These days, it's practically impossible to ignore the growing prevalence of superheroes. Every few months, it seems, some strapping young lad slaps on the spandex and appears as a new iteration of Batman or Spider-Man or one of the (many, many) Avengers. But let's not forget the true origin stories behind these characters—or forget to pay our respects to the best comics of all time.
Though superhero movies rake in Hulk-sized amounts of revenue (the Marvel Cinematic Universe alone has grossed nearly $17 billion), comic book sales are nothing to sneeze at, either. Some series, in fact, have sold more than a billion copies. Herein, we've gathered together the best-selling comic book series ever, according to the expert counters at Guinness World Records and Education Week. We'd venture to say many of them are also the best comics of all time. And for more chart-smashers, check out these 30 Best-Selling Novels of All Time.
1 | Micky Maus by Egmont Ehapa
Year released: 1951
Copies sold: 1 billion
The most iconic and prolific best comics of all time, Micky Maus contained all of the most popular Disney characters and their daily dealings.
2 | The Beano by DC Thomson
Year released: 1938
Copies sold: 1 billion
Beano is the longest-running British comic series, featuring characters like Dennis the Menace, Minnie the Minx, and the Bash Street Kids. Over the years, the comics have been known for glorifying immoral behavior like robbery and bullying, though recently there has been a push to change this message. And for more immoral hilarity in text form, check out these 30 Funniest Celebrity Books.
3 | Classics Illustrated by Elliot Publishing Co., Gilberton Company, and Frawley Corporation
Year released: 1941 (stopped printing in 1971)
Copies sold: 1 billion
Classics Illustrated is an American comic book series that has featured adaptations of classics like Les Miserables, Moby Dick, and Hamlet. The comics are most distinguishable for their colorful and detailed covers.
4 | Superman by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
Year released: 1938
Copies sold: 600 million
This fictional superhero was created first with this series. After its debut, Superman became an instant success with newspaper strips, video games, and various movie and television adaptations. Now, it's no doubt one of the best comics of all time. And for more Superman trivia, check out The Untold Story Behind The Death of Superman.
5 | Batman by Bob Kane and Bill Finger
Year released: 1939
Copies sold: 460 million
Batman, the second-best superhero in a cape, was created just a year after Superman, in 1939. Similar to its predecessor, Batman received instant success and led to further adaptations of the comic series. And for more guy-friendly reads, check out these 40 Books Every Man Over 40 Should Have on His Bookshelf.
6 | One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
Year released: 1997
Copies sold: 440 million
This Japanese series, One Piece, follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a superhero in his own right after eating a Devil Fruit that allowed for his skin to have rubber-like properties. Along with his crew of pirates, the Straw Hat Pirates, Monkey searches for the world's ultimate treasure known as the "One Piece."
7 | Spider-Man by Marvel
Year released: 1963
Copies sold: 360 million
One of the most popular and commercially successful superheroes, Spider-Man, has maintained cult status in the eyes of geeks (and even normal people) for decades. That versatility makes it one of the best comics of all time.
8 | Asterix by Rene Goscinny, Albert Uderzo, and Jean-Yves Ferri
Year released: 1959 (stopped printing in 2010)
Copies sold: 352 million
Asterix, or the Adventures of Asterix, is a French comic book series following a village of Gauls as they resist Roman occupation in 50 B.C. They do so with the help of a magic potion brewed by Druids that gives them superhuman strength.
9 | Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz
Year released: 1950 (stopped printing in 2000)
Copies sold: 300 million
Perhaps the most iconic comic series, Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz followed main character Charlie Brown and all of his friends—each with unique and intelligent personality traits that allowed the story to continue for 50 years.
10 | Lucky Luke by Morris, Rene Goscinny
Year released: 1946
Copies sold: 300 million
Lucky Luke is a Belgian comic series set in the American Old West, following the adventures of gunslinger Lucky Luke, or the "man who shoots faster than his shadow." Throughout the series, Luke has been pitted against various villains, either fictional or real (like the Dalton Brothers).
11 | X-Men by Marvel
Year released: 1963
Copies sold: 270 million
This American series centers on characters like Professor X and Wolverine—humans with supernatural abilities. Similar to other American classics, X-Men has been adapted into multiple successful films.
12 | Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama
Year released: 1984 (stopped printing in 1995)
Copies sold: 240 million
This hugely successful Japanese media franchise follows the adventures of Son Goku from childhood to adulthood as he trains in martial arts. In Dragon Ball, Son Goku explores the world in seven orbs— known as Dragon Balls.
13 | Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto
Year released: 1999
Copies sold: 220 million
Naruto is a Japanese series following a young ninja, Naruto Uzumaki, who dreams of becoming the Hokage, or leader of his village. This series has also seen a rise in popularity in the U.S., where it's been featured on USA Today and The New York Times.
14 | Captain America by Marvel
Year released: 1941
Copies sold: 210 million
Captain America was designed as a patriotic supersoldier during World War II, fighting the Axis powers and demonstrating pride in American soldiers. Captain America was the first Marvel Comics character to appear in media outside of the comic strip when it was made into a movie in 1944 starring Dick Purcell.
15 | Golgo 13 by Takao Saito
Year released: 1968
Copies sold: 200 million
Golgo 13, a Japanese comic book series, follows the title character, an assassin for hire. Part of the appeal to this series is the eerie mystery of the main character, who carries out assassin missions with indifference and cold calculation.
16 | The Adventures of Tintin by Herge
Year released: 1929 (stopped printing in 1976)
Copies sold: 200 million
The Adventures of Tintin is a French comic book series often noted as one of the most popular series of the 20th century in Europe. The series follows a young Belgian reporter and his canine sidekick, Snowy.
17 | Spike and Suzy by Willy Vandersteen
Year released: 1945
Copies sold: 200 million
Spike and Suzy is a Belgian comics series that focuses on the adventures of Spike and Suzy, and their daily encounters with supernatural beings like ghosts and talking animals.
18 | Case Closed by Gosho Aoyama
Year released: 1994
Copies sold: 200 million
The Japanese detective series Case Closed follows an amateur detective, Jimmy Kudo, who was transformed into a child when he was forced to ingest an experimental poison by the sinister company called the Black Organization.
19 | Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo by Osamu Akimoto
Year released: 1976 (stopped printing in 2016)
Copies sold: 156.5 million
Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo, also shortened to KochiKame, takes places in present-day Tokyo and involves the comedic misadventures of middle-aged cop Kankichi Ryotsu.
20 | Diabolik by Angela and Luciana Giussani
Year released: 1962
Copies sold: 150 million
Diabolik is an Italian comics series centered on the dealings of the main character, Diabolik, an anti-hero and thief. Over time, Diabolik begins to show remorse for all that he has done—and transforms him into the hero.
21 | Spawn by Todd McFarlane
Year released: 1992
Copies sold: 150 million
American comic series Spawn, though relatively new, has garnered critical acclaim for its ability to create a sympathetic anti-hero in the main character, Albert Francis Simmons.
22 | The Phantom by Lee Falk
Year released: 1936
Copies sold: 150 million
The Phantom is an American comic book series following the main character, The Phantom, as he fights crime in the fictional African country of Bangalia.
23 | Garfield by Jim Davis
Year released: 1978
Copies sold: 135 million
The world's first grumpy cat, Garfield, mimics our own hatred of Mondays, diets, and, well, waking hours.
24 | Oishinbo by Tetsu Kariya and Akira Hanasaki
Year released: 1983
Copies sold: 130 million
Oishinbo is a Japanese comic series about a culinary journalist, Shiro Yamaoka, and his partner, Yuko Kurita. The series Shiro as he engages in multiple culinary battles.
25 | Avengers by Marvel
Year released: 1963
Copies sold: 125-135 million
The Avengers features the "earth's mightiest heroes" like Ant-Man, The Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, and the Wasp. While the dream team has since changed to feature other prominent superheroes, Marvel Comics has found the bulk of its success from this comic series.
26 | Bleach by Tite Kubo
Year released: 2001 (stopped printing in 2016)
Copies sold: 120 million
Bleach tells the story of hotheaded teenager Ichigo Kurosaki, who obtains the power of a "Soul Reaper"—one who protects humankind from evil spirits. This Japanese series follows Ichigo on many dark and dangerous jaunts into various realms of the universe.
27 | Slam Dunk by Takehiko Inoue
Year released: 1990 (stopped printing in 1996)
Copies sold: 120 million
In Slam Dunk, a Japanese comic book series, the main character, Hanamichi Sakuragi, not only gets the girl (after being denied by a whopping 50 other girls) and finds what he's truly great at—basketball.
28 | Amar Chitra Katha by Amar Chitra Katha Pvt. Ltd.
Year released: 1967
Copies sold: 100 million
Amar Chitra Katha is India's best-selling comic book series, started by Anant Pai, who set out to teach Indian students about their cultural heritage. The stories in each comic are based on Sanskrit and regional classics.
29 | Astro Boy by Osamu Tezuka
Year released: 1952 (stopped printing 1968)
Copies sold: 100 million
Astro Boy is a Japanese comic following the adventures of Astro Boy, an android with human emotions, created by Umataro Tenma after the death of his son. At the end of the day, Astro just wants to live life like every normal robot boy.
30 | Casper the Friendly Ghost by Seymour Reit and Joe Oriolo
Year released: 1949
Copies sold: 100 million
The only ghost story that won't totally freak you out—Casper the Friendly Ghost follows the title character through a number of spooky twists and turns. And for more great reads, check out The 5 Books Bill Gates Says You Should Read This Summer.
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