Comic books have been unceremoniously dropped from the New York Times Bestseller lists.



Graphic novels can no longer be @nytimes bestsellers as of February 5th. No explanation for change, I think we deserve one. Please RT! — Charlie Olsen (@ComicsisPeople) January 25, 2017

When the email subscription for the February 5th NY Times Best Sellers List went out, it included a note saying, “Beginning with the advance BSL edition that will be delivered today for February 5, 2017 there will be revisions to multiple categories in the publication. These changes will span weekly and monthly lists.” Those “revisions” were the removal of the Bestseller lists for hardcover graphic novels, softcover graphic novels, and manga.This was first picked up on by literary agent Charles Olsen, who posted the news on Twitter.Comics culture site The Beat posted a comment from The Times, calling the inclusion of comics categories an "experiment."

"Beginning February 5, The New York Times will eliminate a number of print but mostly online-only bestseller lists. In recent years, we introduced a number of new lists as an experiment, many of which are being discontinued.

We will continue to cover all of these genres of books in our news coverage (in print and online). The change allows us to devote more space and resources to our coverage beyond the bestseller lists.

Our major lists will remain, including: Top 15 Hardcover Fiction, Top 15 Hardcover Nonfiction, Top 15 Combined Print and E Fiction, Top 15 Combined Print and E Nonfiction, Top 10 Children’s Hardcover Picture Books, Top 10 Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover Chapter Books, Top 10 Children’s Young Adult Hardcover Chapter Books and Top 10 Children’s Series. Several more including Paperback Trade Fiction, Paperback Nonfiction, Business, Sports, Science and Advice Miscellaneous will remain online.

Readers will be notified that individual lists will no longer be compiled and updated by The New York Times on the relevant article pages."

Comics first joined the Bestseller list in 2009 when Watchmen debuted in theaters. With struggling sales plaguing the comics industry over the years, graphic novels have been a bright spot for the market. One recent example is John Lewis’ graphic novel trilogy March, which made the NY Times Bestseller list in addition to winning four awards from the American Library Association and topping the Amazon Bestseller List.When The Times first added the comics categories, they wrote that it was because “comics have finally joined the mainstream.” With numerous blockbuster movies and TV shows based off comics currently dominating pop culture, it’s unknown what caused the publication to change its mind. A request for comment on this was not immediately returned.

Joshua is IGN’s Comics Editor. If Pokemon, Green Lantern, or Game of Thrones are frequently used words in your vocabulary, you’ll want to follow him on Twitter @JoshuaYehl and IGN