Marvel Comics kicked off 2016 much the same way it closed out the previous year, as the top publisher in the Direct Market, selling more comics than any other single publisher according to Diamond Comic Distributors' January sales data.
However, despite Marvel's overall dominance, it was Image Comics' "The Walking Dead" #150 topping the single issue sales charts.
Marvel titles accounted for 8 of the top 10 best-selling issues in January; "Secret Wars" #9 was ranked #2 overall, followed by "Spider-Man/Deadpool" #1, "Star Wars" #14 and 15, "Old Man Logan" #1, "Star wars Obi-Wan and Anakin" #1, "Darth Vader" #15 and "Uncanny X-Men" #1.
DC Comics, the number two publisher overall, only saw one title crack the Top Ten; "Batman" #48 was ranked #8 for the month.
The power of the Force continued into the graphic novel/trade paperback charts, as the second volume of "Darth Vader" debuted in the top position, and "Star Wars" volume 2 ranked #2. In fact, Marvel uncharacteristically ruled the entire Top Ten for graphic novel/trade paperbacks, taking 9 of the 10 slots. Oni Press' "Invader Zim" volume one was ranked #7.
Overall, Marvel commanded 37.09% of the Direct Market in dollar shares, and 41.87% unit shares. DC Comics accounted for approximately 20% of both dollars and units, while Image was third, making up approximately 10% of the market.
Monthly comics were down significantly from December, with a drop of over 15% in dollars, and over 21% in units sold. Compared to January, 2015, the Direct Market saw dollar sales dip 3.6%, and unit sales down 4.09%.
TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS
| PUBLISHER | DOLLARSHARE | UNITSHARE |
| MARVEL COMICS | 44.38% | 48.17% |
| DC ENTERTAINMENT | 22.16% | 24.02% |
| IMAGE COMICS | 9.67% | 10.99% |
| IDW PUBLISHING | 4.11% | 3.48% |
| DARK HORSE COMICS | 3.06% | 2.51% |
| EAGLEMOSS PUBLICATIONS LTD | 2.26% | 0.41% |
| BOOM! STUDIOS | 1.98% | 1.89% |
| VIZ MEDIA | 1.18% | 0.45% |
| TITAN COMICS | 1.15% | 1.02% |
| DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT | 1.15% | 0.92% |
| OTHER NON-TOP 10 | 8.89% | 6.14% |
COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS
| DOLLARS | UNITS | |
| JANUARY 2016 VS. DECEMBER 2015 | ||
| COMICS | -25.19% | -21.25% |
| GRAPHIC NOVELS | -11.81% | -6.73% |
| TOTAL COMICS/GN | -21.52% | -20.31% |
| JANUARY 2016 VS. JANUARY 2015 | ||
| COMICS | -3.86% | -4.09% |
| GRAPHIC NOVELS | -7.77% | -9.65% |
| TOTAL COMICS/GN | -5.10% | -4.54% |
TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS
| RANK | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
| 1 | THE WALKING DEAD #150 (MR) | $2.99 | NOV150561-M | IMA |
| 2 | SECRET WARS #9 | $4.99 | OCT150729-M | MAR |
| 3 | SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL #1 | $3.99 | NOV150751-M | MAR |
| 4 | STAR WARS #14 | $3.99 | OCT150945-M | MAR |
| 5 | STAR WARS #15 | $3.99 | NOV150920-M | MAR |
| 6 | OLD MAN LOGAN #1 | $4.99 | NOV150733-M | MAR |
| 7 | STAR WARS: OBI-WAN AND ANAKIN #1 | $3.99 | NOV150910-M | MAR |
| 8 | BATMAN #48 | $3.99 | NOV150219-M | DC |
| 9 | DARTH VADER #15 | $3.99 | NOV150917-M | MAR |
| 10 | UNCANNY X-MEN #1 | $3.99 | OCT150769-M | MAR |
TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS
| RANK | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | ITEM CODE | VENDOR |
| 1 | STAR WARS: DARTH VADER VOLUME 2: SHADOWS AND SECRETS TP | $19.99 | OCT150987 | MAR |
| 2 | STAR WARS VOLUME 2: SHOWDOWN ON THE SMUGGLERS' MOON TP | $19.99 | OCT150986 | MAR |
| 3 | COLOR YOUR OWN DEADPOOL TP | $9.99 | NOV150950 | MAR |
| 4 | DEATH OF WOLVERINE TP | $19.99 | JUN150829 | MAR |
| 5 | STAR WARS: LANDO TP | $16.99 | OCT150988 | MAR |
| 6 | DEADPOOL'S SECRET SECRET WARS TP | $15.99 | OCT150977 | MAR |
| 7 | INVADER ZIM VOLUME 1 TP | $19.99 | OCT151564 | ONI |
| 8 | THOR VOLUME 1: GODDESS OF THUNDER TP | $19.99 | OCT150985 | MAR |
| 9 | STAR WARS: DARTH VADER VOLUME 1: VADER TP | $19.99 | JUL150827 | MAR |
| 10 | CIVIL WAR TP | $24.99 | JAN072436 | MAR |