by Marc-Oliver Frisch

September was a relatively quiet month for DC Comics. The publisher’s big direct market push for September occurred at the WildStorm imprint, where Jim Lee and company begun to relaunch some of their longest-running properties. Unfortunately, Wildcats, the new line’s supposed flagship title, missed its shipping date, leaving us with Mike Carey and Whilce Portacio’s Wetworks. While DC Universe titles Justice League of America and the weekly 52 took half of the Top 10 spots on the September chart, the only new launch in the publisher’s mainstream line was the limited series Mystery in Space. Over at the Vertigo imprint, Harvey Pekar’s American Splendor made its debut at DC Comics with a limited series, while Brian K. Vaughan’s Pride of Baghdad claimed the top spot of the graphic novel chart. Another new WildStorm launch in September was Ninja Scroll, the spin-off of a Japanese animated film.

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.

—–

Disclaimers

The numbers below are estimates for comic book sales to retailers 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 should be accurate.

If additional copies of an issue appeared on the chart after the issue’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.

The 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.

—–

2 - JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
09/2003: JLA #86            --  59,496
09/2003: JLA #87            --  58,678
09/2004: JLA #105           --  60,836
09/2004: JLA #106           --  59,838
--------------------------------------
09/2005: JLA #118           --  89,428 (+  1.6%)
09/2005: JLA #119           --  94,073 (+  5.2%) -- [106,305]
10/2005: JLA #120           --  82,892 (- 11.9%)
10/2005: JLA #121           --  78,869 (-  4.9%) -- [ 81,316]
11/2005: JLA #122           --  80,866 (+  2.5%)
12/2005: JLA #123           --  76,899 (-  4.9%)
01/2006: JLA #124           --  74,069 (-  3.7%)
02/2006: JLA #125           --  74,341 (+  0.4%)
03/2006: --
04/2006: --
05/2006: --
06/2006: --
07/2006: Justice League #0  -- 162,378 (+118.4%) -- [169,199]
08/2006: Justice League #1  -- 212,581 (+ 30.9%) -- [223,909]
09/2006: Justice League #2  -- 143,412 (- 32.5%)
-----------------
6 months:   n.a.
1 year  : + 56.3%
2 years : +137.7%

Similar to what we saw with the Wonder Woman and Flash relaunches a few months ago, Justice League of America sales see a rather steep second-issue drop-off. While the numbers remain perfectly good compared to the book’s previous incarnation in each case, it’s also quite clear by now that DC’s recent relaunches haven’t quite the same staying power as event titles like Infinite Crisis, 52 or Marvel Comics’ Civil War. Whether or not Justice League of America will become a consistent sales juggernaut in the vein of Marvel’s New Avengers remains to be seen.

As usual these days, the issue came with a variant cover scheme — in this case, there was an edition with a Phil Jimenez cover, one copy of which retailers were able to buy for every ten copies of the regular edition.

In the re-order department, August’s Justice League of America #1 sold another 11,328 copies in September, while July’s issue #0 shifted another 1,964 copies.

6/7/8/9 - 52
05/2006: 52 Week 1  -- 140,971          -- [143,611]
05/2006: 52 Week 2  -- 128,393 (- 8.9%) -- [130,704]
05/2006: 52 Week 3  -- 123,982 (- 3.4%) -- [126,913]
05/2006: 52 Week 4  -- 121,440 (- 2.1%) -- [125,297]
06/2006: 52 Week 5  -- 111,895 (- 7.9%) 
06/2006: 52 Week 6  -- 110,028 (- 1.7%) -- [111,732]
06/2006: 52 Week 7  -- 110,188 (+ 0.2%) -- [112,618]
06/2006: 52 Week 8  -- 105,107 (- 4.6%) -- [108,775]
07/2006: 52 Week 9  -- 102,142 (- 2.8%)
07/2006: 52 Week 10 -- 100,779 (- 1.3%)
07/2006: 52 Week 11 -- 122,016 (+21.1%) -- [123,724]
07/2006: 52 Week 12 --  98,667 (-19.1%) -- [102,362]
08/2006: 52 Week 13 -- 119,507 (+21.1%)
08/2006: 52 Week 14 -- 118,259 (- 1.4%)
08/2006: 52 Week 15 -- 119,411 (+ 1.0%)
08/2006: 52 Week 16 -- 117,472 (- 1.6%) -- [118,624]
08/2006: 52 Week 17 -- 116,637 (- 0.7%) -- [118,775]
09/2006: 52 Week 18 -- 111,830 (- 4.1%)
09/2006: 52 Week 19 -- 111,611 (- 0.2%)
09/2006: 52 Week 20 -- 111,099 (- 0.5%)
09/2006: 52 Week 21 -- 110,350 (- 0.7%)

For the second time in a row, the month’s entire set of 52 issues made the Top 10 in September. There’s a very gentle decline, but the book’s numbers keep exceeding the most generous predictions. It’s been selling above 100K — and well above it, mostly — for 21 issues now in a measly four months, which must have the publisher’s beancounters spinning in their chairs every time they look at it.

August’s 52 Weeks 17 and 16 made the chart again in September, selling another 2,138 and 1,152 units, respectively. So did July’s Week 11, the first appearance of the new Batwoman character, which sold an additional 1,708 units.

15 - BATMAN
09/2003: Batman #619 -- 233,775
09/2004: Batman #632 --  71,236
-------------------------------
09/2005: Batman #645 --  65,984 (+ 1.3%) -- [ 67,712]
10/2005: Batman #646 --  69,975 (+ 6.1%)
11/2005: Batman #647 --  69,718 (- 0.4%)
12/2005: Batman #648 --  63,151 (- 9.4%) -- [ 64,760]
01/2005: Batman #649 --  62,379 (- 1.2%) -- [ 64,645]
02/2005: Batman #650 --  66,447 (+ 6.5%) -- [ 74,355]
03/2005: Batman #651 --  69,805 (+ 5.1%) -- [ 79,616]
04/2006: Batman #652 --  72,889 (+ 4.4%) -- [ 82,438]
05/2006: Batman #653 --  77,257 (+ 6.0%) -- [ 78,435]
06/2006: Batman #654 --  76,525 (- 1.0%) -- [ 78,671]
07/2006: Batman #655 -- 113,567 (+48.4%) -- [123,903]
08/2006: Batman #656 --  95,982 (-15.5%) -- [ 99,024]
09/2006: Batman #657 --  91,357 (- 4.8%)
----------------
6 months: +30.9%
1 year  : +38.5%
2 years : +28.3%

Sales are bottoming out with the third issue of the Grant Morrison/Andy Kubert run. The drop-off has been fairly healthy so far, particularly since issue #655, unlike the two subsequent ones, was hyped with a variant cover scheme.

Batman #656 and #655 also sold an additional 3,042 and 1,544 copies in September, meanwhile.

GREEN LANTERN
09/2003: Green Lantern #169 --  33,149
09/2004: Green Lantern #181 --  41,531
--------------------------------------
09/2005: --
10/2005: --
11/2005: Green Lantern #5   --  92,348 (-  4.7%)
12/2005: Green Lantern #6   --  88,437 (-  4.2%)
01/2006: Green Lantern #7   --  84,723 (-  4.2%)
02/2006: Green Lantern #8   --  89,252 (+  5.4%)
02/2006: Green Lantern #9   --  86,554 (-  3.0%) -- [ 89,974]
03/2006: Green Lantern #10  --  79,745 (-  7.9%) -- [ 87,143]
04/2006: --
05/2006: Green Lantern #11  --  78,926 (-  1.0%)
06/2006: --
07/2006: Green Lantern #12  --  80,292 (+  1.7%)
08/2006: --
09/2006: Green Lantern #13  --  78,101 (-  2.7%)
----------------
6 months: - 2.1%
1 year  :  n.a.
2 years : +88.1%

Sales are back in a slow decline.

24 - SUPERGIRL
09/2005: Supergirl #2  -- 101,681 (-17.6%) -- [114,058]
10/2005: --
11/2005: Supergirl #3  --  99,990 (- 1.7%) -- [101,910]
12/2005: --
01/2006: --
02/2006: Supergirl #4  -- 104,734 (+ 4.8%)
02/2006: Supergirl #5  -- 103,108 (- 1.0%) -- [104,930]
03/2006: --
04/2006: --
05/2006: Supergirl #6  -- 102,860 (- 0.2%)
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%)
----------------
6 months:  n.a.
1 year  : -33.8%

Five issues after original writer Jeph Loeb’s departure, Supergirl has shed one third of its numbers and is still far from having found its new sales level. Evidently, Loeb was a crucial sales draw.

25 - FLASH: THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE
09/2003: Flash #202     --  34,599
09/2004: Flash #214     --  44,124
----------------------------------
09/2005: Flash #226     --  45,252 (-  9.9%)
10/2005: Flash #227     --  46,666 (+  3.1%)
11/2005: Flash #228     --  45,861 (-  1.7%)
12/2005: Flash #229     --  41,459 (-  9.6%)
01/2006: Flash #230     --  40,571 (-  2.1%) -- [42,392]
02/2006: --
03/2006: --
04/2006: --
05/2006: --
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%)
----------------
6 months:   n.a.
1 year  : +47.3%
2 years : +51.1%

Sales are leveling out, slowly but surely, but the relaunched Flash‘s performance looks far from inspired. The two previous issues each sold another estimated 1,434 units in September.

26 - TEEN TITANS
09/2003: Teen Titans #3  -- 66,626
09/2004: Teen Titans #15 -- 63,136
----------------------------------
09/2005: --
10/2005: Teen Titans #28 -- 66,581 (-11.0%)
11/2005: Teen Titans #29 -- 69,558 (+ 4.5%)
12/2005: Teen Titans #30 -- 67,155 (- 3.5%)
01/2006: Teen Titans #31 -- 65,223 (- 2.9%)
02/2006: Teen Titans #32 -- 69,131 (+ 6.0%)
03/2006: Teen Titans #33 -- 67,208 (- 2.8%)
04/2006: Teen Titans #34 -- 82,503 (+22.8%) -- [90,051]
05/2006: Teen Titans #35 -- 72,954 (-11.6%)
05/2006: Teen Titans #36 -- 71,486 (- 2.0%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: - 1.8%
1 year  :   n.a.
2 years : + 4.5%

Declining. The numbers remain within the book’s usual range for now, but the current “Titans Around the World!” arc doesn’t appear to be catching on with the audience.

29 - SUPERMAN
09/2003: Superman #197 --  33,430
09/2004: Superman #209 -- 116,827
---------------------------------
09/2005: Superman #221 --  69,065 (+ 12.7%)
10/2005: Superman #222 --  67,638 (-  2.1%)
11/2005: Superman #223 --  69,739 (+  3.1%)
12/2005: Superman #224 --  63,719 (-  8.6%) -- [ 65,300]
01/2006: Superman #225 --  61,768 (-  3.1%)
02/2006: Superman #226 --  63,982 (+  3.6%)
03/2006: Superman #650 --  65,603 (+  2.5%) -- [ 77,783]
04/2006: Superman #651 --  73,355 (+ 11.8%)
05/2006: Superman #652 --  70,458 (-  4.0%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: - 2.0%
1 year  : - 6.9%
2 years : -45.0%

Declining. Three issues into Kurt Busiek and Carlos Pacheco’s run, sales are pretty much back where they were at the tail end of Mark Verheiden’s tenure. Given that upcoming issues will see fill-in art and that Busiek will apparently be joined by a co-writer, the book’s fortunes are unlikely to improve.

30 - DETECTIVE COMICS
09/2003: Detective Comics #786 -- 37,778
09/2004: Detective Comics #798 -- 48,526
----------------------------------------
09/2005: Detective Comics #811 -- 38,772 (-19.7%)
10/2005: Detective Comics #812 -- 39,270 (+ 1.3%)
11/2005: Detective Comics #813 -- 38,338 (- 2.4%)
12/2005: Detective Comics #814 -- 37,145 (- 3.1%)
01/2006: Detective Comics #815 -- 35,569 (- 4.2%)
02/2006: Detective Comics #816 -- 35,410 (- 0.5%)
03/2006: Detective Comics #817 -- 62,245 (+75.8%) -- [70,241]
04/2006: Detective Comics #818 -- 60,440 (- 2.9%) -- [68,189]
05/2006: Detective Comics #819 -- 65,800 (+ 8.9%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: + 3.2%
1 year  : +65.6%
2 years : +32.3%

The title’s performance looks similar to Superman’s on the surface, but it’s well worth noting that the first three issues of new writer Paul Dini’s tenure have managed to hold on to the gigantic boost Detective Comics received as a result of March’s “One Year Later” event and the subsequent crossover with Batman.

So, as the long-term comparisons show, Dini’s run actually passes muster as a commercial success so far.

35 - ACTION COMICS
09/2003: Action Comics #807 -- 30,858
09/2004: Action Comics #819 -- 42,385
-------------------------------------
09/2005: Action Comics #831 -- 55,288 (+14.1%)
10/2005: Action Comics #832 -- 47,968 (-13.2%)
11/2005: Action Comics #833 -- 44,613 (- 7.0%)
12/2005: Action Comics #834 -- 42,425 (- 4.9%)
01/2006: Action Comics #835 -- 41,114 (- 3.1%)
02/2006: Action Comics #836 -- 51,722 (+25.8%) -- [55,331]
03/2006: Action Comics #837 -- 55,816 (+ 7.9%) -- [69,652]
04/2006: --
05/2006: Action Comics #838 -- 62,702 (+12.3%)
05/2006: Action Comics #839 -- 61,898 (- 1.3%) -- [64,278]
06/2006: Action Comics #840 -- 61,786 (- 0.2%) -- [63,676]
07/2006: Action Comics #841 -- 58,657 (- 5.1%)
08/2006: Action Comics #842 -- 57,964 (- 1.2%)
09/2006: Action Comics #843 -- 56,084 (- 3.2%)
----------------
6 months: + 0.5%
1 year  : + 1.4%
2 years : +32.3%

Continuing a slow decline, but remaining comfortably up in the long-term comparisons. A new high-profile creative team takes over with the October issue, so there’s nothing whatsoever to worry about here.

42 - GREEN LANTERN CORPS
09/2005: GLC: Recharge #1 of 5   -- 80,718          -- [84,497]
10/2005: GLC: Recharge #2 of 5   -- 68,925 (-14.6%) -- [71,414]
11/2005: --
12/2005: GLC: Recharge #3 of 5   -- 64,490 (- 6.4%) -- [65,669]
01/2006: GLC: Recharge #4 of 5   -- 59,952 (- 7.0%) -- [61,540]
02/2006: --
03/2006: GLC: Recharge #5 of 5   -- 60,123 (+ 0.3%)
04/2006: --
05/2006: --
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%)
----------------
6 months: -22.5%
1 year  : -42.3%

The title keeps shedding readers by the truckload. It’s a Green Lantern spin-off, granted, which traditionally is not a property strong enough to supporting more than one title. Seen in this context, the numbers aren’t horrible.

43 - MYSTERY IN SPACE
09/2006: Mystery in Space #1 of 8 -- 46,610

DC’s highest-selling new launch in September features the revamp of a D-list space superhero by writer Jim Starlin and artist Shane Davis. The solicitation copy for Mystery in Space suggested a connection with 52 and there’s a variant cover edition, both of which may have helped sales.

These are good numbers for this sort of thing, at any rate. Of course, I’ve said that about a lot of recent high- to mid-level DC launches, only to watch their sales plummet into obscurity in subsequent months. So we’ll see.

45 - WETWORKS (WildStorm)
09/2006: Wetworks #1 -- 43,824

DC’s widely promoted “WorldStorm” reboot of their WildStorm Universe properties made its first impression in September with an absent flagship title: Wildcats #1, the line’s one surefire commercial performer by the high-profile creative team of writer Grant Morrison and artist Jim Lee, was originally meant to ship on September 9, but wasn’t actually released until October. The second issue of the supposedly bi-monthly title has now been rescheduled for a March 2007 release. Suffice it to say, “WorldStorm” would seem to be off to a rather rocky start.

With Wildcats gone AWOL, it falls to writer Mike Carey and artist Whilce Portacio’s Wetworks to be the first “WorldStorm” title on deck. The book, starring a unit of elite soldiers fighting vampires and werewolves, is a revamp of one of the initial WildStorm titles launched in the early nineties, when the company was still part of Image Comics. The original title was years late when it finally shipped, and curiously, the new version has a rather similar history: Carey and Portacio’s Wetworks was previewed with a six-page story in March 2004’s Coup d’État: Afterword special, and was originally set to launch later that same year. Evidently, that didn’t quite work out as planned.

Now that it’s finally here — and on time, too, apart from being two years late –, Wetworks #1 makes the Top 50 and is the best-selling WildStorm book for September. While that’s a passable start, it’s worth mentioning that the issue shipped in three different cover editions, which naturally increases sales; the three subsequent issues have been solicited as being available in two different editions each, meanwhile, before issue #5 ships without any variant cover editions. Usually, while great at increasing the numbers early on, this practice tends to lead to rather steep losses in sales as time goes on.

This means that Wetworks numbers are decent so far, if not spectacular, but that sales can be expected to drop to a significantly lower level rather quickly. On balance, that may not quite be what the publisher hoped for with a much-hyped line-wide reboot like this one.

47 - ION
04/2006: Ion #1  of 12 -- 66,453          -- [74,727]
05/2006: Ion #2  of 12 -- 55,532 (-16.4%) -- [57,415]
06/2006: Ion #3  of 12 -- 51,739 (- 6.8%)
07/2006: Ion #4  of 12 -- 49,981 (- 3.4%)
08/2006: Ion #5  of 12 -- 45,764 (- 8.4%)
09/2006: Ion #6  of 12 -- 41,832 (- 8.6%)

The decline is gaining in speed. However, as Green Lantern Corps, Ion is the spin-off of a concept which used to consist of one book selling at 30K a couple of years ago, so 42,000 units should still be a relatively comfortable level of sales for this sort of thing.

48 - 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%)

The second-issue drop-off is just about acceptable for a maxiseries, and the book still sells at a decent level for a C-list character like Captain Marvel. (Issue #1 sold another 2,850 units in September.)

More significantly, though, this is by far the best-selling of the six new titles launched out of June’s DCU: Brave New World #1 — an 80-page, one-dollar special introducing Trials of Shazam, The All-New Atom, Martian Manhunter, OMAC, Uncle Sam & The Freedom Fighters and The Creeper. The one-shot special’s purpose was to serve as a loss-leader for the new titles, initially losing the publisher money through its low cover price, but hopefully resulting in high enough sales for the promoted titles to recoup that money, and then some.

Did it work? Well, as it turns out, sales of the six debut issues ranged from 54,092 units (OMAC) to 31,530 units (The Creeper), and subsequent issues have seen drastic downward trends since in all cases but Trials of Shazam, which has the good fortune of a drop-off that’s merely mediocre so far. A long-time editor at DC’s major competitor in the direct market recently suggested in a question & answer message board post that DCU: Brave New World was “proving to be a cash sinkhole.” To be honest, I don’t have the expertise to judge whether that’s correct or not, but the less than inspiring numbers on those books don’t let the notion seem unreasonable.

49 - SECRET SIX
05/2006: Secret Six #1 of 6 -- 54,961          -- [57,425]
06/2006: --
07/2006: Secret Six #2 of 6 -- 47,346 (-13.9%)
08/2006: Secret Six #3 of 6 -- 44,507 (- 6.0%)
09/2006: Secret Six #4 of 6 -- 40,782 (- 8.4%)

Another recently launched DC title whose sales are dropping faster than they should.

52 - OUTSIDERS
09/2003: Outsiders #4  -- 46,802 
09/2004: Outsiders #15 -- 42,186
--------------------------------
09/2005: Outsiders #28 -- 44,222 (+ 0.5%)
10/2005: Outsiders #29 -- 47,611 (+ 7.7%)
11/2005: Outsiders #30 -- 44,682 (- 6.2%)
12/2005: Outsiders #31 -- 46,555 (+ 4.2%)
01/2006: Outsiders #32 -- 44,027 (- 5.4%)
02/2006: Outsiders #33 -- 43,270 (- 1.7%)
03/2006: Outsiders #34 -- 47,286 (+ 9.3%) -- [51,527]
04/2006: Outsiders #35 -- 45,774 (- 3.2%)
05/2006: Outsiders #36 -- 45,705 (- 0.2%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: -18.3%
1 year  : -12.7%
2 years : - 8.4%

The numbers continue to decline swiftly, taking Outsiders sales to their lowest level to date. The book’s current direction doesn’t seem to entice the audience.

53 - NIGHTWING
09/2003: Nightwing #85  -- 29,292
09/2004: Nightwing #97  -- 44,038 
---------------------------------
09/2005: Nightwing #112 -- 36,238 (+ 0.3%)
10/2005: Nightwing #113 -- 39,837 (+ 9.9%)
11/2005: Nightwing #114 -- 36,421 (- 8.6%)
12/2005: Nightwing #115 -- 35,674 (- 2.1%)
01/2006: Nightwing #116 -- 35,113 (- 1.6%) -- [37,851]
02/2006: Nightwing #117 -- 35,489 (+ 1.1%)
03/2006: Nightwing #118 -- 42,525 (+19.8%) -- [51,775]
04/2006: Nightwing #119 -- 46,336 (+ 9.0%)
05/2006: Nightwing #120 -- 46,076 (- 0.6%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: -10.1%
1 year  : + 5.6%
2 years : -13.1%

Another title spiraling downwards, although Nightwing still retains some of the additional sales gained in March and April. A creative team change is around the corner.

54 - SUPERGIRL AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
09/2003: Legion #24           -- 22,653
09/2004: --
---------------------------------------
09/2005: Legion of SH #10     -- 34,833 (-  2.8%)
10/2005: Legion of SH #11     -- 34,113 (-  2.1%)
11/2005: Legion of SH #12     -- 33,541 (-  1.7%)
12/2005: --
01/2006: Legion of SH #13     -- 32,730 (-  2.4%)
02/2006: Legion of SH #14     -- 32,513 (-  0.7%)
02/2006: Legion of SH #15     -- 31,649 (-  2.7%)
03/2006: Supergirl & LoSH #16 -- 47,426 (+ 49.9%) -- [54,788]
04/2006: Supergirl & LoSH #17 -- 44,827 (-  5.5%) -- [47,724]
05/2006: Supergirl & LoSH #18 -- 45,520 (+  1.6%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: -22.5%
1 year  : + 5.5%
2 years :  n.a.

The book still shifts 5,000 units more than it did before the new title and direction, but the large month-to-month drops are adding up; Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes has lost more than 10,000 units over the last six months.

57 - ROBIN
09/2003: Robin #118 -- 21,811
09/2004: Robin #130 -- 45,406 
-----------------------------
09/2005: Robin #142 -- 28,822 (+ 0.9%)
10/2005: Robin #143 -- 34,141 (+18.5%)
11/2005: Robin #144 -- 32,314 (- 5.4%)
12/2005: Robin #145 -- 28,532 (-11.7%)
01/2006: Robin #146 -- 29,499 (+ 3.4%) -- [31,851]
02/2006: Robin #147 -- 32,120 (+ 8.9%)
03/2006: Robin #148 -- 36,717 (+14.3%) -- [42,442]
04/2006: Robin #149 -- 37,173 (+ 1.2%)
05/2006: Robin #150 -- 41,417 (+11.4%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: - 6.4%
1 year  : +19.3%
2 years : -24.3%
62 - GREEN ARROW
09/2003: Green Arrow #30 -- 40,443
09/2004: Green Arrow #42 -- 31,714
----------------------------------
09/2005: Green Arrow #54 -- 34,331 (+ 5.7%)
10/2005: Green Arrow #55 -- 32,804 (- 4.5%)
11/2005: Green Arrow #56 -- 32,670 (- 0.4%)
12/2005: Green Arrow #57 -- 31,778 (- 2.7%)
01/2006: Green Arrow #58 -- 30,990 (- 2.5%)
02/2006: Green Arrow #59 -- 31,250 (+ 0.8%)
03/2006: Green Arrow #60 -- 37,946 (+21.4%) -- [43,045]
04/2006: Green Arrow #61 -- 35,993 (- 5.2%) -- [40,621]
05/2006: Green Arrow #62 -- 39,185 (+ 8.9%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: -11.0%
1 year  : - 1.6%
2 years : + 6.6%

Robin and Green Arrow are two more titles whose sales are declining too fast for comfort, at this stage. In fairness, both series remain slightly ahead of their pre-March numbers.

63 - 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%)

The second-best-selling of the six titles promoted with DCU: Brave New World. The drop-off is worrying, obviously.

65 - BIRDS OF PREY
09/2003: Birds of Prey #59  -- 29,292
09/2004: Birds of Prey #73  -- 32,070 
09/2004: Birds of Prey #74  -- 31,835
-------------------------------------
09/2005: Birds of Prey #86  -- 31,270 (- 2.5%)
10/2005: Birds of Prey #87  -- 32,084 (+ 2.6%)
11/2005: Birds of Prey #88  -- 32,823 (+ 2.3%)
12/2005: Birds of Prey #89  -- 30,653 (- 6.6%)
01/2006: Birds of Prey #90  -- 30,460 (- 0.6%)
02/2006: Birds of Prey #91  -- 29,835 (- 2.1%)
03/2006: Birds of Prey #92  -- 36,808 (+23.4%)
04/2006: Birds of Prey #93  -- 34,404 (- 6.5%)
05/2006: Birds of Prey #94  -- 34,905 (+ 1.5%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: -11.1%
1 year  : + 4.6% 
2 years : + 2.8% 

Birds of Prey was one of a mere two DC titles with a notable sales increase in September. (The other, bizarrely, was Skye Runner; see below.) The reason for that may be that the issue’s solicitation copy teased with a guest appearance of the new Batwoman character recently introduced in 52.

66 - MARTIAN MANHUNTER
08/2006: Martian Manhunter #1 of 8 -- 41,263
09/2006: Martian Manhunter #2 of 8 -- 32,624 (-20.9%)
67 - OMAC
07/2006: OMAC #1 of 8 -- 54,092
08/2006: OMAC #2 of 8 -- 42,011 (-22.3%)
09/2006: OMAC #3 of 8 -- 32,578 (-22.5%)

Two more titles promoted in DCU: Brave New World with less than charming sales losses.

71 - JSA: CLASSIFIED
09/2005: JSA: Classified #3  -- 54,932 (+19.3%) -- [63,922]
10/2005: JSA: Classified #4  -- 55,903 (+ 1.8%) -- [63,579]
11/2005: JSA: Classified #5  -- 47,380 (-15.3%)
12/2005: JSA: Classified #6  -- 45,317 (- 4.4%)
01/2006: JSA: Classified #7  -- 42,857 (- 5.4%)
02/2006: JSA: Classified #8  -- 39,656 (- 7.5%)
02/2006: JSA: Classified #9  -- 39,104 (- 1.4%)
03/2006: JSA: Classified #10 -- 41,332 (+ 5.7%)
04/2006: JSA: Classified #11 -- 37,815 (- 8.5%)
05/2006: JSA: Classified #12 -- 37,446 (- 1.0%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: -26.6%
1 year  : -44.8%

Sales take another step down as writer Tony Bedard and artist Scott McDaniel begin their two-parter.

72 - SHADOWPACT
05/2006: Shadowpact #1 -- 50,279
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%)
73 - BLUE BEETLE
03/2006: Blue Beetle #1  -- 50,678          -- [69,752]
04/2006: Blue Beetle #2  -- 43,770 (-13.6%) -- [50,190]
05/2006: Blue Beetle #3  -- 41,711 (- 4.7%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: -42.6%
75 - CHECKMATE
04/2006: Checkmate #1 -- 49,156          -- [55,375]
05/2006: Checkmate #2 -- 41,773 (-15.5%)
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%)

The recently launched Infinite Crisis spin-offs Shadowpact, Blue Beetle and Checkmate keep bleeding readers like there’s no tomorrow. It may be time for DC to rethink their current publishing philosophy.

76 - UNCLE SAM & THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS
07/2006: Uncle Sam & FF #1 of 8 -- 40,736
08/2006: Uncle Sam & FF #2 of 8 -- 31,616 (-22.4%) -- [32,758]
09/2006: Uncle Sam & FF #3 of 8 -- 28,430 (-10.1%)

Another title spun out of DCU: Brave New World. The August issue made the chart again in September, selling an additional 1,142 units, indicating that there’s some interest in the book. But the third-issue drop is less than encouraging.

AQUAMAN: SWORD OF ATLANTIS
09/2003: Aquaman #10      -- 26,370
09/2004: Aquaman #22      -- 23,358
-----------------------------------
09/2005: Aquaman #34      -- 17,605 (-  0.1%)
10/2005: Aquaman #35      -- 22,644 (+ 28.6%)
11/2005: Aquaman #36      -- 18,022 (- 20.4%)
12/2005: Aquaman #37      -- 19,640 (+  9.0%)
01/2006: Aquaman #38      -- 18,321 (-  6.7%)
02/2006: Aquaman #39      -- 18,326 (+  0.0%)
03/2006: Aquaman: SoA #40 -- 37,611 (+105.2%) -- [46,401]
04/2006: Aquaman: SoA #41 -- 37,567 (-  0.1%)
05/2006: Aquaman: SoA #42 -- 32,610 (- 13.2%)
06/2006: --
07/2006: Aquaman: SoA #43 -- 30,584 (-  6.2%)
08/2006: --
09/2006: Aquaman: SoA #44 -- 28,001 (-  8.5%)
----------------
6 months: -25.6%
1 year  : +59.1%
2 years : +19.9%

On one view, Aquaman is still selling about 10,000 copies more than it did prior to March 2006. Then again, there’s no end in sight yet for the sharp sales decline of the last six months, which has already cost the title another 10K.

78 - JLA: CLASSIFIED
09/2005: JLA: Classified #12 -- 43,714 (+ 0.3%)
10/2005: JLA: Classified #13 -- 43,832 (+ 0.3%)
11/2005: JLA: Classified #14 -- 43,469 (- 0.8%)
12/2005: JLA: Classified #15 -- 41,951 (- 3.5%)
01/2006: JLA: Classified #16 -- 39,336 (- 6.2%)
02/2006: JLA: Classified #17 -- 38,014 (- 3.4%)
03/2006: JLA: Classified #18 -- 35,873 (- 5.6%)
03/2006: JLA: Classified #19 -- 35,300 (- 1.6%)
04/2006: JLA: Classified #20 -- 34,039 (- 3.6%)
05/2006: JLA: Classified #21 -- 33,800 (- 0.7%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: -22.0%
1 year  : -36.5%

Holding level.

84 - Y: THE LAST MAN (Vertigo)
09/2003: --
09/2004: Y: The Last Man #26 -- 26,735
--------------------------------------
09/2005: Y: The Last Man #37 -- 26,638 (+0.3%)
10/2005: Y: The Last Man #38 -- 26,535 (-0.4%)
11/2005: Y: The Last Man #39 -- 26,395 (-0.5%)
12/2005: Y: The Last Man #40 -- 26,006 (-1.5%)
01/2006: Y: The Last Man #41 -- 25,931 (-0.3%)
02/2006: Y: The Last Man #42 -- 25,775 (-0.6%)
03/2006: Y: The Last Man #43 -- 25,877 (+0.4%)
04/2006: Y: The Last Man #44 -- 25,985 (+0.4%)
05/2006: Y: The Last Man #45 -- 25,866 (-0.5%)
06/2006: Y: The Last Man #46 -- 25,881 (+0.1%)
07/2006: Y: The Last Man #47 -- 25,791 (-0.4%)
08/2006: Y: The Last Man #48 -- 25,829 (+0.2%)
09/2006: Y: The Last Man #49 -- 25,690 (-0.5%)
---------------
6 months: -0.7%
1 year  : -3.6%
2 years : -3.9%

Continuing a very smooth downward trend as it enters its final year.

86 - BATMAN: THE MAD MONK
11/2005: Batman and the Monster Men #1 of 6 -- 36,177
12/2005: Batman and the Monster Men #2 of 6 -- 29,138 (-19.5%)
01/2006: Batman and the Monster Men #3 of 6 -- 27,135 (- 6.9%)
02/2006: Batman and the Monster Men #4 of 6 -- 26,320 (- 3.0%)
03/2006: Batman and the Monster Men #5 of 6 -- 25,960 (- 1.4%)
04/2006: Batman and the Monster Men #6 of 6 -- 25,650 (- 1.2%)
05/2006: --
06/2006: --
07/2006: --
08/2006: Batman: The Mad Monk #1 of 6       -- 29,169 (+13.7%)
09/2006: Batman: The Mad Monk #2 of 6       -- 25,516 (-12.5%)
----------------
6 months:  -1.7%

That’s an average second-issue drop for a limited series.

87 - FABLES (Vertigo)
09/2003: Fables #17 -- 25,856
09/2004: Fables #29 -- 25,025
-----------------------------
09/2005: Fables #41 -- 25,001 (+0.2%)
10/2005: Fables #42 -- 24,953 (-0.2%)
11/2005: Fables #43 -- 24,659 (-1.2%)
12/2005: Fables #44 -- 24,515 (-0.6%)
01/2006: Fables #45 -- 24,297 (-0.9%)
02/2006: Fables #46 -- 24,134 (-0.7%)
03/2006: Fables #47 -- 24,278 (+0.6%)
04/2006: Fables #48 -- 24,476 (+0.8%)
05/2006: Fables #49 -- 24,444 (-0.1%)
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%)
---------------
6 months: +4.6%
1 year  : +1.6%
2 years : +1.5%

Gaining ten copies on the August issue.

Overall, Fables has been on a very slow climb lately, which means DC are probably right to build a franchise around it with the spin-off title Jack of Fables. In October, the publisher’s support of the property has continued with Fables Special Edition #1, a low-priced reprint of issue #1, and the original hardcover Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall, both of which may further contribute to the current positive trend.

90 - CATWOMAN
09/2003: Catwoman #22 -- 23,471
09/2004: Catwoman #35 -- 37,784
-------------------------------
09/2005: Catwoman #47 -- 20,699 (- 0.0%)
10/2005: Catwoman #48 -- 21,104 (+ 2.0%)
11/2005: Catwoman #49 -- 21,257 (+ 0.7%)
12/2005: Catwoman #50 -- 24,136 (+13.5%) -- [26,170]
01/2006: Catwoman #51 -- 22,681 (- 6.0%)
02/2006: Catwoman #52 -- 21,954 (- 3.2%)
03/2006: Catwoman #53 -- 28,473 (+29.7%) -- [34,428]
04/2006: Catwoman #54 -- 28,922 (+ 1.6%)
05/2006: Catwoman #55 -- 30,184 (+ 4.4%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: -11.1%
1 year  : +22.3%
2 years : -33.0%

Declining, but still some 4,000 units ahead of its pre-“One Year Later” numbers.

94 - THE CREEPER
08/2006: The Creeper #1 of 6        -- 31,530
09/2006: The Creeper #2 of 6        -- 24,274 (-23.0%)

The tail end of the six titles promoted through DCU: Brave New World sees a steep second-issue drop for a limited series.

95 - BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT
09/2003: Batman: LotDK #171 -- 25,294
09/2004: Batman: LotDK #183 -- 41,174 
-------------------------------------
09/2005: Batman: LotDK #195 -- 25,206 (- 0.3%)
10/2005: Batman: LotDK #196 -- 24,932 (- 1.1%)
11/2005: Batman: LotDK #197 -- 24,478 (- 1.8%)
12/2005: Batman: LotDK #198 -- 24,010 (- 1.9%)
01/2006: Batman: LotDK #199 -- 23,461 (- 2.3%)
02/2006: Batman: LotDK #200 -- 28,984 (+23.5%)
03/2006: Batman: LotDK #201 -- 24,516 (-15.4%)
03/2006: Batman: LotDK #202 -- 23,810 (- 2.9%)
04/2006: Batman: LotDK #203 -- 24,775 (+ 4.1%)
04/2006: Batman: LotDK #204 -- 24,155 (- 2.5%)
05/2006: Batman: LotDK #205 -- 24,421 (+ 1.1%)
05/2006: Batman: LotDK #206 -- 24,228 (- 0.8%)
06/2006: Batman: LotDK #207 -- 24,457 (+ 1.0%)
07/2006: Batman: LotDK #208 -- 23,974 (- 2.0%)
08/2006: Batman: LotDK #209 -- 24,101 (+ 0.5%)
09/2006: Batman: LotDK #210 -- 24,182 (+ 0.3%)
----------------
6 months: + 0.1%
1 year  : - 4.1%
2 years : -41.3%

The current arc by writer Bruce Jones and artist Ariel Olivetti continues to display a slight upward trend. It’s moot, though, since the book is canceled with January’s issue #214, presumably because it’ll become redundant due to the potentially higher-selling Batman: Confidential, which has a similar premise and launches in December.

100 - 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%)

Sales are bottoming out nicely. After established sales flagships Y: The Last Man and Fables, Jack of Fables is Vertigo’s third-best-selling ongoing title by a wide margin.

102 - HAWKGIRL
09/2003: Hawkman #19  -- 28,988
09/2004: Hawkman #32  -- 23,729
-------------------------------
09/2005: Hawkman #44  -- 22,560 (+ 2.5%)
10/2005: Hawkman #45  -- 23,379 (+ 3.6%)
11/2005: Hawkman #46  -- 25,329 (+ 8.3%)
12/2005: Hawkman #47  -- 24,736 (- 2.3%)
01/2006: Hawkman #48  -- 24,259 (- 1.9%)
02/2006: Hawkman #49  -- 25,031 (+ 3.2%)
03/2006: Hawkgirl #50 -- 34,728 (+38.7%) -- [38,135]
04/2006: Hawkgirl #51 -- 30,657 (-11.7%)
05/2006: Hawkgirl #52 -- 29,898 (- 2.5%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: -37.9%
1 year  : - 4.4%
2 years : - 9.1%

Readers keep leaving the book in droves. It’s time to be concerned about Hawkgirl.

106 - EX MACHINA (WildStorm)
09/2004: Ex Machina #4  -- 22,845
---------------------------------
09/2005: --
10/2005: Ex Machina #15 -- 21,748 (+ 2.9%)
11/2005: Ex Machina #16 -- 21,250 (- 2.3%)
12/2005: --
01/2006: Ex Machina #17 -- 21,196 (- 0.3%)
02/2006: --
03/2006: Ex Machina #18 -- 21,081 (- 0.5%)
04/2006: Ex Machina #19 -- 20,358 (- 3.4%)
05/2006: Ex Machina #20 -- 20,589 (+ 1.1%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: - 4.5%
1 year  :  n.a.
2 years : -11.9%

Holding level.

108 - JONAH HEX
11/2005: Jonah Hex #1  -- 33,771
12/2005: Jonah Hex #2  -- 26,227 (-22.3%)
01/2006: Jonah Hex #3  -- 24,671 (- 5.9%)
02/2006: Jonah Hex #4  -- 23,569 (- 4.5%)
03/2006: Jonah Hex #5  -- 23,496 (- 0.3%)
04/2006: Jonah Hex #6  -- 22,763 (- 3.1%)
05/2006: Jonah Hex #7  -- 21,910 (- 3.8%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: -19.3%

Declining.

110 - BATMAN: JOURNEY INTO KNIGHT
09/2005: Batman: JiK #2  of 12 -- 30,900 (-21.9%)
10/2005: Batman: JiK #3  of 12 -- 28,214 (- 8.7%)
11/2005: Batman: JiK #4  of 12 -- 26,876 (- 4.7%)
12/2005: Batman: JiK #5  of 12 -- 23,227 (-13.6%)
01/2006: Batman: JiK #6  of 12 -- 21,670 (- 6.7%)
02/2006: Batman: JiK #7  of 12 -- 20,698 (- 4.5%)
03/2006: Batman: JiK #8  of 12 -- 19,978 (- 3.5%)
04/2006: --
05/2006: Batman: JiK #9  of 12 -- 19,608 (- 1.9%)
06/2006: Batman: JiK #10 of 12 -- 19,537 (- 0.4%)
07/2006: --
08/2006: Batman: JiK #11 of 12 -- 19,062 (- 2.4%)
09/2006: Batman: JiK #12 of 12 -- 17,888 (- 6.2%)
----------------
6 months: -10.5%
1 year  : -42.1%

Finishing with another large drop. Sales haven’t crushed to the point where you’d call the book a disaster, but the sales drop-off for Journey into Knight has been rather hefty.

112 - FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MAN
09/2004: Firestorm #5      -- 26,429
------------------------------------
09/2005: Firestorm #17     -- 22,553 (+27.5%)
10/2005: Firestorm #18     -- 23,246 (+ 3.1%)
11/2005: Firestorm #19     -- 22,979 (- 1.2%)
12/2005: Firestorm #20     -- 23,473 (+ 2.2%)
01/2006: Firestorm #21     -- 22,500 (- 4.2%)
02/2006: Firestorm #22     -- 21,104 (- 6.2%)
03/2006: Firestorm: NM #23 -- 25,109 (+19.0%)
04/2006: Firestorm: NM #24 -- 23,704 (- 5.6%)
05/2006: Firestorm: NM #25 -- 23,301 (- 1.7%)
06/2006: Firestorm: NM #26 -- 21,833 (- 6.3%)
07/2006: Firestorm: NM #27 -- 19,772 (- 9.4%)
08/2006: Firestorm: NM #28 -- 18,716 (- 5.3%)
09/2006: Firestorm: NM #29 -- 17,449 (- 6.8%)
----------------
6 months: -30.5%
1 year  : -22.6%
2 years : -34.0%

Firestorm remains the lowest-selling DC Universe title which hasn’t been canceled yet, apart from Manhunter (which was first canceled, then put on probation for another five issues and was on a skip month in September), and there’s no end in sight for the decline.

Current writer Stuart Moore finishes his run with December’s issue #32. While Dwayne McDuffie has been announced as his replacement for three issues beginning in January at one point, the book was absent from DC’s January solicitations. So whether it’ll return in February is anyone’s guess.

114 - NINJA SCROLL (WildStorm)
09/2006: Ninja Scroll #1 -- 16,819

The new ongoing series by writer J. Torres and artist Michael Chang Ting Yu is based on a Japanese animated film from 1993 which is apparently very popular.

The numbers are what you’d expect, really. They’re not horrible, but they’re nothing to write home about, either — particularly if you consider that they’re boosted through a variant cover edition by Jim Lee.

Now, in fairness, this is the sort of material which might do much better through channels other than the direct market, given the right execution and format. So DC may be hoping to repackage the material at some point and view the monthly as a loss-leader, similarly to their Vertigo model.

100 - DEADMAN (Vertigo)
08/2006: Deadman #1  -- 21,980
09/2006: Deadman #2  -- 15,494 (-29.5%)

That’s a very steep drop. Not a good omen.

120 - DMZ (Vertigo)
11/2005: DMZ #1  -- 18,705
12/2005: DMZ #2  -- 14,840 (-20.7%)
01/2006: DMZ #3  -- 14,503 (- 2.3%)
02/2006: DMZ #4  -- 14,778 (+ 1.9%)
03/2006: DMZ #5  -- 14,952 (+ 1.2%)
04/2006: DMZ #6  -- 15,212 (+ 1.7%)
05/2006: DMZ #7  -- 15,026 (- 1.2%)
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%)
---------------
6 months: -2.6%
124 - HELLBLAZER (Vertigo)
09/2003: Hellblazer #188 -- 15,897
09/2004: Hellblazer #200 -- 16,342
----------------------------------
09/2005: Hellblazer #212 -- 14,714 (- 0.1%)
10/2005: Hellblazer #213 -- 14,688 (- 0.2%)
11/2005: Hellblazer #214 -- 14,766 (+ 0.5%)
12/2005: Hellblazer #215 -- 14,405 (- 2.5%)
01/2006: Hellblazer #216 -- 14,590 (+ 1.3%)
02/2006: Hellblazer #217 -- 14,306 (- 2.0%)
03/2006: Hellblazer #218 -- 14,129 (- 1.2%)
04/2006: Hellblazer #219 -- 14,206 (+ 0.6%)
05/2006: Hellblazer #220 -- 14,161 (- 0.3%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: - 3.0%
1 year  : - 6.9%
2 years : -16.1%

DMZ and Hellblazer are in a gentle decline.

125 - BITE CLUB: VAMPIRE CRIME UNIT (Vertigo)
09/2004: Bite Club #6 of 6      -- 18,222
-----------------------------------------
04/2006: Bite Club: VCU #1 of 6 -- 17,195
05/2006: Bite Club: VCU #2 of 6 -- 15,652 (-9.0%)
06/2006: Bite Club: VCU #3 of 6 -- 14,777 (-5.6%)
07/2006: Bite Club: VCU #4 of 6 -- 14,162 (-4.2%)
08/2006: --
09/2006: Bite Club: VCU #5 of 6 -- 13,530 (-4.5%)
----------------
2 years : -25.8%

Average limited series drops.

127 - LOVELESS (Vertigo)
10/2005: Loveless #1  -- 22,483
11/2005: Loveless #2  -- 17,667 (-21.4%)
12/2005: Loveless #3  -- 16,280 (- 7.9%) -- [17,584]
01/2006: --
02/2006: Loveless #4  -- 16,765 (+ 3.0%)
03/2006: Loveless #5  -- 16,704 (- 0.4%)
04/2006: Loveless #6  -- 16,823 (+ 0.7%)
05/2006: Loveless #7  -- 15,961 (- 5.1%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: -20.6%

Still declining.

129 - 100 BULLETS (Vertigo)
09/2003: --
09/2004: 100 Bullets #53 -- 16,413
----------------------------------
09/2005: 100 Bullets #64 -- 14,708 (- 0.6%)
10/2005: 100 Bullets #65 -- 14,744 (+ 0.3%)
11/2005: 100 Bullets #66 -- 14,425 (- 2.2%)
12/2005: 100 Bullets #67 -- 14,165 (- 1.8%)
01/2006: 100 Bullets #68 -- 13,879 (- 2.0%)
02/2006: 100 Bullets #69 -- 13,708 (- 1.2%)
03/2006: 100 Bullets #70 -- 13,591 (- 0.9%)
04/2006: 100 Bullets #71 -- 13,514 (- 0.6%)
05/2006: 100 Bullets #72 -- 13,489 (- 0.2%)
06/2006: 100 Bullets #73 -- 13,407 (- 0.6%)
07/2006: 100 Bullets #74 -- 13,265 (- 1.1%)
08/2006: 100 Bullets #75 -- 13,322 (+ 0.4%)
09/2006: 100 Bullets #76 -- 13,082 (- 1.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 3.8%
1 year  : -11.1%
2 years : -20.3%

Declining slowly.

131 - WARLORD
02/2006: Warlord #1 -- 27,443
03/2006: Warlord #2 -- 21,570 (-21.4%)
04/2006: Warlord #3 -- 19,993 (- 7.3%)
05/2006: Warlord #4 -- 18,480 (- 7.6%)
06/2006: Warlord #5 -- 16,070 (-13.0%)
07/2006: Warlord #6 -- 14,786 (- 8.0%)
08/2006: Warlord #7 -- 13,553 (- 8.3%)
09/2006: Warlord #8 -- 12,361 (- 8.8%)
----------------
6 months: -42.7%

Canceled with issue #10.

132 - A MAN CALLED KEV (WildStorm)
09/2005: Authority: Kevin #1 of 5 -- 18,443
09/2005: Authority: Kevin #2 of 5 -- 17,453 (- 5.4%)
10/2005: Authority: Kevin #3 of 5 -- 16,192 (- 7.2%)
11/2005: Authority: Kevin #4 of 5 -- 15,178 (- 6.3%)
12/2005: Authority: Kevin #5 of 5 -- 14,664 (- 3.4%)
01/2006: --
02/2006: --
03/2006: --
04/2006: --
05/2006: --
06/2006: --
07/2006: A Man Called Kev #1 of 5 -- 15,547 (+ 6.8%)
08/2006: A Man Called Kev #2 of 5 -- 13,370 (-14.0%)
09/2006: A Man Called Kev #3 of 5 -- 12,132 (- 9.3%)
----------------
6 months:  n.a.
1 year  :  -9.3%

It’s taking its time to level out.

134 - RUSH CITY
07/2006: Rush City #1 (of 6) -- 13,083
08/2006: --
09/2006: Rush City #2 (of 6) -- 11,867 (-9.3%)

Average drop-off.

135 - AMERICAN VIRGIN (Vertigo)
03/2006: American Virgin #1 -- 19,455
04/2006: American Virgin #2 -- 15,780 (-18.9%)
05/2006: American Virgin #3 -- 14,764 (- 6.4%)
06/2006: American Virgin #4 -- 14,081 (- 4.6%)
07/2006: American Virgin #5 -- 13,265 (- 5.8%)
08/2006: American Virgin #6 -- 12,487 (- 5.9%)
09/2006: American Virgin #7 -- 11,767 (- 5.8%)

—————-
6 months: -39.5%

Declining.

136 - AMERICAN SPLENDOR (Vertigo)
09/2006: American Splendor #1 of 4 -- 11,529

That’s not a desperately good start for the Vertigo debut of Harvey Pekar’s long-running independent series, but this is another book which may end up doing much better numbers as a collected edition.

140 - THE NEXT
07/2006: The Next #1 of 6 -- 22,713
08/2006: The Next #2 of 6 -- 15,875 (-30.1%)
09/2006: The Next #3 of 6 -- 10,570 (-33.4%)

Horrible numbers, obviously.

141 - KRYPTO THE SUPERDOG (Johnny DC)
09/2006: Krypto the Superdog #1 of 6 -- 10,369

See disclaimers on the Johnny DC titles.

142 - SNAKES ON A PLANE (WildStorm)
08/2006: Snakes on a Plane #1 of 2 -- 11,009
08/2006: Snakes on a Plane #2 of 2 -- 10,332 (-6.2%)

That’s a relatively gentle drop-off. Snakes on a Plane ends with much better numbers than I’d have expected based on the sales of issue #1.

144 - THE EXTERMINATORS (Vertigo)
01/2006: The Exterminators #1 -- 16,187
02/2006: The Exterminators #2 -- 12,459 (-23.0%)
03/2006: The Exterminators #3 -- 11,678 (- 6.3%)
04/2006: The Exterminators #4 -- 11,342 (- 2.9%)
05/2006: The Exterminators #5 -- 10,978 (- 3.2%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: -12.9%

Standard attrition.

147 - BATTLER BRITTON (WildStorm)
07/2006: Battler Britton #1 of 5 -- 14,843
08/2006: Battler Britton #2 of 5 -- 12,631 (-14.9%)
09/2006: Battler Britton #3 of 5 --  9,985 (-21.0%)

Sales take a nose-dive.

148 - JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED (Johnny DC)
09/2003: JL Adventures #23 -- 13,372
09/2004: JL Unlimited #1   -- 21,941
------------------------------------
09/2005: JL Unlimited #13  -- 10,914 (- 2.4%)
10/2005: JL Unlimited #14  -- 10,706 (- 1.9%)
11/2005: JL Unlimited #15  -- 10,625 (- 0.8%)
12/2005: JL Unlimited #16  -- 10,774 (+ 1.4%)
01/2006: JL Unlimited #17  -- 10,199 (- 5.3%)
02/2006: JL Unlimited #18  -- 10,206 (+ 0.1%)
03/2006: JL Unlimited #19  -- 10,534 (+ 3.2%)
04/2006: JL Unlimited #20  -- 10,620 (+ 0.8%)
05/2006: JL Unlimited #21  -- 10,430 (- 1.8%)
06/2006: JL Unlimited #22  -- 10,430 (  n.a.)
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%)
----------------
6 months: - 5.2%
1 year  : - 8.5%
2 years : -54.5%
149 - TEEN TITANS GO (Johnny DC)
09/2004: Teen Titans Go #11 -- 15,337
-------------------------------------
09/2005: Teen Titans Go #23 -- 12,933 (- 1.8%)
10/2005: Teen Titans Go #24 -- 12,994 (+ 0.5%)
11/2005: Teen Titans Go #25 -- 12,598 (- 3.1%)
12/2005: Teen Titans Go #26 -- 11,790 (- 6.4%)
01/2006: Teen Titans Go #27 -- 11,609 (- 1.5%)
02/2006: Teen Titans Go #28 -- 11,568 (- 0.4%)
03/2006: Teen Titans Go #29 -- 11,260 (- 2.7%)
04/2006: Teen Titans Go #30 -- 11,225 (- 0.3%)
05/2006: Teen Titans Go #31 -- 11,140 (- 0.8%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: -11.7%
1 year  : -23.1%

Two more Johnny DC books.

150 - TESTAMENT (Vertigo)
12/2005: Testament #1  -- 16,893          -- [18,166]
01/2006: Testament #2  -- 13,518 (-20.0%)
02/2006: Testament #3  -- 12,831 (- 5.1%)
03/2006: Testament #4  -- 13,074 (+ 1.9%)
04/2006: Testament #5  -- 12,770 (- 2.3%)
05/2006: Testament #6  -- 12,361 (- 3.2%)
06/2006: Testament #7  -- 11,770 (- 4.8%)
07/2006: Testament #8  -- 11,073 (- 5.9%)
08/2006: Testament #9  -- 10,462 (- 5.5%)
09/2006: Testament #10 --  9,629 (- 8.0%)
----------------
6 months: -26.4%

The lowest-selling Vertigo title hasn’t been officially canceled yet as I’m writing this, but the solicitation copy is leaving it unclear just how long the “Babel” arc starting in December’s issue #13 is meant to run. Unless the book’s current decline ends fairly soon, though, it can’t be long before DC pull the plug.

(151) ALBION (WildStorm)
06/2005: Albion #1 (of 6) -- 18,791          -- [20,427]
07/2005: Albion #2 (of 6) -- 15,403 (-18.0%)
-----------------------------------
09/2005: --
10/2005: Albion #3 (of 6) -- 14,835 (- 3.7%)
11/2005: --
12/2005: --
01/2006: --
02/2006: --
03/2006: --
04/2006: Albion #4 (of 6) -- 10,766 (-27.4%)
05/2006: Albion #5 (of 6) -- 10,476 (- 2.7%)
06/2006: --
07/2006: --
08/2006: --
09/2006: Albion #6 (of 6) --  9,465 (- 9.7%)
----------------
6 months:  n.a.
1 year  :  n.a.

Awful sales, all told.

157 - SKYE RUNNER (WildStorm)
04/2006: Skye Runner #1 (of 6) -- 14,600
05/2006: Skye Runner #2 (of 6) --  9,464 (-35.2%)
06/2006: --
07/2006: Skye Runner #3 (of 6) --  8,165 (-13.7%)
08/2006: --
09/2006: Skye Runner #4 (of 6) --  8,652 (+ 6.0%)

The September issue’s variant cover edition was provided by artist Arthur Adams. That may explain the increase.

159 - THE AMERICAN WAY (WildStorm)
02/2006: American Way #1 of 8 -- 15,216
03/2006: American Way #2 of 8 -- 11,937 (-21.6%)
04/2006: American Way #3 of 8 -- 10,503 (-12.0%)
05/2006: American Way #4 of 8 --  9,580 (- 8.8%)
06/2006: American Way #5 of 8 --  8,831 (- 7.8%)
07/2006: American Way #6 of 8 --  8,540 (- 3.3%)
08/2006: American Way #7 of 8 --  8,120 (- 4.9%)
09/2006: American Way #8 of 8 --  7,939 (- 2.2%)
----------------
6 months: -33.5%

Finishing at a halfway dignified level, despite the large drops early on.

160 - BATMAN STRIKES! (Johnny DC)
09/2003: Batman Adventures #6  -- 13,512
09/2004: Batman Strikes! #1    -- 22,397
----------------------------------------
09/2005: Batman Strikes! #13   --  9,284 (- 2.6%)
10/2005: Batman Strikes! #14   --  8,950 (- 3.6%)
11/2005: Batman Strikes! #15   --  8,840 (- 1.2%)
12/2005: Batman Strikes! #16   --  8,462 (- 4.3%)
01/2006: Batman Strikes! #17   --  8,172 (- 3.4%)
02/2006: Batman Strikes! #18   --  8,626 (+ 5.6%)
03/2006: Batman Strikes! #19   --  8,244 (- 4.4%)
04/2006: Batman Strikes! #20   --  8,331 (+ 1.1%)
05/2006: Batman Strikes! #21   --  8,467 (+ 1.6%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: - 5.8%
1 year  : -16.4%
2 years : -65.3%

Another Johnny DC book.

162 - CLAW THE UNCONQUERED (WildStorm)
06/2006: Claw the Unconquered #1 -- 14,785
07/2006: Claw the Unconquered #2 -- 11,470 (-22.4%)
08/2006: Claw the Unconquered #3 --  9,320 (-18.8%)
09/2006: Claw the Unconquered #4 --  7,628 (-18.2%)
165 - ROKKIN (WildStorm)
07/2006: Rokkin #1 -- 10,846
08/2006: Rokkin #2 --  8,389 (-22.7%)
09/2006: Rokkin #3 --  6,852 (-18.3%)
179 - MANIFEST ETERNITY (WildStorm)
06/2006: Manifest Eternity #1 -- 11,387
07/2006: Manifest Eternity #2 --  8,415 (-26.1%)
08/2006: Manifest Eternity #3 --  6,690 (-20.5%)
09/2006: Manifest Eternity #4 --  5,655 (-15.5%)

Canceled with issue #6, the lot of them, for obvious reasons.

196 - SCOOBY DOO (Johnny DC)
09/2003: Scooby Doo #76  -- 5,938
09/2004: Scooby Doo #88  -- 5,571
---------------------------------
09/2005: Scooby Doo #100 -- 5,239 (+12.6%)
10/2005: Scooby Doo #101 -- 4,604 (-12.1%)
11/2005: Scooby Doo #102 -- 4,587 (- 0.4%)
12/2005: Scooby Doo #103 -- 4,490 (- 2.1%)
01/2006: Scooby Doo #104 -- 4,454 (- 0.8%)
02/2006: Scooby Doo #105 -- 4,326 (- 2.9%)
03/2006: Scooby Doo #106 -- 4,419 (+ 2.2%)
04/2006: Scooby Doo #107 -- 4,359 (- 1.4%)
05/2006: Scooby Doo #108 -- 4,496 (+ 3.1%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: - 0.8%
1 year  : -16.3%
2 years : -21.3%
222 - LOONEY TUNES (Johnny DC)
09/2003: Looney Tunes #106 -- 3,577
09/2004: Looney Tunes #118 -- 3,548
-----------------------------------
09/2005: Looney Tunes #130 -- 2,659 (- 2.8%)
10/2005: Looney Tunes #131 -- 2,673 (+ 0.5%)
11/2005: Looney Tunes #132 -- 2,747 (+ 2.8%)
12/2005: Looney Tunes #133 -- 2,633 (- 4.2%)
01/2006: Looney Tunes #134 -- 2,601 (- 1.2%)
02/2006: Looney Tunes #135 -- 2,631 (+ 1.2%)
03/2006: Looney Tunes #136 -- 2,792 (+ 6.1%)
04/2006: Looney Tunes #137 -- 2,558 (- 8.4%)
05/2006: Looney Tunes #138 -- 2,774 (+ 8.4%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: - 3.5%
1 year  : + 1.4%
2 years : -24.0%
250 - CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY (Johnny DC)
09/2003: Cartoon Cartoons #22 -- 2,595
09/2004: CN Block Party #1    -- 4,203
--------------------------------------
09/2005: CN Block Party #13   -- 1,887
10/2005: CN Block Party #14   -- 1,805 (- 4.4%)
11/2005: CN Block Party #15   -- 1,757 (- 2.7%)
12/2005: CN Block Party #16   -- 1,781 (+ 1.4%)
01/2006: CN Block Party #17   -- 1,797 (+ 0.9%)
02/2006: CN Block Party #18   -- 1,728 (- 3.8%)
03/2006: CN Block Party #19   -- ?????
04/2006: CN Block Party #20   -- 2,055
05/2006: CN Block Party #21   -- ?????
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%)
----------------
6 months:  n.a.
1 year  : + 1.6%
2 years : -54.4%
268 - CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK (Johnny DC)
05/2006: CN Action Pack #1 -- ?????
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
297 - PRINCESS NATASHA (Johnny DC)
06/2006: Princess Natasha #1 of 4 -- 2,189
07/2006: Princess Natasha #2 of 4 -- ?????
08/2006: Princess Natasha #3 of 4 -- ?????
09/2006: Princess Natasha #4 of 4 -- 1,188

More Johnny DC titles.

And a correction regarding the August column: Last month, as some readers noticed, I confused the final issue of Elric: Making of a Sorcerer with the final issue of Elfquest: Discovery, which shipped in July. So, for the sake of completeness, here are the correct numbers for Elric.

184 - ELRIC: MAKING OF A SORCERER
09/2004: Elric: MoaS #1 of 4 -- 14,126
10/2004: --
11/2004: --
12/2004: Elric: MoaS #2 of 4 -- 10,207 (-27.7%)
--------------------------------------
06/2006: Elric: MoaS #3 of 4 --  8,027 (-21.4%)
07/2006: --
08/2006: --
09/2006: Elric: MoaS #4 of 4 --  7,611 (- 5.2%)
----------------
6 months:   n.a.
1 year  :   n.a.
2 years : -46.1%

Thanks to everyone who pointed out the error.

RE-ORDERS:
137 - 11,328 -- Justice League of America #1
206 -  3,700 -- The Boys #2
214 -  3,042 -- Batman #656
218 -  2,850 -- The Trials of Shazam #1
224 -  2,658 -- Wonder Woman #2
228 -  2,558 -- The Boys #1
239 -  2,138 -- 52 Week 17
244 -  2,010 -- Wonder Woman #1
248 -  1,964 -- Justice League of America #0
249 -  1,955 -- Justice #7
259 -  1,708 -- 52 Week 11
275 -  1,544 -- Batman #655
280 -  1,434 -- Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #2
281 -  1,434 -- Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #3
298 -  1,152 -- 52 Week 16
299 -  1,142 -- Uncle Sam & The Freedom Fighters #2

Average Sales per Title
(not counting reprints, re-orders, Johnny DC titles and magazines)

DC COMICS
09/2003: 28,511
09/2004: 31,690
---------------
09/2005: 34,972 (- 2.7%)
10/2005: 36,627 (+ 4.7%)
11/2005: 32,971 (-10.0%)
12/2005: 36,147 (+ 9.6%)
01/2006: 33,019 (- 8.7%)
02/2006: 32,292 (- 2.2%)
03/2006: 36,077 (+11.7%)
04/2006: 33,566 (- 7.0%)
05/2006: 42,860 (+27.7%)
06/2006: 40,778 (- 4.9%)
07/2006: 39,915 (- 2.1%)
08/2006: 42,497 (+ 6.5%)
09/2006: 34,920 (-17.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 3.2%
1 year  : - 0.2%
2 years : +10.2%
3 years : +22.5%
DC UNIVERSE
09/2003: 32,934
09/2004: 36,445
---------------
09/2005: 44,823 (- 3.7%)
10/2005: 47,021 (+ 4.9%)
11/2005: 42,342 (-10.0%)
12/2005: 44,993 (+ 6.3%)
01/2006: 40,118 (-10.3%)
02/2006: 40,823 (+ 1.8%)
03/2006: 44,854 (+ 9.9%)
04/2006: 45,129 (+ 0.6%)
05/2006: 56,982 (+26.3%)
06/2006: 51,088 (-10.3%)
07/2006: 49,638 (- 2.8%)
08/2006: 54,382 (+10.0%)
09/2006: 46,329 (-14.8%)
----------------
6 months: + 3.3%
1 year  : + 3.4%
2 years : +27.1%
3 years : +40.7%

Despite five new issues of Justice Society of America and 52 shifting more than 100K each, September is a decided step down in terms of average sales for DC Comics in comparison with August.

Nonetheless, the numbers remain at a higher level than in most other months throughout the last year, including the successful “One Year Later” stunt in March.

VERTIGO
09/2003: 17,084
09/2004: 17,046
---------------
09/2005: 14,287 (+ 4.7%)
10/2005: 16,009 (+12.1%)
11/2005: 15,730 (- 1.7%)
12/2005: 16,320 (+ 3.8%)
01/2006: 15,036 (- 7.9%)
02/2006: 15,026 (- 0.1%)
03/2006: 15,812 (+ 5.2%)
04/2006: 15,473 (- 2.1%)
05/2006: 15,266 (- 1.3%)
06/2006: 14,965 (- 2.0%)
07/2006: 16,684 (+11.5%)
08/2006: 16,107 (- 3.5%)
09/2006: 15,399 (- 4.4%)
----------------
6 months: - 2.6%
1 year  : + 7.8%
2 years : - 9.7%
3 years : - 9.9%

Vertigo focused its attention on the graphic novel market in September with the release of Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon’s Pride of Baghdad. Average monthly Vertigo sales continue to decline.

WILDSTORM
09/2003: 19,744
09/2004: 16,541
---------------
09/2005: 13,707 (-14.3%)
10/2005: 17,215 (+25.6%)
11/2005: 16,255 (- 5.6%)
12/2005: 15,068 (- 7.3%)
01/2006: 17,505 (+16.2%)
02/2006: 13,610 (-22.3%)
03/2006: 14,210 (+ 4.4%)
04/2006: 16,036 (+12.9%)
05/2006: 12,737 (-20.6%)
06/2006: 15,056 (+18.2%)
07/2006: 12,778 (-15.1%)
08/2006: 14,741 (+15.4%)
09/2006: 13,285 (- 9.9%)
----------------
6 months: - 6.5%
1 year  : - 3.1%
2 years : -19.7%
3 years : -32.7%

WildStorm’s big new launch, Grant Morrison and Jim Lee’s Wildcats, didn’t show up in stores in September, resulting in a decrease of average sales despite the debuts of Wetworks and Ninja Scroll.

6-MONTH COMPARISONS
+ 30.9%: Batman
+  4.6%: Fables
+  3.2%: Detective Comics
+  0.5%: Action Comics
+  0.1%: Batman: LotDK
-  0.7%: Y: The Last Man
-  0.8%: Scooby-Doo
-  1.7%: Batman: The Mad Monk
-  1.8%: Teen Titans
-  2.0%: Superman
-  2.1%: Green Lantern
-  2.6%: DMZ
-  3.0%: Hellblazer
-  3.5%: Looney Tunes
-  3.8%: 100 Bullets
-  4.5%: Ex Machina
-  5.2%: JL Unlimited
-  5.8%: Batman Strikes
-  6.4%: Robin
- 10.1%: Nightwing
- 10.5%: Batman: JiK
- 11.0%: Green Arrow
- 11.1%: Birds of Prey
- 11.1%: Catwoman
- 11.7%: Teen Titans Go
- 12.9%: The Exterminators
- 18.3%: Outsiders
- 19.3%: Jonah Hex
- 20.6%: Loveless
- 22.0%: JLA: Classified
- 22.5%: Green Lantern Corps
- 22.5%: Supergirl and the LoSH
- 25.6%: Aquaman
- 26.4%: Testament
- 26.6%: JSA: Classified
- 30.5%: Firestorm
- 33.5%: American Way
- 37.9%: Hawkgirl
- 39.5%: American Virgin
- 42.6%: Blue Beetle
- 42.7%: Warlord
1-YEAR COMPARISONS
+ 65.6%: Detective Comics
+ 59.1%: Aquaman
+ 56.3%: Justice League of America
+ 47.3%: Flash
+ 38.5%: Batman
+ 22.3%: Catwoman
+ 19.3%: Robin
+  5.6%: Nightwing
+  5.5%: Supergirl and the LoSH
+  4.6%: Birds of Prey
+  1.6%: CN Block Party
+  1.6%: Catwoman
+  1.6%: Fables
+  1.4%: Action Comics
+  1.4%: Looney Tunes
-  1.6%: Green Arrow
-  3.6%: Y: The Last Man
-  4.1%: Batman: LotDK
-  4.4%: Hawkgirl
-  6.9%: Hellblazer
-  6.9%: Superman
-  8.5%: JL Unlimited
-  9.3%: A Man Called Kev
- 11.1%: 100 Bullets
- 12.7%: Outsiders
- 16.3%: Scooby-Doo
- 16.4%: Batman Strikes
- 22.6%: Firestorm
- 23.1%: Teen Titans Go
- 33.8%: Supergirl
- 36.5%: JLA: Classified
- 42.1%: Batman: JiK
- 44.8%: JSA: Classified
2-YEAR COMPARISONS
+137.7%: Justice League of America
+ 88.1%: Green Lantern
+ 51.1%: Flash
+ 32.3%: Action Comics
+ 32.3%: Detective Comics
+ 28.3%: Batman
+ 19.9%: Aquaman
+  6.6%: Green Arrow
+  4.5%: Teen Titans
+  2.8%: Birds of Prey
+  1.5%: Fables
-  3.9%: Y: The Last Man
-  8.4%: Outsiders
-  9.1%: Hawkgirl
- 11.9%: Ex Machina
- 13.1%: Nightwing
- 16.1%: Hellblazer
- 20.3%: 100 Bullets
- 21.3%: Scooby-Doo
- 24.0%: Looney Tunes
- 24.3%: Robin
- 25.8%: Bite Club
- 33.0%: Catwoman
- 34.0%: Firestorm
- 41.3%: Batman: LotDK
- 45.0%: Superman
- 54.4%: CN Block Party
- 54.5%: JL Unlimited
- 65.3%: Batman Strikes

OTHER PUBLISHERS

58 - STAR WARS: LEGACY (Dark Horse)
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%)
93 - STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC (Dark Horse)
01/2006: Star Wars: KotOR #1 -- 23,486         -- [25,140]
02/2006: Star Wars: KotOR #2 -- 21,203 (-9.7%)
03/2006: Star Wars: KotOR #3 -- 21,346 (+0.7%)
04/2006: Star Wars: KotOR #4 -- 22,581 (+5.8%)
05/2006: Star Wars: KotOR #5 -- 23,223 (+2.8%)
06/2006: Star Wars: KotOR #6 -- 23,424 (+0.9%)
07/2006: Star Wars: KotOR #7 -- 23,531 (+0.5%)
08/2006: --
09/2006: Star Wars: KotOR #8 -- 24,374 (+3.6%)
----------------
6 months: +14.2%

Dark Horse continue to make excellent use of their Star Wars license. Cover count: one for each.

74 - CONAN (Dark Horse)
09/2004: Conan #8  -- 46,339
----------------------------
09/2005: Conan #20 -- 34,899 (- 1.6%)
10/2005: Conan #21 -- 34,232 (- 1.9%)
11/2005: Conan #22 -- 33,653 (- 1.7%)
12/2005: Conan #23 -- 32,592 (- 3.2%)
01/2006: Conan #24 -- 31,907 (- 2.1%)
02/2006: Conan #25 -- 31,675 (- 0.7%)
03/2006: Conan #26 -- 31,573 (- 0.3%)
04/2006: Conan #27 -- 31,710 (+ 0.4%)
05/2006: Conan #28 -- 31,675 (- 0.1%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: - 7.9%
1 year  : -16.7%
2 years : -37.3%

The September issue was one of Kurt Busiek and Greg Ruth’s infrequent fill-in issues, resulting in one of the book’s harsher sales drops to date. Cover count: one.

83 - RED SONJA (Dynamite)
09/2005: Red Sonja #2  -- 55,149 (-31.6%)
10/2005: --
11/2005: Red Sonja #3  -- 41,866 (-24.1%)
12/2005: --
01/2006: Red Sonja #4  -- 41,856 (- 0.0%)
02/2006: Red Sonja #5  -- 38,798 (- 7.3%)
02/2006: Red Sonja #6  -- 35,031 (- 9.7%)
03/2006: Red Sonja #7  -- 34,560 (- 1.5%)
03/2006: Red Sonja #8  -- 34,700 (+ 0.4%)
04/2006: Red Sonja #9  -- 32,334 (- 6.8%)
05/2006: Red Sonja #10 -- 32,479 (+ 0.5%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: -25.2%
1 year  : -53.1%

Another steep drop. Cover count: five.

85 - SPAWN (Image/TMP)
09/2003: Spawn #128 -- 38,082
09/2004: Spawn #138 -- 31,073
-----------------------------
09/2005: Spawn #149 -- 26,790 (- 2.8%)
10/2005: Spawn #150 -- 40,152 (+49.9%) -- [42,529]
11/2005: --
12/2005: Spawn #151 -- 28,860 (-28.1%)
01/2006: Spawn #152 -- 27,247 (- 5.6%)
02/2006: Spawn #153 -- 26,884 (- 1.3%)
03/2006: Spawn #154 -- 26,966 (+ 0.3%)
04/2006: Spawn #155 -- 26,728 (- 0.9%)
05/2006: Spawn #156 -- 27,017 (+ 1.1%)
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%)
----------------
6 months: - 5.1%
1 year  : - 4.5%
2 years : -17.7%

Settling into a slow decline.

88 - LONE RANGER (Dynamite)
09/2006: Lone Ranger #1  -- 25,342

The revival of an old radio drama character. Cover count: five.

96 - HUNTER-KILLER (Image/Top Cow)
09/2005: Hunter-Killer #4 -- 26,215 (- 6.1%)
10/2005: --
11/2005: --
12/2005: Hunter-Killer #5 -- 23,877 (- 8.9%)
01/2005: --
02/2005: --
03/2005: --
04/2005: --
05/2005: --
06/2005: --
07/2005: --
08/2005: Hunter-Killer #6 -- 21,922 (- 8.2%)
09/2005: Hunter-Killer #7 -- 24,173 (+10.3%)
----------------
6 months:  n.a.
1 year  : -7.8%

There was a variant cover edition for issue #7, but not for #6, which may explain the increase.

103 - THE WALKING DEAD (Image)
09/2004: Walking Dead #10 -- 13,720
09/2004: Walking Dead #11 -- 13,556
-----------------------------------
09/2005: --
10/2005: Walking Dead #22 -- 17,634 (- 0.2%)
11/2005: Walking Dead #23 -- 18,482 (+ 4.8%)
11/2005: Walking Dead #24 -- 18,545 (+ 0.3%)
12/2005: --
01/2006: Walking Dead #25 -- 19,337 (+ 4.3%)
02/2006: --
03/2006: Walking Dead #26 -- 19,385 (+ 0.3%)
03/2006: Walking Dead #27 -- 18,868 (- 2.7%)
04/2006: --
05/2006: --
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%)
-----------------
6 months:  +11.7%
1 year  :   n.a.
2 years :  +56.7%

Business as usual: continuing to climb.

135 - INVINCIBLE (Image)
09/2003: --
09/2004: Invincible #15 --  8,612
09/2004: Invincible #16 --  8,427
---------------------------------
09/2005: Invincible #26 -- 11,574 (- 3.8%)
10/2005: --
11/2005: Invincible #27 -- 11,775 (+ 1.7%)
12/2005: --
01/2006: --
02/2006: Invincible #28 -- 12,147 (+ 3.2%)
03/2006: Invincible #29 -- 12,698 (+ 4.5%)
03/2006: Invincible #30 -- 12,300 (- 3.1%)
04/2006: Invincible #31 -- 12,056 (- 2.0%)
05/2006: --
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%)
----------------
6 months: + 6.6%
1 year  : +15.1%
2 years : +56.4%

Holding up nicely.

130 - THE ESCAPISTS (Dark Horse)
07/2006: The Escapists #1 of 6 -- 21,748
08/2006: The Escapists #2 of 6 -- 12,862 (-40.9%)
09/2006: The Escapists #3 of 6 -- 12,543 (- 2.5%)

Following the huge drop with issue #2, The Escapists is finding its level very quickly now. A good sign.

168 - RAMAYAN 3392 AD (Virgin)
09/2006: Ramayan 3392 AD #1 -- 6,358
172 - DEVI (Virgin)
07/2006: Devi #1 -- 5,917          -- [8,413]
08/2006: Devi #2 -- 5,529 (- 6.6%)
09/2006: Devi #3 -- 6,103 (+10.4%)
186/189 - SNAKEWOMAN (Virgin)
07/2006: Snakewoman #1 -- 6,360
08/2006: --
09/2006: Snakewoman #2 -- 5,079 (-20.1%)
09/2006: Snakewoman #3 -- 4,760 (- 6.3%)
197 - SADHU (Virgin)
07/2006: Sadhu #1 -- 3,929
08/2006: Sadhu #2 -- 3,753 (- 4.5%)
09/2006: Sadhu #3 -- 4,376 (+16.6%)

The numbers for Virgin’s output are improving.

171 - LOCAL (Oni)
11/2005: Local #1  of 12 -- 6,003
12/2005: Local #2  of 12 -- 4,938 (-17.7%)
01/2006: Local #3  of 12 -- 4,703 (- 4.8%)
02/2006: --
03/2006: Local #4  of 12 -- 5,850 (+ 3.1%)
04/2006: --
05/2006: Local #5  of 12 -- 6,181 (+ 5.7%)
06/2006: --
07/2006: --
08/2006: --
09/2006: Local #6  of 12 -- 6,240 (+ 1.0%)
-----------------
6 months:  + 6.7%
175 - CASANOVA (Image)
06/2006: Casanova #1 -- 9,749
07/2006: Casanova #2 -- 6,337 (-35.0%)
08/2006: Casanova #3 -- 5,874 (- 7.3%)
09/2006: Casanova #4 -- 5,984 (+ 1.9%)
199 - WASTELAND (Oni)
07/2006: Wasteland #1 -- 4,952
08/2006: Wasteland #2 -- 3,974 (-19.8%)
09/2006: Wasteland #3 -- 4,367 (+ 9.9%)

Three more climbers.

217 - PHONOGRAM (Image)
08/2006: Phonogram #1 -- 3,724
09/2006: Phonogram #2 -- 2,905 (-22.0%)

And an average second-issue drop-off for Phonogram.

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

1 COMMENT

  1. Thanks, as always, for these.

    A bit more depressing this month than what I thought from my first glance when the numbers came out.

    I wonder whether it’s a case of 52 cannibalizing the regular DCU titles?

    At this rate half the DCU and Vertigo titles I enjoy will be gone in a year.

    Also, I was under the impression that ninja scroll was a six issue mini.

  2. Lone Ranger has no cover variants just so the author knows.

    Its the one book Dynamic is doing without them.

  3. How about getting a retailer like Brian Hibbs or Jim Hanley to do these? Or at the very least the author of the Marvel Comics stats. He seems to actually like comics.

  4. Hello! Recently has read in news that re-testing
    of Large Hadron Collider will be conducted :(
    Me it is terrible :(