Comics and Graphic Novels: BD, Marvel and Memoirs — 2026-09-12
DC Comics has surged ahead in the direct market, capturing nearly double Marvel's market share in early September 2026. Meanwhile, the French comics industry is grappling with a significant post-boom contraction, with sales of BD and manga falling by 5.5% in 2025 despite major releases like the new *Astérix*.
Comics and Graphic Novels: BD, Marvel and Memoirs — 2026-09-12
Top developments
DC Dominates Direct Market Sales in Early September
In the first week of September 2026, DC Comics achieved nearly double the market share of Marvel Comics in comic book shops. Titles such as Batman, Absolute Superman, and DC Next Level led the Top 400 bestsellers chart for the week ending September 11, 2026. This dominance follows a similar trend from late August, where Absolute Batman #23 and Miles Morales: Spider-Man #1 topped sales charts, indicating a sustained consumer preference for DC’s current lineup. The shift matters for retailers and publishers alike, signaling that DC’s recent relaunch strategies are effectively capturing shelf space and consumer dollars over Marvel’s offerings.
French BD Market Faces Significant Contraction
The French bande dessinée (BD) market, long considered a global powerhouse, is experiencing a notable slowdown. According to a report by Le Monde, sales of BD and manga in France fell by 5.5% in 2025, marking a departure from the "crazy years" of previous growth. This decline occurred despite the release of a new Astérix album, which typically drives significant sales spikes. The data suggests a structural shift in the market, potentially driven by oversaturation, rising prices, or changing consumer habits among younger readers who are increasingly drawn to digital formats or different media.
Angoulême Festival Restructures for 2027 Return
Following the cancellation of the 2026 edition due to controversies and author boycotts, the Angoulême International Comics Festival is preparing for its return in 2027. A new team, including Céline Bagot and Marie Parisot, has been appointed to co-direct the event, aiming to restore trust with the creator community through shorter preparation times and reduced exhibition scopes. The management has been transferred to 9e Art+, the organizer of the Francofolies festival, after the previous organizer was ousted amid widespread criticism. This restructuring is critical for the Franco-Belgian industry, as Angoulême remains the primary venue for industry networking and prize recognition.
Local view
French media outlets are closely monitoring the "rentée" (back-to-school) season, which is traditionally a major period for new BD releases. La Dépêche highlights a diverse range of new titles hitting shelves this week, spanning family humor, noir crime, sci-fi, and historical frescoes, suggesting publishers are betting on genre variety to stimulate demand. Meanwhile, discussions around pricing continue to dominate local discourse, with some observers questioning if BDs are becoming luxury items as average prices approach €30, a sentiment echoed in earlier analyses of the new Astérix release.
Context & numbers
The US direct market continues to show volatility between the Big Two publishers. In late August 2026, Absolute Batman and Miles Morales: Spider-Man were top sellers, but by early September, DC had consolidated its lead. In France, the market contraction is quantified at -5.5% for 2025, a stark contrast to the growth years preceding it. The 2026 Eisner Awards, held in July, saw Absolute Martian Manhunter win top honors, reflecting DC’s critical and commercial momentum that persists into September.
On the radar
New York Comic Con 2026 has released its full programming schedule, with major panels expected from Marvel and DC later this month. In the UK, graphic novel releases continue to roll out, with titles like Appleseed Deluxe Edition arriving in bookshops this week. Retailers should also watch for November solicitations from both Marvel and DC, which were recently released and hint at upcoming crossover events and relaunches.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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