STK638120by David Carter

Greetings, sales charts fans! It’s time once again to look at DC’s sales figures.

DC take five of the top ten spots on the Diamond sales charts, and after taking a shellacking on market share last month pull up nearly even to their Marvelous Competition, though in a month where the market was down from the previous year.

There are some good things to point to: DC’s strategy of canceling their low-selling ongoing DCU titles and replacing them with weekly titles is working, at least so far. With the exception of last September’s anomalous 3D cover month, May 2014 is the best average sales for the DCU line since in nearly two years, since June 2012. Most importantly, Batman Eternal and Futures End give them several comics in the 50-75K range, an area in which they have been sorely lacking as of late. Mind you this isn’t a long-term strategy, but it keeps the bears at bay for a few more months until the Next Big Event or line-wide gimmick comes along.

(A note: This month, for most Batman Family titles, the 2-year comparisons are with the “Night of the Owl” crossover, while the 6-month comparisons are with the “Zero Year” crossover.)

Warning: The commentary below may contain reasoned analysis, speculation (unfounded and otherwise), opinion, and/or snark. Those looking for a more straightforward analysis are directed to John Jackson Miller’s excellent Comichron analysis, posted earlier this month right here at The Beat!

Please consider the fine 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.

(Note that the percentage comparisons are now done with total orders including reorder activity, as opposed to initial orders as was the practice of this column under the previous administration.)

4 - BATMAN ($3.99)
05/2004: Batman #627   --  76,885 
05/2009: Batman BfC #3 --  89,170 
05/2010: Batman #699   --  62,377
05/2011: Batman #710   --  55,086
05/2012: Batman #9     -- 134,605 
-------------------------------
05/2013: Batman #20    -- 129,039 (-  2.4%)
06/2013: Batman #21    -- 142,088 (+ 21.5%) [156,845]
07/2013: Batman #22    -- 132,047 (- 15.8%)
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 (+  7.6%) [129,156]
10/2013: Batman #24    -- 124,652 (-  3.5%)
11/2013: Batman #25    -- 125,602 (+  0.8%)
12/2013: Batman #26    -- 119,443 (-  4.9%)
01/2014: Batman #27    -- 115,492 (-  1.7%) [117,395]
02/2014: Batman #28    -- 114,089 (-  1.3%) [115,891]
03/2014: Batman #29    -- 116,926 (+  0.9%)
04/2014: Batman #30    -- 108,998 (-  6.8%)
05/2014: Batman #31    -- 107,499 (+  0.2%) [109,170]
-----------------
6 months: - 13.1%
1 year  : - 11.3%
2 years : - 18.9%
5 years : + 22.4%
10 years: + 42.0%
Since #1: - 51.1%

Don’t let that slight uptick fool you; the combo pack edition didn’t chart last month, as the cut-off at #400 was 2,823 while this month it was 1,671 (where the Batman #31 combo pack barely squeaked in). The mystery drop from last month remains, which is a bit worrying. Still, Batman remains DC’s sole title selling over 100K, and two collections (paperback vol. 3 & hardcover vol. 4) take the #1 & #2 slots this month on the Graphic Novels chart.


5 - FOREVER EVIL ($4.99)
09/2013: Forever Evil #1 -- 139,976           [147,016]
10/2013: Forever Evil #2 -- 112,944 (- 23.2%)
11/2013: Forever Evil #3 -- 105,755 (-  6.4%)
12/2013: Forever Evil #4 --  99,351 (-  6.1%)
01/2014: -- 
02/2014: Forever Evil #5 --  92,014 (-  7.4%)
03/2014: Forever Evil #6 --  92,036 (+  0.0%)
04/2014: -- 
05/2014: Forever Evil #7 --  96,098 (+  4.4%)
-----------------
6 months: -  9.1%
Since #1: - 34.6%

The final, extra-sized (and extra-priced) issue ends on a slight uptick, two months later than originally planned. As far as event comics go, this went okay I suppose? It caused a bit of havoc with the tie-in books due to its lateness. Not a blockbuster but not a disaster either.

For point of comparison, Marvel’s Original Sin debuted this month with sales of 147,045 for #1 and 92,643 for issue #2.

(After this point in the chart, all further titles are outsold by Image’s The Walking Dead…)

??, 9, 19, 26, 28 - The New 52  Futures End ($2.99)
05/2014: Futures End #0  --  ?????? 
05/2014: Futures End #1  --  77,867 
05/2014: Futures End #2  --  62,862 (- 19.3%) 
05/2014: Futures End #3  --  59,148 (-  5.9%)
05/2014: Futures End #4  --  58,496 (-  1.1%)
-----------------
Since #1: - 24.9%

All four issues were returnable, so the figures have been adjusted up 10% from what was reported by Diamond/ICv2. (For an explanation why this is done for returnable items, please see the fine print at the end of this post.)

(Issue #1 had an incentive variant cover, while the others did not have any variants.)

DC’s second weekly debuts this month. To no one’s surprise it debuts lower than Batman Eternal did, but it’s percentage drops for the first four issues follow those of BE almost exactly. It was heavily promoted with the #0 issue being DC’s Free Comic Book Day offering, but it appears that retailers weren’t terribly convinced that this would hold much appeal beyond DC’s core readership. DC’s big September 3D cover stunt ties into this title, so maybe they were hoping for somewhat higher sales? Still, if Futures End settles into the low 50K range, that’s a range where DC hasn’t had many titles as of late and it’s a far sight better than the individual titles it is replacing.

7 - JUSTICE LEAGUE ($3.99)
05/2004: JLA #98             --  69,965
05/2004: JLA #99             --  69,058 [70,506]
05/2009: JL of America #33   --  63,867
05/2010: JL of America #45   --  62,465
05/2011: JL of America #57   --  46,729
05/2012: Justice League #9   -- 131,332
---------------------------------------
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 (- 14.4%) [67,855]
09/2013: #23.4: Secret Socty --  78,014 (+ 23.1%) [83,500]
10/2013: Justice League #24  --  98,491 (+ 18.0%)
11/2013: --
12/2013: Justice League #25  --  94,004 (-  4.6%)
12/2013: Justice League #26  --  90,592 (-  3.6%)
01/2014: Justice League #27  --  84,674 (-  6.5%)
02/2014: Justice League #28  --  80,901 (-  4.5%)
03/2014: --
04/2014: Justice League #29  --  78,912 (-  2.5%)
05/2014: Justice League #30  --  77,456 (-  1.8%)
-----------------
6 months:    n.a.
1 year  : - 20.7%
2 years : - 41.0%
5 years : + 21.3%
10 years: + 10.3%
Since #1: - 71.4%

So apparently in last month’s column I forgot to include Justice League. I mean completely. I’ve made a few mistakes since I took over the DC Month-to-Month column, but that one takes the cake. Sorry folks; I’ll try to do better!

The Forever Evil crossovers wrap up as Justice League establishes its new, post-FE status quo, and with sales at their lowest level since the relaunch. If DC were hoping for a boost coming out of Forever Evil, that didn’t happen.

10, 11, 17, 15 - BATMAN ETERNAL ($2.99)
04/2014: Batman Eternal #1  -- 105,754           [110,916]
04/2014: Batman Eternal #2  --  84,566 (- 20.2%) [ 88,468]
04/2014: Batman Eternal #3  --  79,703 (-  4.8%) [ 84,183]
04/2014: Batman Eternal #4  --  78,009 (-  1.7%) [ 82,743]
05/2014: Batman Eternal #5  --  73,475 (- 11.2%)
05/2014: Batman Eternal #6  --  70,983 (-  3.4%)
05/2014: Batman Eternal #7  --  68,251 (-  3.8%)
05/2014: Batman Eternal #8  --  68,523 (+  0.4%)
-----------------
Since #1: - 38.2%

As with last month, all four BE issues were returnable, and the numbers above are adjusted accordingly.

I have no idea as to why there was a slight uptick on issue #8–maybe the Guillem March artwork on that issue?

The bigger news is the healthy re-order activity on the first four issues (5,162, 3,902, 4,480 & 4,734). This indicates that reader interest was stronger than many retailers had anticipated, and I expect we’ll see upward adjustments for the May issues as well.

12 - JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED ($3.99)
04/2014: Justice League United #0  -- 68,431 
05/2014: Justice League United #1  -- 64,209 (-  6.2%) 
-----------------
Since #0: -  6.2%

A 6.2% drop is much lower than the usual drop off from a #1 to #2 (typically 20-25%), which means that DC’s cynical ploy of branding the first issue as #0 worked. So expect more of this numbering nonsense in the future.

13 - SUPERMAN: DOOMED ($4.99)
05/2014: Doomed #1  -- 63,424

I was talking to the manager of a Local Comics Shop a couple of weeks ago, who told me that at his store all of the issues in the “Superman: Doomed” crossover were selling out and that demand was much higher than had been anticipated. Second printings for many are coming. So more good news for DC as apparently there’s still some life in 90s nostalgia.

14 - HARLEY QUINN ($2.99)
11/2013: Harley Quinn #0  -- 114,212           [125,850]
12/2013: Harley Quinn #1  --  92,153 (- 10.8%) [112,265]
01/2014: Harley Quinn #2  --  66,363 (- 26.9%) [ 82,031]
02/2014: Harley Quinn #3  --  63,967 (- 18.6%) [ 66,787]
03/2014: Harley Quinn #4  --  63,120 (-  5.5%)
04/2014: Harley Quinn #5  --  63,155 (+  0.1%)
05/2014: Harley Quinn #6  --  62,467 (-  1.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 50.4%
Since #0: - 50.4%

These continue to be great numbers for a book starring a C-list character. Issue #2 adds an additional 5,547 this month as well, indicating continued strong demand.

22, 27 - BATMAN/SUPERMAN ($3.99)
05/2004: Superman/Batman #9  -- 145,072 [156,539]
05/2009: Superman/Batman #57 --  41,743
05/2009: Superman/Batman #58 --  41,100
05/2010: Superman/Batman #71 --  31,714
05/2011: Superman/Batman #83 --  28,403
---------------------------------------
06/2013: Batman/Superman #1  -- 143,457          [151,054]
07/2013: Batman/Superman #2  --  92,558 (-33.1%) [101,104]
08/2013: Batman/Superman #3  --  87,337 (-13.6%)
09/2013: #3.1: Doomsday      --  92,290 (+10.4%) [96,453]
10/2013: Batman/Superman #4  --  82,990 (-14.0%)
11/2013: Batman/Superman #5  --  77,198 (- 7.0%)
12/2013: Batman/Superman #6  --  68,857 (-10.8%)
01/2014: Batman/Superman #7  --  61,074 (-11.3%)
02/2014: Batman/Superman #8  --  59,138 (- 3.2%)
02/2014: --
04/2014: Batman/Superman #9  --  56,223 (- 4.9%)
05/2014: Batman/Superman #10 --  54,844 (- 4.9%)
05/2014: Batman/Superman #11 --  53,504 (- 4.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 32.3%
5 years : + 35.7%
10 years: - 64.1%
Since #1: - 64.6%

Two issues this month to catch up on the schedule. Issue #10 is a fill-in and features the New 52 debut of Ray Palmer as The Atom. Issue #11 is part of “Superman: Doomed,” so expect to see re-order activity next month.

24 - DETECTIVE COMICS ($3.99)
05/2004: Detective Comics #794 --  34,875
05/2009: --
05/2010: Detective Comics #865 --  41,501
05/2011: Detective Comics #877 --  39,609
05/2012: Detective Comics #9   --  96,016
-----------------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Detective Comics #27  --  88,702 (+ 59.8%) [90,335]
02/2014: Detective Comics #28  --  56,619 (- 37.3%)
03/2014: Detective Comics #29  --  55,486 (-  2.0%)
04/2014: Detective Comics #30  --  56,149 (+  1.2%)
05/2014: Detective Comics #31  --  54,518 (-  2.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 15.3%
1 year  : - 30.3%
2 years : - 43.2%
5 years :    n.a.
10 years: + 56.3%
Since #1: - 64.8%

Dropping right back into a standard decline after last month’s new creative team debut.

31 - JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA ($3.99)
05/2004: JLA #98             --  69,965
05/2004: JLA #99             --  69,058 [70,506]
05/2009: JL of America #33   --  63,867
05/2010: JL of America #45   --  62,465
05/2011: JL of America #57   --  46,729
---------------------------------------
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 (+32.2%) [94,923]
08/2013: JL of America #7    --  93,777 (- 1.2%)
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 (+ 3.2%)
11/2013: JL of America #9    --  71,008 (- 8.1%)
12/2013: JL of America #10   --  65,678 (- 7.5%)
01/2014: JL of America #11   --  65,365 (- 0.5%)
02/2014: JL of America #12   --  56,259 (-13.9%)
03/2014: JL of America #13   --  54,349 (- 3.4%)
04/2014: --
05/2014: JL of America #14   --  51,351 (- 5.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 27.7%
1 year  : - 38.3%
5 years : - 19.6%
10 years: - 26.9%
Since #1: - 84.3%

Final issue, delayed due to Forever Evil lateness.

32 - SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN ($3.99)
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%)
01/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #4  -- 47,350 (- 7.8%)
02/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #5  -- 44,847 (- 5.3%)
03/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #6  -- 43,308 (- 3.4%)
04/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #7  -- 45,157 (+ 4.3%)
05/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #8  -- 47,803 (+ 5.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 20.6%
Since #1: - 49.6%

Part of the “Superman: Doomed” crossover.

38 - NIGHTWING ($3.99)
05/2004: Nightwing #93 --  30,816
05/2012: Nightwing #9   -- 61,395
---------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Nightwing #27  -- 38,325 (- 0.3%)
02/2014: Nightwing #28  -- 36,940 (- 3.6%)
03/2014: Nightwing #29  -- 36,814 (- 0.3%)
04/2014: --
05/2014: Nightwing #30  -- 43,923 (+19.3%)
-----------------
6 months: -  0.3%
1 year  : -  2.5%
2 years : - 28.5%
10 years: + 42.5%
Since #1: - 49.8%

A nice uptick for the final, oversized (and overpriced) issue, delayed by Forever Evil lateness. The original solicitation was vague but hinted that this may have been the aftermath of the Death of Nightwing in FE, and I’m not sure if news of the Grayson comic was announced prior to FOC.

39 - GREEN LANTERN ($2.99)
05/2004: Green Lantern #177 --  33,391 [36,128]
05/2009: Green Lantern #41  --  81,491
05/2010: Green Lantern #55  --  88,292
05/2011: Green Lantern #66  --  75,371
05/2012: Green Lantern #9   --  87,601
--------------------------------------
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 (- 5.2%)
12/2013: Green Lantern #26  --  51,420 (- 5.0%)
01/2014: Green Lantern #27  --  48,831 (- 5.0%)
02/2014: GL/Red Lanterns#28 --  49,200 (+ 5.6%) [51,548]
03/2014: Green Lantern #29  --  45,797 (-11.2%)
04/2014: Green Lantern #30  --  44,483 (- 2.9%)
05/2014: Green Lantern #31  --  43,769 (- 1.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 19.4%
1 year  : - 35.1%
2 years : - 50.0%
5 years : - 46.3%
10 years: + 21.1%
Since #1: - 74.1%

Sales for the flagship Green Lantern title seem to finally be leveling out to the low 40K range in the post-Geoff Johns era. Which doesn’t exactly scream out to me that there need to be four more titles in the Green Lantern line, but I guess that’s why I’m a librarian and not a DC Comics editorial director…

(After this point in the chart, all further titles are outsold by Dark Horse’s Serenity mini-series.)

44 - BATMAN AND... ($2.99)
05/2010: Batman and Robin #12 --  84,843
05/2011: Batman and Robin #23 --  57,525
05/2012: Batman and Robin #9  --  75,967
----------------------------------------
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 Two-Face #25     --  53,374 (+ 2.5%)
12/2013: and Two-Face #26     --  46,611 (-12.7%)
01/2014: and Two-Face #27     --  45,462 (- 2.5%)
02/2014: and Two-Face #28     --  43,380 (- 4.6%)
03/2014: and Aquaman #29      --  43,295 (- 0.2%)
04/2014: and Wonder Woman #30 --  44,832 (+ 3.6%)
05/2014: and Frankenstein #31 --  42,150 (- 6.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 21.0%
1 year  : - 35.4%
2 years : - 44.5%
Since #1: - 63.7%

Wonder Woman > Frankenstein.

47 - ACTION COMICS ($3.99)
05/2004: Action Comics #815 --  49,483
05/2009: Action Comics #877 --  41,772
05/2010: --
05/2011: Action Comics #901 --  44,143
05/2012: Action Comics #9   --  88,796
--------------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Action Comics #27  --  36,042 (-  3.9%)
02/2014: Action Comics #28  --  35,305 (-  2.0%)
03/2014: Action Comics #29  --  34,231 (-  3.0%)
04/2014: Action Comics #30  --  37,809 (+ 10.5%)
05/2014: Action Comics #31  --  41,081 (+  8.7%)
-----------------
6 months: - 11.7%
1 year  : - 15.0%
2 years : - 53.7%
5 years : -  1.7%
10 years: - 17.0%
Since #1: - 79.6%
48 - SUPERMAN ($2.99)
05/2004: Superman #205 -- 208,105 [213,514]
05/2009: Superman #688 --  41,642
05/2010: --
05/2011: Superman #711 --  38,471
05/2012: Superman #9   --  62,232
---------------------------------
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 (-  0.7%)
12/2013: Superman #26  --  36,877 (-  6.2%)
01/2014: Superman #27  --  35,266 (-  4.4%)
02/2014: Superman #28  --  34,296 (-  2.8%)
03/2014: Superman #29  --  33,633 (-  1.9%)
04/2014: Superman #30  --  37,316 (+ 11.0%)
05/2014: Superman #31  --  40,534 (+  8.6%)
-----------------
6 months: +  3.2%
1 year  : - 10.8%
2 years : - 34.9%
5 years : -  2.7%
10 years: - 81.0%
Since #1: - 73.0%

Two more installments in the “Superman: Doomed” crossover, and sales notch up. Next month Johns & Romita take over Superman, which should increase sales a bit (or rather, a lot…)

We’ve now reached the mid-list portion of DC’s sales: Those books that mostly feature their long time characters that tend to sell in the 30-40K range (barring any events, crossovers, reboots, creative team changes, etc.)

60 - SINESTRO ($2.99)
04/2014: Sinestro #1  -- 46,480 
05/2014: Sinestro #2  -- 34,640 (- 25.5%) 
-----------------
Since #1: - 25.5%

A typical second issue drop.

61 - EARTH 2 ($2.99)
05/2012: Earth 2 #1  -- 95,742 [102,490]
------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Earth 2 #19 -- 36,103 (- 2.8%)
02/2014: Earth 2 #20 -- 35,732 (- 1.0%)
03/2014: Earth 2 #21 -- 35,295 (- 1.2%)
04/2014: Earth 2 #22 -- 34,970 (- 0.9%)
05/2014: Earth 2 #23 -- 34,531 (- 1.3%)
----------------
6 months: - 13.3%
1 year  : - 21.5%
2 years : - 66.3%
Since #1: - 66.3%

1-2% drops are the new growth.

62 - FLASH ($2.99)
05/2004: Flash #210       --  45,354  [47,723]
05/2009: Flash Rebirth #2 --  86,183
05/2010: Flash #2         --  76,560
05/2011: Flash #12        --  54,914
05/2012: Flash #9         --  62,807
-----------------------------------
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 (+  9.6%)
12/2013: Flash #26        --  36,601 (- 12.5%)
01/2014: Flash #27        --  34,902 (-  4.6%)
02/2014: Flash #28        --  33,853 (-  3.0%)
03/2014: Flash #29        --  33,241 (-  1.8%)
04/2014: Flash #30        --  33,300 (+  5.8%) [35,157]
05/2014: Flash #31        --  34,240 (-  2.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 18.2%
1 year  : - 13.7%
2 years : - 45.5%
5 years : - 60.3%
10 years: - 28.3%
Since #1: - 76.8%

First month orders rise about 1000 copies, and there’s reorder activity on issue #30 (1,857) and last month’s Flash Annual #3 (1,886). So there appears to be a bit more interest than expected in the new creative team and/or the New 52 debut of Wally West.

68 - SECRET ORIGINS ($4.99)
04/2014: Secret Origins #1  -- 38,742 
05/2014: Secret Origins #2  -- 32,966 (- 14.9%) 
-----------------
Since #1: - 14.9%

Issue #2 features Batman, which serves to offset the usual 25% drop from issue #1 to issue #2.

69 - AQUAMAN ($2.99)
05/2004: Aquaman #18 -- 25,357
05/2012: Aquaman #9  -- 60,527
------------------------------
05/2013: Aquaman #19 -- 53,415 (+ 0.1%)
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%)
01/2014: Aquaman #27 -- 36,610 (- 5.7%)
02/2014: Aquaman #28 -- 34,939 (- 4.6%)
03/2014: Aquaman #29 -- 33,907 (- 3.0%)
04/2014: Aquaman #30 -- 32,859 (- 3.1%)
05/2014: Aquaman #31 -- 32,076 (- 2.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 22.3%
1 year  : - 39.9%
2 years : - 47.0%
10 years: + 26.5%
Since #1: - 70.4%

Standard attrition.

71 - BATGIRL ($2.99)
05/2004: Batgirl #52     -- 26,418
05/2010: Batgirl #10     -- 28,641
05/2011: Batgirl #21     -- 24,043
05/2012: Batgirl #9      -- 58,710
----------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Batgirl #27     -- 37,226 (+  6.7%)
02/2014: Batgirl #28     -- 34,567 (-  7.1%)
03/2014: Batgirl #29     -- 33,223 (-  3.9%)
04/2014: Batgirl #30     -- 32,698 (-  1.6%)
05/2014: Batgirl #31     -- 31,522 (-  3.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 22.6%
1 year  : - 26.0%
2 years : - 46.3%
10 years: + 19.3%
Since #1: - 70.6%

While sales are rather decent historically for comics titled Batgirl, a little pick-me-up from a Bat-family crossover wouldn’t hurt matters any…

69 - WONDER WOMAN ($2.99)
05/2004: Wonder Woman #204 --  30,377
05/2009: Wonder Woman #32  --  33,065
05/2010: Wonder Woman #44  --  25,443
05/2011: --
05/2012: Wonder Woman #9   --  48,750
-------------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Wonder Woman #27  --  32,035 (-  2.3%)
02/2014: Wonder Woman #28  --  31,464 (-  1.8%)
03/2014: Wonder Woman #29  --  30,989 (-  1.5%)
04/2014: Wonder Woman #30  --  31,094 (+  0.3%)
05/2014: Wonder Woman #31  --  30,655 (-  1.4%)
-----------------
6 months: -  8.6%
1 year  : - 17.4%
2 years : - 37.1%
5 years : -  7.3%
10 years: +  0.9%
Since #1: - 68.0%

Still clinging to the upper side of the 30K line…

78 - GREEN LANTERN CORPS ($2.99)
05/2009: Green Lantern Corps #36 -- 61,591
05/2010: Green Lantern Corps #48 -- 68,826
05/2011: Green Lantern Corps #60 -- 60,964
05/2012: Green Lantern Corps #9  -- 46,336
------------------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Green Lantern Corps #27 -- 31,447 (- 4.1%)
02/2014: Green Lantern Corps #28 -- 29,142 (- 7.3%)
03/2014: Green Lantern Corps #29 -- 27,754 (- 4.8%)
04/2014: Green Lantern Corps #30 -- 26,640 (- 4.0%)
05/2014: Green Lantern Corps #31 -- 28,449 (+ 6.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 25.9%
1 year  : - 33.9%
2 years : - 38.6%
5 years : - 53.8%
Since #1: - 70.0%

Part of a crossover story with the main Green Lantern title, and thus the sales bump.

(After this point on the chart, all further titles are outsold by Archie Comics’ Afterlife with Archie.)

84 - THE WAKE (Vertigo) ($2.99)
05/2013: The Wake #1 of 10  -- 44,867          [50,188]
06/2013: The Wake #2 of 10  -- 32,562 (- 35.1%)
07/2013: The Wake #3 of 10  -- 30,622 (-  6.0%)
08/2013: -- 
09/2013: The Wake #4 of 10  -- 31,674 (+  3.4%)
10/2013: -- 
11/2013: The Wake #5 of 10  -- 30,463 (-  3.8%)
12/2013: -- 
01/2014: -- 
02/2014: The Wake #6 of 10  -- 26,843 (- 11.9%)
03/2014: The Wake #7 of 10  -- 26,500 (-  1.3%)
04/2014: -- 
05/2014: The Wake #8 of 10  -- 26,694 (+  0.7%)
-----------------
6 months: - 12.4% 
1 year  : - 46.8%
Since #1: - 46.8%

Stable since the start of the 2nd half.

87 - AQUAMAN AND THE OTHERS ($2.99)
04/2014: Aquaman & Others #1  -- 34,056 
05/2014: Aquaman & Others #2  -- 26,198 (- 23.1%) 
-----------------
Since #1: - 46.8%

Right in line with the typical second issue drop. I’ll be surprised if this lasts beyond issue #12. (For comparison, Larfleeze started at 36,638…)

92 - JUSTICE LEAGUE 3000 ($2.99)
12/2013: Justice League 3K #1 -- 57,726
01/2014: Justice League 3K #2 -- 41,423 (-28.2%)
02/2014: Justice League 3K #3 -- 33,308 (-19.6%)
03/2014: Justice League 3K #4 -- 30,127 (- 9.6%)
04/2014: Justice League 3K #5 -- 27,529 (- 8.6%)
05/2014: Justice League 3K #6 -- 25,738 (- 6.5%)
-----------------
Since #1: - 55.4%

Still dropping.

94 - JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK ($3.99)
05/2012: Justice League Dark #9   -- 34,649
-------------------------------------------
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 (+225.6%) [80,302]
08/2013: Justice League Dark #23  -- 71,157 (+  4.2%) [75,782]
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%)
01/2014: Justice League Dark #27  -- 32,576 (- 10.4%)
02/2014: Justice League Dark #28  -- 30,519 (-  6.3%)
03/2014: Justice League Dark #29  -- 29,202 (-  4.3%)
04/2014: Justice League Dark #30  -- 27,695 (-  5.2%)
05/2014: Justice League Dark #31  -- 25,337 (-  8.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 34.6%
1 year  : +  2.6%
2 years : - 26.9%
Since #1: - 69.1%

Still above pre-“Trinity War” levels, but just barely.

96 - RED LANTERNS ($2.99)
05/2012: Red Lanterns #9  -- 39,215
-----------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Red Lanterns #27 -- 24,477 (-  6.7%)
02/2014: Green Lant/RL#28 -- 49,200 (+110.6%) [51,548]
03/2014: Red Lanterns #29 -- 25,153 (- 51.2%)
04/2014: Red Lanterns #30 -- 24,350 (-  3.2%)
05/2014: Red Lanterns #31 -- 24,307 (-  0.2%)
----------------
6 months: - 12.5%
1 year  : - 28.3%
2 years : - 38.0%
Since #1: - 72.7%
100 - GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS ($2.99)
05/2012: New Guardians #9  -- 46,237
---------------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: New Guardians #27 -- 28,346 (- 7.0%)
02/2014: New Guardians #28 -- 27,212 (- 4.0%)
03/2014: New Guardians #29 -- 25,296 (- 7.0%)
04/2014: New Guardians #30 -- 24,727 (- 2.2%)
05/2014: New Guardians #31 -- 23,886 (- 3.4%)
----------------
6 months: - 25.5%
1 year  : - 41.1%
2 years : - 48.3%
Since #1: - 75.3%

Just curious: Is there anyone getting these who isn’t also getting the main Green Lantern book?

101 - GREEN ARROW ($2.99)
05/2004: Green Arrow #38  -- 34,037
05/2009: Arrow/Canary #20 -- 21,445
05/2010: --
05/2011: Green Arrow #12  -- 31,742
05/2012: Green Arrow #9   -- 26,966
-----------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Green Arrow #27  -- 23,785 (-  3.7%)
02/2014: Green Arrow #28  -- 26,725 (+ 12.4%)
03/2014: Green Arrow #29  -- 23,698 (- 11.3%)
04/2014: Green Arrow #30  -- 23,577 (-  0.5%)
05/2014: Green Arrow #31  -- 23,475 (-  0.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 20.7%
1 year  : - 14.8%
2 years : - 12.9%
5 years : +  9.5%
10 years: - 31.0%
Since #1: - 67.6%

Another tiny drop, which as I’ve mentioned earlier is the new growth.

102 - TEEN TITANS ANNUAL ($4.99)
04/2012: Teen Titans Annual #1 -- 44,415 
10/2013: Teen Titans Annual #2 -- 26,957 (- 39.3%)
05/2014: Teen Titans Annual #3 -- 23,140 (- 14.2%)

An Annual to bridge the gap until the relaunch. (The final issue last month sold 25,609.)

(After this point on the chart, all further titles are outsold by IDW’s My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.)

105 - SUPERGIRL ($2.99)
05/2009: Supergirl #41 --  33,441
05/2010: --
05/2011: Supergirl #64 --  21,411
05/2012: Supergirl #9  --  25,129
---------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Supergirl #27 --  21,954 (-  3.1%)
02/2014: Supergirl #28 --  23,567 (+  7.3%)
03/2014: Supergirl #29 --  22,883 (-  2.9%)
04/2014: Supergirl #30 --  23,410 (+  2.3%)
05/2014: Supergirl #31 --  22,783 (-  2.7%)
-----------------
6 months: - 10.2%
1 year  : - 17.2%
2 years : -  9.3%
5 years : - 31.9%
Since #1: - 69.3%

There doesn’t seem to be much more interest in Angry Red Blood Vomiting Supergirl than there was in Angry Teenager Mad-At-The-World Supergirl. Maybe a more radical change in approach to the character is in order?

108 - SUICIDE SQUAD ($3.99)
03/2012: Suicide Squad #9       -- 32,581
-----------------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Suicide Squad #27      -- 24,175 (-  4.6%)
02/2014: Suicide Squad #28      -- 22,882 (-  5.3%)
03/2014: Suicide Squad #29      -- 22,162 (-  3.1%)
04/2014: --
05/2014: Suicide Squad #30      -- 22,063 (-  0.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 18.5%
1 year  : - 12.6%
2 years : - 32.3%
Since #1: - 64.3%

A tiny drop for the final, Forever Evil-delayed, overdollared issue. Relaunches in July as New Suicide Squad.

113 - RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS ($2.99)
05/2012: Red Hood #9  -- 37,974
-------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Red Hood #27 -- 24,813 ( -2.2%)
02/2014: Red Hood #28 -- 23,236 ( -6.4%)
03/2014: Red Hood #29 -- 22,316 ( -4.0%)
04/2014: Red Hood #30 -- 21,718 ( -2.7%)
05/2014: Red Hood #31 -- 21,257 ( -2.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 30.6%
1 year  : - 40.2%
2 years : - 44.0%
Since #1: - 69.7%

Scott Lobdell returns to writing next issue.

115 - WORLDS' FINEST ($2.99)
05/2012: Worlds' Finest #1  -- 69,531 
-------------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Worlds' Finest #19 -- 20,998 (-  0.2%)
02/2014: Worlds' Finest #20 -- 25,585 (+ 31.5%) [27,613]
03/2014: Worlds' Finest #21 -- 25,676 (-  7.0%)
04/2014: Worlds' Finest #22 -- 21,485 (- 16.3%)
05/2014: Worlds' Finest #23 -- 21,118 (-  1.7%)
-----------------
6 months: -  3.7%
1 year  : - 22.0%
2 years : - 69.6%
Since #1: - 69.6%

Another title with a small drop.

121 - CATWOMAN ($2.99)
05/2004: Catwoman #31 -- 24,250
05/2012: Catwoman #9  -- 49,726
-------------------------------
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%) [38,290]
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%)
01/2014: Catwoman #27 -- 24,956 (- 5.8%)
02/2014: Catwoman #28 -- 23,974 (- 3.9%)
03/2014: Catwoman #29 -- 22,236 (- 7.2%)
04/2014: Catwoman #30 -- 20,968 (- 5.7%)
05/2014: Catwoman #31 -- 20,144 (- 3.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 31.6%
1 year  : - 25.1%
2 years : - 59.5%
10 years: - 16.9%
Since #1: - 73.3%

Still clawing above the 20K level.

125 - INJUSTICE: YEAR TWO (Digital-First) ($2.99)
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%)
01/2014: Injustice Y2 #1 -- 24,700 (+12.9%)
02/2014: Injustice Y2 #2 -- 22,703 (- 8.1%)
03/2014: Injustice Y2 #3 -- 20,693 (- 8.9%)
04/2014: Injustice Y2 #4 -- 20,310 (- 1.9%)
05/2014: Injustice Y2 #5 -- 19,834 (- 2.3%)
----------------
6 months: - 12.6%
1 year  : - 21.3%
Since #1: - 19.7%

Slips below 20K for the first time. Still the best-selling digital-first title, both in print and in bits.

(After this point on the chart, all further titles are outsold by the first issue of Dynamite Entertainment’s Chaos.)

132 - BATMAN '66 (Digital-First) ($3.99)
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%)
01/2014: Batman '66 #7  -- 21,802 (-10.6%)
02/2014: Batman '66 #8  -- 19,795 (- 9.2%)
03/2014: Batman '66 #9  -- 18,802 (- 5.0%)
04/2014: Batman '66 #10 -- 17,917 (- 4.7%)
05/2014: Batman '66 #11 -- 18,642 (+ 4.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 30.4%
Since #1: - 63.0%

Hey look: growth! A spin-off series (co-written by Kevin Smith) debuts in June.

134 - BATWOMAN ($2.99)
05/2012: Batwoman #9  --  45,341
--------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Batwoman #27 --  22,461 (- 3.6%)
02/2014: Batwoman #28 --  20,672 (- 8.0%)
03/2014: Batwoman #29 --  19,750 (- 4.5%)
04/2014: Batwoman #30 --  19,204 (- 2.8%)
05/2014: Batwoman #31 --  18,463 (- 3.9%)
----------------
6 months: - 29.0%
1 year  : - 37.8%
2 years : - 59.3%
Since #1: - 79.0%

You know what could spice up the lackluster sales? A wedding…

137 - SWAMP THING ($2.99)
05/2004: Swamp Thing #3  -- 24,542
05/2012: Swamp Thing #9  -- 39,385
----------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Swamp Thing #27 -- 19,755 (- 2.4%)
02/2014: Swamp Thing #28 -- 19,146 (- 3.1%)
03/2014: Swamp Thing #29 -- 18,837 (- 1.6%)
04/2014: Swamp Thing #30 -- 18,458 (- 2.0%)
05/2014: Swamp Thing #31 -- 18,249 (- 1.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 13.7%
1 year  : - 33.2%
2 years : - 53.7%
10 years: - 25.6%
Since #1: - 75.2%
138 - CONSTANTINE ($2.99)
05/2004: Hellblazer #196 -- 14,954
05/2009: Hellblazer #255 -- 10,937
05/2010: Hellblazer #267 -- 10,155
05/2011: Hellblazer #279 --  9,454
05/2012: Hellblazer #291 --  9,426
----------------------------------
05/2013: Constantine #3  -- 29,106 (-  5.5%)
06/2013: Constantine #4  -- 26,417 (-  9.2%)
07/2013: Constantine #5  -- 30,664 (+ 32.6%) [35,027]
08/2013: Constantine #6  -- 25,174 (- 28.1%)
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%)
01/2014: Constantine #10 -- 20,729 (-  7.5%)
02/2014: Constantine #11 -- 20,385 (-  1.7%)
03/2014: Constantine #12 -- 20,051 (-  1.6%)
04/2014: Constantine #13 -- 18,454 (-  8.0%)
05/2014: Constantine #14 -- 17,422 (-  5.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 17.0%
1 year  : - 40.1%
2 years : + 84.8%
5 years : + 59.3%
10 years: + 16.5%
Since #1: - 53.6%

The former Vertigo stable-mates now hang out together on the sales chart. Also the lowest-selling DCU titles not yet slated for cancellation. But only one is getting a new TV series in October…

143 - BIRDS OF PREY ($2.99)
05/2004: Birds of Prey #67  -- 31,846
05/2010: Birds of Prey #1   -- 50,428 [54,965]
05/2011: Birds of Prey #12  -- 29,690
05/2012: Birds of Prey #9   -- 41,521
-------------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Birds of Prey #27  -- 19,387 (+ 10.8%)
02/2014: Birds of Prey #28  -- 18,092 (-  6.7%)
03/2014: Birds of Prey #29  -- 16,795 (-  7.2%)
04/2014: Birds of Prey #30  -- 16,358 (-  2.6%)
05/2014: Birds of Prey #31  -- 15,947 (-  2.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 29.9%
1 year  : - 24.5%
2 years : - 61.6%
10 years: - 49.9%
Since #1: - 76.0%

Ending in September.

144 - AMERICAN VAMPIRE: SECOND CYCLE (Vertigo) ($2.99)
05/2010: American Vampire #3     --  26,510
05/2011: American Vampire #15    --  15,876
05/2012: American Vampire #27    --  14,420
-------------------------------------------
05/2013: --
06/2013: American Vampire LRtH   --  16,042 (+ 19.6%)
07/2013: --
08/2013: American Vampire Anthol --  12,695 (- 20.9%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: --
11/2013: --
12/2013: --
01/2014: --
02/2014: --
03/2014: American Vampire 2Cy #1 --  20,863 (+ 64.3%)
04/2014: American Vampire 2Cy #2 --  17,068 (- 18.2%)
05/2014: American Vampire 2Cy #3 --  15,642 (-  8.4%)
-----------------
6 months:    n.a.
1 year  :    n.a.
2 years : +  8.5%
Since #1: - 25.0%

The first two Second Cycle issues were returnable, but #3 was not.

147 - SUPERBOY ($2.99)
05/2011: Superboy #7  --  24.622
05/2012: Superboy #9  --  34.838
--------------------------------
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 (+ 16.9%)
12/2013: Superboy #26 --  17,690 (- 17.5%)
01/2014: Superboy #27 --  17,392 (-  1.7%)
02/2014: Superboy #28 --  16,448 (-  5.4%)
03/2014: Superboy #29 --  15,776 (-  4.1%)
04/2014: Superboy #30 --  15,382 (-  2.5%)
05/2014: Superboy #31 --  14,795 (-  3.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 31.0%
1 year  : - 34.3%
2 years : - 57.5%
Since #1: - 78.6%

Ending in September.

150 - FABLES (Vertigo) ($2.99)
05/2004: Fables #25  -- 25,526
05/2009: Fables #84  -- 23,634
05/2010: Fables #95  -- 19,932
05/2011: Fables #105 -- 18,749
05/2012: Fables #117 -- 17,484
------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Fables #137 -- 14,172 (- 0.3%)
02/2014: Fables #138 -- 14,109 (- 0.4%)
03/2014: Fables #139 -- 13,936 (- 1.2%)
04/2014: --
05/2014: Fables #140 -- 13,977 (+ 0.3%)
----------------
6 months: -  2.8%
1 year  : -  9.1%
2 years : - 20.1%
5 years : - 40.9%
10 years: - 45.2%
Since #1: - 36.5%

Adds a handful of copies, but not quite enough to crawl back over the 14K line.

(After this point on the chart, all further titles are outsold by the first issue of Boom Studio’s The Woods.)

152 - BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE (Digital-First) ($3.99)
05/2012: Unlimited #4   -- 24,356
---------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Universe #6    -- 15,070 (- 5.0%)
02/2014: Universe #7    -- 14,435 (- 4.2%)
03/2014: Universe #8    -- 14,097 (- 2.3%)
04/2014: Universe #9    -- 13,807 (- 2.1%)
05/2014: Universe #10   -- 13,869 (+ 0.4%)
----------------
6 months: - 17.9%
1 year  : - 12.3%
2 years : - 43.1%
Since #1: - 40.6%

Adds a handful of copies, just because.

153 - ASTRO CITY (Vertigo) ($3.99)
05/2004: --
05/2009: Dark Age 3 #1        -- 18,281
05/2010: Dark Age 4 #4        -- 12,900
05/2011: --
05/2012: --
---------------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Astro City #8        -- 14,831 (- 3.4%)
02/2014: Astro City #9        -- 14,289 (- 3.7%)
03/2014: Astro City #10       -- 14,094 (- 1.4%)
04/2014: Astro City #11       -- 13,909 (- 1.3%)
05/2014: Astro City #12       -- 13,795 (- 0.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 13.9%
5 years : - 24.5%
10 years:    n.a.
Since #1: - 49.8%

Tiny drops are the ____ ______ .

155 - TRINITY OF SIN: PANDORA ($2.99)
07/2013: Pandora #1  -- 35,106          [41,678]
07/2013: Pandora #2  -- 32,170 (-15.1%) [35,385]
08/2013: Pandora #3  -- 34,563 (- 2.3%)
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%)
01/2014: Pandora #7  -- 18,984 (- 7.7%)
02/2014: Pandora #8  -- 17,703 (- 6.7%)
03/2014: Pandora #9  -- 17,032 (- 3.8%)
04/2014: Pandora #10 -- 15,337 (-10.0%)
05/2014: Pandora #11 -- 13,859 (-10.9%)
----------------
6 months: - 34.8%
Since #1: - 67.2%
156 - TRINITY OF SIN: THE PHANTOM STRANGER ($2.99)
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%)
01/2013: ToS: PS #15          -- 17,435 (- 6.5%)
02/2014: ToS: PS #16          -- 17,012 (- 2.4%)
03/2014: ToS: PS #17          -- 16,395 (- 3.6%)
04/2014: ToS: PS #18          -- 14,788 (- 9.8%)
05/2014: ToS: PS #19          -- 13,641 (- 7.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 25.1%
1 year  : - 14.6%
Since #1: - 63.1%

You can’t have these kinds of drops at this stage in the game and expect to be around much longer. Both are ending in September.

(After this point on the chart, all further titles are outsold by Valiant’s X-O Manowar.)

161 - HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE ($2.99)
05/2013: He-Man & MotU #2  -- 19,410 (-23.1%)
06/2013: He-Man & MotU #3  -- 18,227 (- 5.8%)
07/2013: He-Man & MotU #4  -- 18,101 (- 1.0%)
08/2013: He-Man & MotU #5  -- 16,898 (- 6.6%)
09/2013: He-Man & MotU #6  -- 16,294 (- 3.6%)
10/2013: He-Man & MotU #7  -- 16,059 (- 1.4%)
11/2013: He-Man & MotU #8  -- 15,154 (- 5.6%)
12/2013: He-Man & MotU #9  -- 14,465 (- 4.5%)
01/2014: --
02/2014: He-Man & MotU #10 -- 13,816 (- 4.5%)
03/2014: He-Man & MotU #11 -- 13,090 (- 5.3%)
04/2014: He-Man & MotU #12 -- 12,718 (- 2.8%)
05/2014: He-Man & MotU #13 -- 12,430 (- 2.3%)
----------------
6 months: - 18.0%
1 year  : - 36.0%
Since #1: - 50.8%

Standard attrition.

164 - LARFLEEZE ($2.99)
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%)
01/2014: Larfleeze #7  -- 13,950 (- 7.5%)
02/2014: Larfleeze #8  -- 13,338 (- 4.4%)
03/2014: Larfleeze #9  -- 12,797 (- 4.1%)
04/2014: Larfleeze #10 -- 12,403 (- 3.1%)
05/2014: Larfleeze #11 -- 12,110 (- 2.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 25.0%
Since #1: - 66.9%

Penultimate issue.

165 - ALL STAR WESTERN ($3.99)
05/2009: Jonah Hex #43 -- 11,606
05/2010: Jonah Hex #54 -- 11,306
05/2011: Jonah Hex #66 -- 10,335
05/2012: ASW #9        -- 31,413
--------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: ASW #27       -- 13,238 (- 1.5%)
02/2014: ASW #28       -- 12,782 (- 3.4%)
03/2014: ASW #29       -- 12,503 (- 2.2%)
04/2014: ASW #30       -- 12,285 (- 1.7%)
05/2014: ASW #31       -- 12,023 (- 2.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 13.7%
1 year  : - 25.7%
2 years : - 61.7%
5 years : +  3.6%
Since #1: - 78.1%

Ending at #34.

169 - SANDMAN OVERTURE SPECIAL EDITION (Vertigo) ($4.99)
11/2013: Sandman Overture SE #1 -- 14,506
12/2013: --
01/2014: --
02/2014: --
03/2014: --
04/2014: --
05/2014: Sandman Overture SE #2 -- 11,499 (-20.7%)
-----------------
6 months: - 20.7%
Since #1: - 20.7%

I’m treating this as a separate title instead of merging with the regular edition, because it seems like a different class of product to me. The regular edition of #2 did 91,839 back in March.

170 - FAIREST (Vertigo) ($2.99)
05/2012: Fairest #3  -- 22,329
------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Fairest #22 -- 12,434 (- 2.2%)
02/2014: Fairest #23 -- 12,350 (- 0.7%)
03/2014: Fairest #24 -- 11,872 (- 3.9%)
04/2014: Fairest #25 -- 11,801 (- 0.6%)
05/2014: Fairest #26 -- 11,493 (- 2.6%)
----------------
6 months:    n.a.
1 year  : - 23.2%
2 years : - 48.5%
Since #1: - 63.8%

Standard attrition.

173 - SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 LANTERN (Digital-First) ($3.99)
05/2004: Smallville #8         -- 13,778
05/2012: Smallville S11 #1     -- 27,004
--------------------------------------
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: Smallville Alien #1   -- 13,019 (- 2.0%)
01/2014: Smallville Alien #2   -- 11,768 (- 9.6%)
02/2014: Smallville Alien #3   -- 11,061 (- 6.0%)
03/2014: Smallville Alien #4   -- 10,570 (- 4.4%)
04/2014: Smallville Lantern #1 -- 12,391 (+17.2%)
04/2014: Smallville Lantern #2 -- 11,372 (- 8.2%)
----------------
6 months: - 14.4%
1 year  : - 26.4%
2 years : - 57.9%
10 years: - 17.5%
Since #1: -  8.2%

Lantern seems to pretty much be following the sales pattern of Alien.

176 - ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN (Digital-First) ($3.99)
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 (- 7.6%)
01/2014: Adventures of Superman #9  -- 11,425 (- 5.9%)
02/2014: Adventures of Superman #10 -- 11,075 (- 3.1%)
03/2014: Adventures of Superman #11 -- 11,102 (+ 0.2%)
04/2014: Adventures of Superman #12 -- 10,130 (- 8.8%)
05/2014: Adventures of Superman #13 -- 10,045 (- 0.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 23.6%
1 year  : - 67.6%
Since #1: - 67.6%

Ending in September.

(After this point on the chart, all further titles are outsold by Avatar’s Caliban.)

195 - BATWING ($2.99)
05/2012: Batwing #9  -- 35,731
------------------------------
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%)
01/2014: Batwing #27 -- 12,461 (+15.9%)
02/2014: Batwing #28 -- 11,786 (- 5.4%)
03/2014: Batwing #29 --  9,864 (-16.3%)
04/2014: Batwing #30 --  9,313 (- 5.6%)
05/2014: Batwing #31 --  8,941 (- 4.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 44.8%
1 year  : - 32.8%
2 years : - 75.0%
Since #1: - 83.4%

Ending in September.

(After this point on the chart, all further titles are outsold by Zenescope’s Grimm Fairy Tales: Warlord of Oz.)

224 - HINTERKIND (Vertigo) ($2.99)
10/2013: Hinterkind #1  -- 23,516
11/2013: Hinterkind #2  -- 13,994 (-40.5%)
12/2013: Hinterkind #3  -- 11,659 (-16.7%)
01/2014: Hinterkind #4  --  9,693 (-16.9%)
02/2014: Hinterkind #5  --  8,948 (- 7.7%)
03/2014: Hinterkind #6  --  8,306 (- 7.2%)
04/2014: --
05/2014: Hinterkind #7  --  7,487 (- 9.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 46.5%
Since #1: - 68.2%

Declines continue. I can’t imagine this will last much longer.

225 - SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP (All-Ages)
11/2013: Scooby-Doo Team-Up #1  -- 13,036
12/2013: --
01/2014: Scooby-Doo Team-Up #2  --  9,882 (-31.1%)
02/2014: --
03/2014: Scooby-Doo Team-Up #3  --  8,452 (-14.5%)
04/2014: --
05/2014: Scooby-Doo Team-Up #4  --  8,159 (- 3.5%)
-----------------
Since #1: - 41.1%

Returnable, and adjusted accordingly. This is the first issue to not feature Batman (instead we get Teen Titans Go!)

228 - DEAD BOY DETECTIVES (Vertigo) ($2.99)
12/2013: Dead Boy Detectives #1 -- 21,478
01/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #2 -- 12,276 (-42.8%)
02/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #3 --  9,889 (-19.4%)
03/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #4 --  8,872 (-10.3%)
04/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #5 --  7,957 (-10.3%)
05/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #6 --  7,305 (- 8.2%)
-----------------
Since #1: - 66.0%
229 - THE UNWRITTEN V2 APOCALYPSE (Vertigo) ($3.99)
05/2010: The Unwritten #13 -- 13,467
05/2011: The Unwritten #25 -- 11,137
05/2012: The Unwritten #37 --  9,549
------------------------------------
05/2013: The Unwritten #49 --  8,234 (+ 0.1%)
06/2013: The Unwritten #50 -- 10,124 (+23.0%)
07/2013: The Unwritten #51 --  9,143 (- 9.7%)
08/2013: The Unwritten #52 --  9,033 (- 1.2%)
09/2013: The Unwritten #53 --  8,982 (- 0.6%)
10/2013: The Unwritten #54 --  8,871 (- 1.2%)
11/2013: --
12/2013: --
01/2014: Unwritten vol2 #1 -- 11,975 (+35.0%)
02/2014: Unwritten vol2 #2 --  8,291 (-30.8%)
03/2014: Unwritten vol2 #3 --  7,890 (- 4.8%)
04/2014: Unwritten vol2 #4 --  7,652 (- 3.0%)
05/2014: Unwritten vol2 #5 --  7,267 (- 5.0%)
----------------
6 months:    n.a.
1 year  : - 11.7%
2 years : - 23.9%
Since #1: - 39.3%
225 - FBP: FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS (Vertigo) ($2.99)
07/2013: Collider #1 -- 17,336          [20,361]
08/2013: FBP #2      -- 14,068 (-30.9%)
09/2013: FBP #3      -- 13,977 (- 0.6%)
10/2013: FBP #4      -- 11,600 (-17.0%)
11/2013: FBP #5      -- 10,391 (-10.4%)
12/2013: FBP #6      --  9,543 (- 8.2%)
01/2014: FBP #7      --  8,971 (- 6.0%)
02/2014: --
03/2014: FBP #8      --  7,852 (-12.5%)
04/2014: FBP #9      --  7,619 (- 3.0%)
05/2014: FBP #10     --  7,242 (- 4.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 30.3%
Since #1: - 64.4%
235 - ROYALS: MASTERS OF WAR #1 (Vertigo) ($2.99)
02/2014: Royals #1 of 6 --  14,031 
03/2014: Royals #2 of 6 --   8,725 (-37.8%) 
04/2014: Royals #3 of 6 --   7,777 (-10.9%) 
05/2014: Royals #4 of 6 --   7,156 (- 8.0%) 
-----------------
Since #1: - 44.6%

Four more Vertigo titles in poor shape.

(After this point on the chart, all further titles are outsold by UP’s Spongebob Comics and Oni’s The Bunker.)

262 - SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED - CRISIS OF IMAGINATION (Digital-First) ($2.99)
01/2014: Scribblenauts Crisis #1 -- 11,572
02/2014: Scribblenauts Crisis #2 --  7,101 (-38.6%)
03/2014: Scribblenauts Crisis #3 --  6,738 (- 5.1%)
04/2014: Scribblenauts Crisis #4 --  6,467 (- 4.0%)
05/2014: Scribblenauts Crisis #5 --  6,045 (- 6.5%)
----------------
Since #1: - 47.8%

Ending with issue #9.

269 - THE MOVEMENT ($2.99)
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%)
01/2014: The Movement #8  --  6,629 (- 8.6%)
02/2014: The Movement #9  --  6,417 (- 3.2%)
03/2014: The Movement #10 --  6,281 (- 2.1%)
04/2014: The Movement #11 --  5,782 (- 7.9%)
05/2014: The Movement #12 --  5,629 (- 2.6%)
----------------
6 months: - 29.3%
1 year  : - 80.8%
Since #1: - 80.8%

Final issue.

313 - SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (All-Ages) ($2.99)
05/2004: Scooby-Doo #84                -- 5,490
05/2009: Scooby-Doo #144               -- 4,062
05/2010: Scooby-Doo #156               -- 3,857
05/2011: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #9  -- 4,838
05/2012: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #21 -- 5,269
----------------------------------------
05/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #33 -- ????? 
06/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #34 -- 4,881 
07/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #35 -- ????? 
08/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #36 -- 4,903 
09/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #37 -- 4,840 (-1.3%)
10/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #38 -- 4,983 (+3.0%)
11/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #39 -- ????? 
12/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #40 -- 4,754 
01/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #41 -- 4,649 (-2.2%)
02/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #42 -- 4,540 (-2.3%)
03/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #43 -- 4,623 (+1.8%)
04/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #44 -- 4,650 (+0.6%)
05/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #45 -- 4,840 (+4.1%)
-----------------
6 months:    ???%
1 year  :    ???%
2 years : -  8.1%
5 years : + 19.2%
10 years: - 11.8%
Since #1: - 21.8%

Returnable (and adjusted accordingly). The third straight month with sales growth.

329 - THE VAMPIRE DIARIES (Digital-First) ($3.99)
01/2014: The Vampire Diaries #1 -- 10,855
02/2014: The Vampire Diaries #2 --  6,132 (-43.5%)
03/2014: The Vampire Diaries #3 --  4,734 (-22.8%)
04/2014: The Vampire Diaries #4 --  4,192 (-11.4%)
05/2014: The Vampire Diaries #5 --  3,749 (-10.6%)
----------------
Since #1: - 65.5%

No print issues after #6 have been solicited, but digital issues are still bing released. So apparently DC will stop putting out print versions of their digital comics if the print sales are bad enough. And these are quite bad.

Re-orders in addition to those noted above: 3,668 more copies of DC Comics Presents Harley Quinn; 1,735 more copies of DC Comics Presents The Demon: Driven Out.

Average Periodical Sales (not counting reprints, reorders shipping after the initial month of release, and magazines)

DC COMICS
05/2004: 32,096
05/2009: 24,386
05/2010: 27,785
05/2011: 24,561
05/2012: 38,708
---------------
05/2013: 31,412 (+  5.0%)
06/2013: 34,517 (+  9.9%)
07/2013: 34,402 (-  0.3%)
08/2013: 30,843 (- 10.4%)
09/2013: 54,892 (+ 78.0%)
10/2013: 31,928 (- 41.8%)**
11/2013: 32,664 (+  2.3%)
12/2013: ??????
01/2014: 27,881 
02/2014: 27,070 (-  2.9%)
03/2014: 26,776 (-  1.1%)
04/2014: 29,202 (+  9.1%)**
05/2014: 31,764 (+  8.8%)
-----------------
6 months: -  2.8%
1 year  : +  1.1%
2 years : - 17.9%
5 years : + 30.3%
10 years: -  1.0%

DC UNIVERSE
05/2004: 38,502
05/2009: 33,163
05/2010: 37,463
05/2011: 27,745
05/2012: 35,264
---------------
05/2013: 32,015 (+  1.9%)
06/2013: 37,133 (+ 16.0%)
07/2013: 36,524 (-  1.6%)
08/2013: 33,583 (-  8.1%)
09/2013: 61,036 (+ 81.8%)
10/2013: 33,568 (- 45.0%)**
11/2013: 35,282 (+  5.1%)
12/2013: ??????
01/2014: 33,120 
02/2014: 33,327 (+  0.6%) 
03/2014: 32,007 (-  4.0%) 
04/2014: 36,447 (+ 13.9%) 
05/2014: 39,555 (+  8.5%) 
-----------------
6 months: + 12.1%
1 year  : + 23.6%
2 years : + 12.2%
5 years : + 19.3%
10 years: +  2.7%

VERTIGO
05/2004: 17,376
05/2009: 12,918
05/2010: 11,756
05/2011: 10,668
05/2012: 11,102
---------------
05/2013: 20,860 (+ 81.9%)
06/2013: 17,368 (- 16.7%)
07/2013: 16,099 (-  7.3%)
08/2013: 14,130 (- 12.2%)
09/2013: 14,951 (+  5.8%)
10/2013: 22,228 (+ 48.7%)**
11/2013: 13,958 (- 37.2%)
12/2013: ??????
01/2014: 11,473 
02/2014: 13,215 (+ 15.2%) 
03/2014: 19,179 (+ 45.1%) 
04/2014: 11,214 (- 41.5%) 
05/2014: 11,778 (+  5.0%) 
-----------------
6 months: - 15.6%
1 year  : - 43.5%
2 years : +  6.1%
5 years : -  8.8%
10 years: - 32.2%

6 month comparisons
===================

+  3.2% - Superman
-  0.3% - Nightwing
-  2.8% - Fables
-  3.7% - Worlds' Finest
-  8.6% - Wonder Woman
-  9.1% - Forever Evil
- 10.2% - Supergirl
- 11.7% - Action Comics
- 12.4% - The Wake
- 12.5% - Red Lanterns
- 12.6% - Injustice
- 13.1% - Batman
- 13.3% - Earth 2
- 13.7% - Swamp Thing
- 13.7% - All Star Western
- 13.9% - Astro City
- 14.4% - Smallville
- 15.3% - Detective Comics
- 17.0% - Constantine
- 17.9% - Batman Beyond
- 18.0% - He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
- 18.2% - Flash
- 18.5% - Suicide Squad
- 19.4% - Green Lantern
- 20.6% - Superman/Wonder Woman
- 20.7% - Green Arrow
- 20.7% - Sandman Overture Special Ed.
- 21.0% - Batman and...
- 22.3% - Aquaman
- 22.6% - Batgirl
- 23.6% - Adventures of Superman
- 25.0% - Larfleeze
- 25.1% - Trinity of Sin Phantom Stranger
- 25.5% - Green Lanterns New Guardians
- 25.9% - Green Lantern Corps
- 27.7% - Justice League of America
- 29.0% - Batwoman
- 29.3% - The Movement
- 29.9% - Birds of Prey
- 30.3% - FBP
- 30.4% - Batman '66
- 30.6% - Red Hood and the Outlaws
- 31.0% - Superboy
- 31.6% - Catwoman
- 32.3% - Batman/Superman
- 34.6% - Justice League Dark
- 34.8% - Trinity of Sin Pandora
- 44.8% - Batwing
- 46.5% - Hinterkind
- 50.4% - Harley Quinn

1 year comparisons
===================

+  2.6% - Justice League Dark
-  2.5% - Nightwing
-  9.1% - Fables
- 10.8% - Superman
- 11.3% - Batman
- 11.7% - The Unwritten
- 12.3% - Batman Beyond
- 12.6% - Suicide Squad
- 13.7% - Flash
- 14.6% - Trinity of Sin Phantom Stranger
- 14.8% - Green Arrow
- 15.0% - Action Comics
- 17.2% - Supergirl
- 17.4% - Wonder Woman
- 20.7% - Justice League
- 21.3% - Injustice
- 21.5% - Earth 2
- 22.0% - Worlds' Finest
- 23.2% - Fairest
- 24.5% - Birds of Prey
- 25.1% - Catwoman
- 25.7% - All Star Western
- 26.0% - Batgirl
- 26.4% - Smallville
- 28.3% - Red Lanterns
- 30.3% - Detective Comics
- 32.8% - Batwing
- 33.2% - Swamp Thing
- 33.9% - Green Lantern Corps
- 34.3% - Superboy
- 35.1% - Green Lantern
- 35.4% - Batman and...
- 36.0% - He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
- 37.8% - Batwoman
- 38.3% - Justice League of America
- 39.9% - Aquaman
- 40.1% - Constantine
- 40.2% - Red Hood and the Outlaws
- 41.1% - Green Lantern New Guardians
- 46.8% - The Wake
- 67.6% - Adventures of Superman
- 80.8% - The Movement

2 year comparisons
===================

+ 84.8% - Constantine (Hellblazer)
+  8.5% - American Vampire
-  8.1% - Scooby-Doo Where Are You?
-  9.3% - Supergirl
- 12.9% - Green Arrow
- 18.9% - Batman
- 20.1% - Fables
- 23.9% - The Unwritten
- 26.9% - Justice League Dark
- 28.5% - Nightwing
- 32.3% - Suicide Squad
- 34.9% - Superman
- 37.1% - Wonder Woman
- 38.0% - Red Lanterns
- 38.6% - Green Lantern Corps
- 41.0% - Justice League
- 43.1% - Batman Beyond
- 43.2% - Detective Comics
- 44.0% - Red Hood and the Outlaws
- 44.5% - Batman and...
- 45.5% - Flash
- 46.3% - Batgirl
- 47.0% - Aquaman
- 48.3% - Green Lantern New Guardians
- 48.5% - Fairest
- 50.0% - Green Lantern
- 53.7% - Action Comics
- 53.7% - Swamp Thing
- 57.5% - Superboy
- 57.9% - Smallville
- 59.3% - Batwoman
- 59.5% - Catwoman
- 61.6% - Birds of Prey
- 61.7% - All Star Western
- 66.3% - Earth 2
- 69.6% - Worlds' Finest
- 75.0% - Batwing

5 year comparisons
===================

+ 59.3% - Constantine (Hellblazer)
+ 35.7% - Batman/Superman (Superman/Batman)
+ 22.4% - Batman
+ 21.3% - Justice League (Justice League of America)
+ 19.2% - Scooby-Doo
+  9.5% - Green Arrow
+  3.6% - All Star Western (Jonah Hex)
-  1.7% - Action Comics
-  2.7% - Superman
-  7.3% - Wonder Woman
- 19.6% - Justice League of America
- 24.5% - Astro City
- 31.9% - Supergirl
- 40.9% - Fables
- 46.3% - Green Lantern
- 53.8% - Green Lantern Corps
- 60.3% - Flash

10 year comparisons
===================

+ 56.3% - Detective Comics
+ 42.5% - Nightwing
+ 42.0% - Batman
+ 26.5% - Aquaman
+ 21.1% - Green Lantern
+ 19.3% - Batgirl
+ 16.5% - Constantine (Hellblazer)
+ 10.3% - Justice League (JLA)
+  0.9% - Wonder Woman
- 11.8% - Scooby-Doo
- 16.9% - Catwoman
- 17.0% - Action Comics
- 17.5% - Smallville
- 25.6% - Swamp Thing
- 26.9% - Justice League of America (JLA)
- 28.3% - Flash
- 31.0% - Green Arrow
- 45.2% - Fables
- 49.9% - Birds of Prey
- 64.1% - Batman/Superman (Superman/Batman)
- 81.0% - Superman

Sales Indices
=============

DCU: Average: 39,555. Median: 32,966

2.8 - Batman
2.4 - Forever Evil
2.0 - Futures End (1)
2.0 - Justice League
1.9 - Batman Eternal (5)
1.8 - Batman Eternal (6)
1.7 - Batman Eternal (8)
1.7 - Batman Eternal (7)
1.6 - Justice League United
1.6 - Superman Doomed
1.6 - Futures End (2)
1.6 - Harley Quinn
1.5 - Futures End (3)
1.5 - Futures End (4)
1.4 - Batman/Superman (10)
1.4 - Detective Comics
1.4 - Batman/Superman (11)
1.3 - Justice League of America
1.2 - Superman/Wonder Woman
1.1 - Nightwing
1.1 - Green Lantern
1.1 - Batman and Frankenstein
1.0 - Action Comics
1.0 - Superman
0.9 - Sinestro
0.9 - Earth 2
0.9 - Flash
0.8 - Secret Origins
0.8 - Aquaman
0.8 - Batgirl
0.8 - Wonder Woman
0.7 - Green Lantern Corps
0.7 - Aquaman and the Others
0.7 - Justice League 3000
0.6 - Justice League Dark
0.6 - Red Lanterns
0.6 - Green Lantern New Guardians
0.6 - Teen Titans Annual
0.6 - Supergirl
0.6 - Suicide Squad
0.5 - Red Hood and the Outlaws
0.5 - Worlds' Finest
0.5 - Catwoman
0.5 - Batwoman
0.5 - Swamp Thing
0.4 - Constantine
0.4 - Birds of Prey
0.4 - Superboy
0.4 - Trinity of Sin Pandora
0.3 - Trinity of Sin Phantom Stranger
0.3 - Larfleeze
0.3 - All Star Western
0.2 - Batwing
0.1 - The Movement

Vertigo: Average: 11,778. Median: 11,493

2.3 - The Wake
1.3 - American Vampire Second Cycle
1.2 - Fables
1.2 - Astro City
1.0 - Sandman Overture Special Edition
1.0 - Fairest
0.6 - Hinterkind
0.6 - Dead Boy Detectives
0.6 - FBP
0.6 - The Royals: Masters of War

Digital First & Other: Average: 10,899. Median: 10,709.

1.8 - Injustice Year 2
1.7 - Batman '66
1.3 - Batman Beyond Universe
1.1 - He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
1.0 - Smallville: Lantern
0.9 - Adventures of Superman
0.7 - Scooby-Doo Team-Up
0.6 - Scribblenauts Unmasked
0.4 - Scooby-Doo Where Are You?
0.3 - The Vampire Diaries

The sales index number is a ratio of the title’s current month sales to the average sales figure of the line to which is belongs for that month. So a sales index number of 1.0 means that a title sold very close to the sales average for that line.

The Fine Print (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 its a “month-to-month” column, the comments, unless otherwise noted, are on the most recent month.
Bear in mind that the figures measure sales of physical comics 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 books initial calendar month of release or were strong enough to make the chart again in a subsequent month. Keep in mind that sales for some titles may include incentives to acquire variants and not every unit sold is necessarily even intended to be sold to a customer.
If additional copies of an issue did appear on the chart after a books initial calendar month of release, you can see the total number of copies sold in brackets 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 which are returnable have their numbers artificially adjusted down by Diamond. To make up for that this column increases the reported numbers for those titles by 10%. Which is likely also wrong, but it’s a different and likely less wrong kind of wrong, and experience has shown that this leads to sales figures which are more consistent.
Titles released under the All-Ages line and magazines, such as Mad, mostly sell through channels other than the direct market, so direct-market sales dont 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 Vertigos collection sales, go right here.
Please keep in mind that raw sales numbers do not tell us about how profitable a book is for a publisher or for the creators.
Above all, do not allow sales numbers to dictate your purchasing and enjoyment of a particular comic. If you enjoy reading a comic series then go right on buying and reading that comic, no matter what the sales figures say.
** Two asterisks after a given month in the average charts mean that one or more periodical release did not make the Top 300/400 chart in that month. In those cases, its assumed that said releases sold as many units as the No. 300/400 comic on the chart for that month for the purposes of the chart, although its actual sales are likely to be less than that.
Opinions expressed in this column are mine alone, and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer, Heidi MacDonald or anyone at The Comics Beat, the Federation Internationale de Football Association, or my neighbor’s dog Miles.
As always, we welcome your comments and corrections below. Please try to keep things civilized.

30 COMMENTS

  1. Hinterkind has a second trade available for pre-order, but I’d be surprised if we get more than that. Damned shame. It’s one of my favorites and I’ve gotten a few of my friends to pick it up just by sharing the first trade.

  2. I imagine that if Eternal can stabilize at over 60k and Futures End at around 40-50k then its going to be a huge win for DC.

  3. You asked if anyone reads Red Lanterns but not the main Green Lantern title: I sort of fall into that category. I read RL month to month and have it on my pull list. GL I wait two months, then buy it discounted digitally. There was, however, a period of about three months when I only read RL.

  4. Just a little shout-out to the 5,628 other people who read Movement all the way through….what up my homies?

  5. Nightwing has been one of their most consistent sellers, with a tiny percentage drop for the past year, and one of the smallest drops going back two years. And they cancel it. Story reasons aside, that’s wacky.

  6. Ken – I agree, and the behind-the-scenes story on this is bound to be odd. But at the same time, he’s going from somewhat generic super-heroing to something a little difference, so I can get behind it.

  7. The Superman “Doomed” storyline is quite good…
    What if Superman is infected with the Doomsday virus, and becomes Doomsday?

    Regarding Batman Eternal and Futures End, how do they compare to Trinity, Coutndown, and 52?

    Adventures of Superman is ending? Crap. There were some good stories in that series! I recommended it to all the Superman fans who didn’t want to deal with the New 52 version.

    Also recommended: Batman Beyond (Justice Lords!), and Swamp Thing (another avatar!).

  8. Oddly enough, Red Lanterns and the Supergirl tie-in issues are the only books I’m currently following from DC right now.

  9. Not that anyone in their right mind would want/need another Trinity of Sin title, but I can’t help thinking DC fucked up by only releasing two books labeled as part of the TRINITY of Sin.

  10. Good analysis.

    -I didn’t even notice that Justice League was missing last time around. Probably I assumed it was delayed due to Forever Evil lateness.

    -I don’t read it regularly — have bought a few issues and am trade-waiting — but count me in as another one who’s interested in Red Lanterns but not Green Lantern. Charles Soule, y’all.

    -On that note, ARGH stop trying to get Swamp Thing cancelled! ;-) It’s DC’s best title!

  11. To answer the question I only read New Guardians. I only picked up GL/GL Corp and RL during the last crossover. It is sad but true that there are too many books. Might be better to scrape everything but GL and go to a quarterly anthology series to cover the different spectrum’s/characters.

  12. Well, Torsten, if you’re talking sales, here you go:

    05/2006: 52 Week 1 — 140,971 [143,611]
    05/2006: 52 Week 2 — 128,393 (- 8.9%) [130,704]
    05/2006: 52 Week 3 — 123,982 (- 3.4%) [126,913]
    05/2006: 52 Week 4 — 121,440 (- 2.1%) [125,297]

    05/2007: Countdown #51 — 91,083
    05/2007: Countdown #50 — 83,752 (- 8.1%) [85,564]
    05/2007: Countdown #49 — 81,484 (- 2.7%) [83,188]
    05/2007: Countdown #48 — 79,810 (- 2.1%) [81,828]

    06/2008: Trinity #1 — 88,044
    06/2008: Trinity #2 — 79,495 (- 9.7%)
    06/2008: Trinity #3 — 76,224 (- 4.1%)
    06/2008: Trinity #4 — 73,448 (- 3.6%)

    If you’re talking quality, let me say first I loved (and still love) 52, Countdown was terrible and Trinity was way, WAY too long (by like, 40 issues).

    I haven’t read Eternal but I have to admit I kinda like Future’s End, despite the truly terrible 0 issue. Maybe because it’s the weekly that most feels like 52, but the story has hooked me somehow. And I’m saying that as someone who hasn’t liked anything that’s come out of The New 52 except The Flash.

  13. Some points:

    Jason: Good idea about Green Lantern. Instead of a quarterly, it could be a monthly oversized book like Secret Origins.

    Speaking of Secret Origins, the concept is fine–except for one thing. Instead of all three stories featuring a Superman/Batman/JLA-related character, why not use one spot to “New 52ize” an obscure and/or previously unused character? It’s not like they’ll have/need to carry the sales of Secret Origins. Use what you’ve got to every advantage, I say.

    Speaking of “lower-tier characters/concepts, I read Infinity Man & Forever People#1 yesterday. It was different from most other DC output, and in this case, different is good. But how many fans will refuse to give it a try simply because it’s not a Bat title, and then whine about how bad it is? Look folks, you can’t run a company forever on the back of one character. Harvey Comics tried that in the 70s with Richie Rich, and I think we all saw how well that turned out. And before anyone mentions Archie to me, well, every rule DOES have its exceptions.

    Still sad over the cancellation of All-Star Western. I wish DC could’ve gave it one more year at $2.99. 32 pages at $3.99 might work for a title like Justice League, but not for a fringe book like ASW. Look at Marvel’s sales figures. Same thing. Some titles/characters will sell at any price, others not so much.

    I’m really enjoying Futures’ End. Actually, It’s gotten me excited in going to my LCS on a weekly basis once again (previously, I only went once or twice a month). I actually ordered—and looking forward to reading–all 41 September one-shots (standard editions of course–I never got into the gimmicks publishers use, 3-D indeed).

  14. It sadly looks like my favourite DC title, Swamp Thing, doesn’t have much longer for this world. Maybe another year? :( Everyone reading Red Lanterns should give it a go, its by Soule, the same writer. And the art by Saiz is just amazing to look at!

    I really don’t understand some of the DC marketing. With Johns and Romita on Superman next month, wouldn’t that warrant a new 1. It looks like a missed sales opportunity to me. Same when Lemire took over Green Arrow, sales only increased by a few grand. When it could of been a much bigger increase instead.

    I’ve heard good things about Batman eternal, but I’m going to wait for the cheap trade. I think a long form story like this will also work better with a large chunk to read.

  15. @Rob e – I would imagine they are wanting to make sure that if someone learns of a new character in Secret Origins, then there is someplace for the person to go to get more from that character. So they are probably sticking to characters who are appearing in the books elsewhere. But obviously they are going to run out of those eventually, so things could change. There’s obviously a need to maintain trademarks and stuff so they may need to do the “DC Universe Presents” thing and re-introduce some characters to maintain the proper rights.

    Not sure where you are going with the question on Infinity Man et al. DC is obviously still trying to get people interested in other characters than Batman, but the readers aren’t having it. That’s not DC’s fault. That said, I don’t know what happened with Harvey but Pizza Hut does pretty good selling pizza as their main thing with just a few other items. Why can’t DC be “Batman Hut” ?

    @James – I wonder if DC is/was trying to avoid doing what Marvel does, which is create false excitement over something that at one time would not have been a big deal (creator change). Although they are doing it with Teen Titans and Suicide Squad. Perhaps with it being such a main title for them, they don’t want to relaunch “Superman” so soon.

  16. Quite a cynical feel to this column, a sense of wishing DC would fail. “What would make Batwoman sales higher – a wedding?” and all that snarky shit. All about focusing on the drops. Obviously you’re a Marvel fan, given the “Marvelous Competition” mention at the top, which means you shouldn’t be reviewing the DC sales stuff, since you’ve got that bias.

    And to answer your GL “anyone buying this not buying GL” questions, yeah, I buy Red Lanterns without buying the others. People who read DC’s cosmic books can think for themselves, you know.

  17. @Kard – he mentions in the opening that there will be a certain amount of snark. That said, while David obviously sees some flaws at DC, he’s not nearly as negative as the previous guy who pretty much hated everything about DC.

    I imagine there’s not much else to talk about other than the drops, as most things tend to drop.

    “Marvelous Competition” and “Disntinguised Competition” are the ways that DC and Marvel often refer to each other.

  18. Glenn,

    No, I don’t blame DC for the “Bat-flood”. It’s called giving the readers what they want. No, I blame the fans who refuse to even give the first issue of a new book a chance, then turn right around and bash said new book, talking about how bad it is and why doesn’t DC cancel it. If any of us tries out a first issue, or several issues of a new book and decides they don’t like it for whatever reason and drops it, that’s fine. My argument is with those who bash a title they’ve never tried. So no, DC’s innocent in this one. And thankfully, there really aren’t a ton of fans like the kind I described above.

    Thanks for your response to my earlier post. Have a good one.

  19. Well, I WAS reading Red Lanterns and nothing else, because everything in GLC world has kind of gone to shit without Johns but Red Lanterns was still at least consistently fun. Was kind of being the operative word. This Supergirl stuff, while fun at first, ultimately finished things for me.

  20. Here’s a question no one as asked:

    Vertigo launched their new titles with a $1 first edition of #1. (Reprintings of those #1s carried the normal cover price.)

    Why doesn’t DC do this with their non-Justice League titles?
    Wouldn’t that encourage retailers to stock a title, and consumers more likely to give it a chance?

  21. Torsten: I think you have tons and tons of New52 n°1 in the back issues bins. DC problem is not that not enough people started buying their new 52 titles, it’s that most of them drop them very quickly.

  22. With so many good comics on the stands, who has time to try everything out with DC…especially when the production quality drops off rather significantly, rather quickly.

    I don’t suspect I’m alone in picking up a smattering of independent titles and the high-quality stuff from Marvel and DC…which happens to typically be a Bat or Avengers comic. My mainstream superhero titles of choice happen to be Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing and Daredevil, Moon Knight, Loki–give or take. My indies are probably 2x that amount.

    So I don’t give two farts about new attempts at contemporizing Cat-Piss Man even if somebody I’ve never heard of is doing the art and writing on it.

  23. New 52 continues to be a good thing for fringe titles and Vertigo books re-incorporated into the excitement of the New 52/mainstream fold. The rest? It looks pretty dismal. I don’t think it’s fair to label someone whose job it is to analyze numbers a “hater” when the numbers themselves are not that healthy.

  24. With Johns and Romita coming on board Superman sales should jump ly 5K or 7K bump?. As Action tracks closely to Superman in sales I expect it to see a jump too. Love what Pak is doing and hopefully the new creative team on Supes get more people to check out Action.

  25. “Obviously you’re a Marvel fan”

    Jesus fucking christ, grow the fuck up. Nobody has to “take sides.” You can like everything and also point out the flaws in everything. For fuck’s sake!

Comments are closed.