DC Comics Month-to Month Sales September 2016: Young Chemical Romance

by David Carter

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

This was the month that reality came crashing in to DC’s Rebirth.

In truth things not really bad at all. Sure, total sales are down over a million copies from last month, but since August saw DC sell a record number of comics for the modern Diamond era it would have been shocking had sales stayed that high. Things only look bad compared to the last couple of months; otherwise they are still quite strong, with total sales more than double what they were in May (the month before Rebirth).

But sales on the Rebirth books are starting to decline. The launch titles are no longer returnable, which no doubt leads retailers to be more conservative with their orders. The new Rebirth titles are not launching at the heights that the earlier books did. Again, this is all to be expected, as more and more dollars are being tied up in more and more Rebirth titles.

This month is also the fifth anniversary of the New 52 launch. And here’s a bit of a shocker: Total DCU sales for this, the fourth month of Rebirth (3,522,018) are higher than those for the first month of the New 52 (3,437,947)!

So yeah, things may be down for Rebirth from last month’s heights. But they are still really good. It’s just that things are not going to be this good forever. Sales on titles will still, in general, decline from month to month. The big question is where are they going to settle? Tune in to this very column over the next several months to find out!

September also saw the launch of the Young Animal line, but more on that below when we get to Doom Patrol…

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 over at Comichron!

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.)

---

2 - ALL STAR BATMAN ($4.99)
09/2006: --
---------------------------------------
08/2016: All Star Batman #1  -- 318,283 (+238.5%)   
09/2016: All Star Batman #2  -- 151,523 (- 52.4%)   
-----------------
10 years:    n.a.

Returnable and an f.o.v.; see the fine print at the end of the column. Or refer to last month’s column for a lengthy discourse on how returnability factors into the Diamond sales estimates and why we adjust the sales figures for returnable comics up by 10%.

Yes, I know when you look at the sales charts it says that Batman #6 was the top seller of September. But since ASB was returnable and Batman was not, ASB moves up into the top spot.

A 50% drop is steep, but it falls in line with what we see for titles whose debut issues are flush with extra variants. It’s still good enough to put ASB on top, and at a $5 price tag too.

—

1, 3 - BATMAN ($2.99)
09/2006: Batman #657    --  91,357  [96,127] 
09/2011: Batman #1      -- 188,420 [223,299]
09/2012: Batman #0      -- 156,561 
09/2013: #23.1: Joker   -- 151,351
09/2013: #23.2: Riddler -- 140,065
09/2013: #23.3: Penguin -- 120,026
09/2013: #23.4: Bane    -- 124,382 [129,156]
09/2014: Futures End #1 -- 142,980 [144,423] 
----------------------------------
09/2015: Batman #44     -- 114,409 (-  9.9%) [115,351]
10/2015: Batman #45     -- 109,367 (-  4.6%) [110,031]
11/2015: Batman #46     -- 106,989 (-  2.1%) [107,758]
12/2015: Batman #47     -- 127,201 (+ 18.0%) 
01/2016: Batman #48     -- 100,962 (- 20.6%) 
02/2016: Batman #49     -- 102,689 (+  1.7%) 
03/2016: Batman #50     -- 163,406 (+ 67.7%) [172,256]
04/2016: Batman #51     -- 101,922 (- 40.8%) 
05/2016: Batman #52     -- 102,197 (+  0.3%) 
06/2016: Rebirth #1     -- 219,788 (+124.3%) [229,267]
06/2016: Batman #1      -- 308,396 (+ 44.9%) [332,281]
07/2016: Batman #2      -- 194,816 (- 41.4%) 
07/2016: Batman #3      -- 185,833 (-  4.6%) 
08/2016: Batman #4      -- 168,284 (-  9.4%) 
08/2016: Batman #5      -- 156,356 (-  7.1%) 
09/2016: Batman #6      -- 138,853 (- 11.2%) 
09/2016: Batman #7      -- 135,585 (-  2.4%) 
-----------------
6 months: - 20.3%
1 year  : + 19.0%
2 years : -  5.0%
5 years : - 38.5%
10 years: + 42.7%

No longer returnable, but still f.o.v.s. The don’t-increase-for-returnability crowd will use the steep drop-off between #5 and #6 as evidence that increasing is ill-advised. I’ll make the counter-argument that retailers are just being more conservative in their orders, especially as more and more Rebirth titles are coming out and taking a bigger (overall) bite out of their monthly orders. We shall see in January once the year-end figures come out.

For titles like Batman that were New 52 launch titles, the five-year comparisons this time out are for the debut issues of the New 52; the two-year comparisons are to the shiny 3-D enhanced Futures End issues, and the six-month comparisons are to the 50th issue extravaganzas. So the percentage comparisons for those are likely going to be down. But then, these are just two ordinary issues of Batman; so with that in mind the percentages don’t look nearly as bad.

Issue #7 was the start of the “Night of the Monster Men” crossover. No real boost here, but then it is typical for the top-selling title in the crossover to not show any gain; it’s the lower-selling titles that benefit.

—

5, 10 - JUSTICE LEAGUE ($2.99)
09/2011: --
09/2012: Justice League #0  -- 125,868
09/2013: #23.1: Darkseid    -- 111,142 
09/2013: #23.2: Lobo        --  79,244 
09/2013: #23.3: Dial E      --  64,119  [67,855]
09/2013: #23.4: Secret Scty --  78,014  [83,500]
09/2014: Justice League #33 --  79,447  [77,616]
09/2014: Futures End #1     -- 104,246 [105,364]
--------------------------------------
09/2015: Justice League #44 --  76,752 (-  5.3%)  [80,630]
10/2015: Justice League #45 --  77,192 (-  2.7%)  [78,416]
11/2015: -- 
12/2015: Justice League #46 --  75,660 (-  3.5%)
12/2015: Justice League #47 --  84,970 (+ 21.2%)  [91,688]
01/2016: --
02/2016: Justice League #48 --  72,704 (- 20.7%)
03/2016: --
04/2016: Justice League #49 --  71,131 (-  2.2%)
05/2016: Justice League #50 --  92,423 (+ 29.9%) [100,106]
06/2016: Justice League #51 --  70,059 (- 30.0%)
06/2016: Justice League #52 --  72,413 (+  3.4%)
07/2016: Rebirth #1         -- 195,402 (+178.4%) [201,613]
07/2016: Justice League #1  -- 230,106 (+ 14.1%)
08/2016: Justice League #2  -- 140,142 (- 39.1%)
08/2016: Justice League #3  -- 121,812 (- 13.1%)
09/2016: Justice League #4  -- 104,003 (- 14.6%)
09/2016: Justice League #5  --  98,276 (-  5.5%)
-----------------
6 months:    n.a.
1 year  : + 25.4%
2 years : + 10.5%
5 years :    n.a.

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the fine print at the end of the column.

Recall that the New 52 debut issue for Justice League came out in August 2011, not September.

—

7 - TRINITY ($2.99)
05/2009: Trinity #52 --  32,514
-------------------------------
09/2016: Trinity #1  -- 103,177 (+217.3%)

Returnable and f.o.v.; see the fine print at the end of the column.

This is the new Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman team-up book, written and drawn by Francis Manapul. It effectively takes the place on the schedule of the old Batman/Superman and Superman/Wonder Woman books, though I’m tracking it separately from those.

The previous Trinity title was also a Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman team-up book, though it was a weekly by Kurt Busiek & Mark Bagley (and others).

Fun fact I discovered when gathering up old sales data for the previous series: it was old weekly Trinity series that led the previous proprietor of this column, Marc-Oliver Frisch, to deduce that Diamond was artificially reducing the sales figures for returnable comics. (Back then though they appear to have been doing it by 20%!) you can read all about it in the July 2008 DC Month-to-Month column in The Beat archives.

Darn it, I swore I wasn’t going to dwell on returnability this month, yet here I go again. Sorry folks.

—

8 - SUPERGIRL ($2.99)
09/2006: Supergirl #10  --  67,358 
09/2011: Supergirl #1   --  60,058  [74,218]
09/2012: Supergirl #0   --  24,457
09/2013: --
09/2014: Futures End #1 --  55,706  [56,516]
----------------------------------
08/2016: Rebirth #1     -- 124,088 (+367.8%)
09/2016: Supergirl #1   --  99,272 (- 20.0%)
-----------------
2 years : + 75.7%
5 years : + 33.8%
10 years: + 47.4%

Returnable and f.o.v.; see the fine print at the end of the column.

So far way ahead of the New 52 Supergirl title, even with the 20% drop.

—

9, 14 - SUICIDE SQUAD ($2.99)
09/2011: Suicide Squad #1      --  49,979  [61,815]
09/2012: Suicide Squad #0      --  31,875
09/2013: -- 
09/2014: Futures End #1        --  73,599  [73,962]
-----------------------------------------
09/2015: New Suicide Squad #12 --  34,622 (-  8.9%) [35,013]
10/2015: New Suicide Squad #13 --  33,260 (-  4.1%) [33,584]
11/2015: New Suicide Squad #14 --  32,925 (-  1.1%) [33,219]
12/2015: New Suicide Squad #15 --  26,449 (- 20.4%)
01/2016: New Suicide Squad #16 --  24,870 (-  6.0%)
02/2016: New Suicide Squad #17 --  23,687 (-  4.8%)
03/2016: New Suicide Squad #18 --  28,243 (+ 19.2%)
04/2016: New Suicide Squad #19 --  23,799 (- 15.7%)
05/2016: New Suicide Squad #20 --  23,425 (-  1.6%)
06/2016: New Suicide Squad #21 --  23,887 (+  2.0%)
07/2016: New Suicide Squad #22 --  25,162 (+  5.3%)
08/2016: Rebirth #1            -- 195,587 (+677.3%)
08/2016: Suicide Squad #1      -- 239,439 (+ 22.4%)
09/2016: Suicide Squad #2      --  98,533 (- 58.8%)
09/2016: Suicide Squad #3      --  90,885 (-  7.8%)
-----------------
6 months: +235.3%
1 year  : +170.5%
2 years : + 28.1%
5 years : + 53.2%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the fine print at the end of the column.

With no retailer incentive covers, issue #2 takes an expected tumble. But still far and away selling better than any other Suicide Squad series in at least the past fifteen years.

—

11, 118 - TEEN TITANS ($2.99)
09/2006: Teen Titans #39  -- 65,969
09/2011: Teen Titans #1   -- 73,675  [89,056]
09/2012: Teen Titans #0   -- 47,318
09/2013: #23.1: Trigon    -- 48,974 
09/2013: #23.2: Dthstroke -- 49,920 
09/2014: Futures End #1   -- 62,915  [63,677]
-----------------------------------
09/2015: --
10/2015: Teen Titans #12  -- 26,796 (- 17.9%) 
11/2015: Teen Titans #13  -- 26,511 (-  1.1%)
12/2015: Teen Titans #14  -- 26,239 (-  1.0%)
12/2015: Teen Titans #15  -- 27,201 (+  3.7%)
01/2016: Teen Titans #16  -- 24,201 (- 11.0%)
02/2016: Teen Titans #17  -- 23,566 (-  2.6%)
03/2016: Teen Titans #18  -- 23,056 (-  2.2%)
04/2016: Teen Titans #19  -- 21,989 (-  4.6%)
05/2016: Teen Titans #20  -- 18,593 (- 15.4%)
06/2016: Teen Titans #21  -- 18,766 (+  0.9%)
07/2016: Teen Titans #22  -- 19,005 (+  1.3%)
08/2016: Teen Titans #23  -- 19,118 (+  0.6%)
09/2016: Teen Titans #24  -- 19,540 (+  2.2%)
09/2016: Rebirth #1       -- 93,411 (+378.0%)
-----------------
6 months: +145.0%
1 year  :    n.a.
2 years : - 11.3%
5 years : - 36.6%
10 years: - 14.4%

The Rebirth issue was returnable and had f.o.v.s; see the fine print at the end of the column.

New 52 #1: 73,675 [89,056]

Teen Titans wraps up its (second) New 52 run and launches its Rebirth this month; guess which issue is more successful, sales-wise? (Actually you don’t need to guess; it’s right there in the numbers above!)

The most successful launch of a Teen Titans series in the past fifteen years, although the 2003 series did eventually move 96,005 after having first-month sales of 75,206.

(Those percentage comparisons look anemic because we’re averaging the sales for the two issues that came out this month.)

—

16, 22 - HARLEY QUINN ($2.99)
09/2014: Futures End #1   -- 119,180 [123,158]
------------------------------------
09/2015: Harley Quinn #20 --  56,836 (- 10.0%)  [58,652]
10/2015: Harley Quinn #21 --  55,272 (-  5.7%)  [55,282]
11/2015: Harley Quinn #22 --  58,344 (+  6.2%)  [58,734]
12/2015: Harley Quinn #23 --  69,168 (+ 17.8%)
01/2016: Harley Quinn #24 --  44,967 (- 35.0%)
02/2016: Harley Quinn #25 --  51,495 (+ 14.5%)
03/2016: Harley Quinn #26 --  51,420 (-  0.1%)
04/2016: Harley Quinn #27 --  54,864 (+  6.7%)
05/2016: Harley Quinn #28 --  43,858 (- 20.1%)
06/2016: Harley Quinn #29 --  55,774 (+ 27.2%)
07/2016: Harley Quinn #30 --  45,443 (- 18.5%)
08/2016: Harley Quinn #1  -- 395,953 (+784.9%) [402,106]
08/2016: Harley Quinn #2  -- 128,316 (- 68.1%)
09/2016: Harley Quinn #3  --  89,799 (- 30.0%)
09/2016: Harley Quinn #4  --  81,046 (-  9.7%)
-----------------
6 months: + 66.1%
1 year  : + 45.6%
2 years : - 30.6%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the fine print at the end of the column.

As with Suicide Squad, there was no way that Harley Quinn was going to maintain last-month’s retailer incentive-fueled sales levels. But so far we’re seeing typical new-title sales declines, so things look pretty good here so far.

Also, there was a second printing of issue #1, leading to an additional 6,153 copies added into the [brackets] and pushing its sales above the 400K mark.

—

19 - DOOM PATROL (Young Animal) ($3.99)
05/2011: Doom Patrol #22 --  9,299
----------------------------------
09/2016: Doom Patrol #1  -- 83,848 (+801.7%)

Returnable and f.o.v.s; see the fine print at the end of the column.

And now the long-awaited debut title in DC’s new Young Animal line, the set of Vertigo-esque comics being overseen by My Chemical Romance frontman (and sometimes comics writer) Gerard Way. IIRC it was originally supposed to be under the Vertigo brand, but DC (wisely, IMHO) decided to make Young Animal its own imprint.

It’s a good debut, obviously trouncing any sales for a Doom Patrol comic in at least the past fifteen years. It even sells above two of the Rebirth debuts this month. It’s kind of a Vertigo Rebirth!

The biggest question in assembling the chart this month (or perhaps for any month since I’ve been doing these columns) is where to track Doom Patrol in the end-of-column summaries. The options were with the DCU, with Vertigo, or on its own. After consulting with The Beat’s sales brain-trust (Alex, Heidi & Xavier) I’ve decided, for the time being at least, to track Young Animal along with Vertigo. I’ll spare you all the details of the discussion (though note that good points were made on all sides of the debate), but the rationale I’ve gone with is that Young Animal was conceived of as being part of Vertigo, with Shelly Bond & Jamie S. Rich in its editorial DNA, and definitely feels like an old-school Vertigo take on DCU characters. And two of the titles, Doom Patrol & Shade, were former Vertigo books. But hey, as I said, good arguments can be made for other decisions, so please pop into the comments section below and let me know if you agree or not, and why.

—

12, 17 - DETECTIVE COMICS ($2.99)
09/2006: Detective Comics #823 --  64,215
09/2011: Detective Comics #1   -- 114,880 [157,751]
09/2012: Detective Comics #0   --  84,063
09/2013: #23.1: Poison Ivy     --  78,522 
09/2013: #23.2: Harley Quinn   --  89,636 
09/2013: #23.3: Scarecrow      --  73,043 
09/2013: #23.4: Man-Bat        --  68,110 
09/2014: Futures End #1        --  96,081  [96,877]
-----------------------------------------
09/2015: Detective Comics #44  --  55,871 (+  4.4%) [56,177]
10/2015: Detective Comics #45  --  47,972 (- 14.2%) [48,220]
11/2015: Detective Comics #46  --  47,256 (-  1.9%) [47,280]
12/2015: Detective Comics #47  --  45,867 (-  3.0%)
01/2016: Detective Comics #48  --  45,111 (-  1.6%)
02/2016: Detective Comics #49  --  45,300 (+  0.4%)
03/2016: Detective Comics #50  --  52,373 (+ 15.6%)
04/2016: Detective Comics #51  --  43,190 (- 17.5%)
05/2016: Detective Comics #52  --  43,961 (+  1.8%)
06/2016: Detective Comics #934 -- 106,239 (+176.0%) [121,314]
06/2016: Detective Comics #935 -- 103,417 (-  6.9%) [112,965]
07/2016: Detective Comics #936 -- 110,689 (-  2.0%)
07/2016: Detective Comics #937 -- 101,389 (-  8.4%)
08/2016: Detective Comics #938 --  97,829 (-  3.5%)
08/2016: Detective Comics #939 --  89,612 (-  8.4%)
09/2016: Detective Comics #940 --  80,897 (-  9.7%)
09/2016: Detective Comics #941 --  82,953 (+  2.5%)
-----------------
6 months: + 56.4%
1 year  : + 45.8%
2 years : - 15.4%
5 years : - 48.1%
10 years: + 27.6%

No longer returnable, but still f.o.v.s. Issue #941 is part of the “Night of the Monster Men” crossover, proving that old tricks still work in the Rebirth economy.

—

13, 18 - FLASH ($2.99)
09/2006: Flash FMA #4   --  66,663 
09/2011: Flash #1       -- 129,260 [147,818]
09/2012: Flash #0       --  56,890
09/2013: #23.1: Grodd   --  52,901 
09/2013: #23.2: RvFlsh  --  53,359 
09/2013: #23.3: Rogues  --  51,072 
09/2014: Futures End #1 --  70,368  [71,351]
----------------------------------
09/2015: Flash #44      --  36,111 (- 11.0%)  [36,657]
10/2015: Flash #45      --  35,485 (-  1.8%)  [36,011]
11/2015: Flash #46      --  36,153 (+  1.9%)  [36,701]
12/2015: Flash #47      --  42,129 (+ 14.8%)
01/2016: --
02/2016: Flash #48      --  34,903 (- 17.2%)
02/2016: Flash #49      --  34,407 (-  1.4%)
03/2016: --
04/2016: Flash #50      --  35,160 (+  2.2%)
05/2016: Flash #51      --  33,878 (-  3.6%)
05/2016: Flash #52      --  32,831 (-  3.1%)
06/2016: Rebirth #1     --  98,580 (+275.0%) [123,115]
06/2016: Flash #1       -- 110,431 (+  2.7%) [126,429]
07/2016: Flash #2       -- 113,639 (- 10.1%)
07/2016: Flash #3       -- 107,067 (-  5.8%)
08/2016: Flash #4       -- 102,208 (-  4.5%)
08/2016: Flash #5       --  91,830 (- 10.2%)
09/2016: Flash #6       --  82,930 (-  9.7%)
09/2016: Flash #7       --  78,057 (-  5.9%)
-----------------
6 months:    n.a.
1 year  : +119.6%
2 years : + 12.8%
5 years : - 45.5%
10 years: + 20.7%

No longer returnable, but still f.o.v.s. Flash will now seek out its Rebirth-era level.

—

20, 23 - SUPERMAN ($2.99)
09/2006: Superman #656  --  64,288
09/2011: Superman #1    -- 131,529 [150,128]
09/2012: Superman #0    --  60,493
09/2013: #23.1: Bizarro --  59,589 
09/2013: #23.2: Brniac  --  58,197 
09/2013: #23.3: H'el    --  55,069 
09/2013: #23.4: Prsite  --  59,811 
09/2014: Futures End #1 --  77,949  [78,947]
----------------------------------
09/2015: Superman #44   --  43,921 (- 11.3%)  [44,908]
10/2015: Superman #45   --  42,693 (-  4.1%)  [43,069]
11/2015: Superman #46   --  41,657 (-  3.0%)  [41,765]
12/2015: Superman #47   --  47,377 (+ 13.4%) 
01/2016: Superman #48   --  37,690 (- 20.4%)
02/2016: Superman #49   --  36,318 (-  3.6%)
03/2016: Superman #50   --  91,396 (+151.7%)
04/2016: Superman #51   --  38,103 (- 58.3%)
05/2016: Superman #52   --  54,317 (+ 67.9%)  [63,989]
06/2016: Rebirth #1     -- 130,277 (+115.7%) [138,031]
06/2016: Superman #1    -- 115,918 (-  4.3%) [132,050]
07/2016: Superman #2    -- 112,148 (- 15.1%)
07/2016: Superman #3    -- 107,367 (-  4.3%)
08/2016: Superman #4    --  96,969 (-  9.7%)
08/2016: Superman #5    --  89,473 (-  7.7%)
09/2016: Superman #6    --  76,124 (- 14.9%)
09/2016: Superman #7    --  72,867 (-  4.3%)
-----------------
6 months: - 18.5%
1 year  : + 65.9%
2 years : -  5.6%
5 years : - 50.4%
10 years: + 15.9%

No longer returnable, but still f.o.v.s. Already starting to move towards standard attrition, and so far tracking a few thousand above its New 52 counterpart.

—

21, 25 - WONDER WOMAN ($2.99)
09/2006: --
09/2011: Wonder Woman #1   --  76,214  [95,902]
09/2012: Wonder Woman #0   --  49,778
09/2013: #23.1: Cheetah    --  49,297 
09/2013: #23.2: First Born --  44,154 
09/2014: Futures End #1    --  69,497  [69,921]
------------------------------------
09/2015: Wonder Woman #44  --  36,151 (-  9.1%) [36,478]
10/2015: Wonder Woman #45  --  33,885 (-  6.1%) [34,251]
11/2015: Wonder Woman #46  --  34,042 (+  0.6%) [34,454]
12/2015: Wonder Woman #47  --  40,123 (+ 16.5%)
01/2016: Wonder Woman #48  --  32,687 (- 18.5%)
02/2016: Wonder Woman #49  --  35,398 (+  8.3%)
03/2016: Wonder Woman #50  --  36,328 (+  2.6%)
04/2016: Wonder Woman #51  --  29,787 (- 18.0%)
05/2016: Wonder Woman #52  --  29,673 (-  0.4%)
06/2016: Rebirth #1        -- 103,904 (+316.6%) [123,624]
06/2016: Wonder Woman #1   -- 118,511 (+  5.5%) [130,381]
07/2016: Wonder Woman #2   -- 114,135 (- 12.5%)
07/2016: Wonder Woman #3   -- 103,912 (-  9.0%)
08/2016: Wonder Woman #4   --  93,862 (-  9.7%)
08/2016: Wonder Woman #5   --  85,646 (-  8.8%)
09/2016: Wonder Woman #6   --  74,856 (- 12.6%)
09/2016: Wonder Woman #7   --  70,118 (-  6.3%)
-----------------
6 months: + 99.5%
1 year  : + 96.7%
2 years : +  3.7%
5 years : - 24.4%
10 years:    n.a.

No longer returnable, but still f.o.v.s. So far there doesn’t seem to be a preference for one of the alternating stories over the other; the drops look a lot like those of the Rebirth titles with more traditional structures.

—

27, 123 - BATMAN BEYOND ($2.99)
09/2012: Unlimited #8      -- 20,897
09/2013: Universe #2       -- 18,332 
09/2014: Universe #14      -- 14,061 
------------------------------------
09/2015: Batman Beyond #4  -- 31,202 (+  1.3%) [31,518]
10/2015: Batman Beyond #5  -- 29,409 (-  5.7%) [29,626]
11/2015: Batman Beyond #6  -- 27,778 (-  5.5%)
12/2015: Batman Beyond #7  -- 21,946 (- 21.0%)
01/2016: Batman Beyond #8  -- 20,342 (-  7.3%)
02/2016: Batman Beyond #9  -- 19,449 (-  4.4%)
03/2016: Batman Beyond #10 -- 21,578 (+ 10.9%)
04/2016: Batman Beyond #11 -- 18,061 (- 16.3%)
05/2016: Batman Beyond #12 -- 18,133 (+  0.4%)
06/2016: Batman Beyond #13 -- 13,025 (- 28.2%)
07/2016: Batman Beyond #14 -- 18,001 (+ 38.2%)
08/2016: Batman Beyond #15 -- 17,882 (-  0.7%)
09/2016: Batman Beyond #16 -- 17,799 (-  0.5%)
09/2016: Rebirth #1        -- 74,722 (+319.8%)
-----------------
6 months: +114.4%
1 year  : + 46.8%
2 years : +229.0%

The Rebirth issue was returnable and had an f.o.v.; see the fine print at the end of the column.

We’re starting to see a bit of diminishing returns on the Rebirth titles, as they move away from powerhouse titles like Batman & Harley Quinn and into lesser titles like Batman Beyond. Granted, 75K is still excellent sales for a Batman Beyond comic; the most ever, in fact. But this title will be one to track to see if it drops back down to its prebirth level, and how quickly.

—

29 - TITANS ($2.99)
10/2015: Titans Hunt #1 of 12 --  31,037            [32,768]
11/2015: Titans Hunt #2 of 12 --  22,466 (- 31.4%)
12/2015: Titans Hunt #3 of 12 --  20,918 (-  6.9%)
01/2016: Titans Hunt #4 of 8  --  23,578 (+ 12.7%)
02/2016: Titans Hunt #5 of 8  --  22,678 (-  3.8%)
03/2016: Titans Hunt #6 of 8  --  18,493 (- 18.5%)
04/2016: Titans Hunt #7 of 8  --  20,079 (+  8.6%)
05/2016: Titans Hunt #8 of 8  --  17,412 (- 13.3%)
06/2016: Rebirth #1           --  79,295 (+477.8%) [100,610]
07/2016: Titans #1            -- 112,676 (+ 12.0%) 
08/2016: Titans #2            --  80,079 (- 28.9%) 
09/2016: Titans #3            --  70,673 (- 11.7%) 
-----------------
6 months: +282.2%

Returnable and f.o.v.; see the fine print at the end of the column.

Apparently still returnable, even though it’s into month four. Either I don’t understand the rules, or DC isn’t sticking firmly to them…

—

26, 30 - NIGHTWING ($2.99)
09/2006: Nightwing #124 --  38,251
09/2011: Nightwing #1   --  66,686  [87,561]
09/2012: Nightwing #0   --  53,109
09/2013: --
09/2014: Futures End #1 --  76,551  [76,961]
----------------------------------
09/2015: Grayson #12    --  32,284 (- 11.0%) [33,281]
10/2015: Grayson #13    --  32,260 (-  1.5%) [32,786]
11/2015: Grayson #14    --  31,831 (-  1.8%) [32,201]
12/2015: Grayson #15    --  35,765 (+ 11.1%)
01/2016: Grayson #16    --  30,420 (- 14.9%)
02/2016: Grayson #17    --  30,257 (-  0.5%)
03/2016: Grayson #18    --  33,550 (+ 10.9%)
04/2016: Grayson #19    --  27,378 (- 18.4%)
05/2016: Grayson #20    --  23,762 (- 13.2%)
06/2016: --
07/2016: Rebirth #1     -- 140,631 (+491.8%)
07/2016: Nightwing #1   -- 126,266 (- 10.2%)
08/2016: Nightwing #2   -- 102,444 (- 18.9%)
08/2016: Nightwing #3   --  89,711 (- 12.4%)
09/2016: Nightwing #4   --  70,652 (- 21.2%)
09/2016: Nightwing #5   --  69,938 (-  1.0%)
-----------------
6 months: +109.5%
1 year  : +111.2%
2 years : -  8.7%
5 years : - 19.7%
10 years: + 83.8%

According to the Diamond Top 300 chart, Nightwing #4 was returnable, but #5 was not. Which is odd because I thought the deal was that DC was making the first three months of each Rebirth title returnable? But then maybe they felt that since #5 was part of the “Night of the Monster Men” crossover it didn’t need to be returnable? Anyway, I’m taking them at their word here and have adjusted the numbers for #4 but not for #5. (Both of course had f.o.v.s.)

—

31, 37 - CYBORG ($2.99)
09/2015: --
10/2015: Cyborg #3  -- 27,550 (-  5.5%) 
10/2015: Cyborg #4  -- 25,926 (-  5.9%) 
11/2015: --
12/2015: Cyborg #5  -- 23,618 (-  8.9%) 
12/2015: Cyborg #6  -- 17,864 (- 24.4%) 
01/2016: Cyborg #7  -- 18,975 (+  6.2%) 
02/2016: Cyborg #8  -- 18,092 (-  4.7%) 
03/2016: Cyborg #9  -- 13,578 (- 25.0%) 
04/2016: Cyborg #10 -- 15,256 (+ 12.4%) 
05/2016: Cyborg #11 -- 12,425 (- 18.6%) 
06/2016: Cyborg #12 -- 12,411 (-  0.1%) 
07/2016: --
08/2016: --
09/2016: Rebirth #1 -- 70,586 (+468.7%)
09/2016: Cyborg #1  -- 61,908 (- 12.3%)
-----------------
6 months: +387.9%
1 year  :    n.a.

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the fine print at the end of the column.

As with BB there’s some amount of diminishing returns here, but on the flip side these are way better sales than the previous series ever garnered.

It appears that Cyborg will go from twice-monthly to monthly starting in January.

—

39, 51 - DEATHSTROKE ($2.99)
09/2011: Deathstroke #1  --  47,028  [56,820] 
09/2012: Deathstroke #0  --  20,796 
-----------------------------------
09/2015: Deathstroke #10 --  31,241 (- 14.6%) [31,832]
10/2015: Deathstroke #11 --  31,121 (-  0.4%) [31,649]
11/2015: Deathstroke #12 --  31,939 (+  2.6%) [32,568]
12/2015: Deathstroke #13 --  25,344 (- 20.6%) 
01/2016: Deathstroke #14 --  27,648 (+  9.1%) 
02/2016: Deathstroke #15 --  26,534 (-  4.0%) 
03/2016: Deathstroke #16 --  25,390 (-  4.3%) 
04/2016: Deathstroke #17 --  24,858 (-  2.1%) 
05/2016: Deathstroke #18 --  21,087 (- 15.2%) 
06/2016: Deathstroke #19 --  21,094 (+  0.0%) 
07/2016: Deathstroke #20 --  20,562 (-  2.5%) 
08/2016: Rebirth #1      -- 109,250 (+431.3%)
08/2016: Deathstroke #1  --  91,962 (- 15.8%)
09/2016: Deathstroke #2  --  60,877 (- 33.8%)
09/2016: Deathstroke #3  --  54,908 (-  9.8%)
-----------------
6 months: +128.0%
1 year  : + 81.9%
5 years : +  1.9%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the fine print at the end of the column.

Falling back down closer to where one might expect a Deathstroke series to sell. And still slightly above where the debut of the New 52 series sold.

—

32, 35 - ACTION COMICS ($2.99)
09/2006: Action Comics #843 --  56,084
09/2011: Action Comics #1   -- 182,748 [200,947]
09/2012: Action Comics #0   --  78,626
09/2013: #23.1: Cyborg Smn  --  69,796 
09/2013: #23.2: Zod         --  69,356 
09/2013: #23.3: Lex Luthor  --  67,621 
09/2013: #23.4: Metallo     --  51,807 
09/2014: Futures End #1     --  74,497 
--------------------------------------
09/2015: Action Comics #44  --  37,927 (-  9.5%) [38,130]
10/2015: Action Comics #45  --  36,560 (-  3.8%) [36,694]
11/2015: Action Comics #46  --  35,569 (-  2.2%) [35,898]
12/2015: Action Comics #47  --  29,021 (- 19.2%)
01/2016: Action Comics #48  --  31,958 (+ 10.1%)
02/2016: Action Comics #49  --  31,496 (-  1.4%)
03/2016: Action Comics #50  --  40,025 (+ 27.1%)
04/2016: Action Comics #51  --  32,167 (- 19.6%)
05/2016: Action Comics #52  --  40,623 (+ 26.3%)
06/2016: Action Comics #957 --  82,884 (+136.1%) [95,893]
06/2016: Action Comics #958 --  83,227 (-  4.6%) [91,462]
07/2016: Action Comics #959 --  91,671 (+  0.2%)
07/2016: Action Comics #960 --  83,281 (-  9.2%)
08/2016: Action Comics #961 --  79,003 (-  5.1%)
08/2016: Action Comics #962 --  70,761 (- 10.4%)
09/2016: Action Comics #963 --  60,824 (- 14.0%)
09/2016: Action Comics #964 --  58,439 (-  3.9%)
-----------------
6 months: + 49.0%
1 year  : + 56.4%
2 years : - 20.0%
5 years : - 70.3%
10 years: +  6.3%

The Diamond Top 300 chart shows #963 as being returnable, but I think that’s an error. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t solicited as such, and it would break the first-three-months bit (though as we saw earlier they maybe broke that with Titans…) And since #964 isn’t marked as returnable, I’m going with the [*] being an error and did not adjust the numbers. Both had f.o.v.s though.

—

41, 46 - HAL JORDAN & THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS ($2.99)
09/2006: Green Lantern Corps #4   --  46,619
09/2011: Green Lantern Corps #1   --  83,077  [94,800]
09/2012: Green Lantern Corps #0   --  47,309
09/2013: --
09/2014: Futures End #1           --  58,325  [58,570]
--------------------------------------------
09/2015: --
10/2015: --
11/2015: --
12/2015: --
01/2016: Edge of Oblivion #1 of 6 --  26,819 (- 10.7%)
02/2016: Edge of Oblivion #2 of 6 --  21,265 (- 20.7%)
03/2016: Edge of Oblivion #3 of 6 --  20,096 (-  5.5%)
04/2016: Edge of Oblivion #4 of 6 --  19,434 (-  3.3%)
05/2016: Edge of Oblivion #5 of 6 --  18,699 (-  3.8%)
06/2016: Edge of Oblivion #6 of 6 --  18,459 (-  1.3%)
07/2016: Rebirth #1               -- 125,362 (+579.1%)
07/2016: Hal Jordan & GLC #1      -- 119,579 (-  4.6%)
08/2016: Hal Jordan & GLC #2      --  85,769 (- 28.3%)
08/2016: Hal Jordan & GLC #3      --  71,211 (- 17.0%)
09/2016: Hal Jordan & GLC #4      --  60,297 (- 15.3%)
09/2016: Hal Jordan & GLC #5      --  56,029 (-  7.1%)
----------------
6 months: +189.4%
1 year  :    n.a.
2 years : -  0.7%
5 years : - 38.6%
10 years: + 24.8%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the fine print at the end of the column.

—

36, 38 - GREEN LANTERNS ($2.99)
09/2006: Green Lantern #13  --  78,101
09/2011: Green Lantern #1   -- 141,682 [169,159]
09/2012: Green Lantern #0   --  89,909
09/2013: #23.1: Relic       --  66,495 
09/2013: #23.2: Mongul      --  63,731 
09/2013: #23.3: Black Hand  --  62,753 
09/2013: #23.4: Sinestro    --  70,893 
09/2014: Futures End #1     --  77,372  [77,728]
--------------------------------------
09/2015: Green Lantern #44  --  39,371 (-  7.6%)  [39,501]
10/2015: Green Lantern #45  --  38,406 (-  2.5%)  [38,519]
11/2015: Green Lantern #46  --  38,976 (+  1.4%)  [39,053]
12/2015: Green Lantern #47  --  45,706 (+ 17.0%)
01/2016: Green Lantern #48  --  36,068 (- 21.1%)
02/2016: Green Lantern #49  --  35,237 (-  2.3%)
03/2016: Green Lantern #50  --  36,242 (+  2.9%)
04/2016: Green Lantern #51  --  32,862 (-  9.3%)
05/2016: Green Lantern #52  --  32,936 (+  0.2%)
06/2016: Rebirth #1         -- 109,454 (+232.2%)
06/2016: Green Lanterns #1  --  93,401 (-  1.5%) [107,767]
07/2016: Green Lanterns #2  --  90,268 (- 16.2%)
07/2016: Green Lanterns #3  --  86,579 (-  4.1%)
08/2016: Green Lanterns #4  --  78,254 (-  9.6%)
08/2016: Green Lanterns #5  --  70,677 (-  9.7%)
09/2016: Green Lanterns #6  --  58,346 (-  9.7%)
09/2016: Green Lanterns #7  --  55,367 (-  9.7%)
-----------------
6 months: + 56.9%
1 year  : + 43.9%
2 years : - 26.9%
5 years : - 66.4%
10 years: - 27.2%

No longer returnable, but still f.o.v.s.

—

44 - BLUE BEETLE ($2.99)
09/2006: Blue Beetle #7  -- 29,079
09/2011: Blue Beetle #1  -- 44,448  [52,288]
09/2012: Blue Beetle #0  -- 16,888
----------------------------------
08/2016: Rebirth #1      -- 80,292 (+599.0%)   
09/2016: Blue Beetle #1  -- 57,454 (- 28.4%)   
-----------------
5 years : + 11.2%
10 years: +100.0%

Returnable and f.o.v.; see the fine print at the end of the column.

That would be a typical second issue drop. However, most Rebirth titles didn’t see a typical drop from their Rebirth issue to their regular #1 issue. But then, a lot of Rebirth books are seeing drop-offs this month, so it’s not too unusual. And it’s still doing better than the New 52 edition.

—

48 - SUPERWOMAN ($2.99)
08/2016: Superwoman #1  -- 101,289   
09/2016: Superwoman #2  --  55,480 (- 45.2%)

Returnable and f.o.v.; see the fine print at the end of the column.

This however is a large drop-off that is a bit discouraging. If it’s just finding its level quickly then that’s fine. But if this is a taste of things to come?

—

40, 43 - GREEN ARROW ($2.99)
09/2006: Green Arrow #66 -- 33,793
09/2011: Green Arrow #1  -- 61,680  [72,359]
09/2012: Green Arrow #0  -- 28,408
09/2013: #23.1: Ct Vrtgo -- 43,234 
09/2014: Futures End #1  -- 61,915  [62,966]
----------------------------------
09/2015: Green Arrow #44 -- 25,620 (- 15.4%)
10/2015: Green Arrow #45 -- 23,614 (-  7.8%)
11/2015: Green Arrow #46 -- 24,393 (+  3.3%)
12/2015: Green Arrow #47 -- 30,834 (+ 26.4%)
01/2016: Green Arrow #48 -- 22,117 (- 28.3%)
02/2016: Green Arrow #49 -- 22,096 (-  0.1%)
03/2016: Green Arrow #50 -- 22,977 (+  4.0%)
04/2016: Green Arrow #51 -- 21,168 (-  7.9%)
05/2016: Green Arrow #52 -- 20,559 (-  2.9%)
06/2016: Rebirth #1      -- 89,936 (+373.0%) [97,243]
06/2016: Green Arrow #1  -- 76,816 (-  4.4%) [92,931]
07/2016: Green Arrow #2  -- 80,134 (- 13.8%)
07/2016: Green Arrow #3  -- 80,150 (+  0.0%)
08/2016: Green Arrow #4  -- 74,335 (-  7.3%)
08/2016: Green Arrow #5  -- 69,530 (-  6.5%)
09/2016: Green Arrow #6  -- 55,330 (- 20.4%)
09/2016: Green Arrow #7  -- 52,794 (-  4.6%)
-----------------
6 months: +135.3%
1 year  : +111.0%
2 years : - 14.1%
5 years : - 25.3%
10 years: + 60.0%

No longer returnable, but still f.o.v.s. Still tracking way ahead of the New 52 version, by more than 20K.

—

50 - RED HOOD & THE OUTLAWS ($2.99)
09/2011: Red Hood & Outlaws #1  -- 56,112  [70,244]
09/2012: Red Hood & Outlaws #0  -- 39,511
09/2013: --
09/2014: Futures End #1         -- 54,984  [55,765]
-----------------------------------------
09/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #4    -- 22,113 (-  7.2%)
10/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #5    -- 21,025 (-  4.9%)
11/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #6    -- 19,857 (-  5.6%)
12/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #7    -- 25,789 (+ 29.9%)
01/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #8    -- 22,900 (- 11.2%)
02/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #9    -- 22,341 (-  2.4%)
03/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #10   -- 17,707 (- 20.7%)
04/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #11   -- 19,711 (+ 11.3%)
05/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #12   -- 16,402 (- 16.8%)
06/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #13   -- 16,389 (-  0.1%)
07/2016: Rebirth #1             -- 97,722 (+496.3%)
08/2016: Red Hood & Outlaws #1  -- 92,234 (-  5.6%)
09/2016: Red Hood & Outlaws #2  -- 54,937 (- 40.4%)
-----------------
6 months: +210.3%
1 year  : +148.4%
2 years : -  1.5%
5 years : - 21.8%

Returnable and f.o.v.; see the fine print at the end of the column.

That’s a bit larger than typical drop-off for the 2nd issue.

—

53 - BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY ($2.99)
09/2006: Birds of Prey #98 --  32,715
09/2011: Birds of Prey #1  --  56,073  [66,423]
09/2012: Birds of Prey #0  --  30,574
09/2013: --
09/2014: Futures End #1    --  49,316  [49,799]
-------------------------------------
07/2016: Rebirth #1        -- 109,066 (+119.0%)
08/2016: Batgirl & BoP #1  --  83,481 (- 23.5%)
09/2016: Batgirl & BoP #2  --  54,083 (- 35.2%)
-----------------
2 years : +  8.6%
5 years : - 18.6%
10 years: + 65.3%

Returnable and f.o.v.; see the fine print at the end of the column.

Already down 50% from the Rebirth issue.

—

59 - BATGIRL ($2.99)
09/2011: Batgirl #1     --  90,543 [107,055]
09/2012: Batgirl #0     --  50,441
09/2013: --
09/2014: Futures End #1 --  67,933  [68,525]
----------------------------------
09/2015: Batgirl #44    --  30,654 (-  4.9%) [30,882]
10/2015: Batgirl #45    --  29,276 (-  3.8%) [29,715]
11/2015: --
12/2015: Batgirl #46    --  27,591 (-  7.1%)
01/2016: Batgirl #47    --  26,905 (-  2.5%)
02/2016: Batgirl #48    --  25,625 (-  4.8%)
03/2016: Batgirl #49    --  24,730 (-  3.5%)
04/2016: Batgirl #50    --  34,632 (+ 40.0%)
04/2016: Batgirl #51    --  23,280 (- 32.8%)
05/2016: Batgirl #52    --  26,492 (+ 13.8%)
06/2016: --
07/2016: Batgirl #1     -- 105,795 (+299.3%)
08/2016: Batgirl #2     --  68,611 (- 35.1%)
09/2016: Batgirl #3     --  51,580 (- 24.8%)
-----------------
6 months: +108.6%
1 year  : + 67.0%
2 years : - 24.7%
5 years : - 51.8%

Returnable and f.o.v.; see the fine print at the end of the column.

Already down over 50% from the debut issue.

—

52, 58 - AQUAMAN ($2.99)
09/2006: Aquaman #44    -- 28,001
09/2011: Aquaman #1     -- 80,302 [108,545]
09/2012: Aquaman #0     -- 61,227
09/2013: #23.1: BMta    -- 58,207  
09/2013: #23.2: OMtr    -- 53,679  
09/2014: Futures End #1 -- 65,212  [65,628]
---------------------------------
09/2015: Aquaman #44    -- 26,396 (- 14.4%)
10/2015: Aquaman #45    -- 25,495 (-  3.4%)
11/2015: Aquaman #46    -- 25,962 (+  1.8%)
12/2015: Aquaman #47    -- 20,251 (- 22.0%)
01/2016: Aquaman #48    -- 23,373 (+ 15.4%)
02/2016: Aquaman #49    -- 23,546 (+  0.7%)
03/2016: Aquaman #50    -- 24,487 (+  4.0%)
04/2016: Aquaman #51    -- 21,959 (- 10.3%)
05/2016: Aquaman #52    -- 22,246 (+  1.3%)
06/2016: Rebirth #1     -- 75,206 (+308.3%) [90,841]
06/2016: Aquaman #1     -- 84,745 (+  2.8%) [93,339]
07/2016: Aquaman #2     -- 77,550 (- 16.9%)
07/2016: Aquaman #3     -- 75,196 (-  3.0%)
08/2016: Aquaman #4     -- 67,641 (- 10.0%)
08/2016: Aquaman #5     -- 60,422 (- 10.7%)
09/2016: Aquaman #6     -- 49,903 (- 17.4%)
09/2016: Aquaman #7     -- 47,005 (-  5.8%)
-----------------
6 months: + 97.9%
1 year  : + 83.6%
2 years : - 26.2%
5 years : - 55.4%
10 years: + 73.0%

No longer returnable, but still f.o.v.s. Aquaman is the lowest-selling twice-monthly, so I would not be surprised to see it cut back to monthly before too long.

—

67 - NEW SUPER-MAN ($2.99)
07/2016: New Super-Man #1  -- 129,452
08/2016: New Super-Man #2  --  79,774 (- 38.4%)
09/2016: New Super-Man #3  --  45,976 (- 42.4%)

Returnable and f.o.v.; see the fine print at the end of the column.

Already down over 60% from the debut issue.

—

68 - HELLBLAZER ($2.99)
09/2006: Hellblazer #224    -- 13,704
09/2011: Hellblazer #283    --  9,597
09/2012: Hellblazer #295    --  9,143
09/2013: --
09/2014: Futures End #1     -- 51,990  [52,561]
-------------------------------------
09/2015: The Hellblazer #4  -- 21,974 (-  8.6%)
10/2015: The Hellblazer #5  -- 20,431 (-  7.0%)
11/2015: The Hellblazer #6  -- 19,328 (-  5.4%)
12/2015: The Hellblazer #7  -- 18,601 (-  3.8%)
01/2016: The Hellblazer #8  -- 17,853 (-  4.0%)
02/2016: The Hellblazer #9  -- 17,178 (-  3.8%)
03/2016: The Hellblazer #10 -- 16,755 (-  2.5%)
04/2016: The Hellblazer #11 -- 16,248 (-  3.0%)
05/2016: The Hellblazer #12 -- 15,904 (-  2.1%)
06/2016: The Hellblazer #13 -- 15,697 (-  1.3%)
07/2016: Rebirth #1         -- 84,404 (+437.7%)
08/2016: Hellblazer #1      -- 65,707 (- 22.2%)
09/2016: Hellblazer #2      -- 44,824 (- 31.8%)
-----------------
6 months: +167.5%
1 year  : +104.0%
2 years : - 14.7%
5 years : +367.1%
10 years: +227.1%

Returnable and f.o.v.; see the fine print at the end of the column.

The lowest-selling Rebirth title, but still selling way ahead of previous incarnations.

—

87 - RAVEN ($2.99)
09/2016: Raven #1 of 6 -- 28,374

It looks as though DC is going to have the same problem with mini-series post-Rebirth that they had in the New 52. They’re just not seen as essential. They’re also not being branded with the Rebirth banner, so that doesn’t help either.

—

89 - HARLEY QUINN & HER GANG OF HARLEYS ($3.99)
09/2015: HQ & PG #4 of 6   -- 36,031 (-  7.7%) [36,525]
10/2015: -- 
11/2015: HQ & PG #5 of 6   -- 34,127 (-  6.3%) [34,221]
12/2015: HQ & PG #6 of 6   -- 31,375 (-  8.3%) 
01/2016: --
02/2016: --
03/2016: --
04/2016: HQ & Gang #1 of 6 -- 52,659 (+ 67.8%)
05/2016: HQ & Gang #2 of 6 -- 37,846 (- 28.1%)
06/2016: HQ & Gang #3 of 6 -- 34,009 (- 10.1%)
07/2016: --
08/2016: HQ & Gang #4 of 6 -- 31,727 (-  6.7%)
08/2016: HQ & Gang #5 of 6 -- 29,616 (-  6.7%)
09/2016: HQ & Gang #6 of 6 -- 27,922 (-  5.7%)
-----------------
1 year  : - 23.6%

HQ co-writer Jimmy Palmiotti popped into the comments section last month to assure us that the Harley Quinn mini-series are making money and that DC is satisfied with their performance. I have no reason to doubt that, and it’s good to hear. But IMHO they’ll also be better off publishing two issues of the regular Harley series every month as opposed to one regular and one mini-series.

—

92 - SCOOBY APOCALYPSE ($3.99)
05/2016: Scooby Apocalypse #1  -- 69,520           [77,409]
06/2016: Scooby Apocalypse #2  -- 29,812 (- 61.5%)
07/2016: Scooby Apocalypse #3  -- 29,494 (-  1.1%)
08/2016: Scooby Apocalypse #4  -- 28,148 (-  4.6%)
09/2016: Scooby Apocalypse #5  -- 26,170 (-  7.0%)

The best-selling of the Hanna-Barbera revivals, though I’m sure that DC would like to see the drops slow down a bit rather than accelerate.

—

106 - GOTHAM ACADEMY: SECOND SEMESTER ($2.99)
09/2015: Gotham Academy #10 -- 17,292 (-  4.2%)
10/2015: Gotham Academy #11 -- 16,560 (-  4.2%)
11/2015: --
12/2015: Gotham Academy #12 -- 15,865 (-  4.2%)
12/2015: Gotham Academy #13 -- 22,947 (+ 44.6%)
01/2016: Gotham Academy #14 -- 15,023 (- 34.5%)
02/2016: Gotham Academy #15 -- 14,334 (-  4.6%)
03/2016: Gotham Academy #16 -- 13,363 (-  6.8%)
04/2016: Gotham Academy #17 -- 12,743 (-  4.6%)
05/2016: Gotham Academy #18 -- 12,410 (-  2.6%)
06/2016: --
07/2016: --
08/2016: --
09/2016: Second Semester #1 -- 21,765 (+ 75.4%)
----------------
6 months: + 62.9%
1 year  : + 25.9%

Not returnable, though there’s an f.o.v.

It’s a nice boost up from the end of the previous series, but just image how many more copies it could have sold if it were part of the Rebirth line? Clearly DC sees something in the title (trade sales?) because they brought it back, but why not give it every advantage you can?

—

129 - DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS (Digital First) ($3.99)
09/2015: Bombshells #2  --  37,136 (- 39.8%) [37,306]
10/2015: Bombshells #3  --  32,147 (- 11.7%) [32,939]
11/2015: Bombshells #4  --  27,239 (- 17.3%)
11/2015: Bombshells #5  --  25,335 (-  7.0%)
12/2015: Bombshells #6  --  23,679 (-  6.5%)
12/2015: Bombshells #7  --  23,014 (-  2.8%)
01/2016: Bombshells #8  --  21,904 (-  4.8%)
02/2016: Bombshells #9  --  20,349 (-  7.1%)
03/2016: Bombshells #10 --  19,820 (-  2.6%)
04/2016: Bombshells #11 --  18,859 (-  4.8%)
05/2016: Bombshells #12 --  18,512 (-  1.8%)
05/2016: Bombshells #13 --  18,046 (-  2.5%)
06/2016: Bombshells #14 --  18,492 (+  2.5%)
07/2016: Bombshells #15 --  17,956 (-  2.9%)
08/2016: Bombshells #16 --  17,623 (-  1.9%)
09/2016: Bombshells #17 --  16,685 (-  5.3%)
-----------------
6 months: - 15.8%
1 year  : - 55.3%

After months of standard attrition (and even one month with a corrective bump up) Bombshells takes a sudden drop down of nearly 1,000 copies.

—

134 - EARTH 2: SOCIETY ($2.99)
09/2012: Earth 2 #0     -- 69,111
09/2013: #15.1: Desaad  -- 51,850 
09/2013: #15.2: S Grund -- 52,369 
09/2014: Futures End #1 -- 65,212  [65,213]
---------------------------------
09/2015: E2 Society #4  -- 25,443 (- 11.3%)
10/2015: E2 Society #5  -- 23,459 (-  7.8%)
11/2015: E2 Society #6  -- 21,948 (-  6.4%)
12/2015: E2 Society #7  -- 21,059 (-  4.1%)
01/2015: E2 Society #8  -- 19,682 (-  6.5%)
02/2015: E2 Society #9  -- 18,868 (-  4.1%)
03/2015: E2 Society #10 -- 18,391 (-  2.5%)
04/2015: E2 Society #11 -- 17,844 (-  3.0%)
05/2015: E2 Society #12 -- 17,492 (-  2.0%)
06/2015: E2 Society #13 -- 17,430 (-  0.4%)
07/2015: E2 Society #14 -- 16,960 (-  2.7%)
08/2015: E2 Society #15 -- 16,885 (-  0.4%)
09/2015: E2 Society #16 -- 16,025 (-  5.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 12.9%
1 year  : - 37.0%
2 years : - 75.4%

Same with Earth 2 Society. Maybe retailers are cutting back to make room for Rebirth titles? At this sales level, it doesn’t take much for a larger-than-normal percentage drop.

—

142 - THE FLINTSTONES ($3.99)
07/2016: Flintstones #1  -- 43,996
08/2016: Flintstones #2  -- 19,612 (- 55.4%)
09/2016: Flintstones #3  -- 14,910 (- 24.0%)

Does not seem to be finding its audience.

—

151 - FROSTBITE (Vertigo) ($3.99)
09/2016: Frostbite #1 of 6 -- 13,916

New Vertigo Western from Joshua Williamson & Jason Shawn Alexander. It debuting in the range where most new Vertigo series debut these days.

—

154 - SUICIDE SQUAD MOST WANTED: EL DIABLO/BOOMERANG ($4.99)
01/2016: Deadshot/Katana #1 of 6 -- 21,642 
02/2016: Deadshot/Katana #2 of 6 -- 16,529 (- 23.6%) 
03/2016: Deadshot/Katana #3 of 6 -- 14,585 (- 11.8%) 
04/2016: Deadshot/Katana #4 of 6 -- 13,452 (-  7.8%) 
05/2016: Deadshot/Katana #5 of 6 -- 12,725 (-  5.4%) 
06/2016: Deadshot/Katana #6 of 6 -- 12,584 (-  1.1%) 
07/2016: --
08/2016: El Diablo/Boom #1 of 6  -- 18,660 (+ 48.3%) 
09/2016: El Diablo/Boom #2 of 6  -- 13,089 (- 29.9%) 
-----------------
6 months: - 10.3%

DC seems to have overestimated the appetite for second Suicide Squad titles.

—

156, 158 - INJUSTICE: YEAR FIVE (Digital-First) ($2.99)
09/2013: Injustice #9     -- 24,333 
09/2014: Injustice Y2 #11 -- 18,086 
09/2014: Injustice Y2 #12 -- 17,829 
-----------------------------------
09/2015: Injustice Y4 #9  -- 15,414 (+  0.9%)
09/2015: Injustice Y4 #10 -- 16,243 (+  5.4%)
10/2015: Injustice Y4 #11 -- 14,992 (-  7.7%)
10/2015: Injustice Y4 #12 -- 14,848 (-  1.0%)
11/2015: --
12/2015: --
01/2016: Injustice Y5 #1  -- 17,049 (+ 14.8%)
01/2016: Injustice Y5 #2  -- 14,787 (- 13.3%)
02/2016: Injustice Y5 #3  -- 14,263 (-  3.5%)
02/2016: Injustice Y5 #4  -- 13,918 (-  2.4%)
03/2016: Injustice Y5 #5  -- 14,094 (+  1.3%)
03/2016: Injustice Y5 #6  -- 13,599 (-  3.5%)
04/2016: Injustice Y5 #7  -- 13,823 (+  1.6%)
04/2016: Injustice Y5 #8  -- 13,560 (-  1.9%)
05/2016: Injustice Y5 #9  -- 13,539 (-  0.2%)
05/2016: Injustice Y5 #10 -- 13,332 (-  1.5%)
06/2016: Injustice Y5 #11 -- 13,682 (+  2.6%)
06/2016: Injustice Y5 #12 -- 13,318 (-  2.7%)
07/2016: Injustice Y5 #13 -- 13,590 (+  2.0%)
07/2016: Injustice Y5 #14 -- 13,418 (-  1.3%)
08/2016: Injustice Y5 #15 -- 13,258 (-  1.2%)
08/2016: Injustice Y5 #16 -- 12,914 (-  2.6%)
09/2016: Injustice Y5 #17 -- 12,782 (-  1.0%)
09/2016: Injustice Y5 #18 -- 12,740 (-  0.3%)
----------------
6 months: -  7.8%
1 year  : - 19.4%
2 years : - 28.9%

Year Five ends in October; but don’t worry, Injustice will continue.

—

167 - EVERAFTER: FROM THE PAGES OF FABLES (Vertigo) ($3.99)
09/2006: Fables #53    -- 25,378
09/2011: Fables #109   -- 18,072
09/2012: Fables #121   -- 16,596
09/2013: Fables #133   -- 14,639 
09/2014: Fables #144   -- 13,551 
--------------------------------
07/2015: Fables #150   -- 14,178
--------------------------------
09/2016: Everafter #1  -- 11,421 (- 19.4%)
-----------------
2 years : - 15.7%
5 years : - 36.8%
10 years: - 55.0%

Just how much of an appetite is there for a Willingham-less continuation of the Fables narrative? Looks like we’re going to find out. What the heck, Vertigo may as well give it a try. Single issue sales here may me immaterial, as Fables did plenty of business in trade collections.

—

169 - WACKY RACELAND ($3.99)
06/2016: Wacky Raceland #1 -- 34,065
07/2016: Wacky Raceland #2 -- 18,001 (- 47.2%)
08/2016: Wacky Raceland #3 -- 13,648 (- 24.2%)
09/2016: Wacky Raceland #4 -- 11,162 (- 18.2%)

Ending with issue #6.

—

170 - WONDER WOMAN '77 SPECIAL (Digital-First) ($7.99)
05/2015: WW 77 Special #1 -- 24,621  
09/2015: WW 77 Special #2 -- 17,101 (- 30.5%)
04/2016: WW 77 Special #3 -- 12,888 (- 24.6%)
09/2016: WW 77 Special #4 -- 10,947 (- 15.1%)
-----------------
1 year  : - 36.0%

The next step for Linda Carter is to team up with Adam West.

—

Coming in at #175 is a Director’s Cut edition of Dark Knight III: The Master Race with 10,475 copies.

—

177 - BATMAN '66 MEETS STEED & MRS. PEEL (Digital-First) ($2.99)
09/2014: Green Hornet #4 of 6 -- 23,397 
---------------------------------------
12/2015: UNCLE #1 of 6        -- 17,363 (- 15.4%)
01/2016: UNCLE #2 of 6        -- 13,940 (- 19.7%)
02/2016: UNCLE #3 of 6        -- 12,824 (-  8.0%)
03/2016: UNCLE #4 of 6        -- 11,945 (-  6.9%)
04/2016: UNCLE #5 of 6        -- 11,187 (-  6.3%)
05/2016: UNCLE #6 of 6        -- 11,060 (-  1.1%)
06/2016: --
07/2016: Avengers #1 of 6     -- 13,921 (+ 25.9%)
08/2016: Avengers #2 of 6     -- 11,079 (- 20.4%)
09/2016: Avengers #3 of 6     -- 10,082 (-  9.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 15.6%
2 years : - 56.9%

—

182, 187 - ASTRO CITY (Vertigo) ($3.99)
09/2006: -- 
09/2011: --
09/2012: --
09/2013: Astro City #4   -- 17,641 (- 6.2%)
09/2014: Astro City #15  -- 12,660 (- 3.1%)
----------------------------------
09/2015: Astro City #27  -- 11,019 (- 0.9%)
10/2015: Astro City #28  -- 10,808 (- 1.9%)
11/2015: Astro City #29  -- 10,748 (- 0.6%)
12/2015: Astro City #30  -- 10,476 (- 2.5%)
01/2016: Astro City #31  -- 10,351 (- 1.2%)
02/2016: Astro City #32  -- 10,187 (- 1.6%)
03/2016: Astro City #33  -- 10,125 (- 0.6%)
04/2016: Astro City #34  -- 10,120 (- 0.0%)
05/2016: Astro City #35  --  9,996 (- 1.2%)
06/2016: Astro City #36  --  9,960 (- 0.4%)
07/2016: Astro City #37  --  9,953 (- 0.1%)
08/2016: --
09/2016: Astro City #38  --  9,963 (- 0.9%)
09/2016: Astro City #39  --  9,621 (- 2.5%)
-----------------
6 months: -  3.8%
1 year  : - 11.6%
2 years : - 23.0%
5 years :    n.a.
10 years:    n.a.

Two issues this month to make up for missing last month.

—

193 - LUCIFER (Vertigo) ($3.99)
12/2015: Lucifer #1  -- 17,306 (+ 57.2%)
01/2016: Lucifer #2  -- 12,497 (- 27.8%)
02/2016: Lucifer #3  -- 11,614 (-  7.1%)
03/2016: Lucifer #4  -- 11,450 (-  1.4%)
04/2016: Lucifer #5  -- 11,049 (-  3.5%)
05/2016: Lucifer #6  -- 10,701 (-  3.1%)
06/2016: Lucifer #7  -- 10,382 (-  3.0%)
07/2016: Lucifer #8  --  9,968 (-  4.0%)
08/2016: Lucifer #9  --  9,554 (-  4.2%)
09/2016: Lucifer #10 --  8,891 (-  6.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 22.3%

A new writer, Richard Kadrey, comes on board with issue #13.

—

Coming in at #195 is a Director’s Cut edit of Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with 8,793 copies.

—

200 - DOCTOR FATE ($2.99)
09/2015: Doctor Fate #4  -- 16,258 (- 14.2%) 
10/2015: Doctor Fate #5  -- 14,560 (- 10.4%) 
11/2015: Doctor Fate #6  -- 13,090 (- 10.1%) 
12/2015: Doctor Fate #7  -- 11,954 (-  8.7%) 
01/2016: Doctor Fate #8  -- 11,109 (-  7.1%) 
02/2016: Doctor Fate #9  -- 10,437 (-  6.0%) 
03/2016: Doctor Fate #10 --  9,780 (-  6.0%) 
04/2016: Doctor Fate #11 --  9,257 (-  5.3%) 
05/2016: Doctor Fate #12 --  9,168 (-  1.0%) 
06/2016: Doctor Fate #13 --  9,067 (-  1.1%) 
07/2016: Doctor Fate #14 --  8,762 (-  3.4%) 
08/2016: Doctor Fate #15 --  8,663 (-  1.1%) 
09/2016: Doctor Fate #16 --  8,289 (-  4.3%) 
-----------------
6 months: - 15.2%
1 year  : - 49.0%

Ending in November.

—

207 - SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP (All-Ages) ($2.99)
07/2014: Scooby-Doo Team-Up #5  --  9,042 
-----------------------------------------
07/2015: Scooby-Doo Team-Up #11 --  6,809 (+  3.7%)
08/2015: --
09/2015: Scooby-Doo Team-Up #12 -- 15,426 (+126.7%)
10/2015: --
11/2015: Scooby-Doo Team-Up #13 --  8,008 (- 48.1%)
12/2015: --
01/2016: Scooby-Doo Team-Up #14 --  7,214 (-  9.9%)
02/2016: -- 
03/2016: Scooby-Doo Team-Up #15 --  8,092 (+ 12.2%)
04/2016: -- 
05/2016: Scooby-Doo Team-Up #16 --  8,400 (+  3.8%)
06/2016: -- 
07/2016: Scooby-Doo Team-Up #17 --  7,892 (-  6.0%)
08/2016: -- 
09/2016: Scooby-Doo Team-Up #18 --  7,913 (+  0.3%)
-----------------
6 months: +  9.4%
1 Year  : + 15.9%
2 Years : - 12.7%

Teaming up with Krypto, G’Nort, Ace the Bathound, and Wonder Dog.

Seriously, how can you not want to read that?!

—

Coming in at #211 is yet another printing of DC Universe Rebirth with 7,670 copies.

—

212 - SIXPACK & DOGWELDER: HARD TRAVELIN' HEROZ ($3.99)
09/2015: All-Star Section 8 #4 of 6  -- 11,240 (- 13.8%) 
10/2015: All-Star Section 8 #5 of 6  --  9,787 (- 12.9%) 
11/2015: --
12/2015: All-Star Section 8 #6 of 6  --  8,995 (-  8.1%) 
01/2016: --
02/2016: --
03/2016: --
04/2016: --
05/2016: --
06/2016: --
07/2016: --
08/2016: Sixpack & Dogwelder #1 of 6 -- 15,431 (+ 71.6%)
09/2016: Sixpack & Dogwelder #2 of 6 --  7,647 (- 50.4%)
-----------------
1 year  : - 32.0%

—

257 - BLOODLINES ($2.99)
04/2016: Bloodlines #1 of 6 -- 14,941 
05/2016: Bloodlines #2 of 6 --  8,959 (- 40.0%) 
06/2016: Bloodlines #3 of 6 --  7,371 (- 17.7%) 
07/2016: Bloodlines #4 of 6 --  6,282 (- 14.8%) 
08/2016: Bloodlines #5 of 6 --  5,767 (-  8.2%) 
09/2016: Bloodlines #6 of 6 --  5,471 (-  3.4%)

The floor of the Top 300 was unusually low this month, saving the final issue of Bloodlines from the indignity of missing the Top 300.

—

268 - THE SHERIFF OF BABYLON (Vertigo) ($3.99)
12/2015: Sheriff of Babylon  #1 of 8  -- 10,234 
01/2015: Sheriff of Babylon  #2 of 8  --  7,063 (- 31.0%) 
02/2015: Sheriff of Babylon  #3 of 8  --  6,385 (-  9.6%) 
03/2015: Sheriff of Babylon  #4 of 8  --  6,007 (-  5.9%) 
04/2015: Sheriff of Babylon  #5 of 12 --  5,810 (-  3.3%) 
05/2015: Sheriff of Babylon  #6 of 12 --  5,615 (-  3.4%) 
06/2015: Sheriff of Babylon  #7 of 12 --  5,714 (+  1.8%) 
07/2015: Sheriff of Babylon  #8 of 12 --  5,680 (-  0.6%) 
08/2015: Sheriff of Babylon  #9 of 12 --  5,587 (-  1.6%) 
09/2015: Sheriff of Babylon #10 of 12 --  5,290 (-  5.3%) 
-----------------
6 months: - 11.9%

—

272 - SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (All-Ages) ($2.99)
09/2006: Scooby-Doo #112               -- 4,385
09/2011: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #13 -- 4,701
09/2012: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #25 -- 4,979
09/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #37 -- 4,840 
09/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #49 -- ????? (< 6,262)
-----------------------------------------------
09/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #61 -- 5,220 (+ 2.5%)  
10/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #62 -- 5,143 (- 1.5%)  
11/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #63 -- 5,215 (+ 1.4%)  
12/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #64 -- ????? (< 5,848)  
01/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #65 -- 4,906   
02/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #66 -- 4,867 (- 0.8%)   
03/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #67 -- 4,940 (+ 1.5%)   
04/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #68 -- 4,892 (- 1.0%)   
05/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #69 -- 5,040 (+ 3.0%)   
06/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #70 -- ????? (< 5,596)   
07/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #71 -- 5,254    
08/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #72 -- ????? (< 5,497)   
09/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #73 -- 5,214    
-----------------
6 months: +  5.5%
1 year  : -  0.1%
2 years :    ???%
5 years : + 10.9%
10 years: + 18.9%

Scooby-Doo sales have been remarkably consistent over the years, eternally within the mid-4K to low 5K range.

—

+300 - UNFOLLOW (Vertigo) ($3.99)
11/2015: Unfollow #1  -- 10,740 
12/2015: Unfollow #2  --  7,082 (- 34.1%) 
01/2016: Unfollow #3  --  6,510 (-  8.1%) 
02/2016: Unfollow #4  --  5,667 (- 12.9%) 
03/2016: Unfollow #5  --  5,149 (-  9.1%) 
04/2016: Unfollow #6  --  4,815 (-  6.5%) 
05/2016: Unfollow #7  --  ????? (< 4,986) 
06/2016: Unfollow #8  --  ????? (< 5,596) 
07/2016: Unfollow #9  --  ????? (< 5,069) 
08/2016: Unfollow #10 --  ????? (< 5,497) 
09/2016: Unfollow #11 --  ????? (< 4,239) 
-----------------
6 months:   ????%

+300 - RED THORN (Vertigo) ($3.99)
11/2015: Red Thorn #1  -- 11,335 
12/2015: Red Thorn #2  --  6,799 (- 40.0%) 
01/2016: Red Thorn #3  --  5,802 (- 14.7%) 
02/2016: Red Thorn #4  --  4,867 (- 16.1%) 
03/2016: Red Thorn #5  --  4,482 (-  7.9%) 
04/2016: Red Thorn #6  --  ????? (< 4,309) 
05/2016: Red Thorn #7  --  ????? (< 4,986) 
06/2016: Red Thorn #8  --  ????? (< 5,596) 
07/2016: Red Thorn #9  --  ????? (< 5,069) 
08/2016: Red Thorn #10 --  ????? (< 5,497) 
09/2016: Red Thorn #11 --  ????? (< 4,239) 
-----------------
6 months:   ????%

Clean Room, Art Ops, and Suiciders all missed shipping an issue in September, but will be back in October.

—

Average Periodical Sales (not counting reprints, reorders shipping after the initial month of release, director’s cuts, and magazines; based on first-month sales only.)

DC COMICS
09/2006: 34,920
09/2011: 57,224
09/2012: 35,811
09/2013: 54,892 
09/2014: 46,869 **
---------------
09/2015: 26,092 (-  4.4%)**
10/2015: 25,681 (-  0.5%)**
11/2015: 30,743 (+ 19.7%)
12/2015: 28,091 (-  8.6%)**
01/2016: 21,845 (- 22.2%)**
02/2016: 24,611 (+ 12.7%)**
03/2016: 22,620 (-  9.6%)**
04/2016: 23,187 (+  2.5%)**
05/2016: 24,532 (+  5.8%)**
06/2016: 48,770 (+ 98.8%)**
07/2016: 63,656 (+ 30.5%)**
08/2016: 67,257 (+  5.7%)**
09/2016: 51,379 (- 23.6%)**
-----------------
6 months: +127.1%
1 year  : + 96.9%
2 years : +  9.6%
5 years : - 10.2%
10 years: + 47.1%


DC UNIVERSE
09/2006: 46,329 
09/2011: 67,411
09/2012: 39,408
09/2013: 61,036 
09/2014: 63,401 ** 
---------------
09/2015: 30,645 (-  7.4%)
10/2015: 30,402 (-  0.8%)
11/2015: 38,396 (+ 26.3%)
12/2015: 34,981 (-  8.9%)
01/2016: 27,664 (- 20.1%)
02/2016: 31,503 (+ 13.9%)
03/2016: 28,621 (-  9.1%)
04/2016: 30,003 (+  4.8%)
05/2016: 29,927 (-  0.3%)
06/2016: 65,876 (+120.1%)
07/2016: 90,237 (+ 37.0%)
08/2016: 87,905 (-  2.6%)
09/2016: 64,037 (- 27.2%)
-----------------
6 months: +123.7%
1 year  : +109.0%
2 years : +  1.0%
5 years : -  5.0%
10 years: + 38.5%


VERTIGO & YOUNG ANIMAL
09/2006: 15,399
09/2011:  9,995
09/2012: 11,710
09/2013: 14,951 
09/2014: 10,022 **
---------------
09/2015: 15,814 (+ 54.8%)**
10/2015: 10,771 (- 31.9%)**
11/2015:  9,780 (-  9.2%)
12/2015:  8,630 (- 11.8%)**
01/2016:  6,832 (- 20.5%)**
02/2016:  6,274 (-  8.2%)**
03/2016:  6,039 (-  3.7%)**
04/2016:  5,649 (-  6.5%)**
05/2016:  5,734 (+  1.5%)**
06/2016:  6,073 (+  5.9%)**
07/2016:  6,328 (+  4.2%)**
08/2016:  5,639 (- 10.9%)**
09/2016: 16,825 (+198.4%)**
-----------------
6 months: +178.6%
1 year  : +  6.4%
2 years : + 67.9%
5 years : + 68.3%
10 years: +  9.3%

Without Young Animal, the Vertigo average for the month would be 8,448.

—

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

+387.9% - Cyborg
+282.2% - Titans (Titans Hunt)
+235.3% - Suicide Squad (New Suicide Squad)
+210.3% - Red Hood & Outlaws (Red Hood/Arsenal)
+189.4% - Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps (GLC Edge)
+167.5% - Hellblazer (Constantine the Hellblazer)
+145.0% - Teen Titans
+135.3% - Green Arrow
+128.0% - Deathstroke
+114.4% - Batman Beyond
+109.5% - Nightwing
+108.6% - Batgirl
+ 99.5% - Wonder Woman
+ 97.9% - Aquaman
+ 66.1% - Harley Quinn
+ 62.9% - Gotham Academy
+ 56.9% - Green Lanterns (Green Lantern)
+ 56.4% - Detective Comics
+ 49.0% - Action Comics
+  9.4% - Scooby-Doo Team-Up
+  5.5% - Scooby-Doo Where Are You?
-  3.8% - Astro City
-  7.8% - Injustice
- 10.3% - Suicide Squad Most Wanted
- 11.9% - Sheriff of Babylon
- 12.9% - Earth 2 Society
- 15.2% - Doctor Fate
- 15.6% - Batman 66 Meets...
- 15.8% - DC Comics Bombshells
- 18.5% - Superman
- 20.3% - Batman
- 22.3% - Lucifer


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

+170.5% - Suicide Squad (New Suicide Squad)
+148.4% - Red Hood & Outlaws (Red Hood/Arsenal)
+119.6% - Flash
+111.2% - Nightwing
+111.0% - Green Arrow
+104.0% - Hellblazer (Constantine the Hellblazer)
+ 96.7% - Wonder Woman
+ 83.6% - Aquaman
+ 81.9% - Deathstroke
+ 67.0% - Batgirl
+ 65.9% - Superman
+ 56.4% - Action Comics
+ 46.8% - Batman Beyond
+ 45.8% - Detective Comics
+ 45.6% - Harley Quinn
+ 43.9% - Green Lanterns (Green Lantern)
+ 25.9% - Gotham Academy
+ 25.4% - Justice League
+ 19.0% - Batman
+ 15.9% - Scooby-Doo Team-Up
-  0.1% - Scooby-Doo Where Are You?
- 11.6% - Astro City
- 19.4% - Injustice
- 23.6% - Harley Quinn and...
- 32.0% - Sixpack & Dogwelder (All-Star Section 8)
- 36.0% - Wonder Woman 77 Special
- 37.0% - Earth 2 Society
- 49.0% - Doctor Fate
- 55.3% - DC Comics Bombshells


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

+229.0% - Batman Beyond
+ 75.7% - Supergirl
+ 28.1% - Suicide Squad (New Suicide Squad)
+ 12.8% - Flash
+ 10.5% - Justice League
+  8.6% - Batgirl & Birds of Prey (Birds of Prey)
+  3.7% - Wonder Woman
-  0.7% - Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps (GLC)
-  1.5% - Red Hood & Outlaws
-  5.0% - Batman
-  5.6% - Superman
-  8.7% - Nightwing (Grayson)
- 11.3% - Teen Titans
- 12.7% - Scooby-Doo Where Are You?
- 14.1% - Green Arrow
- 14.7% - Hellblazer (Constantine)
- 15.4% - Detective Comics
- 15.7% - Everafter (Fables)
- 20.0% - Action Comics
- 23.0% - Astro City
- 24.7% - Batgirl
- 26.2% - Aquaman
- 26.9% - Green Lanterns (Green Lantern)
- 28.9% - Injustice
- 30.6% - Harley Quinn
- 56.9% - Batman 66 Meets...
- 75.4% - Earth 2 Society (Earth 2)


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

+367.1% - Hellblazer 
+ 53.2% - Suicide Squad
+ 33.8% - Supergirl
+ 11.2% - Blue Beetle
+ 10.9% - Scooby-Doo Where Are You?
+  1.9% - Deathstroke
- 18.6% - Batgirl & Birds of Prey (Birds of Prey)
- 19.7% - Nightwing
- 21.8% - Red Hood & Outlaws
- 24.4% - Wonder Woman
- 25.3% - Green Arrow
- 36.6% - Teen Titans
- 36.8% - Everafter (Fables)
- 38.5% - Batman
- 38.6% - Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps (GLC)
- 45.5% - Flash
- 48.1% - Detective Comics
- 50.4% - Superman
- 51.8% - Batgirl
- 55.4% - Aquaman
- 66.4% - Green Lanterns (Green Lantern)
- 70.3% - Action Comics


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

+227.1% - Hellblazer 
+100.0% - Blue Beetle
+ 83.8% - Nightwing
+ 73.0% - Aquaman
+ 65.3% - Batgirl & Birds of Prey (Birds of Prey)
+ 60.0% - Green Arrow
+ 47.4% - Supergirl
+ 27.6% - Detective Comics
+ 24.8% - Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps (GLC)
+ 20.7% - Flash
+ 18.9% - Scooby-Doo Where Are You?
+ 15.9% - Superman
+  6.3% - Action Comics
- 14.4% - Teen Titans
- 27.2% - Green Lanterns (Green Lantern)
- 55.0% - Everafter (Fables)


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

DCU: Average: 64,037. Median: 60,824. No.: 55. Total: 3,522,018

2.4 - All Star Batman
2.2 - Batman (6)
2.1 - Batman (7)
1.6 - Justice League (4)
1.6 - Trinity
1.6 - Supergirl
1.5 - Suicide Squad (2)
1.5 - Justice League (5)
1.5 - Teen Titans Rebirth
1.4 - Suicide Squad (3)
1.4 - Harley Quinn (3)
1.3 - Detective Comics (941)
1.3 - Flash (6)
1.3 - Harley Quinn (4)
1.3 - Detective Comics (940)
1.2 - Flash (7)
1.2 - Superman (6)
1.2 - Wonder Woman (6)
1.2 - Batman Beyond Rebirth
1.1 - Superman (7)
1.1 - Titans
1.1 - Nightwing (4)
1.1 - Cyborg Rebirth
1.1 - Wonder Woman (7)
1.1 - Nightwing (5)
1.0 - Cyborg
1.0 - Deathstroke (2)
0.9 - Action Comics (963)
0.9 - Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps (4)
0.9 - Action Comics (964)
0.9 - Green Lanterns (6)
0.9 - Blue Beetle
0.9 - Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps (5)
0.9 - Superwoman
0.9 - Green Lanterns (7)
0.9 - Green Arrow (6)
0.9 - Red Hood and the Outlaws
0.9 - Deathstroke (3)
0.8 - Batgirl & Birds of Prey
0.8 - Green Arrow (7)
0.8 - Batgirl
0.8 - Aquaman (6)
0.7 - Aquaman (7)
0.7 - New Super-Man
0.7 - Hellblazer
0.4 - Raven
0.4 - Harley Quinn & Gang
0.3 - Gotham Academy Second Semester
0.3 - Teen Titans
0.3 - Batman Beyond
0.3 - Earth 2 Society
0.2 - Suicide Squad Most Wanted
0.1 - Doctor Fate
0.1 - Sixpack & Dogwelder
0.1 - Bloodlines


Vertigo & Young Animal: Average: 16,825**. Median: 9,621**. No.: 9. Total: 151,428**

5.0 - Doom Patrol
0.8 - Frostbite
0.7 - Everafter
0.6 - Astro City (38)
0.6 - Astro City (39)
0.5 - Lucifer
0.3 - Sheriff of Babylon
0.3 - Unfollow **
0.3 - Red Thorn **


Digital First & Other: Average: 12,861. Median: 11,951. No.: 10. Total: 128,605

2.0 - Scooby Apocalypse
1.3 - DC Comics Bombshells 
1.2 - Flintstones
1.0 - Injustice Year Five (17)
1.0 - Injustice Year Five (18)
0.9 - Wacky Raceland
0.9 - Wonder Woman 77 Special
0.8 - Batman 66 Meets The Avengers
0.6 - Scooby-Doo Team-Up
0.4 - Scooby-Doo Where Are You?

—

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 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 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 book’s 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 book’s initial calendar month of release, you can see the total number of copies sold in brackets behind those issues (e.g. “[36,599]”). Likewise, any lower numbers due to returns or other factors returns will also be reflected in the brackets. 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. Please refer to the August 2016 column for a lengthy discourse on returnability.

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 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.

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 chart in that month. In those cases, it’s assumed that said releases sold either as many units as the No. 300 comic on the chart for that month or what the sales of the previous issue of the series were—whichever is lower—for the purposes of the chart, although its actual sales are likely to be fewer 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 National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, or my former neighbor’s dog Miles.

The author of this column does weekly snapshots of Amazon comic sales charts at http://yetanothercomicsblog.blogspot.com/ and tweets about comics and related subjects on Twitter at @davereadscomics (PM me there is you need to contact me).

As always, we welcome your comments and corrections below. Please try to keep things civilized.