The Best-Selling Graphic Novels of 2024 Have Been Revealed and ‘Dog Man’ Is Crushing It
The numbers are in, and 2024 has been a huge year for graphic novels, with one title standing head and shoulders above the rest. I’m talking about ‘Dog Man’ by Dav Pilkey, which has once again proven it’s a force to be reckoned with. The latest book in the series, ‘The Scarlet Shedder,’ sold over 1.2 million copies, making it not just the top graphic novel but also the best-selling children’s book of the year. It’s clear kids can’t get enough of this half-dog, half-man superhero.
Sales figures for 2024 show ‘Dog Man’ crushing the competition. ‘The Scarlet Shedder,’ released in March, flew off shelves with nearly 1.3 million copies sold in North America alone. That’s a jaw-dropping number, especially when you compare it to other big names. For example, heavyweights like ‘Absolute Batman #1’ and ‘Ultimate Spider-Man #1’ topped comic store charts but only moved around 450,000 copies each. ‘Dog Man’ is outpacing these superhero icons by almost three times the amount, which is wild to think about.
What’s driving this success? Well, ‘Dog Man’ isn’t just a one-hit wonder. The series has been a favorite since it kicked off in 2016, blending silly humor with heartfelt moments. In ‘The Scarlet Shedder,’ our hero gets sprayed by a skunk, turns red from a tomato juice bath, and has to save the day despite being shunned by the town. Kids love the goofy antics, but there’s more to it—Pilkey sneaks in lessons about friendship and bravery that stick with young readers.
Scholastic, the publisher behind ‘Dog Man,’ is having a banner year. They’ve got a lock on the children’s graphic novel market, with other hits like ‘Amulet: Waverider’ by Kazu Kibuishi selling over 125,000 copies and ‘Baby-Sitters Club: Kristy and the Walking Disaster’ pulling in similar numbers. Even older ‘Dog Man’ books like ‘Big Jim Begins’ and ‘Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea’ keep racking up sales, showing the series has staying power. Scholastic’s dominance is so strong that every graphic novel crossing the 100,000-copy mark this year came from their lineup.
The movie buzz is only adding fuel to the fire. ‘Dog Man,’ directed by Peter Hastings, follows the origin story of a police dog and his owner fused into one crime-fighting hybrid. It’s already topping box office charts early in 2025, and with ‘Big Jim Begins’ dropping in December 2024, the franchise is everywhere. I can see why kids are hooked—the mix of action, laughs, and that lovable dog-man duo is tough to beat.
Other titles made waves too. ‘Wings of Fire: Escaping Peril’ and ‘The Dragonet Prophecy’ by Tui T. Sutherland kept fantasy fans happy, each selling well over 100,000 copies. ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s: Fazbear Frights Graphic Novel Collection 4’ tapped into the horror game craze with solid numbers, and ‘Smile’ by Raina Telgemeier proved it’s still a go-to read years after its debut. But none came close to ‘Dog Man’s’ monster sales.
It’s not just about the numbers, though. Pilkey’s work has a special charm. He started ‘Dog Man’ as a kid with dyslexia and ADHD, doodling stories in school. Now, he’s turned that into a global hit, with over 60 million copies sold across the series. His books are easy to read, packed with drawings, and don’t talk down to kids, which is probably why they keep coming back.
So, what’s the takeaway? 2024 showed us that children’s graphic novels are a powerhouse, and ‘Dog Man’ is leading the charge. While superhero comics like Batman and Spider-Man still have their place, it’s a dog in a cape that’s stealing the spotlight. We’ll see if 2025 keeps the streak going, but for now, Pilkey and his crime-fighting pup are on top of the world.