DC Entertainment sees strong February numbers
BookScan numbers up 65 percent from 2012
Digital-to-print series INJUSTICE sells out in comic shops

DC Entertainment (DCE), the largest English-language comic book publisher in the world announced today that JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1, written by the acclaimed Geoff Johns and drawn by superstar artist David Finch, was the best-selling comic book to specialty retailers in February 2013, according to information provided by Diamond Comic Distributors. This caps off a hugely successful month for DCE – with robust sales coming via comic retail, book trade and digital channels.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1 launched in February with a cover featuring the U.S. flag along with 52 variant covers, one for every state plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. DC Comics is currently sold out of 14 state covers, the digital combo pack and the collector’s bundles containing all the covers.

On the bookstore side, February saw DCE publish 15 out of the top 50 titles according to Nielsen Bookscan. Additionally, overall February book trade sales were strong, up 65 percent from last year. Notable sellers include: BATMAN: NIGHT OF THE OWLS, FABLES: CUBS IN TOYLAND Vol. 18 and JUSTICE LEAGUE Vol. 2.

On the digital comics front INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, the weekly digital-first comic based on the upcoming video game from Warner Bros. Interactive, continues to dominate the charts, selling four out of the top five digital books for the month and seven out of the top 10. BATMAN INC. #8, BATMAN #17 and JUSTICE LEAGUE #17 were also top sellers. 

“February was a tremendous month for DC Entertainment, and the numbers show that fans are engaging with our stories across all platforms – from digital to retail,” said Diane Nelson, President, DC Entertainment. “We had a record-breaking 2012 in terms of sales, critical acclaim and visibility, including a near 50 percent increase in fan reach through our websites.  Last year also represented our first full year of support and commitment to We Can Be Heroes, our philanthropic initiative to raise funds and awareness for the famine-stricken Horn of Africa. We are incredibly proud of where the business is and where we are headed in 2013.”

Hitting The New York Times Hardcover Bestseller lists in February, DC Comics titles included JUSTICE LEAGUE Vol. 2 appearing at #1, WONDER WOMAN Vol. 2, BATWOMAN Vol. 2, GREEN LANTERN: REVENGE OF THE BLACK HAND, BATMAN: THE COURT OF OWLS, Vertigo’s THE BOOKS OF MAGIC: DELUXE EDITION, and backlist favorites like BATMAN THE KILLING JOKE and ABSOLUTE BATMAN & ROBIN: BATMAN REBORN.

While over on The New York Times Paperback Bestsellers lists Vertigo’s FABLES vol. 18 arrived on the list at #1 and DC Comics JUSTICE LEAGUE vol. 1, SUICIDE SQUAD Vol. 2 and backlist favorite WATCHMEN all made appearances in February.

Earlier this month, DC Entertainment was acknowledged as the recipient of several Gem Awards including Comic Book Publisher of the Year, Backlist Publisher of the Year and Toy Manufacturer of the Year for 2012 for DC Collectibles. Notably, DC Collectibles spotlighted the We Can Be Heroes initiative with their We Can Be Heroes Justice League 7-Pack, which saw 10 percent of proceeds go to providing relief for the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa. The Gem Awards are recognized within the comic book industry as the pinnacle of sales achievement from Diamond Comic Distributors, the world's largest distributor of comics, graphic novels and pop culture merchandise.

The print comic book version of INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US #2 went back to press for a second printing, while over at DC Comics’ mature readers imprint Vertigo, DJANGO UNCHAINED #1, based on the Academy Award-winning Best Original Screenplay by Quentin Tarantino, went back to press for a third printing.