Marvel Month-to-Month sales: February 2015: Will The Real Spider-Woman Please Stand Up?

by Xavier Lancel

Welcome to a new analysis of the Marvel sales. Reminder: I’m the French guy who took over Jason for this column. Less figures, a comparaison with the issue#2 sales and some TPB sales at the end are the only big differences you could notice.

Reminder: those sales are estimates, sales to comics shops in North America. American comics do get sold somewhere else in their original floppy edition. Keep also in mind that just because a copy is sold to a shop doesn’t mean it’s sold to a customer. This would be way too easy.

It’s a little hard to be sure what the fate of each title will be after Secret wars: Marvel did release a list of the titles that will come back after the event, and confirmed that The Last Days banner was for titles that will stop publication. But, frankly, it’s hard to believe the list, and seeing that a title can be cancelled to be relaunched one month later with no differences, the word “cancellation” can lose some of its meaning. I’m pretty sure they will change their mind on the way and that, in fact, they are not sure yet which titles will come back, waiting for how many copies those Battleword titles will sell before taking their real decisions.

I’ll have a better idea of what I want to do with the TPB sales. You’ll see it next month. Meanwhile, you’ll find at the bottom the sales of every new collection that was featured in the 2015 Marvel catalogs and which sold some copies in February 2015.

So far, this month, the most noticeable things are that Marvel is expanding successfully (so far) its Star Wars line, and has found, among all the Spider-Women, one who is way more popular with buyers than the others!

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.

2, 7- DARTH VADER

02/15 Darth Vader #1 -  264,449
02/15 Darth Vader #2 – 100,010 (-62.2%)

With 9 variant covers, the fall could have been worse. After Star Wars and its mindboggling 1,000,000 copies, let’s go back to reality. We are starting to see a little more clearly what Marvel is gonna do with the Star Wars license. The Dark Horse ongoing series was focused on different timelines or factions. The Marvel ongoing series seem to be focused on characters. Marvel is giving to Star Wars fans what Dark Horse never did: an ongoing Darth Vader series. Clever! Any series that steadily sells more than 50k would be the proof that the move from Dark Horse to Marvel was the right one. 100K for issue #2 of the 2nd launched ongoing Star Wars series seems like a good sign. Issue #1 was slightly bigger than usual with a $4.99 cover price: will we see more of this in the future, seeing that it doesn’t seem to frighten customers?

3- SPIDER-GWEN

02/15 Spider-Gwen #1 -  254,074

Wow! That’s a surprise, and it’s not due to a variant cover frenzy (only 3 for this one). Jason Latour and Robbie Rodriguez are no comic book superstars so what happened? That’s the 2nd title starring a Spider-Woman, and putting Gwen Stacy in the costume seems to have made it! There was already a Spider-Woman character from an alternate Earth who had its little success, that was Spider-Girl, the “losJ” baby of Mary jane and Peter. With Spider-Gwen, Marvel brings back another beloved character from the Spider-Man mythos and this time attracts way more readers. Let’s see if this one will be able to keep more than 100k, that would be pretty amazing.

4,53- STAR WARS

01/15 Stars Wars #1 -  1,019,121 [+33.145]
02/15 Stars Wars #2 -    162,042 (-84.1%)

The first issue is selling again (no surprise here), making it reach one million copies. That’s an amazing number. More than 160k for the second issue is a very good base on which to keep readers, making hope that the ongoing Star Wars series could stay above 100k during its run. John Cassaday is leaving with issue 7, letting Stuart Immonen take his place. Nobody was really expecting John Cassaday to stay, seeing how slow he is.

6, 8- Amazing SPIDER-MAN

04/14  Amazing v3 #1  - 532,586  ( 293.1%)[23,871]
05/14  Amazing v3 #2  - 123,945  ( -76.7%)
06/14  Amazing v3 #3  - 109,029  ( -12.0%)
07/14  Amazing v3 #4  - 117,917  (   8.2%)O.Sin 
08/14  Amazing v3 #5  - 101,655  ( -13.8%)O.Sin 
09/14  Amazing v3 #6  -  93,564  (  -8.0%)
10/14  Amazing v3 #7  - 116,051  (  24.0%)
10/14  Amazing v3 #8  -  99,549  ( -14.2%)
11/14  Amazing v3 #9  - 135,280  
11/14  Amazing v3 #10 – 100,899 
12/14  Amazing v3 #11 – 104,739  ( +3.8%)
01/15  Amazing v3 #12 – 105,458  ( +0.6%)
01/15  Amazing v3 #13 – 103,093  ( -2.2%)
02/15  Amazing v3 #14 – 106,778  ( +3.6%)
02/15  Amazing v3 #15 -  99,660  ( -6.7%)
---
Since issue #2: -19.6%

#14 is the conclusion of the Spider-verse storyline, #15 its epilogue, each with two/one variant cover. Sales go back to the level they were at before the event. The series still have to find its level after that.

9- SILK 

02/15 Silk #1 -  74,501

Third Spider-Woman series! You can’t say that Marvel is not putting all his efforts into making a female Spider-Man character stick! This one debuts lower than Spider-Woman and more than 3 times lower than Spider-Gwen! Only 2 variant covers and a creative team (Robbie Thompson & Stacey Lee) mostly unknown to comics readers. I doubt there will room for 3 Spider-Woman characters series. Spider-Gwen is clearly the winner.

11- THOR
  
12/12  Thor v5 #1   - 110,443
...
02/14  Thor #19.Now–  42.034  ( 10.1%)
...
09/14  Thor v5 #25 –  53,047  (  38.4%)
10/14  Thor v6 #1  – 150,862  ( 184.4%)[10,756]
11/14  Thor v6 #2  –  89,131  ( -40.9%)
12/14  Thor v6 #3  –  72,563  ( -18.6%)
01/15  Thor v6 #4  -  69,497  ( -4.2%)
02/15  Thor v6 #5  -  69,513  ( +0.0%)

Since issue #2: -22,0%

A Phil Noto variant cover can’t be the only explanation for this nice stagnation. More than 65k would be amazing numbers for a Thor series to stay above!

14- GOTG AND X-MEN BLACK VORTEX ALPHA

02/15 Gotg & X-Men Black Vortex Alpha #1 -  60,412

The Guardians of Galaxy brand is called to try to attract readers to an agonizing X-Men family of titles. This $4.99 Black Vortex starting point is selling more than X-Men or GotG titles, so the job is done, at a more than decent sales level, seeing all that is going on in the Marvel universe at the moment.

16- GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

04/13  Guardians v3 #2  -  88,184
...
12/13  Guardians v3 #9  -  57,665  (  -9.2%)
12/13  Guardians v3 #10 -  53,527  (  -7.2%)
01/14  Guardian #11.NOW -  61,111  (  14.7%)
02/14  Guardians v3 #12 -  55,454  (  -9.3%)
03/14  Guardians v3 #13 -  56,764  (   2.4%)
04/14  Guardians v3 #14 -  53,976  (  -4.9%)
05/14  Guardians v3 #15 -  54,332  (   0.7%)
06/14  Guardians v3 #16 -  54,827  (   0.9%)
07/14  Guardians v3 #17 -  62,986  (  14.9%)
08/14  Guardians v3 #18 -  60,657  (  -3.7%) O.Sin 
09/14  Guardians v3 #19 -  55,891  (  -7.9%) O.Sin 
10/14  Guardians v3 #20 -  61,072  (   9.3%)
11/14  Guardians v3 #21 -  62,387  (   2.2%)
12/14  Guardians v3 #22 -  52,470  ( -15.9%)
01/15  Guardians v3 #23 -  51,466  ( -1.9%)
02/15  Guardians v3 #24 -  60,046  (+16.7%) B.Vortex

Since issue #2: -31.9%

Black Vortex is attracting more readers (from the X-Men titles?), bringing this issue to the exact same level than Black Vortex Alpha.

17- THOR ANNUAL

02/15 Thor Annual #1 -  58.664

That’s amazing numbers for a Thor Annual, only 10k below the ongoing series. CM Punk, the hunky-sexy WWF superstar is writing one of the three stories. I would be glad to say that’s the factor explaining the success of this annual but it’s probably only because the Thor brand is strong at the moment. Let’s hope that Marvel will not flood us with Thor titles and disgust us with him/her in less than a year!

18,24- ALL-NEW X-MEN

11/12  All-New X-Men #2  - 100,983  
...
01/14  All-New #22.NOW   -  76,565  (+21.8%)
02/14  All-New X-Men #23 -  64,625  (-15.6%)
03/14  All-New X-Men #24 -  63,739  ( -1.4%)
04/14  All-New X-Men #25 -  63,827  (  0.1%)
04/14  All-New X-Men #26 -  58,918  ( -7.7%)
05/14  All-New X-Men #27 -  62,269  (  5.7%)
06/14  All-New X-Men #28 -  57,135  ( -8.2%)
07/14  All-New X-Men #29 -  58,817  (  2.9%)
08/14  All-New X-Men #30 -  54,882  ( -6.7%)
08/14  All-New X-Men #31 -  58,535  (  6.7%)
09/14  All-New X-Men #32 -  54,654  ( -6.6%)
10/14  All-New X-Men #33 -  60,032  (  9.8%)
11/14  ---
12/14  All-New X-Men #34 -  57,569  ( -4.1%)
01/15  All-New X-Men #35 -  51,823  (-10.0%)
02/15  All-New X-Men #36 -  49,464  ( -4.6%)
02/15  All-New X-Men #38 -  58,037  (+17.3%) B. Vortex

since issue #2: -42.5%

I know, it’s weird: issue #38 is out before issue #37. Did the Hawkeye virus spread out? In fact, that’s because, even if #37 is not ready, #38 had to go out in time because it contains the 4th chapter of Black Vortex. Of course, thanks to it, sales jump back almost to 60k.

22- UNCANNY AVENGERS

03/14  U Avengers #18.NOW   -  63,516  ( 19.4%)
...
10/14  Uncanny Avengers #25 –  53,263  (  7.7%)
10/14  Aven & X-Men Axis #1 – 138,966  (180.9%)
...
12/14  Aven & X-Men Axis #9 –  69,518  (  0.1%)
01/15  Uncanny Avengers v2 #1 – 74,849 
02/15  Uncanny Avengers v2 #2 – 51,339 (-31.4%)

Despite 2 variant covers, this one is already below the sales level it reached before the relaunch. Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch will learn a terrible truth in this issue: that they have the most convoluted lineage tree of the Marvel Universe and that every writer wants to complicate it!

26- AVENGERS

12/12  Avengers v5 #2  -  93,894
...
12/13  Avengers#24.NOW - 127,466  ( +91.7%)
01/14  Avengers v5 #25 -  65,591  ( -48.5%)
02/14  Avengers v5 #26 –  59,775  (  -8.9%)
03/14  Avengers v5 #27 -  53,966  (  -9.7%)
04/14  Avengers v5 #28 -  52,808  (  -2.1%)
05/14  Avengers v5 #29 -  58,661  (  11.1%)
05/14  Avengers v5 #30 -  57,099  (  -2.7%)
06/14  Avengers v5 #31 -  53,933  (  -5.5%) O.Sin 
07/14  Avengers v5 #32 -  56,595  (   4.9%) O.Sin
07/14  Avengers v5 #33 -  51,874  (  -8.3%) O.Sin
08/14  Avengers v5 #34 -  54,413  (   4.9%) O.Sin 
09/14  Avengers v5 #35 -  50,629  (  10.2%) 
10/14  Avengers v5 #36 -  56,771  (  12.1%) 
10/14  Avengers v5 #37 -  49,430  ( -12.9%)
11/14  Avengers v5 #38 -  54,368  (   4.3%)
12/14  Avengers v5 #39 -  47,062  ( -13.4%)
01/15  Avengers v5 #40 -  47,483  ( +0.9%) (SW prelude)
02/15  Avengers v5 #41 -  48,437  ( +2.0%) (SW prelude)

Since issue #2: -48.6%

Am I the only one feeling cheated when Marvel sells me the same cover they used on Ultimates #1? It’s a wink, an homage but I have another: wouldn’t it be neat to pay homage to the Ultimates by selling the issue at the same price The Ultimates #1 was? There is one Phil Noto variant cover for this one.

27- UNCANNY X-MEN

02/13 Uncanny X-Men v3 #2  - 94,615
---
03/14 U X-Men #19.NOW      - 64,514 ( 17.5%)
04/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #20 - 55,359 (-14.2%)
05/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #21 - 54,747 ( -1.1%)
06/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #22 - 52,731 ( -3.7%)
07/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #23 - 55,738 (  5.7%)
07/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #24 - 53,677 (  5.7%)O.Sin
08/14 ---
09/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #25 -  58,062 (  8.2%)
09/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #26 -  51,862 (-10.7%)
10/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #27 -  57,908 ( 11.7%)
11/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #28 -  55,939 ( -3.4%)
12/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #29 -  53,502 ( -4.4%)
01/15 Uncanny X-Men v3 #30 -  48,824  (-8.7%)
02/15 Uncanny X-Men v3 #31 -  46,993  (-3.8%)

Since issue #2: -50.3%

Still in search of its sales level. There is a Phil Noto variant cover.

28- DEADPOOL
 
11/12  Deadpool v4 #2  -  76,445 
...
03/14  D'pool #25.NOW  -  48,775  (  18.6%)
03/14  Deadpool v4 #26 -  44,141  (  -9.5%)
04/14  Deadpool v4 #27 -  62,037  (  40.5%)[1,992]
05/14  Deadpool v4 #28 -  45,858  (  26.1%)
05/14  Deadpool v4 #29 -  52,403  (  14.3%) O.S. Tie-In
06/14  Deadpool v4 #30 -  54,072  (  14.3%) O.S. Tie-In
07/14  Deadpool v4 #31 -  49,930  (  -7.7%) O.S. Tie-In
07/14  Deadpool v4 #32 -  46,829  (  -6.2%) O.S. Tie-In
08/14  Deadpool v4 #33 -  50,023  (   6.8%) O.S. Tie-In
09/14  Deadpool v4 #34 -  58,034  (  16.0%) 
09/14  Deadpool v4 #35 -  43,554  ( -25.0%) 
10/14  Deadpool v4 #36 -  46,600  (   7.0%)(Axis)
11/14  Deadpool v4 #37 -  51,579  ( -20.8%)(Axis)
12/14  Deadpool v4 #38 -  43,433  ( -15.8%)(Axis)
12/14  Deadpool v4 #39 -  42,198  (  -2.8%)(Axis)
01/15  Deadpool v4 #40 -  42,467   (+0.6%)
01/15  Deadpool v4 #41 -  39,848   (-6.2%)
02/15  Deadpool v4 #42 -  46,104   (+15.7%)

Since issue #2: -39.7%

We certainly can’t blame the Phil Noto cover for such a boost, nor the appearance of Omega Red. If only those crossovers would stop disrupting the numbers, we could see the real trend here. Still, incredible numbers of course. Wolverine, on the other hand, is old news.

30- NEW AVENGERS

01/13  New Avengers v3 # 2 -  79,433 
...
03/14  N Avengers #16.NOW  -  48,731  (  0.0%)
04/14  New Avengers v3 #17 -  45,885  ( -5.8%)
05/14  New Avengers v3 #18 -  43,668  ( -4.8%)
06/14  New Avengers v3 #19 -  41,989  ( -3.8%)
06/14  New Avengers v3 #20 -  43,962  ( -0.1%)
07/14  New Avengers v3 #21 -  42,699  (  1.8%)
08/14  New Avengers v3 #22 -  42,797  (  0.2%)
08/14  New Avengers v3 #23 -  40,018  ( -6.3%)
09/14  New Avengers v3 #24 -  45,123  (-12.8%)
10/14  New Avengers v3 #25 -  42,979  ( -4.8%)
11/14  New Avengers v3 #26 -  46,318  (  7.8%)
11/14  New Avengers v3 #27 -  40,408  (-12.8%)
12/14  New Avengers v3 #28 -  39,855  ( -1.4%)
01/15  New Avengers v3 #29 -  41,116  (+3.1%) (SW prelude)
02/15  New Avengers v3 #30 -  42,827  (+4.2%) (SW prelude)

Since issue #2: -46.1%

People really seems excited by this Secret Wars stuff, and ready to pay for it!

39- RETURN OF LIVING DEADPOOL Ltd

02/15  Return of Living Deadpool #1 of   -  41,911

Once again, the proof that Deadpool is able to support several titles, whenever Marvel don’t overdue it and keeps a certain quality to it. At the same level as the ongoing series, which is fantastic!

41- CAPTAIN AMERICA

02/14  Capt America V7 #16.Now – 36,534  (   9.3%)

09/14  Captain America v7 #24 – 33,517  (   8.4%)
10/14  Captain America v7 #25 – 74,183  ( 121.3%)
11/14  Captain America v8 #1  –120,500  (  62.4%)
12/14  Captain America v8 #2  – 50,077  ( -58.4%)
01/15  Captain America v8 #3  - 50,045  ( -0.1%)
02/15  Captain America v8 #4  - 41,222  (-17.6%)

Since issue #2: -17.6%

Ouch, victory was called too soon! The change to Sam Wilson as the new Captain America is not a failure, but will perhaps not bring the extra readers we hoped if it continues to fall. One Phil Noto variant on this one.

44- ANT-MAN 

01/15 Ant-Man #1 – 73,370
02/15 Ant-Man #2 – 40,192 (-45.2%)

I have tons of funny jokes about Ant-Man ready to use… Sales are shrinking (ih ih!) as they usually do after a first issue, even if a little more than usual. There are 2 variant covers left. This title will stay alive no matter what until the movie is released and forgotten.

45- ROCKET RACCOON

07/14  Rocket Raccoon #1  -  293,913  ( --- )[7,738]
08/14  Rocket Raccoon #2  -   56,597  (-80.7%)
09/14  Rocket Raccoon #3  -   52,288  ( -7.6%)
10/14  Rocket Raccoon #4  -   57,830  ( 10.6%)
11/14  Rocket Raccoon #5  -   52,979  ( -8.4%)
12/14  Rocket Raccoon #6  -   41,154  (-22.3%)
01/15  Rocket Raccoon #7  -   39,342  ( -4.4%)
02/15  Rocket Raccoon #8  -   38,769  (-1.5%)

Since issue #2: -31,5%

Not sure if Rocket Raccoon has found its level yet, as there are two variant covers on this issue. Anyway, no matter what, those are still good numbers, especially when you see Star Lord way lower.

46- LEGENDARY STAR LORD

07/14  Star Lord #1 – 78,501
08/14  Star Lord #2 – 37,109 (-52.7%)
09/14  Star Lord #3 – 32,918 (-11.3%)
10/14  Star Lord #4 – 37,123 ( 12.8%)
11/14  Star Lord #5 – 36,905 ( -0.6%)
12/14  Star Lord #6 – 32,863 (-11.0%)
01/15  Star Lord #7 – 28,174 (-14.3%)
01/15  Star Lord #8 – 25,227 (-10.5%)
02/15  Star Lord #9 – 38,655 (+53.2%)   B. Vortex

Since issue #2: +4.2%

The Black Vortex crossover with the X-Men is bringing at least 13k readers to a Star Lord title who was in dire need of that! It does not reach the same level as the previous chapter in Guardians of Galaxy, meaning that more than 2/3 of the readers of Black Vortex Alpha or Guardians of The Galaxy will miss this chapter of the crossover and don’t seem to care.

49- SPIDER-WOMAN

11/14  Spider-Woman #1 -  93,723 (Spider-Verse)
12/14  Spider-Woman #2 -  44,618  ( -52.4%)(Spider-Verse)
01/15  Spider-Woman #3 -  38,484  (-13.8%) (spider-Verse)
02/15  Spider-Woman #4 -  36,058  (- 6.3%)

Since issue #2: -19.2%%

That’s a Spider-verse epilogue. Next month will be decisive. The series doesn’t have a lot of rope left, it needs to stabilize at more than 25k.

50- SUPERIOR IRON MAN

03/14  Ir. Man #23.NOW  - 43,912  (  51.3%)
---
06/14  Iron Man v6 #28  - 28,027  (  -0.9%)
11/14  Sup. Iron Man #1 - 83,994  ( 199.7%)
11/14  Sup. Iron Man #2 - 42,621  ( -49.3%)
12/14  Sup. Iron Man #3 - 38,806  (  -9.0%)
01/15  Sup. Iron Man #4 – 38,515  (  -0,7%)
02/15  Sup. Iron Man #5 – 35,094  (  -8.9%)

Since issue #2: -17.7%

While Iron Man is not in danger of being cancelled, this is clearly a disappointment sales wise. In this issue, we learn the origin of Teen Abomination (yes, that’s who you think it is!).

51- SPIDER-MAN 2099

07/14  Spider-Man 2099 #1  -  90,690  ( --- )[6,461]
08/14  Spider-Man 2099 #2  -  47,512  (-47.6%)
09/14  Spider-Man 2099 #3  -  43,418  ( -8.6%)
10/14  Spider-Man 2099 #4  -  40,755  ( -6.1%)
10/14  Spider-Man 2099 #5  -  40,880  (  0.3%)
11/14  Spider-Man 2099 #6  -  38,634  ( -5.5%)
---
01/15 Spider-Man 2099 #7 -  38,455 (-0.5%)
01/15 Spider-Man 2099 #8 -  37,484 (-2.5%)
02/15 Spider-Man 2099 #9 -  34,374 (-8.3%)

Since issue #2: -27.7%

Despite showing Spider-Man 2099 visiting the Future Imperfect storyline, this issue shows a huge drop in sales. It seems that readers of the series want their Spider-Man 2099 in the Marvel Universe, not the year 2099. Yep, that’s weird.

54,60,64,68. WOLVERINES 

01/15 Wolverines #1 – 73,650
01/15 Wolverines #2 – 43,573  (-41.8%)
01/15 Wolverines #3 – 42,051  (- 3.5%)
01/15 Wolverines #4 – 39,790  (- 5.4%)
02/15 Wolverines #5 – 32,953  (-17.2%)
02/15 Wolverines #6 – 31,710  (-3.8%)
02/15 Wolverines #7 – 30,617  (-3.4%)
02/15 Wolverines #8 – 29,923  (-2.3%)

Since issue #2: -31.3%

The cutback to real customer numbers with issue #5 is harsh, the rest of the fall is due to standard attrition. Will this one end with issue#20, as the solicitation for future paperback collections seems to imply? It would seems logical, as it will be just under 20k if it keeps following this trend.

56- HAWKEYE

09/12  Hawkeye v4 #2 - 33,563
---
09/13  ---
10/13  Hawkeye v4 #13 - 40,476  ( -0.9%)
11/13  Hawkeye v4 #14 - 39,863  ( -1.5%)
11/13  Hawkeye v4 #15 – 39,546  ( -0.8%)
12/13  ---
01/14  Hawkeye v4 #16 - 37,074  ( -6.3%)
02/14  ---
03/14  Hawkeye v4 #17 – 35,545  ( -4.1%)
04/14  Hawkeye v4 #18 – 35,045  ( -1.4%)
05/14  ---
06/14  ---
07/14  Hawkeye v4 #19 – 34,131  ( -2.6%)
08/14  ---
09/14  Hawkeye v4 #20 – 34,169  (  0.1%)
10/14  ---
11/14  ---
12/14  ---
01/15  ---
02/15  Hawkeye v4 #21 – 32,607  (- 4.6%) END

Since issue #2: -2,8%

Hawkeye has been both a fantastic success for Marvel (one of their best TPB sellers and a non super-hero approach to one of their character, praised by critics) and a laughing stock concerning its schedule, especially for the last 18 months. The way the floppy issues have gone out makes simply no sense at all. Marvel quickly understood that Hawkeye couldn’t ship monthly, so they decided to order another parallel storyline about the female Hawkeye, drawn by Annie Wu and to run it at the same time as the David Aja Hawkeye storyline about his building. Yet, it didn’t work out and both were late. Not only did the issues not come out in time, but sometimes in reverse order, making no sense and transforming a long final arc into a never ending storyline. And they made people who made the effort to buy the floppy issues pay 1$ more for each, after they placed their pre-order! Was Marvel in such a hurry to gain even more $ on such a poorly scheduled project? The best way to be disgusted to buy floppy issues instead of TPB was to buy Hawkeye. The new series will have to make us forget this disaster. Still, check that awesome “since issue #2” percentage: -2,8%! Marvel would kill to have another steady seller like that again.

57- FANTASTIC FOUR


01/14  Fantastic Four v5 #16 - 28,045  (   1.6%)
02/14  Fantastic Four v6 #1  - 65,775  ( 134.5%)
03/14  Fantastic Four v6 #2  - 37,569  ( -42.9%)
04/14  Fantastic Four v6 #3  - 34,930  (  -7.0%)
05/14  Fantastic Four v6 #4  - 33,263  (  -4.8%)
05/14  Fantastic Four v6 #5  - 33,336  (   0.2%)
06/14  Fantastic Four v6 #6  - 33,177  (  -0.5%) O.S. Tie-In
07/14  Fantastic Four v6 #7  - 33,687  (   1.5%) O.S. Tie-In
08/14  Fantastic Four v6 #8  - 30,674  (  -8.9%) O.S. Tie-In
08/14  Fantastic Four v6 #9  - 28,827  (  -6.0%)
09/14  Fantastic Four v6 #10 - 28,118  (  -2.5%)
10/14  Fantastic Four v6 #11 - 26,938  (  -4.2%)
10/14  Fantastic Four v6 #12 - 26,638  (  -1.1%)
11/14  Fantastic Four v6 #13 - 25,432  (  -4.5%)
12/14  Fantastic Four v6 #14 - 24,716  (  -2.8%)
01/15  Fantastic Four   #642 – 30,118  ( +21,9%)
02/15  Fantastic Four   #643 – 32,302  ( + 7.3%)

Since issue #2: -14.0%

2 variant covers and the continuation of the final arc of the series, with the promise of a death, continue to bring back more readers. Fantastic Four will go out with a small Bang!

61- DAREDEVIL

02/14  Daredevil v3 #36 – 31,494  ( -1.8%)
03/14  Daredevil v4 #1  - 76,006  (141.3%)[1,948]
04/14  Daredevil #1.50  - 48,462  (-36.2%)
04/14  Daredevil v4 #2  - 42,811  (-11.7%)
05/14  Daredevil v4 #3  - 39,316  (-8.2%)
06/14  Daredevil v4 #4  - 37,902  (-3.6%)
07/14  Daredevil v4 #5  - 36,825  (-2.8%)
07/14  Daredevil v4 #6  - 37,959  ( 3.1%)
07/14  Daredevil  #0.1  - 33,437
08/14  Daredevil v4 #7  - 36,785  (-3.1%)
09/14  Daredevil v4 #8  - 37,739  ( 2.6%)
10/14  Daredevil v4 #9  - 33,996  (-9.9%)
11/14  Daredevil v4 #10 - 32,438  (-4.6%)
12/14  Daredevil v4 #11 - 31,382  (-3.3%)
01/15  Daredevil v4 #12 – 31,989  (+1.9%)
02/15  Daredevil v4 #13 – 31,483  (-1.6%)

Since issue #2: -26.5%

The final arc of the Waid/Samnee run is beginning, with the same numbers of readers than before the relaunch. This will probably be remembered as one of the best runs of the title. I wouldn’t want to be the next creative team to come aboard…

62- THANOS VS HULK  

12/14  Thanos vs Hulk Ltd #1  -  39,862  
01/15  Thanos vs Hulk Ltd #2  -  33,891 (-15.0%)
02/15  Thanos vs Hulk Ltd #3  -  31,337 (-7.5%)

Even if this mini-series is slipping down, it is still at a nice level for an old-school project like that. Featuring Blastaar!

63- ANGELA: ASGARD’S ASSASSIN

12/14  Angela #1 -  61,398  
01/15  Angela #2 -  36,992  (-39.8%)
02/15  Angela #3 -  31,096  (-15.9%)

Since issue #2: -15.9%

We are starting to find that all this fuss about Angela was an empty shell: the audience for her ongoing series is rather small, as should be expected.

69,75- MS. MARVEL

02/14  Ms. Marvel #1 -  50,286  (  --- ) [15,155]
03/14  Ms. Marvel #2 -  38,357  (-23.7%) [3,440]
04/14  Ms. Marvel #3 -  37,140  ( -3.2%)
05/14  Ms. Marvel #4 -  34,839  ( -6.2%)
06/14  Ms. Marvel #5 -  33,795  ( -3.0%)
07/14  Ms. Marvel #6 -  36,041  (  6.6%)
08/14  Ms. Marvel #7 -  32,866  ( -8.8%)
09/14  Ms. Marvel #8 -  32,182  ( -2.1%)
10/14  Ms. Marvel #9 -  32,915  (  2.3%)
---
12/14  Ms. Marvel #10 - 30,282  ( -8.0%)
---
02/15  Ms. Marvel #11 – 29,851  ( -1.4%)
02/15  Ms. Marvel #12 – 29,054  ( -2.7%)

Since issue #2: -24.3%

This is the only title for whom the Last Days banner during Secret Wars makes no sense. Sales are good and the title is one of the few remaining with a $2.99 cover price. I expect a relaunch à la Daredevil: same creative team, same content, with a more expensive cover price.

71- SHIELD 

12/14  SHIELD #1 -  94,503  
01/15  SHIELD #2 -  33,965 (-64.1%)
02/15  SHIELD #3 –  29,790 (-12.3%)

Since issue #2: -12.3%

This title will probably have to struggle to stay above the cancellation line. There are still 2 variant covers so the fall could still go on.

74- MILES MORALES ULT SPIDER-MAN

04/14  Ult. Spider-Man #200   - 41,608  ( 50.5%)
05/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #1 - 45,864  ( 10.2%)
06/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #2 - 38,231  (-16.6%)
07/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #3 - 37,240  ( -2.6%)
08/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #4 - 34,836  ( -6.5%)
09/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #5 - 34,140  ( -2.0%)
10/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #6 - 33,057  ( -3.2%)
11/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #7 - 31,607  ( -4.4%)
12/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #8 - 31,448  ( -0.5%)
01/15  M.M. Ult Spider-man #9 – 30,135  ( -4.2%)
02/15  M.M. Ult Spider-man #10- 29,321  ( -2.7%)

Since issue #2: -23.3%

This title could easily live for another year without trouble. That’s more than half the line of Marvel books can say!

76- SPIDER-MAN and THE X-MEN
  
02/14  Wolverine/X-Men #42 – 35,392  ( -1.1%)
03/14  Wolver/X-Men v2 #1  - 54,675  ( 54.5%)
---
11/14  Wolver/X-Men v2 #12 - 28,457  (  1.2%)
12/14  Spider/X-Men v1 #1  - 61,952  (117.7%)
01/15  Spider/X-Men v1 #2  - 34,329  (-44.6%)
02/15  Spider/X-Men v1 #3  - 29,025  (-15.5%)

since issue #2: -15.5%

Even if it’s too early, with a sales level so low and what seems to be the beginning of an atrocious sales trajectory, I wouldn’t expect this one to last more than 12 issues.

78- X-MEN
 
12/12  X-Men v3 #39  -  29,326  
...
06/13  X-Men v4 #2  -  73,542
...
11/13  X-Men v4 #7  -  56,968  ( -20.9%)
12/13  X-Men v4 #8  -  53,201  (  -6.6%)
01/14  X-Men v4 #9  -  49,412  (  -7.1%)
02/14  X-M  #10.Now -  52,486  (   6.2%)
02/14  X-Men v4 #11 -  47,498  (  -9.5%)
03/14  X-Men v4 #12 -  44,135  (  -7.1%)
04/14  X-Men v4 #13 -  42,065  (  -4.7%)
05/14  X-Men v4 #14 -  39,499  (  -6.1%)
06/14  X-Men v4 #15 -  38,271  (  -3.1%)
07/14  X-Men v4 #16 -  38,937  (   1.7%)
07/14  X-Men v4 #17 -  36,255  (  -6.9%)
08/14  X-Men v4 #18 -  35,543  (  -2.0%)
09/14  X-Men v4 #19 -  33,737  (  -5.1%)
10/14  X-Men v4 #20 -  33,004  (  -2.2%)
11/14  X-Men v4 #21 -  31,468  (  -4.7%)
12/14  X-Men v4 #22 -  30,200  (  -4.0%)
01/15  X-Men v4 #23 -  29,650  (  -1.8%)
02/15  X-Men v4 #24 -  28,414  (  -4.2%)

Since issue #2: -61.4%

Probably the lowest level ever reached for the X-Men title. Something needs to be done and it’s called cutting the mass of indistinct X-Men titles!

79- AMAZING X-MEN
  
11/13  Amazing X-Men v2 #1   - 112,337  (+434.4%)
12/13  Amazing X-Men v2 #2   -  60,870  ( -45.8%)
01/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #3   -  51,431  ( -15.5%)
02/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #4   -  48,161  (  -6.4%)
03/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #5   -  46,242  (  -4.0%)
04/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #6   -  45,095  (  -2.5%)
05/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #7   -  42,512  (  -5.7%)
06/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #8   -  41,613  (  -2.1%)
07/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #9   -  40,562  (  -2.5%)
08/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #10  -  36,405  ( -10.2%)
09/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #11  -  34,552  (  -5.1%)
10/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #12  -  32,966  (  -4.6%)
11/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #13  -  36,338  (  10.2%)
12/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #14  -  31,468  ( -13.4%)(Axis)
01/15  Amazing X-Men v2 #15  -  29,868  ( -5.1%)
01/15  Amazing X-Men v2 #16  -  28,416  ( -4.9%)
02/15  Amazing X-Men v2 #17  -  27,513  ( -3.2%)

Since issue #2: -54,8%

Having a rather new X-men core book selling less than 25k will probably not do it for Marvel so expect to hear the death bell soon.

81- HULK
12/12  Incred Hulk v5 #2   - 63,653
---
12/13  Hulk #17.INH        - 35,679  (  -0.5%)
01/14  Hulk #18.INH        - 33,056  (  -7.4%)
02/14  Indestructible #19  - 31,192  (  -5.6%)
03/14  Indestructible #20  - 30,042  (  -3.7%)
04/14  Hulk v3 #1          - 73,551  ( 144.8%)
04/14  Hulk v3 #2          - 40,590  ( -44.8%)
05/14  Hulk v3 #3          - 37,639  (  -7.3%)
06/14  Hulk v3 #4          - 35,377  (  -6.0%)
08/14  Hulk v3 #5          - 34,903  (  -1.3%)
09/14  Hulk v3 #6          - 33,032  (  -5.4%)
10/14  Hulk v3 #7          - 35,084  (   6.2%)
11/14  Hulk v3 #8          - 34,483  (  -1.7%)
12/14  Hulk v3 #9          - 27,697  ( -19.7%)
01/15  Hulk v3 #10	       - 27,553  ( -0.5%)
02/15  Hulk v3 #11	       - 27,317  ( -0.9%)

Since issue #2: -32,7%

Sales stabilized, with a Phil Noto variant cover. Still, it’s not fantastic for a title which relaunched less than a year ago…

86- INHUMAN 

04/14  Inhuman #1 - 58,309  
05/14  Inhuman #2 - 41,810 ( -28.3%) 
08/14  Inhuman #3 - 37,159 ( -11.1%) 
08/14  Inhuman #4 - 34,215 (  -7.9%) 
09/14  Inhuman #5 - 32,719 (  -4.4%) 
09/14  Inhuman #6 - 30,761 (  -6.0%) 
10/14  Inhuman #7 - 29,903 (  -2.8%)
11/14  Inhuman #8 - 50,766 ( -15.0%)
12/14  Inhuman #9 - 25,962 ( -48.9%)
12/14  Inhuman #10- 25,445 (  -2.0%)
01/15  Inhuman #11- 24,410  (- 4.1%)
02/15  Inhuman #12- 24,689  (+ 1.1%)
---
Since issue #2: -40.9%

There doesn’t seem to have any reason for this nice little boost, except a Phil Noto variant, like on almost all Marvel title with a variant cover this month. That’s a rather good sign for Marvel: they should be able to let this title live for some time, allowing them to imprint the Inhumans as major players in the Marvel universe.

87- UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL

01/15 Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #1 - 41,693
02/15 Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #2 – 24,621 (-40.9%)

Already on the verge of the cancellation zone. Yet, this one has probably more rope, seeing that Marvel probably wants to keep Ryan North on board and expects to sell copies to young readers (that means a cancellation zone way lower than usual).

91- MAGNETO

03/14  Magneto #1 – 55,337
04/14  Magneto #2 – 35,772  (-35.4%)[2,297]
05/14  Magneto #3 – 35,504  ( -0.7%)
05/14  Magneto #4 – 33,070  ( -6.9%)
06/14  Magneto #5 – 32,837  ( -0.7%)
07/14  Magneto #6 – 32,675  ( -0.5%)
07/14  Magneto #7 – 31,001  ( -5.1%)
08/14  Magneto #8 – 29,727  ( -4.1%)
09/14  Magneto #9 – 31,563  (  6.2%)(Axis)
09/14  Magneto #10– 30,769  ( -2.5%)(Axis)
10/14  Magneto #11– 31,642  (  2.8%)(Axis)
11/14  Magneto #12– 30,107  ( -4.9%)(Axis)
12/14  Magneto #13– 27,418  ( -8.9%)
01/15  Magneto #14- 26,306  (- 4.1%)
02/15  Magneto #15- 24,052  (- 8.6%)

Since issue #2: -32.8%

The series is supposed to end during Secret Wars, with the Last Days banner. The sales evolution of late would agree with this decision but, from all the solo X-Men titles launched recently, this is the most successful, with the most difficult subject. This one would deserve a little more rope or…sigh…a relaunch (I can’t believe I just said that!).

94- MOON KNIGHT
  
12/11  Moon Knight v4 #8  -  24,626  
---
03/14  Moon Knight v5 #1  -  58,022 (  --- ) [7,266]
04/14  Moon Knight v5 #2  -  40,885 (-29.5%) [3,621]
05/14  Moon Knight v5 #3  -  42,607 (  4.2%)
06/14  Moon Knight v5 #4  -  40,348 ( -5.3%)
07/14  Moon Knight v5 #5  -  38,630 ( -4.3%)
08/14  Moon Knight v5 #6  -  37,646 ( -2.5%)
09/14  Moon Knight v5 #7  -  35,630 ( -5.4%)
10/14  Moon Knight v5 #8  -  32,434 ( -9.0%)
11/14  Moon Knight v5 #9  -  28,739 (-11.4%)
12/14  Moon Knight v5 #10 -  26,633 ( -7.3%)
01/15  Moon Knight v5 #11 -  24,464 ( -8.1%)
02/15  Moon Knight v5 #12 -  23,486 ( -4.0%)
---
Since issue #2: -42.6%

Changing writer every arc is not the best solution to keep your readers, especially on a character in need of a firm characterization like Moon Knight. The third arc begins next month with Cullen Bunn replacing Brian Wood : difficult in those conditions to give to this volume a clear and specific identity.

97,107,114,115- ALL NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA FEAR HIM Ltd

02/15 Captain America Fear Him Ltd 1 of 4 – 22,451
02/15 Captain America Fear Him Ltd 2 of 4 – 19,969 (-11.1%)
02/15 Captain America Fear Him Ltd 3 of 4 – 19,090 (- 4.4%)
02/15 Captain America Fear Him Ltd 4 of 4 – 18,961 (- 0.7%)

Since issue #2: -5.0%

It’s not written in the solicitation text, but this online Infinite Comics was storyboarded by Geoffo & Mast, two very talented French artists, who are hard at work on a bunch of Infinity Comics. This print edition sells rather well, seeing that Marvel dropped this all in one month without any mention of where it comes from. In those conditions, why would people bother to buy this instead of the TPB collection? Marvel really needs to find something to advertise specifically those print editions of online comics.

98- CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE MIGHTY AVENGERS

09/14  Mighty Avengers v2 #14 - 21,516  ( -4.3%)
10/14  ---
11/14  Cap & M. Avengers  #1  - 60,206  (179.8%)
11/14  Cap & M. Avengers  #2  - 34,428  (-42.8%)
12/14  Cap & M. Avengers  #3  - 28,744  (-16.5%)
01/15  Cap & M. Avengers  #4  - 25,352  (-11.8%)
02/15  Cap & M. Avengers  #5  - 22,246  (-12.3%)
---
Since issue #2: -35.4%

Still losing readers by a truckload, and an amazing cover by Sanford Greene, it’s nice to see him working at Marvel!

99- SILVER SURFER

03/14  Silver Surfer v7 #1 -  64,919  (  --- )[2,757]
04/14  Silver Surfer v7 #2 -  39,132  (-39.7%)
06/14  Silver Surfer v7 #3 -  36,075  ( -7.8%)
07/14  Silver Surfer v7 #4 -  32,747  ( -9.2%)
08/14  Silver Surfer v7 #5 -  31,125  ( -5.0%)
10/14  Silver Surfer v7 #6 -  28,052  ( -9.9%)
11/14  Silver Surfer v7 #7 -  25,759  ( -8.2%)
---
01/15 Silver Surfer #8 -  23,420 (-9.1%)
02/15 Silver Surfer #9 -  21,716 (-7.3%)

Since issue #2: -44.5%

The trend is hella clear: with a sale trajectory like that, this title can’t survive and is scheduled to end during Secret Wars with the Last Days banner.

109- PUNISHER

02/14  Punisher v10 #1  – 54,558  (   --- )
02/14  Punisher v10 #2  – 31,709  ( -41.9%)
03/14  Punisher v10 #3  – 29,636  (  -5.6%)
04/14  Punisher v10 #4  – 28,435  (  -5.0%)
05/14  Punisher v10 #5  – 27,471  (  -3.4%)
06/14  Punisher v10 #6  – 26,606  (  -3.1%)
06/14  Punisher v10 #7  – 26,192  (  -1.6%)
07/14  Punisher v10 #8  – 25,957  (  -0.9%)
08/14  Punisher v10 #9  – 25,876  (  -0.3%)
09/14  Punisher v10 #10 – 23,680  (  -8.5%)
10/14  Punisher v10 #11 – 28,710  (  21.2%)
11/14  Punisher v10 #12 – 21,785  ( -24.1%)
12/14  Punisher v10 #13 – 21,248  (  -2.5%)
01/15  Punisher v10 #14 – 21,382  (+ 0.4%)
02/15  Punisher v10 #15 – 19,825  (- 7.3%)

Since issue #2: -37.5%

This volume is scheduled to be cancelled during Secret Wars, with the Last Days banner. Nothing to worry about. Marvel will probably try to put someone else in the costume to bring readers back to it and attract attention.

101- BLACK WIDOW

01/14  Black Widow #1  - 53,879
01/14  Black Widow #2  - 31,260  ( -42.0%)
02/14  Black Widow #3  – 28,127  ( -10.0%)
03/14  Black Widow #4  – 27,378  (  -2.7%)
04/14  Black Widow #5  – 27,055  (  -1.2%)
05/14  Black Widow #6  – 26,136  (  -3.4%)
06/14  Black Widow #7  – 25,423  (  -2.7%)
07/14  Black Widow #8  – 24,555  (  -3.4%)
08/14  Black Widow #9  – 24,885  (   1.3%)
09/14  Black Widow #10 – 23,687  (  -4.8%)
10/14  Black Widow #11 – 23,922  (   1.0%)
11/14  Black Widow #12 – 22,971  (  -4.0%)
12/14  Black Widow #13 – 21,444  (  -6.6%)
01/15  Black Widow #14 – 20,292  ( - 5,4%)
02/15  Black Widow #15 – 20,581  ( + 1.4%)

Since issue #2: -34.2%

No variant cover, nothing specific that could explain this little bump. Anyway, it’s too late, the tile will stop during Secret wars, with the Last Days banner.

105- SHE-HULK

12/12  Red She-Hulk #60- 20,798
---
02/14  She-Hulk #1     - 41,921  (  --- )[3,270]
03/14  She-Hulk #2     - 26,675  (-36.3%)
04/14  She-Hulk #3     - 27,398  (  2.7%)
05/14  She-Hulk #4     - 25,543  ( -6.8%)
06/14  She-Hulk #5     - 24,736  ( -3.2%)
07/14  She-Hulk #6     - 23,562  ( -3.2%)
08/14  She-Hulk #7     - 22,883  ( -2.9%)
09/14  She-Hulk #8     - 21,349  ( -6.7%)
10/14  She-Hulk #9     - 21,418  (  0.3%)
11/14  She-Hulk #10    - 20,188  ( -5.7%)
12/14  She-Hulk #11    - 19,095  ( -5.4%)
---
02/15 She-Hulk #12     – 20,364   (+6.6%) END

Since issue #2: -23.7%

That’s a wrap. The Ally McBeal approach to Ms Hulk is working (people stayed with the title, check this nice -23.7% decline since issue#2) but it doesn’t attract enough people to begin with. It would be nice to see her again with this approach once every year with a mini-series.

106- AVENGERS WORLD

01/14  Avengers World #2 – 53,693
...
05/14  Avengers World #6 – 28,969  ( -6.9%)
06/14  Avengers World #7 – 27,854  ( -3.8%)
06/14  Avengers World #8 – 26,912  ( -3.4%)
07/14  Avengers World #9 – 24,771  ( -8.0%)
07/14  Avengers World #10– 24,196  ( -2.3%)
08/14  Avengers World #11– 23,493  ( -2.9%)
09/14  Avengers World #12– 22,375  ( -4.8%)
09/14  Avengers World #13– 21,599  ( -3.5%)
10/14  Avengers World #14– 21,095  ( -2.3%)
11/14  Avengers World #15– 27,139  ( 28.7%)(Axis)
12/14  Avengers World #16– 20,853  (-23.2%)(Axis)
---
02/15  Avengers World #17– 20,228  (-3.0%)

Since issue #2: -62.3%

This one will probably never come back from Secret Wars. It stabilized, but way too low for an Avengers title.

112- CAPTAIN MARVEL
  
11/13  Captain Marvel v6 #17 - 18,173  (-20.5%)
12/13  ---
01/14  ---
02/14  ---
03/14  Captain Marvel v7 #1  - 44,248  
04/14  Captain Marvel v7 #2  - 28,008 (-36.7%)
05/14  Captain Marvel v7 #3  - 26,057 ( -7.0%)
06/14  Captain Marvel v7 #4  - 24,062 ( -7.7%)
07/14  Captain Marvel v7 #5  - 23,666 ( -1.6%)
08/14  Captain Marvel v7 #6  - 21,221 (-10.3%)
09/14  Captain Marvel v7 #7  - 21,022 ( -0.9%)
10/14  Captain Marvel v7 #8  - 20,692 ( -1.6%)
11/14  Captain Marvel v7 #9  - 19,885 ( -3.9%)
12/14  Captain Marvel v7 #10 - 19,973 (  0.4%)
01/15  Captain Marvel v7 #11 – 19,527 ( -2,2%)
02/15  Captain Marvel v7 #12 – 19,199 ( -1.7%)
---
Since issue #2: -31.5%

The relaunch kept the title for one year above the cancellation zone before it reached it again. Turning it into a kind of female Blackhawk series will perhaps have the same effect, if not better.

113- NOVA

12/13  Nova v5 #11 - 27,982  (-14.5%)
01/14  Nova v5 #12 - 25,043  ( -10.5%)
02/14  Nova#13.Now – 26,147  (   4.4%)
03/14  Nova v5 #14 – 23,459  ( -10.3%)
03/14  Nova v5 #15 – 22,996  (  -2.0%)
04/14  Nova v5 #16 – 22,020  (  -4.2%)
05/14  Nova v5 #17 – 21,652  (  -1.7%)
06/14  Nova v5 #18 – 25,875  (  19.5%) O.S. Tie-In
07/14  Nova v5 #19 – 24,580  (  -5.0%) O.S. Tie-In
08/14  Nova v5 #20 – 24,377  (  -0.8%) O.S. Tie-In
09/14  Nova v5 #21 – 22,338  (  -8.4%)
10/14  Nova v5 #22 – 22,485  (   0.7%) 
11/14  Nova v5 #23 – 21,706  (  -3.5%)(Axis) 
11/14  Nova v5 #24 – 21,575  (  -0.6%)(Axis)
12/14  Nova v5 #25 – 21,805  (   1.1%)(Axis) 
01/15  Nova v5 #26 – 19,639  (  -9.9%)
02/15  Nova v5 #27 – 19,168  (  -2.4%)

Here is a title where Marvel should perhaps ignore its cancellation zone and keep it going, seeing as it holds it sales levels quite well, especially since Marvel has been searching for a winning formula for this character for decades.

117- LOKI,AGENT OF ASGARD

02/14  Loki #1 -  41,921  (  --- )
03/14  Loki #2 -  27,968  ( -33.3%)
04/14  Loki #3 -  27,472  (  -1.8%)[2,269]
05/14  Loki #4 -  26,012  (  -7.0%)
06/14  Loki #5 -  24,794  (  -4.7%)
09/14  Loki #6 -  25,131  (   1.4%)(Axis)
10/14  Loki #7 -  25,430  (   1.2%)(Axis)
11/14  Loki #8 -  23,333  (  -8.2%)(Axis)
12/14  Loki #9 -  21,697  (  -7.0%)(Axis)
01/15  Loki #10-  19,856  ( - 8.5%)
02/15  Loki #11-  18,623  ( - 6.2%)
---
Since issue #2: -33.4%

Loki is scheduled to be cancelled during the Secret Wars, seeing that it will feature the Last Days banner. The series had some difficulty keeping its readers but managed to sell at a nice level for such an unusual series.

119- GUARDIANS 3000

10/14  Guardians 3000 #1  -  58,574  (---)
11/14  Guardians 3000 #2  -  34,467  (-41.2%)
12/14  Guardians 3000 #3  -  25,509  (-26.0%)
01/15  Guardians 3000 #4  -  20,318  (-20.3%)
02/15  Guardians 3000 #5  -  18,155  (-10.6%)

Since issue #2: -47.3%

One variant cover doesn’t change the fact that the title is already in the cancellation zone after only 5 issues. Seeing that the Guardians of Galaxy brand is at its maximum hype, don’t expect another Guardians of Galaxy ongoing series featuring the old cast before long, seeing how this one tanked! That’s quite sad.

 122- BUCKY BARNES WINTER SOLDIER 

05/14  Winter Soldier Bitter March #4 -  19,930  
---
10/14  Bucky Barnes: Winter Solder #1 -  47,471  
11/14  Bucky Barnes: Winter Solder #2 -  32,409  (-31.7%)
---
01/15 Bucky Barnes Winter Soldier #3 -  22,125 (-31,7%)
01/15 Bucky Barnes Winter Soldier #4 -  19,280 (-12,9%)
02/15 Bucky Barnes Winter Soldier #5 -  17,647 (- 8.5%)

Since issue #2: -45.5%

This series is scheduled to be cancelled during Secret Wars (it has the Last Days banner), no surprise here.

123- Nightcrawler

12/04  Nightcrawler #3 – 31,437
---
04/14  Nightcrawler #1 – 49,426
05/14  Nightcrawler #2 – 35,356 (-28.5%)
06/14  Nightcrawler #3 – 31,743 (-10.2%)
07/14  Nightcrawler #4 – 27,990 (-11.8%)
08/14  Nightcrawler #5 – 25,627 ( -8.4%)
09/14  Nightcrawler #6 – 23,921 ( -6.7%)
10/14  Nightcrawler #7 – 23,379 ( -2.3%)
11/14  Nightcrawler #8 – 21,845 ( -6.6%)
12/14  Nightcrawler #9 – 20,317 ( -7.0%)
01/15  Nightcrawler #10- 18,832 (-7.3%)
02/15  Nightcrawler #11- 17,620 (-6.4%)

Since issue #2: -50.2%

One more issue to go and Chris Claremont will once again be without a monthly at Marvel. It would have been nice to see him on Spider-Woman, seeing the awesome job he did on the tile in the 80’s.

125- X-FORCE

01/14  X-Force v5 #17 - 27,319  ( -1.4%)
02/14  X-Force v6 #1  - 47,427  ( 73.6%)
03/14  X-Force v6 #2  - 33,079  (-30.3%)
04/14  X-Force v6 #3  - 29,541  (-10.7%)
04/14  X-Force v6 #4  - 28,067  ( -5.0%)
05/14  X-Force v6 #5  - 26,215  ( -6.6%)
06/14  X-Force v6 #6  - 24,358  ( -7.1%)
07/14  X-Force v6 #7  - 23,675  ( -2.8%)
08/14  X-Force v6 #8  - 22,299  ( -5.8%)
09/14  X-Force v6 #9  - 21,263  ( -4.6%)
10/14  X-Force v6 #10 - 20,539  ( -3.4%)
10/14  X-Force v6 #11 - 20,308  ( -1.1%)
11/14  X-Force v6 #12 - 19,369  ( -4.6%)
12/14  X-Force v6 #13 - 18,759  ( -3.1%)
01/15  X-Force v6 #14 – 17,576  (-6.3%)
02/15  X-Force v6 #15 – 17,332  (-1.4%)   END
---
Since issue #2: -47.6%

It’s time to forget the name X-Force ever existed.

132- Iron Fist: Living Weapon
  
04/14  Iron Fist LW #1 -  53,613 (  --- )[2,350]
05/14  Iron Fist LW #2 -  33,643 ( -37.2%)
06/14  Iron Fist LW #3 -  29,816 ( -11.4%)
07/14  Iron Fist LW #4 -  26,147 ( -12.3%)
08/14  Iron Fist LW #5 -  24,178 (  -7.5%)
09/14  Iron Fist LW #6 -  21,926 (  -9.3%)
10/14  ---
11/14  ---
12/14  Iron Fist LW #7 -  19,526 ( -10.9%)
01/15  Iron Fist LW #8 -  17,676 ( -9.5%)
02/15  Iron Fist LW #9 -  16,413 (- 7.1%)

Since issue #2: -51.2%

More than half the people who read issue #2 are gone….Kaare Andrews graphic approach is not targeted to a large audience, it’s rather radical, but it can’t be the only explanation for this: there was probably a better way to put this maxi-series into the light, for example by selling it with a better package (quality paper on the cover for example), to make it count.

134- OPERATION SIN 

01/15 Operation Sin #1 of 5 -  26,732
02/15 Operation Sin #2 of 5 -  16,240 (-39.2%)

Ouch, that’s pretty steep for a mini-series. We are back at what I would have expected a non-superhero Marvel mini-series to sell, even tied to Agent Carter

135- SECRET AVENGERS

02/14  Secret Avengers v2 #16 – 20,022  (  -0.2%)
03/14  Secret Avengers v3 #1  - 34,036  (  70.0%)
04/14  Secret Avengers v3 #2  - 24,724  ( -27.4%)
05/14  Secret Avengers v3 #3  - 22,860  (  -7.5%)
06/14  Secret Avengers v3 #4  - 21,335  (  -6.7%)
07/14  Secret Avengers v3 #5  - 20,088  (  -5.8%)
07/14  Secret Avengers v3 #6  - 19,435  (  -3.3%)
08/14  Secret Avengers v3 #7  - 20,017  (   3.0%)
09/14  Secret Avengers v3 #8  - 18,680  (  -6.7%)
10/14  Secret Avengers v3 #9  - 18,974  (   1.6%)
11/14  Secret Avengers v3 #10 - 17,652  (  -7.0%)
12/14  Secret Avengers v3 #11 - 17,109  (  16.5%)
01/15  Secret Avengers v3 #12 – 16,525  (  -3.4%)
02/15  Secret Avengers v3 #13 – 16,159  (  -2.2%)

Since issue #2: -34.6%

2 more issues to go. This one has a very funny Tradd Moore cover with M.O.D.O.K. asking for help to tie his huge headband!

143- CYCLOPS

05/14  Cyclops #1 – 47,468
06/14  Cyclops #2 – 31,132 ( -34.4%)
07/14  Cyclops #3 – 25,925 ( -16.7%)
08/14  Cyclops #4 – 23,305 ( -16.7%)
09/14  Cyclops #5 – 21,874 (  -6.1%)
10/14  Cyclops #6 – 20,115 (  -8.0%)
11/14  Cyclops #7 – 18,371 (  -8.7%)
12/14  Cyclops #8 – 17,146 (  -6.7%)
01/15  Cyclops #9 – 16,287 (  -5.0%)
02/15  Cyclops #10- 15,091 (  -7.3%)

Since issue #2: -51.5%

Marvel said that this title will only be on hiatus during Secret Wars and will come back. I can’t believe it and expect that they will forget it and never let it come back. More than half the debut readers are gone.

145 – MARVELS ANT-MAN PRELUDE

02/15 Marvels Ant-Man Prelude – 14,971

Seeing how poorly it was advertised, this prequel to the upcoming Ant-Man movie sold what it deserved. Too bad, that was one of the scarce $2.99 comics at Marvel.

150- MIRACLE MAN

01/14  Miracleman #1  - 52,313
01/14  Miracleman #2  - 36,927  ( -29.4%)
02/14  Miracleman #3  – 25,970  ( -32.6%)  
03/14  Miracleman #4  – 23,557  (  -9.3%)
04/14  ---
05/14  Miracleman #5  – 22,399  (  -4.9%)
05/14  Miracleman #6  – 20,598  (  -8.0%)
06/14  Miracleman #7  – 19,123  (  -7.2%)
07/14  Miracleman #8  – 17,654  (  -7.7%)
08/14  Miracleman #9  – 16,466  (  -6.7%)
09/14  Miracleman #10 – 15,409  (  -6.4%)
10/14  Miracleman #11 – 14,824  (  -3.8%)
10/14  Miracleman #12 – 14,634  (  -1.3%)
11/14  Miracleman #13 – 14,155  (  -3.3%)
---
01/15 Miracle Man #14 -  14,024 (-0.9%)
02/15 Miracle Man #15 -  14,548 (+3.7%)

Since issue #2: -60.6%

Still reprinting old material with bonuses. There are two very nice variant cover artists: Tim Sale and Bill Sienkiewicz, explaining perhaps the sales bump.

152- STORM

07/14  Storm #1 – 47,566
08/14  Storm #2 – 25,268 ( -46.9%)
09/14  Storm #3 – 22,078 ( -12.6%)
10/14  Storm #4 – 19,862 ( -10.0%)
11/14  Storm #5 – 17,999 ( - 9.4%)
12/14  Storm #6 – 17,028 ( - 5.4%)
01/15  Storm #7 – 15,784 ( - 7.3%)
02/15  Storm #8 – 14,155 ( -10.3%)

Since issue #2: -37,5%

As with Cyclops, I don’t believe in the return of this series after Secret Wars. The numbers are just too awful.

156- ALL-NEW INVADERS

12/04  Invaders #4           - 23,708  
---
01/14  All-New Invaders  #1  - 55,167
02/14  All-New Invaders  #2  – 32,293  (-41.5%)
03/14  All-New Invaders  #3  – 27,329  (-15.4%)
04/14  All-New Invaders  #4  – 22,927  (-16.1%)
05/14  All-New Invaders  #5  – 21,843  ( -4.7%)
06/14  All-New Invaders  #6  – 23,470  (  7.4%) O.S. Tie-In
07/14  All-New Invaders  #7  – 22,332  ( -4.8%) O.S. Tie-In 
07/14  All-New Invaders  #8  – 19,865  (-11.0%) 
08/14  All-New Invaders  #9  – 18,666  ( -6.0%) 
09/14  All-New Invaders  #10 – 17,821  ( -4.5%) 
10/14  All-New Invaders  #11 – 16,711  ( -6.2%) 
11/14  All-New Invaders  #12 – 15,613  ( -6.6%)
12/14  All-New Invaders  #13 – 14,697  ( -5.9%)
01/15  All-New Invaders  #14 – 13,959  (-5.0%)
02/15  All-New Invaders  #15 – 13,452  (-3.6%)  END

Since issue #2: -58.3%

Not even the final issue or the promise to learn the final fate of Hairball the cat were able to bring more readers to this title. It was really time to pull the trigger….

169- ALL NEW GHOST RIDER

03/14  All New Ghost Rider  #1  -  50,072 (  --- )[2,567]
04/14  All New Ghost Rider  #2  -  29,429 (-41.2%)
05/14  All New Ghost Rider  #3  -  27,756 ( -5.7%)
06/14  All New Ghost Rider  #4  -  24,627 (-11.3%)
07/14  All New Ghost Rider  #5  -  21,820 (-11.4%)
08/14  All New Ghost Rider  #6  -  20,679 ( -5.2%)
09/14  All New Ghost Rider  #7  -  18,718 ( -9.5%)
10/14  All New Ghost Rider  #8  -  17,907 ( -4.3%)
11/14  All New Ghost Rider  #9  -  15,566 (-13.1%)
---
01/15 All New Ghost Rider #10 -  13,866 (-10.9%)
02/15 All New Ghost Rider #11 -  12,490 (- 9.9%)

Since issue #2: -57.6%

Marvel completely failed to attract attention to this volume. Times are difficult for the old vigilante glories of the 90’s (X-force, Punisher and Ghost Rider). This title will shift to a Mad Max variation during Secret Wars.

174- DEATHLOK

12/09 Deathlok #2 – 14,059
---
10/14 Deathlok #1 – 43,991
11/14 Deathlok #2 – 20,883 ( -52.5%)
12/14 Deathlok #3 – 18,112 ( -13.3%)
01/15 Deathlok #4 – 14,498 (-20.0%)
02/15 Deathlok #5 – 12,053 (-16.9%)

Since issue #2: -42.3%

The first arc draws to a close. I don’t expect the series to go further than the second arc. It has been a complete disaster sales wise. Another old vigilante from the 90’s who can’t manage to come back!

175- MU GUARDIANS OF GALAXY

02/15 MU guardians of Galaxy #1 – 12,047 

I’m not following Marvel TV and movie deals but this ongoing series was supposed to show comics adaptations of an upcoming Disney XD Guardians of the Galaxy anime series. But this comics adaptation is already cancelled with its 4th issue, and it’s not because of its sales level. So what happened?

191- MEN OF WRATH

10/14  Men of Wrath #1 of 5–  20,927
11/14  Men of Wrath #2 of 5–  13,484 (-35.6%)
12/14  Men of Wrath #3 of 5–  11,839 (-12.2%)
01/15  Men of Wrath #4 of 5 – 10,367 (-12.4%)
02/15  Men of Wrath #5 of 5 – 10,168 (- 1.9%)

Not bad for a title that a lot of people don’t even know is published by Marvel. There is an Alex Ross variant cover.

211- UNITED STATES OF MURDER INC

05/14 Murder Inc #1  -  18,474  (  --- )
06/14 Murder Inc #2  -  13,561  (-26.6%)
07/14 Murder Inc #3  -  11,444  (-15.6%)
08/14 Murder Inc #4  -  10,419  ( -9.0%)
09/14 Murder Inc #5  -   9,729  ( -6.6%)
---
---
---
---
02/15 Murder Inc #6 -  8,284    (-14.7%)

Since issue #2: -38.9%

Is Marvel really the best place for Bendis and Oeming to sell their creator owned comics? I don’t know if they have any say in the matter, but advertising the new volume of Powers and Murder Inc. as monthlies is also perhaps not the best move, as they can never keep the pace. Wouldn’t it be better to have them as bimonthly? And guess what, the new volume of Powers is already late. Issue #3 was supposed to come out in February, issue #2 was still not out in February… They would for sure sell more at any other major publisher. The competition between creator owned books is at its peak right now, any scheduling trouble can be disastrous for sales.

223- EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE

09/14  Edge of Spider-Verse #2  - 62,120  [+7,705]

Look who’s there! The first appearance of Spider-Gwen! It sold again nicely with a new printing, making this issue the best selling one of this Spider-verse mini-series (issue#1 sold 59,237 copies at the time). Will it also have the power to sell floppy collections of really old classic Gwen Stacy storylines from Amazing Spider-Man? I’m sure we’ll soon find out!

 

NEW TPB SALES FOR THE FEBRUARY SOLICITATIONS

I’ll put an indicator of $ cents per page, as some TPB really are a bargain, and other not. Of course, HC will have a higher price per page, but can still be compared one to another. So far, you can say that the maximum price per page for Marvel for a floppy is 19 cents a page.

Floppies are at such a poor production quality right now at Marvel (no cover, ads in the middle of the story, for mostly $4 for 20 pages of art) that I won’t bother looking back to find the total price of what was collected in each TPB. When you purchase a Marvel TPB, you have a cover, no ads and bonus content, often with some of the variant covers. So let’s them have their own value.

13.2 cents a page seems to be the standard price for small collections (under 200 p) right now.
Huge softcover collections are under 10 cents a page.

ROCKET RACOON VOL.1 HC
136p $25, $ per page: 18.3 cents
Since February 2015:  3,016


That's a good sign of the popularity of Rocket Raccoon and of Skottie Young cartoony approach to it.

SPIDER-MAN 2099 VOL.1 TPB
120p, $18, $ per page: 15.0 cents
Since February 2015: 2,556

AVENGERS & X-MEN AXIS HC
240p, $50, $ per page: 20.8 cents
Since February 2015: 2,554

DAREDEVIL VOL.2 TPB
144p, $20, $ per page: 13.9 cents 
Since February 2015: 2,098


If the floppy series didn't put the charts on fire, the collections sell better and I expect them to continue to do so for a long time.

DEATH OF WOLVERINE LOGAN LEGACY TPB
160p, $18, $ per page: 11.3 cents
Since February 2015: 2,011

AXIS CARNAGE AND HOBGOBELIN TPB
136p, $20, $ per page: 14.7 cents
Since February 2015: 1,994

NEW AVENGERS VOL.3 TPB
136p, $20, $ per page: 14.7 cents
Since February 2015: 1,656 

X-MEN VOL.4 TPB
112p, $18, $ per page: 16.1 cents
Since February 2015: 1,592 

STORM VOL.1 TPB
112p, $16, $ per page: 14.3 cents
Since February 2015: 1,542 

Eh, that's actually quite good! But god, what an awful name for a Storm tpb: Make it Rain. Thank god, the series will not live long, if not I can't imagine the other funny weather titles we would have to endure!

AVENGERS TIME RUNS OUT VOL.2 HC
112p, $25, $ per page: 22.3 cents
Since February 2015: 1,375

INHUMANITY TPB
360p, $35, $ per page: 9.7 cents
Since February 2015: 1,360

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN WHO AM I HC
168p, $25, $ per page: 14.9 cents
Since February 2015: 1,356

The cheapest HC of the month, by far! This is the collection of the Spider-Man Who Am I online Infinite comics, partially released during the free comic book Day. Geoffo and Mast, two French artists hard at work on a lot of Marvel online comics did the storyboard for this. Well done, guys, it sold well!

DARK TOWER DRAWING OF THREE TPB
136p, $20: 14.7 cents
Since February 2015: 1,313

This one will sell way better in bookstores.

UNCANNY AVENGERS OMNIBUS HC
672p, $100, $ per page: 14.9 cents
Since February 2015: 1,160

OZ EMERALD CITY OF OZ TPB
120p, $20, $ per page: 16.7 cents
Since February 2015: 1,139

AVENGERS WORLD VOL.3 TPB
160p, $20, $ per page: 12.5 cents
Since February 2015: 1,111

INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK VOL.3 TPB
144 p, $20, $ per page: 13.9 cents
Since February 2015: 1,099

CIVIL WAR NEW WARRIORS TPB
144p, $20, $ per page: 13.9 cents
Since February 2015: 1,034

Collecting for the first time the mini-séries New Warriors sold during Civil War.

BLACK PANTHER WHO IS THE BLACK PANTHER TPB
200p, $25, $ per page: 12.5 cents
Since February 2015: 1,025

This collects again the first 6 issues of the old Black Panther series which launched with Romita Jr on art + some old stuff.

DEXTER TPB
120p, $20, $ per page: 16.7 cents
Since February 2015: 1,020

THOR EPIC COLLECTION TO WAKE MANGOG
456p, $35, $ per page: 0,77 cents
Since February 2015: 1007

Those Epic Collection really have an amazing value per page, two times less than a classic tpb!

SAVAGE WOLVERINE VOL.3 TPB
136p, $20, $ per page: 14.7 cents
Since February 2015: 970

SPIDER-MAN 2099 CLASSIC VOL. 3 TPB
296 p, $35, $ per page: 11.8 cents
Since February 2015: 943

DEATHLOK TPB RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE 
$35 456P, $ per page: 7.7 cents    
Since January 2015: 1 256  [+535]

Once again, best bargain of the month and it sold again at 2/3 of its first month sales, going over the 1,000 line. It collects the Joe Casey & Leonarod Manco  Marvel Tech series and plenty of other stuff.

SECRET SERVICE TP  
160p, $13, $ per page: 8.1 cents
Since January 2015:  1,551 [+464]

ULTIMATE X-MEN ULTIMATE COLLECTION BOOK 5 TPB
312p, $35, $ per page: 11.2 cents
Since February 2015: 457

 

Thanks for reading until the end! Hope to see you next time. Feel free to comment!