What Was the Best-Selling Comic of 2024? It Seems DC Won With a Thin Margin
The numbers are in, and we now officially know the BEST-SELLING comic of 2024—and it’s DC claiming the honor, edging out Marvel’s top-selling title by a narrow margin. The rest of the top 50 best-selling comics of the year provide valuable insights into the trends driving sales and the reasons behind them, making this an exceptionally intriguing dataset.
2024 was a standout year for DC in solidifying its position in the comic industry.
Drumroll, please: the best-selling comic of 2024 is none other than Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman #1. This success proves that DC’s ALL-IN initiative and the launch of their Absolute Universe were the right moves for the publisher.
While there were strong contenders for the top spot, it’s no surprise Absolute Batman took first place. The series has been a massive hit with readers, reimagining the Dark Knight in a bold and refreshing way after 86 years in comics. This data comes from ICv2, with dollar sale rankings based on ComicHub’s point-of-sale tracking at stores worldwide.
The Popularity of DC’s Absolute & Marvel’s Ultimate Runs Tell Us One Important Insight
Main Cover by Nick Dragotta & Frank Martin for Absolute Batman #4 (2025)
Coming in second after DC’s Absolute Batman #1 for the top-selling comic of 2024 is Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto’s Ultimate Spider-Man #1. Following closely in sales are Absolute Superman #1, Absolute Batman #2, and Absolute Wonder Woman #1. DC’s Absolute titles truly shined this year, revitalizing the publisher with a momentum that has undoubtedly thrilled both creators and long-time fans. A look at the rest of the best-sellers reveals a clear trend: DC’s Absolute and Marvel’s Ultimate runs dominated the year, raising the critical question—why?
What do Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman, Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate X-Men, and Absolute Superman have in common? Accessibility. These titles eliminate the need for prior reading, offering fresh starts for new readers. One of the biggest barriers to comics is the overwhelming backstory and history, with many titles tied to hundreds of issues or past events—an obstacle that often deters potential fans. Marvel’s Ultimate and DC’s Absolute lines solve this by providing self-contained stories that require no prior knowledge, making them perfect entry points for newcomers. This accessibility undoubtedly drove the high sales, allowing anyone to pick up these comics and dive right in.
DC Is Gaining Ground on Marvel in the Comic Market Shares
2nd Printing 1:25 Black & White Card Stock Virgin Variant Cover by Nick Dragotta for Absolute Batman #1 (2024)
In addition to DC beating Marvel for the best-selling comic of the year, market trends show DC gaining significant ground in market share. According to the Q4 2024 Comic Store Market Share report from ICv2, Marvel’s share dropped from 39.9% in Q3 to 33.3%. Meanwhile, DC Comics experienced a nearly equivalent rise, climbing to 26.9%, suggesting that Marvel’s loss became DC’s gain. Overall, 2024 was a standout year for DC in solidifying its position in the comic industry. That said, Marvel remains strong, but it will be fascinating to see if these trends continue to favor DC moving forward.
Source: ICv2
- Created By
- Bob Kane, Bill Finger
- First Appearance
- Detective Comics
