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by Paul O’Brien

After September’s virtual hiatus, October saw Marvel emerge from crossover season and hit the ground running. AVENGERS VS X-MEN wraps up, while Marvel Now gets underway with the debut issues of UNCANNY AVENGERS and A PLUS X. On top of that, there’s AVX: CONSEQUENCES, the MARVEL NOW: POINT ONE one-shot, a new ongoing series with WOLVERINE: MAX, the “Minimum Carnage” crossover, and more.Given all that, it’s no surprise that Marvel had the biggest share of the North American direct market, leading DC by 40% to 34% in units and 35% to 32% in dollars.

Thanks as always to icv2.com for permission to use these figures.

1.  UNCANNY AVENGERS
10/12  Uncanny Avengers #1 - 303,722

Marvel are making extensive use of variant covers and ordering incentives for all of the Marvel Now covers, but with UNCANNY AVENGERS they really went to town. In addition to the standard cover, completists would also have had to shell out for the Daniel Acuna cover (1:50), the Adi Granov cover (1:75), the Olivier Coipel cover (1:100), the same cover as a sketch variant (1:200), a sketch variant of the regular cover (1:300), a Skottie Young baby version, a Sara Pichelli version, three more versions of the regular cover with alternate colouring, a blank cover, two versions of the same Deadpool cover… and there are more.

The Diamond chart is based on sales to retailers. How many copies were actually sold to paying customers is another matter entirely, and with promotions like this, that issue becomes particularly acute. After all, the whole point of variant cover programmes is to encourage retailers to order more copies than they would otherwise have ordered, with some of the risk being shunted to the people who are willing to pay over the odds for the variants.

In theory at least, there are several aims here. It helps to create a sense of occasion. Once all those extra copies are in stores, hopefully the retailers will try and sell them, and you get more exposure for your new product. And if all else fails, at least you’ve spiked wholesale sales for a month, which is better than nothing.

There’s little doubt that this is an inflated number. But even if only half of these copies made it into the hands of a paying customer, it would still be one of Marvel’s biggest launches for an ongoing series in several years. For the moment, Marvel can be happy that the first shot of Marvel Now has gone according to plan.

2.  AVENGERS VS X-MEN
03/12  AvX #0 of 12  - 165,821
04/12  AvX #1 of 12  - 258,586  (+55.9%)
04/12  AvX #2 of 12  - 193,162  (-25.3%)
05/12  AvX #3 of 12  - 184,126  ( -4.7%)
05/12  AvX #4 of 12  - 182,255  ( -1.0%)
06/12  AvX #5 of 12  - 190,705  ( +4.6%)
06/12  AvX #6 of 12  - 186,555  ( -2.2%)
07/12  AvX #7 of 12  - 179,208  ( -3.9%)
07/12  AvX #8 of 12  - 174,910  ( -2.4%)
08/12  AvX #9 of 12  - 174,346  ( -0.3%)
08/12  AvX #10 of 12 - 169,529  ( -2.8%)
09/12  AvX #11 of 12 - 167,327  ( -1.3%)
10/12  AvX #12 of 12 - 171,452  ( +2.5%)

Issue #12 was actually meant to come out in September, but it slipped.

The promise of big news sends sales up slightly, but the main thing to notice about this series is how remarkably high the sales have been throughout. It seems to have brought together Avengers and X-Men audiences that overlapped less than you might expect.

5,8.  AVX: VS / A PLUS X
04/12  Versus #1 of 6 - 111,913
05/12  Versus #2 of 6 -  98,819  (-11.7%)
06/12  Versus #3 of 6 -  94,528  ( -4.3%)
07/12  Versus #4 of 6 -  86,526  ( -8.5%)
08/12  Versus #5 of 6 -  78,380  ( -9.4%)
09/12  ---
10/12  Versus #6 of 6 -  75,298  ( -3.9%)
10/12  A+X #1         - 105,420  (+40.0%)
                         6 mnth  ( -5.8%)

I’m treating A PLUS X as a continuation of VERSUS; that’s certainly how the recap page presents it. VERSUS #6 was also due out in September, but had to slip to avoid spoiling AVENGERS VS X-MEN #12. While the series didn’t hold on to its audience quite as well as the parent title, it’s still done remarkably well for a book that was openly promoted as inessential.

A PLUS X also launches very strongly – this is similar territory to the last relaunches of UNCANNY X-MEN and WOLVERINE, and slightly more than the first issue of AVENGERS ASSEMBLE. I’ll be very interested to see how this holds up when the crossover halo fades, since on the strength of the first issue, it appears to be simply a team-up anthology along X-MEN UNLIMITED lines, and that’s not a format that has traditionally commanded huge sales.

10,16,20,22. AVX: CONSEQUENCES
10/12  Consequences #1 of 5 - 73,272
10/12  Consequences #2 of 5 - 62,799  (-14.3%)
10/12  Consequences #3 of 5 - 59,896  ( -4.6%)
10/12  Consequences #4 of 5 - 58,527  ( -2.3%)

A weekly miniseries bridging the gap between AVENGERS VS X-MEN and November’s relaunch of the X-Men titles. Sales hover in the region of UNCANNY X-MEN’s level, which is about what you’d expect.

11. MARVEL NOW: POINT ONE
10/12  Point One - 69,606

This is the second Marvel POINT ONE one-shot, with what are effectively trailer stories for upcoming launches. 70K isn’t a bad number by any means, but I’d have thought Marvel would be a little disappointed to see this trailing behind A PLUS X by some 35K.

13,21. UNCANNY X-MEN
10/07  Uncanny X-Men #491   -  85,638
10/08  Uncanny X-Men #503   -  87,196
10/09  Uncanny X-Men #516   -  73,916
10/10  Uncanny X-Men #529   -  62,256
=====
10/11  Uncanny X-Men #544   -  60,212  ( +3.2%)
11/11  Uncanny X-Men v2 #1  - 109,911  (+82.5%)
11/11  Uncanny X-Men v2 #2  -  72,485  (-34.1%)
12/11  Uncanny X-Men v2 #3  -  64,112  (-11.6%)
01/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #4  -  63,175  ( -1.5%)
01/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #5  -  63,477  ( +0.5%)
02/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #6  -  59,834  ( -5.7%)
02/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #7  -  59,200  ( -1.1%)
03/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #8  -  57,568  ( -2.8%)
03/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #9  -  56,976  ( -1.0%)
04/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #10 -  56,906  ( -0.1%)
04/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #11 -  75,109  (+32.0%)
05/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #12 -  69,265  ( -7.8%)
06/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #13 -  70,521  ( +1.8%)
06/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #14 -  67,793  ( -3.9%)
07/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #15 -  66,114  ( -2.5%)
07/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #16 -  63,835  ( -3.4%)
08/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #17 -  61,095  ( -4.3%)
09/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #18 -  59,794  ( -2.1%)
10/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #19 -  59,283  ( -0.9%)
10/12  Uncanny X-Men v2 #20 -  65,981  (+11.3%)
                               6 mnth  (+15.9%)
                               1 year  ( +9.6%)
                               2 year  ( +6.0%)
                               3 year  (-10.7%)
                               4 year  (-24.3%)
                               5 year  (-23.0%)

The final issues of the current run, and the “final issue” does see some genuine surge. That’s a phenomenon that repeats on several books this month, another good sign for interest in the Marvel Now relaunches.

The book returns in the new year, while ALL-NEW X-MEN takes its place on the schedule for in November.

17,26. AVENGERS
10/10  Avengers v4 #6  - 73,258
=====
10/11  Avengers v4 #18 - 58,897  ( -4.2%)
11/11  Avengers v4 #19 - 56,620  ( -3.9%)
12/11  Avengers v4 #20 - 57,145  ( +0.9%)
01/12  Avengers v4 #21 - 54,803  ( -4.1%)
02/12  Avengers v4 #22 - 52,683  ( -3.9%)
02/12  Avengers v4 #23 - 52,222  ( -0.9%)
03/12  Avengers v4 #24 - 52,242  ( +0.0%)
03/12  Avengers v4 #.1 - 52,164  ( -0.1%)
04/12  Avengers v4 #25 - 65,664  (+25.9%)
05/12  Avengers v4 #26 - 67,744  ( +3.2%)
06/12  Avengers v4 #27 - 68,885  ( +1.7%)
07/12  Avengers v4 #28 - 63,169  ( -8.3%)
08/12  Avengers v4 #29 - 61,653  ( -2.4%)
09/12  Avengers v4 #30 - 58,609  ( -4.9%)
10/12  Avengers v4 #31 - 62,495  ( +6.6%)
10/12  Avengers v4 #32 - 56,204  (-10.1%)
                         6 mnth  (-14.4%)
                         1 year  ( -4.6%)
                         2 year  (-23.3%)

These two issues are part of the “End Times” storyline, which wraps up Brian Bendis’ run on AVENGERS and NEW AVENGERS before their relaunch in December.

23,24. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
10/07  ---
10/08  Amazing #575 - 68,913
10/09  Amazing #609 - 61,176
10/10  Amazing #645 - 56,709
=====
10/11  Amazing #671 - 59,426  ( +2.5%)
10/11  Amazing #672 - 57,860  ( -2.6%)
11/11  Amazing #673 - 57,159  ( -1.2%)
11/11  Amazing #674 - 57,723  ( +1.0%)
12/11  Amazing #675 - 54,652  ( -5.3%)
12/11  Amazing #676 - 54,001  ( -1.2%)
01/12  Amazing #677 - 57,186  ( +5.9%)
01/12  Amazing #678 - 54,252  ( -5.1%)
02/12  Amazing #679 - 52,564  ( -3.1%)
02/12  Amazing #.1  - 50,624  ( -3.7%)
02/12  Amazing #680 - 51,872  ( +2.5%)
03/12  Amazing #681 - 52,143  ( +0.5%)
03/12  Amazing #682 - 57,143  ( +9.6%)
04/12  Amazing #683 - 59,153  ( +3.5%)
04/12  Amazing #684 - 57,454  ( -2.9%)
05/12  Amazing #685 - 58,121  ( +1.2%)
05/12  Amazing #686 - 58,337  ( +0.4%)
06/12  Amazing #687 - 62,680  ( +7.4%)
06/12  Amazing #688 - 60,409  ( -3.6%)
07/12  Amazing #689 - 59,859  ( -0.9%)
07/12  Amazing #690 - 58,976  ( -1.5%)
08/12  Amazing #691 - 60,767  ( +3.0%)
08/12  Amazing #692 - 91,071  (+49.9%)
09/12  Amazing #693 - 59,772  (-34.4%)
09/12  Amazing #694 - 58,461  ( -2.2%)
10/12  Amazing #695 - 58,185  ( -0.5%)
10/12  Amazing #696 - 57,950  ( -0.4%)
                      6 mnth  ( +0.9%)
                      1 year  ( -2.5%)
                      2 year  ( +2.2%)
                      3 year  ( -5.3%)
                      4 year  ( -1.4%)
                      5 year  (  --- )

Heading for a relaunch after issue #700. In the meantime, holding steady in its usual range.

28. NEW AVENGERS
10/07  New Avengers #35    - 111,481
10/08  New Avengers #46    -  99,513
10/09  New Avengers #58    -  76,656
10/10  New Avengers v2 #5  -  73,409
=====
10/11  New Avengers v2 #17 -  55,732  ( +8.2%)
11/11  New Avengers v2 #18 -  54,454  ( -2.3%)
12/11  New Avengers v2 #19 -  52,915  ( -2.8%)
01/12  New Avengers v2 #20 -  52,910  ( -0.0%)
02/12  New Avengers v2 #21 -  54,105  ( +2.3%)
02/12  New Avengers v2 #22 -  51,235  ( -5.3%)
03/12  New Avengers v2 #23 -  51,697  ( +0.9%)
04/12  New Avengers v2 #24 -  64,533  (+24.8%)
04/12  New Avengers v2 #25 -  61,950  ( -4.0%)
05/12  New Avengers v2 #26 -  64,326  ( +3.8%)
06/12  New Avengers v2 #27 -  64,927  ( +0.9%)
07/12  New Avengers v2 #28 -  62,739  ( -3.4%)
08/12  New Avengers v2 #29 -  59,441  ( -5.3%)
09/12  New Avengers v2 #30 -  56,742  ( -4.5%)
10/12  New Avengers v2 #31 -  53,456  ( -5.8%)
                              6 mnth  (-13.7%)
                              1 year  ( -4.1%)
                              2 year  (-27.2%)
                              3 year  (-30.3%)
                              4 year  (-46.3%)
                              5 year  (-52.0%)

More from the “End Times” mini-event.

30,37. WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN
10/11  Wolverine/X-Men #1  - 99,611
11/11  Wolverine/X-Men #2  - 83,356  (-16.3%)
12/11  Wolverine/X-Men #3  - 58,438  (-29.9%)
01/12  Wolverine/X-Men #4  - 59,530  ( +1.9%)
02/12  Wolverine/X-Men #5  - 55,788  ( -6.3%)
02/12  Wolverine/X-Men #6  - 55,341  ( -0.8%)
03/12  Wolverine/X-Men #7  - 54,559  ( -1.4%)
04/12  Wolverine/X-Men #8  - 53,757  ( -1.5%)
04/12  Wolverine/X-Men #9  - 64,984  (+20.9%)
05/12  Wolverine/X-Men #10 - 63,650  ( -2.1%)
05/12  Wolverine/X-Men #11 - 64,936  ( +2.0%)
06/12  Wolverine/X-Men #12 - 64,838  ( -0.2%)
07/12  Wolverine/X-Men #13 - 62,689  ( -3.3%)
07/12  Wolverine/X-Men #14 - 61,029  ( -2.6%)
08/12  Wolverine/X-Men #15 - 58,441  ( -4.2%)
09/12  Wolverine/X-Men #16 - 55,857  ( -4.4%)
09/12  Wolverine/X-Men #17 - 54,768  ( -1.9%)
10/12  Wolverine/X-Men #18 - 52,331  ( -4.4%)
10/12  Wolverine/X-Men #19 - 50,008  ( -4.4%)
                             6 mnth  ( -7.0%)
                             1 year  (-49.8%)

In theory, the AVENGERS VS X-MEN crossover was meant to end with issue #17, and the two October issues were meant to be a return to business as usual. In practice, issue #17 was bounced for a Doop story (possibly because it would have blown the end of the delayed AVENGERS VS X-MEN #12), and the crossover slips into issue #18. Nonetheless, what we see here is probably retailers trying to figure out what the book’s normal sales level actually is at this point.

42. FANTASTIC FOUR
10/07  Fantastic Four #550 - 57,906
10/08  ---
10/09  Fantastic Four #572 - 41,939
10/10  Fantastic Four #584 - 45,066
=====
10/11  FF #10              - 49,642  ( -6.5%)
10/11  FF #11              - 48,433  ( -2.4%)
11/11  Fantastic Four #600 - 73,809  (+52.4%)
12/11  Fantastic Four #601 - 51,080  (-30.8%)
01/12  Fantastic Four #602 - 45,131  (-11.6%)
02/12  Fantastic Four #603 - 42,419  ( -6.0%)
03/12  Fantastic Four #604 - 42,126  ( -0.7%)
04/12  Fantastic Four #605 - 42,372  ( +0.6%)
05/12  Fantastic Four #.1  - 39,475  ( -6.8%)
05/12  Fantastic Four #606 - 39,914  ( +1.1%)
06/12  Fantastic Four #607 - 40,453  ( +1.4%)
07/12  Fantastic Four #608 - 37,776  ( -6.6%)
08/12  Fantastic Four #609 - 36,496  ( -3.4%)
09/12  Fantastic Four #610 - 35,388  ( -3.0%)
10/12  Fantastic Four #611 - 45,322  (+28.1%)
                             6 mnth  ( +7.0%)
                             1 year  ( -8.7%)
                             2 year  ( +0.6%)
                             3 year  ( +8.1%)
                             4 year  (  --- )
                             5 year  (-21.7%)

The “final issue” – in the sense that the numbering starts over in November, anyway. But it gets the sales spike just the same.

43. UNCANNY X-FORCE
10/08  X-Force v3 #8  - 59,745
10/09  X-Force v3 #20 - 48,921
10/10  X-Force v4 #1  - 99,194
=====
10/11  X-Force v4 #16 - 52,398  ( -2.6%)
11/11  X-Force v4 #17 - 50,974  ( -2.7%)
12/11  X-Force v4 #18 - 54,274  ( +6.5%)
12/11  X-Force v4 #19 - 55,333  ( +2.0%)
01/12  X-Force v4 #.1 - 50,399  ( -8.9%)
01/12  X-Force v4 #20 - 51,054  ( +1.3%)
02/12  X-Force v4 #21 - 50,654  ( -0.8%)
02/12  X-Force v4 #22 - 49,665  ( -2.0%)
03/12  X-Force v4 #23 - 48,867  ( -1.6%)
04/12  X-Force v4 #24 - 50,667  ( +3.7%)
05/12  X-Force v4 #25 - 50,851  ( +0.4%)
06/12  X-Force v4 #26 - 47,522  ( -6.0%)
07/12  X-Force v4 #27 - 46,325  ( -2.5%)
07/12  X-Force v4 #28 - 46,367  ( +0.1%)
08/12  X-Force v4 #29 - 45,159  ( -2.6%)
08/12  X-Force v4 #30 - 44,918  ( -0.5%)
09/12  X-Force v4 #31 - 44,061  ( -1.9%)
10/12  X-Force v4 #32 - 44,055  ( -0.0%)
                        6 mnth  (-13.0%)
                        1 year  (-15.9%)
                        2 year  (-55.6%)
                        3 year  ( -9.9%)
                        4 year  (-26.3%)

Relaunching after issue #35.

47.  MINIMUM CARNAGE
10/12  Alpha - 41,110

A bookend one-shot for a crossover between VENOM and SCARLET SPIDER – weirdly placing some 10,000 ahead of either.

49. HIT-GIRL  [Icon]
06/12  Hit-Girl #1 of 5 - 60,409
07/12  Hit-Girl #2 of 5 - 45,338  (-24.9%)
08/12  ---
09/12  Hit-Girl #3 of 5 - 42,678  ( -5.9%)
10/12  Hit-Girl #4 of 5 - 40,937  ( -4.1%)

Standard miniseries behaviour. Mark Millar’s unusual ability to shift creator-owned books in quantities like this shows no sign of flagging.

50. DAREDEVIL: END OF DAYS
10/12  End of Days #1 of 8 - 40,911

A near-future miniseries which is meant to be the last Daredevil story. Remember Marvel’s THE END line from a few years ago? It’s basically that, but with an unusually high powered creative team in Brian Bendis, David Mack, Klaus Janson and Bill Sienkiewicz.

51,58. CAPTAIN AMERICA
10/07  Captain America v6 #31 - 77,131
10/08  Captain America v6 #43 - 72,405
10/09  ---
10/10  Captain America #611   - 48,788
=====
10/11  ---
11/11  Captain America v7 #4  - 54,157  ( -0.5%)
12/11  Captain America v7 #5  - 47,333  (-12.6%)
12/11  Captain America v7 #6  - 47,753  ( +0.9%)
01/12  Captain America v7 #7  - 46,954  ( -1.7%)
02/12  Captain America v7 #8  - 43,487  ( -7.4%)
03/12  Captain America v7 #9  - 41,631  ( -4.3%)
04/12  Captain America v7 #10 - 41,474  ( -0.4%)
05/12  Captain America v7 #11 - 39,012  ( -5.9%)
05/12  Captain America v7 #12 - 38,800  ( -0.5%)
06/12  Captain America v7 #13 - 39,456  ( +1.7%)
07/12  Captain America v7 #14 - 36,812  ( -6.7%)
07/12  Captain America v7 #15 - 36,433  ( -1.0%)
08/12  Captain America v7 #16 - 35,155  ( -3.5%)
09/12  Captain America v7 #17 - 34,279  ( -2.5%)
10/12  Captain America v7 #18 - 38,318  (+11.8%)
10/12  Captain America v7 #19 - 40,205  ( +4.9%)
                                6 mnth  ( -3.1%)
                                1 year  (  --- )
                                2 year  (-17.6%)
                                3 year  (  --- )
                                4 year  (-44.5%)
                                5 year  (-47.9%)

The “final issues” before it relaunches in November. Once again, interest is up.

53,57. ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN
10/07  Spider-Man #115   - 74,310
10/08  Spider-Man #127   - 52,584
10/09  Spider-Man v2 #3  - 52,813
10/10  Spider-Man v2 #15 - 34,657
=====
10/11  Spider-Man v3 #3  - 52,521  (-10.5%)
11/11  Spider-Man v3 #4  - 51,558  ( -1.8%)
12/11  Spider-Man v3 #5  - 48,308  ( -6.3%)
01/12  Spider-Man v3 #6  - 49,840  ( +3.2%)
02/12  Spider-Man v3 #7  - 45,266  ( -9.2%)
03/12  Spider-Man v3 #8  - 46,290  ( +2.3%)
04/12  Spider-Man v3 #9  - 43,724  ( -5.5%)
05/12  Spider-Man v3 #10 - 42,356  ( -3.1%)
06/12  Spider-Man v3 #11 - 42,549  ( +0.5%)
07/12  Spider-Man v3 #12 - 42,050  ( -1.2%)
08/12  Spider-Man v3 #13 - 42,642  ( +1.4%)
09/12  Spider-Man v3 #14 - 40,960  ( -3.9%)
09/12  Spider-Man v3 #15 - 40,435  ( -1.3%)
10/12  Spider-Man v3 #16 - 39,679  ( -1.9%)
10/12  Spider-Man v3 #.1 - 38,321  ( -3.4%)
                           6 mnth  (-12.4%)
                           1 year  (-27.0%)
                           2 year  (+10.6%)
                           3 year  (-27.4%)
                           4 year  (-27.1%)
                           5 year  (-48.4%)

There’s a gentle erosion going on here, but don’t read too much into the sales on the Point One issue – they almost invariably come in below the regular issues.

55. X-MEN LEGACY
10/07  X-Men v2 #204     - 83,456
10/08  X-Men Legacy #217 - 65,888
10/09  X-Men Legacy #228 - 52,855
10/10  X-Men Legacy #241 - 48,133
=====
10/11  X-Men Legacy #257 - 38,070  ( -1.6%)
11/11  X-Men Legacy #258 - 38,334  ( +0.7%)
11/11  X-Men Legacy #259 - 41,967  ( +9.5%)
12/11  X-Men Legacy #260 - 37,946  ( -9.6%)
01/12  X-Men Legacy #.1  - 37,160  ( -2.1%)
01/12  X-Men Legacy #261 - 37,577  ( +1.1%)
02/12  X-Men Legacy #262 - 36,461  ( -3.0%)
03/12  X-Men Legacy #263 - 35,999  ( -1.3%)
03/12  X-Men Legacy #264 - 35,953  ( -0.1%)
04/12  X-Men Legacy #265 - 35,712  ( -0.7%)
05/12  X-Men Legacy #266 - 43,199  (+21.0%)
05/12  X-Men Legacy #267 - 46,279  ( +7.1%)
06/12  X-Men Legacy #268 - 49,163  ( +6.2%)
06/12  X-Men Legacy #269 - 46,923  ( -4.6%)
07/12  X-Men Legacy #270 - 44,914  ( -4.3%)
08/12  X-Men Legacy #271 - 37,206  (-17.2%)
08/12  X-Men Legacy #272 - 37,120  ( -0.2%)
09/12  X-Men Legacy #273 - 36,020  ( -3.0%)
09/12  X-Men Legacy #274 - 35,168  ( -2.4%)
10/12  X-Men Legacy #275 - 38,726  (+10.1%)
                           6 mnth  ( +8.4%)
                           1 year  ( +1.7%)
                           2 year  (-19.5%)
                           3 year  (-26.7%)
                           4 year  (-41.2%)
                           5 year  (-53.6%)

“Final issue”, and again the sales are up. The book relaunches in November, though it’s pretty much a new Legion title under the same name.

56,73. WOLVERINE
10/07  Wolverine v3 #58 - 83,810
10/08  ---
10/09  W: Weapon X #6   - 38,446
10/10  Wolverine v4 #2  - 63,210
=====
10/11  Wolverine v4 #17 - 39,405  ( +4.3%)
11/11  Wolverine v4 #18 - 40,170  ( +1.9%)
11/11  Wolverine v4 #19 - 37,997  ( -5.4%)
12/11  Wolverine v4 #20 - 37,360  ( -1.7%)
01/12  Wolverine #300   - 58,681  (+57.1%)
02/12  Wolverine #301   - 38,891  (-33.7%)
03/12  Wolverine #302   - 37,213  ( -4.3%)
03/12  Wolverine #303   - 36,368  ( -2.3%)
04/12  Wolverine #304   - 37,836  ( +4.0%)
04/12  Wolverine #305   - 37,440  ( -1.0%)
05/12  Wolverine #306   - 34,873  ( -6.9%)
05/12  Wolverine #307   - 34,485  ( -1.1%)
06/12  Wolverine #308   - 35,142  ( +1.9%)
07/12  Wolverine #309   - 33,148  ( -5.7%)
07/12  Wolverine #310   - 60,880  (+83.7%)
08/12  Wolverine #311   - 42,404  (-30.3%)
08/12  Wolverine #312   - 41,030  ( -3.2%)
09/12  Wolverine #313   - 39,262  ( -4.3%)
10/12  Wolverine #314   - 34,504  (-12.1%)
10/12  Wolverine #315   - 38,557  (+11.7%)
                          6 mnth  ( +3.0%)
                          1 year  ( -2.2%)
                          2 year  (-39.0%)
                          3 year  ( +0.3%)
                          4 year  (  --- )
                          5 year  (-54.0%)

Relaunching after issue #317. The spike is likely because of a variant cover promoting the Komen breast cancer charity.

59. WOLVERINE MAX  [Max]
10/12  Wolverine: Max #1 - 37,509

A new ongoing series under the Max imprint, which is out of continuity. By Marvel Universe standards this wouldn’t be a great launch number – it’s in the same range as HERC and X-TREME X-MEN – but the Max line has always appeared to accept lower sales.

61. DAREDEVIL
10/07  Daredevil v2 #101 - 47,189
10/08  Daredevil v2 #112 - 46,202
10/09  Daredevil #501    - 45,181
10/10  Daredevil #511    - 43,167
=====
10/11  Daredevil v3 #5   - 39,413  ( -2.2%)
11/11  Daredevil v3 #6   - 38,302  ( -2.8%)
12/11  Daredevil v3 #7   - 38,824  ( +1.4%)
01/12  Daredevil v3 #8   - 43,494  (+12.0%)
02/12  Daredevil v3 #9   - 37,891  (-12.9%)
03/12  Daredevil v3 #10  - 38,137  ( +0.6%)
04/12  Daredevil v3 #.1  - 38,463  ( +0.9%)
04/12  Daredevil v3 #11  - 46,111  (+19.9%)
05/12  Daredevil v3 #12  - 39,231  (-14.9%)
05/12  Daredevil v3 #13  - 39,056  ( -0.4%)
06/12  Daredevil v3 #14  - 43,865  (+12.3%)
07/12  Daredevil v3 #15  - 38,469  (-12.3%)
08/12  Daredevil v3 #16  - 37,804  ( -1.7%)
08/12  Daredevil v3 #17  - 38,149  ( +0.9%)
09/12  Daredevil v3 #18  - 37,185  ( -2.5%)
10/12  Daredevil v3 #19  - 37,228  ( +0.1%)
                           6 mnth  (-19.3%)
                           1 year  ( -5.5%)
                           2 year  (-13.8%)
                           3 year  (-17.6%)
                           4 year  (-19.4%)
                           5 year  (-21.1%)

Remaining rock solid in its usual range.

62,67. IRON MAN
10/07  Iron Man v4 #23 - 42,608
10/08  Iron Man v5 #6  - 53,332
10/09  Iron Man v5 #19 - 47,178
10/10  Iron Man v5 #31 - 45,507
=====
10/11  Iron Man #509   - 38,721  ( -6.2%)
11/11  Iron Man #510   - 38,118  ( -1.6%)
12/11  Iron Man #511   - 35,402  ( -7.1%)
01/12  Iron Man #512   - 35,159  ( -0.7%)
02/12  Iron Man #513   - 32,748  ( -6.9%)
03/12  Iron Man #514   - 31,424  ( -4.0%)
04/12  Iron Man #515   - 32,409  ( +3.1%)
05/12  Iron Man #516   - 31,374  ( -3.2%)
05/12  Iron Man #517   - 31,536  ( +0.5%)
06/12  Iron Man #518   - 32,553  ( -3.2%)
06/12  Iron Man #519   - 32,518  ( -0.1%)
07/12  Iron Man #520   - 32,765  ( +0.8%)
07/12  Iron Man #521   - 32,172  ( -1.8%)
08/12  Iron Man #522   - 31,464  ( -2.2%)
08/12  Iron Man #523   - 31,568  ( +0.3%)
09/12  Iron Man #524   - 30,976  ( -1.9%)
09/12  Iron Man #525   - 30,885  ( -0.3%)
10/12  Iron Man #526   - 35,934  (+16.3%)
10/12  Iron Man #527   - 36,981  ( +2.9%)
                         6 mnth  (+14.1%)
                         1 year  ( -4.5%)
                         2 year  (-18.7%)
                         3 year  (-21.6%)
                         4 year  (-30.7%)
                         5 year  (-13.2%)

Another “final issue” before the relaunch next month.

63. AVENGERS ASSEMBLE
03/12  Avengers Assemble #1 - 100,883
04/12  Avengers Assemble #2 -  53,024  (-47.4%)
05/12  Avengers Assemble #3 -  43,886  (-17.2%)
06/12  Avengers Assemble #4 -  43,022  ( -2.0%)
07/12  Avengers Assemble #5 -  38,951  ( -9.5%)
08/12  Avengers Assemble #6 -  36,131  ( -7.2%)
09/12  Avengers Assemble #7 -  36,259  ( +0.4%)
10/12  Avengers Assemble #8 -  36,453  ( +0.5%)
                               6 mnth  (-31.3%)

After months of dropping, ASSEMBLE may have finally levelled out.

64.  INCREDIBLE HULK
10/07  ---
10/08  Hulk #7               - 110,261
10/09  Incredible Hulk #603  -  49,126
10/10  Incredible Hulks #614 -  39,572
=====
10/11  Incredible v4 #1      - 106,472  (+178.6%)
11/11  Incredible v4 #2      -  80,143  ( -24.7%)
12/11  Incredible v4 #3      -  46,446  ( -42.0%)
01/12  Incredible v4 #4      -  45,876  (  -1.2%)
02/12  Incredible v4 #5      -  42,760  (  -6.8%)
03/12  Incredible v4 #6      -  40,522  (  -5.2%)
04/12  Incredible v4 #7      -  42,135  (  +4.0%)
05/12  Incredible v4 #.1     -  38,472  (  -8.7%)
05/12  Incredible v4 #8      -  42,076  (  +9.4%)
06/12  Incredible v4 #9      -  40,467  (  -3.8%)
06/12  Incredible v4 #10     -  38,122  (  -5.8%)
07/12  Incredible v4 #11     -  36,743  (  -3.6%)
08/12  Incredible v4 #12     -  36,860  (  +0.3%)
09/12  Incredible v4 #13     -  33,858  (  -8.1%)
09/12  Incredible v4 #14     -  33,887  (  +0.1%)
10/12  Incredible v4 #15     -  36,091  (  +6.5%)
                                6 mnth  ( -14.3%)
                                1 year  ( -66.1%)
                                2 year  (  -8.8%)
                                3 year  ( -26.5%)
                                4 year  ( -67.3%)
                                5 year  (   --- )

Again, final issue before a relaunch. And again, sales are up.

69. HAWKEYE
08/12  Hawkeye v4 #1 - 48,346
09/12  Hawkeye v4 #2 - 33,563  (-30.6%)
10/12  Hawkeye v4 #3 - 35,403  ( +5.5%)

There’s no apparent gimmick to explain why sales are up on this third issue, so it may well be one of those rare cases where good word of mouth has had an impact.

70,75. SECRET AVENGERS
10/10  Secret Avengers #6  - 68,617
=====
10/11  Secret Avengers #18 - 43,280  ( -3.6%)
11/11  Secret Avengers #19 - 41,191  ( -4.8%)
12/11  Secret Avengers #20 - 38,202  ( -7.3%)
01/12  Secret Avengers #21 - 38,082  ( -0.3%)
01/12  Secret Avengers #.1 - 35,320  ( -7.3%)
02/12  Secret Avengers #22 - 39,337  (+11.4%)
02/12  Secret Avengers #23 - 37,140  ( -5.6%)
03/12  Secret Avengers #24 - 38,359  ( +3.3%)
04/12  Secret Avengers #25 - 38,466  ( +0.3%)
04/12  Secret Avengers #26 - 54,854  (+42.6%)
05/12  Secret Avengers #27 - 49,851  ( -9.1%)
06/12  Secret Avengers #28 - 51,572  ( +3.5%)
07/12  Secret Avengers #29 - 41,653  (-19.2%)
08/12  Secret Avengers #30 - 38,243  ( -8.2%)
09/12  Secret Avengers #31 - 35,987  ( -5.9%)
10/12  Secret Avengers #32 - 35,346  ( -1.8%)
10/12  Secret Avengers #33 - 34,260  ( -3.1%)
                             6 mnth  (-10.9%)
                             1 year  (-20.8%)
                             2 year  (-50.1%)

Heading to a relaunch after issue #37, and on a gentle decline meantime.

71,72. THOR
10/07  ---
10/08  Thor v3 #11 - 78,673
10/09  ---
10/10  Thor #616   - 51,051
=====
10/11  Thor v4 #7  - 44,017  ( -2.7%)
11/11  Thor v4 #8  - 40,703  ( -7.5%)
12/11  Thor v4 #9  - 38,000  ( -6.6%)
01/12  Thor v4 #10 - 37,577  ( -1.1%)
02/12  Thor v4 #11 - 35,066  ( -6.7%)
03/12  Thor v4 #12 - 33,967  ( -3.1%)
04/12  Thor v4 #.1 - 33,533  ( -1.3%)
04/12  Thor v4 #13 - 34,500  ( +2.9%)
05/12  Thor v4 #14 - 32,550  ( -5.7%)
06/12  Thor v4 #15 - 33,674  ( +3.5%)
06/12  Thor v4 #16 - 31,798  ( -5.6%)
07/12  Thor v4 #17 - 30,879  ( -2.9%)
08/12  Thor v4 #18 - 35,392  (+14.6%)
09/12  Thor v4 #19 - 30,289  (-14.4%)
09/12  Thor v4 #20 - 30,172  ( -0.4%)
10/12  Thor v4 #21 - 34,550  (+14.5%)
10/12  Thor v4 #22 - 35,328  ( +2.3%)
                     6 mnth  ( +2.4%)
                     1 year  (-19.7%)
                     2 year  (-30.8%)
                     3 year  (  --- )
                     4 year  (-55.1%)
                     5 year  (  --- )

Once again, the final issue before a relaunch, and sales are up.

76. AVENGING SPIDER-MAN
11/11  Avenging Spider-Man #1  - 112,153
12/11  Avenging Spider-Man #2  -  60,682  (-45.9%)
01/12  Avenging Spider-Man #3  -  52,371  (-13.7%)
02/12  Avenging Spider-Man #4  -  45,622  (-12.9%)
03/12  Avenging Spider-Man #5  -  40,877  (-10.4%)
04/12  Avenging Spider-Man #6  -  47,430  (+16.0%)
05/12  Avenging Spider-Man #7  -  38,012  (-19.9%)
06/12  Avenging Spider-Man #8  -  39,861  ( +4.9%)
07/12  Avenging Spider-Man #9  -  37,134  ( -6.8%)
08/12  Avenging Spider-Man #10 -  34,537  ( -7.0%)
08/12  Avenging Spider-Man #11 -  33,808  ( -2.1%)
09/12  Avenging Spider-Man #12 -  35,462  ( +4.9%)
10/12  Avenging Spider-Man #13 -  32,908  ( -7.2%)
                                  6 mnth  (-30.6%)

Returning to its established downward slide, though last month’s spike makes it look worse than it is.

78. A-BABIES VS X-BABIES
10/12  One-shot - 32,034

The now obligatory parody one-shot following on a big crossover. A decent number for this sort of novelty.

79. SCARLET SPIDER
01/12  Scarlet Spider #1  - 53,410
02/12  Scarlet Spider #2  - 33,794  (-36.7%)
03/12  Scarlet Spider #3  - 32,616  ( -3.5%)
04/12  Scarlet Spider #4  - 33,097  ( +1.5%)
05/12  Scarlet Spider #5  - 30,932  ( -6.5%)
06/12  Scarlet Spider #6  - 30,722  ( -0.7%)
07/12  Scarlet Spider #7  - 29,140  ( -5.1%)
08/12  Scarlet Spider #8  - 27,690  ( -5.0%)
09/12  Scarlet Spider #9  - 27,140  ( -2.0%)
10/12  Scarlet Spider #10 - 31,786  (+17.1%)
                            6 mnth  ( -4.0%)

80. VENOM
10/11  Venom v2 #8  - 32,266  ( -2.6%)
11/11  Venom v2 #9  - 32,506  ( +0.7%)
12/11  Venom v2 #10 - 29,465  ( -9.4%)
12/11  Venom v2 #11 - 28,658  ( -2.7%)
01/12  Venom v2 #12 - 28,728  ( +0.2%)
02/12  Venom v2 #13 - 33,174  (+15.5%)
02/12  Venom v2 #.1 - 27,520  (-17.0%)
02/12  Venom v2 #.2 - 27,155  ( -1.3%)
02/12  Venom v2 #.3 - 26,969  ( -0.7%)
02/12  Venom v2 #.4 - 27,135  ( +0.6%)
03/12  Venom v2 #14 - 28,926  ( +6.6%)
04/12  Venom v2 #15 - 28,858  ( -0.2%)
04/12  Venom v2 #16 - 28,440  ( -1.4%)
05/12  Venom v2 #17 - 30,157  ( +6.0%)
05/12  Venom v2 #18 - 28,309  ( -6.1%)
06/12  Venom v2 #19 - 28,702  ( +1.4%)
07/12  Venom v2 #20 - 26,941  ( -6.1%)
07/12  Venom v2 #21 - 26,534  ( -1.5%)
08/12  Venom v2 #22 - 26,734  ( +0.8%)
08/12  Venom v2 #23 - 26,854  ( +0.4%)
09/12  Venom v2 #24 - 30,080  (+12.0%)
09/12  Venom v2 #25 - 25,242  (-16.1%)
10/12  Venom v2 #26 - 31,711  (+25.6%)
                      6 mnth  (+11.5%)
                      1 year  ( -1.7%)

Both benefitting from the Minimum Carnage crossover.

81. X-MEN
10/10  X-Men v3 #4  - 63,772
=====
10/11  X-Men v3 #19 - 40,906  ( -2.8%)
11/11  X-Men v3 #20 - 43,515  ( +6.4%)
11/11  X-Men v3 #21 - 39,919  ( -8.3%)
12/11  X-Men v3 #22 - 39,121  ( -2.0%)
01/12  X-Men v3 #23 - 38,719  ( -1.0%)
02/12  X-Men v3 #24 - 36,906  ( -4.7%)
02/12  X-Men v3 #25 - 36,488  ( -1.1%)
03/12  X-Men v3 #26 - 35,833  ( -1.8%)
04/12  X-Men v3 #27 - 36,843  ( +2.8%)
05/12  X-Men v3 #28 - 35,838  ( -2.7%)
05/12  X-Men v3 #29 - 35,483  ( -1.0%)
06/12  X-Men v3 #30 - 37,690  ( +6.2%)
06/12  X-Men v3 #31 - 35,789  ( -5.0%)
07/12  X-Men v3 #32 - 35,091  ( -2.0%)
08/12  X-Men v3 #33 - 33,695  ( -4.0%)
08/12  X-Men v3 #34 - 33,354  ( -1.0%)
09/12  X-Men v3 #35 - 32,049  ( -3.9%)
09/12  X-Men v3 #36 - 31,996  ( -0.2%)
10/12  X-Men v3 #37 - 31,611  ( -1.2%)
                      6 mnth  (-14.2%)
                      1 year  (-22.7%)
                      2 year  (-50.5%)

The February issue is being billed as the final one. I was going to say it’s cancelled, but let’s be honest, who knows?

82.  RED SHE-HULK
10/08  Hulk #7          - 110,261
10/09  Hulk #16         -  56,811
10/10  Hulk #26         -  42,934
=====
10/11  Hulk #42         -  27,025  ( +3.6%)
10/11  Hulk #43         -  25,514  ( -5.6%)
11/11  Hulk #44         -  24,596  ( -3.6%)
12/11  Hulk #45         -  23,273  ( -5.4%)
12/11  Hulk #46         -  22,974  ( -1.3%)
01/12  Hulk #47         -  22,720  ( -1.1%)
02/12  Hulk #48         -  21,751  ( -4.3%)
03/12  Hulk #49         -  21,510  ( -1.1%)
04/12  Hulk #50         -  34,437  (+60.1%)
05/12  Hulk #51         -  22,085  (-35.9%)
05/12  Hulk #52         -  21,882  ( -0.9%)
06/12  Hulk #53         -  22,386  ( +2.3%)
06/12  Hulk #54         -  22,070  ( -1.4%)
07/12  Hulk #55         -  22,141  ( +0.3%)
08/12  Hulk #56         -  21,558  ( -2.6%)
08/12  Hulk #57         -  21,553  ( -0.0%)
09/12  ---
10/12  Red She-Hulk #58 -  31,136  (+44.5%)
                           6 mnth  ( -9.6%)
                           1 year  (+15.2%)
                           2 year  (-27.5%)
                           3 year  (-45.2%)
                           4 year  (-71.8%)

Effectively the first issue of a new title, though for some reason it’s inheriting the numbering of an existing title that wasn’t doing so well. JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY is doing the same thing, and honestly, it’s hard to see Marvel’s logic.

First month sales are way up, but it’s hard to know quite how to draw comparisons. An outright issue #1 launching at this point would be in immediate trouble – HEROES FOR HIRE and IRON MAN 2.0 had higher sales on their first issues, though only just. But does a book that launches in this way experience the same sort of second-issue drop? Hard to say.

83. FF
10/11  FF #10 - 49,642  ( -6.5%)
10/11  FF #11 - 48,433  ( -2.4%)
11/11  FF #12 - 49,449  ( +2.1%)
12/11  FF #13 - 44,970  ( -9.1%)
01/12  FF #14 - 42,609  ( -5.3%)
02/12  FF #15 - 40,583  ( -4.8%)
03/12  FF #16 - 37,152  ( -8.5%)
04/12  FF #17 - 37,325  ( +0.5%)
05/12  FF #18 - 34,555  ( -7.4%)
06/12  FF #19 - 34,260  ( -0.9%)
07/12  FF #20 - 31,652  ( -7.6%)
08/12  FF #21 - 30,220  ( -4.5%)
09/12  FF #22 - 29,847  ( -1.2%)
10/12  FF #23 - 30,844  ( +3.3%)
                6 mnth  (-17.4%)
                1 year  (-37.9%)

Final issue, relaunches next month. Rather more modest gains on this one, for some reason.

87. ULTIMATES
10/07  ---
10/08  ---
10/09  ---
10/10  Ultimates v3 #4  - 42,876
=====
10/11  Ultimates v5 #3  - 40,792  ( -4.5%)
11/11  Ultimates v5 #4  - 39,342  ( -3.6%)
12/11  Ultimates v5 #5  - 36,396  ( -7.5%)
01/12  Ultimates v5 #6  - 34,865  ( -4.2%)
02/12  Ultimates v5 #7  - 33,863  ( -2.9%)
03/12  Ultimates v5 #8  - 32,222  ( -4.8%)
04/12  Ultimates v5 #9  - 31,336  ( -2.7%)
05/12  Ultimates v5 #10 - 31,257  ( -0.3%)
05/12  Ultimates v5 #11 - 31,344  ( +0.3%)
06/12  Ultimates v5 #12 - 30,845  ( -1.6%)
07/12  Ultimates v5 #13 - 32,380  ( +5.0%)
08/12  Ultimates v5 #14 - 30,311  ( -6.4%)
09/12  Ultimates v5 #15 - 30,382  ( +0.2%)
09/12  Ultimates v5 #16 - 30,533  ( +0.5%)
10/12  Ultimates v5 #17 - 29,382  ( -3.8%)
                          6 mnth  ( -6.2%)
                          1 year  (-28.0%)
                          2 year  (-31.5%)
                          3 year  (  --- )
                          4 year  (  --- )
                          5 year  (  --- )

Business as usual.

88. ASTONISHING X-MEN
10/07  ---
10/08  Astonishing X-Men #27 - 86,770
10/09  Astonishing X-Men #31 - 67,064
10/10  ---
=====
10/11  Astonishing X-Men #43 - 32,620  ( -0.2%)
11/11  Astonishing X-Men #44 - 32,729  ( +0.3%)
12/11  Astonishing X-Men #45 - 31,392  ( -4.1%)
01/12  Astonishing X-Men #46 - 31,134  ( -0.8%)
02/12  Astonishing X-Men #47 - 30,490  ( -2.1%)
03/12  Astonishing X-Men #48 - 34,182  (+12.1%)
04/12  Astonishing X-Men #49 - 31,291  ( -8.5%)
05/12  Astonishing X-Men #50 - 61,866  (+97.7%)
06/12  Astonishing X-Men #51 - 82,654  (+33.6%)
07/12  Astonishing X-Men #52 - 35,766  (-56.7%)
08/12  Astonishing X-Men #53 - 32,268  ( -9.8%)
09/12  Astonishing X-Men #54 - 30,225  ( -6.3%)
10/12  Astonishing X-Men #55 - 29,060  ( -3.9%)
                               6 mnth  ( -7.1%)
                               1 year  (-10.9%)
                               2 year  (  --- )
                               3 year  (-56.7%)
                               4 year  (-66.5%)
                               5 year  (  --- )

Drifting down, but there’s no doubt that the Marjorie Liu run has helped.

89,90. DEADPOOL
10/08  Deadpool v3 #3  - 61,833
10/09  Deadpool v3 #16 - 46,288
10/10  Deadpool v3 #28 - 34,828
=====
10/11  Deadpool v3 #44 - 26,678  ( +0.1%)
10/11  Deadpool v3 #45 - 27,552  ( +3.3%)
11/11  Deadpool v3 #46 - 26,260  ( -4.7%)
12/11  Deadpool v3 #47 - 25,910  ( -1.3%)
12/11  Deadpool v3 #48 - 25,458  ( -1.7%)
01/12  Deadpool v3 #49 - 24,783* ( -2.7%)
01/12  Deadpool v3 #.1 - 24,783* (  --- )
02/12  Deadpool v3 #50 - 40,695  (+64.2%)
02/12  Deadpool v3 #51 - 27,458  (-32.5%)
03/12  Deadpool v3 #52 - 27,990  ( +1.9%)
04/12  Deadpool v3 #53 - 29,334  ( +4.8%)
05/12  Deadpool v3 #54 - 29,644  ( +1.1%)
05/12  Deadpool v3 #55 - 29,022  ( -2.1%)
06/12  Deadpool v3 #56 - 29,513  ( +1.7%)
07/12  Deadpool v3 #57 - 29,155  ( -1.2%)
07/12  Deadpool v3 #58 - 28,706  ( -1.5%)
08/12  Deadpool v3 #59 - 28,507  ( -0.7%)
09/12  Deadpool v3 #60 - 28,548  ( +0.1%)
09/12  Deadpool v3 #61 - 28,351  ( -0.7%)
10/12  Deadpool v3 #62 - 28,897  ( +1.9%)
10/12  Deadpool v3 #63 - 29,049  ( +0.5%)
                         6 mnth  ( -1.0%)
                         1 year  ( +8.9%)
                         2 year  (-16.6%)
                         3 year  (-37.2%)
                         4 year  (-53.0%)

Final issues, relaunch next month.

91,109. CAPTAIN MARVEL
10/07  Ms Marvel v2 #20     - 37,390
10/08  Ms Marvel v2 #32     - 25,892
10/09  Ms Marvel v2 #46     - 25,717
=====
07/12  Captain Marvel v6 #1 - 41,582
08/12  Captain Marvel v6 #2 - 28,434  (-31.6%)
08/12  Captain Marvel v6 #3 - 27,649  ( -2.8%)
09/12  Captain Marvel v6 #4 - 24,799  (-10.3%)
10/12  Captain Marvel v6 #5 - 28,619  (+15.4%)
10/12  Captain Marvel v6 #6 - 23,103  (-19.3%)
                              6 mnth  (  --- )
                              1 year  (  --- )
                              2 year  (  --- )
                              3 year  (-10.2%)
                              4 year  (-10.8%)
                              5 year  (-38.2%)

Issue #5 had a 50th Anniversary variant cover, and at this level, those things have a visible impact on sales. It also makes the drop in issue #6 look far worse than it really is; in fact, the drop between issues #4 and #6 is 6.8%. Still faster than you might wish, though.

92. GAMBIT
08/12  Gambit v5 #1 - 40,418 
08/12  Gambit v5 #2 - 32,336  (-20.0%)
09/12  Gambit v5 #3 - 28,530  (-11.8%)
10/12  Gambit v5 #4 - 27,828  ( -2.5%)

Seems to be levelling out quite fast, which is a good sign.

93. ULTIMATE COMICS IRON MAN
10/12  Iron Man v3 #1 of 4 - 27,744

Similar territory to the parent title ULTIMATES.

94. AVENGING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL
10/12  Annual #1 - 27,650

About 5K behind its parent title, which is not bad at all.

95. MARVEL UNIVERSE VS AVENGERS
10/12  MU v Avengers #1 of 4 - 27,650

Out of continuity, and in the territory we’ve come to expect for that sort of thing.

98. PUNISHER
10/07  Journal v2 #12      - 66,548
10/08  Journal v2 #24      - 31,785
10/09  Punisher v7 #10     - 27,167
10/10  ---
=====
10/11  Punisher v8 #4      - 25,847  ( -3.6%)
11/11  Punisher v8 #5      - 25,399  ( -1.7%)
12/11  Punisher v8 #6      - 23,971  ( -5.6%)
01/12  Punisher v8 #7      - 22,908  ( -4.4%)
02/12  Punisher v8 #8      - 22,488  ( -1.8%)
03/12  Punisher v8 #9      - 22,318  ( -0.8%)
04/12  Punisher v8 #10     - 32,412  (+45.2%)
05/12  Punisher v8 #11     - 23,303  (-28.1%)
06/12  Punisher v8 #12     - 23,329  ( +0.1%)
07/12  Punisher v8 #13     - 23,075  ( -1.1%)
08/12  Punisher v8 #14     - 22,046  ( -4.5%)
09/12  Punisher v8 #15     - 21,829  ( -1.0%)
09/12  Punisher v8 #16     - 21,565  ( -1.2%)
10/12  War Zone v3 #1 of 5 - 27,010  (+25.2%)
                             6 mnth  (-16.7%)
                             1 year  ( +4.5%)
                             2 year  (  --- )
                             3 year  ( -0.6%)
                             4 year  (-15.0%)
                             5 year  (-59.4%)

Sales boost for the start of the arc, which Marvel promoted fairly heavily.

99,101. ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN
10/07  X-Men v1 #87 - 63,028
=====
10/11  X-Men v2 #2  - 44,399  (-34.3%)
11/11  X-Men v2 #3  - 39,657  (-10.7%)
12/11  X-Men v2 #4  - 37,115  ( -6.4%)
12/11  X-Men v2 #5  - 35,153  ( -5.3%)
01/12  X-Men v2 #6  - 33,975  ( -3.4%)
02/12  X-Men v2 #7  - 32,353  ( -4.8%)
02/12  X-Men v2 #8  - 30,822  ( -4.7%)
03/12  X-Men v2 #9  - 30,080  ( -2.4%)
04/12  X-Men v2 #10 - 29,743  ( -1.1%)
05/12  X-Men v2 #11 - 28,711  ( -3.5%)
05/12  X-Men v2 #12 - 28,839  ( +0.4%)
06/12  X-Men v2 #13 - 29,159  ( +1.1%)
07/12  X-Men v2 #14 - 29,879  ( +2.5%)
08/12  X-Men v2 #15 - 27,847  ( -6.8%)
09/12  X-Men v2 #16 - 27,066  ( -2.8%)
10/12  X-Men v2 #17 - 26,503  ( -2.1%)
10/12  X-Men v2 #18 - 26,322  ( -0.7%)
                      6 mnth  (-11.5%)
                      1 year  (-40.7%)
                      2 year  (  --- )
                      3 year  (  --- )
                      4 year  (  --- )
                      5 year  (-58.2%)

Eroding, but only very slowly.

105. FIRST X-MEN
08/12  First X-Men #1 of 5 - 55,152
09/12  First X-Men #2 of 5 - 31,415  (-43.0%)
10/12  First X-Men #3 of 5 - 25,434  (-19.0%)

That’s a worryingly steep drop for a third issue.

108. WINTER SOLDIER
02/12  Winter Soldier #1  - 50,932
02/12  Winter Soldier #2  - 41,164  (-19.2%)
03/12  Winter Soldier #3  - 34,923  (-15.2%)
04/12  Winter Soldier #4  - 33,519  ( -4.0%)
05/12  Winter Soldier #5  - 30,646  ( -8.6%)
06/12  Winter Soldier #6  - 30,386  ( -0.8%)
06/12  Winter Soldier #7  - 28,984  ( -4.6%)
07/12  Winter Soldier #8  - 27,317  ( -5.8%)
08/12  Winter Soldier #9  - 26,255  ( -3.9%)
09/12  Winter Soldier #10 - 25,811  ( -1.7%)
09/12  Winter Soldier #11 - 25,310  ( -1.9%)
10/12  Winter Soldier #12 - 24,807  ( -2.0%)
                            6 mnth  (-26.0%)

Business as usual.

111. AVENGERS ACADEMY
10/10  Avengers Academy #5  - 31,272
=====
10/11  Avengers Academy #20 - 23,412  ( -2.2%)
11/11  Avengers Academy #21 - 22,713  ( -3.0%)
11/11  Avengers Academy #22 - 22,531  ( -0.8%)
12/11  Avengers Academy #23 - 22,422  ( -0.5%)
01/12  Avengers Academy #24 - 21,857  ( -2.5%)
02/12  Avengers Academy #25 - 21,963  ( +0.5%)
02/12  Avengers Academy #26 - 21,633  ( -1.5%)
03/12  Avengers Academy #27 - 21,830  ( +0.9%)
04/12  Avengers Academy #28 - 22,333  ( +2.3%)
05/12  Avengers Academy #29 - 29,460  (+31.9%)
05/12  Avengers Academy #30 - 29,213  ( -0.8%)
06/12  Avengers Academy #31 - 34,040  (+16.5%)
06/12  Avengers Academy #32 - 32,243  ( -5.3%)
07/12  Avengers Academy #33 - 31,687  ( -1.7%)
08/12  Avengers Academy #34 - 26,572  (-16.1%)
08/12  Avengers Academy #35 - 26,381  ( -0.7%)
09/12  Avengers Academy #36 - 23,822  ( -9.7%)
09/12  Avengers Academy #37 - 23,027  ( -3.3%)
10/12  Avengers Academy #38 - 22,467  ( -2.4%)
                              6 mnth  ( +0.6%)
                              1 year  ( -4.0%)
                              2 year  (-28.2%)

Cancelled with issue #39. (For real, in this case. AVENGERS ARENA is obviously its replacement on the schedule, but the concept and cast are so different that I’m treating it as a new title.)

112. X-FACTOR
10/07  X-Factor v3 #24 - 52,005
10/08  X-Factor v3 #36 - 38,552
10/09  X-Factor v3 #50 - 30,138
10/10  X-Factor #210   - 27,548
=====
10/11  X-Factor #226   - 23,569  ( +0.3%)
11/11  X-Factor #227   - 23,742  ( +0.7%)
12/11  X-Factor #228   - 23,461  ( -1.2%)
12/11  X-Factor #229   - 23,667  ( +0.9%)
01/12  X-Factor #230   - 25,707  ( +8.6%)
02/12  X-Factor #231   - 24,362  ( -5.2%)
02/12  X-Factor #232   - 24,173  ( -0.8%)
03/12  X-Factor #233   - 23,840  ( -1.4%)
04/12  X-Factor #234   - 23,821  ( -0.1%)
05/12  X-Factor #235   - 24,051  ( +1.0%)
05/12  X-Factor #236   - 24,031  ( -0.1%)
06/12  X-Factor #237   - 24,854  ( +3.4%)
06/12  X-Factor #238   - 23,607  ( -5.0%)
07/12  X-Factor #239   - 23,506  ( -0.4%)
07/12  X-Factor #240   - 23,223  ( -1.2%)
08/12  X-Factor #241   - 22,943  ( -1.2%)
08/12  X-Factor #242   - 22,782  ( -0.7%)
09/12  X-Factor #243   - 22,118  ( -2.9%)
09/12  X-Factor #244   - 22,193  ( +0.3%)
10/12  X-Factor #245   - 22,364  ( +0.8%)
                         6 mnth  ( -6.1%)
                         1 year  ( -5.1%)
                         2 year  (-18.8%)
                         3 year  (-25.8%)
                         4 year  (-42.0%)
                         5 year  (-57.0%)

Typically solid sales.

113. AGE OF APOCALYPSE
03/12  Age of Apocalypse #1 - 56,426
04/12  Age of Apocalypse #2 - 39,263  (-30.4%)
05/12  Age of Apocalypse #3 - 32,085  (-18.3%)
06/12  Age of Apocalypse #4 - 30,469  ( -5.0%)
07/12  Age of Apocalypse #5 - 27,223  (-10.7%)
08/12  Age of Apocalypse #6 - 25,393  ( -6.7%)
09/12  Age of Apocalypse #7 - 23,618  ( -7.0%)
10/12  Age of Apocalypse #8 - 22,293  ( -5.6%)
                              6 mnth  (-43.2%)

In contrast, this is still shedding readers rather quickly. At this point, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this wrapped up after a year (particularly as the story seems to allow for that anyway).

115. DARK AVENGERS
10/07  Thunderbolts #117  - 47,151
10/08  Thunderbolts #125  - 41,358
10/09  Thunderbolts #137  - 32,409
10/10  Thunderbolts #149  - 30,580
=====
10/11  Thunderbolts #164  - 23,712  (  +4.9%)
11/11  Thunderbolts #165  - 22,536  (  -5.0%)
11/11  Thunderbolts #166  - 22,680  (  +0.6%)
12/11  Thunderbolts #167  - 21,167  (  -6.7%)
01/12  Thunderbolts #168  - 20,585  (  -2.7%)
01/12  Thunderbolts #169  - 20,316  (  -1.3%)
02/12  Thunderbolts #170  - 19,505  (  -4.0%)
03/12  Thunderbolts #171  - 19,073  (  -2.2%)
04/12  Thunderbolts #172  - 19,203  (  +0.7%)
04/12  Thunderbolts #173  - 19,017  (  -1.0%)
05/12  Thunderbolts #174  - 18,792  (  -1.2%)
06/12  Dark Avengers #175 - 39,532  (+110.4%)
06/12  Dark Avengers #176 - 34,614  ( -12.4%)
07/12  Dark Avengers #177 - 30,643  ( -11.5%)
07/12  Dark Avengers #178 - 28,572  (  -6.8%)
08/12  Dark Avengers #179 - 25,835  (  -9.6%)
09/12  Dark Avengers #180 - 23,761  (  -8.0%)
09/12  Dark Avengers #181 - 23,044  (  -3.0%)
10/12  Dark Avengers #182 - 21,936  (  -4.8%)
                            6 mnth  ( +15.3%)
                            1 year  (  -7.5%)
                            2 year  ( -28.3%)
                            3 year  ( -32.3%)
                            4 year  ( -47.0%)
                            5 year  ( -53.5%)

This is going to be back at THUNDERBOLTS levels very soon, and that can’t be a good sign. As with X-TREME X-MEN, this could be viewed as evidence of the diminished power of an overstretched brand.

116. SECRET SERVICE [Icon]
04/12  Secret Service #1 of 7 - 39,505
05/12  Secret Service #2 of 7 - 28,265  (-28.5%)
06/12  ---
07/12  Secret Service #3 of 7 - 22,993  (-18.7%)
08/12  ---
09/12  ---
10/12  Secret Service #4 of 7 - 21,751  ( -5.4%)

Okay, it’s not HIT-GIRL, but it’s still a good number for a creator-owned title.

120. JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY
10/11  J/into Mystery #629 - 28,054  ( -2.7%)
10/11  J/into Mystery #630 - 27,701  ( -1.3%)
11/11  J/into Mystery #631 - 27,161  ( -1.9%)
12/11  J/into Mystery #632 - 24,159  (-11.0%)
01/12  J/into Mystery #633 - 23,869  ( -1.2%)
02/12  J/into Mystery #634 - 22,323  ( -6.5%)
03/12  J/into Mystery #635 - 21,617  ( -3.2%)
04/12  J/into Mystery #636 - 21,148  ( -2.2%)
05/12  J/into Mystery #637 - 24,378  (+15.3%)
05/12  J/into Mystery #638 - 23,766  ( -2.5%)
06/12  J/into Mystery #639 - 21,914  ( -7.8%)
06/12  J/into Mystery #640 - 20,714  ( -5.5%)
07/12  J/into Mystery #641 - 19,850  ( -4.2%)
08/12  J/into Mystery #642 - 22,336  (+12.5%)
09/12  J/into Mystery #643 - 21,109  ( -5.5%)
09/12  J/into Mystery #644 - 20,588  ( -2.5%)
10/12  J/into Mystery #645 - 20,705  ( +0.6%)
                             6 mnth  ( -2.1%)
                             1 year  (-26.2%)

Final issue in the current format; the book becomes a Sif title in November, curiously eschewing the benefits of an issue #1.

126. X-TREME X-MEN
07/12  X-Treme X-Men v2 #1 - 36,802
08/12  X-Treme X-Men v2 #2 - 25,689  (-30.2%)
09/12  X-Treme X-Men v2 #3 - 24,490  ( -4.7%)
09/12  X-Treme X-Men v2 #4 - 22,584  ( -7.8%)
10/12  X-Treme X-Men v2 #5 - 19,841  (-12.1%)

With drops like this, the book surely has to be in huge trouble. Particularly given what’s happening to the titles around it.

128. DEFENDERS
12/11  Defenders v4 #1  - 85,969
01/12  Defenders v4 #2  - 38,935  (-54.7%)
02/12  Defenders v4 #3  - 33,548  (-13.8%)
03/12  Defenders v4 #4  - 29,789  (-11.2%)
04/12  Defenders v4 #5  - 27,893  ( -6.4%)
05/12  Defenders v4 #6  - 25,518  ( -8.5%)
06/12  Defenders v4 #7  - 23,574  ( -7.6%)
07/12  Defenders v4 #8  - 22,504  ( -4.5%)
08/12  Defenders v4 #9  - 21,500  ( -4.5%)
09/12  Defenders v4 #10 - 20,220  ( -6.0%)
10/12  Defenders v4 #11 - 19,361  ( -4.2%)
                          6 mnth  (-30.6%)

Cancelled with issue #12.

130. NEW MUTANTS
10/09  New Mutants v3 #6  - 34,967
10/10  New Mutants v3 #18 - 27,027
=====
10/11  New Mutants v3 #32 - 25,364  ( -1.2%)
11/11  New Mutants v3 #33 - 28,665  (+13.0%)
11/11  New Mutants v3 #34 - 25,847  ( -9.8%)
12/11  New Mutants v3 #35 - 25,564  ( -1.1%)
01/12  New Mutants v3 #36 - 23,891  ( -6.5%)
02/12  New Mutants v3 #37 - 23,262  ( -2.6%)
02/12  New Mutants v3 #38 - 22,656  ( -2.6%)
03/12  New Mutants v3 #39 - 21,508  ( -5.1%)
04/12  New Mutants v3 #40 - 21,343  ( -0.8%)
04/12  New Mutants v3 #41 - 21,012  ( -1.6%)
05/12  New Mutants v3 #42 - 24,572  (+16.9%)
05/12  New Mutants v3 #43 - 24,160  ( -1.7%)
06/12  New Mutants v3 #44 - 22,069  ( -8.7%)
07/12  New Mutants v3 #45 - 20,751  ( -6.0%)
07/12  New Mutants v3 #46 - 20,396  ( -1.7%)
08/12  New Mutants v3 #47 - 19,856  ( -2.6%)
08/12  New Mutants v3 #48 - 19,593  ( -1.3%)
09/12  New Mutants v3 #49 - 18,943  ( -3.3%)
10/12  New Mutants v3 #50 - 19,087  ( +0.8%)
                            6 mnth  ( -9.2%)
                            1 year  (-24.7%)
                            2 year  (-29.4%)
                            3 year  (-45.4%)

Cancelled with this issue.

137. CAPTAIN AMERICA AND…
10/11  ...Bucky #623       - 32,041  ( -6.0%)
11/11  ...Bucky #624       - 30,472  ( -4.9%)
12/11  ...Bucky #625       - 28,652  ( -6.0%)
01/12  ...Bucky #626       - 27,632  ( -3.6%)
02/12  ...Bucky #627       - 26,276  ( -4.9%)
03/12  ...Bucky #628       - 24,881  ( -5.3%)
04/12  ...Hawkeye #629     - 24,750  ( -0.5%)
05/12  ...Hawkeye #630     - 23,774  ( -3.9%)
05/12  ...Hawkeye #631     - 22,684  ( -4.6%)
06/12  ...Hawkeye #632     - 21,674  ( -4.5%)
06/12  ...Iron Man #633    - 21,822  ( +0.7%)
07/12  ...Iron Man #634    - 20,641  ( -5.4%)
08/12  ...Iron Man #635    - 19,639  ( -4.9%)
08/12  ...Namor #.1        - 19,152  ( -2.5%)
09/12  ...Black Widow #636 - 19,101  ( -0.3%)
09/12  ...Black Widow #637 - 18,722  ( -2.0%)
10/12  ...Black Widow #638 - 17,944  ( -4.2%)
                             6 mnth  (-27.5%)
                             1 year  (-44.0%)

Cancelled with issue #640.

153. MARVEL ZOMBIES
10/12  Hallowe'en - 15,610  (+31.6%)

One more outing for the shambling franchise. It comes in a shade below the launch number for the last mini.

173. DARK TOWER: GUNSLINGER - MAN IN BLACK
10/07  ---
10/08  Treachery #2 of 6  - 65,732
10/09  ---
10/10  ---
=====
10/11  Tull #5 of 5       - 15,613  ( -1.1%)
11/11  ---
12/11  Way Station #1     - 15,367  ( -1.6%)
01/12  #2 of 5            - 14,827  ( -3.5%)
02/12  #3 of 5            - 14,302  ( -3.5%)
03/12  #4 of 5            - 13,987  ( -2.2%)
04/12  #5 of 5            - 13,823  ( -1.2%)
05/12  ---
06/12  Man in Black #1    - 14,672  ( +6.1%)
07/12  #2 of 5            - 13,831  ( -5.7%)
08/12  #3 of 5            - 13,677  ( -1.1%)
09/12  #4 of 5            - 13,240  ( -3.2%)
10/12  #5 of 5            - 13,310  ( +0.5%)
                            6 mnth  ( -3.7%)
                            1 year  (-14.8%)
                            2 year  (  --- )
                            3 year  (  --- )
                            4 year  (-79.8%)
                            5 year  (  --- )

End of the adaptation, though the long delayed SHEEMIE’S TALE spin-off (originally announced for 2010) is due out at the start of 2013.

186. UNTOLD TALES OF THE PUNISHER MAX  [Max]
06/12  UTotPM #1 of 5 - 16,449
07/12  UTotPM #2 of 5 - 14,148  (-14.0%)
08/12  UTotPM #3 of 5 - 12,734  (-10.0%)
09/12  UTotPM #4 of 5 - 12,074  ( -5.2%)
10/12  UTotPM #5 of 5 - 11,968  ( -0.9%)

187. SPACE PUNISHER
07/12  Space Punisher #1 of 4 - 17,446
08/12  Space Punisher #2 of 4 - 13,569  (-22.2%)
09/12  Space Punisher #3 of 4 - 11,713  (-13.7%)
10/12  Space Punisher #4 of 4 - 11,348  ( -3.1%)

220. ROAD TO OZ
10/09  ---
10/10  ---
=====
10/11  #2 of 8 -  8,504  (-20.1%)
11/11  #3 of 8 -  8,381  ( -1.4%)
12/11  #4 of 8 -  7,694  ( -8.2%)
01/12  ---
02/12  #5 of 8 -  7,503  ( -2.5%)
03/12  ---
04/12  ---
05/12  #6 of 8 -  7,475  ( -0.4%)
05/12  #7 of 8 -  7,391  ( -1.1%)
06/12  #8 of 8 -  7,258  ( -1.8%)
07/12  ---
08/12  ---
09/12  #1 of 8 - 12,620  (+73.9%)
10/12  #2 of 6 -  7,930  (-37.2%)
                 6 mnth  (  --- )
                 1 year  ( -6.7%)
                 2 year  (  --- )
                 3 year  (  --- )

Yes, the series length dropped to six with the solicitation of issue #2.

276. MARVEL UNIVERSE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN
04/12  MUU Spider-Man #1 - 10,886
05/12  MUU Spider-Man #2 -  7,581  (-30.4%)
06/12  MUU Spider-Man #3 -  6,756  (-10.9%)
07/12  MUU Spider-Man #4 -  6,447  ( -4.6%)
08/12  MUU Spider-Man #5 -  6,310  ( -2.1%)
09/12  MUU Spider-Man #6 -  5,873  ( -6.9%)
10/12  MUU Spider-Man #7 -  5,768  ( -1.8%)
                           6 mnth  (-47.0%)


283. MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS
04/12  MU Avengers #1 - 12,874
05/12  MU Avengers #2 -  6,733  (-47.7%)
06/12  MU Avengers #3 -  6,345  ( -5.8%)
07/12  MU Avengers #4 -  6,421  ( +1.2%)
08/12  MU Avengers #5 -  6,134  ( -4.5%)
09/12  MU Avengers #6 -  5,906  ( -3.7%)
10/12  MU Avengers #7 -  5,630  ( -4.7%)
                        6 mnth  (-56.3%)

And two books failed to make the top 300, implying estimated orders below 5,161: MUPPETS #4, and the reprint book SPACEKNIGHTS #1.

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

+ 15.9% - Uncanny X-Men
+ 15.3% - Dark Avengers
+ 14.1% - Iron Man
+ 11.5% - Venom
+  8.4% - X-Men Legacy
+  7.0% - Fantastic Four
+  3.0% - Wolverine
+  2.4% - Thor
+  0.9% - Amazing Spider-Man
+  0.6% - Avengers Academy
-  1.0% - Deadpool
-  2.1% - Journey into Mystery
-  3.1% - Captain America
-  3.7% - Dark Tower
-  4.0% - Scarlet Spider
-  5.8% - AvX: Versus / A Plus X
-  6.1% - X-Factor
-  6.2% - Ultimates
-  7.0% - Wolverine and the X-Men
-  7.1% - Astonishing X-Men
-  9.2% - New Mutants
-  9.6% - Red She-Hulk
- 10.9% - Secret Avengers
- 11.5% - Ultimate Comics X-Men
- 12.4% - Ultimate Comics Spider-Man
- 13.0% - X-Force
- 13.7% - New Avengers
- 14.2% - X-Men
- 14.3% - Hulk
- 14.4% - Avengers
- 16.7% - Punisher
- 17.4% - FF
- 19.3% - Daredevil
- 26.0% - Winter Soldier
- 27.5% - Captain America And...
- 30.6% - Avenging Spider-Man
- 30.6% - Defenders
- 31.3% - Avengers Assemble
- 43.2% - Age of Apocalypse
- 47.0% - MU Ultimate Spider-Man
- 56.3% - MU Avengers


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

+ 15.2% - Red She-Hulk
+  9.6% - Uncanny X-Men
+  8.9% - Deadpool
+  4.5% - Punisher
+  1.7% - X-Men Legacy
-  1.7% - Venom
-  2.2% - Wolverine
-  2.5% - Amazing Spider-Man
-  4.0% - Avengers Academy
-  4.1% - New Avengers
-  4.5% - Iron Man
-  4.6% - Avengers
-  5.1% - X-Factor
-  5.5% - Daredevil
-  6.7% - Oz
-  7.5% - Dark Avengers
-  8.7% - Fantastic Four
- 10.9% - Astonishing X-Men
- 14.8% - Dark Tower
- 15.9% - X-Force
- 19.7% - Thor
- 20.8% - Secret Avengers
- 22.7% - X-Men
- 24.7% - New Mutants
- 26.2% - Journey into Mystery
- 27.0% - Ultimate Comics Spider-Man
- 28.0% - Ultimates
- 37.9% - FF
- 40.7% - Ultimate Comics X-Men
- 44.0% - Captain America And...
- 49.8% - Wolverine and the X-Men
- 66.1% - Hulk


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

+ 10.6% - Ultimate Comics Spider-Man
+  6.0% - Uncanny X-Men
+  2.2% - Amazing Spider-Man
+  0.6% - Fantastic Four
-  8.8% - Hulk
- 13.8% - Daredevil
- 16.6% - Deadpool
- 17.6% - Captain America
- 18.7% - Iron Man
- 18.8% - X-Factor
- 19.5% - X-Men Legacy
- 23.3% - Avengers
- 27.2% - New Avengers
- 27.2% - Red She-Hulk
- 28.2% - Avengers Academy
- 28.3% - Dark Avengers
- 29.4% - New Mutants
- 30.8% - Thor
- 31.5% - Ultimates
- 39.0% - Wolverine
- 50.1% - Secret Avengers
- 50.5% - X-Men
- 55.6% - X-Force


3 year comparisons
==================

+  8.1% - Fantastic Four
+  0.3% - Wolverine
-  0.6% - Punisher
-  5.3% - Amazing Spider-Man
-  9.9% - X-Force
- 10.2% - Captain Marvel
- 10.7% - Uncanny X-Men
- 17.6% - Daredevil
- 21.6% - Iron Man
- 25.8% - X-Factor
- 26.5% - Hulk
- 26.7% - X-Men Legacy
- 27.4% - Ultimate Comics Spider-Man
- 30.3% - New Avengers
- 32.3% - Dark Avengers
- 37.2% - Deadpool
- 45.2% - Red She-Hulk
- 45.4% - New Mutants
- 56.7% - Astonishing X-Men


4 year comparisons
==================

-  1.4% - Amazing Spider-Man
- 10.8% - Captain Marvel
- 15.0% - Punisher
- 19.4% - Daredevil
- 24.3% - Uncanny X-Men
- 26.3% - X-Force
- 27.1% - Ultimate Comics Spider-Man
- 30.7% - Iron Man
- 41.2% - X-Men Legacy
- 42.0% - X-Factor
- 44.5% - Captain America
- 46.3% - New Avengers
- 47.0% - Dark Avengers
- 53.0% - Deadpool
- 55.1% - Thor
- 66.5% - Astonishing X-Men
- 67.3% - Hulk
- 71.8% - Red She-Hulk 
- 79.8% - Dark Tower


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

- 13.2% - Iron Man
- 21.1% - Daredevil
- 21.7% - Fantastic Four
- 23.0% - Uncanny X-Men
- 38.2% - Captain Marvel
- 47.9% - Captain America
- 48.4% - Ultimate Comics Spider-Man
- 52.0% - New Avengers
- 53.5% - Dark Avengers
- 53.6% - X-Men Legacy
- 54.0% - Wolverine
- 57.0% - X-Factor
- 58.2% - Ultimate Comics X-Men
- 59.4% - Punisher

20 COMMENTS

  1. Wolverine and the X-Men 19 was a Marvel Now! issue, should the sales not have increased? It would be interesting to find out whether Marvel expected an increase or not.

    I am happy for Hawkeye and Gambit but I am bummed about X-treme X-Men and red she hulk. They are among my favorites. We should probably expect an announcement about X-Treme any day now

  2. onto Marvel Now! Uncanny Avengers was not bad, A+X on the other hand, sucked! Pointless book…..dont see it around in 12+ months time. I hope some of the relaunches will be worth it, its my last attemp to stay a Marvel fan; all these re-launches and renumberings have pushed me to thr brink. At least DC did it 1 shot and not every 3 rd year of a title.

    Just wish Marvel had dome like DC and launched some more unknown or B/C list heores and try to grow them. I personnaly enjoyed some of those titles and the attempt itself. Marvel seems to be relaunching everything and throwing an X or Avengers insignia on the logo…..

    Dont screw up Marvel, you have some momentum and I’m curious, but Im pulling 7 titles (plus 21 DC and 5 Indie) now and will spend that money on Indie or DC if its a disapointment…….(HINT: Get the Punisher right for a change)

  3. How sad that Marvel cannot sell 5000 copies of a Muppet comic by the awesome Roger Langridge. A quality, high-profile media tie-in like that should be selling at least 5 times that amount easily. Of course that would require even a modicum of promotional effort…

  4. “[T]here’s no doubt that the Marjorie Liu run has helped” Astonishing X-Men? How can that be when the most recent issue has the lowest sales in the title’s history? Personally I’ve REALLY liked Liu’s run, but aside from two anniversary/gimmick issues… sales have continued to drift downward to the point where I’m worried the series will be canceled.

  5. Mesektet–Wolverine and the X-Men #19 is not a Marvel NOW issue. You can tell, because it is #19, not #1. ;-)

  6. @ John – I think several existing books are not being relaunched, but are being put under the banner of “Marvel Now”, i think that includes Wolvie and the X-Men and Daredevil.

  7. Wow, if you have no interest in reading an X-Men or Avengers title at Marvel these days, there isn’t much to choose from…

  8. “How can that be when the most recent issue has the lowest sales in the title’s history?”

    Because she inherited a book that was already on a downward trend, and it’s taken eight issues for sales to settle back to the level she inherited. That’s not bad; she got some people aboard and held them for the better part of a year. It’s not a game-changer, but it’s not nothing.

  9. Astonishing X-men is the worst comic I buy which is why I just dropped it last week.
    Never liked Northstar and now that they’ve neutered him with marriage, he’s even lamer. The recent Karma story was ridiculous and not in a good way.
    Hopefully Lui brought in some new folks because she ran me off. The art hasn’t been all that either lately.

  10. Wondering if the Minimum Carnage Alpha #1 sales being so much higher than the regular issues of the series is a reflection of the folks who will simply buy any book with a #1 on the front?

  11. Is A+X on-going? Uncanny Avengers was alright. I bought Deadpool but haven’t read it yet and held off on Thor. I heard good and bad about it but I’m burned out on $4 books and I had already picked up Uncanny Avengers. Soon I’ll be complaining to my grandkids about how comics used to only be $3 as they drive off shaking their heads in a hovah-jeep 3000X with twin snaked ethoboosters and a custom rotating geminizer.
    Paul, I was wondering the same thing about JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY not renumbering for a SIF series. I’m interested in checking it out but didn’t know in which issue it was premiering.

  12. @ John, Wolverine and the X-Men 19 was a Now issue, you can tell because the Now! logo was on the cover. You can also tell because of the interviews Jason Aaron did saying it was a part of Now!. Daredevil, X-factor and I am sure other titles will be a part of Now!

  13. I’ve been EXTREMELY critical of Marvel for a while now. They were my first comics many years ago and the last few years of Bendis-led offerings haven’t appealed to me at all. I was down to three monthly titles from them the last 3 years. That said Marvel Now! has been a success for me to the point that I was originally going to only continue getting Captain America, Daredevil, and Dark Avengers. I was going to try Uncanny Avengers, Fantastic Four, Red She Hulk (I really like Jeff Parker) and the Hulk. I wasn’t interested in Iron Man and Thor. I gave them a try and now I’ve added them and also bought the titles that I was already planning to buy. I’m pleased enough with the execution so I’ve also chosen to check out Deadpool (a character that I’m not much of a fan of) and I’ve even checked out the All New X-Men. The X-Men is my all time favorite book but I’m a Claremont purist so the fact that Marvel Now! has made me pick up an X-Men book (even a Bendis book) shows that it’s been a big hit with me.

  14. Thor, God of Thunder is SERIOUSLY the best Marvel NOW! book out there at the moment. Pure quality, amazing art and a great story. Avengers might knock it down, but we’ll have to wait and see. If you’re not picking up Thor, you’re missing out! And this is coming from someone who’s never regularly bought the title.

  15. Books like W&TXM do have “Marvel Now” cover branding and so forth, but I don’t think they’ve been pushed particularly hard as part of that promotion, and it’s hard to see how they could be given that the central theme is “rolling relaunch”; “start of a new story arc” is hardly the same thing. Given all that, I wouldn’t expect the Marvel Now branding to make much of a difference for them, and I certainly don’t find it surprising that it’s having less impact than outright relaunches with new creative teams and new directions.

  16. I think W&TXM is definitely one of those books where crossovers and company events hurt it. Usually a series can incorporate these things pretty well but for the quirkier, less superhero-y books it always feels a little forced to me. Like X-Factor or FF. I definitely burned out of the AVX tie-ins for W&TXM. But they sell higher than the non-crossover issues so I must be in the minority.

  17. Marvel have just announced that there’ll be a crossover between Astonishing, X-treme and AoA (“X-Termination”) next year, so they don’t seem to want to pull the plug on any of them now (though there have been titles that were cancelled immediately after a crossover).

  18. Lol, maybe they’ll terminate all three books with that crossover. With XXM and AoA at least, by the time the crossover rolls around, sales should be where it would be a mercy killing. Might as well make a clean sweep and take AXM off the table too.

Comments are closed.