Sales of comics to the direct market by Diamond Comic Distributors slipped 7% in the first quarter of 2008 vs. the year ago period, the first quarterly drop since Q4 of 2004, when comic sales were down 4%. Graphic novel sales were up 5% for the quarter, ameliorating the over-all decline to 5% for the quarter in combined comic and graphic novel dollars. Q1 2008 was also the first over-all decline since Q4 of 2004, when combined comic and graphic novel sales were down 3% vs. the year ago period.

March was the ugliest month of the quarter for comic sales, with a 15% drop in comic sales vs. March 2007. Graphic novels were up 4%, bringing the over-all annual rate of change to a positive 4% for the month.

Tough comparables were the story for comic sales.Not only was there considerable Civil War activity in the comic ranks in March of 2007, that was also the month when Captain America #25, a million dollar book, was released to comic stores.

That graphic novels held up better was a bit of a surprise, since 300 was rocking and rolling a year ago, but there was enough strength below the top titles to make the Top 100 for this March come out ahead of March 2007.

For the top 300 comics in March, see "Top 300 Comics Actual--March 2008."

For the top 100 graphics novels in March, see "Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--March 2008."

For an overview and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in March, see "'Dark Tower' Tops March Comics ."

For the top 300 comics in February, see "Top 300 Comics Actual--February 2008."

For the top 100 graphics novels in February, see "Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--February 2008."

For an overview and analysis of the best-selling comics and graphic novels in February, see "Top Comic Weakness." For an analysis of the dollar trends in February, see "Comic and Graphic Novel Sales Dip in February."

For our index to our reports on the top comic and graphic novel preorders for January 2000 through March 2008, see "ICv2's Top 300 Comics and Top 100 GNs Index."