DC Comics Month-to Month Sales: April 2015 – This comics company took off two months to move across the country, and you won’t believe what happened next!

by David Carter

Greetings, sales charts fans! It’s time once again to look at DC’s sales figures.

Last month (March 2015) was the worst month for DC sales since the start of the New 52, but this month was quite a turnaround!

Convergence has turned out to be a sales success for DC: Each issue of the core weekly Convergence title sold over 110K (though note that each issue was returnable…) The first issue of each Convergence tie-in title sold between 30K & (nearly) 70K, with most in the 30K to 40K range. While 30K – 40K might not seem like a lot, compare that to the fact that in March there were twenty-four regular DCU titles that sold below 30K. So essentially the Convergence event resulted in DC lopping off the lower end of their DCU sales and replacing them with moderately-selling comics, which rises the average sales considerably. Not bad for a stunt that was allegedly conceived simply as a way to give DC’s regular editorial team a two-month break to move across the country to their new West Coast headquarters!

(Note also that every Convergence issue had a freely-orderable variant cover, and the main Convergence title had incentive covers as well.)

The other factor contributing to DC’s good April is the fact that their top three titles—Batman, Justice League, & Harley Quinn—shipped late issues originally meant for March (Batman & JL missed March, while Harley Quinn was playing catch-up for missing February).

All of this led to DC having a very strong month in what was one of the best months for the North American Diamond-served market since the Diamond Era began. Average sales for the DCU were up a whopping 75% from March, leading DC’s overall sales to grow nearly 64% over March. It was the 5th best average sales since the New 52 began, trailing just the first two months of the New 52 and the two 3D cover months.

There were a couple of downsides to April’s sales: The handful of Annuals that shipped in April did relatively poorly, with most selling below most of the Convergence tie-ins. And with sales doing so well in the market overall, the sales point floor in the Top 300 was relatively high (6,352), resulting in many of DC’s lower-selling titles not making the cut-off.

Despite all these silver linings, don’t look for DC to repeat this level of sales in May. All of those Convergence tie-ins were #1 issue, and we can be fairly confident that all the #2 issues in May will slide, with the only real question being how much.

Then in June DC follows Convergence with their Divergence publishing initiative, which sees 20+ new titles in the biggest new title launch since the New 52. How retailers will approach ordering those is anyone’s guess.

A note about how the Convergence titles are categorized below: I decided to categorize each series as separate. While it would have been perfectly reasonable to track those titles which had analogues with DC’s ongoing titles (e.g. Convergence Action Comics with Action Comics, Convergence Harley Quinn with Harley Quinn, etc.) I decided not to do so. The upside of this approach is that this month’s column was a lot simpler to assemble, and you’re getting it a good deal sooner than you would have otherwise.

Warning: The commentary below may contain reasoned analysis, speculation (unfounded and otherwise), opinion, and/or snark. Those looking for a more straightforward analysis are directed to John Jackson Miller’s excellent Comichron analysis, posted earlier this month over at Comichron!

Please consider the fine print at the end of the column. Thanks to Milton Griepp and ICv2.com for the permission to use their figures. An overview of ICv2.com’s estimates can be found here.

(Note that the percentage comparisons are now done with total orders including reorder activity, as opposed to initial orders as was the practice of this column under the previous administration.)

—

2, 3, 6, 7, 9 - CONVERGENCE ($4.99/$3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #0 -- 157,358 
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 146,022 (-  7.2%)
04/2015: Convergence #2 -- 122,936 (- 15.8%)
04/2015: Convergence #3 -- 120,327 (-  2.1%)
04/2015: Convergence #4 -- 116,744 (-  3.0%)

All five issues were listed as returnable on the Diamond chart, so their figures are adjusted up 10% from the reported numbers (see the disclaimers at the end of this column for why we make this adjustment).

DC took six of the top ten slots in April, mostly due to the first five issues of the Convergence event’s backbone series. Somewhat surprising (to me at least) as the majority of the story was a continuation of the poorly selling Earth 2 World’s End weekly. But it appears that as a whole retailers ordered large (likely helped somewhat by the returnability.)

—

4 - BATMAN ($4.99)
04/2005: Batman #639    --  62,344 
04/2010: Batman #698    --  60,934
04/2011: Batman #709    --  56,578
04/2012: Batman #8      -- 130,602 [136,218] 
04/2013: Batman #19     -- 132,147 (-  4.2%)
 -------------------------------
04/2014: Batman #30     -- 108,998 (-  6.8%)
05/2014: Batman #31     -- 107,499 (+  0.2%) [109,170]
06/2014: Batman #32     -- 130,077 (+ 19.2%) 
07/2014: Batman #33     -- 117,996 (-  9.3%) 
08/2014: Batman #34     -- 112,186 (-  4.9%) 
09/2014: Futures End #1 -- 142,980 (+ 27.4%) 
10/2014: Batman #35     -- 118,860 (- 16.9%) 
11/2014: Batman #36     -- 115,183 (-  3.1%) 
12/2014: Batman #37     -- 113,255 (-  1.7%) 
01/2015: Batman #38     -- 110,232 (-  2.7%) 
02/2015: Batman #39     -- 118,106 (+  7.1%) 
03/2015: -- 
04/2015: Batman #40     -- 131,128 (+ 11.0%) 
 -----------------
6 months: + 10.3%
1 year  : + 20.3%
2 years : -  0.8%
5 years : +115.2%
10 years: +110.3%

The over-sized (and over-priced) final issue of the “Endgame” story sees a healthy sales boost. Pushed back from March, so there’s a movie poster variant (The Mask). It will be interesting to see what happens when the book returns in June with the controversial New Batman.

—

14 - JUSTICE LEAGUE ($3.99)
04/2005: JLA #113            --  64,002
04/2010: JL of America #44   --  62,342
04/2011: JL of America #56   --  47,179
04/2012: Justice League #8   -- 133,240
04/2013: Justice League #19  -- 100,943
 ---------------------------------------
04/2014: Justice League #29  --  78,912 (-  2.5%)
05/2014: Justice League #30  --  77,456 (-  1.8%)
06/2014: Justice League #31  --  75,803 (-  2.1%)
07/2014: Justice League #32  --  88,179 (+ 16.3%)
08/2014: --
09/2014: Justice League #33  --  79,447 (-  9.9%)
09/2014: Futures End #1      -- 104,246 (+ 31.2%)
10/2014: Justice League #34  --  75,400 (- 27.7%)
10/2014: Justice League #35  --  75,264 (-  0.2%)
11/2014: Justice League #36  --  74,796 (-  0.6%)
12/2014: Justice League #37  --  72,081 (-  3.6%)
01/2015: Justice League #38  --  68,989 (-  4.3%)
02/2015: Justice League #39  --  72,904 (+  5.7%)
03/2015: -- 
04/2015: Justice League #40  --  78,388 (+  7.5%)
 -----------------
6 months: +  4.1%
1 year  : -  0.7%
2 years : - 22.3%
5 years : + 25.7%
10 years: + 22.5%

Also delayed from March, this “Darkseid War” prologue also features a movie poster variant (Magic Mike), with the gain likely due in part to both of those factors.

—

15 - HARLEY QUINN ($2.99)
04/2014: Harley Quinn #5  --  63,155 (+  0.1%)
05/2014: Harley Quinn #6  --  62,467 (-  1.1%)
06/2014: Harley Quinn #7  --  93,266 (+ 49.3%)
07/2014: Harley Quinn #8  --  76,827 (- 17.6%)
08/2014: Harley Quinn #9  --  71,522 (-  6.9%)
08/2014: Harley Quinn #10 --  58,500 (- 18.2%)
09/2014: Futures End #1   -- 119,180 (+103.7%)
10/2014: Harley Quinn #11 --  68,557 (- 42.5%)
11/2014: Harley Quinn #12 --  71,245 (+  3.9%)
12/2014: Harley Quinn #13 --  68,102 (-  4.4%)
01/2015: Harley Quinn #14 --  64,735 (-  4.9%)
02/2015: --
03/2015: Harley Quinn #15 --  66,904 (+  3.4%)
04/2015: Harley Quinn #16 --  72,055 (+  7.7%)
 -----------------
6 months: +  5.1%
1 year  : + 14.1%

Originally scheduled for March, so this is the issue with the Movie Poster variant (Jailhouse Rock).

—

17 - CONVERGENCE HARLEY QUINN ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 69,838

The top-selling Convergence tie-in comes in with numbers close to the regular title. We’ll see this in many cases where there was a more-or-less direct correlation that retailers (as a whole) ordered the Convergence book at about the same level as they would the regular book.

—

22 - CONVERGENCE JUSTICE LEAGUE ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 62,916

The second-best-selling Convergence tie-in. While about 15K below those of the regular Justice League title (putting lie to the statement I just made in the previous entry…)

—

25 - CONVERGENCE BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 58,693

26 - CONVERGENCE BATMAN & ROBIN ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 56,720

27 - CONVERGENCE DETECTIVE COMICS ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 58,693

The three Batman Convergence tie-ins clump together near the top of the Convergence list, which should surprise no one.

—

31 - THE MULTIVERSITY ($5.99)
08/2014: The Multiversity #1 -- 90,551 
09/2014: SoS-H: CotC-W    #1 -- 65,022 (- 28.2%)
10/2014: The Just         #1 -- 53,301 (- 18.0%)
11/2014: Pax Americana    #1 -- 51,490 (-  3.4%)
12/2014: Thunderworld     #1 -- 47,714 (-  7.3%)
01/2015: Guidebook        #1 -- 38,672 (- 19.0%)
02/2015: Mastermen        #1 -- 50,091 (+ 29.5%)
03/2015: Ultra Comics     #1 -- 48,938 (-  2.3%)
04/2015: The Multiversity #2 -- 54,275 (+  8.4%)
 -----------------
6 months: +  1.8%

Sales rise for the over-sized and extra-priced final issue.

—

33 - SUPERMAN ($3.99)
04/2005: Superman #214  -- 112,593 [116,198]
04/2010: Superman #699  --  33,183
04/2011: Superman #710  --  39,644
04/2012: Superman #8    --  64,486
04/2013: Superman #19   --  48,598 
 ---------------------------------
04/2014: Superman #30   --  37,316 (+ 11.0%)
05/2014: Superman #31   --  40,534 (+  8.6%)
06/2014: Superman #32   --  89,140 (+155.4%) [103,508]
07/2014: Superman #33   --  62,998 (- 39.1%)
08/2014: Superman #34   --  56,568 (- 10.2%)
09/2014: Futures End #1 --  77,949 (+ 37.8%)
10/2014: Superman #35   --  53,692 (- 31.1%)
11/2014: Superman #36   --  52,272 (-  2.6%)
12/2014: Superman #37   --  50,383 (-  3.6%)
01/2015: --
02/2015: Superman #38   --  48,987 (-  2.8%)
03/2015: Superman #39   --  50,260 (+  2.6%)
04/2015: Superman #40   --  52,666 (+  4.8%)
 -----------------
6 months: -  1.9%
1 year  : + 41.1%
2 years : +  8.4%
5 years : + 58.7%
10 years: - 54.7%

Playing catch-up, so this is the issue with the Movie Poster variant (Superfly).

—

34 - CONVERGENCE SUPERMAN ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 51,823

Orders for the Convergence tie-in come right about the same level as for the main title (see, I’m not completely out of it!)

—

36 - CONVERGENCE NIGHTWING/ORACLE ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 50,621

Orders for Grayson in March were 40,859.

—

39 - BATMAN ETERNAL ($3.99)
04/2014: Batman Eternal #1  -- 105,754           [110,916]
04/2014: Batman Eternal #2  --  84,566 (- 20.2%) [ 88,468]
04/2014: Batman Eternal #3  --  79,703 (-  4.8%) [ 84,183]
04/2014: Batman Eternal #4  --  78,009 (-  1.7%) [ 82,743]
05/2014: Batman Eternal #5  --  73,475 (- 11.2%)
05/2014: Batman Eternal #6  --  70,983 (-  3.4%)
05/2014: Batman Eternal #7  --  68,251 (-  3.8%)
05/2014: Batman Eternal #8  --  68,523 (+  0.4%)
06/2014: Batman Eternal #9  --  68,295 (-  0.3%)
06/2014: Batman Eternal #10 --  67,203 (-  1.6%)
06/2014: Batman Eternal #11 --  65,770 (-  2.1%)
06/2014: Batman Eternal #12 --  65,374 (-  0.6%)
07/2014: Batman Eternal #13 --  63,828 (-  2.4%)
07/2014: Batman Eternal #14 --  63,138 (-  1.1%)
07/2014: Batman Eternal #15 --  62,137 (-  1.6%)
07/2014: Batman Eternal #16 --  61,149 (-  1.6%)
07/2014: Batman Eternal #17 --  60,013 (-  1.9%)
08/2014: Batman Eternal #18 --  58,998 (-  1.7%)
08/2014: Batman Eternal #19 --  58,368 (-  1.1%)
08/2014: Batman Eternal #20 --  57,906 (-  0.8%)
08/2014: Batman Eternal #21 --  57,525 (-  0.7%)
09/2014: Batman Eternal #22 --  56,793 (-  1.3%)
09/2014: Batman Eternal #23 --  56,152 (-  1.1%)
09/2014: Batman Eternal #24 --  56,002 (-  0.3%)
09/2014: Batman Eternal #25 --  55,662 (-  0.6%)
10/2014: Batman Eternal #26 --  54,199 (-  2.6%)
10/2014: Batman Eternal #27 --  53,511 (-  1.3%)
10/2014: Batman Eternal #28 --  52,918 (-  1.1%)
10/2014: Batman Eternal #29 --  52,284 (-  1.2%)
10/2014: Batman Eternal #30 --  52,438 (+  0.3%)
11/2014: Batman Eternal #31 --  51,133 (-  2.5%)
11/2014: Batman Eternal #32 --  50,709 (-  0.8%)
11/2014: Batman Eternal #33 --  50,230 (-  0.9%)
11/2014: Batman Eternal #34 --  49,748 (-  1.0%)
12/2014: Batman Eternal #35 --  48,999 (-  1.5%)
12/2014: Batman Eternal #36 --  48,683 (-  0.6%)
12/2014: Batman Eternal #37 --  48,083 (-  1.2%)
12/2014: Batman Eternal #38 --  48,035 (-  0.1%)
12/2014: Batman Eternal #39 --  47,782 (-  0.5%)
01/2015: Batman Eternal #40 --  46,832 (-  2.0%)
01/2015: Batman Eternal #41 --  46,648 (-  0.4%)
01/2015: Batman Eternal #42 --  46,516 (-  0.3%)
01/2015: Batman Eternal #43 --  45,912 (-  1.3%)
02/2015: Batman Eternal #44 --  45,391 (-  1.1%)
02/2015: Batman Eternal #45 --  45,199 (-  0.4%)
02/2015: Batman Eternal #46 --  44,763 (-  1.0%)
02/2015: Batman Eternal #47 --  44,699 (-  0.1%)
03/2015: Batman Eternal #48 --  44,505 (-  0.4%)
03/2015: Batman Eternal #49 --  44,277 (-  0.5%)
03/2015: Batman Eternal #50 --  43,982 (-  0.7%)
03/2015: Batman Eternal #51 --  44,065 (+  0.2%)
04/2015: Batman Eternal #52 --  47,359 (+  7.5%)
 -----------------
6 months: - 10.8%
1 year  : - 48.3%

A bit of a rise for the over-sized and extra-priced final issue of the weekly. While sales dropped from the first month (average) to the last by about 50%, that’s actually on the good side of the equation as most of DC’s launches from around a year ago did much worse, and this sort of drop over the course of fifty or so issues would be the envy of just about any title. So look for there to be a second year of a Batman Weekly in the near future.

—

41 - CONVERGENCE BATGIRL ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 46,891

42 - CONVERGENCE GREEN LANTERN/PARALLAX ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 46,539

43 - CONVERGENCE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 46,111

44 - CONVERGENCE FLASH ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 45,414

45 - CONVERGENCE ACTION COMICS ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 45,189

A bunch of Convergence tie-ins featuring recognizable and long-running titles and characters all clump together on the chart in the mid 40K range.

—

46 - WONDER WOMAN ($2.99)
04/2005: Wonder Woman #215 -- 28,977 [30,436]
04/2010: Wonder Woman #43  -- 25,443
04/2011: Wonder Woman #610 -- 31,002
04/2012: Wonder Woman #8   -- 50,450
04/2013: Wonder Woman #19  -- 46,492 
 -------------------------------------
04/2014: Wonder Woman #30  -- 31,094 (+  0.3%)
05/2014: Wonder Woman #31  -- 30,655 (-  1.4%)
06/2014: Wonder Woman #32  -- 48,235 (+ 57.3%)
07/2014: Wonder Woman #33  -- 37,431 (- 22.4%)
08/2014: -- 
09/2014: Futures End #1    -- 69,497 (+ 85.7%)
10/2014: Wonder Woman #34  -- 35,774 (- 48.5%)
10/2014: Wonder Woman #35  -- 35,968 (+  0.5%)
11/2014: Wonder Woman #36  -- 58,965 (+ 63.9%)
12/2014: Wonder Woman #37  -- 43,066 (- 27.0%)
01/2015: Wonder Woman #38  -- 39,669 (-  7.9%)
02/2015: Wonder Woman #39  -- 42,634 (+  7.5%)
03/2015: -- 
04/2015: Wonder Woman #40  -- 45,172 (+  6.0%)
 -----------------
6 months: + 25.9%
1 year  : + 45.3%
2 years : -  2.8%
5 years : + 77.5%
10 years: + 48.4%

Delayed from March, so this is the issue with the Movie Poster variant (300). The Annual, completing the first Finch-ified story arc, was originally scheduled for April but has been pushed back to June.

—

47 - CONVERGENCE WONDER WOMAN ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 44,959

And despite being cover-priced at $1 more, the Convergence tie-in clocks in at just about the same sales level as the regular title.

—

48 - CONVERGENCE BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 44,078

On the one hand this comes in respectably in the middle of the Convergence pack. But on the other hand, it’s got flipping Batman in the title, and the other Batman tie-ins came in at around 10K more. So even years after cancellation The Outsiders get no respect.

—

51 - CONVERGENCE NEW TEEN TITANS ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 43,547

52 - CONVERGENCE SUICIDE SQUAD ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 43,518

53 - CONVERGENCE SPEED FORCE ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 42,977

57 - CONVERGENCE TITANS ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 40,518

58 - CONVERGENCE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 40,337

Another clump of Convergence tie-ins.

—

59 - SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN ($3.99)
04/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #7  -- 45,157 (+  4.3%)
05/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #8  -- 47,803 (+  5.9%)
06/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #9  -- 62,659 (+ 31.1%)
07/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #10 -- 50,254 (- 19.8%)
08/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #11 -- 50,550 (+  0.6%)
09/2014: Futures End #1            -- 77,169 (+ 52.7%)
10/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #12 -- 47,885 (- 37.9%)
11/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #13 -- 44,013 (-  8.1%)
12/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #14 -- 41,231 (-  6.3%)
01/2015: Superman/Wonder Woman #15 -- 36,877 (- 10.6%)
02/2015: Superman/Wonder Woman #16 -- 38,550 (+  4.5%)
03/2015: -- 
04/2015: Superman/Wonder Woman #17 -- 39,868 (+  3.4%)
 -----------------
6 months: - 16.7%
1 year  : - 11.7%

Delayed from March, with a Movie Poster variant (Gone with the Wind).

—

60 - BATMAN AND ROBIN ANNUAL
01/2013: Batman and Robin Ann #1 -- 52,244
01/2014: Batman and Robin Ann #2 -- 40,805 (-21.9%)
04/2015: Batman and Robin Ann #3 -- 39,676 (- 2.8%)

Comes in at only about 1K less than the 2014 edition.

—

61 - CONVERGENCE SHAZAM ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 39,587

This was the Convergence tie-in that I was most looking forward to, and it delivered! I’m a bit sad that this didn’t pull in better numbers; how could anyone see that Jeff Parker & Doc Shaner were doing classic Earth-S Captain Marvel & Co. and not prod their retailer to get them a copy?

—

64 - CONVERGENCE JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 38,911

66 - CONVERGENCE JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 38,579

68 - CONVERGENCE AQUAMAN ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 37,749

69 - CONVERGENCE GREEN LANTERN CORPS ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 37,437

70 - CONVERGENCE GREEN ARROW ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 37,303

71 - CONVERGENCE CATWOMAN ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 37,215

72 - CONVERGENCE SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 37,093

76 - CONVERGENCE SUPERGIRL: MATRIX ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 34,634

77 - CONVERGENCE THE QUESTION ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 34,446

81 - CONVERGENCE BOOSTER GOLD ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 34,191

82 - CONVERGENCE CRIME SYNDICATE ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 33,891

83 - CONVERGENCE SUPERBOY ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 33,739

84 - CONVERGENCE SUPERBOY & THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 33,605

85 - CONVERGENCE SWAMP THING ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 33,424

86 - CONVERGENCE THE ATOM ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 33,154

87 - CONVERGENCE HAWKMAN ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 32,985

88 - CONVERGENCE WORLD'S FINEST COMICS ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 32,635

91 - CONVERGENCE BLUE BEETLE ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 32,172

Another clump of Convergence tie-ins in the 30K – 40K range. This appears to have been the default level for the tie-ins that the retailers didn’t know what to do with.

—

95 - THE NEW 52 – FUTURES END ($3.99)
05/2014: Futures End #0  -- ?????? 
05/2014: Futures End #1  -- 77,867 
05/2014: Futures End #2  -- 62,862 (- 19.3%) 
05/2014: Futures End #3  -- 59,148 (-  5.9%)
05/2014: Futures End #4  -- 58,496 (-  1.1%)
06/2014: Futures End #5  -- 53,645 (-  8.3%)
06/2014: Futures End #6  -- 51,543 (-  3.9%)
06/2014: Futures End #7  -- 50,266 (-  2.5%)
06/2014: Futures End #8  -- 49,138 (-  2.2%)
07/2014: Futures End #9  -- 52,083 (+  6.0%)
07/2014: Futures End #10 -- 46,001 (- 11.7%)
07/2014: Futures End #11 -- 45,222 (-  1.7%)
07/2014: Futures End #12 -- 43,228 (-  4.4%)
07/2014: Futures End #13 -- 42,803 (-  1.0%)
08/2014: Futures End #14 -- 41,185 (-  3.8%)
08/2014: Futures End #15 -- 40,541 (-  1.6%)
08/2014: Futures End #16 -- 40,077 (-  1.1%)
08/2014: Futures End #17 -- 39,750 (-  0.8%)
09/2014: Futures End #18 -- 38,778 (-  2.4%)
09/2014: Futures End #19 -- 38,377 (-  1.0%)
09/2014: Futures End #20 -- 37,990 (-  1.0%)
09/2014: Futures End #21 -- 37,861 (-  0.3%)
10/2014: Futures End #22 -- 36,468 (-  3.7%)
10/2014: Futures End #23 -- 36,120 (-  1.0%)
10/2014: Futures End #24 -- 35,937 (-  0.5%)
10/2014: Futures End #25 -- 35,585 (-  1.0%)
10/2014: Futures End #26 -- 35,452 (-  0.4%)
11/2014: Futures End #27 -- 34,692 (-  2.1%)
11/2014: Futures End #28 -- 34,601 (-  0.3%)
11/2014: Futures End #29 -- 34,202 (-  1.2%)
11/2014: Futures End #30 -- 33,942 (-  0.8%)
12/2014: Futures End #31 -- 33,025 (-  2.7%)
12/2014: Futures End #32 -- 32,878 (-  0.4%)
12/2014: Futures End #33 -- 32,409 (-  1.4%)
12/2014: Futures End #34 -- 32,414 (+  0.0%)
12/2014: Futures End #35 -- 32,233 (-  0.6%)
01/2015: Futures End #36 -- 31,338 (-  2.8%)
01/2015: Futures End #37 -- 31,202 (-  0.4%)
01/2015: Futures End #38 -- 30,992 (-  0.7%)
01/2015: Futures End #39 -- 30,510 (-  1.6%)
02/2015: Futures End #40 -- 30,157 (-  1.2%)
02/2015: Futures End #41 -- 29,994 (-  0.5%)
02/2015: Futures End #42 -- 29,641 (-  1.2%)
02/2015: Futures End #43 -- 29,647 (+  0.0%)
03/2015: Futures End #44 -- 29,971 (+  1.1%)
03/2015: Futures End #45 -- 29,610 (-  1.2%)
03/2015: Futures End #46 -- 29,543 (-  0.2%)
03/2015: Futures End #47 -- 29,386 (-  0.5%)
04/2015: Futures End #48 -- 31,976 (+  8.8%)
 -----------------
6 months: - 11.0%

The over-sized and extra-priced final issue of the weekly jumps back above the 30K mark.

—

99 - BATMAN/SUPERMAN ANNUAL ($4.99)
03/2014: Batman/Superman Ann #1 -- 52,937 
04/2015: Batman/Superman Ann #2 -- 31,451 (- 40.6%)

Thirteen months later and a Bats/Supes annual doesn’t have the same pull that it used to.

—

101 - CONVERGENCE PLASTIC MAN AND THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 30,460

102 - CONVERGENCE INFINITY INC. ($3.99)
04/2015: Convergence #1 -- 30,114

The final two Convergence tie-ins both clock in above the 30K mark.

Consider that in March, there were a whopping twenty-four issues of regular DCU series that clocked in under 30K. (The lowest was Klarion at just 5K.) No matter how you slice it, this little fill-in event has ended up being a solid success.

—

119, 129 - BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT (Digital-First) ($3.99)
03/2015: Batman Arkham Knight #1  -- 73,266 
04/2015: Batman Arkham Knight #2  -- 25,479 (- 65.2%)
04/2015: Batman Arkham Knight #3  -- 23,370 (-  8.3%)

Without the benefit of the subscription box boost, Arkham Knight drops down to a more reasonable level. It still have quite good sales for a Digital-First series, and is the top non-DCU title for April.

—

120 - EARTH 2 - WORLD'S END ($2.99)
10/2014: E2 World's End #1  -- 48,249
10/2014: E2 World's End #2  -- 40,190 (- 16.7%)
10/2014: E2 World's End #3  -- 38,496 (-  4.2%)
10/2014: E2 World's End #4  -- 37,874 (-  1.6%)
11/2014: E2 World's End #5  -- 36,395 (-  3.9%)
11/2014: E2 World's End #6  -- 31,248 (- 14.1%)
11/2014: E2 World's End #7  -- 30,378 (-  2.8%)
11/2014: E2 World's End #8  -- 29,636 (-  2.4%)
12/2014: E2 World's End #9  -- 28,204 (-  4.8%)
12/2014: E2 World's End #10 -- 27,893 (-  1.1%)
12/2014: E2 World's End #11 -- 27,297 (-  2.1%)
12/2014: E2 World's End #12 -- 27,256 (-  0.1%)
12/2014: E2 World's End #13 -- 26,942 (-  1.2%)
01/2015: E2 World's End #14 -- 25,600 (-  5.0%)
01/2015: E2 World's End #15 -- 25,562 (-  0.1%)
01/2015: E2 World's End #16 -- 25,331 (-  0.9%)
01/2015: E2 World's End #17 -- 24,955 (-  1.5%)
02/2015: E2 World's End #18 -- 24,435 (-  2.1%)
02/2015: E2 World's End #19 -- 24,376 (-  0.2%)
02/2015: E2 World's End #20 -- 24,182 (-  0.8%)
02/2015: E2 World's End #21 -- 24,033 (-  0.6%)
03/2015: E2 World's End #22 -- 23,814 (-  0.9%)
03/2015: E2 World's End #23 -- 23,765 (-  0.2%)
03/2015: E2 World's End #24 -- 23,652 (-  0.5%)
03/2015: E2 World's End #25 -- 23,529 (-  0.5%)
04/2015: E2 World's End #26 -- 25,472 (+  8.3%)
 ----------------
6 months: - 38.2%

The final issue of the series that most directly led into Convergence is outsold by every Convergence tie-in.

—

123, 125 - ENDGAME one-shots ($2.99)
03/2015: Detective Comics #1 -- 39,506 
03/2015: Batgirl          #1 -- 32,393 
04/2015: Arkham Manor     #1 -- 25,190 
04/2015: Gotham Academy   #1 -- 24,876

These two “Endgame” tie-in one-shots were originally solicited for March, but got pushed back into April. They’re significantly lower than last month’s, but that may just be because the Arkham Manor and Gotham Academy core titles sell significantly lower than ‘Tec and Batgirl.

—

131 - TEEN TITANS ANNUAL ($4.99)
04/2012: Teen Titans Annual #1 -- 44,415 
10/2013: Teen Titans Annual #2 -- 26,957 (- 39.3%)
05/2014: Teen Titans Annual #3 -- 23,140 (- 14.2%)
04/2015: Teen Titans Annual #1 -- 22,939 (-  0.9%)

Sales for the first annual of the new series are nearly identical to those of the third annual of the previous series. But since sales for the new series are currently tracking about 13K than where the old series was, this seems like a bit of a let down.

—

155 - SINESTRO ANNUAL ($4.99)
04/2012: Sinestro Annual #1 -- 19,331

Sales are pretty much what one might expect from a Sinestro Annual. It’s also the only DC title in a nearly sixty position stretch on the monthly unit sales rankings.

—

190 - INJUSTICE ANNUAL ($4.99)
11/2013: Injustice Year 1 Annual #1 -- 21,764 
10/2014: Injustice Year 2 Annual #1 -- 17,086 (- 21.5%) 
04/2015: Injustice Year 3 Annual #1 -- 14,905 (- 12.8%)

Sales come in just a few hundred units lower than the last print issue of Year 3. (The Injustice Annual is not a digital first title.)

—

193 - MORTAL KOMBAT X (Digital-First) ($3.99)
01/2015: Mortal Kombat X #1  -- 21,062 
02/2015: Mortal Kombat X #2  -- 13,277 (- 37.0%) 
02/2015: Mortal Kombat X #3  -- 12,581 (-  5.2%)
03/2015: Mortal Kombat X #4  -- 14,038 (+ 11.6%)
04/2015: Mortal Kombat X #5  -- 14,741 (+  5.0%)

Not as big as last month’s rise, but still a gain of about 700 copies.

—

195 - BATMAN '66 (Digital-First) ($2.99)
04/2014: Batman '66 #10 -- 17,917 (- 4.7%)
05/2014: Batman '66 #11 -- 18,642 (+ 4.0%)
06/2014: Batman '66 #12 -- 17,286 (- 7.3%)
07/2014: Batman '66 #13 -- 17,264 (- 0.1%)
08/2014: Batman '66 #14 -- 21,456 (+24.3%)
09/2014: Batman '66 #15 -- 16,842 (-21.5%)
10/2014: Batman '66 #16 -- 15,923 (- 5.5%)
11/2014: Batman '66 #17 -- 15,585 (- 2.1%)
12/2014: Batman '66 #18 -- 15,409 (- 1.1%)
01/2015: --
02/2015: Batman '66 #19 -- 14,770 (- 4.1%)
02/2015: Batman '66 #20 -- 14,525 (- 1.7%)
03/2015: Batman '66 #21 -- 14,238 (- 2.0%)
04/2015: Batman '66 #22 -- 14,135 (- 0.7%)
 -----------------
6 months: - 11.2%
1 year  : - 21.1%

—

202 - BATWOMAN ANNUAL ($4.99)
04/2014: Batwoman Annual #1 -- 17,312 
04/2015: Batwoman Annual #2 -- 12,960 (- 25.1%) 
-----------------
1 year  : - 25.1%

The lowest-selling DCU title of April, wrapping up the final storyline.

—

207 - AMERICAN VAMPIRE: SECOND CYCLE (Vertigo) ($2.99)
04/2010: American Vampire #2     --  26,770
04/2011: American Vampire #14    --  16,168
04/2012: American Vampire #26    --  14,493
04/2013: --
 -------------------------------------------
04/2014: American Vampire 2Cy #2 --  17,068 (- 18.2%)
05/2014: American Vampire 2Cy #3 --  15,642 (-  8.4%)
06/2014: --
07/2014: American Vampire 2Cy #4 --  15,400 (-  1.5%)
08/2014: --
09/2014: --
10/2014: American Vampire 2Cy #5 --  14,621 (-  7.4%)
11/2014: --
12/2014: --
01/2015: --
02/2015: American Vampire 2Cy #6 --  13,234 (-  7.2%)
03/2015: --
04/2015: American Vampire 2Cy #7 --  12,273 (-  7.3%)
 -----------------
6 months: - 16.1%
1 year  : - 28.1%
2 years :    n.a.
5 years : - 54.2%

Drops another 7%; I don’t think the irregular schedule is doing AV any favors. Still, it’s the highest-selling Vertigo title for April.

—

216 - HE-MAN: ETERNITY WAR ($2.99)
04/2013: He-Man & MotU #1   -- 25,254 
 -------------------------------------
04/2014: He-Man & MotU #12  -- 12,718 (-  2.8%)
05/2014: He-Man & MotU #13  -- 12,430 (-  2.3%)
06/2014: He-Man & MotU #14  -- 12,144 (-  2.3%)
07/2014: He-Man & MotU #15  -- 11,905 (-  2.0%)
08/2014: He-Man & MotU #16  -- 11,721 (-  1.5%)
09/2014: He-Man & MotU #17  -- 11,756 (+  0.3%)
10/2014: He-Man & MotU #18  -- 11,501 (-  2.2%)
11/2014: He-Man & MotU #19  -- 11,022 (-  4.2%)
12/2014: He-Man Eternity #1 -- 18,884 (+ 71.3%)
01/2015: He-Man Eternity #2 -- 12,104 (- 35.9%)
02/2015: He-Man Eternity #3 -- 11,700 (-  3.3%)
03/2015: He-Man Eternity #4 -- 11,746 (+  0.4%)
04/2015: He-Man Eternity #5 -- 11,625 (-  1.0%)
 ----------------
6 months: +  1.1%
1 year  : -  8.6%
2 years : - 54.0%

Pretty steady over the past few months.

—

221 - ASTRO CITY (Vertigo) ($3.99)
04/2005: --
04/2010: --
04/2011: --
04/2012: --
 ------------------------------------
04/2014: Astro City #11    -- 13,909 (- 1.3%)
05/2014: Astro City #12    -- 13,795 (- 0.8%)
06/2014: Astro City #13    -- 13,419 (- 2.7%)
07/2014: --
08/2014: Astro City #14    -- 13,069 (- 2.6%)
09/2014: Astro City #15    -- 12,660 (- 3.1%)
10/2014: Astro City #16    -- 12,480 (- 1.4%)
11/2014: Astro City #17    -- 12,055 (- 3.4%)
12/2014: Astro City #18    -- 11,985 (- 0.6%)
01/2015: Astro City #19    -- 11,734 (- 2.1%)
02/2015: Astro City #20    -- 11,603 (- 1.1%)
03/2015: Astro City #21    -- 11,492 (- 1.0%)
04/2015: Astro City #22    -- 11,359 (- 1.2%)
 -----------------
6 months: -  9.0%
1 year  : - 18.3%
5 years :    n.a.
10 years:    n.a.

Continues to lose about 1% per month. Not exact super sales, but it’s doing a far sight better than most of the other Vertigo books.

—

226 - SENSATION COMICS FEAT WONDER WOMAN (Digital-First) ($3.99)
08/2014: Sensation Comics #1 -- 29,640
09/2014: Sensation Comics #2 -- 22,085 (- 25.5%)
10/2014: Sensation Comics #3 -- 17,996 (- 18.5%)
11/2014: Sensation Comics #4 -- 16,573 (-  7.9%)
12/2014: Sensation Comics #5 -- 14,323 (- 13.6%)
01/2015: Sensation Comics #6 -- 12,927 (-  9.7%)
02/2015: Sensation Comics #7 -- 12,115 (-  6.3%)
03/2015: Sensation Comics #8 -- 11,399 (-  5.9%)
04/2015: Sensation Comics #9 -- 11,007 (-  3.4%)
 ----------------
6 months: - 38.8%

Clinging to the upper side of the 11K line.

—

232 - THE FLASH: SEASON ZERO (Digital-First) ($2.99)
10/2014: Flash Season 0 #1 -- 23,501 
11/2014: Flash Season 0 #2 -- 14,287 (- 39.2%) 
12/2014: Flash Season 0 #3 -- 12,247 (- 14.3%) 
01/2015: Flash Season 0 #4 -- 10,806 (- 11.8%) 
02/2015: Flash Season 0 #5 -- 10,450 (-  3.3%) 
03/2015: Flash Season 0 #6 -- 10,188 (-  2.5%) 
04/2015: Flash Season 0 #7 -- 10,152 (-  0.4%) 
 ----------------
6 months: - 56.8%

Just thirty-six fewer copies than last month, so I thing it’s safe to say that the Flash TV tie-in has found its natural level.

—

246 - SUICIDERS (Vertigo) ($3.99)
02/2015: Suiciders #1  -- 18,275 
03/2015: Suiciders #2  -- 10,585 (- 42.1%) 
04/2015: Suiciders #3  --  9,891 (- 6.6%)

Returnable, so adjusted up 10% from the reported numbers (see the disclaimers at the end of this column for why we make this adjustment).

Drops below 10K on its third issue.

—

249 - FABLES: THE WOLF AMONG US (Vertigo) (Digital-First) ($3.99)
01/2015: Fables: TWAU #1  -- 13,620 
02/2015: Fables: TWAU #2  -- 10,224 (- 24.9%) 
03/2015: Fables: TWAU #3  --  9,352 (-  8.5%) 
04/2015: Fables: TWAU #4  --  8,793 (-  6.0%)

253 - ARROW: SEASON 2.5 (Digital-First) ($2.99)
04/2013: Arrow #6            -- 10,462 
 --------------------------------------
10/2014: Arrow Season 2.5 #1 -- 17,364 (+113.1%) 
11/2014: Arrow Season 2.5 #2 -- 11,121 (- 36.0%) 
12/2014: Arrow Season 2.5 #3 --  9,862 (- 11.3%) 
01/2015: Arrow Season 2.5 #4 --  9,302 (-  5.7%) 
02/2015: Arrow Season 2.5 #5 --  9,060 (-  2.6%) 
03/2015: Arrow Season 2.5 #6 --  9,055 (-  0.1%) 
04/2015: Arrow Season 2.5 #7 --  8,671 (-  4.2%) 
 ----------------
6 months: - 50.1%
2 years : - 17.1%

261 - TEEN TITANS GO! (Digital-First) ($2.99)
04/2005: Teen Titans Go! #18 -- 14,152
 --------------------------------------
04/2014: Teen Titans Go! #3  --  8,185 (- 9.4%)
05/2014: --
06/2014: Teen Titans Go! #4  --  8,667 (+ 5.9%)
07/2014: --
08/2014: Teen Titans Go! #5  --  8,688 (+ 0.2%)
09/2014: --
10/2014: Teen Titans Go! #6  --  8,677 (- 0.1%)
11/2014: --
12/2014: Teen Titans Go! #7  --  8,254 (- 4.9%)
01/2015: --
02/2015: Teen Titans Go! #8  --  7,917 (- 4.1%)
03/2015: --
04/2015: Teen Titans Go! #9  --  8,395 (+ 6.0%)
 -----------------
6 months: -  3.2%
1 year  : +  2.6%
10 years: - 40.7%

Three more digital-first titles. TTG! rebounds back to its apparent level after February’s dip.

—

294 - WOLF MOON (Vertigo) ($2.99)
12/2014: Wolf Moon #1 of 6 -- 15,865 
01/2015: Wolf Moon #2 of 6 --  8,747 (- 44.9%) 
02/2015: Wolf Moon #3 of 6 --  7,789 (- 11.0%) 
03/2015: Wolf Moon #4 of 6 --  7,124 (-  8.5%) 
04/2015: Wolf Moon #5 of 6 --  6,722 (-  5.6%)

Dropping, but at least it’s still on the top 330 chart, unlike many of its Vertigo brethren.

—

+300 - STRANGE SPORTS STORIES (Vertigo) ($4.99)
03/2015: Strange Sports #1 of 4 -- 9,003 
04/2015: Strange Sports #2 of 4 -- ????? (< 6,352)

+300 - VERTIGO QUARTERLY SFX (Vertigo) ($7.99)
04/2014: Cyan #1    -- 9,456 
05/2014: --
06/2014: --
07/2014: Magenta #1 -- 7,360 (- 22.2%) 
08/2014: --
09/2014: --
10/2014: Yellow #1  -- 6,384 (- 13.3%) 
11/2014: --
12/2014: --
01/2015: Black #1   -- 5,516 (- 13.6%) 
03/2015: --
03/2015: --
04/2015: POP! #1    -- ????? (< 6,352) 
 ----------------
6 months:  ????%
1 year  :  ????%

+300 - INFINITE CRISIS: FIGHT FOR THE MULTIVERSE (Digital-First) ($3.99)
07/2014: Infinite Crisis FftM #1  -- 26,096
08/2014: Infinite Crisis FftM #2  -- 15,340 (- 41.2%)
09/2014: Infinite Crisis FftM #3  -- 13,884 (-  9.5%)
10/2014: Infinite Crisis FftM #4  -- 11,348 (- 18.3%)
11/2014: Infinite Crisis FftM #5  --  8,920 (- 21.4%)
12/2014: Infinite Crisis FftM #6  --  7,809 (- 12.5%)
01/2015: Infinite Crisis FftM #7  --  7,231 (-  7.4%)
02/2015: Infinite Crisis FftM #8  --  6,498 (- 10.1%)
03/2015: Infinite Crisis FftM #9  --  6,236 (-  4.0%)
04/2015: Infinite Crisis FftM #10 --  ????? (< 6,352)
 ----------------
6 months:  ????%

+300 - COFFIN HILL (Vertigo) ($2.99)
04/2014: Coffin Hill #7  --  9,547 (- 4.4%)
05/2014: --
06/2014: Coffin Hill #8  --  8,764 (- 8.2%)
07/2014: Coffin Hill #9  --  8,396 (- 4.2%)
08/2014: Coffin Hill #10 --  7,710 (- 8.1%)
09/2014: Coffin Hill #11 --  7,422 (- 3.7%)
10/2014: Coffin Hill #12 --  7,136 (- 3.9%)
11/2014: Coffin Hill #13 --  6,752 (- 5.4%)
12/2014: Coffin Hill #14 --  6,410 (- 5.1%)
01/2015: --
02/2015: Coffin Hill #15 --  5,933 (- 7.4%)
03/2015: Coffin Hill #16 --  5,785 (- 2.5%)
04/2015: Coffin Hill #17 --  ????? (< 6,352)
 -----------------
6 months:   ????%
1 year  :   ????%

+300 - EFFIGY (Vertigo) ($2.99)
01/2015: Effigy #1  -- 11,656 
02/2015: Effigy #2  --  6,408 (- 45.0%) 
03/2015: Effigy #3  --  ????? (< 4,917) 
04/2015: Effigy #4  --  ????? (< 6,352)

+300 - THE KITCHEN (Vertigo) ($2.99)
11/2014: The Kitchen #1 of 8 -- 14,066 
12/2014: The Kitchen #2 of 8 --  7,403 (- 47.4%) 
01/2015: The Kitchen #3 of 8 --  6,328 (- 14.5%) 
02/2015: The Kitchen #4 of 8 --  5,153 (- 18.6%) 
03/2015: The Kitchen #5 of 8 --  ????? (< 4,917) 
04/2015: The Kitchen #6 of 8 --  ????? (< 6,352)

+300 - THE NAMES (Vertigo) ($2.99)
09/2014: The Names #1 of 8 -- 17,266 
10/2014: The Names #2 of 9 --  9,056 (- 47.6%) 
11/2014: The Names #3 of 9 --  6,926 (- 23.5%) 
12/2014: The Names #4 of 9 --  5,918 (- 14.6%) 
01/2015: The Names #5 of 9 --  5,312 (- 10.2%) 
02/2015: The Names #6 of 9 --  4,965 (-  6.5%) 
03/2015: The Names #7 of 9 --  ????? (< 4,917) 
04/2015: The Names #8 of 9 --  ????? (< 6,352)

+300 - HINTERKIND (Vertigo) ($2.99)
04/2014: --
05/2014: Hinterkind #7  --  7,487 (- 9.9%)
06/2014: Hinterkind #8  --  7,212 (- 3.7%)
07/2014: Hinterkind #9  --  6,686 (- 7.3%)
08/2014: Hinterkind #10 --  6,283 (- 6.0%)
09/2014: Hinterkind #11 --  ????? (< 6,262)
10/2014: Hinterkind #12 --  ????? (< 6,298)
11/2014: --
12/2014: Hinterkind #13 --  5,080 
01/2015: Hinterkind #14 --  4,810 (- 5.3%) 
02/2015: Hinterkind #15 --  ????? (< 4,804)
03/2015: Hinterkind #16 --  ????? (< 4,917)
04/2015: Hinterkind #17 --  ????? (< 6,352)
 -----------------
6 months:   ????%
1 year  :    n.a.

+300 - SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (All-Ages) ($2.99)
04/2005: Scooby-Doo #95                -- 4,800
04/2010: Scooby-Doo #155               -- 3,836
04/2011: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #8  -- 4,599
04/2012: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #20 -- 4,752
04/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #32 -- 4,688 
 -----------------------------------------------
04/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #44 -- 4,650 (+0.6%)
05/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #45 -- 4,840 (+4.1%)
06/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #46 -- ????? (< 4,560)
07/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #47 -- ????? (< 6,594)
08/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #48 -- ????? (< 5,357)
09/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #49 -- ????? (< 6,262)
10/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #50 -- ????? (< 6,298)
11/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #51 -- ????? (< 5,214)
12/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #52 -- ????? (< 5,053)
01/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #53 -- 4,703 
02/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #54 -- ????? (< 4,804) 
03/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #55 -- ????? (< 4,917) 
04/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #56 -- ????? (< 6,352) 
 -----------------
6 months:    ???%
1 year  :    ???%
2 years :    ???%
5 years :    ???%
10 years:    ???%

+300 - LOONEY TUNES (All-Ages) ($2.99)
04/2005: Looney Tunes #125 -- 2,974
04/2010: Looney Tunes #185 -- ?????
04/2011: Looney Tunes #197 -- ?????
04/2012: Looney Tunes #206 -- ?????
04/2013: Looney Tunes #212 -- ?????
 ----------------------------------------
04/2014: Looney Tunes #218 -- ????? (< 2,823)
05/2014: -- 
06/2014: Looney Tunes #219 -- ????? (< 4,560)
07/2014: -- 
08/2014: Looney Tunes #220 -- ????? (< 5,357)
09/2014: -- 
10/2014: Looney Tunes #221 -- ????? (< 6,298)
11/2014: -- 
12/2014: Looney Tunes #222 -- ????? (< 5,053)
01/2015: --
02/2015: Looney Tunes #223 -- ????? (< 4,804)
03/2015: --
04/2015: Looney Tunes #224 -- ????? (< 6,352)
 -----------------
6 months:   ????%
1 year  :   ????%
2 years :   ????%
5 years :   ????%
10 years:   ????%

Ten DC titles don’t make the Top 300 this month, including seven Vertigo titles—more than half of Vertigo’s April output. The cutoff this month was 6,352, the highest its been since July 2014. Which is good news for the comics market as a whole, but not as much for the titles at DC’s tail end.

—

Average Periodical Sales (not counting reprints, reorders shipping after the initial month of release, and magazines)

DC COMICS
04/2005: 30,053
04/2010: 23,740
04/2011: 25,651
04/2012: 31,319
04/2013: 29,914 
 ---------------
04/2014: 29,202 (+  9.1%)**
05/2014: 31,764 (+  8.8%)
06/2014: 32,834 (+  3.4%)**
07/2014: 32,760 (+  0.2%)**
08/2014: 28,951 (- 11.6%)**
09/2014: 46,869 (+ 61.9%)**
10/2014: 31,598 (- 32.6%)**
11/2014: 28,654 (-  9.3%)**
12/2014: 29,047 (+  1.4%)**
01/2015: 24,289 (- 16.4%)
02/2015: 24,537 (+  1.0%)**
03/2015: 23,466 (-  4.4%)**
04/2015: 38,390 (+ 63.6%)**
 -----------------
6 months: + 21.5%
1 year  : + 31.5%
2 years : + 28.3%
5 years : + 61.7%
10 years: + 27.7%

DC UNIVERSE
04/2005: 39,140
04/2010: 32,859
04/2011: 29,126
04/2012: 35,264
04/2013: 31,426 
 ---------------
04/2014: 36,447 (+ 13.9%) 
05/2014: 39,555 (+  8.5%) 
06/2014: 42,733 (+  8.0%) 
07/2014: 40,945 (-  4.2%) 
08/2014: 36,645 (- 10.5%) 
09/2014: 63,401 (+ 73.0%)** 
10/2014: 39,978 (- 36.9%)
11/2014: 36,710 (-  8.2%)
12/2014: 34,882 (-  5.0%)
01/2015: 30,680 (- 12.0%)
02/2015: 32,403 (+  5.6%)
03/2015: 28,559 (- 11.9%)
04/2015: 50,135 (+ 75.5%)
 -----------------
6 months: + 25.4%
1 year  : + 37.6%
2 years : + 59.5%
5 years : + 52.6%
10 years: + 28.1%

VERTIGO
04/2005: 13,050
04/2010: 10,815
04/2011: 10,014
04/2012: 11,595
04/2013: 11,467 
 ---------------
04/2014: 11,214 (- 41.5%) 
05/2014: 11,778 (+  5.0%) 
06/2014: 11,372 (-  3.4%) 
07/2014: 15,803 (+ 39.0%)** 
08/2014:  9,082 (- 42.5%)
09/2014: 10,022 (+ 10.4%)**
10/2014:  9,066 (-  9.5%)**
11/2014:  8,511 (-  6.1%)**
12/2014: 13,195 (+ 55.0%)**
01/2015:  8,361 (- 36.6%)
02/2015:  8,612 (+  3.0%)**
03/2015:  7,055 (- 15.6%)**
04/2015:  7,257 (+  2.9%)**
 -----------------
6 months: - 20.0%
1 year  : - 35.3%
2 years : - 36.7%
5 years : - 32.9%
10 years: - 44.4%

—

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

+ 25.9% – Wonder Woman
+ 10.3% – Batman
+ 5.1% – Harley Quinn
+ 4.1% – Justice League
+ 1.8& – The Multiversity
+ 1.1% – He-Man Eternity War (He-Man and the MotU)
– 1.9% – Superman
– 9.0% – Astro City
– 10.8% – Batman Eternal
– 11.0% – New 52 Futures End
– 11.2% – Batman ’66
– 16.1% – American Vampire
– 16.7% – Superman/Wonder Woman
– 25.1% – Batwoman Annual
– 38.2% – Earth 2 World’s End
– 38.8% – Sensation Comics feat. Wonder Woman
– 50.1% – Arrow Season 2.5
– 56.8% – Flash Season Zero

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

+ 45.3% – Wonder Woman
+ 41.1% – Superman
+ 20.3% – Batman
+ 14.1% – Harley Quinn
– 0.7% – Justice League
– 8.6% – He-Man Eternity War (He-Man and the MotU)
– 11.7% – Superman/Wonder Woman
– 18.3% – Astro City
– 21.1% – Batman ’66
– 28.1% – American Vampire
– 48.3% – Batman Eternal

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

+ 8.4% – Superman
– 0.8% – Batman
– 2.8% – Wonder Woman
– 17.1% – Arrow
– 22.3% – Justice League
– 54.0% – He-Man Eternity War (He-Man and the MotU)

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

+115.2% – Batman
+ 77.5% – Wonder Woman
+ 58.7% – Superman
+ 25.7% – Justice League (Justice League of America)
– 54.2% – American Vampire

10 year comparisons
===================

+110.3% – Batman
+ 48.4% – Wonder Woman
+ 22.5% – Justice League (JLA)
– 54.7% – Superman

Sales Indices
=============

DCU: Average: 50,135. Median: 40,337.

3.1 – Convergence 0
2.9 – Convergence 1
2.6 – Batman
2.5 – Convergence 2
2.4 – Convergence 3
2.3 – Convergence 4
1.6 – Justice League
1.4 – Harley Quinn
1.4 – Convergence Harley Quinn
1.3 – Convergence Justice League
1.2 – Convergence Batman Shadow of the Bat
1.1 – Convergence Batman and Robin
1.1 – The Multiversity
1.1 – Superman
1.0 – Convergence Superman
1.0 – Convergence Nightwing/Oracle
0.9 – Batman Eternal
0.9 – Convergence Batgirl
0.9 – Convergence Green Lantern/Parallax
0.9 – Convergence Justice League of America
0.9 – Convergence Flash
0.9 – Convergence Action Comics
0.9 – Wonder Woman
0.9 – Convergence Wonder Woman
0.9 – Convergence Batman and the Outsiders
0.9 – Convergence New Teen Titans
0.9 – Convergence Suicide Squad
0.9 – Convergence Speed Force
0.8 – Convergence Titans
0.8 – Convergence Adventures of Superman
0.8 – Superman/Wonder Woman
0.8 – Batman and Robin Annual
0.8 – Convergence Shazam
0.8 – Convergence Justice Society of America
0.8 – Convergence Justice League International
0.8 – Convergence Aquaman
0.7 – Convergence Green Lantern Corps
0.7 – Convergence Green Arrow
0.7 – Convergence Catwoman
0.7 – Convergence Superman: The Man of Steel
0.7 – Convergence Supergirl: Matrix
0.7 – Convergence The Question
0.7 – Convergence Booster Gold
0.7 – Convergence Crime Syndicate
0.7 – Convergence Superboy
0.7 – Convergence Superboy and The Legion of Super-Heroes
0.7 – Convergence Swamp Thing
0.7 – Convergence The Atom
0.7 – Convergence Hawkman
0.6 – Convergence World’s Finest Comics
0.6 – The New 52 – Futures End
0.6 – Batman/Superman Annual
0.6 – Convergence Plastic Man and The Freedom Fighters
0.6 – Convergence Infinity Inc.
0.5 – Earth 2 World’s End
0.5 – Arkham Manor Endgame
0.5 – Gotham Academy Endgame
0.5 – Teen Titans Annual
0.4 – Sinestro Annual
0.3 – Batwoman Annual

Vertigo: Average: 7,257*. Median: 6,352*

1.7 – American Vampire
1.6 – Astro City
1.4 – Suiciders
1.2 – Fables: The Wolf Among Us
0.9 – Wolf Moon
0.9 – Strange SPorts Stories *
0.9 – Vertigo Quarterly SFX *
0.8 – Coffin Hill *
0.7 – Effigy *
0.7 – The Kitchen *
0.7 – The Names *
0.7 – Hinterkind *

Digital First & Other: Average: 12,016*. Median: 11,007*

2.1 – Batman Arkham Knight 2
1.9 – Batman Arkham Knight 3
1.2 – Injustice Annual
1.2 – Mortal Kombat X
1.2 – Batman ’66
1.0 – He-Man Eternity War
0.9 – Sensation Comics feat. Wonder Woman
0.8 – Flash Season Zero
0.7 – Arrow Season 2.5
0.7 – Teen Titans Go!
0.5 – Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse *
0.4 – Scooby-Doo Where Are You? *
0.2 – Looney Tunes

—

The Fine Print (Disclaimers, et cetera)

The numbers above are estimates for comic-book sales in the North American direct market, as calculated by ICv2.com according to the chart and index information provided by Diamond Comic Distributors.

ICv2.com’s estimates are somewhat lower than the actual numbers, but they are consistent from month to month, so the trends they show are fairly accurate. Since it’s a “month-to-month” column, the comments, unless otherwise noted, are on the most recent month.

Bear in mind that the figures measure sales of physical comics to retailers, not customers. Also, these numbers do not include sales to bookstores, newsstands, other mass-market retail chains or the United Kingdom. Re-orders are included, so long as they either reached stores in a book’s initial calendar month of release or were strong enough to make the chart again in a subsequent month. Keep in mind that sales for some titles may include incentives to acquire variants and not every unit sold is necessarily even intended to be sold to a customer.

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

Titles which are returnable have their numbers artificially adjusted down by Diamond. To make up for that this column increases the reported numbers for those titles by 10%. Which is likely also wrong, but it’s a different and likely less wrong kind of wrong, and experience has shown that this leads to sales figures which are more consistent.

Titles released under the All-Ages line and magazines, such as Mad, mostly sell through channels other than the direct market, so direct-market sales don’t tell us much about their performance. For most Vertigo titles, collection sales tend to be a significant factor, so the numbers for those books should be taken with a grain of salt as well. To learn (a little) more about Vertigo’s collection sales, go right here.

Please keep in mind that raw sales numbers do not tell us about how profitable a book is for a publisher or for the creators.

Above all, do not allow sales numbers to dictate your purchasing and enjoyment of a particular comic. If you enjoy reading a comic series then go right on buying and reading that comic, no matter what the sales figures say.

** Two asterisks after a given month in the average charts mean that one or more periodical release did not make the Top 300/400 chart in that month. In those cases, it’s assumed that said releases sold as many units as the No. 300/400 comic on the chart for that month for the purposes of the chart, although its actual sales are likely to be less than that.

Opinions expressed in this column are mine alone, and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer, Heidi MacDonald or anyone at The Comics Beat, the American Association of Candy Technologists, or my former neighbor’s dog Miles.

The author of this column does weekly snapshots of Amazon comic sales charts at http://yetanothercomicsblog.blogspot.com/ and tweets about comics and related subjects on Twitter at @davereadscomics (PM me there is you need to contact me).

As always, we welcome your comments and corrections below. Please try to keep things civilized.