional book store market, versus the direct market comic shop.

According to ICv2 Guide #52: Graphic Novels, the number of released graphic novels increased to roughly 3,500 in 2007 - an increase of 19% over 2006.

Check out ICv2 for the full story.

ICv2 has posted their analysis of November 2007 direct market graphic novel sales - check out the full article.