DC Month-to-Month sales June 2007

by Marc-Oliver Frisch

June was a relatively quiet month for DC Comics: There was the Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special #1 and, at the publisher’s WildStorm imprint, The Highwaymen #1, and that’s it, in terms of new launches. Other notable developments at DC included the final issues of Justice, Green Arrow and – somewhat surprisingly – Flash: The Fastest Man Alive, as well as the debut of new creative teams in Superman/Batman and Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes. There also were the first couple of official Countdown tie-in books, with less than flattering results. And “Amazons Attack,” the other current big event going on in the DC Universe, introduced a whole new concept into the direct market: It’s a crossover that makes sales go down, instead of up. No, seriously.

While we’re at it, much has been made of the fact that DC’s market share was dwarfed by Marvel’s in June, shrinking to a mere 27.02% in dollars and 28.57% in units. This looks dire at first glance, but there are a few factors that should be considered. One, a number of DC titles failed to come out in June, among them major performers like All Star Superman, Batman and Action Comics. Two, no DC titles failed to come out in May, meaning that the usual bunch of stragglers was missing in June. And three, as a logical result, DC only shipped 61 periodicals in June (not counting reprints, magazines and the Johnny DC cartoon adaptations), instead of the usual 70 to 80. Obviously, those factors won’t apply in July, so, while I agree DC aren’t having a banner year, the sky isn’t falling just yet. It’s just tottering menacingly.

The state of DC’s sublabels remains depressing, meanwhile. At Vertigo, nothing noteworthy happened, where periodicals are concerned. WildStorm average sales hit their lowest level yet since Diamond started providing data on actual sales back in March 2003, with nothing on the schedule which might reverse or even stop that trend. See below for the details.

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.

—–

6 - JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
06/2001: JLA #55            --  70,637*
06/2002: JLA #67            --  59,684* 
06/2003: JLA #82            --  58,480
06/2004: JLA #100           --  75,434 [78,140]
06/2005: JLA #115           --  95,375
--------------------------------------
07/2006: Justice League #0  -- 162,378 (+118.4%) [169,199]
08/2006: Justice League #1  -- 212,581 (+ 30.9%) [251,266]
09/2006: Justice League #2  -- 143,412 (- 32.5%) [158,480]
10/2006: --
11/2006: Justice League #3  -- 140,939 (-  1.7%) [143,310]
12/2006: Justice League #4  -- 136,709 (-  3.0%) [139,123]
12/2006: Justice League #5  -- 132,460 (-  3.1%) [133,924]
01/2007: --
02/2007: --
03/2007: Justice League #6  -- 130,099 (-  1.8%) [131,754]
04/2007: Justice League #7  -- 154,984 (+ 19.1%)
04/2007: Justice League #8  -- 130,365 (- 15.9%)
05/2007: Justice League #9  -- 129,285 (-  0.8%)
06/2007: Justice League #10 -- 129,265 (-  0.0%)
-----------------
6 months:  - 4.0%
1 year  :   n.a.
2 years :  +35.5%

This was the final chapter of “The Lightning Saga,” the crossover with Justice Society of America (which, by the way, was on a scheduled skip month in June – not late, as I wrongly suggested in the May column). And again, there’s virtually no change from the previous issue.

Obviously, both the title and the crossover are huge successes for DC. Given that “The Lightning Saga” is now finished and that high-profile writer Brad Meltzer is off the book after issue #12, I’m skeptical whether Justice League will be able to hold on to its impressive numbers.

As usual, there was a 1-in-10 variant cover edition which additionally boosted sales.

—–

7 - JUSTICE
06/2006: Justice #6  of 12 -- 110,188 (+ 0.0%)
07/2006: --
08/2006: Justice #7  of 12 -- 106,866 (- 3.0%) [108,821]
09/2006: --
10/2006: Justice #8  of 12 -- 103,829 (- 2.8%)
11/2006: --
12/2006: Justice #9  of 12 --  98,887 (- 4.8%)
01/2007: --
02/2007: Justice #10 of 12 --  94,960 (- 4.0%) [ 96,473]
03/2007: --
04/2007: Justice #11 of 12 --  94,000 (- 1.0%)
05/2007: --
06/2007: Justice #12 of 12 -- 112,471 (+19.7%)
----------------
6 months: +13.7%
1 year  : + 2.1%

The maxi-series ends its highly successful run. The sizable sales increase for the final issue is, at least in part, the result of a variant cover edition which – for a change – could be ordered by retailers “individually in any quantity.” During the last two years, the North American comics industry was largely driven by blockbuster event storylines, making the performance of this entirely self-contained book (mostly a vehicle for superstar artist Alex Ross, really) all the more remarkable.

Of course, it’s also worth pointing out that there doesn’t appear to be anything on DC’s schedule right now with the potential to replace this steady sales juggernaut. Which, if we’re looking at Meltzer’s impending departure from Justice League of America, seems to be a pattern.

—–

17/19/21/22 - COUNTDOWN
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]
06/2007: Countdown #47 -- 77,504 (-2.9%)
06/2007: Countdown #46 -- 76,362 (-1.5%)
06/2007: Countdown #45 -- 74,918 (-1.9%)
06/2007: Countdown #44 -- 73,971 (-1.3%)

What pops out at this stage is that the area between 112K and 78K is a big blank spot on the chart for DC. Granted, the delayed All Star Superman and Batman would likely have ended up there, but that’s two books, and they never come out. Marvel, in contrast, have a whopping eight titles in that area, and they didn’t even try particularly hard. It’s one of many symptoms that something substantial is missing at DC.

That said, the publisher’s supposed big event series of the moment is finding its level relatively quickly. Which is damning with faint praise, of course, because sales aren’t desperately good to begin with for this sort of thing. The three previous issues made the chart again in June with reorders between 1,704 and 2,018 units, in fairness, but that’s due to the fact that June was a rather light month in terms of new releases. 70,000 units may not be a bad number for a book without superstar creators that’s largely starring C-list characters. But the yard stick for Countdown are other event titles, including and especially its predecessor 52. By that standard, Countdown has been a failure.

Speaking of yard sticks, Countdown – unlike 52 – also has to be judged by its success as the backbone of a linewide crossover. In June, this aspect came into play with the first two participating books, Catwoman #68 and Blue Beetle #16. The results aren’t exactly encouraging: Catwoman, which was on a slow climb anyway, saw a sales increase of 196 units, while Blue Beetle sales went up by 110 copies. Now, those are relatively minor books, and we’re only two months in, so maybe retailers were still cautious when they placed their orders. But again, so far, all evidence points towards Countdown being a gigantic 52-part monster of a dud.

DC don’t seem to mind, however, given the number of tie-ins they’re throwing at an audience that already seems to have had its fill of the thing from the word go. From June to September, the number is relatively manageable, with 14 tie-in books total, spread over four months and including three spin-off limited series. But then the deluge starts. In addition to five issues of Countdown proper, there are ten tie-in books across the line coming out in October, including another three spin-off limited series – all this, mind you, concurrently with two other crossovers, “Amazons Attack” and “The Sinestro Corps War,” as well as various 52 spin-offs.

Given the reluctance with which Countdown itself has been met in the market place so far, I strongly question whether throwing a glut of spin-offs at audience and retailers is a wise strategy. All available data so far suggests that there’s a fundamental disconnect between DC editorial and the market reality.

—–

18 - FLASH: THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE
06/2001: Flash #175     --  27,052*
06/2002: Flash #187     --  28,724*
06/2003: Flash #199     --  32,458 [35,493]
06/2004: Flash #211     --  45,740 [46,927]
06/2005: Flash #223     --  48,013 [49,583]
----------------------------------
06/2006: Flash: FMA #1  -- 120,404 (+196.8%) [126,741]
07/2006: Flash: FMA #2  --  77,487 (- 35.6%) [ 82,501]
08/2006: Flash: FMA #3  --  70,633 (-  8.9%) [ 72,067]
09/2006: Flash: FMA #4  --  66,663 (-  5.6%)
10/2006: Flash: FMA #5  --  61,576 (-  7.6%)
11/2006: Flash: FMA #6  --  56,789 (-  7.8%)
12/2006: Flash: FMA #7  --  53,600 (-  5.6%)
01/2007: Flash: FMA #8  --  50,967 (-  4.9%)
02/2007: Flash: FMA #9  --  47,214 (-  7.4%)
03/2007: Flash: FMA #10 --  46,133 (-  2.3%)
04/2007: Flash: FMA #11 --  46,963 (+  1.8%)
05/2007: Flash: FMA #12 --  47,809 (+  1.8%)
06/2007: Flash: FMA #13 --  76,860 (+ 60.8%)
----------------
6 months: +43.4%
1 year  : -36.2% 
2 years : +60.1%

As expected, DC’s radical sales incentive for Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #13, All Flash #1 and Flash #231 is giving the book’s sales a massive shot in the arm: As we recall, the publisher offered any retailer ordering 200% of their orders for issue #10 full returnability on those three issues, thereby eliminating the risk of sitting on unsold copies. It certainly looks like a good number of retail outlets took them up on their offer. If this is any indication, sales for July’s All Flash #1 and August’s Flash #231 can be expected to be even higher.

On the other hand, the improvement (or rather apparent improvement, given that issue #13 seems to be returnable for many retailers) of the title’s fortunes so far has been exclusively driven by gimmicks and publishing tricks, while audience reactions continue to be overwhelmingly negative. So there’s no reason to count the chickens quite yet – the litmus test for Flash won’t come until it has to sell on its own merits again. Either way, the abrupt reversal of a major revamp and the shady way in which they went about it (see last month’s column) don’t reflect very well on the publisher.

—–

24/27 - SUPERMAN/BATMAN
06/2003: --
06/2004: --
06/2005: Superman/Batman #20 -- 114,099
---------------------------------------
06/2006: Superman/Batman #27 --  95,717 (-19.4%)
07/2006: Superman/Batman #28 --  92,603 (- 3.2%)
08/2006: Superman/Batman #29 --  90,665 (- 2.1%)
09/2006: --
10/2006: --
11/2006: Superman/Batman #30 --  84,008 (- 7.3%)
12/2006: Superman/Batman #31 --  81,716 (- 2.7%)
01/2007: --
02/2007: --
03/2007: Superman/Batman #32 --  77,905 (- 4.7%)
04/2007: Superman/Batman #33 --  74,807 (- 4.0%)
04/2007: Superman/Batman #34 --  71,278 (- 4.7%)
05/2007: Superman/Batman #35 --  68,160 (- 4.4%)
06/2007: Superman/Batman #36 --  65,866 (- 3.4%)
06/2007: Superman/Batman #37 --  72,635 (+10.3%)
----------------
6 months: -15.3%
1 year  : -27.7%
2 years : -39.3%

After a year-long free-fall, the book’s sales show a flicker of interest with the beginning of a new arc by writer Alan Burnett and artist Dustin Nguyen. However, there was also a 1-in-10 variant cover edition of issue #37, so this is another case of an apparent sales improvement that’s probably largely down to gimmicks.

—–

33 - TEEN TITANS
06/2004: Teen Titans #12 -- 66,424
06/2005: Teen Titans #25 -- 70,542 [72,721]
----------------------------------
06/2006: --
07/2006: Teen Titans #37 -- 71,263 (- 0.3%)
08/2006: Teen Titans #38 -- 69,232 (- 2.9%)
09/2006: Teen Titans #39 -- 65,969 (- 4.7%)
10/2006: --
11/2006: Teen Titans #40 -- 64,176 (- 2.7%)
11/2006: Teen Titans #41 -- 61,714 (- 3.8%)
12/2006: Teen Titans #42 -- 60,165 (- 2.5%)
01/2007: Teen Titans #43 -- 60,290 (+ 0.2%) [62,560]
02/2007: --
03/2007: Teen Titans #44 -- 61,572 (+ 2.1%)
04/2007: Teen Titans #45 -- 61,051 (- 0.9%)
05/2007: Teen Titans #46 -- 61,478 (+ 0.7%)
05/2007: Teen Titans #47 -- 63,673 (+ 3.6%)
06/2007: Teen Titans #48 -- 60,786 (- 4.5%)
----------------
6 months: + 1.0%
1 year  :   n.a.
2 years : -13.8%

Well, ouch. Behold “Amazons Attack,” the big crossover event storyline that makes sales go down. To say that these numbers are embarrassing would be an understatement.

—–

38 - GREEN LANTERN: SINESTRO CORPS SPECIAL
06/2007: Sinestro Corps Special #1 -- 56,820

This $ 4.99 special yields solid numbers, selling not far below the mother title (which was on a scheduled skip month in June). Then again, it’s by the same creative team, and it’s the start of a new crossover storyline running through Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps and a bunch of other titles, so the good performance doesn’t entirely come as a surprise.

DC can certainly use a modest hit, at any rate.

—–

42 - THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD
02/2007: The Brave and the Bold #1  -- 92,091          [98,266]
03/2007: The Brave and the Bold #2  -- 64,357 (-30.1%) [67,143]
04/2007: The Brave and the Bold #3  -- 59,211 (- 8.0%)
05/2007: --
06/2007: The Brave and the Bold #4  -- 55,597 (- 6.1%)

Sales are finding their level, but they’re taking their time. Ironically, writer Mark Waid suspects that the overwhelmingly positive reviews are responsible for the book’s plight, because they often describe it as “fun” – which, in today’s market, tends to mean “goofy, old-fashioned and inconsequential.” I suspect he’s on to something.

—–

43 - WONDER WOMAN
06/2001: Wonder Woman #171 --  31,074*
06/2002: Wonder Woman #182 --  25,225*
06/2003: Wonder Woman #193 --  25,598
06/2004: Wonder Woman #205 --  29,233
06/2005: Wonder Woman #217 --  30,022 [31,687]
-------------------------------------
06/2006: Wonder Woman #1   -- 132,580 (+190.2%) [139,562]
07/2006: --
08/2006: Wonder Woman #2   --  84,618 (- 36.2%) [ 87,276]
09/2006: --
10/2006: --
11/2006: Wonder Woman #3   --  76,998 (-  9.0%)
12/2006: --
01/2007: --
02/2007: Wonder Woman #4   --  69,860 (-  9.3%)
03/2007: Wonder Woman #5   --  64,414 (-  7.8%)
03/2007: Wonder Woman #6   --  62,458 (-  3.0%)
04/2007: Wonder Woman #7   --  60,168 (-  3.7%)
04/2007: Wonder Woman #8   --  58,772 (-  2.3%)
05/2007: Wonder Woman #9   --  58,561 (-  0.4%)
06/2007: Wonder Woman #10  --  54,472 (-  7.0%)
-----------------
6 months:   n.a.
1 year  : - 58.9%
2 years : + 81.4%

See comments on Teen Titans, pretty much. It’s plain that being part of the “Amazons Attack” crossover either makes no difference to the title’s sales decline or actively drags the numbers down. Either way, the book is stuck with it for at least another two months, and sales are unlikely to improve during that time.

—–

44 - DETECTIVE COMICS
06/2001: Detective Comics #759 -- 40,224*
06/2002: Detective Comics #771 -- 48,768*
06/2003: Detective Comics #783 -- 37,603
06/2004: Detective Comics #795 -- 34,649
06/2005: Detective Comics #807 -- 38,497
----------------------------------------
06/2006: Detective Comics #820 -- 65,988 (+ 0.3%)
07/2006: Detective Comics #821 -- 67,345 (+ 2.1%)
08/2006: Detective Comics #822 -- 66,372 (- 1.5%)
09/2006: Detective Comics #823 -- 64,215 (- 3.3%)
10/2006: Detective Comics #824 -- 62,431 (- 2.8%)
11/2006: Detective Comics #825 -- 58,940 (- 5.6%)
12/2006: Detective Comics #826 -- 59,657 (+ 1.2%)
12/2006: Detective Comics #827 -- 55,031 (- 7.8%)
01/2007: --
02/2007: Detective Comics #828 -- 55,206 (+ 0.3%)
03/2007: Detective Comics #829 -- 52,943 (- 4.1%)
03/2007: Detective Comics #830 -- 52,395 (- 1.0%)
04/2007: Detective Comics #831 -- 56,284 (+ 7.4%)
05/2007: Detective Comics #832 -- 51,727 (- 8.1%)
06/2007: Detective Comics #833 -- 54,104 (+ 4.6%)
----------------
6 months: - 5.7%
1 year  : -18.0%
2 years : +40.5%

Unusually, whenever the book is written by Paul Dini, sales rebound from the decreased numbers of the fill-in issues.

If he could concentrate on a couple of self-contained titles with a direction and an identity, Dini could probably take away some of the publisher’s current worries. Instead, he’s stuck on a year’s worth of Countdown.

—–

45 - SUPERMAN
06/2001: Superman #171 --  48,314*
06/2002: Superman #183 --  37,926*
06/2003: Superman #194 --  33,563
06/2004: Superman #206 -- 162,095
06/2005: Superman #218 --  61,515
---------------------------------
06/2006: Superman #653 --  69,079 (- 2.0%)
07/2006: Superman #654 --  69,526 (+ 0.7%)
08/2006: Superman #655 --  66,976 (- 3.7%)
09/2006: Superman #656 --  64,288 (- 4.0%)
10/2006: --
11/2006: Superman #657 --  62,327 (- 3.1%)
12/2006: --
01/2007: Superman #658 --  60,682 (- 2.6%)
02/2007: Superman #659 --  58,258 (- 4.0%)
03/2007: Superman #660 --  57,169 (- 1.9%)
04/2007: Superman #661 --  55,738 (- 2.5%)
05/2007: Superman #662 --  55,236 (- 0.9%)
06/2007: Superman #663 --  53,384 (- 3.4%)
----------------
6 months:  n.a.
1 year  : -22.7%
2 years : -13.2%

We’re in the middle of an arc drawn by the book’s regular penciler, but sales keep declining.

—–

47 - SUPERGIRL
06/2001: Supergirl #59 --  24,562*
06/2002: Supergirl #71 --  19,086*
---------------------------------
06/2006: --
07/2006: Supergirl #7  --  85,175 (-17.2%)
07/2006: Supergirl #8  --  76,942 (- 9.7%)
08/2006: Supergirl #9  --  74,252 (- 3.5%)
09/2006: Supergirl #10 --  67,358 (- 9.3%)
10/2006: --
11/2006: Supergirl #11 --  62,544 (- 7.2%)
12/2006: Supergirl #12 --  59,819 (- 4.4%)
12/2006: Supergirl #13 --  56,648 (- 5.3%)
01/2007: --
02/2007: Supergirl #14 --  52,977 (- 6.5%)
03/2007: Supergirl #15 --  51,083 (- 3.6%)
04/2007: Supergirl #16 --  51,641 (+ 1.1%)
05/2007: Supergirl #17 --  50,429 (- 2.4%)
06/2007: Supergirl #18 --  50,279 (- 0.3%)
----------------
6 months: -13.7%
1 year  :  n.a.

The book is sticking to the 50K area.

—–

52 - AMAZONS ATTACK
04/2007: Amazons Attack #1 of 6 -- 55,445          [58,273]
05/2007: Amazons Attack #2 of 6 -- 47,552 (-14.2%) [49,224]
06/2007: Amazons Attack #3 of 6 -- 43,429 (- 8.7%)

It speaks volumes that the big event book is outsold by both of its tie-ins. Amazons Attack turns out to be another fundamental misreading of the market.

—–

59 - GREEN ARROW
06/2001: Green Arrow #5  -- 82,338*
06/2002: Green Arrow #15 -- 67,554*
06/2003: Green Arrow #27 -- 47,113
06/2004: Green Arrow #39 -- 33,324
06/2005: Green Arrow #51 -- 31,346
----------------------------------
06/2006: Green Arrow #63 -- 37,803 (- 3.5%)
07/2006: Green Arrow #64 -- 36,148 (- 4.4%)
08/2006: Green Arrow #65 -- 35,705 (- 1.2%)
09/2006: Green Arrow #66 -- 33,793 (- 5.4%)
10/2006: Green Arrow #67 -- 32,583 (- 3.6%)
11/2006: Green Arrow #68 -- 32,135 (- 1.4%)
12/2006: Green Arrow #69 -- 32,234 (+ 0.3%)
01/2007: Green Arrow #70 -- 31,798 (- 1.4%)
02/2007: Green Arrow #71 -- 31,470 (- 1.0%)
03/2007: Green Arrow #72 -- 31,144 (- 1.0%)
04/2007: Green Arrow #73 -- 30,652 (- 1.6%)
05/2007: Green Arrow #74 -- 30,751 (+ 0.3%)
06/2007: Green Arrow #75 -- 35,022 (+13.9%)
----------------
6 months: + 8.7%
1 year  : - 7.4%
2 years : +11.7%

The final issue books a solid increase. Next up is the biweekly limited series Green Arrow: Year One, before a team-up book with the hideous title Green Arrow/Black Canary takes its slot in October.

—–

63 - BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL
12/2006: Batman Confidential #1  -- 61,119
01/2007: Batman Confidential #2  -- 47,451 (-22.4%)
02/2007: Batman Confidential #3  -- 41,109 (-13.4%)
03/2007: Batman Confidential #4  -- 38,735 (- 5.8%)
04/2007: Batman Confidential #5  -- 36,219 (- 6.5%)
05/2007: --
06/2007: Batman Confidential #6  -- 33,480 (- 7.6%)
----------------
6 months: -45.2%

Dropping off the map at increasing speed.

—–

64 - OUTSIDERS
06/2003: Outsiders #1  -- 47,666 [51,698]
06/2004: Outsiders #13 -- 43,313
06/2005: Outsiders #25 -- 52,187 [55,884]
--------------------------------
06/2006: Outsiders #37 -- 44,109 (- 3.5%)
07/2006: Outsiders #38 -- 41,974 (- 4.8%)
08/2006: Outsiders #39 -- 40,524 (- 3.5%)
09/2006: Outsiders #40 -- 38,626 (- 4.7%)
10/2006: Outsiders #41 -- 36,672 (- 5.1%)
11/2006: Outsiders #42 -- 35,598 (- 2.9%)
12/2006: Outsiders #43 -- 34,243 (- 3.8%)
01/2007: Outsiders #44 -- 34,437 (+ 0.6%)
02/2007: Outsiders #45 -- 32,976 (- 4.2%)
03/2007: Outsiders #46 -- 32,577 (- 1.2%)
04/2007: --
05/2007: Outsiders #47 -- 33,267 (+ 2.1%)
06/2007: Outsiders #48 -- 32,966 (- 0.9%)
----------------
6 months: - 3.7%
1 year  : -25.3%
2 years : -36.8%

The series is set to be revamped and relaunched as Batman and the Outsiders in October. Looking at the steep decline it’s been in for the last year, that’s not surprising.

—–

65 - GREEN LANTERN CORPS
06/2006: Green Lantern Corps #1  -- 76,686 (+27.6%)
07/2006: Green Lantern Corps #2  -- 56,886 (-25.8%)
08/2006: Green Lantern Corps #3  -- 51,485 (- 9.5%)
09/2006: Green Lantern Corps #4  -- 46,619 (- 9.5%)
10/2006: Green Lantern Corps #5  -- 43,546 (- 6.6%)
11/2006: Green Lantern Corps #6  -- 41,089 (- 5.6%)
12/2006: Green Lantern Corps #7  -- 38,737 (- 5.7%)
01/2007: Green Lantern Corps #8  -- 36,924 (- 4.7%)
02/2007: Green Lantern Corps #9  -- 34,897 (- 5.5%)
03/2007: Green Lantern Corps #10 -- 34,227 (- 1.9%)
04/2007: Green Lantern Corps #11 -- 33,506 (- 2.1%)
05/2007: Green Lantern Corps #12 -- 33,267 (- 0.7%)
06/2007: Green Lantern Corps #13 -- 32,792 (- 1.4%)
----------------
6 months: -15.4%
1 year  : -57.2%

Another month of standard attrition. The one-year comparison looks more dire than it really should, by the way, since issue #1 was promoted through a sales incentive involving a green plastic ring. Who can resist a green plastic ring?

—–

68 - TRIALS OF SHAZAM
08/2006: Trials of SHAZAM #1  of 12 -- 50,621          [53,471]
09/2006: Trials of SHAZAM #2  of 12 -- 41,156 (-18.7%) [43,853]
10/2006: Trials of SHAZAM #3  of 12 -- 38,395 (- 6.7%)
11/2006: --
12/2006: Trials of SHAZAM #4  of 12 -- 38,029 (- 1.0%)
01/2007: --
02/2007: Trials of SHAZAM #5  of 12 -- 34,614 (- 9.0%)
03/2007: --
04/2007: Trials of SHAZAM #6  of 12 -- 32,875 (- 5.0%)
05/2007: --
06/2007: Trials of SHAZAM #7  of 12 -- 31,056 (- 5.5%)
----------------
6 months: -18.3%

The market is losing interest in the book.

—–

70 - NIGHTWING
06/2001: Nightwing #58  -- 36,226*
06/2002: Nightwing #70  -- 34,350*
06/2003: Nightwing #82  -- 29,552
06/2004: Nightwing #94  -- 30,155
06/2005: Nightwing #109 -- 36,601
---------------------------------
06/2006: Nightwing #121 -- 44,974 (- 2.4%)
07/2006: Nightwing #122 -- 42,542 (- 5.4%)
08/2006: Nightwing #123 -- 40,111 (- 5.7%)
09/2006: Nightwing #124 -- 38,251 (- 4.6%)
10/2006: Nightwing #125 -- 38,470 (+ 0.6%)
11/2006: Nightwing #126 -- 36,145 (- 6.0%)
12/2006: Nightwing #127 -- 34,889 (- 3.5%)
01/2007: Nightwing #128 -- 33,930 (- 2.8%)
02/2007: Nightwing #129 -- 32,651 (- 3.8%)
03/2007: Nightwing #130 -- 31,788 (- 2.6%)
04/2007: Nightwing #131 -- 31,530 (- 0.8%)
05/2007: Nightwing #132 -- 30,807 (- 2.3%)
06/2007: Nightwing #133 -- 30,623 (- 0.6%)
----------------
6 months: -12.2%
1 year  : -31.9%
2 years : -16.3%

Sales are stabilizing again, it seems.

—–

72 - SUPERGIRL AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
06/2001: Legion Worlds #3     -- 20,954*
06/2002: Legion #9            -- 24,566*
06/2003: Legion #21           -- 22,749
06/2004: Legion #34           -- 23,903
06/2005: Legion of SH #7      -- 39,155
---------------------------------------
06/2006: Supergirl & LoSH #19 -- 43,918 (- 3.5%)
07/2006: Supergirl & LoSH #20 -- 41,679 (- 5.1%)
08/2006: Supergirl & LoSH #21 -- 39,852 (- 4.4%)
09/2006: Supergirl & LoSH #22 -- 36,735 (- 7.8%)
10/2006: Supergirl & LoSH #23 -- 41,554 (+13.1%)
11/2006: Supergirl & LoSH #24 -- 33,985 (-18.2%)
12/2006: Supergirl & LoSH #25 -- 33,288 (- 2.1%)
01/2007: Supergirl & LoSH #26 -- 32,342 (- 2.8%)
02/2007: Supergirl & LoSH #27 -- 31,387 (- 3.0%)
03/2007: --
04/2007: Supergirl & LoSH #28 -- 31,525 (+ 0.4%)
04/2007: Supergirl & LoSH #29 -- 30,906 (- 2.0%)
05/2007: Supergirl & LoSH #30 -- 30,767 (- 0.5%)  
06/2007: Supergirl & LoSH #31 -- 30,385 (- 1.2%)
----------------
6 months: - 8.7%
1 year  : -30.8%
2 years : -22.4%

The exchange of the book’s creative team has no noticeable effect on sales.

—–

75 - BIRDS OF PREY
06/2001: Birds of Prey #32  -- 23,822*
06/2002: Birds of Prey #44  -- 26,965*
06/2003: Birds of Prey #56  -- 26,802
06/2004: Birds of Prey #68  -- 32,034
06/2005: Birds of Prey #83  -- 38,067
-------------------------------------
06/2006: Birds of Prey #95  -- 33,954 (- 2.7%)
07/2006: Birds of Prey #96  -- 32,219 (- 5.1%)
08/2006: Birds of Prey #97  -- 31,578 (- 2.0%)
09/2006: Birds of Prey #98  -- 32,715 (+ 3.6%)
10/2006: Birds of Prey #99  -- 30,385 (- 7.1%)
11/2006: Birds of Prey #100 -- 34,607 (+13.9%)
12/2006: Birds of Prey #101 -- 29,825 (-13.8%)
01/2007: Birds of Prey #102 -- 29,043 (- 2.6%)
02/2007: Birds of Prey #103 -- 28,327 (- 2.5%)
03/2007: Birds of Prey #104 -- 28,464 (+ 0.5%)
04/2007: Birds of Prey #105 -- 28,328 (- 0.5%)
05/2007: Birds of Prey #106 -- 28,363 (+ 0.1%)
06/2007: Birds of Prey #107 -- 28,632 (+ 1.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 4.0%
1 year  : -15.7%
2 years : -24.8%

Sales are on a slow climb, and it seems to be story-driven.

—–

80 - ROBIN
06/2001: Robin #91  -- 27,232*
06/2002: Robin #103 -- 27,501*
06/2003: Robin #115 -- 22,054
06/2004: Robin #127 -- 40,749 [43,393]
06/2005: Robin #139 -- 29,645
-----------------------------
06/2006: Robin #151 -- 38,921 (- 6.0%)
07/2006: Robin #152 -- 37,466 (- 3.7%)
08/2006: Robin #153 -- 36,608 (- 2.3%)
09/2006: Robin #154 -- 34,387 (- 6.1%)
10/2006: Robin #155 -- 32,951 (- 4.2%)
11/2006: Robin #156 -- 31,682 (- 3.9%)
12/2006: Robin #157 -- 30,556 (- 3.6%)
01/2007: Robin #158 -- 29,464 (- 3.6%)
02/2007: Robin #159 -- 28,210 (- 4.3%)
03/2007: Robin #160 -- 27,659 (- 2.0%)
04/2007: Robin #161 -- 27,180 (- 1.7%)
05/2007: Robin #162 -- 26,801 (- 1.4%)
06/2007: Robin #163 -- 26,284 (- 1.9%)
----------------
6 months: -14.0%
1 year  : -32.5%
2 years : -11.3%

The standard decline continues.

—–

82 - FABLES (Vertigo)
06/2002: Fables #2  -- 16,545*
06/2003: Fables #14 -- 25,229
06/2004: Fables #26 -- 25,553
06/2005: Fables #38 -- 24,813
-----------------------------
06/2006: Fables #50 -- 26,210 (+7.2%)
07/2006: Fables #51 -- 25,087 (-4.3%)
08/2006: Fables #52 -- 25,378 (+1.2%)
09/2006: Fables #53 -- 25,388 (+0.0%)
10/2006: Fables #54 -- 25,534 (+0.6%)
11/2006: Fables #55 -- 25,635 (+0.4%)
12/2006: Fables #56 -- 25,892 (+1.0%)
01/2007: Fables #57 -- 25,744 (-0.6%)
02/2007: --
03/2007: Fables #58 -- 26,065 (+1.3%)
03/2007: Fables #59 -- 25,815 (-1.0%)
04/2007: Fables #60 -- 26,048 (+0.9%)
05/2007: Fables #61 -- 26,056 (+0.0%)
06/2007: Fables #62 -- 25,726 (-1.3%)
---------------
6 months: -0.6%
1 year  : -1.9%
2 years : +3.7%

There was a slight drop in June, but sales are still rock-solid, on balance.

—–

89 - THE SPIRIT
11/2006: Batman/The Spirit -- 35,541          [39,666]
12/2006: The Spirit #1     -- 34,558 (- 2.8%) [36,900]
01/2007: The Spirit #2     -- 27,245 (-21.2%)
02/2007: The Spirit #3     -- 25,516 (- 6.4%)
03/2007: The Spirit #4     -- 24,383 (- 4.4%)
04/2007: The Spirit #5     -- 23,887 (- 2.0%)
05/2007: The Spirit #6     -- 23,708 (- 0.8%)
06/2007: The Spirit #7     -- 22,621 (- 4.6%)
----------------
6 months: -34.5%

The fill-in issue sees a larger drop than usual.

—–

95 - CHECKMATE
06/2006: Checkmate #3  -- 37,551 (-10.1%)
07/2006: Checkmate #4  -- 34,661 (- 7.7%)
08/2006: Checkmate #5  -- 31,252 (- 9.8%)
09/2006: Checkmate #6  -- 28,887 (- 7.6%)
10/2006: Checkmate #7  -- 26,302 (- 9.0%)
11/2006: Checkmate #8  -- 24,899 (- 5.3%)
12/2006: Checkmate #9  -- 23,436 (- 5.9%)
01/2007: Checkmate #10 -- 22,032 (- 6.0%)
02/2007: Checkmate #11 -- 20,659 (- 6.2%)
03/2007: Checkmate #12 -- 20,116 (- 2.6%)
04/2007: --
05/2007: Checkmate #13 -- 22,554 (+12.1%)
05/2007: Checkmate #14 -- 22,074 (- 2.1%)
06/2007: Checkmate #15 -- 22,015 (- 0.3%)
----------------
6 months: - 6.1%
1 year  : -41.4%

This was the final issue of the crossover with Outsiders. Next month, sales will likely revert to the usual level.

—–

96 - JLA: CLASSIFIED
06/2005: JLA: Classified #8  -- 43,504
06/2005: JLA: Classified #9  -- 42,798
--------------------------------------
06/2006: JLA: Classified #22 -- 34,023 (+ 0.7%)
06/2006: JLA: Classified #23 -- 33,564 (- 1.4%)
07/2006: JLA: Classified #24 -- 31,697 (- 5.6%)
07/2006: JLA: Classified #25 -- 30,709 (- 3.1%)
08/2006: JLA: Classified #26 -- 27,816 (- 9.4%)
09/2006: JLA: Classified #27 -- 27,754 (- 0.2%)
10/2006: JLA: Classified #28 -- 26,003 (- 6.3%)
11/2006: JLA: Classified #29 -- 24,785 (- 4.7%)
12/2006: JLA: Classified #30 -- 23,644 (- 4.6%)
01/2007: JLA: Classified #31 -- 22,939 (- 3.0%)
01/2007: JLA: Classified #32 -- 23,091 (+ 0.7%)
01/2007: JLA: Classified #33 -- 22,504 (- 2.5%)
02/2007: JLA: Classified #34 -- 22,347 (- 0.7%)
02/2007: JLA: Classified #35 -- 21,998 (- 1.6%)
03/2007: JLA: Classified #36 -- 21,799 (- 0.9%)
04/2007: JLA: Classified #37 -- 22,350 (+ 2.5%)
05/2007: JLA: Classified #38 -- 21,961 (- 1.7%)
06/2007: JLA: Classified #39 -- 21,728 (- 1.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 8.1%
1 year  : -35.7%
2 years : -49.7%

98 - JSA: CLASSIFIED
06/2006: JSA: Classified #13 -- 36,066 (- 3.7%)
07/2006: JSA: Classified #14 -- 33,832 (- 6.2%)
08/2006: JSA: Classified #15 -- 32,308 (- 4.5%)
08/2006: JSA: Classified #16 -- 32,173 (- 0.4%)
09/2006: JSA: Classified #17 -- 30,340 (- 5.7%)
10/2006: JSA: Classified #18 -- 26,783 (-11.7%)
11/2006: JSA: Classified #19 -- 25,663 (- 4.2%)
12/2006: JSA: Classified #20 -- 24,722 (- 3.7%)
01/2007: JSA: Classified #21 -- 24,476 (- 1.0%)
01/2007: JSA: Classified #22 -- 23,830 (- 2.6%)
02/2007: JSA: Classified #23 -- 22,730 (- 4.6%)
03/2007: JSA: Classified #24 -- 22,113 (- 2.7%)
04/2007: JSA: Classified #25 -- 22,052 (- 0.3%)
05/2007: JSA: Classified #26 -- 21,569 (- 2.2%)
06/2007: JSA: Classified #27 -- 21,295 (- 1.3%)
----------------
6 months: -13.9%
1 year  : -41.0%

The two Classified titles keep clinging together and are displaying standard sales attrition in June.

—–

101 - CATWOMAN
06/2002: Catwoman #8  -- 29,769*
06/2003: Catwoman #20 -- 23,231
06/2004: Catwoman #32 -- 24,040
06/2005: Catwoman #44 -- 21,574
-------------------------------
06/2006: Catwoman #56 -- 28,942 (- 4.1%)
07/2006: Catwoman #57 -- 27,302 (- 5.7%)
08/2006: Catwoman #58 -- 26,568 (- 1.0%)
09/2006: Catwoman #59 -- 25,324 (- 4.7%)
10/2006: Catwoman #60 -- 24,117 (- 4.8%)
11/2006: Catwoman #61 -- 23,182 (- 3.9%)
12/2006: Catwoman #62 -- 22,305 (- 3.8%)
01/2007: Catwoman #63 -- 21,597 (- 3.2%)
02/2007: Catwoman #64 -- 20,767 (- 3.8%)
03/2007: Catwoman #65 -- 20,237 (- 2.6%)
04/2007: Catwoman #66 -- 19,896 (- 1.7%)
05/2007: Catwoman #67 -- 19,926 (+ 0.2%)
06/2007: Catwoman #68 -- 20,132 (+ 1.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 9.7%
1 year  : -30.4%
2 years : - 6.7%

The solicitation copy hyped the June issue as playing into future issues of Countdown. The effect on the numbers is sobering, to say the least – a boost of an estimated 196 units from a major crossover event? If I were DC, I’d be deeply, deeply worried about my future plans.

—–

102 - SHADOWPACT
06/2006: Shadowpact #2  -- 39,969 (-20.5%)
07/2006: Shadowpact #3  -- 36,341 (- 9.1%)
08/2006: Shadowpact #4  -- 33,383 (- 8.1%)
09/2006: Shadowpact #5  -- 29,983 (-10.2%)
09/2006: Shadowpact #6  -- 27,276 (- 9.0%)
10/2006: --
11/2006: Shadowpact #7  -- 25,701 (- 5.8%)
12/2006: Shadowpact #8  -- 23,898 (- 7.0%)
01/2007: Shadowpact #9  -- 22,866 (- 4.3%)
02/2007: Shadowpact #10 -- 21,823 (- 4.6%)
03/2007: Shadowpact #11 -- 21,114 (- 3.3%)
04/2007: Shadowpact #12 -- 20,746 (- 1.7%)
05/2007: Shadowpact #13 -- 20,335 (- 2.0%)
06/2007: Shadowpact #14 -- 19,899 (- 2.1%)
----------------
6 months: -16.7%
1 year  : -50.2%

A standard decline; business as usual.

—–

103 - JACK OF FABLES (Vertigo)
07/2006: Jack of Fables #1  -- 27,097
08/2006: Jack of Fables #2  -- 23,554 (-13.1%)
09/2006: Jack of Fables #3  -- 22,373 (- 5.0%)
10/2006: Jack of Fables #4  -- 21,614 (- 3.4%)
11/2006: Jack of Fables #5  -- 21,191 (- 2.0%)
12/2006: Jack of Fables #6  -- 20,950 (- 1.1%)
01/2007: Jack of Fables #7  -- 20,314 (- 3.0%)
02/2007: Jack of Fables #8  -- 20,060 (- 1.3%)
03/2007: --
04/2007: Jack of Fables #9  -- 20,273 (+ 1.1%)
05/2007: Jack of Fables #10 -- 19,982 (- 1.4%)
06/2007: Jack of Fables #11 -- 19,797 (- 0.9%)
06/2007: Jack of Fables #12 -- 19,337 (- 2.3%)
----------------
6 months: - 6.6%

Continuing a slow decline.

—–

106 - GEN13 (WildStorm)
06/2001: Gen13 #66 -- 20,371*
06/2003: Gen13 #10 -- 15,860
----------------------------
10/2006: Gen13 #1  -- 47,535
11/2006: Gen13 #2  -- 33,494 (-29.5%)
12/2006: Gen13 #3  -- 30,233 (- 9.7%)
01/2007: Gen13 #4  -- 27,615 (- 8.7%)
02/2007: Gen13 #5  -- 22,422 (-18.8%)
03/2007: Gen13 #6  -- 21,356 (- 4.8%)
04/2007: Gen13 #7  -- 20,555 (- 3.8%)
05/2007: Gen13 #8  -- 19,638 (- 4.5%)
06/2007: Gen13 #9  -- 18,644 (- 5.1%)
----------------
6 months: -38.3%

Still declining too fast.

—–

108 - THE MIDNIGHTER (WildStorm)
11/2006: The Midnighter #1  -- 39,796
12/2006: The Midnighter #2  -- 30,464 (-23.5%)
01/2007: The Midnighter #3  -- 27,564 (- 9.5%)
02/2007: The Midnighter #4  -- 24,792 (-10.1%)
03/2007: The Midnighter #5  -- 21,452 (-13.5%)
04/2007: The Midnighter #6  -- 20,561 (- 4.2%)
05/2007: The Midnighter #7  -- 19,910 (- 3.2%)
06/2007: The Midnighter #8  -- 18,076 (- 9.2%)
----------------
6 months: -40.7%

June’s fill-in creative team wasn’t as established as May’s, so sales promptly take a nosedive. This isn’t good, obviously.

—–

111 - EX MACHINA (WildStorm)
06/2004: Ex Machina #1  -- 28,549 [33,224]
06/2005: Ex Machina #12 -- 22,004
---------------------------------
06/2006: Ex Machina #21 -- 20,195 (- 1.9%)
07/2006: --
08/2006: Ex Machina #22 -- 20,079 (- 0.6%)
09/2006: Ex Machina #23 -- 20,135 (+ 0.3%)
10/2006: --
11/2006: Ex Machina #24 -- 19,813 (- 1.6%)
12/2006: Ex Machina #25 -- 19,234 (- 2.9%)
01/2007: Ex Machina #26 -- 18,567 (- 3.5%)
02/2007: --
03/2007: --
04/2007: Ex Machina #27 -- 18,242 (- 1.8%)
05/2007: Ex Machina #28 -- 18,164 (- 0.4%)
06/2007: Ex Machina #29 -- 17,719 (- 2.5%)
----------------
6 months: - 7.9%
1 year  : -12.3%
2 years : -19.5%

Declining.

—–

114 - BLUE BEETLE
06/2006: Blue Beetle #4  -- 38,622 (- 7.4%)
07/2006: Blue Beetle #5  -- 35,490 (- 8.1%)
08/2006: Blue Beetle #6  -- 33,181 (- 6.5%)
09/2006: Blue Beetle #7  -- 29,079 (-12.4%)
10/2006: --
11/2006: Blue Beetle #8  -- 25,861 (-11.1%)
11/2006: Blue Beetle #9  -- 23,785 (- 8.0%)
12/2006: Blue Beetle #10 -- 21,358 (-10.2%)
01/2007: Blue Beetle #11 -- 19,865 (- 7.0%)
02/2007: Blue Beetle #12 -- 18,555 (- 6.6%)
03/2007: Blue Beetle #13 -- 17,653 (- 4.9%)
04/2007: Blue Beetle #14 -- 17,167 (- 2.8%)
05/2007: Blue Beetle #15 -- 16,906 (- 1.5%)
06/2007: Blue Beetle #16 -- 17,016 (+ 0.7%)
----------------
6 months: -20.3%
1 year  : -55.9%

This is the second Countdown tie-in to see the light of day, and the beneficial effects of the crossover are even less noticeable here than in the case of Catwoman.

—–

118 - THE ALL-NEW ATOM
07/2006: The All-New Atom #1  -- 49,969
08/2006: The All-New Atom #2  -- 38,239 (-23.5%)
09/2006: The All-New Atom #3  -- 33,254 (-13.0%)
10/2006: The All-New Atom #4  -- 28,450 (-14.5%)
11/2006: The All-New Atom #5  -- 25,569 (-10.1%)
12/2006: The All-New Atom #6  -- 22,852 (-10.6%)
01/2007: The All-New Atom #7  -- 20,996 (- 8.1%)
02/2007: The All-New Atom #8  -- 19,004 (- 9.5%)
03/2007: The All-New Atom #9  -- 17,572 (- 7.5%)
04/2007: The All-New Atom #10 -- 16,739 (- 4.4%)
05/2007: The All-New Atom #11 -- 16,193 (- 3.3%)
06/2007: The All-New Atom #12 -- 16,848 (+ 4.1%)
----------------
6 months: -26.3%

The beginning of a story arc following the events of the popular Identity Crisis series generates a slight sales increase, but it isn’t anything to write home about, either.

—–

124 - JONAH HEX
06/2006: Jonah Hex #8  -- 21,006 (- 4.1%)
07/2006: Jonah Hex #9  -- 20,385 (- 3.0%)
08/2006: Jonah Hex #10 -- 19,772 (- 3.0%)
09/2006: Jonah Hex #11 -- 18,957 (- 4.1%)
10/2006: Jonah Hex #12 -- 18,299 (- 3.5%)
11/2006: Jonah Hex #13 -- 18,747 (+ 2.5%)
12/2006: Jonah Hex #14 -- 18,295 (- 2.4%)
01/2007: Jonah Hex #15 -- 17,987 (- 1.7%)
02/2007: Jonah Hex #16 -- 17,490 (- 2.8%)
03/2007: Jonah Hex #17 -- 17,081 (- 2.3%)
04/2007: Jonah Hex #18 -- 16,880 (- 1.2%)
05/2007: Jonah Hex #19 -- 16,473 (- 2.4%)
06/2007: Jonah Hex #20 -- 16,150 (- 2.0%)
----------------
6 months: -11.7%
1 year  : -23.1%

Declining. Jonah Hex is now the lowest-selling ongoing DC Universe title that’s not been canceled yet.

—–

125 - SUPERNATURAL: ORIGINS (WildStorm)
05/2007: Supernatural: Origins #1 -- 21,128
06/2007: Supernatural: Origins #2 -- 15,955 (-24.5%)

That’s an average second-issue drop. The TV adaptation is still doing relatively well for a WildStorm book, but that’s not saying much, these days.

—–

130 - HAWKGIRL
06/2002: Hawkman #4   -- 40,739*
06/2003: Hawkman #16  -- 29,481
06/2004: Hawkman #29  -- 27,296
06/2005: Hawkman #41  -- 21,238
-------------------------------
06/2006: Hawkgirl #53 -- 27,786 (- 7.1%)
07/2006: Hawkgirl #54 -- 25,201 (- 9.3%)
08/2006: Hawkgirl #55 -- 23,880 (- 5.2%)
09/2006: Hawkgirl #56 -- 21,560 (- 9.7%)
10/2006: Hawkgirl #57 -- 19,909 (- 7.7%)
11/2006: Hawkgirl #58 -- 18,634 (- 6.4%)
12/2006: Hawkgirl #59 -- 18,141 (- 2.7%)
01/2007: Hawkgirl #60 -- 17,893 (- 1.4%)
02/2007: Hawkgirl #61 -- 16,575 (- 7.4%)
03/2007: Hawkgirl #62 -- 16,164 (- 2.5%)
04/2007: --
05/2007: Hawkgirl #63 -- 16,497 (+ 2.1%)
05/2007: Hawkgirl #64 -- 15,816 (- 4.1%)
06/2007: Hawkgirl #65 -- 15,479 (- 2.1%)
----------------
6 months: -14.7%
1 year  : -44.3%
2 years : -27.1%

Canceled with issue #66.

—–

140 - GRIFTER & MIDNIGHTER (WildStorm)
03/2007: Grifter & Midnighter #1 of 6 -- 20,156
04/2007: Grifter & Midnighter #2 of 6 -- 16,531 (-18.0%)
05/2007: Grifter & Midnighter #3 of 6 -- 14,847 (-10.2%)
06/2007: Grifter & Midnighter #4 of 6 -- 13,504 (- 9.1%)

The numbers aren’t bottoming out in any meaningful way.

—–

141 - AQUAMAN: SWORD OF ATLANTIS
06/2003: Aquaman #7       -- 30,615
06/2004: Aquaman #19      -- 24,919
06/2005: Aquaman #31      -- 18,402
-----------------------------------
06/2006: --
07/2006: Aquaman: SoA #43 -- 30,584 (-  6.2%)
08/2006: --
09/2006: Aquaman: SoA #44 -- 28,001 (-  8.5%)
10/2006: --
11/2006: Aquaman: SoA #45 -- 23,540 (- 15.9%)
11/2006: Aquaman: SoA #46 -- 21,974 (-  6.7%)
12/2006: Aquaman: SoA #47 -- 21,197 (-  3.5%)
01/2007: Aquaman: SoA #48 -- 19,459 (-  8.2%)
02/2007: Aquaman: SoA #49 -- 17,939 (-  7.8%)
03/2007: Aquaman: SoA #50 -- 18,997 (+  5.9%)
04/2007: Aquaman: SoA #51 -- 17,499 (-  7.9%)
05/2007: Aquaman: SoA #52 -- 16,778 (-  4.1%)
06/2007: Aquaman: SoA #53 -- 13,450 (- 19.8%)
----------------
6 months: -36.6%
1 year  :  n.a.
2 years : -26.9%

That’s a terribly harsh drop. Usually, something like this tends to mean that a couple thousand copies were delayed and thus don’t show up on the June chart. But then again, the book didn’t come out in the last week of June, so there should have been plenty of time to get it to retailers.

That’s all moot now, though: Aquaman is canceled with issue #57.

—–

142 - HELLBLAZER (Vertigo)
06/2001: Hellblazer #163 -- 18,251*
06/2002: Hellblazer #175 -- 18,849*
06/2003: Hellblazer #185 -- 16,555
06/2004: Hellblazer #197 -- 15,045
06/2005: Hellblazer #209 -- 15,149
----------------------------------
06/2006: Hellblazer #221 -- 13,973 (- 1.3%)
07/2006: Hellblazer #222 -- 13,912 (- 0.4%)
08/2006: Hellblazer #223 -- 13,956 (+ 0.3%)
09/2006: Hellblazer #224 -- 13,704 (- 1.8%)
10/2006: Hellblazer #225 -- 13,629 (- 0.6%)
11/2006: Hellblazer #226 -- 13,388 (- 1.8%)
12/2006: Hellblazer #227 -- 13,231 (- 1.2%)
01/2007: Hellblazer #228 -- 12,956 (- 2.1%)
02/2007: Hellblazer #229 -- 13,032 (+ 0.6%)
03/2007: Hellblazer #230 -- 13,210 (+ 1.4%)
04/2007: Hellblazer #231 -- 13,142 (- 0.5%)
05/2007: Hellblazer #232 -- 13,164 (+ 0.2%)
06/2007: Hellblazer #233 -- 13,201 (+ 0.3%)
----------------
6 months: - 0.2%
1 year  : - 5.5%
2 years : -12.9%

Continuing a slow climb.

—–

146 - DANGER GIRL: BODY SHOTS (WildStorm)
04/2007: Danger Girl: Body Shots #1 of 4 -- 17,122
05/2007: Danger Girl: Body Shots #2 of 4 -- 14,358 (-16.1%)
06/2007: Danger Girl: Body Shots #3 of 4 -- 12,752 (-11.2%)

Sales aren’t finding their level particularly quickly.

—–

147 - DMZ (Vertigo)
06/2006: DMZ #8  -- 14,999 (- 0.2%)
07/2006: DMZ #9  -- 14,786 (- 1.4%)
08/2006: DMZ #10 -- 14,704 (- 0.6%)
09/2006: DMZ #11 -- 14,562 (- 1.0%)
10/2006: DMZ #12 -- 14,640 (+ 0.5%)
11/2006: DMZ #13 -- 14,228 (- 2.8%)
12/2006: DMZ #14 -- 13,731 (- 3.5%)
01/2007: DMZ #15 -- 13,340 (- 2.9%)
02/2007: DMZ #16 -- 13,199 (- 1.1%)
03/2007: DMZ #17 -- 13,081 (- 0.9%)
04/2007: DMZ #18 -- 13,120 (+ 0.3%)
05/2007: DMZ #19 -- 13,116 (- 0.0%)
06/2007: DMZ #20 -- 12,704 (- 3.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 7.5%
1 year  : -15.3%

Declining.

—–

148 - STORMWATCH: PHD (WildStorm)
06/2003: Stormwatch: TA #12    -- 13,507
06/2004: Stormwatch: TA #23    -- 10,342
----------------------------------------
11/2006: StormWatch: PHD #1    -- 29,975
12/2006: StormWatch: PHD #2    -- 21,605 (-27.9%)
01/2007: StormWatch: PHD #3    -- 18,371 (-15.0%)
02/2007: StormWatch: PHD #4    -- 15,893 (-13.5%)
03/2007: StormWatch: PHD #5    -- 13,475 (-15.2%)
04/2007: StormWatch: PHD #6    -- 13,109 (- 2.7%)
05/2007: StormWatch: PHD #7    -- 12,812 (- 2.3%)
06/2007: StormWatch: PHD #8    -- 12,157 (- 5.1%)
----------------
6 months: -43.7%

150 - WETWORKS (WildStorm)
09/2006: Wetworks #1  -- 43,824
10/2006: Wetworks #2  -- 28,181 (-35.7%)
11/2006: Wetworks #3  -- 24,493 (-13.1%)
12/2006: Wetworks #4  -- 23,267 (- 5.0%)
01/2007: Wetworks #5  -- 18,313 (-21.3%)
02/2007: Wetworks #6  -- 16,359 (-10.7%)
03/2007: Wetworks #7  -- 14,852 (- 9.2%)
04/2007: Wetworks #8  -- 14,189 (- 4.5%)
05/2007: Wetworks #9  -- 13,340 (- 6.0%)
06/2007: Wetworks #10 -- 12,098 (- 9.3%)
----------------
6 months: -48.0%

Another couple of the recently relaunched WildStorm Universe series are left behind by parts of their initial creative teams. In both cases, the departures result in noticeable sales drops.

—–

160 - LOVELESS (Vertigo)
06/2006: Loveless #8  -- 14,915 (- 6.6%)
07/2006: Loveless #9  -- 14,434 (- 3.2%)
08/2006: Loveless #10 -- 13,860 (- 4.0%)
09/2006: Loveless #11 -- 13,256 (- 4.4%)
10/2006: Loveless #12 -- 12,617 (- 4.8%)
11/2006: Loveless #13 -- 11,945 (- 5.3%)
12/2006: Loveless #14 -- 11,476 (- 3.9%)
01/2007: --
02/2007: Loveless #15 -- 11,103 (- 3.3%)
03/2007: Loveless #16 -- 10,787 (- 2.9%)
04/2007: Loveless #17 -- 10,334 (- 4.2%)
05/2007: --
06/2007: Loveless #16 --  9,906 (- 4.1%)
----------------
6 months: -13.7%
1 year  : -33.6%

Declining and dropping below 10,000 units for the first time.

—–

161 - WELCOME TO TRANQUILITY (WildStorm)
12/2006: Welcome to Tranquility #1  -- 24,352
01/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #2  -- 15,087 (-38.1%)
02/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #3  -- 12,334 (-18.3%)
03/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #4  -- 11,423 (- 7.4%)
04/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #5  -- 10,407 (- 8.9%)
05/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #6  -- 10,280 (- 1.2%)
06/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #7  --  9,858 (- 4.1%)
----------------
6 months: -59.5%

Still declining too fast. That’s a horrid six-month comparison.

—–

164 - THE HIGHWAYMEN (WildStorm)
06/2007: The Highwaymen #1 of 5 -- 9,360

In a rather unusual move, DC offered retailers a special sales incentive on The Highwaymen a while back, shortly after the initial orders had been placed: To any retailer doubling their initial sales before the so-called “final order cut-off date,” the publisher promised full returnability on all ordered copies.

And now we see the reason. Despite the desperate scheme, sales numbers for The Highwaymen don’t even crack 10,000 units, which means the book is dead on arrival by the standards of a major publisher. And presuming that at least some retailers took DC up on their scheme, initial orders must have been worse.

The Highwaymen continues the trend which Crossing Midnight, Scalped, Army@Love, as well as WildStorm’s recent lines of science fiction, fantasy and horror titles have fallen victim to: Both Vertigo and WildStorm are proving utterly incapable of launching new properties into the direct market, unless creators with a significant sales draw are involved.

It’s a worrying trend. To reverse it, I suspect more resources than the publisher seems currently willing to invest in either imprint will be required.

—–

165 - JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED (Johnny DC)
06/2002: JL Adventures #8  -- 17,000*
06/2003: JL Adventures #20 -- 14,060
06/2004: JL Adventures #32 -- 12,128
06/2005: JL Unlimited #10  -- 11,634
------------------------------------
06/2006: JL Unlimited #22  -- 10,430 (  0.0%)
07/2006: JL Unlimited #23  -- 10,255 (- 1.7%)
08/2006: JL Unlimited #24  -- 10,117 (- 1.4%)
09/2006: JL Unlimited #25  --  9,985 (- 1.3%)
10/2006: JL Unlimited #26  --  9,696 (- 2.9%)
11/2006: JL Unlimited #27  --  9,690 (- 0.1%)
12/2006: JL Unlimited #28  --  9,713 (+ 0.2%)
01/2007: JL Unlimited #29  --  9,273 (- 4.5%)
02/2007: JL Unlimited #30  --  9,123 (- 1.6%)
03/2007: JL Unlimited #31  --  9,072 (- 0.6%)
04/2007: JL Unlimited #32  --  9,326 (+ 2.8%)
05/2007: JL Unlimited #33  --  9,230 (- 1.0%)
06/2007: JL Unlimited #35  --  9,328 (+ 1.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 4.0%
1 year  : -10.6%
2 years : -19.8%

166 - THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES IN THE 31ST CENTURY (Johnny DC)
04/2007: The LoSH in the 31st Century #1  -- 13,519
05/2007: The LoSH in the 31st Century #2  -- 11,121 (-17.7%)
05/2007: The LoSH in the 31st Century #3  --  9,252 (-16.8%)

Two Johnny DC books; see disclaimers.

—–

 - ARMY@LOVE (Vertigo)
03/2007: Army@Love #1  -- 14,578
04/2007: Army@Love #2  -- 11,195 (-23.2%)
05/2007: Army@Love #3  -- 10,312 (- 7.9%)
06/2007: Army@Love #4  --  9,089 (-11.9%)

The decline accelerates. This doesn’t bode well for the book, obviously.

—–

170 - TEEN TITANS GO (Johnny DC)
06/2004: Teen Titans Go #8  -- 14,879
06/2005: Teen Titans Go #20 -- 14,114
-------------------------------------
06/2006: Teen Titans Go #32 -- 10,736 (- 3.6%)
07/2006: Teen Titans Go #33 -- 10,516 (- 2.1%)
08/2006: Teen Titans Go #34 -- 10,328 (- 1.8%)
09/2006: Teen Titans Go #35 --  9,940 (- 3.8%)
10/2006: Teen Titans Go #36 -- 10,214 (+ 2.8%)
11/2006: Teen Titans Go #37 --  9,642 (- 5.6%)
12/2006: Teen Titans Go #38 --  9,529 (- 1.2%)
01/2007: Teen Titans Go #39 --  9,425 (- 1.1%)
02/2007: Teen Titans Go #40 --  9,132 (- 3.1%)
03/2007: Teen Titans Go #41 --  8,895 (- 2.6%)
04/2007: Teen Titans Go #42 --  9,050 (+ 1.7%)
05/2007: Teen Titans Go #43 --  8,918 (- 1.5%)
06/2007: Teen Titans Go #44 --  8,738 (- 2.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 8.3%
1 year  : -18.6%
2 years : -38.1%

Johnny DC.

—–

171 - SCALPED (Vertigo)
01/2007: Scalped #1  -- 13,644
02/2007: Scalped #2  -- 10,005 (-26.7%)
03/2007: Scalped #3  --  9,531 (- 4.7%)
04/2007: Scalped #4  --  9,163 (- 3.9%)
05/2007: Scalped #5  --  9,022 (- 1.5%)
06/2007: Scalped #6  --  8,689 (- 3.7%)

172 - THE EXTERMINATORS (Vertigo)
06/2006: The Exterminators #6  -- 11,004 (+ 0.2%)
07/2006: The Exterminators #7  -- 10,743 (- 2.4%)
08/2006: The Exterminators #8  -- 10,299 (- 4.1%)
09/2006: The Exterminators #9  -- 10,177 (- 1.2%)
10/2006: The Exterminators #10 --  9,970 (- 2.0%)
11/2006: The Exterminators #11 --  9,973 (+ 0.0%)
12/2006: The Exterminators #12 --  9,636 (- 3.4%)
01/2007: The Exterminators #13 --  9,447 (- 2.0%)
02/2007: The Exterminators #14 --  8,965 (- 5.1%)
03/2007: The Exterminators #15 --  8,839 (- 1.4%)
04/2007: The Exterminators #16 --  8,758 (- 1.0%)
05/2007: The Exterminators #17 --  8,813 (+ 0.6%)
06/2007: The Exterminators #18 --  8,651 (- 1.8%)
----------------
6 months: -10.2%
1 year  : -21.4%

Two more Vertigo books with steadily declining numbers.

—–

182 - NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (WildStorm)
10/2006: Nightmare on Elm Street #1  -- 18,736
11/2006: Nightmare on Elm Street #2  -- 11,709 (-37.5%)
12/2006: Nightmare on Elm Street #3  -- 10,129 (-13.5%)
01/2007: Nightmare on Elm Street #4  --  9,019 (-11.0%)
02/2007: Nightmare on Elm Street #5  --  8,408 (- 6.8%)
03/2007: Nightmare on Elm Street #6  --  8,050 (- 4.3%)
04/2007: Nightmare on Elm Street #7  --  7,863 (- 2.3%)
05/2007: --
06/2007: Nightmare on Elm Street #8  --  7,331 (- 6.8%)
----------------
6 months: -27.6%

Canceled.

—–

187 - BATMAN STRIKES! (Johnny DC)
06/2001: Gotham Adventures #39 -- 12,605*
06/2002: Gotham Adventures #51 -- 12,433*
06/2003: Batman Adventures #3  -- 15,534
06/2004: Batman Adventures #15 -- 12,042
06/2005: Batman Strikes! #10   -- 10,048
----------------------------------------
06/2006: Batman Strikes! #22   --  8,104 (- 4.3%)
07/2006: Batman Strikes! #23   --  8,154 (+ 0.6%)
08/2006: Batman Strikes! #24   --  8,139 (- 0.2%)
09/2006: Batman Strikes! #25   --  7,765 (- 4.6%)
10/2006: Batman Strikes! #26   --  7,560 (- 2.6%)
11/2006: Batman Strikes! #27   --  7,567 (+ 0.1%)
12/2006: Batman Strikes! #28   --  7,427 (- 1.9%)
01/2007: Batman Strikes! #29   --  7,330 (- 1.3%)
02/2007: Batman Strikes! #30   --  7,335 (+ 0.1%)
03/2007: Batman Strikes! #31   --  7,100 (- 3.2%)
04/2007: Batman Strikes! #32   --  7,294 (+ 2.7%)
05/2007: Batman Strikes! #33   --  7,235 (- 0.8%)
06/2007: Batman Strikes! #34   --  7,115 (- 1.7%)
----------------
6 months: - 4.2%
1 year  : -12.2%
2 years : -29.2%

Johnny DC.

—–

193 - TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (WildStorm)
11/2006: Texas Chainsaw Massacre #1    -- 15,605
12/2006: Texas Chainsaw Massacre #2    --  9,706 (-37.8%)
01/2007: Texas Chainsaw Massacre #3    --  8,229 (-15.2%)
02/2007: Texas Chainsaw Massacre #4    --  7,651 (- 7.0%)
03/2007: Texas Chainsaw Massacre #5    --  7,301 (- 4.6%)
04/2007: Texas Chainsaw Massacre #6    --  7,171 (- 1.8%)
05/2007: --
06/2007: Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Cut! --  6,920 (- 3.5%)
----------------
6 months: -28.7%

The book briefly returns as a one-shot by a different creative team, but it doesn’t matter to the numbers.

—–

197 - CROSSING MIDNIGHT (Vertigo)
11/2006: Crossing Midnight #1  -- 12,756
12/2006: Crossing Midnight #2  --  8,982 (-29.6%)
01/2007: Crossing Midnight #3  --  8,236 (- 8.3%)
02/2007: Crossing Midnight #4  --  7,568 (- 8.1%)
03/2007: Crossing Midnight #5  --  7,196 (- 4.9%)
04/2007: Crossing Midnight #6  --  7,036 (- 2.2%)
05/2007: Crossing Midnight #7  --  6,866 (- 2.4%)
06/2007: Crossing Midnight #8  --  6,612 (- 3.7%)
----------------
6 months: -26.4%

Declining. Testament, which missed its shipping date in June but usually sells in this area as well, has been canceled, according to its author. Presumably, Crossing Midnight gets a little more rope, because it’s not been out there for long. But, frankly, this decline can’t go on forever.

—–

201 - DEADMAN (Vertigo)
06/2002: Deadman #7  -- 11,670*
------------------------------
08/2006: Deadman #1  -- 21,980
09/2006: Deadman #2  -- 15,494 (-29.5%)
10/2006: Deadman #3  -- 12,936 (-16.5%)
11/2006: Deadman #4  -- 11,294 (-12.7%)
12/2006: Deadman #5  -- 10,113 (-10.5%)
01/2007: Deadman #6  --  9,157 (- 9.5%)
02/2007: Deadman #7  --  8,342 (- 8.9%)
03/2007: Deadman #8  --  7,784 (- 6.7%)
04/2007: --
05/2007: Deadman #9  --  7,211 (- 7.4%)
05/2007: Deadman #10 --  6,690 (- 7.2%)
06/2007: Deadman #11 --  6,336 (- 5.3%)
----------------
6 months: -37.4%

Canceled with issue #13.

—–

213 - NINJA SCROLL (WildStorm)
09/2006: Ninja Scroll #1  -- 16,819
10/2006: --
11/2006: Ninja Scroll #2  -- 12,143 (-27.8%)
12/2006: Ninja Scroll #3  -- 10,468 (-13.8%)
12/2006: Ninja Scroll #4  --  7,781 (-25.7%)
01/2007: Ninja Scroll #5  --  6,895 (-11.4%)
02/2007: Ninja Scroll #6  --  6,371 (- 7.6%)
03/2007: Ninja Scroll #7  --  5,949 (- 6.6%)
04/2007: Ninja Scroll #8  --  5,628 (- 5.4%)
05/2007: Ninja Scroll #9  --  5,488 (- 2.5%)
06/2007: Ninja Scroll #10 --  5,162 (- 5.9%)
----------------
6 months: -43.4%

Absent from the solicitations after August’s issue #12.

—–

219 - SUPERMAN THROUGH THE AGES
06/2007: Superman Through the Ages -- 4,875

A reprint book.

—–

222 - SCOOBY DOO (Johnny DC)
06/2001: Scooby Doo #49  -- 5,362*
06/2002: Scooby Doo #61  -- 6,448*
06/2003: Scooby Doo #73  -- 5,925
06/2004: Scooby Doo #85  -- 5,733
06/2005: Scooby Doo #97  -- 4,819
---------------------------------
06/2006: Scooby Doo #109 -- 4,423 (- 1.6%)
07/2006: Scooby Doo #110 -- 4,781 (+ 8.1%)
08/2006: Scooby Doo #111 -- 4,492 (- 6.1%)
09/2006: Scooby Doo #112 -- 4,385 (- 2.4%)
10/2006: Scooby Doo #113 -- 4,339 (- 1.1%)
11/2006: Scooby Doo #114 -- 4,387 (+ 1.1%)
12/2006: Scooby Doo #115 -- 4,364 (- 0.5%)
01/2007: Scooby Doo #116 -- 4,285 (- 1.8%)
02/2007: Scooby Doo #117 -- 4,275 (- 0.2%)
03/2007: Scooby Doo #118 -- 4,395 (+ 2.8%)
04/2007: Scooby Doo #119 -- 4,373 (- 0.5%)
05/2007: Scooby Doo #120 -- 4,343 (- 0.7%)
06/2007: Scooby Doo #121 -- 4,415 (+ 1.7%)
----------------
6 months: + 1.2%
1 year  : - 0.2%
2 years : - 8.4%

257 - LOONEY TUNES (Johnny DC)
06/2001: Looney Tunes #79  -- 3,119*
06/2002: Looney Tunes #91  -- 3,454*
06/2003: Looney Tunes #103 -- 3,543
06/2004: Looney Tunes #115 -- 3,335
06/2005: Looney Tunes #127 -- 2,991
-----------------------------------
06/2006: Looney Tunes #139 -- 2,694 (- 2.9%)
07/2006: Looney Tunes #140 -- 2,680 (- 0.5%)
08/2006: Looney Tunes #141 -- 2,783 (+ 3.8%)
09/2006: Looney Tunes #142 -- 2,695 (- 3.2%)
10/2006: Looney Tunes #143 -- 2,741 (+ 1.7%)
11/2006: Looney Tunes #144 -- ?????
12/2006: Looney Tunes #145 -- 2,732
01/2007: Looney Tunes #146 -- 2,588 (- 5.3%)
02/2007: Looney Tunes #147 -- 2,553 (- 1.4%)
03/2007: Looney Tunes #148 -- 2,705 (+ 6.0%)
04/2007: Looney Tunes #149 -- 2,640 (- 2.4%)
05/2007: Looney Tunes #150 -- 3,093 (+17.2%)
06/2007: Looney Tunes #151 -- 2,711 (-12.4%)
----------------
6 months: - 0.8%
1 year  : + 0.6%
2 years : - 9.4%

289 - CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK (Johnny DC)
06/2006: CN Action Pack #2  -- 1,844
07/2006: CN Action Pack #3  -- 1,908 (+3.5%)
08/2006: CN Action Pack #4  -- ?????
09/2006: CN Action Pack #5  -- 1,644
10/2006: CN Action Pack #6  -- 1,704 (+3.7%)
11/2006: CN Action Pack #7  -- ?????
12/2006: CN Action Pack #8  -- ?????
01/2007: CN Action Pack #9  -- ?????
02/2007: CN Action Pack #10 -- 1,564
03/2007: CN Action Pack #11 -- 1,666 (+6.5%)
04/2007: CN Action Pack #12 -- 1,734 (+4.1%)
05/2007: CN Action Pack #13 -- ?????
06/2007: CN Action Pack #14 -- 1,769
----------------
6 months:  n.a.
1 year  : - 4.1%

290 - CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY (Johnny DC)
06/2001: Cartoon Cartoons #6  -- 3,739*
06/2002: Cartoon Cartoons #11 -- ?????
06/2003: Cartoon Cartoons #19 -- 2,594
06/2004: Cartoon Cartoons #31 -- 2,377
06/2005: CN Block Party #10   -- ?????
--------------------------------------
06/2006: CN Block Party #22   -- 1,913
07/2006: CN Block Party #23   -- 1,976 (+ 3.3%)
08/2006: CN Block Party #24   -- 1,920 (- 2.8%)
09/2006: CN Block Party #25   -- 1,918 (- 0.1%)
10/2006: CN Block Party #26   -- 1,879 (- 2.0%)
11/2006: CN Block Party #27   -- ?????
12/2006: CN Block Party #28   -- 1,778
01/2007: CN Block Party #29   -- ?????
02/2007: CN Block Party #30   -- 1,697
03/2007: CN Block Party #31   -- 1,892 (+11.5%)
04/2007: CN Block Party #32   -- 1,824 (- 3.6%)
05/2007: CN Block Party #33   -- ?????
06/2007: CN Block Party #34   -- 1,753
----------------
6 months: - 1.4%
1 year  : - 8.4%
2 years :   n.a.

And the rest of the Johnny DC titles.

—–

RE-ORDERS:
250 - 2,884: Justice Society of America #6
279 - 2,018: Countdown #48
288 - 1,812: Countdown #50
296 - 1,704: Countdown #49
299 - 1,672: Amazons Attack #2

—–

Average Sales per Title
(not counting reprints, re-orders shipping after the initial month of release, Johnny DC titles and magazines)

DC COMICS
06/2003: 25,817
06/2004: 30,242
06/2005: 32,001
---------------
06/2006: 40,778 (- 4.9%)
07/2006: 39,915 (- 2.1%)
08/2006: 42,497 (+ 6.5%)
09/2006: 34,920 (-17.8%)
10/2006: 33,406 (- 4.3%)
11/2006: 34,906 (+ 4.5%)
12/2006: 34,418 (- 1.4%)
01/2007: 29,706 (-13.7%)
02/2007: 31,051 (+ 4.5%)
03/2007: 32,398 (+ 4.3%)
04/2007: 39,134 (+20.8%)
05/2007: 34,489 (-11.9%)
06/2007: 32,396 (- 6.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 5.9%
1 year  : -20.6%
2 years : + 1.2%
3 years : + 7.1%
4 years : +25.5%

DC UNIVERSE
06/2003: 29,489
06/2004: 35,815
06/2005: 39,888
---------------
06/2006: 51,088 (-10.3%)
07/2006: 49,638 (- 2.8%)
08/2006: 54,382 (+10.0%)
09/2006: 46,329 (-14.8%)
10/2006: 42,581 (- 8.1%)
11/2006: 45,399 (+ 6.6%)
12/2006: 44,641 (- 1.7%)
01/2007: 38,302 (-14.2%)
02/2007: 39,976 (+ 4.4%)
03/2007: 42,634 (+ 6.7%)
04/2007: 52,768 (+23.8%)
05/2007: 47,294 (-10.4%)
06/2007: 45,313 (- 4.2%)
----------------
6 months: + 1.5%
1 year  : -11.3%
2 years : +13.6%
3 years : +26.5%
4 years : +53.7%

VERTIGO
06/2003: 16,414
06/2004: 17,378
06/2005: 14,165
---------------
06/2006: 14,965 (- 2.0%)
07/2006: 16,684 (+11.5%)
08/2006: 16,107 (- 3.5%)
09/2006: 15,399 (- 4.4%)
10/2006: 15,189 (- 1.4%)
11/2006: 13,773 (- 9.3%)
12/2006: 13,834 (+ 0.4%)
01/2007: 13,572 (- 1.9%)
02/2007: 11,855 (-12.7%)
03/2007: 13,748 (+16.0%)
04/2007: 12,105 (-12.0%)
05/2007: 12,256 (+ 1.3%)
06/2007: 12,732 (+ 3.9%)
----------------
6 months: - 8.0%
1 year  : -14.9%
2 years : -10.1%
3 years : -26.7%
4 years : -22.4%

WILDSTORM
06/2003: 21,954
06/2004: 18,189
06/2005: 19,059
---------------
06/2006: 15,056 (+18.2%)
07/2006: 12,778 (-15.1%)
08/2006: 14,741 (+15.4%)
09/2006: 13,285 (- 9.9%)
10/2006: 25,747 (+93.8%)
11/2006: 18,987 (-26.3%)
12/2006: 17,288 (- 9.0%)
01/2007: 14,525 (-16.0%)
02/2007: 14,105 (- 2.9%)
03/2007: 15,224 (+ 7.9%)
04/2007: 13,609 (-10.6%)
05/2007: 14,260 (+ 4.8%)
06/2007: 12,272 (-13.9%)
----------------
6 months: -29.0%
1 year  : -18.5%
2 years : -35.6%
3 years : -32.5%
4 years : -44.1%

—–

6-MONTH COMPARISONS
+ 43.4%: Flash
+ 13.7%: Justice
+  8.7%: Green Arrow
+  1.2%: Scooby-Doo
-  0.2%: Hellblazer
-  0.6%: Fables
-  0.8%: Looney Tunes
-  1.4%: Cartoon Network Block Party
-  3.7%: Outsiders
-  4.0%: Birds of Prey
-  4.0%: Justice League of America
-  4.0%: Justice League Unlimited
-  4.2%: Batman Strikes
-  5.7%: Detective Comics
-  6.1%: Checkmate
-  6.6%: Jack of Fables
-  7.5%: DMZ
-  8.1%: JLA: Classified
-  8.3%: Teen Titans Go
-  8.7%: Legion of Super-Heroes
-  9.7%: Catwoman
- 10.2%: The Exterminators
- 11.7%: Jonah Hex
- 12.2%: Nightwing
- 13.7%: Loveless
- 13.7%: Supergirl
- 13.8%: Teen Titans
- 13.9%: JSA: Classified
- 14.0%: Robin
- 14.7%: Hawkgirl
- 15.3%: Superman/Batman
- 15.4%: Green Lantern Corps
- 16.7%: Shadowpact
- 18.3%: Trials of SHAZAM
- 20.3%: Blue Beetle
- 26.3%: The All-New Atom
- 26.4%: Crossing Midnight
- 27.6%: Nightmare on Elm Street
- 28.7%: Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- 34.5%: The Spirit
- 36.6%: Aquaman
- 37.4%: Deadman
- 38.3%: Gen13
- 40.7%: The Midnighter
- 43.4%: Ninja Scroll
- 43.7%: StormWatch: PHD
- 45.2%: Batman Confidential
- 48.0%: Wetworks
- 59.5%: Welcome to Tranquility

—–

1-YEAR COMPARISONS
+  2.1%: Justice
+  0.6%: Looney Tunes
-  0.2%: Scooby-Doo
-  1.9%: Fables
-  4.1%: Cartoon Network Action Pack
-  5.5%: Hellblazer
-  7.4%: Green Arrow
-  8.4%: Cartoon Network Block Party
- 10.6%: Justice League Unlimited
- 12.2%: Batman Strikes
- 12.3%: Ex Machina
- 15.3%: DMZ
- 15.7%: Birds of Prey
- 18.0%: Detective Comics
- 18.6%: Teen Titans Go
- 21.4%: The Exterminators
- 22.7%: Superman
- 23.1%: Jonah Hex
- 25.3%: Outsiders
- 27.7%: Superman/Batman
- 30.1%: Legion of Super-Heroes
- 30.4%: Catwoman
- 31.9%: Nightwing
- 32.5%: Robin
- 33.6%: Loveless
- 35.7%: JLA: Classified
- 36.2%: Flash
- 41.0%: JSA: Classified
- 41.4%: Checkmate
- 44.3%: Hawkgirl
- 50.2%: Shadowpact
- 55.9%: Blue Beetle
- 57.2%: Green Lantern Corps
- 58.9%: Wonder Woman

—–

2-YEAR COMPARISONS
+ 81.4%: Wonder Woman
+ 60.1%: Flash
+ 40.5%: Detective Comics
+ 35.5%: Justice League of America
+ 11.7%: Green Arrow
+  3.7%: Fables
-  6.7%: Catwoman
-  8.4%: Scooby-Doo
-  9.4%: Looney Tunes
- 11.3%: Robin
- 12.9%: Hellblazer
- 13.2%: Superman
- 13.8%: Teen Titans
- 16.3%: Nightwing
- 19.5%: Ex Machina
- 19.8%: Justice League Unlimited
- 22.4%: Legion of Super-Heroes
- 24.8%: Birds of Prey
- 26.9%: Aquaman
- 27.1%: Hawkgirl
- 29.2%: Batman Strikes
- 36.8%: Outsiders
- 38.1%: Teen Titans Go
- 39.3%: Superman/Batman
- 49.7%: JLA: Classified

—–
OTHER PUBLISHERS

11 - BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (Dark Horse Comics)
06/2001: Buffy #34 --  16,817*
-----------------------------
03/2007: Buffy #1  -- 109,919          [144,737]
04/2007: Buffy #2  --  96,409 (-12.3%) [121,534]
05/2007: Buffy #3  -- 106,634 (+10.6%) [111,612]
06/2007: Buffy #4  -- 102,430 (- 3.9%)

The book’s sales remain exceptional, while the three previous issues made the chart again in June, selling between 2,705 and 4,978 units in reorders and new printings. (As usual, there was a variant cover edition of issue #4.)

—–

66 - STAR WARS: LEGACY (Dark Horse Comics)
06/2006: Star Wars: Legacy #1  -- 34,758         [36,375]
07/2006: Star Wars: Legacy #2  -- 33,298 (-4.2%)
08/2006: --
09/2006: Star Wars: Legacy #3  -- 34,268 (+2.9%)
09/2006: Star Wars: Legacy #4  -- 34,362 (+0.3%)
10/2006: --
11/2006: Star Wars: Legacy #5  -- 34,362 (   0%)
11/2006: Star Wars: Legacy #6  -- 33,003 (-4.0%)
12/2006: --
01/2007: Star Wars: Legacy #7  -- 34,249 (+3.8%)
02/2007: Star Wars: Legacy #8  -- 33,533 (-2.1%)
03/2007: Star Wars: Legacy #9  -- 33,084 (-1.3%)
03/2007: Star Wars: Legacy #10 -- 32,320 (-2.3%)
04/2007: -- 
05/2007: Star Wars: Legacy #11 -- 33,138 (+2.5%)
05/2007: Star Wars: Legacy #12 -- 32,161 (-3.0%)
06/2007: Star Wars: Legacy #13 -- 32,149 (-0.0%)
----------------
6 months:   n.a.
1 year  : - 7.5%

Rock-solid sales.

—–

69 - THE BOYS (Dynamite Entertainment)
08/2006: The Boys #1  -- 31,636          [37,795]
08/2006: The Boys #2  -- 26,165 (-17.3%) [32,075]
09/2006: --
10/2006: The Boys #3  -- 26,415 (+ 1.0%)
10/2006: The Boys #4  -- 24,848 (- 5.9%) [28,452]
11/2006: The Boys #5  -- 26,842 (+ 8.0%)
12/2006: The Boys #6  -- 27,039 (+ 0.7%) [35,173]
01/2007: --
02/2007: --
03/2007: --
04/2007: --
05/2007: The Boys #7  -- 31,616 (+16.9%) [34,289]
06/2007: The Boys #8  -- 30,639 (- 3.1%)
----------------
6 months: +13.3%

There’s a slight drop-off, but the book that could have helped to salvage WildStorm still outsells all issues released by DC, safe #1. Issue #7 sold another 2,573 units in June, meanwhile. I have to admit I didn’t expect The Boys to do this well at its new publisher.

—–

83 - HELLBOY: DARKNESS CALLS (Dark Horse Comics)
06/2001: Hellboy: Conqueror Worm #2 of 4 -- 20,816*
--------------------------------------------------
05/2007: Hellboy: Darkness Calls #1 of 6 -- 32,321
05/2007: Hellboy: Darkness Calls #2 of 6 -- 26,008 (-19.5%)
06/2007: Hellboy: Darkness Calls #3 of 6 -- 25,553 (- 1.8%)

Sales are bottoming out quickly. It’s shaping up to be a great year for Dark Horse in the direct market.

—–

84 - CONAN (Dark Horse Comics)
06/2004: Conan #5  -- 51,307
06/2005: Conan #17 -- 37,032
----------------------------
06/2006: Conan #29 -- 32,049 (+ 1.2%)
07/2006: Conan #30 -- 31,095 (- 3.0%)
08/2006: Conan #31 -- 30,887 (- 0.7%)
09/2006: Conan #32 -- 29,070 (- 5.9%)
10/2006: Conan #33 -- 29,137 (+ 0.2%)
11/2006: Conan #34 -- 28,144 (- 3.4%)
12/2006: Conan #35 -- 27,115 (- 3.7%)
01/2007: Conan #36 -- 26,245 (- 3.2%)
02/2007: Conan #37 -- 25,532 (- 2.7%)
03/2007: Conan #38 -- 25,236 (- 1.2%)
04/2007: Conan #39 -- 25,103 (- 0.5%)
05/2007: Conan #40 -- 24,982 (- 0.5%)
06/2007: Conan #41 -- 24,720 (- 1.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 8.8%
1 year  : -22.9%
2 years : -33.3%

Business as usual.

—–

85 - SPAWN (Image Comics/TMP)
06/2001: Spawn #111 -- 51,839*
06/2002: Spawn #123 -- 41,375*
06/2003: --
06/2004: Spawn #135 -- 35,203
06/2005: Spawn #146 -- 28,093
-----------------------------
06/2006: Spawn #157 -- 26,325 (- 2.6%)
07/2006: Spawn #158 -- 26,875 (+ 2.1%)
08/2006: Spawn #159 -- 26,232 (- 2.4%)
09/2006: Spawn #160 -- 25,580 (- 2.5%)
10/2006: Spawn #161 -- 25,840 (+ 1.0%)
11/2006: Spawn #162 -- 25,069 (- 3.0%)
12/2006: Spawn #163 -- 24,922 (- 0.6%)
01/2007: Spawn #164 -- 24,534 (- 1.6%)
02/2007: --
03/2007: Spawn #165 -- 24,519 (- 0.1%)
03/2007: Spawn #166 -- 23,690 (- 3.4%)
04/2007: --
05/2007: Spawn #167 -- 24,277 (+ 2.5%)
06/2007: Spawn #168 -- 24,152 (- 0.5%)
----------------
6 months: - 3.1%
1 year  : - 8.3% 
2 years : -14.0%

It’s bottoming out around 24K.

—–

86 - FRANK FRAZETTA'S DEATH DEALER (Image Comics)
04/2007: Death Dealer #1 of 6 -- 32,352          [36,959]
05/2007: Death Dealer #2 of 6 -- 25,839 (-20.1%)
06/2007: Death Dealer #3 of 6 -- 23,909 (- 7.5%)

Leveling out. It’s a nice little surprise hit. (There were two variant cover editions, as usual.)

—–

88 - MADAME MIRAGE (Image Comics/Top Cow)
06/2007: Madame Mirage #1  -- 23,211

The numbers are about as expected for a new property, I suppose. They were boosted through a couple of variant cover editions.

—–

91 - WITCHBLADE/PUNISHER (Image Comics/Top Cow)
06/2007: Witchblade/Punisher -- 22,285

The generic intercompany crossover of the month yields less-than-spectacular sales. The time for this sort of book has passed.

—–

93 - THE WALKING DEAD (Image Comics)
06/2004: Walking Dead #8  -- 11,689 [13,099]
06/2005: Walking Dead #19 -- 17,225
-----------------------------------
06/2006: Walking Dead #28 -- 19,537 (+ 2.2%)
07/2006: Walking Dead #29 -- 20,385 (+ 4.3%)
08/2006: Walking Dead #30 -- 20,540 (+ 0.8%)
09/2006: Walking Dead #31 -- 21,368 (+ 4.0%)
10/2006: --
11/2006: Walking Dead #32 -- 21,191 (- 0.8%)
12/2006: Walking Dead #33 -- 21,235 (+ 0.2%)
01/2007: Walking Dead #34 -- 21,184 (- 0.2%)
02/2007: Walking Dead #35 -- 21,391 (+ 1.0%)
03/2007: Walking Dead #36 -- 21,291 (- 0.5%)
04/2007: Walking Dead #37 -- 21,737 (+ 2.1%)
05/2007: --
06/2007: Walking Dead #38 -- 22,193 (+ 2.1%)
-----------------
6 months: +  4.5%
1 year  : + 13.6%
2 years : + 28.8%

The book’s sales keep climbing, for the first time cracking 22K. Vertigo should be deeply jealous of these numbers.

—–

97 - STAR WARS: REBELLION (Dark Horse Comics)
06/2006: Star Wars: Rebellion #3  -- 23,256 (-2.1%)
07/2006: Star Wars: Rebellion #4  -- 23,156 (-0.4%)
08/2006: --
09/2006: --
10/2006: --
11/2006: --
12/2006: Star Wars: Rebellion #5  -- 23,213 (+0.3%)
01/2007: --
02/2007: --
03/2007: --
04/2007: --
05/2007: Star Wars: Rebellion #6  -- 22,002 (-5.2%)
06/2007: Star Wars: Rebellion #7  -- 21,398 (-2.8%)
-----------------
6 months:  - 7.8%
1 year  :  - 8.0%

This one’s not as consistent as we’re used to from the Star Wars books, but then again, it never comes out. All things considered, it’s still doing perfectly well.

—–

99 - RED SONJA (Dynamite Entertainment)
06/2006: Red Sonja #11 -- 31,176 (- 4.0%)
07/2006: Red Sonja #12 -- 33,252 (+ 6.7%)
08/2006: Red Sonja #13 -- 28,996 (-12.8%)
09/2006: Red Sonja #14 -- 25,891 (-10.7%)
10/2006: Red Sonja #15 -- 25,303 (- 2.3%)
11/2006: Red Sonja #16 -- 25,644 (+ 1.4%)
12/2006: Red Sonja #17 -- 23,552 (- 8.2%)
01/2007: Red Sonja #18 -- 23,040 (- 2.2%)
02/2007: Red Sonja #19 -- 22,322 (- 3.1%)
03/2007: Red Sonja #20 -- 21,275 (- 4.7%)
04/2007: Red Sonja #21 -- 20,690 (- 2.8%)
05/2007: Red Sonja #22 -- 20,728 (+ 0.2%)
06/2007: Red Sonja #23 -- 20,641 (- 0.4%)
----------------
6 months: -12.4%
1 year  : -33.8%

Sales on this one have bottomed out, it appears. Dynamite are still throwing truckloads of variant cover editions of Red Sonja on the market.

—–

100 - LONE RANGER (Dynamite Entertainment)
09/2006: Lone Ranger #1  -- 25,342          [27,620]
10/2006: Lone Ranger #2  -- 19,272 (-24.0%) [26,075]
11/2006: --
12/2006: Lone Ranger #3  -- 20,065 (+ 4.1%)
01/2007: --
02/2007: Lone Ranger #4  -- 20,850 (+ 3.9%)
03/2007: Lone Ranger #5  -- 19,899 (- 4.6%)
04/2007: --
05/2007: --
06/2007: Lone Ranger #6  -- 20,424 (+ 2.6%)
----------------
6 months: + 1.8%

Doing surprisingly well, Lone Ranger reenters the Top 100 – and with only one variant cover edition available, mind you.

—–

126 - INVINCIBLE (Image)
06/2004: Invincible #13 --  6,539
06/2005: Invincible #23 -- 11,452
---------------------------------
06/2006: Invincible #32 -- 12,910 (+ 7.1%)
06/2006: Invincible #33 -- 12,940 (+ 0.2%)
07/2006: --
08/2006: Invincible #34 -- 13,610 (+ 5.2%)
09/2006: Invincible #35 -- 13,320 (- 2.1%)
10/2006: --
11/2006: Invincible #36 -- 13,473 (+ 1.2%)
12/2006: Invincible #37 -- 13,523 (+ 0.4%)
01/2007: Invincible #38 -- 13,470 (- 0.4%)
02/2007: Invincible #39 -- 13,298 (- 1.3%)
03/2007: --
04/2007: Invincible #40 -- 13,244 (- 0.4%)
05/2007: Invincible #41 -- 13,428 (+ 1.4%)
06/2007: Invincible #42 -- 15,955 (+18.8%)
06/2007: Invincible #43 -- 13,867 (-13.1%)
----------------
6 months: +10.3%
1 year  : +15.4%
2 years : +30.2%

Issue #42 was priced at $ 1.99 to hook new readers, but while sales went up somewhat as a result, it’s not enough to make up for the cash a regular issue would have brought in.

Of course, Invincible is still doing incredibly well.

—–
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 traditionally known to be 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. The estimates from March 2001 to February 2003 (marked with an asterisk) were for initial orders rather than actual sales, so they’re only roughly compatible with the subsequent figures.

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

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

Titles released under the Johnny DC imprint and magazines, such as Mad, mostly sell through channels other than the direct market, so direct market sales don’t tell us much about their performance. For Vertigo and WildStorm 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.

—–
Germany-based Marc-Oliver Frisch has a weblog and regularly contributes to German online magazine Comicgate.