The recent uptick in graphic novel sales, propelled by popular titles such as Dog Man, Bunny Vs Monkey, and The Bible, signals a noteworthy resurgence within the collectibles and retail market. This trend not only highlights consumer interest but also offers valuable insights for collectors and retailers navigating the evolving landscape.
According to Publisher’s Weekly, print book sales grew for the second consecutive year in 2025, reaching 762.4 million copies sold—a modest increase of 0.3% compared to 2024. Even though these figures remain below the 2021 peak of 839.7 million sales, graphic novels have seen a remarkable bounce back, rising 9.2% to a total of 25.9 million units sold.
The latest installment of Dav Pilkey‘s Dog Man series, Big Jim Believes, ranked as the sixth bestselling book of the year, achieving sales of over 767,000 copies, while its predecessor, Big Jim Begins, secured the eighth spot with 681,041 copies sold. Additionally, The Action Bible: God’s Redemptive Story by Sergio Cariello, a graphic novel version from David C Cook, approached 478,000 copies sold. Notably, Bible sales have been on a steady rise since 2021, reaching record levels in both the US and UK.
Sales data from British booksellers added further insights, revealing that the Dog Man series accounted for significant sales numbers: over 132,000 for Big Jim Begins, 108,000 for Big Jim Believes, and impressive sales for other titles such as Twenty Thousand Fleas and Grime And Punishment. Interestingly, Dog Man filled eight of the top spots on the bestseller list, showcasing its dominance over the market.
However, a formidable challenger emerged in the form of Bunny vs. Monkey by Jamie Smart, whose title Bunny vs. Monkey: Intergalactic Money Business achieved sales exceeding 115,000 copies. This was closely followed by Bunny Bonanza, which racked up nearly 100,000 copies sold. Other notable mentions include The Beano, which managed to sell 82,000 copies of the Beano Annual, and Spider-Man’s Where’s Spidey closing in on 100,000 copies.
Based on reporting by https://www.facebook.com/richard.james.johnston. Read the full story at https://bleedingcool.com/comics/graphic-novel-sales-are-up-with-dog-man-bunny-vs-monkey-and-the-bible/.