The announcement was made the week the film Watchmen, based on the comic book of the same name, was released in movie theaters throughout the U.S.[4] The Best Seller lists are printed weekly in The New York Times Book Review magazine, which is published in the Sunday edition of The New York Times and as a stand-alone publication.
In addition, these rankings also include unit sales reported by retailers nationwide that specialize in graphic novels and comic books.
[5] A Drifting Life, an autobiographical manga by Yoshihiro Tatsumi, appeared on the May 3, 2009, Best Seller list for paperback graphic novels, where it ranked third.
[11] Junjo Romantica became the first yaoi (boys' love) title to enter the Best Seller list when it debuted in week 28.
[12] Death Note's L: Change the World became the first light novel to enter the top ten rankings in week 43.
Black Butler, Hetalia: Axis Powers, and Rosario + Vampire: Season II were the only three titles to reach the top rank on the week of their series debut.
[16] Gustines observed that the week 45 releases of Bakuman, D.Gray-man, and Otomen demonstrated the diversity of the Viz Media's publishing line.
Deb Aoki noted that while the second volume of Hetalia: Axis Powers debuted at the top of the Best Seller list, the series may be selling more than the charts indicate because The New York Times does not include sales from digital download sites such as comiXology and Zinio.