‘Hush 2’ continues run with April’s chart-topping issue
Word Balloons #1268: Watchmen, Batman, Invincible among movers in main sales categories
There weren’t significant shakeups in the sales charts in April, but Batman remains king of new comics, and Robert Kirkman’s Invincible remained a potent force. In graphic novel sales, a classic from the 1980s takes the top spot.
The following rankings are based on sales at Speeding Bullet Comics, 614 N. Porter Ave. in Norman, OK, for the month of April 2025.
In new comics, the second part of the “Hush” storyline moved into the top spot, as Batman continued his chart domination, between “Batman” and “Absolute Batman,” which came in second. Superman also nabbed two spots in the top 10, with “Absolute Superman” #6 at #3 and “Summer of Superman Special” at #7. Other Absolute line titles hitting the top 10 are “Absolute Green Lantern” #1, “Absolute Flash” #2, “Absolute Wonder Woman” #7 and “Absolute Martian Manhunter” #2. Closing out the top 10 is a repeat from last month’s chart, the first part of “H2SH,” “Batman” #158, by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee.
The highest-ranking Marvel is the relaunched “Amazing Spider-Man” #1 at #5. Image’s top title was “Transformers” #19 at #13.
Trade paperbacks, collections and graphic novels were headed up by the Compact Classics of “Watchmen,” taking the top spot in the rankings. The 1980s alternate history superhero mystery by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons has long been among the top sellers in graphic novel format. It made its debut in the “Compact Classics” line in June 2024.
Kirkman’s “Invincible” nabs spots #2 and #4 with the new editions of “Invincible” Vol. 1 and 3.
There’s still a lot of interest in the Invincible Universe, driven at least in part by the animated series, as we will see on next month’s new comics charts with “Invincible Universe: Battle Beast.”
Closing out the top 5 are “Daredevil: Born Again” and “All-Star Superman” (Compact Classics).
Other Marvel notables near the top of the chart include “Predator Vs. Black Panther,” “Marvel Premiere - Captain America: Winter Soldier,” “Ultimate Spider-Man” Vols. 1 and 2 and “Amazing Spider-Man Modern Era Epic Collection: Coming Home.” “Coming Home” is written by J. Michael Straczynski (“Babylon 5”) and drawn by John Romita Jr. (“Uncanny X-Men”) and features new supporting characters joining the Spider-Man universe. This collection from Marvel Comics’ “Modern Epic” line collects “Amazing Spider-Man” (1998) Nos. 30-45.
DC’s next highest charter is a classic, “Starman Compendium” vol. 1 from writer James Robinson and artist Tony Harris and others. This follows the reluctant hero Jack Knight as he follows in his father’s and brother’s footsteps as the hero Starman. But Jack gives the role his own perspective and style.
Outside of “Invincible,” the top Image collection is “The One Hand and the Six Fingers,” which is a crime thriller by writers Ram V and Dan Watters, working with artists Laurence Campbell and Sumit Kumar. It contains the two Image Comics miniseries, “The One Hand” and “The Six Fingers” as alternating chapters in this crime saga, as originally intended by the writers.
Back issue sales in April reflect some interesting trends due to our Spring Monster Sale. This category was even more Bat-driven than usual, but the upcoming “Superman” film seemed to also pique some interest.
The No. 1 and No. 2 series, by a large margin, are “Batman” and “Detective Comics.” “Wonder Woman” takes the third spot, followed by “Superboy” (including “Superboy and the Legion”). The combined “Batman Animated” comics round out the top 5. “Batgirl” takes the sixth spot. The top Marvel title is “Daredevil” at No. 7; Image’s top titles are “Invincible” at #11 and “Spawn” at #14. “Superman” and “Supergirl” landed at #8 and #10, sandwiching “New Mutants” at #9.
Matthew Price, matthew@matthewlprice.com, has written about the comics industry for over two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman, Oklahoma.
I love these monthly sales roundups!