What Was the Top Graphic Novel of 2024? It's Not What You Expected

2024 was a great year for graphic novels, but the highest-selling title of the year should undoubtedly surprise most: Dog Man by Dav Pilkey. While many expected superhero comics to dominate, children's graphic novels have taken center stage in the larger market. Dog Man in particular massively outsold the year's most popular comics by nearly three times as much.

Written and illustrated by Pilkey, the Dog Man series continues to captivate young readers and is a major player in the rise of graphic novels for kids. Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder alone sold over 1.2 million copies in 2024, making it the best-selling children's book of the year.

Scholastic/Graphix, the publisher behind the Dog Man franchise, cemented its position as the top player in the graphic novel market, with titles like Cat Kid Comic Club and Smile also achieving strong sales. With multiple Dog Man releases topping the sales charts, it’s clear that Pilkey's creations are a true force in children's literature.

The Rise of Dog Man Signifies Just How Much Comics Have Changed

Print Has Become the Go-To Format for After the Movie

With Dog Man and spin-offs like Cat Kid Comic Club dominating the sales charts, it's clear that children’s graphic novels have grown in popularity. This surge is not just a passing trend; the increasing digital presence of comics has led print media to focus more on the children’s graphic novel market, where print sales remain strong. The release of the Dog Man movie has likely helped boost the series’ visibility and cultural relevance even further. Still, seeing a character like Dog Man outpacing comic book legends like Batman and Spider-Man is surprising, even if they do have equally tragic origins.

Dog Man’s Numbers Are Impressive, Even Compared to Adult Comics

What Does Dog Man's Popularity Mean for the Comic Book Industry?

While direct market comics - typically geared towards adults - continue to perform well, they cannot compare to the immense sales of Dog Man. In 2024, Absolute Batman #1, Ultimate Spider-Man #1, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin topped the sales chart, but they only managed to sell around 450,000 copies each, making up only a third of Dog Man's 2024 sales. The U.S. graphic novels market is undergoing a massive shift. Manga takes the lead, followed by children’s graphic novels, and then traditional comics. This shift proves that kids’ graphic novels are no longer niche; they are the future of the print comic industry.

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Superman and The Hulk Are Great, But Dog Man Reigns As Comics' Biggest Hero

Despite the popularity of heroes in the Marvel and DC universes, Dav Pilkey's Dog Man has emerged as the most popular comic book hero around.

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With Dog Man leading the way, it’s fascinating to see how a children’s franchise has not only outpaced long-standing comic book titans but has also shaped the future of the graphic novel market. Its success is a testament to the changing tides in the comics industry and a significant shift in what readers look for in their graphic novel experiences. Dog Man continues to inspire young readers and push boundaries, proving that the comic book landscape is in for a big transformation.

The Dog Man series is available now from Scholastic!