DC Comics Month-to-Month Sales: January 2012

by Marc-Oliver Frisch

Beyond sweeping a perfect 10 out of the month’s Top 10 comic books, DC’s “New 52” titles are also starting to show first signs of stabilization in January. The average “New 52” title dropped 7.4% in sales, down from 17.4% in December and 19.6% in November.

This gives reason to be cautiously optimistic on the longer-term prospects of DC’s relaunched line. The trend should be taken with a grain of salt, however, as DC made a number of changes to its various retailer incentives in January that may be affecting sales one way or another. On Detective Comics, Batman: The Dark Knight, Superman and Aquaman, the returnability incentive was replaced with 1:25 variant-cover incentives. Batwoman, Green Lantern: New Guardians and Swamp Thing, which were promoted with a special-discount incentive from September through December, also switched to 1:25 variant-cover incentives in January. Finally, the threshold retailers were required to meet in January to qualify for returnability on the 37 titles that weren’t promoted through variant-cover or discount incentives changed from 125% of retailers’ May 2011 orders to 100% of November 2011 orders.

With this in mind, let’s wait for the February figures to see if the trend holds when incentives are equal from one month to the next.

The “New 52” titles with the best issue #5 changes are Batman (+1.0%), Aquaman (+0.2%) and Detective Comics (-0.0%). The titles with the largest month-to-month drops are Blackhawks (-18.9%), Firestorm (-16.7%) and Hawkman and Men of War (-15.2% each). Overall, the percentage changes again tend to favor the better-selling of the “New 52” books. The number of “New 52” titles selling below the 20K mark increases to 10 in January, including the six that have been cancelled as well as Captain Atom, Blue Beetle, Voodoo and I, Vampire. Nine more “New 52” titles sold between 20 and 25K.

For Vertigo, it’s a particularly bad month. Viewed over the 107 months we have consistent data on, January 2012 brought both the lowest total unit sales and the lowest total dollar sales for the imprint. The previous low point was November 2003, with estimated total Vertigo comic-book sales of 108,050 in units and $297,858. In January 2012, it’s a total of 89,957 units and $268,971, respectively.

And that’s despite the fact that there were only six Vertigo titles on sale in November 2003 versus nine in January 2012. Back then, the average Vertigo comic book sold 18,008 units; now, it’s 9,995 — the sixth-lowest figure recorded for Vertigo in the last 107 months. The imprint has several new titles coming up, but considering that current Vertigo series by established and acclaimed creators like Jeff Lemire, Mike Allred, Mike Carey, Brian Wood and Jason Aaron all sell below — well below, in some cases — the 10K mark and the latest Azzarello/Risso vehicle is struggling to crack 15K, raising those numbers in a more permanent fashion looks like a challenge.

Finally, in somewhat related news, the results of a Nielsen survey on the “New 52” audience ordered by DC Comics were recently released. According to the survey, 95% of the initial “New 52” customers were existing or “lapsed” comics fans, 93% were male and 98% were aged 18 and up. In other words, for all the promotional efforts and lip service paid by DC to the notion of reaching “new” readers, it pretty clearly did not happen. Or, as Dark Horse Comics publisher Mike Richardson recently told comics retailers, “Superheroes may pay the bills for now, but they aren’t bringing in new customers.” This isn’t news, per se, to anyone who’s been paying attention, but the survey makes it as official as it’s going to get. And the degree of the failure is still unexpectedly dire.

As usual, please consider the small print at the end of the column. Thanks to Milton Griepp and ICv2.com for the permission to use their figures. An overview of ICv2.com‘s estimates can be found here.

And, once again, two procedural notes on the “New 52.”

One: The fact that 37 of the “New 52” titles below are listed with higher numbers than over at ICv2.com is not an error. It’s because Diamond only reported 90% of their sales on the chart, to compensate for the fact that they were made returnable by DC if retailers met a specific quota. Since Diamond’s way of accounting for the incentive seems fairly arbitrary, I’ve re-added the missing 10% for those books to get a more accurate picture. Just keep in mind that those numbers probably wouldn’t have been as high if retailers weren’t required to meet a certain threshold to qualify for returnability. It’s just one more gimmick that publishers use. (As another result of this, don’t be surprised if the chart positions are all over the place, by the way.)

Two: Of the 15 remaining “New 52” books, Batman, Justice League, Action Comics, Green Lantern and Flash have been promoted with multiple variant-cover editions, including 1:200 ones, that are likely to have boosted sales, as well. Special discounts, which also required retailers to meet a certain unit threshold, apply to Stormwatch, Teen Titans and Wonder Woman. Finally, as of January 2012, Detective Comics, Batman: The Dark Knight, Superman, Aquaman, Batwoman, Green Lantern: New Guardians and Swamp Thing were also promoted with variant editions in lieu of discounts or a returnability scheme. Yes, it’s getting complicated. I’ll just mention those here, so keep in mind that these promotional initiatives are likely to have affected the numbers of those books. Whether they affected them more than the thresholds for returnability affected the other titles, or less so, we have no way of knowing.

—–

1 - JUSTICE LEAGUE
01/2007: --
01/2008: Justice League #17  --  94,712
01/2009: Justice League #29  --  72,116
01/2010: Justice League #41  --  62,262
---------------------------------------
01/2011: JL of America #53   --  47,093 (-  2.9%)
02/2011: JL of America #54   --  46,269 (-  1.8%)
03/2011: JL of America #55   --  50,533 (+  9.2%)
04/2011: JL of America #56   --  47,179 (-  6.6%)
05/2011: JL of America #57   --  46,729 (-  1.0%)
06/2011: JL of America #58   --  45,442 (-  2.8%)
07/2011: JL of America #59   --  43,545 (-  4.2%)
08/2011: JL of America #60   --  42,587 (-  2.2%)
08/2011: Justice League #1   -- 185,776 (+336.2%) [261,097]
09/2011: --
10/2011: Justice League #2   -- 196,569 (+  5.8%)
11/2011: Justice League #3   -- 168,679 (- 14.2%)
12/2011: Justice League #4   -- 149,314 (- 11.5%) [152,340]
01/2012: Justice League #5   -- 144,670 (-  3.1%)
-----------------
6 months: +232.2%
1 year  : +207.2%
2 years : +132.4%
5 years :   n.a.

It looks like Justice League is levelling out — which would be extremely good news for DC. Aside from the changes in the publisher’s incentive programs in January that may be distorting the trends this month, there’s also the fact that superstar artist Jim Lee is taking a breather with issues #7 and #8, though, so it’s probably too soon yet to count any chickens.

The “Combo Pack” edition, including a download code for the digital edition for an extra dollar, sold 6,094 units in January, which are included in the figure above. Also, issue #4 sold another 3,026 copies, and a fifth printing of #1 shifted 5,541.
—–

2 - BATMAN
01/2007: Batman #662 --  72,499
01/2008: Batman #673 --  69,234
01/2009: Batman #685 --  72,654
01/2010: Batman #695 --  63,467
-------------------------------
01/2011: Batman #706 --  60,231 (-  4.8%)
02/2011: Batman #707 --  58,803 (-  2.4%)
03/2011: Batman #708 --  58,594 (-  0.4%)
04/2011: Batman #709 --  56,578 (-  3.4%)
05/2011: Batman #710 --  55,086 (-  2.6%)
06/2011: Batman #711 --  53,113 (-  3.6%)
07/2011: Batman #712 --  51,385 (-  3.3%)
08/2011: Batman #713 --  51,760 (+  0.7%)
09/2011: Batman #1   -- 188,420 (+264.0%) [211,520]
10/2011: Batman #2   -- 172,428 (-  8.5%) [177,721]
11/2011: Batman #3   -- 150,984 (- 12.4%)
12/2011: Batman #4   -- 133,781 (- 11.4%) [136,610]
01/2012: Batman #5   -- 135,145 (+  1.0%)
-----------------
6 months: +163.0%
1 year  : +124.4%
2 years : +112.9%
5 years : + 86.4%

The second-best-selling “New 52” also performs very well in January, and not far below Justice League. The “Combo Pack” edition sold 4,653 units here, and Batman #4 — the third and final “New 52” title that made the chart again in January — shifted another 2,829 units.
—–

3 - ACTION COMICS
01/2007: --
01/2008: Action Comics #861 --  56,093
01/2009: Action Comics #873 --  51,940
01/2010: Action Comics #885 --  30,678
--------------------------------------
01/2011: Action Comics #897 --  32,134 (-  0.7%)
02/2011: Action Comics #898 --  31,935 (-  0.6%)
03/2011: Action Comics #899 --  31,808 (-  0.4%)
04/2011: Action Comics #900 --  60,152 (+ 89.1%) [ 73,004]
05/2011: Action Comics #901 --  44,143 (- 26.6%)
06/2011: Action Comics #902 --  41,960 (-  5.0%)
07/2011: Action Comics #903 --  40,205 (-  4.2%)
08/2011: Action Comics #904 --  39,323 (-  2.2%)
09/2011: Action Comics #1   -- 182,748 (+364.7%) [200,947]
10/2011: Action Comics #2   -- 153,855 (- 15.8%)
11/2011: Action Comics #3   -- 134,875 (- 12.3%)
12/2011: Action Comics #4   -- 112,839 (- 16.3%)
01/2012: Action Comics #5   -- 109,350 (-  3.1%)
-----------------
6 months: +172.0%
1 year  : +240.3%
2 years : +256.4%
5 years :  n.a.

The final book above the 100K mark in January also appears to be stabilizing at a comfortably high level, though the usual disclaimers this month apply. The “Combo Pack” version sold 4,262 units.
—–

4 - DETECTIVE COMICS
01/2007: --
01/2008: Detective Comics #840 --  51,579
01/2009: Detective Comics #852 --  56,656
01/2010: Detective Comics #861 --  45,937
-----------------------------------------
01/2011: Detective Comics #873 --  38,417 (+  1.2%)
02/2011: Detective Comics #874 --  39,106 (+  1.8%)
03/2011: Detective Comics #875 --  40,047 (+  2.4%)
04/2011: Detective Comics #876 --  40,133 (+  0.2%)
05/2011: Detective Comics #877 --  39,609 (-  1.3%)
06/2011: Detective Comics #878 --  39,152 (-  1.2%)
07/2011: Detective Comics #879 --  39,185 (+  0.1%)
07/2011: Detective Comics #880 --  38,585 (-  1.5%)
08/2011: Detective Comics #881 --  39,729 (+  3.0%)
09/2011: Detective Comics #1   -- 114,880 (+189.2%) [154,427]
10/2011: Detective Comics #2   -- 123,099 (+  7.2%)
11/2011: Detective Comics #3   -- 111,197 (-  9.7%)
12/2011: Detective Comics #4   --  99,366 (- 10.6%)
01/2012: Detective Comics #5   --  99,342 (-  0.0%)
-----------------
6 months: +155.5%
1 year  : +158.6%
2 years : +116.3%
5 years :   n.a.

Detective Comics was one of four “New 52” titles that were no longer returnable in January, but were promoted with 1:25 variant-cover editions instead. This may have affected sales either way or not at all, but we won’t really get a clue until the February numbers come in, at least. For now, the book is holding level and continues to be one of the most solid relaunch titles.

—–

5 - GREEN LANTERN
01/2007: Green Lantern #16  --  66,105
01/2008: Green Lantern #27  --  67,600
01/2009: Green Lantern #37  --  65,556 [ 71,331]
01/2010: Green Lantern #50  -- 106,444
--------------------------------------
01/2011: --
02/2011: Green Lantern #62  --  71,517 (- 1.0%)
03/2011: Green Lantern #63  --  75,632 (+ 5.8%)
03/2011: Green Lantern #64  --  76,898 (+ 1.7%)
04/2011: Green Lantern #65  --  75,780 (- 1.5%)
05/2011: Green Lantern #66  --  75,371 (- 0.5%)
06/2011: --
07/2011: Green Lantern #67  --  74,521 (- 1.1%)
08/2011: --
09/2011: Green Lantern #1   -- 141,682 (+90.1%) [169,159]
10/2011: Green Lantern #2   -- 142,344 (+ 0.5%)
11/2011: Green Lantern #3   -- 122,644 (-13.8%)
12/2011: Green Lantern #4   -- 104,199 (-15.0%)
01/2012: Green Lantern #5   --  97,878 (- 6.0%)
-----------------
6 months: + 31.3%
1 year  :   n.a.
2 years : -  8.1%
5 years : + 48.1%

Levelling out, somewhat. Sales are still ahead of the previous incarnation by more than 20K, so there’s no reason to be unhappy here.
—–

6 - BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT
01/2011: --
02/2011: --
03/2011: Dark Knight #2  --  71,108 (- 21.0%)
04/2011: --
05/2011: --
06/2011: --
07/2011: Dark Knight #3  --  62,792 (- 11.7%)
07/2011: Dark Knight #4  --  57,333 (-  8.7%)
08/2011: Dark Knight #5  --  52,908 (-  7.7%)
09/2011: Dark Knight #1  -- 109,321 (+106.6%) [128,689]
10/2011: Dark Knight #2  -- 100,494 (-  8.1%)
11/2011: Dark Knight #3  --  87,133 (- 13.3%)
12/2011: Dark Knight #4  --  78,689 (-  9.7%)
01/2012: Dark Knight #5  --  76,824 (-  2.4%)
-----------------
6 months: + 22.4%
1 year  :   n.a.

7 - SUPERMAN
01/2007: Superman #658 --  60,682
01/2008: Superman #672 --  44,656
01/2009: Superman #684 --  48,489
01/2010: Superman #696 --  31,940
---------------------------------
01/2011: Superman #707 --  41,843 (-  2.8%)
02/2011: Superman #708 --  40,639 (-  2.9%)
03/2011: Superman #709 --  39,846 (-  2.0%)
04/2011: Superman #710 --  39,644 (-  0.5%)
05/2011: Superman #711 --  38,471 (-  3.0%)
06/2011: Superman #712 --  37,362 (-  2.9%)
07/2011: Superman #713 --  36,646 (-  1.9%)
08/2011: Superman #714 --  35,919 (-  2.0%)
09/2011: Superman #1   -- 131,529 (+266.2%) [150,128]
10/2011: Superman #2   -- 104,703 (- 20.4%)
11/2011: Superman #3   --  86,386 (- 17.5%)
12/2011: Superman #4   --  76,532 (- 11.4%)
01/2012: Superman #5   --  73,719 (-  3.7%)
-----------------
6 months: +101.2%
1 year  : + 76.2%
2 years : +130.8%
5 years : + 21.5%

Superman and The Dark Knight also switched from returnability to 1:25 variants in January. For now, though, it looks like they’re levelling out.
—–

9 - BATMAN AND ROBIN
01/2010: Batman and Robin #7  --  87,780
----------------------------------------
01/2011: Batman and Robin #19 --  61,785 (-10.2%)
02/2011: Batman and Robin #20 --  60,642 (- 1.9%)
03/2011: Batman and Robin #21 --  59,818 (- 1.4%)
04/2011: Batman and Robin #22 --  59,076 (- 1.2%)
05/2011: Batman and Robin #23 --  57,525 (- 2.6%)
06/2011: Batman and Robin #24 --  54,984 (- 4.4%)
07/2011: Batman and Robin #25 --  55,172 (+ 0.3%)
08/2011: Batman and Robin #26 --  52,704 (- 4.5%)
09/2011: Batman and Robin #1  --  94,713 (+79.7%) [116,053]
10/2011: Batman and Robin #2  --  98,807 (+ 4.3%)
11/2011: Batman and Robin #3  --  86,309 (-12.7%)
12/2011: Batman and Robin #4  --  76,000 (-11.9%)
01/2012: Batman and Robin #5  --  72,786 (- 4.2%)
----------------
6 months: +31.9%
1 year  : +17.8%
2 years : -17.1%

Batman and Robin is the first of the 37 “New 52” titles that continued to be returnable in January. And if you add the missing 10% of sales that Diamond subtracts for returnability, the book climbs past Flash. The numbers seem to be bottoming out.
—–

8 - THE FLASH
01/2007: Flash: FMA #8   --  50,967
01/2008: Flash #236      --  41,464
01/2010: --
-----------------------------------
01/2011: --
02/2011: Flash #9        --  55,980 (+  3.7%)
03/2011: --
04/2011: Flash #10       --  54,953 (-  1.8%)
04/2011: Flash #11       --  54,633 (-  0.6%)
05/2011: Flash #12       --  54,914 (+  0.5%)
06/2011: --
07/2011: --
08/2011: --
09/2011: Flash #1        -- 129,260 (+135.4%) [147,818]
10/2011: Flash #2        -- 114,137 (- 11.7%)
11/2011: Flash #3        --  90,417 (- 20.8%)
12/2011: Flash #4        --  77,336 (- 14.5%)
01/2012: Flash #5        --  71,611 (-  7.4%)
-----------------
6 months:  n.a.
1 year  :  n.a.
2 years :  n.a.
5 years :  n.a.

The drops keep getting smaller, and sales are still very good, from a longer-term perspective. Still, Flash isn’t done levelling out, obviously.
—–

10 - AQUAMAN
09/2011: Aquaman #1  -- 80,302          [108,545]
10/2011: Aquaman #2  -- 79,156 (- 1.4%) [ 83,626]
11/2011: Aquaman #3  -- 69,137 (-12.7%)
12/2011: Aquaman #4  -- 64,961 (- 6.0%)
01/2012: Aquaman #5  -- 65,094 (+ 0.2%)

Aquaman is the fourth and final “New 52” title that switched from returnability to a 1:25 variant in January. All told, the trend is right in line with an already rock-solid performance.
—–

16 - WONDER WOMAN
01/2007: --
01/2008: Wonder Woman #16  --  42,897
01/2009: Wonder Woman #28  --  32,622
01/2010: Wonder Woman #40  --  25,156
-------------------------------------
01/2011: Wonder Woman #606 --  33,601 (-  5.3%)
02/2011: Wonder Woman #607 --  33,053 (-  1.6%)
03/2011: Wonder Woman #608 --  32,540 (-  1.6%)
03/2011: Wonder Woman #609 --  31,421 (-  3.4%)
04/2011: Wonder Woman #610 --  31,002 (-  1.3%)
05/2011: --
06/2011: Wonder Woman #611 --  30,874 (-  0.4%)
06/2011: Wonder Woman #612 --  30,690 (-  0.6%)
07/2011: Wonder Woman #613 --  29,720 (-  3.2%)
08/2011: Wonder Woman #614 --  29,223 (-  1.7%)
09/2011: Wonder Woman #1   --  76,214 (+160.8%) [95,902]
10/2011: Wonder Woman #2   --  79,060 (+  3.7%)
11/2011: Wonder Woman #3   --  65,621 (- 17.0%)
12/2011: Wonder Woman #4   --  57,675 (- 12.1%)
01/2012: Wonder Woman #5   --  57,626 (-  0.1%)
-----------------
6 months: + 93.9%
1 year  : + 71.5%
2 years : +129.1%
5 years :   n.a.

19 - TEEN TITANS
01/2007: Teen Titans #43  -- 60,290 [62,560]
01/2008: Teen Titans #55  -- 52,376
01/2009: Teen Titans #67  -- 35,877
01/2010: Teen Titans #79  -- 27,790
-----------------------------------
01/2011: Teen Titans #91  -- 25,443 (-  2.1%)
02/2011: Teen Titans #92  -- 26,170 (+  2.9%)
03/2011: Teen Titans #93  -- 24,957 (-  4.6%)
04/2011: Teen Titans #94  -- 25,187 (+  0.9%)
05/2011: Teen Titans #95  -- 24,738 (-  1.8%)
06/2011: Teen Titans #96  -- 23,849 (-  3.6%)
07/2011: Teen Titans #97  -- 23,138 (-  3.0%)
07/2011: Teen Titans #98  -- 23,095 (-  0.2%)
08/2011: Teen Titans #99  -- 23,756 (+  2.9%)
08/2011: Teen Titans #100 -- 27,459 (+ 15.6%)
09/2011: Teen Titans #1   -- 73,675 (+168.3%) [89,056]
10/2011: Teen Titans #2   -- 72,107 (-  2.1%)
11/2011: Teen Titans #3   -- 60,758 (- 15.7%)
12/2011: Teen Titans #4   -- 54,929 (-  9.6%)
01/2012: Teen Titans #5   -- 54,606 (-  0.6%)
-----------------
6 months: +136.2%
1 year  : +114.6%
2 years : + 96.5%
5 years : -  9.4%

Two more “New 52” titles whose sales declines come to a sudden halt in January.
—–

26 - BATGIRL
01/2010: Batgirl #6      -- 30,403
----------------------------------
01/2011: Batgirl #17     -- 25,189 (-  0.1%)
02/2011: Batgirl #18     -- 24,390 (-  3.2%)
03/2011: Batgirl #19     -- 24,821 (+  1.8%)
04/2011: Batgirl #20     -- 24,310 (-  2.1%)
05/2011: Batgirl #21     -- 24,043 (-  1.1%)
06/2011: Batgirl #22     -- 23,323 (-  3.0%)
07/2011: Batgirl #23     -- 22,619 (-  3.0%)
08/2011: Batgirl #24     -- 22,695 (+  0.3%)
09/2011: Batgirl #1      -- 90,543 (+299.0%) [107,055]
10/2011: Batgirl #2      -- 83,586 (-  7.7%)
11/2011: Batgirl #3      -- 69,971 (- 16.3%)
12/2011: Batgirl #4      -- 59,972 (- 14.3%)
01/2012: Batgirl #5      -- 57,030 (-  4.9%)
-----------------
6 months: +152.1%
1 year  : +126.4%
2 years : + 87.6%

28 - NIGHTWING
01/2007: Nightwing #128 -- 33,930
01/2008: Nightwing #140 -- 32,305
01/2009: Nightwing #152 -- 35,637
---------------------------------
09/2011: Nightwing #1   -- 69,686         [87,561]
10/2011: Nightwing #2   -- 73,054 (+ 4.8%)
11/2011: Nightwing #3   -- 64,098 (-12.3%)
12/2011: Nightwing #4   -- 57,409 (-10.4%)
01/2012: Nightwing #5   -- 56,040 (- 2.4%)
-----------------
5 years : + 65.2%

The two Batman spin-off titles seem to be finding their levels, more or less — and they’re fairly good ones, historically.
—–

32 - GREEN LANTERN CORPS
01/2007: Green Lantern Corps #8  -- 36,924
01/2008: Green Lantern Corps #20 -- 44,607 [48,577]
01/2009: Green Lantern Corps #32 -- 44,312
01/2010: Green Lantern Corps #44 -- 76,458
------------------------------------------
01/2011: Green Lantern Corps #56 -- 53,646 (- 1.4%)
02/2011: Green Lantern Corps #57 -- 52,770 (- 1.6%)
03/2011: Green Lantern Corps #58 -- 60,100 (+13.9%)
04/2011: Green Lantern Corps #59 -- 60,162 (+ 0.1%)
05/2011: Green Lantern Corps #60 -- 60,964 (+ 1.3%)
06/2011: --
07/2011: Green Lantern Corps #61 -- 60,836 (- 0.2%)
07/2011: Green Lantern Corps #62 -- 57,928 (- 4.8%)
08/2011: Green Lantern Corps #63 -- 53,372 (- 7.9%)
09/2011: Green Lantern Corps #1  -- 83,077 (+55.7%) [94,800]
10/2011: Green Lantern Corps #2  -- 78,501 (- 5.5%)
11/2011: Green Lantern Corps #3  -- 65,393 (-16.7%)
12/2011: Green Lantern Corps #4  -- 57,180 (-12.6%)
01/2012: Green Lantern Corps #5  -- 54,088 (- 5.4%)
----------------
6 months: - 8.9%
1 year  : + 0.8%
2 years : -29.3%
5 years : +46.5%

24 - GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS
01/2011: Emerald Warriors #6  -- 43,471 (- 1.4%)
02/2011: Emerald Warriors #7  -- 44,828 (+ 3.1%)
03/2011: Emerald Warriors #8  -- 51,322 (+14.5%) [54,110]
04/2011: Emerald Warriors #9  -- 51,784 (+ 0.5%)
05/2011: Emerald Warriors #10 -- 52,971 (+ 2.3%)
06/2011: Emerald Warriors #11 -- 53,927 (+ 1.8%)
07/2011: Emerald Warriors #12 -- 48,087 (-10.8%)
08/2011: Emerald Warriors #13 -- 44,228 (- 8.0%)
09/2011: New Guardians #1     -- 84,033 (+90.0%) [96,596]
10/2011: New Guardians #2     -- 71,713 (-14.7%)
11/2011: New Guardians #3     -- 59,774 (-16.7%)
12/2011: New Guardians #4     -- 53,305 (-10.8%)
01/2012: New Guardians #5     -- 52,305 (- 1.9%)
----------------
6 months: + 8.8%
1 year  : +20.3%

The two Green Lantern spin-off series appear to be settling down where they left off before the relaunch, though Green Lantern Corps probably hasn’t found its level yet. New Guardians was one of the three titles that switched from the special-discount promotion to a 1:25 variant-cover promotion in January. Maybe that’s why the drop is a little bit smoother there.
—–

25 - BATWOMAN
09/2011: Batwoman #1  --  72,228 (+64.6%) [87,952]
10/2011: Batwoman #2  --  74,392 (+ 3.0%)
11/2011: Batwoman #3  --  61,997 (-16.7%)
12/2011: Batwoman #4  --  52,757 (-14.9%)
01/2012: Batwoman #5  --  51,924 (- 1.6%)

Another title that’s settling down very quickly now. Batwoman also switched from discount to variant.
—–

40 - RED LANTERNS
09/2011: Red Lanterns #1  -- 73,940          [89,170]
10/2011: Red Lanterns #2  -- 74,163 (+ 0.3%)
11/2011: Red Lanterns #3  -- 60,823 (-18.0%)
12/2011: Red Lanterns #4  -- 50,271 (-17.4%)
01/2012: Red Lanterns #5  -- 46,992 (- 6.5%)

Sales of the fourth and final Green Lantern spin-off on the chart keep sliding.
—–

42 - CATWOMAN
01/2007: Catwoman #63 -- 21,597
01/2008: Catwoman #75 -- 21,580
-------------------------------
09/2011: Catwoman #1  -- 59,633          [75,566]
10/2011: Catwoman #2  -- 63,573 (+ 6.6%)
11/2011: Catwoman #3  -- 52,196 (-17.9%)
12/2011: Catwoman #4  -- 45,581 (-12.7%)
01/2012: Catwoman #5  -- 44,034 (- 3.4%)
-----------------
5 years : +103.9%

Levelling out.
—–

37 - SWAMP THING
09/2011: Swamp Thing #1  -- 54,757          [73,683]
10/2011: Swamp Thing #2  -- 58,634 (+ 7.1%)
11/2011: Swamp Thing #3  -- 52,300 (-10.8%)
12/2011: Swamp Thing #4  -- 44,660 (-14.6%)
01/2012: Swamp Thing #5  -- 43,806 (- 1.9%)

Levelling out. Swamp Thing is the third of the three books on the chart that switched from special discount to variant edition in January.
—–

45 - RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS
09/2011: Red Hood #1  -- 56,112          [70,244]
10/2011: Red Hood #2  -- 59,382 (+ 5.8%)
11/2011: Red Hood #3  -- 50,140 (-15.6%)
12/2011: Red Hood #4  -- 44,278 (-11.7%)
12/2011: Red Hood #5  -- 42,560 (- 3.9%)

Another Batman spin-off that’s finding its level.
—–

49 - SUPERGIRL
01/2007: --
01/2008: Supergirl #25 --  36,459
01/2009: Supergirl #37 --  34,060
01/2010: Supergirl #49 --  27,728
---------------------------------
01/2011: Supergirl #60 --  22,568 (-  0.2%)
02/2011: Supergirl #61 --  22,048 (-  2.3%)
03/2011: Supergirl #62 --  21,786 (-  1.2%)
04/2011: Supergirl #63 --  21,598 (-  0.9%)
05/2011: Supergirl #64 --  21,411 (-  0.9%)
06/2011: Supergirl #65 --  20,985 (-  2.0%)
07/2011: Supergirl #66 --  20,001 (-  4.7%)
08/2011: Supergirl #67 --  19,764 (-  1.2%)
09/2011: Supergirl #1  --  60,058 (+203.9%) [74,218]
10/2011: Supergirl #2  --  61,388 (+  2.2%)
11/2011: Supergirl #3  --  50,784 (- 17.3%)
12/2011: Supergirl #4  --  44,180 (- 13.0%)
01/2012: Supergirl #5  --  41,446 (-  6.2%)
-----------------
6 months: +107.2%
1 year  : + 83.7%
2 years : + 49.5%
5 years :   n.a.

Supergirl is taking its time settling down, but sales are still very comfortably ahead of the last volume.
—–

51 - JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL
09/2011: Justice League International #1  -- 67,866          [78,869]
10/2011: Justice League International #2  -- 66,100 (- 2.6%)
11/2011: Justice League International #3  -- 54,413 (-17.7%)
12/2011: Justice League International #4  -- 44,062 (-19.0%)
01/2012: Justice League International #5  -- 41,147 (- 6.6%)

52 - JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK
09/2011: Justice League Dark #1   -- 69,840          [81,955]
10/2011: Justice League Dark #2   -- 63,392 (- 9.2%)
11/2011: Justice League Dark #3   -- 51,674 (-18.5%)
12/2011: Justice League Dark #4   -- 44,750 (-13.4%)
01/2012: Justice League Dark #5   -- 40,996 (- 8.4%)

Justice League Dark drops past Justice League International in January. Neither of the two books seems to have found its level yet.
—–

53 - ANIMAL MAN
09/2011: Animal Man #1     -- 46,051          [65,229]
10/2011: Animal Man #2     -- 53,432 (+16.0%)
11/2011: Animal Man #3     -- 49,184 (- 8.0%)
12/2011: Animal Man #4     -- 42,630 (-13.3%)
01/2012: Animal Man #5     -- 40,573 (- 4.8%)

Probably levelling out. Animal Man remains the “New 52” title with the smallest overall drop-off since issue #1.
—–

58 - SUPERBOY
01/2011: Superboy #3  --  29,550 (-  7.0%)
02/2011: Superboy #4  --  27,448 (-  7.1%)
03/2011: Superboy #5  --  27,215 (-  0.9%)
04/2011: Superboy #6  --  30,490 (+ 12.0%)
05/2011: Superboy #7  --  24,622 (- 19.3%)
06/2011: Superboy #8  --  23,037 (-  6.4%)
07/2011: Superboy #9  --  22,102 (-  4.1%)
08/2011: Superboy #10 --  20,563 (-  7.0%)
08/2011: Superboy #11 --  20,317 (-  1.2%)
09/2011: Superboy #1  --  55,608 (+173.7%) [69,283]
10/2011: Superboy #2  --  57,424 (+  3.3%)
11/2011: Superboy #3  --  47,442 (- 17.4%)
12/2011: Superboy #4  --  40,002 (- 15.7%)
01/2012: Superboy #5  --  37,419 (-  6.5%)
-----------------
6 months: + 69.3%
1 year  : + 26.6%

Superboy isn’t done dropping, but sales are still well ahead of the last iteration.
—–

62 - GREEN ARROW
01/2007: Green Arrow #70  -- 31,798
01/2008: Arrow/Canary #4  -- 35,039
01/2009: Arrow/Canary #16 -- 24,419
01/2010: Arrow&Canary #28 -- 16,482
-----------------------------------
01/2011: Green Arrow #8   -- 35,307 (-  4.2%)
02/2011: Green Arrow #9   -- 33,922 (-  3.9%)
03/2011: Green Arrow #10  -- 33,085 (-  2.5%)
04/2011: Green Arrow #11  -- 32,669 (-  1.3%)
05/2011: Green Arrow #12  -- 31,742 (-  2.8%)
06/2011: Green Arrow #13  -- 27,552 (- 13.2%)
07/2011: Green Arrow #14  -- 25,568 (-  7.2%)
08/2011: Green Arrow #15  -- 23,883 (-  6.6%)
09/2011: Green Arrow #1   -- 61,680 (+158.3%) [72,359]
10/2011: Green Arrow #2   -- 58,708 (-  4.8%)
11/2011: Green Arrow #3   -- 46,899 (- 20.1%)
12/2011: Green Arrow #4   -- 37,116 (- 20.9%)
01/2012: Green Arrow #5   -- 33,593 (-  9.5%)
-----------------
6 months: + 31.4%
1 year  : -  4.9%
2 years : +103.8%
5 years : +  5.7%

The “New 52” effect is gone, and sales keep sliding down the chart.
—–

64 - SUICIDE SQUAD
01/2008: Raise the Flag #5 of 8 -- 17,094 -----------------------------------------
09/2011: Suicide Squad #1       -- 49,979          [61,815]
10/2011: Suicide Squad #2       -- 49,570 (- 0.8%)
11/2011: Suicide Squad #3       -- 40,827 (-17.6%)
12/2011: Suicide Squad #4       -- 34,550 (-15.4%)
01/2012: Suicide Squad #5       -- 32,726 (- 5.3%)

Probably settling down around the 30K mark, if the trend holds. Not bad for this type of book.
—–

67 - BIRDS OF PREY
01/2007: Birds of Prey #102 -- 29,043
01/2008: Birds of Prey #114 -- 24,211
01/2009: Birds of Prey #126 -- 20,772
-------------------------------------
01/2011: Birds of Prey #8   -- 31,616 (-  4.5%)
02/2011: Birds of Prey #9   -- 30,641 (-  3.1%)
03/2011: Birds of Prey #10  -- 30,777 (+  0.4%)
04/2011: Birds of Prey #11  -- 30,270 (-  1.7%)
05/2011: Birds of Prey #12  -- 29,690 (-  1.9%)
06/2011: Birds of Prey #13  -- 28,992 (-  2.4%)
07/2011: Birds of Prey #14  -- 27,102 (-  6.5%)
08/2011: Birds of Prey #15  -- 26,043 (-  3.9%)
09/2011: Birds of Prey #1   -- 56,073 (+115.3%) [66,423]
10/2011: Birds of Prey #2   -- 53,156 (-  5.2%)
11/2011: Birds of Prey #3   -- 40,891 (- 23.1%)
12/2011: Birds of Prey #4   -- 34,460 (- 15.7%)
01/2012: Birds of Prey #5   -- 31,700 (-  8.0%)
-----------------
6 months: + 17.0%
1 year  : +  0.3%
5 years : +  9.2%

Another title where the relaunch effect is largely gone, with a larger-than-average drop in January.
—–

65 - STORMWATCH
01/2007: Stormwatch: PHD #3   -- 18,371
01/2008: --
01/2009: Stormwatch: PHD #18  --  6,030
---------------------------------------
09/2011: Stormwatch #1        -- 46,397          [57,287]
10/2011: Stormwatch #2        -- 47,520 (+ 2.4%)
11/2011: Stormwatch #3        -- 39,262 (-17.4%)
12/2011: Stormwatch #4        -- 30,987 (-21.1%)
01/2012: Stormwatch #5        -- 29,112 (- 6.1%)
----------------
5 years : +58.5%

The creative team keeps changing with the next few issues, so it’ll probably be a while before Stormwatch sales find their proper level.
—–

73 - ALL STAR WESTERN
01/2007: Jonah Hex #15 -- 17,987
01/2008: Jonah Hex #27 -- 13,881
01/2009: Jonah Hex #39 -- 11,705
01/2010: Jonah Hex #51 -- 11,184
--------------------------------
01/2011: Jonah Hex #63 -- 10,752 (-  1.4%)
02/2011: Jonah Hex #64 -- 10,255 (-  4.6%)
03/2011: Jonah Hex #65 -- 10,353 (+  1.0%)
04/2011: Jonah Hex #66 -- 10,335 (-  0.2%)
05/2011: Jonah Hex #67 -- 10,288 (-  0.5%)
06/2011: Jonah Hex #68 -- 10,224 (-  0.6%)
07/2011: Jonah Hex #69 -- 10,521 (+  2.9%)
08/2011: Jonah Hex #70 -- 10,369 (-  1.5%)
09/2011: ASW #1        -- 43,681 (+321.3%) [54,992]
10/2011: ASW #2        -- 39,857 (-  8.8%)
11/2011: ASW #3        -- 32,776 (- 17.8%)
12/2011: ASW #4        -- 29,349 (- 10.5%)
01/2012: ASW #5        -- 27,206 (-  7.3%)
-----------------
6 months: +158.6%
1 year  : +153.0%
2 years : +143.3%
5 years : + 51.3%

The book is in no hurry to level out. With numbers still massively ahead of Jonah Hex, though, there’s no reason to worry here.
—–

78 - DEMON KNIGHTS
09/2011: Demon Knights #1  -- 41,602          [52,329]
10/2011: Demon Knights #2  -- 42,230 (+ 1.5%)
11/2011: Demon Knights #3  -- 34,681 (-17.9%)
12/2011: Demon Knights #4  -- 28,109 (-19.0%)
01/2012: Demon Knights #5  -- 25,823 (- 8.1%)

The January drop is smaller, at least, but sales aren’t really levelling out yet.
—–

79 - THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
01/2007: SLoSH #26            -- 32,342
01/2008: LoSH #38             -- 33,045
01/2009: LoSH #50             -- 22,327
---------------------------------------
01/2011: LoSH #9              -- 24,230 (-  3.3%)
02/2011: LoSH #10             -- 23,738 (-  2.0%)
03/2011: LoSH #11             -- 23,667 (-  0.3%)
04/2011: LoSH #12             -- 23,419 (-  1.1%)
05/2011: LoSH #13             -- 23,105 (-  1.3%)
06/2011: LoSH #14             -- 22,600 (-  2.2%)
07/2011: LoSH #15             -- 21,788 (-  3.6%)
08/2011: LoSH #16             -- 21,373 (-  1.9%)
09/2011: LoSH #1              -- 50,402 (+135.8%) [58,325]
10/2011: LoSH #2              -- 47,227 (-  6.3%)
11/2011: LoSH #3              -- 34,979 (- 25.9%)
12/2011: LoSH #4              -- 27,832 (- 20.4%)
01/2012: LoSH #5              -- 25,624 (-  7.9%)
-----------------
6 months: + 17.6%
1 year  : +  5.8%
5 years : - 20.8%

The “New 52” effect is just about gone, and the numbers keep slipping.
—–

84 - BATWING
09/2011: Batwing #1  -- 45,980          [53,721]
10/2011: Batwing #2  -- 42,750 (- 7.0%)
11/2011: Batwing #3  -- 35,110 (-17.9%)
12/2011: Batwing #4  -- 26,726 (-23.9%)
01/2012: Batwing #5  -- 24,036 (-10.1%)

The Batman spin-off slips below 25K with another double-digit drop. Not encouraging, obviously.
—–

85 - THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN
01/2007: Hawkgirl #60       -- 17,893
-------------------------------------
09/2011: Savage Hawkman #1  -- 55,954          [63,959]
10/2011: Savage Hawkman #2  -- 47,763 (-14.6%)
11/2011: Savage Hawkman #3  -- 35,177 (-26.4%)
12/2011: Savage Hawkman #4  -- 28,263 (-19.7%)
01/2012: Savage Hawkman #5  -- 23,967 (-15.2%)
----------------
5 years : +34.0%

Hawkman numbers keep crashing.
—–

86 - DEATHSTROKE
09/2011: Deathstroke #1  -- 47,028          [56,820]
10/2011: Deathstroke #2  -- 44,647 (- 5.1%)
11/2011: Deathstroke #3  -- 33,754 (-24.4%)
12/2011: Deathstroke #4  -- 26,367 (-21.9%)
01/2012: Deathstroke #5  -- 23,872 (- 9.5%)

Still slipping more quickly than it should, at this stage.
—–

76 - THE HUNTRESS
10/2011: Huntress #1 of 6 -- 36,099
11/2011: Huntress #2 of 6 -- 28,377 (-21.4%)
12/2011: Huntress #3 of 6 -- 25,215 (-11.1%)
01/2012: Huntress #4 of 6 -- 23,863 (- 5.4%)

This is the best-selling post-“New 52” launch on the January chart. It seems safe to say that any new DC Universe titles launched in 2012 will have to succeed on their own merits again.
—–

91 - FRANKENSTEIN: AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E.
09/2011: Frankenstein #1          -- 41,551          [50,817]
10/2011: Frankenstein #2          -- 40,423 (- 2.7%)
11/2011: Frankenstein #3          -- 31,869 (-21.2%)
12/2011: Frankenstein #4          -- 24,812 (-22.1%)
01/2012: Frankenstein #5          -- 22,737 (- 8.4%)

93 - DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS
09/2011: DCU Presents #1  -- 45,701          [53,103]
10/2011: DCU Presents #2  -- 41,584 (- 9.0%)
11/2011: DCU Presents #3  -- 31,019 (-25.4%)
12/2011: DCU Presents #4  -- 24,398 (-21.4%)
01/2012: DCU Presents #4  -- 22,048 (- 9.6%)

94 - LEGION LOST
09/2011: Legion Lost #1  -- 46,362          [54,588]
10/2011: Legion Lost #2  -- 42,650 (- 8.0%)
11/2011: Legion Lost #3  -- 31,226 (-26.8%)
12/2011: Legion Lost #4  -- 24,020 (-23.1%)
01/2012: Legion Lost #5  -- 21,549 (-10.3%)

96 - THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN
09/2011: Firestorm #1  -- 51,537          [62,076]
10/2011: Firestorm #2  -- 43,990 (-14.6%)
11/2011: Firestorm #3  -- 31,654 (-28.0%)
12/2011: Firestorm #4  -- 25,610 (-19.1%)
01/2012: Firestorm #5  -- 21,329 (-16.7%)

101 - RESURRECTION MAN
09/2011: Resurrection Man #1  -- 41,740          [50,230]
10/2011: Resurrection Man #2  -- 38,560 (- 7.6%)
11/2011: Resurrection Man #3  -- 29,480 (-23.6%)
12/2011: Resurrection Man #4  -- 23,060 (-21.8%)
01/2012: Resurrection Man #5  -- 20,750 (-10.0%)

Five more “New 52” titles with less-than-ideal January performances.
—–

88 - BATMAN: ODYSSEY VOL. 2
07/2010: Batman: Odyssey #1  of 6  -- 61,827
08/2010: Batman: Odyssey #2  of 6  -- 47,675 (-22.9%)
09/2010: Batman: Odyssey #3  of 6  -- 40,046 (-16.0%)
10/2010: Batman: Odyssey #4  of 12 -- 35,307 (-11.8%)
11/2010: Batman: Odyssey #5  of 13 -- 31,386 (-11.1%)
02/2011: Batman: Odyssey #6  of 13 -- 29,093 (- 7.3%)
--------------------------------------------
10/2011: Odyssey Vol. 2 #1  of 7   -- 30,410 (+ 4.5%)
11/2011: Odyssey Vol. 2 #2  of 7   -- 24,271 (-20.2%)
12/2011: Odyssey Vol. 2 #3  of 7   -- 23,089 (- 4.9%)
01/2012: Odyssey Vol. 2 #4  of 7   -- 20,722 (-10.3%)
----------------
1 year  : n.a.

That’s an unexpectedly stiff drop for the Neal Adams vehicle.
—–

105 - GRIFTER
09/2011: Grifter #1  -- 41,222          [50,959]
10/2011: Grifter #2  -- 39,900 (- 3.2%)
11/2011: Grifter #3  -- 29,802 (-25.3%)
12/2011: Grifter #4  -- 22,486 (-24.6%)
01/2012: Grifter #5  -- 20,060 (-10.8%)

Another “New 52” title about to drop below the 20K mark, evidently. I doubt any of the relaunch books selling below this point are long for this world, to be frank.
—–

111 - BLUE BEETLE
01/2007: Blue Beetle #11 -- 19,865
01/2008: Blue Beetle #23 -- 14,961
01/2009: Blue Beetle #35 -- 10,593
----------------------------------
09/2011: Blue Beetle #1  -- 44,448          [52,288]
10/2011: Blue Beetle #2  -- 39,396 (-11.4%)
11/2011: Blue Beetle #3  -- 27,612 (-29.9%)
12/2011: Blue Beetle #4  -- 21,408 (-22.5%)
01/2012: Blue Beetle #5  -- 19,042 (-11.1%)
----------------
5 years : - 4.1%

112 - I, VAMPIRE
09/2011: I, Vampire #1  -- 39,683          [46,993]
10/2011: I, Vampire #2  -- 34,599 (-12.8%)
11/2011: I, Vampire #3  -- 26,070 (-24.7%)
12/2011: I, Vampire #4  -- 21,601 (-17.1%)
01/2012: I, Vampire #5  -- 18,816 (-12.9%)

Two more “New 52” with already terrible sales that keep slipping.
—–

102 - PENGUIN: PAIN AND PREJUDICE
10/2011: Penguin #1 of 5 -- 26,380
11/2011: Penguin #2 of 5 -- 21,021 (-20.3%)
12/2011: Penguin #3 of 5 -- 19,131 (- 9.0%)
01/2012: Penguin #4 of 5 -- 18,452 (- 3.6%)

Average sales for a Batman spin-off miniseries.
—–

117 - VOODOO
09/2011: Voodoo #1  -- 40,301          [47,112]
10/2011: Voodoo #2  -- 34,690 (-13.9%)
11/2011: Voodoo #3  -- 25,067 (-27.7%)
12/2011: Voodoo #4  -- 20,703 (-17.4%)
01/2012: Voodoo #5  -- 17,683 (-14.6%)

Sales keep crashing.
—–

107 - FABLES (Vertigo)
01/2007: Fables #57  -- 25,744
01/2008: --
01/2009: Fables #80  -- 22,617
01/2010: Fables #92  -- 20,180
------------------------------
01/2011: Fables #101 -- 19,183 (-16.7%)
02/2011: Fables #102 -- 19,215 (+ 0.2%)
03/2011: Fables #103 -- 18,910 (- 1.6%)
04/2011: Fables #104 -- 18,811 (- 0.5%)
05/2011: Fables #105 -- 18,749 (- 0.3%)
06/2011: Fables #106 -- 18,505 (- 1.3%)
07/2011: Fables #107 -- 18,523 (+ 0.1%)
08/2011: Fables #108 -- 18,390 (- 0.7%)
09/2011: Fables #109 -- 18,072 (- 1.7%)
10/2011: Fables #110 -- 18,109 (+ 0.2%)
11/2011: Fables #111 -- 17,687 (- 2.3%)
12/2011: Fables #112 -- 17,602 (- 0.5%)
01/2012: Fables #113 -- 17,588 (- 0.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 5.1%
1 year  : - 8.3%
2 years : -12.8%
5 years : -31.7%

Sales of the flagship Vertigo title are holding level.
—–

119 - HAWK & DOVE
09/2011: Hawk & Dove #1  -- 42,294          [47,999]
10/2011: Hawk & Dove #2  -- 36,068 (-14.7%)
11/2011: Hawk & Dove #3  -- 27,464 (-23.9%)
12/2011: Hawk & Dove #4  -- 20,016 (-27.1%)
01/2012: Hawk & Dove #5  -- 17,528 (-12.4%)

Cancelled with issue #8.
—–

108 - THE SHADE
10/2011: Shade #1  of 12 -- 30,648
11/2011: Shade #2  of 12 -- 21,431 (-30.1%)
12/2011: Shade #3  of 12 -- 18,922 (-11.7%)
01/2012: Shade #4  of 12 -- 17,512 (- 7.5%)

Not quite finding its level yet. There was a 1:10 variant, as usual.
—–

120 - CAPTAIN ATOM
09/2011: Captain Atom #1  -- 44,110          [51,314]
10/2011: Captain Atom #2  -- 38,309 (-13.2%)
11/2011: Captain Atom #3  -- 26,829 (-30.0%)
12/2011: Captain Atom #4  -- 19,908 (-25.8%)
01/2012: Captain Atom #5  -- 17,437 (-12.4%)

Not officially cancelled yet, surprisingly.
—–

115 - LEGION: SECRET ORIGIN
10/2011: Secret Origin #1 of 6 -- 38,248
11/2011: Secret Origin #2 of 6 -- 22,435 (-41.3%)
12/2011: Secret Origin #3 of 6 -- 20,033 (-10.7%)
01/2012: Secret Origin #4 of 6 -- 16,585 (-17.2%)

A disaster, at this stage, but given the sales history of the mother title, that’s hardly a big surprise.
—–

125 - O.M.A.C.
09/2011: O.M.A.C. #1  -- 37,312          [42,871]
10/2011: O.M.A.C. #2  -- 32,704 (-12.4%)
11/2011: O.M.A.C. #3  -- 25,080 (-23.3%)
12/2011: O.M.A.C. #4  -- 18,371 (-26.8%)
01/2012: O.M.A.C. #5  -- 16,242 (-11.6%)

130 - MISTER TERRIFIC
09/2011: Mister Terrific #1  -- 41,450          [48,352]
10/2011: Mister Terrific #2  -- 35,963 (-13.2%)
11/2011: Mister Terrific #3  -- 25,282 (-29.7%)
12/2011: Mister Terrific #4  -- 17,963 (-29.0%)
01/2012: Mister Terrific #5  -- 15,336 (-14.6%)

132 - STATIC SHOCK
06/2011: Special #1 of 1  --  9,976
-----------------------------------
09/2011: Static Shock #1  -- 37,782 (+278.7%) [43,046]
10/2011: Static Shock #2  -- 32,360 (- 14.4%)
11/2011: Static Shock #3  -- 24,374 (- 24.7%)
12/2011: Static Shock #4  -- 17,514 (- 28.2%)
01/2012: Static Shock #5  -- 15,056 (- 14.0%)

Three more “New 52” books cancelled with issue #8 each.
—–

127 - AMERICAN VAMPIRE (Vertigo)
01/2011: American Vampire #11 -- 16,969 (- 4.5%)
02/2011: American Vampire #12 -- 16,522 (- 2.6%)
03/2011: American Vampire #13 -- 17,269 (+ 4.5%)
04/2011: American Vampire #14 -- 16,168 (- 6.4%)
05/2011: American Vampire #15 -- 15,876 (- 1.8%)
06/2011: American Vampire #16 -- 15,705 (- 1.1%)
07/2011: American Vampire #17 -- 15,565 (- 0.9%)
08/2011: American Vampire #18 -- 15,423 (- 0.9%)
09/2011: American Vampire #19 -- 15,288 (- 0.9%)
10/2011: --
11/2011: American Vampire #20 -- 15,685 (+ 2.6%)
12/2011: American Vampire #21 -- 15,026 (- 4.2%)
12/2011: American Vampire #22 -- 14,759 (- 1.8%)
01/2012: American Vampire #23 -- 14,240 (- 3.5%)
----------------
6 months: - 8.5%
1 year  : -16.1%

The second-best-selling Vertigo title hasn’t been as stable as it used to be for the last couple of months.
—–

137 - MEN OF WAR
09/2011: Men of War #1  -- 37,488
10/2011: Men of War #2  -- 31,446 (-16.1%)
11/2011: Men of War #3  -- 23,770 (-24.4%)
12/2011: Men of War #4  -- 16,641 (-30.0%)
01/2012: Men of War #5  -- 14,110 (-15.2%)

143 - BLACKHAWKS
09/2011: Blackhawks #1  -- 40,014          [46,435]
10/2011: Blackhawks #2  -- 31,704 (-20.8%)
11/2011: Blackhawks #3  -- 22,349 (-29.5%)
12/2011: Blackhawks #4  -- 16,810 (-24.8%)
01/2012: Blackhawks #5  -- 13,630 (-18.9%)

The two lowest-selling “New 52” series, both cancelled with issue #8.
—–

131 - THE RAY
12/2011: The Ray #1 of 4 -- 17,779
01/2012: The Ray #2 of 4 -- 13,587 (-23.6%)

An abysmal drop for a four-issue miniseries.
—–

140/141 - DC UNIVERSE ONLINE: LEGENDS
02/2011: DCU Online: Legends #1  -- 36,517
02/2011: DCU Online: Legends #2  -- 28,953 (-20.7%)
03/2011: DCU Online: Legends #3  -- 24,824 (-14.3%)
03/2011: DCU Online: Legends #4  -- 23,001 (- 7.3%)
04/2011: DCU Online: Legends #5  -- 21,427 (- 6.8%)
04/2011: DCU Online: Legends #6  -- 20,461 (- 4.5%)
05/2011: DCU Online: Legends #7  -- 20,064 (- 1.9%)
05/2011: DCU Online: Legends #8  -- 19,471 (- 3.0%)
06/2011: DCU Online: Legends #9  -- 18,759 (- 3.7%)
06/2011: DCU Online: Legends #10 -- 18,178 (- 3.1%)
07/2011: DCU Online: Legends #11 -- 17,509 (- 3.7%)
07/2011: DCU Online: Legends #12 -- 17,223 (- 1.6%)
08/2011: DCU Online: Legends #13 -- 16,540 (- 4.0%)
08/2011: DCU Online: Legends #14 -- 16,018 (- 3.2%)
09/2011: --
10/2011: DCU Online: Legends #15 -- 15,460 (- 3.5%)
10/2011: DCU Online: Legends #16 -- 15,238 (- 1.4%)
11/2011: DCU Online: Legends #17 -- 14,226 (- 6.6%)
11/2011: DCU Online: Legends #18 -- 13,955 (- 1.9%)
12/2011: DCU Online: Legends #19 -- 13,350 (- 4.3%)
12/2011: DCU Online: Legends #20 -- 13,219 (- 1.0%)
01/2012: DCU Online: Legends #21 -- 12,578 (- 4.9%)
01/2012: DCU Online: Legends #22 -- 12,455 (- 1.0%)
----------------
6 months: -27.9%

Ending with issue #26.
—–

159 - T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS
01/2011: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #3  -- 10,602 (- 5.6%)
02/2011: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #4  -- 10,124 (- 4.5%)
03/2011: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #5  --  9,934 (- 1.9%)
04/2011: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #6  --  9,680 (- 2.6%)
05/2011: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #7  --  9,453 (- 2.4%)
06/2011: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #8  --  8,954 (- 5.3%)
07/2011: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #9  --  8,710 (- 2.7%)
08/2011: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #10 --  8,453 (- 3.0%)
09/2011: --
10/2011: --
11/2011: Vol. 2 #1 of 6            -- 14,794 (+75.0%)
12/2011: Vol. 2 #2 of 6            -- 12,015 (-18.8%)
01/2012: Vol. 2 #3 of 6            -- 10,354 (-13.8%)
----------------
6 months: +18.9%
1 year  : - 2.3%

Predictably poor numbers.
—–

162 - THE UNWRITTEN (Vertigo)
01/2010: The Unwritten #9  -- 13,792
------------------------------------
01/2011: The Unwritten #21 -- 11,443 (- 2.1%)
02/2011: The Unwritten #22 -- 11,371 (- 0.6%)
03/2011: The Unwritten #23 -- 11,319 (- 0.5%)
04/2011: The Unwritten #24 -- 11,028 (- 2.6%)
05/2011: The Unwritten #25 -- 11,137 (+ 1.0%)
06/2011: The Unwritten #26 -- 10,979 (- 1.4%)
07/2011: The Unwritten #27 -- 10,787 (- 1.8%)
08/2011: The Unwritten #28 -- 10,731 (- 0.5%)
09/2011: The Unwritten #29 -- 10,511 (- 2.1%)
10/2011: The Unwritten #30 -- 10,481 (- 0.3%)
11/2011: The Unwritten #31 -- 10,434 (- 0.5%)
11/2011: The Unwritten #.5 -- 10,183 (- 2.4%)
12/2011: The Unwritten #32 -- 10,073 (- 1.1%)
12/2011: The Unwritten #.5 --  9,759 (- 3.1%)
01/2012: The Unwritten #33 --  9,888 (+ 1.3%)
01/2012: The Unwritten #.5 --  9,483 (- 4.1%)
----------------
6 months: -10.2%
1 year  : -15.4%
2 years : -29.8%

The book has lost some of its stability since it started coming out two times a month.
—–

168 - HELLBLAZER (Vertigo)
01/2007: Hellblazer #228 -- 12,956
01/2008: Hellblazer #240 -- 12,213
01/2009: Hellblazer #251 -- 11,290
01/2010: Hellblazer #263 -- 10,179
----------------------------------
01/2011: Hellblazer #275 --  9,507 (+1.8%)
02/2011: Hellblazer #276 --  9,466 (-0.4%)
03/2011: Hellblazer #277 --  9,525 (+0.6%)
04/2011: Hellblazer #278 --  9,417 (-1.1%)
05/2011: Hellblazer #279 --  9,454 (+0.4%)
06/2011: Hellblazer #280 --  9,329 (-1.3%)
07/2011: Hellblazer #281 --  9,225 (-1.1%)
08/2011: Hellblazer #282 --  9,372 (+1.5%)
09/2011: Hellblazer #283 --  9,597 (+2.4%)
10/2011: Hellblazer #284 --  9,608 (+0.1%)
11/2011: Hellblazer #285 --  9,500 (-1.1%)
12/2011: Hellblazer #286 --  9,404 (-1.0%)
01/2012: Hellblazer #287 --  9,368 (-0.4%)
----------------
6 months: + 1.6%
1 year  : - 1.5%
2 years : - 8.0%
5 years : -27.7%

A pretty solid performer overall.
—–

179 - I, ZOMBIE (Vertigo)
01/2011: I, Zombie #9  -- 11,536 (- 4.2%)
02/2011: I, Zombie #10 -- 11,182 (- 3.1%)
03/2011: I, Zombie #11 -- 10,874 (- 2.8%)
04/2011: I, Zombie #12 -- 10,727 (- 1.4%)
05/2011: I, Zombie #13 -- 10,567 (- 1.5%)
06/2011: I, Zombie #14 -- 10,320 (- 2.3%)
07/2011: I, Zombie #15 -- 10,006 (- 3.0%)
08/2011: I, Zombie #16 --  9,568 (- 4.4%)
09/2011: I, Zombie #17 --  9,316 (- 2.6%)
10/2011: I, Zombie #18 --  9,237 (- 0.9%)
11/2011: I, Zombie #19 --  8,999 (- 2.6%)
12/2011: I, Zombie #20 --  8,805 (- 2.2%)
01/2012: I, Zombie #21 --  8,514 (- 3.3%)
----------------
6 months: -14.9%
1 year  : -26.2%

Slipping.

—–

183 - SWEET TOOTH (Vertigo)
01/2010: Sweet Tooth #5  --  9,787
----------------------------------
01/2011: Sweet Tooth #17 --  8,522 (- 0.9%)
02/2011: Sweet Tooth #18 --  8,466 (- 0.7%)
03/2011: Sweet Tooth #19 --  8,532 (+ 0.8%)
04/2011: Sweet Tooth #20 --  8,361 (- 2.0%)
05/2011: Sweet Tooth #21 --  8,360 (- 0.0%)
06/2011: Sweet Tooth #22 --  8,252 (- 1.3%)
07/2011: Sweet Tooth #23 --  8,018 (- 2.8%)
08/2011: Sweet Tooth #24 --  7,948 (- 0.9%)
09/2011: Sweet Tooth #25 --  7,896 (- 0.7%)
10/2011: Sweet Tooth #26 --  7,963 (+ 0.9%)
11/2011: Sweet Tooth #27 --  7,923 (- 0.5%)
12/2011: Sweet Tooth #28 --  7,699 (- 2.8%)
01/2012: Sweet Tooth #29 --  8,128 (+ 5.6%)
----------------
6 months: + 1.4%
1 year  : - 4.6%
2 years : -17.0%

The slight increase is due to a 1:10 variant edition with a cover drawn by Travel Foreman, the artist of Animal Man.
—–

189 - TINY TITANS (Johnny DC)
01/2009: Tiny Titans #12 --  8,733
01/2010: Tiny Titans #24 --  7,844
----------------------------------
01/2011: Tiny Titans #36 --  7,480 (- 0.5%)
02/2011: Tiny Titans #37 --  7,426 (- 0.7%)
03/2011: Tiny Titans #38 --  7,372 (- 0.7%)
04/2011: Tiny Titans #39 --  7,445 (+ 1.0%)
05/2011: Tiny Titans #40 --  7,847 (+ 5.4%)
06/2011: Tiny Titans #41 --  7,811 (- 0.5%)
07/2011: Tiny Titans #42 --  7,664 (- 1.9%)
08/2011: Tiny Titans #43 --  7,534 (- 1.7%)
09/2011: Tiny Titans #44 --  7,619 (+ 1.1%)
10/2011: Tiny Titans #45 --  7,836 (+ 2.9%)
11/2011: Tiny Titans #46 --  7,748 (- 1.1%)
12/2011: Tiny Titans #47 --  7,689 (- 0.8%)
01/2012: Tiny Titans #48 --  7,819 (+ 1.7%)
----------------
6 months: + 2.0%
1 year  : + 4.5%
2 years : - 0.3%

The best-selling Johnny DC title on the chart. See small print.
—–

193 - MY GREATEST ADVENTURE
01/2011: Weird Worlds #1 of 6 -- 14,964
02/2011: Weird Worlds #2 of 6 -- 11,587 (- 22.6%)
03/2011: Weird Worlds #3 of 6 -- 10,470 (-  9.6%)
04/2011: Weird Worlds #4 of 6 --  9,665 (-  7.7%)
05/2011: Weird Worlds #5 of 6 --  9,043 (-  6.4%)
06/2011: Weird Worlds #6 of 6 --  8,536 (-  5.6%)
---------------------------------------
10/2011: MGA #1 of 6          -- 17,222 (+101.8%)
11/2011: MGA #2 of 6          -- 11,782 (- 31.6%)
12/2011: MGA #3 of 6          --  8,858 (- 24.8%)
01/2012: MGA #4 of 6          --  7,591 (- 14.3%)
----------------
1 year  : -49.3%

Retailers still aren’t done slashing their orders here.
—–

218 - YOUNG JUSTICE (Johnny DC)
01/2011: Young Justice #0  --  9,412
02/2011: Young Justice #1  -- 10,777 (+14.5%)
03/2011: Young Justice #2  --  9,612 (-10.8%)
04/2011: Young Justice #3  --  9,407 (- 2.1%)
05/2011: Young Justice #4  --  9,729 (+ 3.4%)
06/2011: Young Justice #5  --  8,988 (- 7.6%)
07/2011: Young Justice #6  --  8,642 (- 3.9%)
08/2011: Young Justice #7  --  8,062 (- 6.7%)
09/2011: Young Justice #8  --  7,930 (- 1.6%)
10/2011: Young Justice #9  --  7,737 (- 2.4%)
11/2011: Young Justice #10 --  7,650 (- 1.1%)
12/2011: Young Justice #11 --  7,221 (- 5.6%)
01/2012: Young Justice #12 --  7,288 (+ 0.9%)
----------------
6 months: -15.7%
1 year  : -22.6%

206 - THE ALL-NEW BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD (Johnny DC)
01/2007: Batman Strikes! #29   --  7,330
01/2008: Batman Strikes! #41   --  6,723
01/2009: Brave & Bold #1       -- 13,935
01/2010: Brave & Bold #13      --  6,129
----------------------------------------
01/2011: All-New BBB #3        --  6,557 (-  2.0%)
02/2011: All-New BBB #4        --  6,561 (+  0.1%)
03/2011: All-New BBB #5        --  6,463 (-  1.5%)
04/2011: All-New BBB #6        --  6,324 (-  2.1%)
05/2011: All-New BBB #7        --  6,869 (+  8.6%)
06/2011: All-New BBB #8        --  6,645 (-  3.3%)
07/2011: All-New BBB #9        --  6,404 (-  3.6%)
08/2011: All-New BBB #10       --  6,351 (-  0.8%)
09/2011: All-New BBB #11       --  6,410 (+  0.9%)
10/2011: All-New BBB #12       --  6,771 (+  5.6%)
11/2011: All-New BBB #13       --  7,143 (+  5.5%)
12/2011: All-New BBB #14       --  6,724 (-  5.9%)
01/2012: All-New BBB #15       --  6,827 (+  1.5%)
----------------
6 months: + 6.6%
1 year  : + 4.1%
2 years : +11.4%
5 years : - 6.9%

Two more Johnny DC books.
—–

210 - NORTHLANDERS (Vertigo)
01/2008: Northlanders #2  -- 15,945
01/2009: Northlanders #14 --  9,467
01/2010: Northlanders #24 --  7,935
-----------------------------------
01/2011: Northlanders #36 --  6,806 (- 3.6%)
02/2011: Northlanders #37 --  7,006 (+ 2.9%)
03/2011: Northlanders #38 --  7,020 (+ 0.2%)
04/2011: Northlanders #39 --  6,983 (- 0.5%)
05/2011: Northlanders #40 --  7,055 (+ 1.0%)
06/2011: Northlanders #41 --  6,954 (- 1.4%)
07/2011: Northlanders #42 --  6,989 (+ 0.5%)
08/2011: Northlanders #43 --  6,901 (- 1.3%)
09/2011: Northlanders #44 --  6,858 (- 0.6%)
10/2011: Northlanders #45 --  6,973 (+ 1.7%)
11/2011: Northlanders #46 --  6,792 (- 2.6%)
12/2011: --
01/2012: Northlanders #47 --  6,665 (- 1.9%)
----------------
6 months: - 4.6%
1 year  : - 2.1%
2 years : -16.0%

Cancelled with issue #50.
—–

215 - SUPERNATURAL
10/2011: Supernatrl #1 of 6 --  8,896
11/2011: Supernatrl #2 of 6 --  7,506 (-15.6%)
12/2011: Supernatrl #3 of 6 --  6,638 (-11.6%)
01/2012: Supernatrl #4 of 6 --  6,251 (- 5.8%)

The TV adaptation is levelling out.
—–

218 - SCALPED (Vertigo)
01/2007: Scalped #1  -- 13,644
01/2008: Scalped #13 --  6,993
01/2009: --
01/2010: --
------------------------------
01/2011: Scalped #45 --  6,187 (- 0.1%)
02/2011: Scalped #46 --  6,179 (- 0.1%)
03/2011: Scalped #47 --  6,222 (+ 0.7%)
04/2011: Scalped #48 --  6,272 (+ 0.8%)
05/2011: --
06/2011: Scalped #49 --  6,333 (+ 1.0%)
06/2011: Scalped #50 --  6,471 (+ 2.2%)
07/2011: --
08/2011: Scalped #51 --  6,409 (- 1.0%)
09/2011: Scalped #52 --  6,270 (- 2.2%)
10/2011: Scalped #53 --  6,203 (- 1.1%)
11/2011: Scalped #54 --  6,157 (- 0.7%)
12/2011: --
01/2012: Scalped #55 --  6,083 (- 1.2%)
----------------
6 months:  n.a.
1 year  : - 1.7%
2 years :  n.a.
5 years : -55.4%

Ending with issue #60.
—–

246 - UNCHARTED
11/2011: Uncharted #1 of 6 -- 6,171
12/2011: Uncharted #2 of 6 -- 4,532 (-26.6%)
01/2012: Uncharted #3 of 6 -- 4,643 (+ 2.5%)

A video-game adaptation.
—–

249 - SCOOBY DOO: WHERE ARE YOU? (Johnny DC)
01/2007: Scooby Doo #116 -- 4,285
01/2008: Scooby Doo #128 -- 4,147
01/2009: Scooby Doo #140 -- 3,800
01/2010: Scooby Doo #152 -- 3,724
---------------------------------
01/2011: SD:WAY? #5      -- 4,540 (- 5.5%)
02/2011: SD:WAY? #6      -- 4,456 (- 1.9%)
03/2011: SD:WAY? #7      -- 4,522 (+ 1.5%)
04/2011: SD:WAY? #8      -- 4,599 (+ 1.7%)
05/2011: SD:WAY? #9      -- 4,838 (+ 5.2%)
06/2011: SD:WAY? #10     -- 4,774 (- 1.3%)
07/2011: SD:WAY? #11     -- 4,791 (+ 0.4%)
08/2011: SD:WAY? #12     -- 4,686 (- 2.2%)
09/2011: SD:WAY? #13     -- 4,701 (+ 0.3%)
10/2011: SD:WAY? #14     -- ?
11/2011: SD:WAY? #15     -- 4,701
12/2011: SD:WAY? #16     -- 4,627 (- 1.6%)
01/2012: SD:WAY? #17     -- 4,533 (- 2.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 5.4%
1 year  : - 0.2%
2 years : +21.7%
5 years : + 5.8%

Another Johnny DC book.
—–

251 - DIABLO
11/2011: Diablo #1 of 5 -- 5,612
12/2011: --
01/2012: Diablo #2 of 5 -- 4,366 (-22.2%)

And another comic based on a video game. As of May 2012, this is the only serial adaptation of a licensed TV or game franchise. Given the performance of those books, which look suspiciously like hangovers from the defunct WildStorm imprint, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them petering out or move completely to the digital realm.

Another adaptation, End of Nations #3, also shipped in January, but failed to make the chart. As always, for the purposes of the average-sales statistics below, I’m assuming it sold as many units as the No. 300 title on the chart, which was 2,606 in December.
—–

REORDERS:
225: 5,541 -- Justice League #1 (5th)
288: 3,026 -- Justice League #4
296: 2,829 -- Batman #4

—–

"NEW 52" #5 CHANGES
+ 1.0%: Batman
+ 0.2%: Aquaman
------
- 0.0%: Detective Comics
- 0.1%: Wonder Woman
- 0.6%: Teen Titans
- 1.6%: Batwoman
- 1.9%: GL: New Guardians
- 1.9%: Swamp Thing
- 2.4%: Batman: The Dark Knight
- 2.4%: Nightwing
- 3.1%: Action Comics
- 3.1%: Justice League
- 3.4%: Catwoman
- 3.7%: Superman
- 3.9%: Red Hood
- 4.2%: Batman and Robin
- 4.8%: Animal Man
- 4.9%: Batgirl
------
- 5.3%: Suicide Squad
- 5.4%: GL Corps
- 6.0%: Green Lantern
- 6.1%: Stormwatch
- 6.2%: Supergirl
- 6.5%: Red Lanterns
- 6.5%: Superboy
- 6.6%: JLI
- 7.3%: All Star Western
- 7.4%: Flash
- 7.9%: LoSH
- 8.0%: Birds of Prey
- 8.1%: Demon Knights
- 8.4%: Frankenstein
- 8.4%: JLD
- 9.5%: Deathstroke
- 9.5%: Green Arrow
- 9.6%: DCU Presents
------
-10.0%: Resurrection Man
-10.1%: Batwing
-10.3%: Legion Lost
-10.8%: Grifter
-11.1%: Blue Beetle
-11.6%: OMAC
-12.4%: Captain Atom
-12.4%: Hawk & Dove
-12.9%: I, Vampire
-14.0%: Static Shock
-14.6%: Mister Terrific
-14.6%: Voodoo
------
-15.2%: Hawkman
-15.2%: Men of War
-16.7%: Firestorm
-18.9%: Blackhawks

—–

6-MONTH COMPARISONS
+232.2%: JLA
+172.0%: Action Comics
+163.0%: Batman
+158.6%: All Star Western
+155.5%: Detective Comics
+152.1%: Batgirl
+136.2%: Teen Titans
+107.2%: Supergirl
+101.2%: Superman
+ 93.9%: Wonder Woman
+ 69.3%: Superboy
+ 31.9%: Batman and Robin
+ 31.4%: Green Arrow
+ 31.3%: Green Lantern
+ 22.4%: Dark Knight
+ 18.9%: THUNDER Agents
+ 17.6%: LoSH
+ 17.0%: Birds of Prey
+  8.8%: New Guardians
+  6.6%: All-New BBB
+  2.0%: Tiny Titans
+  1.6%: Hellblazer
+  1.4%: Sweet Tooth
-  4.6%: Northlanders
-  5.1%: Fables
-  5.4%: Scooby-Doo
-  8.5%: American Vampire
-  8.9%: GL Corps
- 10.2%: Unwritten
- 14.9%: I, Zombie
- 15.7%: Young Justice
- 27.9%: DCU Online

—–

1-YEAR COMPARISONS
+240.3%: Action Comics
+207.2%: JLA
+158.6%: Detective Comics
+153.0%: All Star Western
+126.4%: Batgirl
+124.4%: Batman
+114.6%: Teen Titans
+ 83.7%: Supergirl
+ 76.2%: Superman
+ 71.5%: Wonder Woman
+ 26.6%: Superboy
+ 20.3%: New Guardians
+ 17.8%: Batman and Robin
+  5.8%: LoSH
+  4.5%: Tiny Titans
+  4.1%: All-New BBB
+  0.8%: GL Corps
+  0.3%: Birds of Prey
-  0.2%: Scooby-Doo
-  1.5%: Hellblazer
-  1.7%: Scalped
-  2.1%: Northlanders
-  2.3%: THUNDER Agents
-  4.6%: Sweet Tooth
-  4.9%: Green Arrow
-  8.3%: Fables
- 15.4%: Unwritten
- 16.1%: American Vampire
- 22.6%: Young Justice
- 26.2%: I, Zombie
- 49.3%: Greatest Adventure

—–

2-YEAR COMPARISONS
+256.4%: Action Comics
+143.3%: All Star Western
+132.4%: JLA
+130.8%: Superman
+129.1%: Wonder Woman
+116.3%: Detective Comics
+112.9%: Batman
+103.8%: Green Arrow
+ 96.5%: Teen Titans
+ 87.6%: Batgirl
+ 49.5%: Supergirl
+ 21.7%: Scooby-Doo
+ 11.4%: All-New BBB
-  0.3%: Tiny Titans
-  8.0%: Hellblazer
-  8.1%: Green Lantern
- 12.8%: Fables
- 16.0%: Northlanders
- 17.0%: Sweet Tooth
- 17.1%: Batman and Robin
- 29.3%: GL Corps
- 29.8%: Unwritten

—–

5-YEAR COMPARISONS
+103.9%: Catwoman
+ 86.4%: Batman
+ 65.2%: Nightwing
+ 58.5%: Stormwatch
+ 51.3%: All Star Western
+ 48.1%: Green Lantern
+ 46.5%: GL Corps
+ 34.0%: Hawkman
+ 21.5%: Superman
+  9.2%: Birds of Prey
+  5.8%: Scooby-Doo
+  5.7%: Green Arrow
-  4.1%: Blue Beetle
-  6.9%: All-New BBB
-  9.4%: Teen Titans
- 20.8%: LoSH
- 27.7%: Hellblazer
- 31.7%: Fables
- 55.4%: Scalped

—–
Average Periodical Sales (not counting reprints, reorders shipping after the initial month of release, Johnny DC titles and magazines)

DC COMICS
01/2007: 29,706
01/2008: 27,033
01/2009: 24,273
01/2010: 25,657**
---------------
01/2011: 21,922 (-  8.2%)**
02/2011: 23,252 (+  6.1%)**
03/2011: 23,976 (+  3.1%)**
04/2011: 25,651 (+  7.0%)
05/2011: 24,561 (-  4.3%)**
06/2011: 25,814 (+  5.1%)**
07/2011: 26,138 (+  1.3%)**
08/2011: 25,632 (-  1.9%)**
09/2011: 57,224 (+123.3%)
10/2011: 51,280 (- 10.4%)**
11/2011: 41,414 (- 19.2%)**
12/2011: 35,397 (- 14.5%)**
01/2012: 33,887 (-  4.3%)**
-----------------
6 months: + 29.7%
1 year  : + 54.6%
2 years : + 32.1%
5 years : + 14.1%

DC UNIVERSE
01/2007: 38,302
01/2008: 33,654
01/2009: 32,705
01/2010: 33,698
---------------
01/2011: 24,321 (- 21.2%)**
02/2011: 25,887 (+  6.4%)**
03/2011: 26,720 (+  3.2%)**
04/2011: 29,126 (+  9.0%)
05/2011: 27,745 (-  4.7%)**
06/2011: 28,673 (+  3.4%)**
07/2011: 28,586 (-  0.3%)**
08/2011: 27,761 (-  2.9%)**
09/2011: 67,411 (+142.8%)
10/2011: 59,146 (- 12.3%)**
11/2011: 46,670 (- 21.1%)**
12/2011: 39,390 (- 15.6%)**
01/2012: 37,145 (-  5.7%)**
-----------------
6 months: + 29.9%
1 year  : + 52.7%
2 years : + 10.2%
5 years : -  3.0%

VERTIGO
01/2007: 13,572
01/2008: 10,115
01/2009: 10,980
01/2010: 11,267
---------------
01/2011: 10,145 (- 9.4%)
02/2011: 10,295 (+ 1.5%)
03/2011: 10,450 (+ 1.5%)
04/2011: 10,014 (- 4.2%)
05/2011: 10,668 (+ 6.5%)
06/2011: 10,415 (- 2.4%)
07/2011: 10,784 (+ 3.5%)
08/2011: 10,147 (- 5.9%)
09/2011:  9,995 (- 1.5%)
10/2011: 10,643 (+ 6.5%)
11/2011: 10,355 (- 2.7%)
12/2011: 11,082 (+ 7.0%)
01/2012:  9,995 (- 9.8%)
-----------------
6 months: -  7.3%
1 year  : -  1.5%
2 years : - 11.3%
5 years : - 26.4%

—–
Disclaimers, et cetera

The numbers above are estimates for comic-book sales in the North American direct market, as calculated by ICv2.com according to the chart and index information provided by Diamond Comic Distributors.

ICv2.com‘s estimates are somewhat lower than the actual numbers, but they are consistent from month to month, so the trends they show are fairly accurate. Since it’s a “month-to-month” column, the comments, unless otherwise noted, are on the most recent month.

Bear in mind that the figures measure sales to retailers, not customers. Also, these numbers do not include sales to bookstores, newsstands, other mass-market retail chains or the United Kingdom. Re-orders are included, so long as they either reached stores in a book’s initial calendar month of release or were strong enough to make the chart again in a subsequent month.

If additional copies of an issue did appear on the chart after a book’s initial calendar month of release, you can see the total number of copies sold in parenthesis behind those issues (e.g. “[36,599]”). Should more than one issue have shipped in a month which is relevant for one of the long-term comparisons, the average between them will be used.

Titles released under the Johnny DC imprint and magazines, such as Mad, mostly sell through channels other than the direct market, so direct-market sales don’t tell us much about their performance. For most Vertigo titles, collection sales tend to be a significant factor, so the numbers for those books should be taken with a grain of salt as well. To learn (a little) more about Vertigo’s collection sales, go right here.

** Two asterisks after a given month in the average charts mean that one or more periodical release did not make the Top 300 chart in that month. In those cases, it’s assumed that said releases sold as many units as the No. 300 comic on the chart for that month for the purposes of the chart, although its actual sales are likely to be less than that.

For a more lyrical approach to discussing sales figures that covers all the essentials in a more condensed, less tedious fashion, finally, go right here.

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Marc-Oliver Frisch writes about comics at his weblog and at Comicgate. You can also follow him on Twitter.