Led by the media sensation that was Captain America #25 - which according to Diamond’s index figures sold over twice as many copies of March’s #2 title, the debut of Mighty Avengers - Marvel lead the month in both Unit and Dollar market share, recording double digit margins over the #2 publisher DC Comics in both categories.

Marvel actually published the Top Five bestselling comic books of the month, and eight of the Top 10, broken up only by DC’s Justice League of America #6 at #6 and the impressive debut of Dark Horse’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1 at #9.

Buffy’s Top Ten finish may be the first non-Marvel or DC title to finish in the Top Ten in several years, and it headlined a relatively strong 10 titles from “other” publishers in the Top 100.

Again, showing the power of Civil War, two tie-one-shots - The Initiative and The Confession - finished 4th and 8th respectively, which likely bodes well for this month’s Fallen Son one-shots and the debut of the Avengers: The Initiative ongoing series.

DHC’s strong month carried over in the Graphic Novel’s Top 100, where the surprise success of the 300 film carried over, making Frank Miller’s graphic novel the film was based on the top-selling of the month.

Again, from a market share perspective, it was Marvel’s month, selling 46.46% of every new comic book, trade paperback, or graphic novel that shipped to comic shops in March, and accounting for 43.09% of every new dollar retailers spent on those items last month.

With DC’s percentages of 34.68% Unit and 30.84% dollar, Marvel’s spreads of 11.78% Unit and 12.25% Dollar share are combined highs not seen by any publisher in a long time.

Again, Dark Horse’s Buffy/300 twin bill helped them record some of their highest market shares in a long time, 4.25% Unit and 6.31% Dollar.

As per usual, look for an update within the next few days from our partners at Comics Buyer’s Guide with much more analysis of these sales figures along with sales estimates for the entire Top 300 Comic Books and Top 100 Trade Paperbacks.

DIAMOND's MARCH '07 MARKET SHARES
Based on Actual Sales for Comics, Magazines, & GNs Invoiced in March 2007

TOP 100 COMICS
Based on Actual Unit Sales of Products Invoiced in March 2007

TOP 100 GRAPHIC NOVELS
Based on Actual Unit Sales of Products Invoiced in March 2007