'Absolute Batman' continues to crush new comics competition in 2nd quarter of 2026

Almost two years into its run, “Absolute Batman” remains the king of the hill for the second quarter of 2026.

The best-selling comic for the second quarter of 2026 at Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman, Oklahoma, was “Absolute Batman” #20.

“Absolute Batman” issues from the quarter appear three times on the list, with #19 at No. 5 and #21 at No. 8.

The launch of two new “Absolute” miniseries cracked the top 10, with “Absolute Green Arrow” #1 at No. 2 and “Absolute Catwoman” #1 at No. 6. The second issue of “Absolute Green Arrow” also made the list at No. 13. The other “Absolute” titles in the top 25: “Absolute Wonder Woman” #19 at No. 17 and #20 at No. 23; and “Absolute Superman” #18 at No. 19 and #19 at No. 20.

The DC/Marvel crossover “Superman/Spider-Man” was the top comic of the last quarter. In this quarter, the Marvel-published “Spider-Man/Superman” ranked at No. 3. Furthermore, the sales of the DC version in the second quarter were strong enough to repeat on the list, at No. 15.

After only holding down one spot in last quarter’s top 25, Marvel did improve to four spots in the second quarter, vs. DC’s 18.

Marvel also was responsible for “Daredevil” #1 at No. 11, “Avengers: Armaggeddon” #1 at No. 18, and ‘Daredevil” #2 at No. 24.

Dynamite has one entry in the top 25, with “Ben 10” #1 at No. 4.

Image’s two slots are both from the Skybound imprint: “M.A.S.K.” #1 at No. 7 and “Invincible Universe: Battle Beast” #9 at No. 21.

The rest of the slots go to DC, with a lot of “Bat” titles, along with some of DC’s “Next Level” launches.

The Matt Fraction “Batman” series, drawn by Jorge Jimenez, topped the list with its #1 issue in the third quarter of 2025. This quarter, issues 8, 9 and 10 land in slots 9, 12 and 14, respectively.

“Zatanna” had the biggest launch of any of DC’s “Next Level” launches, dropping in at No. 16; “Zatanna” #2 landed at No. 25. “Fury of Firestorm” #1 also charted at No. 22.

DC’s dominance held strong in the graphic novels/ trade paperback collections list as well.

DC’s Compact Comics line makes up half of the top 10 of the trade paperback/collected editions department, with five.

Ending the three-quarter domination of “Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo,” from Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta, is Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” Compact Comics edition.

Interest was likely driven by the film and the selection of “Woman of Tomorrow” as the May book club book for the store.

“Absolute Batman” Vol. 1 follows at No. 2, with “Absolute Batman: Vol 2: Abomination” also charting at No. 8. The other “Absolute” collection on the list this quarter is “Absolute Superman Vol. 1: Last Dust of Krypton” written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Rafa Sandoval, at No. 9.

Other Compact Comics ranking on the list include “The Dark Knight Returns” at No. 3, “Batman: The Long Halloween” at No. 4, “Watchmen” at No. 6, and “Kingdom Come” at No. 10.

Ranking at No. 5 is “The Art of the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” by author Colin Stein, which has seen strong sales nationwide. We are slightly bending the rules of “collection/graphic novel” to include it here, but I think understandably so.

Ranking at No. 7 is “Invincible” Vol. 1 from Image Comics, continuing to see interest here driven by the streaming animated series.

Marvel’s strongest seller as a new comic series this quarter was also its strongest seller as a back issue.

“Daredevil” surged back from No. 10 last quarter to No. 1 this quarter in back-issue sales, with the new comic-book series and the streaming series likely helping with interest.

“Master of Kung-Fu” makes a strong showing at No. 2, perhaps driven by continued interest in artist Mike Zeck among others. “Thor” falls from No. 2 last quarter to No. 3 in the second quarter. Both of these titles could have been pushed by speculation around the upcoming film “Avengers: Doomsday” as well.

A few DC titles hold slots in the top 10, with “Demon” at No. 4, “Nightwing” at No. 5, and “Hawkworld” at No. 8.

“ROM,” possibly driven by interest from Skybound’s blind bag surprise issue, lands at No 6. “Iron Man” takes No. 7, with “Silver Surfer” at No. 9 and “Uncanny X-Men” at No. 10.

Image and Dark Horse missed out on the top 10 for this quarter, but “The Maxx” and “B.P.R.D.” land in the top 25.

Matthew Price, matthew@matthewLprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.