Marvel Month-to-Month Sales January 2015: From Star Wars to Secret Wars

by Xavier Lancel 

Welcome to my first analysis of the Marvel sales. If you think I have a weird way to express myself, that’s because I’m French. I’m the editor of one of the oldest printed magazine about US comics, Scarce, published in France since 1983. A decade ago, I used to make a monthly analysis of the indie charts for a French forum so I hope I’ll adequatly fill the void created by Jason’s departure from the Marvel charts. No big changes at the horizon, but I have decided to try to give fewer figures but to give more meaning to the ones I will feature. So that you will not take that for laziness on my part, from now on I will also feature Marvel TPB sales: this way, we’ll see which series sell well in paperback compared to his floppy sales. We’ll start slowly only with the new releases from the January solicitations and then each month, I’ll add the sales for each paperback. That should provide some new insight on the Marvel sales.

Reminder: those sales are estimates. Most of what I’m saying is like predicting the future and the course of planets with a screening glass, so don’t take it too seriously.

Grab a coffee, some sweeties and let’s plunge into numbers magic forest!

Keep in mind that not only are those estimates, but it’s only sales to comics shops situed in North America. American comics do get sold somewhere else in the world in their original floppy editions and, seeing the really low numbers on some titles, it DOES make a difference.

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. With the variant cover craziness, some shops will not be bothered if they have extra copies, they’ll sell them at a higher price later or use them as entrance point for people wanting to try a new title without paying for a whole paperback.

The most radical change is that my long-term % comparison will be with the issue #2 of a title, not the #1 because they don’t reflect readers numbers at all. At least, with issue 2, you have a better grasp at who really wants to read the story. Call me old fashioned, but I like comics for what’s inside!

Finally, Marvel is making it hard for me to start, as its whole line will be changed during Secret Wars, perhaps never to go back to the old titles. So please excuse me if I’m not aware of breaking news which impacts what I wrote.

Finally, when I’m using bad words about a title, it’s not about the quality of the product (unless I make that clear), it’s only about its sales trajectory. I love comics, and most of the titles I like are poor sellers or don’t have a nice sales trajectory. That’s life. So I hope I will not hurt any feeling of artists stopping by: I love you guys and hope you’ll make tons of money and sell like crazy!

Thanks as always to ICV2.com and Milton Griepp for their permission to use these figures and to the french comics shop Comics Zone in Lyon for using their previews catalogs.

1. STAR WARS

01/15 stars Wars #1 -  985,976 

With a $4.99 cover price, that’s a lot of money. Marvel should be very happy about it. But let me be less enthusiastic: remember that those numbers are not the copies sold to the customers, but sold to stores. With tons of variants, the promise that the Star Wars franchise will be more present than ever in theaters, TV, toys…, those shops are more than tempted to buy way more issues than they’re gonna sell. So, Marvel did sell many copies, but the real test for the Star Wars franchise will be in 6 months and then in something like two years: will they be able to do something as good with the franchise as Dark Horse did ?

3, 4. 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  ( -14.2%)
11/14  Amazing v3 #10 - 100,899  ( -14.2%)
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%)
---
Since issue #2: -16,8%

Sales continue to stick above 100k. Only one more month to go before the end of the Spider-verse main storyline.

5. 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

That’s disappointing, to say the least. Seeing those numbers, it’s clear that there is a multiple relaunch fatigue going on, especially with the multiple Avengers titles. This title has been already falsely relaunched 9 months ago, under the Marvel Now banner. With a real new issue #1, it’s only selling 11,000 issues more. With 5 variant covers, expect it to end up very quickly at the same level where the previous series ended up, if not below 50k.

6, 25, 27,32. 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%)

Since issue #2: -8,7%

A weekly Wolverines-like character series selling between 40k and 30k would be perfectly ok for Marvel, seeing that Wolverine is just not the top seller he was before. The -5,4% shouldn’t worry you too much, as this issue made it to the stores on the last week of the month.

7. ANT-MAN 

01/15 Ant-Man #1 – 73,370

That’s a pretty good starting selling point for an Ant-Man series, especially since it’s a slightly oversized $4.99 issue. There is the usual crowd of variant covers. Still, a novelty appeared. I don’t know if it should make us cry or laugh: the shrinking numbered variant cover, which, for each of them, the Ant-Man character drawn on it has a unique size… I can’t wait for the slightly-fading variant covers for a Shadowcat series!

8. 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%)

Since issue #2: -22,0%

It’s still a little too early to tell where this one is gonna go but its sales level is quite high so far. I would have expected a sales bump with this male VS female Thor issue. Did you check how awesome this male Thor by Russel Dauterman on the cover is? Big nipples, hairy chest, it was time for Thor to enter the realm of masculine hairy guys!

12. ALL-NEW X-MEN

12/12  All-New X-Men #3  -  83,798  
---
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%)

Lowest level so far for the X-Men locomotive. It’s quite funny that it’s the only proudly standing title with the All-New appellation, yet at the same time the one who specifically doesn’t deserve it, since it features old versions of its characters! Where will it go once Brian Bendis will be done? That’s the question.

13. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

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%)

Guardians of the Galaxy is the new Avengers. This series keep staying well above 50k, making babies every other month. There is clearly a ”movie” effect on this one, as we will see below.

16, 83. CAPTAIN AMERICA

02/14  Capt AmericaV7 #16.Now – 36,534  (   9.3%)
02/14  Captain America v7 #17 – 33,312  (  -8.8%)
03/14  Captain America v7 #18 – 33,642  (   1.0%)
04/14  Captain America v7 #19 – 34,420  (   2.3%)
05/14  Captain America v7 #20 – 30,341  (  -9.3%)
06/14  Captain America v7 #21 – 30,427  (   0.3%)
07/14  Captain America v7 #22 – 34,563  (  13.6%)
08/14  Captain America v7 #23 – 30,927  ( -10.5%)
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%)

Since issue #2: -0,1%

Will the real Captain America please stand up? With this very nice -0,1% percentage, it seems that Steve Wilson could replace our good old Cap…before he returns in another title, so that you will buy one more Captain America series (there are 3 so far this month with Captain America & the Mighty Avengers and Bucky Barnes Winter Soldier)

17. SPIDER-VERSE

11/14 Spider-Verse #1 of 2 – 71,232
12/14 ---
01/15 Spider-Verse #2 of  2 -  49,044 (-31,5%)

That’s a big drop for a scheduled 2-part anthology. Still, very good numbers.

18. UNCANNY X-MEN

12/11 Uncanny X-Men #3     - 64,112
---
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%)

Same punition than All New X-Men, as this serie drops to his lowest level. Trouble is, the Uncanny brand, which was connected to the X-Men history, has no meaning anymore. Which X-Men title is supposed to be the main one? That’s a mystery, and the title adjectives don’t help at all.

19, 41. AVENGERS

12/11  Avengers v4 #20 –  57,145
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%)

09/14  Avengers v5 #34.1 -  45,942  ( -15.6%)
01/15  Avengers v5 #34.2 -  38,078   (-17,1%)

This “.” Numbering is just plain silly. The result is not only that you get a poor seller, but that people buying their issues afterwards, will never know they missed a bunch of issues, as they go from issue 34 to 35, like any logical person would do. We have a bunch of new “old New Universe characters” in this one. I’ve got a future title idea for Marvel: All-new New Universe! Terrific, no?

26. DEADPOOL
 
12/12  Deadpool v4 #3  -  60,215 
---
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%)

Issue 40 was a special one, taking the form of an educational coloring book. It seems to have attracted readers. After that, it’s back to business as the extra Axis readers leave and the standard attrition kicks back. Nothing to be worried about I suppose.

29- UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL

01/15 Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #1 41,693

Marvel took Ryan North from the successful Adventure Time comics and probably expect that this weird ongoing series, with a character related to no big brand, will turn into a nice all-ages seller in paperback form. More than 40k is not a bad debut that all for such a project, especially since the variant frenzy has cooled down a bit (only 3 variant covers). Marvel seems way less protective of its characters than DC when it comes to parody and humor. The success of Harley Quinn at DC will perhaps change their aim too.

30. NEW AVENGERS

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)

Sales jumps up a bit thanks to the Secret Wars prelude sticker “Times run out.”

34. 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%)

Since issue #2: -30,5%

Rocket Raccoon is still going down faster than it should at this point. However, it is still quite high for such an unusual character.

37. IRON MAN

12/12  Iron Man v6 #4   - 56,708

03/14  Ir. Man #23.NOW  - 43,912  (  51.3%)
04/14  Iron Man v6 #24  - 31,257  ( -28.8%)
05/14  Iron Man v6 #25  - 29,558  (  -5.4%)
05/14  Iron Man v6 #26  - 28,654  (  -3.1%)
06/14  Iron Man v6 #27  - 28,290  (  -1.3%)
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%)

Since issue #2: -9,6%

Marvel is probably really disappointed with the sale level of this one. The Superior effect didn’t work for Iron Man, but at least sales seem to have stabilized and are still some thousands above where they were before.

39. 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)

Since issue #2: -13,8%

Spider-Verse is not over yet and still this one is plunging like there is no tomorrow. It sill hurts to see Spider-Woman who, originally, was one of the most original Marvel female characters (with a temper, so rare!), being reduced visually to a bimbo thanks to Greg Land and silly covers. That’s certainly not the graphic approach I was expecting, especially for her. Let’s hope that the presence of Dennis Hopeless, who did a great job with Avengers Arena, will be enough to make a difference and stop this bleeding.

40,42- 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%)

Since issue #2: -21,1%

This title has stabilized but seeing that it’s currently in a Spider-verse tie-in, this stagnation could hide a severe attrition. It seems scheduled to change into Secret Wars 2099 during Secret Wars.

43. ANGELA: ASGARD’S ASSASSIN

12/14  Angela #1 -  61,398  
01/15  Angela #2 -  36,992  (-39,8%)

Not bad for a character whose original stories most people buying this have never read. It’s nice to see Phil Jimenez back on a mainstream title after all those years. With Wonder Woman, he has already shown that he is a penciller with a respectful graphic approach to female characters.

45. DEADPOOL vs.

04/14  Dpool vs. Carnage #1 of 4 – 57,275 [4,497]
…
06/14  Dpool vs. Carnage #4 of 4 – 47,228  (  1.2%)
07/14  Dpool vs. X-Force #1 - 54,762  ( --- )
...
09/14  Dpool vs. X-Force #4 – 35,748  ( -7.1%)
09/14  Dpool vs. Hawkeye #0 – 42,960  ( 20.2%)
10/14  Dpool vs. Hawkeye #1 – 47,983  ( 11.7%)
11/14  Dpool vs. Hawkeye #2 – 38,120  (-20.6%)
12/14  Dpool vs. Hawkeye #3 – 36,162  ( -5.1%)
01/15  Dpool vs. Hawkeye #4 of 4 – 36,082  (-0,2%)

This mini-series did the job. Expect more to come.

49. SPIDER-MAN & 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%)

See what I told you? Relaunch fatigue. Already relaunched 9 months ago, this one could have aimed higher, since Spider-Man is currently way more popular than Wolverine. Hell, it’s already way below where the previous volume was at the same time. Putting Spider-Man everywhere (after having been an Avenger, now an X-Man?), without considering that his presence is hurting the identity of this X-men book, is perhaps the wrong move…

50. SHIELD 

12/14  SHIELD #1 -  94,503  
01/15  SHIELD #2 -  33,965 (-64,1%)

That’s what you get when most of the #1 copies are not for readers, but for stores to keep in stock, expecting interest from viewers of the TV show, or from collectors of #1 hype variant covers. This issue features the new Ms Marvel. It will be interesting to see if Marvel, with the aid of the TV show, is able to keep a series featuring central non-super powered characters running.

51. THANOS VS HULK 

12/14  Thanos vs Hulk #1  -  39,862  
01/15  Thanos vs Hulk #2  -  33,891 (-15,0%)

Thanos is more the selling point than Hulk for this one, obviously. For such an old school project, that is quite a performance.

55. 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%)

Since issue #2: -25,3%

The fake relaunch didn’t change a thing, Mark Waid & Chris Samnee Daredevil is at the same level than before, except that it cost $1 more per issue for the last 10 months..

56. SPIDER-VERSE TEAM UP

10/14  Spider-Verse Team Up #1  of 3 -  35,449  (---)
11/14  Spider-Verse Team Up #2  of 3 -  34,408  (-2.9%)
01/15  Spider-Verse Team Up #3 of  3  -  31,617 (-8,1%)

Last issue of this Spiderverse tie-in mini-series. It didn’t set the charts on fire but at the same time, Marvel is really asking for our money on every front so, choices have to be made.

61. DEADPOOL’S ART OF WAR

10/14  Deadpool’s Art of War #1 of 4-  42,673  
11/14  Deadpool’s Art of War #2 of 4-  36,707  (-14.0%)
12/14  Deadpool’s Art of War #3 of 4-  33,151  ( -9.7%)
01/15  Deadpool's Art of War #4 of 4 -  30,865  ( -6.9%)

Another Deadpool mini is ending. As long as they keep selling easily above 30k, we’ll keep seeing them regularly.

63. SCARLET SPIDERS

11/14  Scarlet Spiders #1  of 3-  36,281  (---)(Spider-Verse)
12/14  Scarlet Spiders #2  of 3-  29,628  (-18.3%)(Spider-Verse)
01/15  Scarlet Spiders #3  of 3 -  30,262  ( +2,1%)

Was it the promise that one of the Scarlet Spiders will die in this last issue that helped the sales rebound?.

64. 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%)

Since issue #2: -21,2%

Sole survivor of the Ultimate line for the remaining months to come, struggling to stay above the 30k line..

66, 71. 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%)

Since issue #2: -53,3%

The “guess who’s the new Juggernaut” storyline hasn’t attracted readers, to say the least. All those X-men books can’t be told one from the other with their their name: Amazing X-Men could be Amazing X-Men or All New X-men or X-men. Wouldn’t a unique weekly X-men comic be a better choice?

80. 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%)

Since issue #2: -21,1%

Ms. Marvel sales drop a bit after its one month break, but it stays just above the 30k mark. I expect Ms. Marvel will definitely have a home in the new Marvel universe. Curiously, it has the Last Days banner during Secret Wars, suggesting that perhaps this banner is not a cancellation warning sign.

65. FANTASTIC FOUR

12/13  Fantastic Four v5 #15 - 27,610  (  -3.7%)
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%)

Since issue #2: -19,8%

3 more months to go. People are coming back to see who will survive.

67. X-MEN
 
12/12  X-Men v3 #39  -  29,326  
---
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%)

G. Willow Wilson, writer of Ms Marvel takes over the title for one story arc. It slowed down the sales erosion. The X-men brand is really weak right now. This X-Men title is at the sales level its previous volume was, except it reached it way faster, despite the help of a Marvel Now fake relaunch.

73, 85. 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%)

Since issue #2: -32,0%

Ouch! Is reality checking back on the Guardians of the Galaxy brand? 4 books at $3.99 each, with some of them double shipping is probably too much.

75. 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%)

Since issue #2: -32,1%

Both DC (with the Green lantern group of books shrinking) and Marvel see the long term consequences of playing the “same character with different colors” game. This Red hulk VS Green Hulk fight managed at least to stop the bleeding. Apparently the title will be replaced and give birth to Planet Hulk during Secret Wars.

76. OPERATION SIN

01/15 Operation Sin #1 of 5 -  26,732

It will be interesting to see if this espionage-mini will stay above 15k (and let’s dream, 20k!). It is so hard for Marvel to sell anything that is not 100% super-heroes. With the SHIELD TV show success, there is probably a little more interest from readers for this genre. This mini was also mysteriously tied in with the Original Sin event, it probably helped. Good sales!

79. 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%)

Since issue #2: -26,5%

Who would have thought that, among all the solo X-Men series, this one would be the successful one, with all the other tanking very quickly? It’s almost selling the same amount of copies than the adjecttiveless X-Men book! Now, it needs to stabilize saleswise.

80. AVENGERS NO MORE BULLYING

01/15 Avengers no more bullying -  26,164

A very good surprise. Only $1.99 for this extra-size issue (30p of art) featuring three tales involving bullying, one from the point of view of a young boy (involving Spider-Man), another from Hawkeye in the Avengers and the final one from an alien (with the Guardians of Galaxy). Short, clever, effective and educational without being boring! Marvel could have probably sold more if they put more heart to it: the preview solicitation listed no artist, nor the fact that the issue was such a bargain (it should have been 3 times more expensive!). Marcio Takara art on the Spider-Man story is just amazing! Oh, and French penciller Paul Renaud did the main cover, cocorico!

83. 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%)
---
Since issue #2: -26,4%

If Stan Wilson as the new Captain America is to be accepted, thinking that another relaunch (again!) with the addition of his name to the title would help sales was perhaps a bit too optimistic. That’s a disaster, to say the least. TOO MUCH AVENGERS TEAM BOOKS! (It’s scheduled under the Last Days banner during Secret Wars)

86. DEATH OF WOLVERINE: WEAPON X PROGRAM

11/14  DoW: Weapon X Program #1 of 5 - 44,612 
11/14  DoW: Weapon X Program #2 of 5 - 33,143 (-25.7%)
12/14  DoW: Weapon X Program #3 of 5 - 29,355 (-11.4%)
12/14  DoW: Weapon X Program #4 of 5 - 27,979 ( -4.7%)
01/15  DoW: Weapon X Program #5 of 5 – 24,955  (-10.8%)

This mini probably shed more readers than it should have but 25k is not that bad. The moderate success of the Death of Wolverine event will perhaps prevent us from having a major character “killed” every year.

88. 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%)
---
Since issue #2: -40,1%

The original creative team leaving really killed this one. Things would probably not have been that different but with results like this, it probably means that Moon Knight will be put to rest soon for quite some time.

89. 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%)
---
Since issue #2: -41,6%

“All New Young guns” sticker or not, Marvel’s efforts to make X-men fans switch to the Inhumans are not working yet. It’s difficult to make people care for those characters when Mavel used them mostly like puppets (making them constantly move from one location to another for example).

91. 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%)

Since issue #2: -40,2%

Those numbers are not good. The series seems to be scheduled to end with issue 12 with the Last Days banner.

 95, 114- 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%)

Since issue #2: -40,5%

After only 4 issues, it’s back to the level of the previous mini-series. Now it needs to stabilize very quickly if it wants to reach double digit issue number. It’s scheduled with the “last days” label during Secret Wars, not a good sign!

100. PUNISHER

12/04  Punisher v7 #15  – 40,359
12/09  Punisher v8 #12  – 24,985
12/11  Punisher v9 #5   - 23,971
12/12  Pun Warzone #2   - 25,471
---
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%)

Since issue #2: -32,6%

Stabilized. Will Marvel be happy with it and does it want to put the Punisher back in trend with a new twist on the character (and a relaunch of course)? That seems to be the plan as Punisher will have the Last Days label during Secret Wars. Marvel hasn’t turned its attention to him in years.

103,115. ALL-NEW X-FACTOR
  
12/12  X-Factor #249   - 21,211  
---
01/14  X-Factor v4 #1  - 45,727  (
01/14  X-Factor v4 #2  - 32,228  ( -29.5%)
02/14  X-Factor v4 #3  - 29,915  (  -3.2%)
03/14  X-Factor v4 #4  - 27,337  (  -8.6%)
03/14  X-Factor v4 #5  - 26,656  (  -2.5%)
04/14  X-Factor v4 #6  - 26,029  (  -2.4%)
05/14  X-Factor v4 #7  - 24,873  (  -4.4%)
05/14  X-Factor v4 #8  - 24,283  (  -2.4%)
06/14  X-Factor v4 #9  - 23,720  (  -2.3%)
07/14  X-Factor v4 #10 - 22,563  (  -4.9%)
07/14  X-Factor v4 #11 - 22,428  (  -0.6%)
08/14  X-Factor v4 #12 - 21,352  (  -4.8%)
09/14  X-Factor v4 #13 - 20,615  (  -3.5%)
09/14  X-Factor v4 #14 - 20,820  (   1.0%)
10/14  X-Factor v4 #15 - 22,240  (   6.8%)(Axis)
11/14  X-Factor v4 #16 - 21,276  (  -4.3%)(Axis)
12/14  X-Factor v4 #17 - 20,916  (  -1.7%)(Axis)
12/14  X-Factor v4 #18 - 19,963  (  -4.6%)(Axis)
01/15  X-Factor v5 #19 – 19,104
01/15  X-Factor v5 #20 – 21,132  (+10,6%)

Since issue #2: -34,4%

Marvel has double shipped this book like crazy: 20 issues in 13 months! Curiosity attracted extra readers for this final issue. Peter David is going back to Hulk with the upcoming Future Imperfect mini.

106. 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%)

Since issue #2: -40,1%

See I told you that the Guardians of Galaxy franchise can’t perhaps support so many books at the same time? What is really sad is that it’s the return of the original series that would suffer from it. Guardians of Galaxy will be known from now on as Starlord and Co, not Yondu, Martinex, Starhawk… With the Legion of Super-Heroes gone, this could have been a nice alternative. I’m afraid it’s gonna end very soon, even if Marvel replaces it with the series called Korvac Saga, scheduled to appear during Secret Wars.

107. 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%)

Since issue #2: -35,1%

During Secret Wars, Black Widow will live her Last Days. A premonition of the fate that should await her with sales going down like that?

111. 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%)
---
Since issue #2: -39,0%

The Axis tie-in hides a shedding readers situation. What is the cause of it, boring readers who don’t care about it? Loki will stay around during Secret Wars with a Last Days tag, so we will have the answer soon.

112. NOVA

12/09  Nova v4 #32 - 22,202
---
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%)

Back to the standard attrition accumulated during the Axis tie-in. Nova is not putting the charts on fire but is keeping its readers interested: that’s most than a lot of others books can say! It will be replaced by the Infinity Gauntlet series once Secret Wars kicks in

113. 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%)
---
Since issue #2: -30,3%

This book stabilized. Yet, it’s in the danger zone. Will Marvel keep it to maintain his current nice bunch of female lead character books? It should get a nice bump with a relaunch under the name Captain Marvel and the Carol Cops during Secret Wars, a kind of modernized Blackhawk title?

116. 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%)
---
Since issue #2: -46,7%

Ending unsurprisingly with issue 12. Half the readers are gone now (I’m talking from issue 2 number, issue 1 numbers not being significant for real readers.

123. 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%)
---
Since issue #2: -46,3%

Only one more issue to go. Relaunching this was a disaster. It’s time to put this brand name to rest.

133. 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%)

Since issue #2: -47,5%

Only 4 more issues to go for this maxi-series. It’s lost half of its readers now. When you accustom your audience to a lot of double shipping books, don’t expect them to keep their patience with a 12 part storyline published less than monthly…

134. 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%)

Since issue #2: -28,4%

She-Hulk ends with issue 12 next month.

129. 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%)

Since issue #2: -33,2%

3 more issues to go until issue 15. Another completely failed relaunch.

131. POWERS

05/14  Bureau #10   -  9,002  (  0.5%)
06/14  ---
07/14  ---
08/14  ---
09/14  Bureau #11   -  8,747  ( -2.8%)
10/14  ---
11/14  Bureau #12   -  8,379  ( -4.2%)
---
---
01/15 Powers #1 -  16,467 (+96,5%)

How many times has the series been renumbered with the promise to release it regularly? One issue is solicited every month from now on, with even an annual thrown as a bonus in the May solicitation so this one could be it. Nice debut sales, but if we apply the usual post #1 decline, this will go back almost to where it was.

133. 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%)

Since issue #2: -47,7%

Another failing X-men solo title. Half the readers are gone. It will be probably not survive the Secret Wars relaunch thingie.

137. 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%)

Since issue #2: -37,5%

Another failed attempt at a solo X-men title. This one is sinking even faster. Dead whenever Secret Wars will kick in.

147. 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%)

Since issue #2: -30,6%

If it keeps falling, it will end with less than 10k sales. So far, it’s still solicited until issue 8.

149. 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%)

Since issue #2: -62,0%

It seems to have found his level. Not bad for a reprint.

150. 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%)

Since issue #2: -56,8%

Ending next month. More than 60% of the debut readers are gone. Marvel did try this last decade to make the title work but it just won’t click with buyers.

151. 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%)

Since issue #2: -52,9%

This will switch after issue 12 to a new title during Secret Wars, featuring several Ghost Riders on a Mad Max ride (no kidding!).

163. All NEW ULTIMATES

04/14  All-New Ult #1   - 30,308  ( 39.6%)
05/14  All-New Ult #2   - 24,165  (-20.3%)
06/14  All-New Ult #3   - 21,898  ( -9.4%)
06/14  All-New Ult #4   - 20,561  ( -6.1%)
07/14  All-New Ult #5   - 18,199  (-11.5%)
08/14  All-New Ult #6   - 16,605  ( -8.8%)
08/14  All-New Ult #7   - 16,654  (  0.3%)
09/14  All-New Ult #8   - 16,068  ( -3.5%)
10/14  All-New Ult #9   - 14,917  ( -7.2%)
11/14  All-New Ult #10  - 13,559  ( -9.1%)
12/14  All-New Ult #11  - 13,011  ( -4.0%)
01/15  All-New Ult #12  - 12,179  (-6,4%) END
---
Since issue #2: -49,6%

This is the end. The casting and the story had nothing to do with the Ultimates. This was mostly a way to sell a new Cloak and Dagger series (with some extra characters in the mix and Spider-Man to help sales) under a false name. It totally crashed and burned.

164. ELEKTRA

04/14  Elektra #1 -  47,676 (  --- )
05/14  Elektra #2 -  26,612 (-44.2%)
06/14  Elektra #3 -  22,773 (-14.4%)
07/14  Elektra #4 -  19,125 (-16.0%)
08/14  Elektra #5 -  17,209 (-10.0%)
09/14  Elektra #6 -  16,136 ( -6.2%)
10/14  Elektra #7 -  15,021 ( -6.9%)
11/14  Elektra #8 -  14,132 ( -5.9%)
12/14  Elektra #9 -  13,241 ( -6.3%)
01/15  Elektra #10-  12,121  (-8,5%)

Since issue #2: -54,5%

Ending next month. Half the debut readers are gone.

179. 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%)

Marvel is letting this one sell by itself, that’s not a bad result. One more issue until the limited series ends.

189. MARVEL’s AVENGERS LTD
---
12/14  Marvel’s Avengers #1 of 2– 11,370
01/15  Marvel's Avengers #2 of 2– 9,147 (-19,6%)

Business as usual. There had to be a Marvel comics adaptation of the movie. At least it’s $2.99 per issue.

215. GEORGE ROMERO EMPIRE OF THE DEAD: ACT TWO

01/14  Act One #1 of 5 - 24,515
02/14  Act One #2 of 5 – 17,624 ( -28.1%)
03/14  Act One #3 of 5 – 15,720 ( -10.8%)
04/14  Act One #4 of 5 – 14,855 (  -5.5%)
06/14  Act One #5 of 5 – 13,924 (  -6.3%)
09/14  Act Two #1 of 5 – 13,163 (  -5.5%)
10/14  Act Two #2 of 5 – 10,360 ( -21.3%)
11/14  Act Two #3 of 5 –  9,047 ( -12.7%)
12/14  Act Two #4 of 5 –  8,331 (  -7.9%)
01/15  Act Two #5 of 5 -  7,780  (-6,6%)

If this one keeps getting published after that, this will be probably because of a licensing obligation.

281. MARVEL UNIVERSE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN

06/14  MUU Spider-Man #27 – 4,713  ( -1.0%)

10/14  ---
11/14  MUU Spider-Man WW #1  – 6,343  (  -1.0%)
12/14  MUU Spider-Man WW #2  – 5,063  ( -20.2%)
01/15  MUU spider-Man WW #3  - 4,873  (-3,8%)

Since issue #2: -3,8%

The “share your universe” line is welcoming a 3rd title next month: the Guardians of Galaxy. Then the title is cancelled with its 4th April issue. Something mysterious happened there…

295. MU AVENGERS ASSEMBLE SEASON TWO
---
01/15 MU Avengers Assemble Season Two #3 4,503

For several months the MU Avengers “share your universe” title hasn’t appeared in the top 300. It’s at the same level as before.

 

NEW TPB SALES FOR THE JANUARY SOLLICTATIONS

I’ll put an indicator of $ cents per page, as some TPBs 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 page 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 give them their own value.

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

DEADPOOL THE ONES WITH DEADPOOL TPB 
128p $16,  $ per page: 12.5 cents 
Since January 2015:  3,520

Quite good sales from Marvel fan favorite character, especially when you consider that this is only a random selection of 3 Deadpool annuals and a special.

GOTG / ALL NEW X-MEN TRIAL OF JEAN GREY TPB 
144p, $20, $ per page: 13.9 cents
Since January 2015: 3,207

Combining the remake of the most famous X-Men story and the most successful Marvel brand of the moment? This could make a very nice regular back seller.

WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN TPB 2 DEATH OF WOLVERINE   
136p, $18, $ per page: 13.2 cents
Since January 2015: 1,661

SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN TPB 3   
136p, $18, $ per page: 13.2 cents
Since January 2015:  1,561

Not bad for such a low seller tier characters series!

SECRET SERVICE TP  
160p, $13, $ per page: 8.1 cents
Since January 2015:  1,087

With this very nice price, this collection could have its chance in the back catalog, helped by the success of the movie.

CATACLYSM THE ULTIMATES LAST STAND TPB  
432p, $40, $ per page: 9.3 cents  
Since January 2015:   907 

NEW WARRIORS  TPB 2 ALWAYS AND FOREVER  18$  
136p, $18, $ per page: 13.2 cents
Since January 2015:    794 

SPIDER-MAN COMPLETE COLLECTION TPB 3 BIG TIME  
352p, $45, $ per page: 9.9 cents
Since January 2015:     765 

DEATHLOK TPB RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE 
$35 456P, $ per page: 7.7 cents    
Since January 2015: 721 
This one contains the whole Marvel Tech Deathlok series (Leonardo Manco at his best!) and episodes connected to a Red Skrull storyline. That's the winner of this month for the best bargain!

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

Xavier Lancel, born 1973 in France, living in the beautiful city of Lyon, has been working since 1999 for Scarce, one of the longest running fanzines on US comics (32 years old!). He has been editor of the magazine since 2008. He also runs two blogs, one devoted to Ernie Colon (http://erniecolonunlimited.blogspot.fr/) and the other devoted to barechested men in comics (http://chestofchests.blogspot.fr/). He sometimes appears as a comics character (because French people are funny-weird) in strips by Tim Fish (http://www.timfishworks.blogspot.fr/).