DC vs Image Comics:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, DC had more branded searches than Image Comics among comic book publishers worldwide. DC had about 246,000 branded searches, while Image Comics had 49,500. DC made up 24.2% of all comic book publisher searches we track, and Image Comics accounted for 4.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about comic book publishers, Image Comics appeared in all five answers and DC in four. DC was mentioned before Image Comics in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
DC, about 5 searches for every 1 for Image Comics
Who does AI mention more?
Image Comics, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
DC, named ahead of Image Comics in 3 of 5 answers
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Top comic book publishers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Image Comics appeared in all five answers. DC was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. DC was listed before Image Comics in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Image Comics1st
Marvel2nd- DC3rd
Dark Horse4th
IDW5th
Oni Press6th
Boom Studios–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Dark Horse5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Image Comics5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- DC4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Marvel4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- IDW3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Oni Press2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Boom Studios0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about comic book publishers
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which comic book publisher should I hire?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best comic book publishers?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best comic book publisher for a creator portfolio?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“comic book publishers”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“indie comic publishers”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is DC or Image Comics more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for DC and Image Comics by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven comic book publishers we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for DC, Image Comics. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Dark Horse | DC | Image Comics | IDW | Boom Studios | Marvel | Oni Press |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 28.6% | 52.3% | 8.6% | 5.7% | 1.7% | 2.1% | 0.94% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.4% | 33% | 8.1% | 5.4% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 0.72% |
| Dec 2025 | 42.1% | 42.1% | 6.9% | 5.7% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.62% |
| Jan 2026 | 32.3% | 48.1% | 9.7% | 6.5% | 1.6% | 1.1% | 0.86% |
| Feb 2026 | 35.4% | 43.2% | 10.6% | 7.1% | 1.7% | 0.95% | 0.95% |
| Mar 2026 | 31.4% | 46.8% | 11.5% | 6.3% | 1.9% | 1% | 1% |
| Apr 2026 | 35.6% | 43.6% | 13.1% | 4.8% | 1.4% | 0.78% | 0.64% |
| May 2026 | 59.7% | 26.7% | 8% | 3.6% | 0.88% | 0.48% | 0.59% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.5% | 34.4% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.62% |
| Jul 2026 | 42.1% | 42.1% | 8.5% | 4.6% | 1.4% | 0.62% | 0.75% |
| Aug 2026 | 38.6% | 47.2% | 7.8% | 3.5% | 1% | 1.3% | 0.56% |
| Sep 2026 | 66.1% | 24.2% | 4.9% | 3.2% | 0.8% | 0.43% | 0.43% |
How has the DC and Image Comics comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- DC was ahead of Image Comics in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, DC’s share of searches among comic book publishers worldwide moved from 52.3% to 24.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 301K to 246K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Image Comics’ share of searches among comic book publishers worldwide moved from 8.6% to 4.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 49.5K.
How did search popularity change for comic book publishers worldwide in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, Dark Horse overtook DC to become the leader among comic book publishers worldwide, with 66.1% of the searches.
In September 2026, DC lost share of searches among comic book publishers worldwide, from 47.2% to 24.2%.
In September 2026, Image Comics lost share of searches among comic book publishers worldwide, from 7.8% to 4.9%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using DC’s and Image Comics’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
DC
1 branded search term
- dc comics
Image Comics
1 branded search term
- image comics
Other head-to-heads among comic book publishers
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