The New York Times recently released their first ever graphic novel best seller's list, and look what came in at #3:

Graphic Books Best Seller List (Softcover)

1. Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. (DC Comics, $19.99.) This epic tale from 1986 signaled a new maturity in comic books.

2. Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers by Christopher Yost and Takeshi Miyazawa. (Marvel Comics, $12.99.) The two teams combat the shapeshifting Skrulls.

3. Secret Invasion: Black Panther by Jason Aaron and Jefte Palo. (Marvel Comics, $12.99.) The Skrulls attack the hero’s homeland of Wakanda and come to regret it.

4. Captain America, Vol. 3 by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting. (Marvel Comics, $14.99.) Bucky Barnes, former sidekick to the Captain, tries to fill his patriotic boots.

5. Tales of the Green Lantern Corps, Vol. 1 by various. (DC Comics, $19.99.) Get to know Green Lantern’s interstellar brotherhood in this collection of stories.

6. Showcase: Superman Family, Vol. 3 by various. (DC Comics, $16.99.) Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane cause a lot of mischief in this black and white collection of stories.

7. The Courtyard by Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows. (Avatar Press, $7.99.) An F.B.I. agent investigates seemingly unconnected murders.

8. X-Men: Legacy – Sins of the Father by Mike Carey and Scot Eaton. (Marvel Comics, $14.99.) Charles Xavier, the founder of the X-Men, looks back at his past.

9. Uncanny X-Men: End of History, Vol. 1 by Chris Claremont and Alan Davis. (Marvel Comics, $12.99.) The mutant heroes fight the Fury, an enemy of Captain Britain.

10. Superman: Camelot Falls, Vol. 2 by Kurt Busiek and Carlos Pacheco. (DC Comics, $12.99.) Is the man of steel doing humanity more harm than good?

Pretty sweet surprise. Full lists here:

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/05/introducing-the-new-york-times-graphic-books-best-seller-lists/

I bid goodbye to the country of Wakanda today as my last issue of BLACK PANTHER ships. It was a fun three issues, and I don't regret for a second that so many Skrulls had to die during the making of this series. Adieu, King T'Challa. Adieu. Perhaps we'll meet again some day.

My first two issues of BLACK PANTHER have both sold out, so thanks everybody for the support. The second printing of issue #39 is out next week.

Marvel is proud to announce that Black Panther #40 has sold out at Diamond (though copies may be available at the retail level) and will return with Black Panther #40 Second Printing Variant! With Secret Invasion underway, the Skrulls go to war with the nation of Wakanda! Join red-hot star writer Jason Aaron (Ghost Rider), along with rising star artist, Jefte Palo (X-Force: Ain't No Dog), as the Black Panther takes on an army of Super-Skrulls! Plus, an all new explosive cover, featuring the interior art of Jefte Palo! This marks the second straight sell out for this storyline.

The reviews are in and the critics are raving about this Secret Invasion tie-in!

"Praise be to the Panther God... Jason Aaron "gets" Black Panther." --Jesse Schedeen of IGN.com

"Writer Jason Aaron has done a good job... His Black Panther is a fantastic tactician who is able to dispatch Super-Skrulls with surgical skill." --Shawn Kirk of ComicNewsI.com

"Structure and pacing are excellent, and specific characters are beautifully rendered." --Mark J. Hayman of ComicsBulletin.com

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Secret Invasion and all tie-in issues, as they continue to sell out quickly at Diamond. Don't miss your second chance for this Secret Invasion tie-in!

As war rips across the globe, the Skrulls might just have Black Panther where they want him! Make sure you check out Black Panther #40 Second Printing Variant!

BLACK PANTHER #40 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (JUL088530)
Written by JASON AARON
Pencils and Cover by JEFTE PALO
Rated T+ $2.99
FOC - 9/18/08, On-Sale - 10/08/08

BLACK PANTHER #39, originally uploaded by Jason Aaron.

It's my first time working within a major company-wide crossover, and I'm pretty proud of how it turned out. Fun little sandbox to play in. Look for it in stores today and let me know what you think.

Over at Newsarama.

What I shamefully failed to mention is that interior art for the arc will be provided by Jefte Paolo and covers by Jason Pearson.

SCALPED #16 is out this week, featuring the penultimate chapter of the "Dead Mothers" storyline and introducing a new character that was first mentioned way back in SCALPED #1. Also this week, you'll notice an interview with me running in the back of different Marvel comics, and in said interview I mention that I'll be doing the three part Secret Invasion tie-in arc for BLACK PANTHER. More info on that coming soon.