DC Comics Month-to-Month Sales: December 2013 — The Caped Crusader towers at the top

by Frans van der Strack
[Before our new DC analyst takes over with the January figures, here is a fill-in column, written by a close friend of Marc-Oliver Frisch and specially selected by him for the task.]

The month of December was dripping with excitement at DC Comics, as the publisher’s comic-book line shivered on the brink of a new year of bold opportunities and potential tours de force. DC’s œuvre held strong and even grew slightly in total unit sales versus November, as the publisher thrust into an already booming direct market with stiff opposition its new DC Universe title JUSTICE LEAGUE 3000.

The Vertigo imprint, alas, which added DEAD BOY DETECTIVES to its arousing line-up in December, continued its refractory period in-between new issues of THE SANDMAN, the second and next of which shall find release no sooner than February.

With gratitude, I acknowledge Mr. Milton Griepp at ICv2.com, as well as my predecessor, Mr. Mark Olivier-Frisch. The countless numbers and calculations that follow were used with their kind permission.

* * *

3 - BATMAN
12/2003: Batman #622 --  91,899 [94,045]
12/2008: Batman #682 --  93,469
12/2009: Batman #694 --  65,908
12/2010: Batman #705 --  63,262
12/2011: Batman #4   -- 133,781 [144,777]
-------------------------------
12/2012: Batman #15  -- 151,568 (-  5.1%)
01/2013: Batman #16  -- 145,923 (-  3.7%)
02/2013: Batman #17  -- 150,684 (+  3.3%)
03/2013: Batman #18  -- 137,893 (-  8.5%)
04/2013: Batman #19  -- 132,147 (-  4.2%)
05/2013: Batman #20  -- 129,039 (-  2.4%)
06/2013: Batman #21  -- 142,088 (+ 10.1%) [156,845]
07/2013: Batman #22  -- 132,047 (-  7.1%)
08/2013: Batman #23  -- 128,230 (-  2.9%)
09/2013: #23.1: Jkr  -- 151,351 (+ 18.0%)
09/2013: #23.2: Rdlr -- 140,065 (-  7.5%)
09/2013: #23.3: Pngn -- 120,026 (- 14.3%)
09/2013: #23.4: Bane -- 124,382 (+  3.6%)
10/2013: Batman #24  -- 124,652 (+  0.2%)
11/2013: Batman #25  -- 125,602 (+  0.8%)
12/2013: Batman #26  -- 119,443 (-  4.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 15.9%
1 year  : - 21.2%
2 years : - 10.7%
5 years : + 27.8%
10 years: + 30.0%

To the surprise of nary a person, it is none other than the Caped Crusader who led DC’s pantheon of heroes into the next year, once again towering at the top of the publisher’s sundry achievements while in the capable hands of Mr. Scott Snyder, star writer, and Mr. Greg Capullo, artist extraordinaire. As the acclaimed “Zero Year” storyline — chronicling the year before the first year in the Dark Detective’s fabled career — continues, I would be amiss not to mention that this is the lowest number yet for the relaunched BATMAN title, but surely, this can only be a temporary development.

* * *

4 - FOREVER EVIL
09/2013: Forever Evil #1 of 7 -- 139,976
10/2013: Forever Evil #2 of 7 -- 112,944 (-19.3%)
11/2013: Forever Evil #3 of 7 -- 105,755 (- 6.4%)
12/2013: Forever Evil #4 of 7 --  99,351 (- 6.1%)

* * *

41 - FOREVER EVIL: ARKHAM WAR
10/2013: Arkham War #1 of 6 -- 52,004
11/2013: Arkham War #2 of 6 -- 44,133 (-15.1%)
12/2013: Arkham War #3 of 6 -- 39,919 (- 9.6%)

* * *

73 - FOREVER EVIL: ROGUES' REBELLION
10/2013: Rogues' Rebellion #1 of 6 -- 36,545
11/2013: Rogues' Rebellion #2 of 6 -- 30,317 (-17.04%)
11/2013: Rogues' Rebellion #3 of 6 -- 27,363 (- 9.7%)

* * *

94 - FOREVER EVIL: A.R.G.U.S.
10/2013: A.R.G.U.S. #1 of 6 -- 32,146
11/2013: A.R.G.U.S. #2 of 6 -- 25,071 (-22.0%)
12/2013: A.R.G.U.S. #3 of 6 -- 22,758 (- 9.2%)

The four miniseries celebrating DC’s latest crossover achievement continued in December, the proud and sturdy flagship among them being, of course, FOREVER EVIL itself, another triumph by the writer, Mr. Geoff Johns, and the artist, Mr. David Finch, who have contributed so many of the publisher’s recent success stories. The three spin-off efforts are somehwat less cheerfully received by the company’s valiant acolytes, naturally, but such is the nature of the game.

One does wonder, though, at the impropriety of the title, when in fact this shebang shall conclude no later than March! (j/k)

* * *

5 - SUPERMAN UNCHAINED
06/2013: Superman Unchained #1  -- 256,792          [271,721]
07/2013: Superman Unchained #2  -- 165,754 (-35.5%)
08/2013: Superman Unchained #3  -- 136,319 (-17.8%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: --
11/2013: Superman Unchained #4  -- 110,611 (-18.9%)
12/2013: Superman Unchained #5  --  96,322 (-12.9%)
----------------
6 months: -62.5%

And can you guess who might be at the steering wheel of THIS crown jewel in DC’s December line-up, dear readers? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Perish the thought: It’s that Scott Snyder fella again, this time in cahoots with none other than Mr. Jim Lee, former patron saint of the late, great WildStorm imprint!

Now, it goes without saying that the Man of Steel appears to be taking quite a breather there after soaring so high with his first UNCHAINED outing. But with news arriving of the title’s impending conclusion in April, no doubt it will be back up there atop of the Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., Top 300 chart, faster than a speeding bullet!

* * *

7 - HARLEY QUINN
11/2013: Harley Quinn #0  -- 114,212
12/2013: Harley Quinn #1  --  92,153 (-19.3%)

The Clown Princess of Prime, in her own, scintillating new ongoing DC Comics series, no less?! Quick, somebody fetch the Dynamic Duo! (j/k)

All kidding aside, who would have thought we might find this title in such a lofty position on the Diamond comic-book sales chart, a mere six months ago? (And just imagine how boisterous it could be if our good Dr. Quinzel, in her newfound popularity, were to meet a certain Mr. Wade Wilson in a little tête-à-tête among suicidal prankster assassins, in the not-too-distant future? Hint, hint!)

* * *

8/6 - JUSTICE LEAGUE
12/2003: JLA #91             --  58,981
12/2008: Justice League #27  --  75,803
12/2009: Justice League #40  --  68,672
12/2010: JL of America #52   --  48,501
12/2011: Justice League #4   -- 149,314 [152,340]
---------------------------------------
12/2012: Justice League #15  -- 115,074 (+  1.8%)
01/2013: Justice League #16  -- 117,719 (+  2.3%)
02/2013: Justice League #17  -- 105,304 (- 10.6%)
03/2013: Justice League #18  -- 102,494 (-  2.7%)
04/2013: Justice League #19  -- 100,943 (-  1.5%)
05/2013: Justice League #20  --  97,676 (-  3.2%)
06/2013: Justice League #21  --  94,054 (-  3.7%)
07/2013: Justice League #22  -- 110,194 (+ 17.2%) [124,026]
08/2013: Justice League #23  -- 103,936 (-  6.4%)
09/2013: #23.1: Darkseid     -- 111,142 (+  6.9%)
09/2013: #23.2: Lobo         --  79,244 (- 28.7%)
09/2013: #23.3: Dial E       --  64,119 (- 19.1%)
09/2013: #23.4: Secret Socty --  78,014 (+ 21.7%)
10/2013: Justice League #24  --  98,491 (+ 26.3%)
11/2013: --
12/2013: Justice League #25  --  94,004 (-  4.6%)
12/2013: Justice League #26  --  90,592 (-  3.6%)
-----------------
6 months: -  1.9%
1 year  : - 19.8%
2 years : - 38.2%
5 years : + 21.8%
10 years: + 56.5%

And look who’s storming the December 2013 Top 10 with not one, but two issues: It’s the World’s Greatest Heroes — steered, once again, by Mr. Geoff Johns, along with his inimitable once-and-future partner in crime, the one and only Mr. Ivan Reis. There has been a downward trend that needs acknowledging, true enough, and in all fairness, it also should be added that these two episodes were both part of the “Forever Evil” storyline, thus likely enjoying some heightened degree of interest among the comic-book cognoscenti of America. But, given the surprise awaiting readers in the latest issue, a swift return to the title’s former glory should not be ruled out too soon.

* * *

12 - BATMAN/SUPERMAN
12/2003: Superman/Batman #4  -- 102,725 [116,361]
12/2003: Superman/Batman #5  --  96,420 [115,082]
12/2008: Superman/Batman #54 --  45,968
12/2009: Superman/Batman #67 --  49,650
12/2010: Superman/Batman #79 --  30,586
---------------------------------------
06/2013: Batman/Superman #1  -- 143,457          [151,054]
07/2013: Batman/Superman #2  --  92,558 (-35.5%) [ 97,961]
08/2013: Batman/Superman #3  --  87,337 (- 5.6%)
09/2013: #3.1: Doomsday      --  92,290 (+ 5.7%)
10/2013: Batman/Superman #4  --  82,990 (-10.1%)
11/2013: Batman/Superman #5  --  77,198 (- 7.0%)
12/2013: Batman/Superman #6  --  68,857 (-10.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 52.0%
5 years : + 49.8%
10 years: - 30.9%

As we know, it is a sad fact of life that not all the comic-book titles can be Top-10 comic-book titles all of the time, and so we now begin the long trek down into the vapid nether regions of the Top 300 chart.

If this novel BATMAN/SUPERMAN iteration of the erstwhile SUPERMAN/BATMAN revival of the great WORLD’S FINEST tradition were to be found in the animal kingdom, it would surely be a pair of mighty swans with broken wings. But worry not, dear DC Comics aficionado — the hapless buggers might yet catch their fall before making a splash on the New Jersey Turnpike.

* * *

16 - JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
02/2013: JL of America #1    -- 307,734          [326,959]
03/2013: JL of America #2    --  91,734 (-70.2%)
04/2013: --
05/2013: JL of America #3    --  83,283 (- 9.2%)
05/2013: JL of America #4    --  77,856 (- 6.5%)
06/2013: JL of America #5    --  71,793 (- 7.8%)
07/2013: JL of America #6    --  86,192 (+20.1%) [91,344]
08/2013: JL of America #7    --  93,777 (+ 8.8%)
09/2013: #7.1: Deadshot      --  66,815 (-28.8%)
09/2013: #7.2: Killer Frost  --  62,706 (- 6.2%)
09/2013: #7.3: Shadow Thief  --  60,397 (- 3.7%)
09/2013: #7.4: Black Adam    --  74,875 (+24.0%)
10/2013: JL of America #8    --  77,305 (+ 3.3%)
11/2013: JL of America #9    --  71,008 (- 8.2%)
12/2013: JL of America #10   --  65,678 (- 7.5%)
-----------------
6 months: -  8.5%

Not entirely as wretched is the descent of this endeavor launched into the world of comic books with great fanfare by — wouldja believe it? — Mr. Geoff Johns and Mr. David Finch in February.

The merry band of arbiters struggling on its pages to ascertain some grip on the icy slopes of the sequential-arts market subsequent to Mr. Finch’s and Mr. Johns’s respective departures includes, but is not limited to Mr. Brett Booth, Mr. Jeff Lemire, Mr. Doug Mahnke, Mr. Matt Kindt, Mr. Sami Basri, Ms. Carmen Carnero, Mr. Sterling Gates, Mr. Derliz Santacruz, Mr. Tom DeFalco, Mr. Chad Hardin, Mr. Edgar Salazar, Mr. Thomas Derenick and Mr. Eddy Barrows. One can only hope their provisions will last them until the autogiro arrives to lift them out of their slippery predicament! (j/k)

All monkey business aside: The struggle ends in April.

* * *

23 - JUSTICE LEAGUE 3000
12/2013: Justice League 3000 #1  --  57,726

Once ejaculated prematurely into the public eye, the announcement of a new title set in the far-flung future usually reserved for the fan-favorite Legion of Super-Heroes was somewhat marred by the subsequent involuntary ejection of pencil wizard Mr. Kevin Maguire, occasioning a delay of several months ostensibly allowing for adjustments in the tone of the periodical, which, so it would appear, had hitherto been misjudged by the DC Comics editorial offices. But Mr. Giffen, one of the co-authors, expressed giddy relief when one Mr. Howard Porter was enlisted in Mr. Maguire’s stead. Should this new comic-book effort by Messrs. Giffen, DeMatteis and Porter be half as much of a roller-coaster ride for the readers as it was for poor Mr. Maguire, the sales figures can be expected to rocket skyward any moment now.

* * *

27 - DETECTIVE COMICS
12/2003: Detective Comics #789 --  36,456
12/2008: Detective Comics #851 --  64,961
12/2009: Detective Comics #860 --  52,295
12/2010: Detective Comics #872 --  37,961 [39,758]
12/2011: Detective Comics #4   --  99,366
-----------------------------------------
12/2012: Detective Comics #15  -- 106,395 (+ 42.7%)
01/2013: Detective Comics #16  --  92,300 (- 13.3%)
02/2013: Detective Comics #17  --  85,824 (-  7.0%)
03/2013: Detective Comics #18  --  76,237 (- 11.2%)
04/2013: Detective Comics #19  --  77,922 (+  2.2%)
05/2013: Detective Comics #20  --  78,252 (+  0.4%)
06/2013: Detective Comics #21  --  65,200 (- 16.7%)
07/2013: Detective Comics #22  --  63,949 (-  1.9%)
08/2013: Detective Comics #23  --  61,448 (-  3.9%)
09/2013: #23.1: Poison Ivy     --  78,522 (+ 27.8%)
09/2013: #23.2: Harley Quinn   --  89,636 (+ 14.2%)
09/2013: #23.3: Scarecrow      --  73,043 (- 18.5%)
09/2013: #23.4: Man-Bat        --  68,110 (-  6.8%)
10/2013: Detective Comics #24  --  59,310 (- 12.9%)
11/2013: Detective Comics #25  --  64,392 (+  8.6%)
12/2013: Detective Comics #26  --  56,538 (- 12.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 13.3%
1 year  : - 46.9%
2 years : - 43.1%
5 years : - 13.0%
10 years: + 55.1%

And speaking of involuntary ejection, I feel obliged to make mention of Mr. John Layman, who in the interim elected to part ways with DC Comics amicably, but cited lacklustre commercial realities as the cause for his eviction from the pages of DETECTIVE COMICS. There is some truth to that, it cannot be denied. However, I must also urge you to inspect the magazine’s performance in yonder years, when it scarcely addressed two score thousand eager readers. Given the continually interrupted state of affairs DETECTIVE COMICS must endure thanks to the dire and repetitious necessity of the crossover, which, time and time again, tugs at the tenderly woven strands of its yarns, I should judge it imprudent to attribute its recent condition to any one soul.

In any case, the Dark Knight Detective is heading for a reprise of his very first outing, as DETECTIVE COMICS #27 approaches.

* * *

31 - GREEN LANTERN
12/2003: Green Lantern #172 --  31,080
12/2008: Green Lantern #36  --  64,755 [74,005]
12/2009: Green Lantern #49  --  97,285
12/2010: Green Lantern #60  --  76,360
12/2010: Green Lantern #61  --  72,203
12/2011: Green Lantern #4   -- 104,199
--------------------------------------
12/2012: Green Lantern #15  --  74,363 (- 5.3%)
01/2013: Green Lantern #16  --  72,884 (- 2.0%)
02/2013: Green Lantern #17  --  71,060 (- 2.5%)
03/2013: Green Lantern #18  --  69,801 (- 1.8%)
04/2013: Green Lantern #19  --  71,018 (+ 1.7%)
05/2013: Green Lantern #20  --  67,414 (- 5.1%)
06/2013: Green Lantern #21  --  71,870 (+ 6.6%)
07/2013: Green Lantern #22  --  62,415 (-13.2%)
08/2013: Green Lantern #23  --  59,176 (- 5.2%)
09/2013: #23.1: Relic       --  66,495 (+12.4%)
09/2013: #23.2: Mongul      --  63,731 (- 4.2%)
09/2013: #23.3: Black Hand  --  62,753 (- 1.5%)
09/2013: #23.4: Sinestro    --  70,893 (+13.0%)
10/2013: Green Lantern #24  --  57,109 (-19.4%)
11/2013: Green Lantern #25  --  54,322 (- 4.9%)
12/2013: Green Lantern #26  --  51,420 (- 5.3%)
-----------------
6 months: - 28.5%
1 year  : - 30.9%
2 years : - 50.7%
5 years : - 20.6%
10 years: + 65.4%

Marooned by its anterior benefitor of nigh onto nine years, the kind Mr. Johns, GREEN LANTERN is tumbling towards its previous dire state of existence like a chicken with its head cut off or, more aptly perhaps in Mr. Johns’s case, an impermanently revived zombie chicken finally succumbing to the irresistible pull of oblivion.

In brightest day, in blackest night, no ill-advised personnel turnover shall escape my sight! (j/k)

* * *

32 - SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN
10/2013: Superman/Wonder Woman #1  -- 94,859
11/2013: Superman/Wonder Woman #2  -- 60,185 (-36.6%)
12/2013: Superman/Wonder Woman #3  -- 51,357 (-14.7%)

Riding on the Man of Steel’s impervious coattails, this lovely Amazon from Paradise Island was briefly in a position to once more breathe the rarefied air reserved for 50,000-units-and-up publications, but now might soon be relegated to those dank domains of the Diamond Distributor chart usually the dwelling place of glorified sidekicks, feckless Johnny-come-latelies and second-rate spin-off deadbeats.

Such is the fate of a prominent DC Comics female.

* * *

33 - DAMIAN: SON OF BATMAN
10/2013: Son of Batman #1 of 4 -- 63,453
11/2013: Son of Batman #2 of 4 -- 51,840 (-18.3%)
12/2013: Son of Batman #3 of 4 -- 47,389 (- 8.6%)

Apropos of nothing: Damian the Perforated, the latest manifestation of the comic connoissoir’s peculiar variety of thanatophilia.

* * *

36 - BATMAN AND TWO-FACE
12/2009: --
12/2010: Batman and Robin #18 --  68,814
12/2011: Batman and Robin #4  --  76,000
----------------------------------------
12/2012: Batman and Robin #15 --  89,878 (+19.0%)
01/2013: Batman and Robin #16 --  81,494 (- 9.3%)
02/2013: Batman and Robin #17 --  60,988 (-25.2%)
03/2013: Batman and Robin #18 --  69,614 (+14.1%) [76,575]
04/2013: and Red Robin #19    --  89,182 (+28.1%)
05/2013: and Red Hood #20     --  65,222 (-26.9%)
06/2013: and Batgirl #21      --  60,601 (- 7.1%)
07/2013: and Catwoman #22     --  57,808 (- 4.6%)
08/2013: and Nightwing #23    --  55,707 (- 3.6%)
09/2013: #23.1: Two-Face      --  77,073 (+38.4%)
09/2013: #23.2: Court of Owls --  75,546 (- 2.0%)
09/2013: #23.3: Ra's al Ghul  --  73,746 (- 2.4%)
09/2013: #23.4: Killer Croc   --  69,428 (- 5.9%)
10/2013: and Two-Face #24     --  52,060 (-25.0%)
11/2013: and Carrie K. #25    --  53,374 (+ 2.5%)
12/2013: and Two-Face #26     --  46,611 (-12.7%)
----------------
6 months: -23.1%
1 year  : -48.1%
2 years : -38.7%

Might I humbly suggest this sorry stratagem has finally run its course? Forsooth, it carries on and on, if you can believe it, regardless of all the formerly faithful fleeing in fright from this forlorn fling at fastening them further to this fiction’s fortunes.

* * *

40 - BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT
12/2010: Dark Knight #1  --  89,985 [92,791]
12/2011: Dark Knight #4  --  78,689
-----------------------------------
12/2012: Dark Knight #15 --  60,569 (-  3.6%)
01/2013: Dark Knight #16 --  58,258 (-  3.8%)
02/2013: Dark Knight #17 --  55,990 (-  3.9%)
03/2013: Dark Knight #18 --  54,269 (-  3.1%)
04/2013: Dark Knight #19 --  52,644 (-  3.0%)
05/2013: Dark Knight #20 --  50,423 (-  4.2%)
06/2013: Dark Knight #21 --  48,612 (-  3.6%)
07/2013: Dark Knight #22 --  47,096 (-  3.1%)
08/2013: Dark Knight #23 --  45,584 (-  3.2%)
09/2013: #23.1: Vtrlqust --  57,363 (+ 25.8%)
09/2013: #23.2: MrFreeze --  57,349 (-  0.0%)
09/2013: #23.3: Clayface --  55,084 (-  4.0%)
09/2013: #23.4: JkrsDgtr --  64,952 (+ 17.9%) [86,016]
10/2013: Dark Knight #24 --  43,382 (- 33.2%)
11/2013: Dark Knight #25 --  41,634 (-  4.0%)
12/2013: Dark Knight #26 --  39,980 (-  4.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 17.8%
1 year  : - 34.0%
2 years : - 49.2%

The Dark Knight, about to meet with the King of Atlantis, far beneath the waves. Methinks a can of shark deterrent might be just what the doctor ordered! (j/k)

* * *

44 - AQUAMAN
12/2003: Aquaman #13 -- 22,414
12/2011: Aquaman #4  -- 64,961
------------------------------
12/2012: Aquaman #15 -- 75,947 (+41.5%)
01/2013: Aquaman #16 -- 62,153 (-18.2%)
02/2013: Aquaman #17 -- 58,578 (- 5.8%)
03/2013: Aquaman #18 -- 53,337 (- 9.0%)
04/2013: --
05/2013: Aquaman #19 -- 53,415 (+ 0.2%)
05/2013: Aquaman #20 -- 49,697 (- 7.0%)
06/2013: Aquaman #21 -- 46,832 (- 5.8%)
07/2013: Aquaman #22 -- 45,653 (- 2.5%)
08/2013: Aquaman #23 -- 44,140 (- 3.3%)
09/2013: #23.1: BMta -- 58,207 (+31.9%)
09/2013: #23.2: OMtr -- 53,679 (- 7.8%)
10/2013: Aquaman #24 -- 42,248 (-21.3%)
11/2013: Aquaman #25 -- 41,264 (- 2.3%)
12/2013: Aquaman #26 -- 38,841 (- 5.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 17.1%
1 year  : - 48.9%
2 years : - 40.2%
10 years: + 73.3%

But the Lord of the Seven Seas skedaddles, heading, it appears, for the darkest depths of the Ocean in a kinky bout of undersea hide and seek!

* * *

45 - NIGHTWING
12/2003: Nightwing #88  -- 28,976
12/2008: Nightwing #151 -- 35,210
12/2011: Nightwing #4   -- 57,409
---------------------------------
12/2012: Nightwing #15  -- 74,407 (+46.7%)
01/2013: Nightwing #16  -- 69,643 (- 6.4%)
02/2013: Nightwing #17  -- 62,107 (-10.8%)
03/2013: Nightwing #18  -- 48,223 (-22.4%) [53,978]
04/2013: Nightwing #19  -- 46,978 (- 2.6%)
05/2013: Nightwing #20  -- 45,038 (- 4.1%)
06/2013: Nightwing #21  -- 43,353 (- 3.7%)
07/2013: Nightwing #22  -- 42,073 (- 3.0%)
08/2013: Nightwing #23  -- 40,522 (- 3.7%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Nightwing #24  -- 39,853 (- 1.7%)
11/2013: Nightwing #25  -- 44,039 (+10.5%)
12/2013: Nightwing #26  -- 38,452 (-12.7%)
-----------------
6 months: - 11.3%
1 year  : - 48.3%
2 years : - 33.0%
5 years : +  9.2%
10 years: + 32.7%

Remember those godforsaken deadbeat sidekicks?

I rest my case. It ends in April.

* * *

46 - ACTION COMICS
12/2003: Action Comics #810 --  29,509
12/2008: Action Comics #872 --  57,175
12/2009: Action Comics #884 --  31,873
12/2010: Action Comics #896 --  32,357
12/2011: Action Comics #4   -- 112,839
--------------------------------------
12/2012: Action Comics #15  --  61,298 (-  4.7%)
01/2013: Action Comics #16  --  58,645 (-  4.3%)
02/2013: Action Comics #17  --  57,189 (-  2.5%)
03/2013: Action Comics #18  --  61,879 (+  8.2%)
04/2013: Action Comics #19  --  52,007 (- 16.0%)
05/2013: Action Comics #20  --  48,324 (-  7.1%)
06/2013: Action Comics #21  --  46,475 (-  3.8%)
07/2013: Action Comics #22  --  44,861 (-  3.5%)
08/2013: Action Comics #23  --  42,603 (-  5.0%)
09/2013: #23.1: Cyborg Smn  --  69,796 (+ 63.8%)
09/2013: #23.2: Zod         --  69,356 (-  0.6%)
09/2013: #23.3: Lex Luthor  --  67,621 (-  2.5%)
09/2013: #23.4: Metallo     --  51,807 (- 23.4%)
10/2013: Action Comics #24  --  39,620 (- 23.5%)
11/2013: Action Comics #25  --  46,550 (+ 17.5%)
12/2013: Action Comics #26  --  37,489 (- 19.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 19.3%
1 year  : - 38.8%
2 years : - 66.8%
5 years : - 34.4%
10 years: + 27.0%

Q: Whatever happened to the Man of Tomorrow? (A: He left to work on sundry other projects.)

* * *

47 - EARTH 2
12/2012: Earth 2 #7  -- 54,409 (- 6.6%)
01/2013: Earth 2 #8  -- 50,860 (- 6.5%)
02/2013: Earth 2 #9  -- 48,208 (- 5.2%)
03/2013: Earth 2 #10 -- 46,213 (- 4.1%)
04/2013: Earth 2 #11 -- 45,468 (- 1.6%)
05/2013: Earth 2 #12 -- 43,983 (- 3.3%)
06/2013: Earth 2 #13 -- 42,916 (- 2.4%)
07/2013: Earth 2 #14 -- 42,022 (- 2.1%)
08/2013: Earth 2 #15 -- 40,845 (- 2.8%)
09/2013: #15.1: Desd -- 51,850 (+26.9%)
09/2013: #15.2: SlGr -- 52,369 (+ 1.0%)
10/2013: Earth 2 #16 -- 38,389 (-26.7%)
11/2013: Earth 2 #17 -- 39,846 (+ 3.8%)
12/2013: Earth 2 #18 -- 37,130 (- 6.8%)
----------------
6 months: -13.5%
1 year  : -31.8%

With most publications, one can safely assume the Earth will keep spinning once they vanish from the schedule. This is an exception.

* * *

48 - SUPERMAN
12/2003: Superman #200 --  47,346 [51,745]
12/2008: Superman #683 --  55,287
12/2009: Superman #695 --  32,482
12/2010: Superman #706 --  43,027
12/2011: Superman #4   --  76,532
---------------------------------
12/2012: Superman #15  --  51,225 (-  2.6%)
01/2013: Superman #16  --  50,621 (-  1.2%)
02/2013: --
03/2013: Superman #17  --  49,666 (-  1.9%)
03/2013: Superman #18  --  48,236 (-  2.9%)
04/2013: Superman #19  --  48,598 (+  0.8%)
05/2013: Superman #20  --  45,458 (-  6.5%)
06/2013: Superman #21  --  44,285 (-  2.6%)
07/2013: Superman #22  --  42,961 (-  3.0%)
08/2013: Superman #23  --  42,155 (-  1.9%)
09/2013: #23.1: Bzarro --  59,589 (+ 41.4%)
09/2013: #23.2: Brniac --  58,197 (-  2.3%)
09/2013: #23.3: H'el   --  55,069 (-  5.4%)
09/2013: #23.4: Prsite --  59,811 (+  8.6%)
10/2013: Superman #24  --  39,580 (- 33.8%)
11/2013: Superman #25  --  39,295 (-  0.1%)
12/2013: Superman #26  --  36,877 (-  6.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 16.7%
1 year  : - 28.0%
2 years : - 51.8%
5 years : - 33.3%
10 years: - 22.1%

He who supposedly stands for Truth, Justice and the American Way finds himself squiggling down the sales charts not unlike a wounded animal. Is it a dying bird? A plummeting plane? I dare you to believe this man can fly, dear DC Comics customer. A sorry spectacle is unfolding before our eyes. Who is responsible for this?

* * *

49 - FLASH
12/2003: Flash #205      --  34,931 [35,626]
12/2008: Flash #247      --  26,498
12/2009: --
12/2010: Flash #7        --  56,304
12/2010: Flash #8        --  53,975
12/2011: Flash #4        --  77,336
-----------------------------------
12/2012: Flash #15       --  45,925 (-  4.4%)
01/2013: Flash #16       --  44,093 (-  4.0%)
02/2013: Flash #17       --  42,936 (-  2.6%)
03/2013: Flash #18       --  41,659 (-  3.0%)
04/2013: Flash #19       --  42,079 (+  1.0%)
05/2013: Flash #20       --  39,667 (-  5.7%)
06/2013: Flash #21       --  38,848 (-  2.1%)
07/2013: Flash #22       --  38,993 (+  0.4%)
08/2013: Flash #23       --  38,860 (-  0.3%)
09/2013: #23.1: Grodd    --  52,901 (+ 36.1%)
09/2013: #23.2: RvrsFlsh --  53,359 (+  0.9%)
09/2013: #23.3: Rogues   --  51,072 (-  4.3%)
10/2013: Flash #24       --  38,190 (- 25.2%)
11/2013: Flash #25       --  41,838 (+ 10.0%)
12/2013: Flash #26       --  36,601 (- 12.5%)
-----------------
6 months: -  5.8%
1 year  : - 20.3%
2 years : - 52.7%
5 years : + 38.1%
10 years: +  4.8%

Fickle and fleeting is fortune’s embrace.

Once justly lauded as one of the more pleasurable specimens among the newly incited DC Comics publications of the 2011 refurbishing effort, the Fastest Man Alive appears on his last legs — AGAIN!

* * *

50 - JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK
12/2011: Justice League Dark #4   -- 44,750
-------------------------------------------
12/2012: Justice League Dark #15  -- 27,712 (-  4.3%)
01/2013: Justice League Dark #16  -- 26,902 (-  2.9%)
02/2013: Justice League Dark #17  -- 25,841 (-  3.9%)
03/2013: Justice League Dark #18  -- 25,664 (-  0.7%)
04/2013: Justice League Dark #19  -- 25,407 (-  1.0%)
05/2013: Justice League Dark #20  -- 24,693 (-  2.8%)
06/2013: Justice League Dark #21  -- 24,663 (-  0.1%)
07/2013: Justice League Dark #22  -- 68,294 (+176.9%) [76,570]
08/2013: Justice League Dark #23  -- 71,157 (+  4.2%)
09/2013: #23.1: Creeper           -- 46,326 (- 34.9%)
09/2013: #23.2: Eclipso           -- 45,138 (-  2.6%)
10/2013: Justice League Dark #24  -- 45,401 (+  0.6%)
11/2013: Justice League Dark #25  -- 38,760 (- 14.6%)
12/2013: Justice League Dark #26  -- 36,353 (-  6.2%)
-----------------
6 months: + 57.0%
1 year  : + 33.8%
2 years : - 25.0%

A witlessly titled magazine with endearingly passable results.

* * *

53 - BATGIRL
12/2003: Batgirl #47     -- 26,485
12/2008: Batgirl #6 of 6 -- 20,750
12/2009: Batgirl #5      -- 32,482
12/2010: Batgirl #16     -- 25,225
12/2011: Batgirl #4      -- 59,972
----------------------------------
12/2012: Batgirl #15     -- 75,341 (-  2.8%)
01/2013: Batgirl #16     -- 72,470 (-  3.8%)
02/2013: Batgirl #17     -- 65,751 (-  9.6%)
03/2013: Batgirl #18     -- 51,677 (- 21.4%)
04/2013: Batgirl #19     -- 45,939 (- 11.1%)
05/2013: Batgirl #20     -- 42,600 (-  7.3%)
06/2013: Batgirl #21     -- 40,252 (-  5.5%)
07/2013: Batgirl #22     -- 39,218 (-  2.6%)
08/2013: Batgirl #23     -- 37,707 (-  3.9%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Batgirl #24     -- 36,666 (-  2.8%)
11/2013: Batgirl #25     -- 40,752 (+ 11.1%)
12/2013: Batgirl #26     -- 34,885 (- 14.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 13.3%
1 year  : - 53.7%
2 years : - 41.8%
5 years : + 68.1%
10 years: + 31.7%

Behold: the proud leader of a snakebit bunch of DC Comics heroines prominent enough to star in their very own publications.

* * *

57 - GREEN LANTERN CORPS
12/2008: Green Lantern Corps #31 -- 44,033
12/2009: Green Lantern Corps #43 -- 77,774
12/2010: Green Lantern Corps #55 -- 54,387
12/2011: Green Lantern Corps #4  -- 57,180
------------------------------------------
12/2012: Green Lantern Corps #15 -- 47,841 (- 3.5%)
01/2013: Green Lantern Corps #16 -- 45,387 (- 5.1%)
02/2013: Green Lantern Corps #17 -- 44,497 (- 2.0%)
03/2013: Green Lantern Corps #18 -- 44,215 (- 0.6%)
04/2013: Green Lantern Corps #19 -- 43,903 (- 0.8%)
05/2013: Green Lantern Corps #20 -- 43,026 (- 2.0%)
06/2013: Green Lantern Corps #21 -- 45,423 (+ 5.6%)
07/2013: Green Lantern Corps #22 -- 42,194 (- 7.1%)
08/2013: Green Lantern Corps #23 -- 36,229 (-14.1%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Green Lantern Corps #24 -- 37,312 (+ 3.0%)
11/2013: Green Lantern Corps #25 -- 38,369 (+ 2.8%)
12/2013: Green Lantern Corps #26 -- 32,797 (-14.5%)
----------------
6 months: -27.8%
1 year  : -31.5%
2 years : -42.6%
5 years : -25.5%

We are bearing witness, my dear fellow DC acolytes, to the decline and decay of a once magnificent franchise. Woe.

* * *

57 - WONDER WOMAN
12/2003: Wonder Woman #199 --  29,224
12/2008: Wonder Woman #27  --  32,322
12/2009: Wonder Woman #39  --  26,152
12/2010: Wonder Woman #605 --  35,495
12/2011: Wonder Woman #4   --  57,675
-------------------------------------
12/2012: Wonder Woman #15  --  41,641 (-  1.8%)
01/2013: Wonder Woman #16  --  40,105 (-  3.7%)
02/2013: Wonder Woman #17  --  39,110 (-  2.5%)
03/2013: Wonder Woman #18  --  38,406 (-  1.8%)
04/2013: Wonder Woman #19  --  46,492 (+ 21.1%)
05/2013: Wonder Woman #20  --  37,132 (- 20.1%)
06/2013: Wonder Woman #21  --  35,999 (-  3.1%)
07/2013: Wonder Woman #22  --  35,539 (-  1.3%)
08/2013: Wonder Woman #23  --  34,747 (-  2.2%)
09/2013: #23.1: Cheetah    --  49,297 (+ 41.9%)
09/2013: #23.2: First Born --  44,154 (- 10.4%)
10/2013: Wonder Woman #24  --  34,308 (- 22.3%)
11/2013: Wonder Woman #25  --  33,532 (-  2.3%)
12/2013: Wonder Woman #26  --  32,773 (-  2.3%)
-----------------
6 months: -  9.0%
1 year  : - 21.3%
2 years : - 43.2%
5 years : +  1.4%
10 years: + 12.1%

Slip, slip, slippity-slip, slippity-slip, dip, doobah.

The allure of this steadfast Amazon princess, it would seem, is, at times, as unseeable as her aeroplane.

* * *

64 - BATMAN BLACK & WHITE
09/2013: Batman B&W #1 of 6 -- 65,018
10/2013: Batman B&W #2 of 6 -- 37,523 (-42.3%)
11/2013: Batman B&W #3 of 6 -- 33,370 (-11.6%)
12/2013: Batman B&W #4 of 6 -- 30,577 (- 8.4%)

What once begun as a resplendent act of defiance against the four-colour tyranny now seems woefully whimper-bound.

* * *

65 - GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS
12/2010: Emerald Warriors #5  -- 44,077
12/2011: New Guardians #4     -- 53,305
---------------------------------------
12/2012: New Guardians #15    -- 45,136 (- 4.1%)
01/2013: New Guardians #16    -- 43,770 (- 3.0%)
02/2013: New Guardians #17    -- 42,285 (- 3.4%)
03/2013: New Guardians #18    -- 42,028 (- 0.6%)
04/2013: New Guardians #19    -- 41,481 (- 1.3%)
05/2013: New Guardians #20    -- 40,569 (- 2.2%)
06/2013: New Guardians #21    -- 42,290 (+ 4.2%)
07/2013: New Guardians #22    -- 40,788 (- 3.6%)
08/2013: New Guardians #23    -- 34,473 (-15.5%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: New Guardians #24    -- 35,417 (+ 2.7%)
11/2013: New Guardians #25    -- 32,069 (- 9.5%)
12/2013: New Guardians #26    -- 30,489 (- 4.9%)
----------------
6 months: -27.9%
1 year  : -32.5%
2 years : -42.8%

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

* * *

67 - TEEN TITANS
12/2003: Teen Titans #6   -- 69,255 [73,096]
12/2008: Teen Titans #66  -- 36,808
12/2009: Teen Titans #78  -- 43,400
12/2010: Teen Titans #90  -- 25,997
12/2011: Teen Titans #4   -- 54,929
-----------------------------------
12/2012: Teen Titans #15  -- 68,707 (+ 72.9%)
01/2013: Teen Titans #16  -- 63,726 (-  7.3%)
02/2013: Teen Titans #17  -- 39,186 (- 38.5%)
03/2013: Teen Titans #18  -- 42,055 (+  7.3%)
04/2013: Teen Titans #19  -- 39,532 (-  6.0%)
05/2013: Teen Titans #20  -- 36,391 (-  8.0%)
06/2013: Teen Titans #21  -- 34,710 (-  4.6%)
07/2013: Teen Titans #22  -- 33,062 (-  4.8%)
08/2013: Teen Titans #23  -- 31,742 (-  4.0%)
09/2013: #23.1: Trigon    -- 48,974 (+ 54.3%)
09/2013: #23.2: Dthstroke -- 49,920 (+  1.9%)
10/2013: Teen Titans #24  -- 34,536 (- 30.8%)
11/2013: Teen Titans #25  -- 32,395 (-  6.2%)
12/2013: Teen Titans #26  -- 29,149 (- 10.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 16.0%
1 year  : - 57.6%
2 years : - 46.9%
5 years : - 20.8%
10 years: - 57.9%

It ends in April.

* * *

75 - CATWOMAN
12/2003: Catwoman #26 -- 24,601
12/2011: Catwoman #4  -- 45,581
-------------------------------
12/2012: Catwoman #15 -- 35,020 (-45.0%)
01/2013: Catwoman #16 -- 33,915 (- 3.2%)
02/2013: Catwoman #17 -- 30,194 (-11.0%)
03/2013: Catwoman #18 -- 33,220 (+10.0%)
04/2013: Catwoman #19 -- 28,058 (-15.5%)
05/2013: Catwoman #20 -- 26,886 (- 4.2%)
06/2013: Catwoman #21 -- 25,611 (- 4.7%)
07/2013: Catwoman #22 -- 24,737 (- 3.4%)
08/2013: Catwoman #23 -- 24,262 (- 1.9%) [32,158]
09/2013: --
10/2013: Catwoman #24 -- 35,134 (+44.8%)
11/2013: Catwoman #25 -- 29,471 (-16.1%)
12/2013: Catwoman #26 -- 26,482 (-10.1%)
-----------------
6 months: +  3.4%
1 year  : - 24.4%
2 years : - 41.9%
10 years: +  7.7%

At a juncture in history whereupon the most coveted sights in the world are random images of cats and of women, the producers of DC Entertainment are consistently failing to establish their very own Catwoman as a marketable property. Incroyable!

* * *

76 - RED LANTERNS
12/2011: Red Lanterns #4  -- 50,271
-----------------------------------
12/2012: Red Lanterns #15 -- 39,071 (- 4.2%)
01/2013: Red Lanterns #16 -- 38,223 (- 2.2%)
02/2013: Red Lanterns #17 -- 35,839 (- 6.2%)
03/2013: Red Lanterns #18 -- 35,203 (- 1.8%)
04/2013: Red Lanterns #19 -- 34,673 (- 1.5%)
05/2013: Red Lanterns #20 -- 33,923 (- 2.2%)
06/2013: Red Lanterns #21 -- 37,312 (+10.0%)
07/2013: Red Lanterns #22 -- 35,236 (- 5.6%)
08/2013: Red Lanterns #23 -- 29,623 (-15.9%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Red Lanterns #24 -- 30,771 (+ 3.9%)
11/2013: Red Lanterns #25 -- 27,786 (- 9.7%)
12/2013: Red Lanterns #26 -- 26,242 (- 5.6%)
----------------
6 months: -29.7%
1 year  : -32.8%
2 years : -47.8%

The affectionate indifference and charming imbecility on display in the episodes drafted by Mr. Peter Milligan early on have given way to a rather more common mélange of mediocrity.

* * *

80 - RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS
12/2011: Red Hood #4  -- 44,278
-------------------------------
12/2012: Red Hood #15 -- 64,103 (+70.0%)
01/2013: Red Hood #16 -- 59,621 (- 7.0%)
02/2013: Red Hood #17 -- 53,076 (-11.0%)
03/2013: Red Hood #18 -- 37,731 (-28.9%) [42,901]
04/2013: Red Hood #19 -- 36,630 (- 2.9%)
05/2013: Red Hood #20 -- 35,542 (- 3.0%)
06/2013: Red Hood #21 -- 32,416 (- 8.8%)
07/2013: Red Hood #22 -- 30,534 (- 5.8%)
08/2013: Red Hood #23 -- 28,821 (- 5.6%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Red Hood #24 -- 27,128 (- 5.9%)
11/2013: Red Hood #25 -- 30,632 (+12.9%)
12/2013: Red Hood #26 -- 25,382 (-17.1%)
----------------
6 months: -21.7%
1 year  : -60.4%
2 years : -42.7%

Fill its belly with stones, push it down the well.

* * *

81 - SUICIDE SQUAD
12/2011: Suicide Squad #4       -- 34,550
-----------------------------------------
12/2012: Suicide Squad #15      -- 57,132 (- 10.3%)
01/2013: Suicide Squad #16      -- 27,061 (- 52.6%)
02/2013: Suicide Squad #17      -- 26,370 (-  2.6%)
03/2013: Suicide Squad #18      -- 25,232 (-  4.3%)
04/2013: Suicide Squad #19      -- 24,300 (-  3.7%)
05/2013: Suicide Squad #20      -- 23,537 (-  3.1%)
06/2013: Suicide Squad #21      -- 22,907 (-  2.7%)
07/2013: Suicide Squad #22      -- 22,447 (-  2.0%)
08/2013: Suicide Squad #23      -- 22,166 (-  1.3%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Suicide Squad #24      -- 27,762 (+ 25.3%)
11/2013: Suicide Squad #25      -- 27,067 (-  2.5%)
12/2013: Suicide Squad #26      -- 25,346 (-  6.4%)
-----------------
6 months: + 10.7%
1 year  : - 55.6%
2 years : - 26.6%

It ends in April.

* * *

84 - GREEN ARROW
12/2003: Green Arrow #33  -- 36,934
12/2008: Arrow/Canary #15 -- 24,526
12/2009: Arrow&Canary #27 -- 16,904
11/2010: Green Arrow #6   -- 39,575
12/2011: Green Arrow #4   -- 37,116
-----------------------------------
12/2012: Green Arrow #15  -- 20,672 (-  5.3%)
01/2013: Green Arrow #16  -- 19,888 (-  3.8%)
02/2013: Green Arrow #17  -- 36,043 (+ 81.2%)
03/2013: Green Arrow #18  -- 28,080 (- 22.1%)
04/2013: Green Arrow #19  -- 29,922 (+  6.6%)
05/2013: Green Arrow #20  -- 27,541 (-  8.0%)
06/2013: Green Arrow #21  -- 26,924 (-  2.2%)
07/2013: Green Arrow #22  -- 26,172 (-  2.8%)
08/2013: Green Arrow #23  -- 25,449 (-  2.8%)
09/2013: #23.1: CtVertigo -- 43,234 (+ 69.9%)
10/2013: Green Arrow #24  -- 24,620 (- 43.1%)
11/2013: Green Arrow #25  -- 29,591 (+ 20.2%)
12/2013: Green Arrow #26  -- 24,687 (- 16.6%)
-----------------
6 months: -  8.3%
1 year  : + 19.4%
2 years : - 33.5%
5 years : +  0.7%
10 years: - 33.2%

The Emerald Archer is proving remarkably resilient to the gravitational pull, no doubt thanks to the capable hands of Mr. Jeff Lemire.

* * *

85 - BATMAN '66 (Digital-First)
07/2013: Batman '66 #1  -- 50,430
08/2013: Batman '66 #2  -- 37,113 (-26.4%)
09/2013: Batman '66 #3  -- 32,954 (-11.2%)
10/2013: Batman '66 #4  -- 30,099 (- 8.7%)
11/2013: Batman '66 #5  -- 26,785 (-11.0%)
12/2013: Batman '66 #6  -- 24,374 (- 9.0%)

How quaint.

* * *

89 - BATWOMAN
12/2011: Batwoman #4  --  52,757
--------------------------------
12/2012: Batwoman #15 --  34,964 (- 3.9%)
01/2013: Batwoman #16 --  34,103 (- 2.5%)
02/2013: Batwoman #17 --  32,041 (- 6.1%)
03/2013: Batwoman #18 --  31,381 (- 2.1%)
04/2013: Batwoman #19 --  31,538 (+ 0.5%)
05/2013: Batwoman #20 --  29,698 (- 5.8%)
06/2013: Batwoman #21 --  28,173 (- 5.1%)
07/2013: Batwoman #22 --  27,400 (- 2.7%)
08/2013: Batwoman #23 --  26,223 (- 4.3%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Batwoman #24 --  25,609 (- 2.3%)
11/2013: Batwoman #25 --  25,987 (+ 1.5%)
12/2013: Batwoman #26 --  23,311 (-10.3%)
----------------
6 months: -17.3%
1 year  : -33.3%
2 years : -55.8%

* * *

97 - SUPERGIRL
12/2008: Supergirl #36 --  45,491
12/2009: Supergirl #48 --  28,176
12/2010: Supergirl #59 --  22,606
12/2011: Supergirl #4  --  44,180
---------------------------------
12/2012: Supergirl #15 --  30,814 (-  1.5%)
01/2013: Supergirl #16 --  30,350 (-  1.5%)
02/2013: Supergirl #17 --  30,146 (-  0.7%)
03/2013: Supergirl #18 --  28,051 (-  7.0%)
04/2013: Supergirl #19 --  29,558 (+  5.4%)
05/2013: Supergirl #20 --  27,509 (-  6.9%)
06/2013: Supergirl #21 --  25,856 (-  6.0%)
07/2013: Supergirl #22 --  25,514 (-  1.3%)
08/2013: Supergirl #23 --  24,747 (-  3.0%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Supergirl #24 --  23,321 (-  5.8%)
11/2013: Supergirl #25 --  25,377 (+  8.8%)
12/2013: Supergirl #26 --  22,646 (- 10.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 10.8%
1 year  : - 26.5%
2 years : - 48.7%
5 years : - 50.2%

How many rejected second-rate heroines does it take, I wonder?

* * *

100 - CONSTANTINE
12/2003: Hellblazer #191 -- 15,283
12/2008: Hellblazer #250 -- 12,478
12/2009: Hellblazer #262 -- 10,334
12/2010: Hellblazer #274 --  9,342
12/2011: Hellblazer #286 --  9,404
----------------------------------
12/2012: Hellblazer #298 --  9,132 (-  0.2%)
01/2013: Hellblazer #299 --  9,329 (+  2.2%)
02/2013: Hellblazer #300 -- 12,522 (+ 34.2%)
03/2013: Constantine #1  -- 37,564 (+200.0%)
04/2013: Constantine #2  -- 30,789 (- 18.0%)
05/2013: Constantine #3  -- 29,106 (-  5.5%)
06/2013: Constantine #4  -- 26,417 (-  9.2%)
07/2013: Constantine #5  -- 30,664 (+ 16.1%) [35,027]
08/2013: Constantine #6  -- 25,174 (- 17.9%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Constantine #7  -- 22,954 (-  8.8%)
11/2013: Constantine #8  -- 20,981 (-  8.6%)
12/2013: Constantine #9  -- 22,403 (+  6.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 15.2%
1 year  : +145.3%
2 years : +138.2%
5 years : + 79.5%
10 years: + 46.6%

Participation in the prolonged scheme dubbed “Forever Evil” barely disguises the malaise which afflicts this refurbished undertaking.

* * *

103 - INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US (Digital-First)
01/2013: Injustice #1  -- 20,733          [35,438]
02/2013: Injustice #2  -- 17,068 (-17.7%) [29,096]
03/2013: Injustice #3  -- 18,608 (+ 9.0%) [24,469]
04/2013: Injustice #4  -- 21,669 (+16.5%) [26,739]
05/2013: Injustice #5  -- 25,215 (+16.4%)
06/2013: Injustice #6  -- 26,011 (+ 3.2%)
07/2013: Injustice #7  -- 25,731 (- 1.1%)
08/2013: Injustice #8  -- 25,223 (- 2.0%)
09/2013: Injustice #9  -- 24,333 (- 3.5%)
10/2013: Injustice #10 -- 24,788 (+ 1.9%)
11/2013: Injustice #11 -- 22,704 (- 8.4%)
12/2013: Injustice #12 -- 21,871 (- 3.7%)
----------------
6 months: -15.9%

It ends, but rises anew in February.

* * *

107 - DC UNIVERSE VS. MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE
09/2013: DCU vs. MotU #1 of 6 -- 35,269
10/2013: DCU vs. MotU #2 of 6 -- 23,037 (-34.7%)
11/2013: --
12/2013: DCU vs. MotU #3 of 6 -- 21,325 (- 7.4%)

When these two great universes of men in tights, barbarians and monstrosities, which have spawned generations of happy childhood memories, do battle, it is time for the sales analyst to step aside and let the heart rejoice in this fabulous world of imagination.

* * *

109 - WORLDS' FINEST
12/2012: Worlds' Finest #7  -- 32,010 (- 6.8%)
01/2013: Worlds' Finest #8  -- 30,399 (- 5.0%)
02/2013: Worlds' Finest #9  -- 28,332 (- 6.8%)
03/2013: Worlds' Finest #10 -- 28,469 (+ 0.5%)
04/2013: Worlds' Finest #11 -- 27,453 (- 3.6%)
05/2013: Worlds' Finest #12 -- 27,073 (- 1.4%)
06/2013: Worlds' Finest #13 -- 25,815 (- 4.7%)
07/2013: Worlds' Finest #14 -- 25,143 (- 2.6%)
08/2013: Worlds' Finest #15 -- 24,159 (- 3.9%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Worlds' Finest #16 -- 22,987 (- 4.9%)
11/2013: Worlds' Finest #17 -- 21,920 (- 4.6%)
12/2013: Worlds' Finest #18 -- 21,039 (- 4.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 18.5%
1 year  : - 34.3%

Do you, like I, recognize a hint of incongruity between the title’s lofty aspirations and the magazine’s present location on the Diamond Distributor chart, dear fellow DCitizens?

* * *

114 - TRINITY OF SIN: PANDORA
07/2013: Pandora #1  -- 35,106          [41,678]
07/2013: Pandora #2  -- 32,170 (- 8.4%)
08/2013: Pandora #3  -- 34,563 (+ 7.4%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Pandora #4  -- 25,708 (-25.6%)
11/2013: Pandora #5  -- 21,267 (-17.3%)
12/2013: Pandora #6  -- 20,563 (- 3.3%)

For how much longer will boxes of PANDORA be opened by comic-book salesmen? I cannot help but wonder.

* * *

115 - SWAMP THING
12/2011: Swamp Thing #4  -- 44,660
----------------------------------
12/2012: Swamp Thing #15 -- 33,916 (-19.3%)
01/2013: Swamp Thing #16 -- 32,262 (- 4.9%)
02/2013: Swamp Thing #17 -- 31,497 (- 2.4%)
03/2013: Swamp Thing #18 -- 30,716 (- 2.5%)
04/2013: Swamp Thing #19 -- 29,254 (- 4.8%)
05/2013: Swamp Thing #20 -- 27,338 (- 6.6%)
06/2013: Swamp Thing #21 -- 25,186 (- 7.9%)
07/2013: Swamp Thing #22 -- 23,885 (- 5.2%)
08/2013: Swamp Thing #23 -- 22,695 (- 5.0%)
09/2013: #23.1: Arcane   -- 40,390 (+78.0%)
10/2013: Swamp Thing #24 -- 21,724 (-46.2%)
11/2013: Swamp Thing #25 -- 21,141 (- 2.7%)
12/2013: Swamp Thing #26 -- 20,247 (- 4.2%)
----------------
6 months: -19.6%
1 year  : -40.3%
2 years : -54.7%

No safe foothold in these muddy waters.

* * *

117 - TRILLIUM (Vertigo)
08/2013: Trillium #1 of 8 -- 30,712
09/2013: Trillium #2 of 8 -- 24,482 (-20.3%)
10/2013: Trillium #3 of 8 -- 23,037 (- 5.9%)
11/2013: Trillium #4 of 8 -- 20,914 (- 9.2%)
12/2013: Trillium #5 of 8 -- 20,035 (- 4.2%)

The good Mr. Lemire leads Vertigo into a bright new year.

* * *

120 - DEAD BOY DETECTIVES (Vertigo)
12/2013: Dead Boy Detectives #1  -- 21,694

Irritatingly, the eclectic entrepreneurs of the Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., operation insist on the questionable and elusive reduction we, dear readers, have encountered so often when dealing with returnable goods on the sales chart. As an inevitable consequence of this persistent maleficium, sales analysts are forced to make decisions: To tweak, or not to tweak? I tweak, just so you know, dear reader, but do not vouch as to the accuracy of the tweaking.

This, you must know, is an offspring of THE SANDMAN.

* * *

122 - ANIMAL MAN
12/2011: Animal Man #4     -- 42,630
------------------------------------
12/2012: Animal Man #15    -- 32,013 (- 4.5%)
01/2013: Animal Man #16    -- 30,322 (- 5.3%)
02/2013: Animal Man #17    -- 29,425 (- 3.0%)
03/2013: Animal Man #18    -- 28,711 (- 2.4%)
04/2013: Animal Man #19    -- 27,562 (- 4.0%)
05/2013: Animal Man #20    -- 25,807 (- 6.4%)
06/2013: Animal Man #21    -- 23,862 (- 7.5%)
07/2013: Animal Man #22    -- 22,974 (- 3.7%)
08/2013: Animal Man #23    -- 21,634 (- 5.8%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Animal Man #24    -- 20,554 (- 5.0%)
11/2013: Animal Man #25    -- 19,710 (- 4.1%)
12/2013: Animal Man #26    -- 18,823 (- 4.5%)
----------------
6 months: -21.1%
1 year  : -41.2%
2 years : -55.9%

It ends in March.

* * *

123 - TRINITY OF SIN: PHANTOM STRANGER
12/2012: Phantom Stranger #3  -- 23,378 (- 6.4%)
01/2013: Phantom Stranger #4  -- 19,903 (-14.9%)
02/2013: Phantom Stranger #5  -- 18,032 (- 9.4%)
03/2013: Phantom Stranger #6  -- 17,375 (- 3.6%)
04/2013: Phantom Stranger #7  -- 17,326 (- 0.3%)
05/2013: Phantom Stranger #8  -- 16,269 (- 6.1%)
06/2013: ToS: PS #9           -- 17,241 (+ 6.0%)
07/2013: ToS: PS #10          -- 20,636 (+19.7%)
08/2013: ToS: PS #11          -- 26,986 (+30.8%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: ToS: PS #12          -- 19,732 (-26.9%)
11/2013: ToS: PS #13          -- 17,779 (- 9.9%)
12/2013: ToS: PS #14          -- 18,649 (+ 4.9%)
----------------
6 months: + 8.2%
1 year  : -20.2%

It crosses over.

* * *

127 - SUPERBOY
12/2010: Superboy #2  --  31,761
12/2011: Superboy #4  --  40,002
--------------------------------
12/2012: Superboy #15 --  27,619 (-  1.4%)
01/2013: Superboy #16 --  27,110 (-  1.8%)
02/2013: Superboy #17 --  26,762 (-  1.3%)
03/2013: Superboy #18 --  24,455 (-  8.6%)
04/2013: Superboy #19 --  24,211 (-  1.0%)
05/2013: Superboy #20 --  22,508 (-  7.0%)
06/2013: Superboy #21 --  20,952 (-  6.9%)
07/2013: Superboy #22 --  19,984 (-  4.6%)
08/2013: Superboy #23 --  20,235 (+  1.3%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Superboy #24 --  18,341 (-  9.4%)
11/2013: Superboy #25 --  21,449 (+ 17.0%)
12/2013: Superboy #26 --  17,690 (- 17.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 15.6%
1 year  : - 36.0%
2 years : - 55.8%

How many rejected second-rate heroes does it take, I wonder?

* * *

128 - BIRDS OF PREY
12/2003: Birds of Prey #62  -- 30,529
12/2008: Birds of Prey #125 -- 20,161
12/2010: Birds of Prey #7   -- 33,114
12/2011: Birds of Prey #4   -- 34,460
-------------------------------------
12/2012: Birds of Prey #15  -- 24,026 (-  3.5%)
01/2013: Birds of Prey #16  -- 23,182 (-  3.5%)
02/2013: Birds of Prey #17  -- 22,112 (-  4.6%)
03/2013: Birds of Prey #18  -- 21,957 (-  0.7%)
04/2013: Birds of Prey #19  -- 21,707 (-  1.1%)
05/2013: Birds of Prey #20  -- 21,126 (-  2.7%)
06/2013: Birds of Prey #21  -- 20,767 (-  1.7%)
07/2013: Birds of Prey #22  -- 20,209 (-  2.7%)
08/2013: Birds of Prey #23  -- 19,364 (-  4.2%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Birds of Prey #24  -- 18,382 (-  5.1%)
11/2013: Birds of Prey #25  -- 22,751 (+ 23.8%)
12/2013: Birds of Prey #26  -- 17,497 (- 23.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 15.8%
1 year  : - 27.2%
2 years : - 49.2%
5 years : - 13.2%
10 years: - 42.7%

Once imagined by the tremendous Mr. Chuck Dixon as an outlet for the unique adventures of an inspiring wheelchair-bound heroine, which the equally prodigious Ms. Gail Simone further refined into one of the loveliest periodicals of the superhero variety, the BIRDS OF PREY magazine has since been reduced to a dull existence as yet another spin-off, spin-out and spin-away publication.

* * *

131 - TALON
12/2012: Talon #3  -- 35,034 (-15.1%)
01/2013: Talon #4  -- 30,909 (-11.8%)
02/2013: Talon #5  -- 28,003 (- 9.4%)
03/2013: Talon #6  -- 25,440 (- 9.2%)
04/2013: Talon #7  -- 24,045 (- 5.5%)
05/2013: Talon #8  -- 22,710 (- 5.6%)
06/2013: Talon #9  -- 21,755 (- 4.2%)
07/2013: Talon #10 -- 20,296 (- 6.7%)
08/2013: Talon #11 -- 19,449 (- 4.2%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Talon #12 -- 18,218 (- 6.3%)
11/2013: Talon #13 -- 17,218 (- 5.5%)
12/2013: Talon #14 -- 16,373 (- 4.9%)
----------------
6 months: -24.7%
1 year  : -53.3%

It ends in March.

* * *

133 - BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE (Digital-First)
12/2012: Unlimited #11  -- 18,089 (- 4.8%)
01/2013: Unlimited #12  -- 17,446 (- 3.6%)
02/2013: Unlimited #13  -- 17,025 (- 2.4%)
03/2013: Unlimited #14  -- 16,456 (- 3.3%)
04/2013: Unlimited #15  -- 16,283 (- 1.1%)
05/2013: Unlimited #16  -- 15,822 (- 2.8%)
06/2013: Unlimited #17  -- 15,464 (- 2.3%)
07/2013: Unlimited #18  -- 15,275 (- 1.2%)
08/2013: Universe #1    -- 23,358 (+52.9%)
09/2013: Universe #2    -- 18,332 (-21.5%)
10/2013: Universe #3    -- 17,658 (- 3.7%)
11/2013: Universe #4    -- 16,889 (- 4.4%)
12/2013: Universe #5    -- 15,857 (- 6.1%)
----------------
6 months: + 2.5%
1 year  : -12.3%

What happens on-line, stays on-line.

* * *

139 - ASTRO CITY (Vertigo)
06/2013: Astro City #1        -- 27,700
07/2013: Astro City #2        -- 20,193 (-27.1%)
08/2013: Astro City #3        -- 18,802 (- 6.9%)
09/2013: Astro City #4        -- 17,641 (- 6.2%)
10/2013: Astro City #5        -- 16,927 (- 4.1%)
11/2013: Astro City #6        -- 16,031 (- 5.3%)
12/2013: Astro City #7        -- 15,360 (- 4.2%)
----------------
6 months: -44.6%

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

* * *

140 - LARFLEEZE
06/2013: Larfleeze #1  -- 36,638
07/2013: Larfleeze #2  -- 30,221 (-17.5%)
08/2013: Larfleeze #3  -- 21,955 (-27.4%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Larfleeze #4  -- 18,061 (-17.7%)
11/2013: Larfleeze #5  -- 16,157 (-10.5%)
12/2013: Larfleeze #6  -- 15,081 (- 6.7%)
----------------
6 months: -58.8%

Desperate times, desperate measures.

* * *

143 - HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE
12/2012: He-Man #5 of 6 -- 16,858 (- 3.7%)
01/2013: He-Man #6 of 6 -- 16,441 (- 2.5%)
02/2013: --
03/2013: --
04/2013: He-Man #1      -- 25,254 (+53.6%)
05/2013: He-Man #2      -- 19,410 (-23.1%)
06/2013: He-Man #3      -- 18,277 (- 5.8%)
07/2013: He-Man #4      -- 18,101 (- 1.0%)
08/2013: He-Man #5      -- 16,898 (- 6.7%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: He-Man #6      -- 16,294 (- 3.6%)
10/2013: He-Man #7      -- 16,059 (- 1.4%)
11/2013: He-Man #8      -- 15,154 (- 5.6%)
12/2013: He-Man #9      -- 14,465 (- 4.6%)
----------------
6 months: -20.9%
1 year  : -14.2%

What happens in Eternia, stays in Eternia.

* * *

145 - FABLES (Vertigo)
12/2003: Fables #20  -- 25,640
12/2008: Fables #79  -- 22,769
12/2009: Fables #91  -- 20,450
12/2010: Fables #100 -- 23,014
12/2011: Fables #112 -- 17,602
------------------------------
12/2012: Fables #124 -- 16,018 (- 1.3%)
01/2013: Fables #125 -- 15,983 (- 0.2%)
02/2013: Fables #126 -- 15,480 (- 3.2%)
03/2013: Fables #127 -- 15,529 (+ 0.3%)
04/2013: Fables #128 -- 15,606 (+ 0.5%)
05/2013: Fables #129 -- 15,380 (- 1.5%)
06/2013: Fables #130 -- 15,129 (- 1.6%)
07/2013: Fables #131 -- 15,109 (- 0.1%)
08/2013: Fables #132 -- 14,893 (- 1.4%)
09/2013: Fables #133 -- 14,639 (- 1.7%)
10/2013: Fables #134 -- 14,575 (- 0.4%)
11/2013: Fables #135 -- 14,383 (- 1.3%)
12/2013: Fables #136 -- 14,220 (- 1.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 6.0%
1 year  : -11.2%
2 years : -19.2%
5 years : -37.6%
10 years: -44.5%

It ends in 2015.

* * *

151 - ALL STAR WESTERN
12/2008: Jonah Hex #38 -- 12,132
12/2009: Jonah Hex #50 -- 15,131
12/2010: Jonah Hex #62 -- 10,899
12/2011: ASW #4        -- 29,349
--------------------------------
12/2012: ASW #15       -- 19,190 (-  4.9%)
01/2013: ASW #16       -- 18,254 (-  4.9%)
02/2013: ASW #17       -- 17,398 (-  4.7%)
03/2013: ASW #18       -- 16,897 (-  2.9%)
04/2013: ASW #19       -- 16,838 (-  0.4%)
05/2013: ASW #20       -- 16,184 (-  3.9%)
06/2013: ASW #21       -- 15,788 (-  2.5%)
07/2013: ASW #22       -- 15,376 (-  2.6%)
08/2013: ASW #23       -- 15,276 (-  0.7%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: ASW #24       -- 14,378 (-  5.9%)
11/2013: ASW #25       -- 13,937 (-  3.1%)
12/2013: ASW #26       -- 13,440 (-  3.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 14.9%
1 year  : - 30.0%
2 years : - 54.2%
5 years : + 10.8%

What happens in the West, stays in the West.

* * *

157 - SMALLVILLE SEASON 11: ALIEN (Digital-First)
12/2012: Smallville S11 #8  -- 18,633 (- 2.5%)
01/2013: Smallville S11 #9  -- 17,845 (- 4.2%)
02/2013: Smallville S11 #10 -- 17,024 (- 4.6%)
03/2013: Smallville S11 #11 -- 16,502 (- 3.1%)
04/2013: Smallville S11 #12 -- 15,930 (- 3.5%)
05/2013: Smallville S11 #13 -- 15,442 (- 3.1%)
06/2013: Smallville S11 #14 -- 15,097 (- 2.2%)
07/2013: Smallville S11 #15 -- 14,930 (- 1.1%)
08/2013: Smallville S11 #16 -- 14,640 (- 1.9%)
09/2013: Smallville S11 #17 -- 14,153 (- 3.3%)
10/2013: Smallville S11 #18 -- 13,794 (- 2.5%)
11/2013: Smallville S11 #19 -- 13,286 (- 3.7%)
12/2013: Alien #1 of 4      -- 13,019 (- 2.0%)
----------------
6 months: -13.8%
1 year  : -30.1%

What happens on television, stays on television.

* * *

161 - FAIREST (Vertigo)
12/2012: Fairest #10 -- 16,919 (- 2.9%)
01/2013: Fairest #11 -- 16,498 (- 2.5%)
02/2013: Fairest #12 -- 16,141 (- 2.2%)
03/2013: Fairest #13 -- 15,693 (- 2.8%)
04/2013: Fairest #14 -- 15,269 (- 2.7%)
05/2013: Fairest #15 -- 14,959 (- 2.0%)
06/2013: Fairest #16 -- 14,289 (- 4.5%)
07/2013: Fairest #17 -- 13,915 (- 2.6%)
08/2013: Fairest #18 -- 13,511 (- 2.9%)
09/2013: Fairest #19 -- 13,278 (- 1.7%)
10/2013: Fairest #20 -- 13,008 (- 2.0%)
11/2013: --
12/2013: Fairest #21 -- 12,718 (- 2.2%)
----------------
6 months: -11.0%
1 year  : -24.8%

It ends in 2015.

* * *

163 - TEEN TITANS GO (All-Ages)
12/2013: Teen Titans Go #1  --  13,577

I tweak, but do not vouch.

* * *

165 - ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN (Digital-First)
05/2013: Adventures of Superman #1   -- 30,992
06/2013: Adventures of Superman #2   -- 22,407 (-27.7%)
07/2013: Adventures of Superman #3   -- 19,453 (-13.2%)
08/2013: Adventures of Superman #4   -- 17,370 (-10.7%)
09/2013: Adventures of Superman #5   -- 16,011 (- 7.8%)
10/2013: Adventures of Superman #6   -- 14,484 (- 9.5%)
11/2013: Adventures of Superman #7   -- 13,140 (- 9.3%)
12/2013: Adventures of Superman #8   -- 12,142 (- 7.5%)
----------------
6 months: -45.8%

Salmon, it is said, swim upstream. Salmon this most assuredly is not, dear fellow DC Comics acolytes, unless we include the canned, metallic-tasting variety that comes with random fleshy bits of hapless dolphin folk. That one, you must know, rolls downhill.

* * *

173 - COFFIN HILL (Vertigo)
10/2013: Coffin Hill #1  -- 24,129
11/2013: Coffin Hill #2  -- 14,472 (-40.0%)
12/2013: Coffin Hill #3  -- 12,461 (-13.9%)

This new Vertigo magazine of mysteries swiftly approaches those dreaded spheres of the chart where even Vertigo magazines must be mindful not to slip, for each further step can spell certain doom.

* * *

175 - LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT 100 PAGE SUPER SPECTACULAR (Digital First)
12/2013: L. o. t. D. K. S. S. -- 11,091

Lest you were worried that the fine episodes of the eponymous on-line strip would not make it into the print format, here is a legend-sized slap of Caped Crusader for all those of you whose fingers, trees be damned, lust not for touch screens but for a voluptuous glossy-stock experience.

The sweet siren call of this Caxton edition was heeded by a pleasurable number of parchment devotees.

* * *

176 - BATMAN: LI'L GOTHAM (Digital-First)
04/2013: Li'l Gotham #1  -- 27,591
05/2013: Li'l Gotham #2  -- 18,573 (-32.7%)
06/2013: Li'l Gotham #3  -- 18,578 (+ 0.0%)
07/2013: Li'l Gotham #4  -- 21,646 (+16.5%)
08/2013: Li'l Gotham #5  -- 14,696 (-32.1%)
09/2013: Li'l Gotham #6  -- 13,654 (- 7.1%)
10/2013: Li'l Gotham #7  -- 12,919 (- 5.4%)
11/2013: Li'l Gotham #8  -- 12,054 (- 6.7%)
12/2013: Li'l Gotham #9  -- 11,078 (- 8.1%)
----------------
6 months: -40.4%

What happens in Gotham, stays in Gotham.

* * *

179 - BATWING
12/2011: Batwing #4  -- 26,726
------------------------------
12/2012: Batwing #15 -- 14,674 (- 8.1%)
01/2013: Batwing #16 -- 13,427 (- 8.5%)
02/2013: Batwing #17 -- 12,595 (- 6.2%)
03/2013: Batwing #18 -- 12,084 (- 4.1%)
04/2013: Batwing #19 -- 13,570 (+12.3%)
05/2013: Batwing #20 -- 13,302 (- 2.0%)
06/2013: Batwing #21 -- 12,437 (- 6.5%)
07/2013: Batwing #22 -- 12,062 (- 3.0%)
08/2013: Batwing #23 -- 11,584 (- 4.0%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Batwing #24 -- 11,114 (- 4.1%)
11/2013: Batwing #25 -- 16,207 (+45.8%)
12/2013: Batwing #26 -- 10,753 (-33.7%)
----------------
6 months: -13.5%
1 year  : -26.7%
2 years : -59.8%

When I was but a wee lad, a bat crash-landed behind our house, damaging its wings beyond repair. The family cat ate it.

What a calamity.

* * *

183 - HINTERKIND (Vertigo)
10/2013: Hinterkind #1  -- 23,516
11/2013: Hinterkind #2  -- 13,994 (-40.5%)
12/2013: Hinterkind #3  -- 11,777 (-15.8%)

I believe “Hinterkind” is the German word for one child standing in the shadow of another, forever stunted and defined by its sibling’s superior achievements. I do not know in whose shadow HINTERKIND stands, but its swiftly decreasing unit sales give cause for disquietude.

* * *

195 - FBP: FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS (Vertigo)
07/2013: Collider #1  -- 17,336
08/2013: FBP #2       -- 14,068 (-18.9%)
09/2013: FBP #3       -- 13,977 (- 0.7%)
10/2013: FBP #4       -- 11,600 (-17.0%)
11/2013: FBP #5       -- 10,391 (-10.4%)
12/2013: FBP #6       --  9,543 (- 8.2%)

I do not believe that FBP is a German word, but the good folks at DC Comics might want to double-check.

* * *

204 - STORMWATCH
12/2003: StormWatch: TA #18   -- 10,964
12/2008: StormWatch: PHD #17  --  6,468
12/2011: Stormwatch #4        -- 30,987
---------------------------------------
12/2012: Stormwatch #15       -- 15,437 (- 6.8%)
01/2013: Stormwatch #16       -- 14,411 (- 6.7%)
02/2013: Stormwatch #17       -- 13,657 (- 5.2%)
03/2013: Stormwatch #18       -- 13,255 (- 2.9%)
04/2013: Stormwatch #19       -- 13,626 (+ 2.8%)
05/2013: Stormwatch #20       -- 13,049 (- 4.2%)
06/2013: Stormwatch #21       -- 12,277 (- 5.9%)
07/2013: Stormwatch #22       -- 11,792 (- 4.0%)
08/2013: Stormwatch #23       -- 10,969 (- 7.0%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Stormwatch #24       -- 10,067 (- 8.2%)
11/2013: Stormwatch #25       --  9,881 (- 1.9%)
12/2013: Stormwatch #26       --  9,052 (- 8.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 26.3%
1 year  : - 41.4%
2 years : - 70.8%
5 years : + 40.0%
10 years: - 17.4%

It ends in April.

* * *

217 - JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA'S VIBE
02/2013: Vibe #1  -- 27,051
03/2013: Vibe #2  -- 19,092 (-29.4%)
04/2013: Vibe #3  -- 16,972 (-11.1%)
05/2013: Vibe #4  -- 14,970 (-11.8%)
06/2013: Vibe #5  -- 13,706 (- 8.4%)
07/2013: Vibe #6  -- 12,241 (-10.7%)
08/2013: Vibe #7  -- 11,184 (- 8.6%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Vibe #8  -- 10,139 (- 9.3%)
11/2013: Vibe #9  --  9,387 (- 7.4%)
12/2013: Vibe #10 --  8,489 (- 9.6%)
----------------
6 months: -38.1%

It ends now.

* * *

232 - KATANA
02/2013: Katana #1  -- 27,021
03/2013: Katana #2  -- 19,247 (-28.8%)
04/2013: Katana #3  -- 16,157 (-16.1%)
05/2013: Katana #4  -- 14,804 (- 8.4%)
06/2013: Katana #5  -- 12,998 (-12.2%)
07/2013: Katana #6  -- 11,346 (-12.7%)
08/2013: Katana #7  -- 10,386 (- 8.5%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Katana #8  --  9,392 (- 9.6%)
11/2013: Katana #9  --  8,542 (- 9.1%)
12/2013: Katana #10 --  7,856 (- 8.0%)
----------------
6 months: -39.6%

It ends now.

* * *

233 - BEWARE THE BATMAN (All-Ages)
12/2003: Batman Adventures #9  -- 12,884
12/2009: Brave & Bold #12      --  6,342
12/2010: All-New BBB #2        --  6,688
12/2011: All-New BBB #14       --  6,724
----------------------------------------
10/2013: Beware the Batman #1  -- 19,830
11/2013: Beware the Batman #2  -- 10,368 (-47.7%)
12/2013: Beware the Batman #3  --  8,714 (-16.0%)
-----------------
2 years : + 29.6%
10 years: - 32.4%

What happens in the Batcave, stays in the Batcave.

* * *

250 - THE MOVEMENT
05/2013: The Movement #1  -- 29,246
06/2013: The Movement #2  -- 18,001 (-38.5%)
07/2013: The Movement #3  -- 14,524 (-19.3%)
08/2013: The Movement #4  -- 11,095 (-23.6%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: The Movement #5  --  9,110 (-17.9%)
11/2013: The Movement #6  --  7,957 (-12.7%)
12/2013: The Movement #7  --  7,252 (- 8.9%)
----------------
6 months: -59.7%

There is a movement here, ’tis true.

* * *

292 - TOM STRONG AND THE PLANET OF PERIL (Vertigo)
06/2010: Robots of Doom #1 of 6  -- 10,552
07/2010: Robots of Doom #2 of 6  --  7,655
08/2010: Robots of Doom #3 of 6  --  6,989
09/2010: Robots of Doom #4 of 6  --  6,661
10/2010: Robots of Doom #5 of 6  --  6,271
11/2010: Robots of Doom #6 of 6  --  5,995
------------------------------------------
07/2013: Planet of Peril #1 of 6 -- 10,492
08/2013: Planet of Peril #2 of 6 --  7,593 (-27.6%)
09/2013: Planet of Peril #3 of 6 --  6,746 (-11.2%)
10/2013: Planet of Peril #4 of 6 --  ?
11/2013: Planet of Peril #5 of 6 --  5,688
12/2013: Planet of Peril #6 of 6 --  5,307 (- 6.7%)

What happens in Northanpton, stays in Northampton.

* * *

299/272/246/234 - ESSENTIALS
12/2013: 100 Bullets #1       --  5,213
12/2013: American Vampire #1  --  6,014
12/2013: Action Comics #1     --  7,291
12/2013: Watchmen #1          --  7,821

An admirable selection of encore editions of paradigm-shifting opuses, yours for a measly dollar. There can be no hesitation, if you do not yet own these masterworks of the American comic culture.

* * *

N/A - GREEN TEAM
05/2013: Green Team #1  -- 27,775
06/2013: Green Team #2  -- 14,328 (-48.4%)
07/2013: Green Team #3  -- 11,220 (-21.7%)
08/2013: Green Team #4  --  8,493 (-24.3%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Green Team #5  --  ?
11/2013: Green Team #6  --  5,286
12/2013: Green Team #7  --  ?
----------------
6 months: -81.0%

It ends in January.

Interim columnist Frans van der Strack is the author of three self-published collections of nature poetry. He lives in the Flemish town of Herzele, Belgium, with his wife, his three dogs and some chickens. He has been an avid DC Comics fan since childhood.