Promoting its latest Guide to Graphic Novels, retailer-oriented website ICv2 breaks out some eye-opening numbers: More than 3,300 graphic novels were released in the North American market last year, an increase of 19 percent from 2006.
While not quite assuming an alarmist tone, the article warns that the “tsunami of graphic novels” is destined to grow larger this year, further fueling the “brutal” competition for shelf space in book stores and direct-market shops.
The rest of the 2007 snapshot isn’t nearly as surprising: Boosted by the film adaptation, Frank Miller’s 300 was the best-selling graphic novel in terms of dollars and units.
And — brace yourselves! – manga again dominated bookstore sales.
March 6th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I wonder though… how many of those 3,300 are really good. Is there a website that tracks every new graphic novel release, as well as reviews them? Thanks.
March 6th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Interesting stats. It definitely fits into our “me-centered” gotta-have-it-all, right now-type of mentality. It’s like the book version of on-demand video. Well, whatever it is, I’m certainly part of the hoards that wait for the trade paper back to come out