by David Carter

harley-quinn-1Greetings, sales charts fans! It’s time once again to look at DC’s sales figures.

It was another good month for DC. They sold an estimated almost 5 million comics in August, besting last month’s total by over 900K units and crushing their previous record for the modern Diamond era (4.05 million in August 2013, the Forever Evil 3D cover month).

Yet it is not all smiles and candy in the Rebirthed DCU. Average DCU sales, while still very high, are down a bit from last month. (Though average sales for DC overall went up again, mostly due to lower-selling Vertigo series ending or skipping August.) And Rebirthed titles are starting to drop, as books look for their new levels. So rest easy knowing that water is still wet, the Sun still rises in the East, and most comics titles will still follow normal sales patterns.

Hey, let’s talk about returnability, as there is often confusion as to what it means when looking at the sales charts.

Publishers sometimes offer up their comics as being returnable (which means that, after a certain period of time has elapsed, retailers can tear off the covers of unsold copies and return them for credit). Publishers do this in order to encourage retailers to order less conservatively, ordering at the upper bound of what they think they can sell, as opposed to the lower bound. Margins tend to be pretty thin for comics retailers, and it doesn’t take too many unsold copies to eat away at a retailer’s profits. Recall that the structure of the direct market is that most comics are not returnable, meaning that most of the risk is normally born by the retailers, as they have to try to guess how many of each comic they can sell each month. Making a comic returnable shifts some of that risk back to the publisher.

(In general, retailers tend not to go overboard on ordering returnable comics. They still have to tie up capital in the comics they order, as they have to wait a few months until the returns are authorized. I’m sure that one of the many retailers reading this can chime in the comments below if I get anything really wrong about the returns process.)

When Diamond releases their sales figures (which are ratios-to-Batman, and are then converted to actual numbers by the fine folks at ICv2), they indicate titles that were offered as returnable by their publisher with an asterisk (*). What we know from years of pouring over these numbers is that Diamond reduces the reported sales numbers for returnable comics by around 10%, presumably under the theory that some of the comics may be returned by retailers. What we also know is that this doesn’t happen very often, certainly not to the extent that a reduction of 10% is necessary. So it has long been the practice of those of us who do these month-to-month sales columns to increase the reported sales numbers for comics marked returnable by 10%, on the theory that while likely also wrong, 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. This holds true most of the time, and has been born out by comparing year-end sales figures to those estimated by increasing returnable comics reported sales.

Note that I said it works most of the time. The one major time in recent memory that the 10% increase didn’t hold was for the DCYou launch last year. DC made what turned out to be a mistake and offered incentive variants on titles that were also returnable, which led to some retailers ordering more than they possibly thought they could sell in order to qualify for the incentives, knowing that they could return any unsold copies.

Which leads us to Rebirth. DC is making the first three months of each Rebirth title returnable. So far this appears to have been a smart move, encouraging retailers to order more than they likely would have. And we have a pretty good idea that it paid off, as even with returnability most of the first month of Rebirth titles ended up getting second printings, indicating that demand was still outstripping supply. What we can be less sure about is the second and third months, as there was not a lot of reorder activity there. This could mean that, with data on hand about how well the first month of Rebirth sold, retailers were better able to estimate their sales on subsequent months and ordered more accurately. It could also be that retailers over-estimated demand and we’ll see some returns down the line. I doubt that it will be as harsh as the DCYou returns, but you never know. (Though anecdotally many retailers are still reporting strong Rebirth sales in the second and third months.) We’ll get some idea as to how things are going when September’s sales figures are released and we can see how the first wave of Rebirth titles are faring without being returnable. But we won’t really know what is happening until Diamond releases the end-of-the-year sales in January 2017 and we can compare the final sales to the adjusted numbers.

So when I mention in this column that a comic is returnable, it is not to slight the comic in any way. It is to let you know that I have increased the estimated sales figure by 10% from what was derived from Diamond’s reported sales, which is why you’ll see a different number than what you’ll see if you look at the Top 300 chart from ICv2 or Comichron.

And remember, these are all sales estimates anyway. There are tons of caveats down in the fine print every month. What we really are looking for on these month-to-month columns are trends, not exact numbers of comics sold.

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.)


1, 9 - HARLEY QUINN ($2.99)
08/2014: Harley Quinn #9  --  71,522 (-  6.9%)
08/2014: Harley Quinn #10 --  58,500 (- 18.2%)
------------------------------------
08/2015: Harley Quinn #19 --  64,223 (+  8.1%) [65,155]
09/2015: Harley Quinn #20 --  56,836 (- 10.0%) [58,652]
10/2015: Harley Quinn #21 --  55,272 (-  5.7%) [55,282]
11/2015: Harley Quinn #22 --  58,344 (+  6.2%) [58,734]
12/2015: Harley Quinn #23 --  69,168 (+ 17.8%)
01/2016: Harley Quinn #24 --  44,967 (- 35.0%)
02/2016: Harley Quinn #25 --  51,495 (+ 14.5%)
03/2016: Harley Quinn #26 --  51,420 (-  0.1%)
04/2016: Harley Quinn #27 --  54,864 (+  6.7%)
05/2016: Harley Quinn #28 --  43,858 (- 20.1%)
06/2016: Harley Quinn #29 --  55,774 (+ 27.2%)
07/2016: Harley Quinn #30 --  45,443 (- 18.5%)
08/2016: Harley Quinn #1  -- 395,953 (+771.3%)
08/2016: Harley Quinn #2  -- 128,316 (- 67.6%)
-----------------
6 months: +409.0%
1 year  : +302.3%
2 years : +298.0%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

In addition, issue #1 had a bunch of retailer incentives, which led to the nearly 400K sales number. Now the last time DC mixed incentive covers with returnability we got the abuses of DCYou. I’m unsure as to if DC learned their lesson and barred retailers getting incentive covers from returning their copies? It will be interesting to see where this ends up once the year-end numbers come in.

Issue #2 sales are still quite strong, so I wouldn’t worry too much here.

2 - ALL STAR BATMAN ($4.99)
08/2006: --
-----------------------------------------------
09/2008: All Star Batman & Robin #10 --  94,030
-----------------------------------------------
08/2016: All Star Batman #1          -- 318,283 (+238.5%)   
-----------------
10 years:    n.a.

Returnable and an f.o.v.; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

Had retailer incentive variants too, though for some reason not nearly as many as Harley Quinn #1 (higher price? higher minimum order?) So the same caveats about these numbers apply.

Also, this is the first Rebirth title going for more than $2.99. It’s oversized and Batman, so DC can likely get away with it, especially if they keep is as a showcase for Snyder and super-star artists, and it can keep on schedule (unlike the previous All Star Batman title…)

3, 5 - SUICIDE SQUAD ($2.99)
08/2012: Suicide Squad #12     --  28,302
08/2013: Suicide Squad #23     --  22,166 
08/2014: New Suicide Squad #2  --  38,477  [41,917]
-----------------------------------------
08/2015: New Suicide Squad #11 --  37,915 (+  7.2%) [38,434]
09/2015: New Suicide Squad #12 --  34,622 (-  8.9%) [35,013]
10/2015: New Suicide Squad #13 --  33,260 (-  4.1%) [33,584]
11/2015: New Suicide Squad #14 --  32,925 (-  1.1%) [33,219]
12/2015: New Suicide Squad #15 --  26,449 (- 20.4%)
01/2016: New Suicide Squad #16 --  24,870 (-  6.0%)
02/2016: New Suicide Squad #17 --  23,687 (-  4.8%)
03/2016: New Suicide Squad #18 --  28,243 (+ 19.2%)
04/2016: New Suicide Squad #19 --  23,799 (- 15.7%)
05/2016: New Suicide Squad #20 --  23,425 (-  1.6%)
06/2016: New Suicide Squad #21 --  23,887 (+  2.0%)
07/2016: New Suicide Squad #22 --  25,162 (+  5.3%)
08/2016: Rebirth #1            -- 195,587 (+677.3%)
08/2016: Suicide Squad #1      -- 239,439 (+ 22.4%)
-----------------
6 months: +818.3%
1 year  : +465.9%
2 years : +418.9%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

New 52 #1: 49,979 [61,815]

#1 had a couple of retailer incentive variants. It also had Jim Lee on art. Either would explain why its sales eclipsed those of the Rebirth issue.

Can we all agree that waiting to Rebirth Suicide Squad (and Harley Quinn) until August when the Suicide Squad movie was released was another smart thing done by DC in launching Rebirth?

6, 7 - BATMAN ($2.99)
08/2006: Batman #656  --  95,932  [99,024] 
08/2011: Batman #713  --  51,760
08/2012: Batman #12   -- 125,249 
08/2013: Batman #23   -- 128,230 
08/2014: Batman #34   -- 112,186 [113,402] 
--------------------------------
08/2015: Batman #43   -- 124,697 (+  7.8%) [127,996]
09/2015: Batman #44   -- 114,409 (-  9.9%) [115,351]
10/2015: Batman #45   -- 109,367 (-  4.6%) [110,031]
11/2015: Batman #46   -- 106,989 (-  2.1%) [107,758]
12/2015: Batman #47   -- 127,201 (+ 18.0%) 
01/2016: Batman #48   -- 100,962 (- 20.6%) 
02/2016: Batman #49   -- 102,689 (+  1.7%) 
03/2016: Batman #50   -- 163,406 (+ 67.7%) [172,256]
04/2016: Batman #51   -- 101,922 (- 40.8%) 
05/2016: Batman #52   -- 102,197 (+  0.3%) 
06/2016: Rebirth #1   -- 219,788 (+124.3%) [229,267]
06/2016: Batman #1    -- 308,396 (+ 44.9%) [332,281]
07/2016: Batman #2    -- 194,816 (- 41.4%) 
07/2016: Batman #3    -- 185,833 (-  4.6%) 
08/2016: Batman #4    -- 168,284 (-  9.4%) 
08/2016: Batman #5    -- 156,356 (-  7.1%) 
-----------------
6 months: + 58.1%
1 year  : + 26.8%
2 years : + 43.1%
5 years : +213.6%
10 years: + 63.9%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

In line with the 3rd-month drops of other Rebirth launch titles. I suspect that once all is said and done, Batman will settle out as the top ongoing DCU book in the Rebirth era.

8, 11 - JUSTICE LEAGUE ($2.99)
08/2011: Justice League #1  -- 185,776 [271,173]
08/2012: Justice League #12 -- 120,796 [161,235]
08/2013: Justice League #23 -- 103,936
08/2014: --
--------------------------------------
08/2015: Justice League #43 --  82,304 (+  1.1%)  [85,119]
09/2015: Justice League #44 --  76,752 (-  5.3%)  [80,630]
10/2015: Justice League #45 --  77,192 (-  2.7%)  [78,416]
11/2015: -- 
12/2015: Justice League #46 --  75,660 (-  3.5%)
12/2015: Justice League #47 --  84,970 (+ 21.2%)  [91,688]
01/2016: --
02/2016: Justice League #48 --  72,704 (- 20.7%)
03/2016: --
04/2016: Justice League #49 --  71,131 (-  2.2%)
05/2016: Justice League #50 --  92,423 (+ 29.9%) [100,106]
06/2016: Justice League #51 --  70,059 (- 30.0%)
06/2016: Justice League #52 --  72,413 (+  3.4%)
07/2016: Rebirth #1         -- 195,402 (+178.4%) [201,613]
07/2016: Justice League #1  -- 230,106 (+ 14.1%)
08/2016: Justice League #2  -- 140,142 (- 39.1%)
08/2016: Justice League #3  -- 121,812 (- 13.1%)
-----------------
6 months: + 80.2%
1 year  : + 53.9%
2 years :    n.a.
5 years : - 51.7%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

Justice League is one of the few Rebirth titles that so far is running behind its New 52 counterpoint. But considering that the New 52 edition was Geoff Johns & Jim Lee, that’s to be expected.

There were also an additional 6,211 copies of the Rebirth issue, most of which were likely the 2nd printing. They’ve been added in to the [bracketed] numbers, as per s.o.p.

10 - SUPERGIRL ($2.99)
08/2006: Supergirl #9  --  74,252 
08/2011: Supergirl #67 --  19,764
08/2012: Supergirl #12 --  30,420 
08/2013: Supergirl #23 --  24,747 
08/2014: Supergirl #34 --  26,510 
---------------------------------
03/2015: Supergirl #40 --  26,528
---------------------------------
08/2016: Rebirth #1    -- 124,088 (+367.8%)
-----------------
2 years : +368.1%
5 years : +527.8%
10 years: + 67.1%

Returnable and an f.o.v.; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

New 52 #1: 60,058 [74,218]

These are really good numbers for a Supergirl comic. The only time in the last fifteen years that an issue of Supergirl sold better was the first issue of the Loeb/Churchill 2005 series (123,370 [165,579]).

12, 23 - DEATHSTROKE ($2.99)
08/2012: Deathstroke #12 --  16,772 
-----------------------------------
08/2015: Deathstroke #9  --  36,583 (+  8.7%) [37,419]
09/2015: Deathstroke #10 --  31,241 (- 14.6%) [31,832]
10/2015: Deathstroke #11 --  31,121 (-  0.4%) [31,649]
11/2015: Deathstroke #12 --  31,939 (+  2.6%) [32,568]
12/2015: Deathstroke #13 --  25,344 (- 20.6%) 
01/2016: Deathstroke #14 --  27,648 (+  9.1%) 
02/2016: Deathstroke #15 --  26,534 (-  4.0%) 
03/2016: Deathstroke #16 --  25,390 (-  4.3%) 
04/2016: Deathstroke #17 --  24,858 (-  2.1%) 
05/2016: Deathstroke #18 --  21,087 (- 15.2%) 
06/2016: Deathstroke #19 --  21,094 (+  0.0%) 
07/2016: Deathstroke #20 --  20,562 (-  2.5%) 
08/2016: Rebirth #1      -- 109,250 (+431.3%)
08/2016: Deathstroke #1  --  91,962 (- 15.8%)
-----------------
6 months: +279.2%
1 year  : +168.9%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

New 52 #1: 47,028 [56,820]

These are obviously really good numbers for a Deathstroke series.

14, 25 - NIGHTWING ($2.99)
08/2006: Nightwing #123 --  40,111
08/2012: Nightwing #12  --  47,484
08/2013: Nightwing #23  --  40,522 
08/2014: Grayson #2     --  56,483  [59,870]
----------------------------------
08/2015: Grayson #11    --  36,538 (+  7.2%) [37,402]
09/2015: Grayson #12    --  32,284 (- 11.0%) [33,281]
10/2015: Grayson #13    --  32,260 (-  1.5%) [32,786]
11/2015: Grayson #14    --  31,831 (-  1.8%) [32,201]
12/2015: Grayson #15    --  35,765 (+ 11.1%)
01/2016: Grayson #16    --  30,420 (- 14.9%)
02/2016: Grayson #17    --  30,257 (-  0.5%)
03/2016: Grayson #18    --  33,550 (+ 10.9%)
04/2016: Grayson #19    --  27,378 (- 18.4%)
05/2016: Grayson #20    --  23,762 (- 13.2%)
06/2016: --
07/2016: Rebirth #1     -- 140,631 (+491.8%)
07/2016: Nightwing #1   -- 126,266 (- 10.2%)
08/2016: Nightwing #2   -- 102,444 (- 18.9%)
08/2016: Nightwing #3   --  89,711 (- 12.4%)
-----------------
6 months: +217.5%
1 year  : +156.9%
2 years : + 60.5%
10 years: +139.5%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

15, 24 - FLASH ($2.99)
08/2006: Flash FMA #3 --  70,633  [72,067] 
08/2011: --
08/2012: Flash #12    --  51,779
08/2013: Flash #23    --  38,860 
08/2014: Flash #34    --  37,109  [37,899]
--------------------------------
08/2015: Flash #43    --  40,542 (+ 10.1%)  [41,189]
09/2015: Flash #44    --  36,111 (- 11.0%)  [36,657]
10/2015: Flash #45    --  35,485 (-  1.8%)  [36,011]
11/2015: Flash #46    --  36,153 (+  1.9%)  [36,701]
12/2015: Flash #47    --  42,129 (+ 14.8%)
01/2016: --
02/2016: Flash #48    --  34,903 (- 17.2%)
02/2016: Flash #49    --  34,407 (-  1.4%)
03/2016: --
04/2016: Flash #50    --  35,160 (+  2.2%)
05/2016: Flash #51    --  33,878 (-  3.6%)
05/2016: Flash #52    --  32,831 (-  3.1%)
06/2016: Rebirth #1   --  98,580 (+275.0%) [123,115]
06/2016: Flash #1     -- 110,431 (+  2.7%) [126,429]
07/2016: Flash #2     -- 113,639 (- 10.1%)
07/2016: Flash #3     -- 107,067 (-  5.8%)
08/2016: Flash #4     -- 102,208 (-  4.5%)
08/2016: Flash #5     --  91,830 (- 10.2%)
-----------------
6 months: +180.0%
1 year  : +135.5%
2 years : +156.0%
5 years :    n.a.
10 years: + 34.6%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

16 - SUPERWOMAN ($2.99)
08/2016: Superwoman #1  -- 101,289

Returnable and an f.o.v.; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

Without the Rebirth brand, this title would’ve maybe debuted at around 35K, then slid down into cancellation territory. This then is the real strength of Rebirth. Yeah sure it’s great to sell lots of Batman and Harley Quinn comics, but being able to attract this much interest in a second-tier Superman spin-off is impressive.

17, 26 - DETECTIVE COMICS ($2.99)
08/2006: Detective Comics #822 --  66,372
08/2011: Detective Comics #881 --  39,729
08/2012: Detective Comics #12  --  75,998
08/2013: Detective Comics #23  --  61,448 
08/2014: Detective Comics #34  --  58,812  [59,309]
-----------------------------------------
08/2015: Detective Comics #43  --  53,576 (+  5.4%) [53,797]
09/2015: Detective Comics #44  --  55,871 (+  4.4%) [56,177]
10/2015: Detective Comics #45  --  47,972 (- 14.2%) [48,220]
11/2015: Detective Comics #46  --  47,256 (-  1.9%) [47,280]
12/2015: Detective Comics #47  --  45,867 (-  3.0%)
01/2016: Detective Comics #48  --  45,111 (-  1.6%)
02/2016: Detective Comics #49  --  45,300 (+  0.4%)
03/2016: Detective Comics #50  --  52,373 (+ 15.6%)
04/2016: Detective Comics #51  --  43,190 (- 17.5%)
05/2016: Detective Comics #52  --  43,961 (+  1.8%)
06/2016: Detective Comics #934 -- 106,239 (+176.0%) [121,314]
06/2016: Detective Comics #935 -- 103,417 (-  6.9%) [112,965]
07/2016: Detective Comics #936 -- 110,689 (-  2.0%)
07/2016: Detective Comics #937 -- 101,389 (-  8.4%)
08/2016: Detective Comics #938 --  97,829 (-  3.5%)
08/2016: Detective Comics #939 --  89,612 (-  8.4%)
-----------------
6 months: +106.9%
1 year  : + 74.2%
2 years : + 58.0%
5 years : +135.9%
10 years: + 41.2%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

18, 27 - SUPERMAN ($2.99)
08/2006: Superman #655  -- 66,976
08/2011: Superman #714 --  35,919
08/2012: Superman #12  --  53,326
08/2013: Superman #23  --  42,155 
08/2014: Superman #34   -- 56,568  [57,514]
---------------------------------
08/2015: Superman #43  --  49,825 (+  4.5%)  [50,637]
09/2015: Superman #44  --  43,921 (- 11.3%)  [44,908]
10/2015: Superman #45  --  42,693 (-  4.1%)  [43,069]
11/2015: Superman #46  --  41,657 (-  3.0%)  [41,765]
12/2015: Superman #47  --  47,377 (+ 13.4%) 
01/2016: Superman #48  --  37,690 (- 20.4%)
02/2016: Superman #49  --  36,318 (-  3.6%)
03/2016: Superman #50  --  91,396 (+151.7%)
04/2016: Superman #51  --  38,103 (- 58.3%)
05/2016: Superman #52  --  54,317 (+ 67.9%)  [63,989]
06/2016: Rebirth #1    -- 130,277 (+115.7%) [138,031]
06/2016: Superman #1   -- 115,918 (-  4.3%) [132,050]
07/2016: Superman #2   -- 112,148 (- 15.1%)
07/2016: Superman #3   -- 107,367 (-  4.3%)
08/2016: Superman #4   --  96,969 (-  9.7%)
08/2016: Superman #5   --  89,473 (-  7.7%)
-----------------
6 months: +156.7%
1 year  : + 84.1%
2 years : + 62.1%
5 years : +159.5%
10 years: + 39.2%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

19, 29 - WONDER WOMAN ($2.99)
08/2006: Wonder Woman #2   -- 84,618  [87,276]
08/2011: Wonder Woman #614 -- 29,223
08/2012: Wonder Woman #12  -- 44,584
08/2013: Wonder Woman #23  -- 34,747 
08/2014: -- 
------------------------------------
08/2015: Wonder Woman #43  --  39,646 (+  7.9%) [40,128]
09/2015: Wonder Woman #44  --  36,151 (-  9.1%) [36,478]
10/2015: Wonder Woman #45  --  33,885 (-  6.1%) [34,251]
11/2015: Wonder Woman #46  --  34,042 (+  0.6%) [34,454]
12/2015: Wonder Woman #47  --  40,123 (+ 16.5%)
01/2016: Wonder Woman #48  --  32,687 (- 18.5%)
02/2016: Wonder Woman #49  --  35,398 (+  8.3%)
03/2016: Wonder Woman #50  --  36,328 (+  2.6%)
04/2016: Wonder Woman #51  --  29,787 (- 18.0%)
05/2016: Wonder Woman #52  --  29,673 (-  0.4%)
06/2016: Rebirth #1        -- 103,904 (+316.6%) [123,624]
06/2016: Wonder Woman #1   -- 118,511 (+  5.5%) [130,381]
07/2016: Wonder Woman #2   -- 114,135 (- 12.5%)
07/2016: Wonder Woman #3   -- 103,912 (-  9.0%)
08/2016: Wonder Woman #4   --  93,862 (-  9.7%)
08/2016: Wonder Woman #5   --  85,646 (-  8.8%)
-----------------
6 months: +153.6%
1 year  : +123.7%
2 years :    n.a.
5 years : +207.1%
10 years: +  2.8%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

21 - RED HOOD & THE OUTLAWS ($2.99)
08/2012: Red Hood & Outlaws #12 -- 34,439
08/2013: Red Hood & Outlaws #23 -- 28,821 
08/2014: Red Hood & Outlaws #34 -- 20,069 
-----------------------------------------
08/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #3    -- 23,841 (- 11.1%)
09/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #4    -- 22,113 (-  7.2%)
10/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #5    -- 21,025 (-  4.9%)
11/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #6    -- 19,857 (-  5.6%)
12/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #7    -- 25,789 (+ 29.9%)
01/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #8    -- 22,900 (- 11.2%)
02/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #9    -- 22,341 (-  2.4%)
03/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #10   -- 17,707 (- 20.7%)
04/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #11   -- 19,711 (+ 11.3%)
05/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #12   -- 16,402 (- 16.8%)
06/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #13   -- 16,389 (-  0.1%)
07/2016: Rebirth #1             -- 97,722 (+496.3%)
08/2016: Red Hood & Outlaws #1  -- 92,234 (-  5.6%)
-----------------
6 months: +312.8%
1 year  : +286.9%
2 years : +359.6%

Returnable and an f.o.v.; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

That’s a kind of surprisingly good retention from the Rebirth issue. Actually it’s pretty much in line with what many of the other Rebirth titles have been doing, but honestly I expected this to drop off faster/sooner.

28, 42 - HAL JORDAN & THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS ($2.99)
08/2006: Green Lantern Corps #3   --  51,485
08/2011: Green Lantern Corps #63  --  53,372
08/2012: Green Lantern Corps #12  --  41,778
08/2013: Green Lantern Corps #23  --  36,229 
08/2014: Green Lantern Corps #34  --  29,471  [29,691]
--------------------------------------------
08/2015: --
09/2015: --
10/2015: --
11/2015: --
12/2015: --
01/2016: Edge of Oblivion #1 of 6 --  26,819 (- 10.7%)
02/2016: Edge of Oblivion #2 of 6 --  21,265 (- 20.7%)
03/2016: Edge of Oblivion #3 of 6 --  20,096 (-  5.5%)
04/2016: Edge of Oblivion #4 of 6 --  19,434 (-  3.3%)
05/2016: Edge of Oblivion #5 of 6 --  18,699 (-  3.8%)
06/2016: Edge of Oblivion #6 of 6 --  18,459 (-  1.3%)
07/2016: Rebirth #1               -- 125,362 (+579.1%)
07/2016: Hal Jordan & GLC #1      -- 119,579 (-  4.6%)
08/2016: Hal Jordan & GLC #2      --  85,769 (- 28.3%)
08/2016: Hal Jordan & GLC #3      --  71,211 (- 17.0%)
----------------
6 months: +269.1%
1 year  :    n.a.
2 years : +164.4%
5 years : + 47.1%
10 years: + 52.5%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

This however is starting to drop off fairly quickly. It’s still tracking a bit higher than the New 52 relaunch, and is way above the sub-20K performance of the predecessor series, so no need to panic.

30 - BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY ($2.99)
08/2006: Birds of Prey #97  --  31,578
08/2011: Birds of Prey #15  --  26,043
08/2012: Birds of Prey #12  --  26,587
08/2013: Birds of Prey #23  --  19,364 
08/2014: Birds of Prey #34  --  15,397 
--------------------------------------
07/2016: Rebirth #1         -- 109,066 (+119.0%)
08/2016: Batgirl & BoP #1   --  83,481 (- 23.5%)
-----------------
2 years : +442.2%
5 years : +220.6%
10 years: +164.4%

Returnable and an f.o.v.; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

33 - BLUE BEETLE ($2.99)
08/2006: Blue Beetle #6  -- 33,181
08/2012: Blue Beetle #12 -- 13,325
----------------------------------
01/2013: Blue Beetle #16 -- 11,487
----------------------------------
08/2016: Rebirth #1      -- 80,292 (+599.0%)   
-----------------
10 years: +142.0%

Returnable and an f.o.v.; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

New 52 #1: 44,448 [52,288]

On the lower side for a Rebirth book, but great numbers for a Blue Beetle comic.

34 - TITANS ($2.99)
08/2011: Titans #38           --  18,035
---------------------------------------
10/2015: Titans Hunt #1 of 12 --  31,037            [32,768]
11/2015: Titans Hunt #2 of 12 --  22,466 (- 31.4%)
12/2015: Titans Hunt #3 of 12 --  20,918 (-  6.9%)
01/2016: Titans Hunt #4 of 8  --  23,578 (+ 12.7%)
02/2016: Titans Hunt #5 of 8  --  22,678 (-  3.8%)
03/2016: Titans Hunt #6 of 8  --  18,493 (- 18.5%)
04/2016: Titans Hunt #7 of 8  --  20,079 (+  8.6%)
05/2016: Titans Hunt #8 of 8  --  17,412 (- 13.3%)
06/2016: Rebirth #1           --  79,295 (+477.8%) [100,610]
07/2016: Titans #1            -- 112,676 (+ 12.0%) 
08/2016: Titans #2            --  80,079 (- 28.9%) 
-----------------
6 months: +253.1%
5 years : +344.1%

Returnable and an f.o.v.; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

35 - NEW SUPER-MAN ($2.99)
07/2016: New Super-Man #1  -- 129,452
08/2016: New Super-Man #2  --  79,774 (- 38.4%)

Returnable and an f.o.v.; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

A steepish drop for the second issue, but as long as it falls into a typical sales pattern, all should be well.

36, 43 - ACTION COMICS ($2.99)
08/2006: Action Comics #842 -- 57,964
08/2011: Action Comics #904 -- 39,323
08/2012: Action Comics #12  -- 71,203
08/2013: Action Comics #23  -- 42,603 
08/2014: Action Comics #34  -- 46,746  [47,240]
-------------------------------------
08/2015: Action Comics #43  -- 41,883 (+  9.7%) [42,149]
09/2015: Action Comics #44  -- 37,927 (-  9.5%) [38,130]
10/2015: Action Comics #45  -- 36,560 (-  3.8%) [36,694]
11/2015: Action Comics #46  -- 35,569 (-  2.2%) [35,898]
12/2015: Action Comics #47  -- 29,021 (- 19.2%)
01/2016: Action Comics #48  -- 31,958 (+ 10.1%)
02/2016: Action Comics #49  -- 31,496 (-  1.4%)
03/2016: Action Comics #50  -- 40,025 (+ 27.1%)
04/2016: Action Comics #51  -- 32,167 (- 19.6%)
05/2016: Action Comics #52  -- 40,623 (+ 26.3%)
06/2016: Action Comics #957 -- 82,884 (+136.1%) [95,893]
06/2016: Action Comics #958 -- 83,227 (-  4.6%) [91,462]
07/2016: Action Comics #959 -- 91,671 (+  0.2%)
07/2016: Action Comics #960 -- 83,281 (-  9.2%)
08/2016: Action Comics #961 -- 79,003 (-  5.1%)
08/2016: Action Comics #962 -- 70,761 (- 10.4%)
-----------------
6 months: +137.8%
1 year  : + 77.7%
2 years : + 58.5%
5 years : + 90.4%
10 years: + 29.2%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

37, 44 - GREEN LANTERNS ($2.99)
08/2006: --
08/2011: --
08/2012: Green Lantern #12  --  77,187
08/2013: Green Lantern #23  --  59,176 
08/2014: Green Lantern #34  --  43,846  [44,194]
--------------------------------------
08/2015: Green Lantern #43  --  42,482 (+  7.7%)  [42,750]
09/2015: Green Lantern #44  --  39,371 (-  7.6%)  [39,501]
10/2015: Green Lantern #45  --  38,406 (-  2.5%)  [38,519]
11/2015: Green Lantern #46  --  38,976 (+  1.4%)  [39,053]
12/2015: Green Lantern #47  --  45,706 (+ 17.0%)
01/2016: Green Lantern #48  --  36,068 (- 21.1%)
02/2016: Green Lantern #49  --  35,237 (-  2.3%)
03/2016: Green Lantern #50  --  36,242 (+  2.9%)
04/2016: Green Lantern #51  --  32,862 (-  9.3%)
05/2016: Green Lantern #52  --  32,936 (+  0.2%)
06/2016: Rebirth #1         -- 109,454 (+232.2%)
06/2016: Green Lanterns #1  --  93,401 (-  1.5%) [107,767]
07/2016: Green Lanterns #2  --  90,268 (- 16.2%)
07/2016: Green Lanterns #3  --  86,579 (-  4.1%)
08/2016: Green Lanterns #4  --  78,254 (-  9.6%)
08/2016: Green Lanterns #5  --  70,677 (-  9.7%)
-----------------
6 months: +111.3%
1 year  : + 74.2%
2 years : + 68.5%
5 years :    n.a.
10 years:    n.a.

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

40, 45 - GREEN ARROW ($2.99)
08/2006: Green Arrow #65 -- 33,793
08/2011: Green Arrow #15 -- 23,883
08/2012: Green Arrow #12 -- 23,126
08/2013: Green Arrow #23 -- 25,449 
08/2014: Green Arrow #34 -- 22,927 
----------------------------------
08/2015: Green Arrow #43 -- 29,998 (+ 21.6%) [30,298]
09/2015: Green Arrow #44 -- 25,620 (- 15.4%)
10/2015: Green Arrow #45 -- 23,614 (-  7.8%)
11/2015: Green Arrow #46 -- 24,393 (+  3.3%)
12/2015: Green Arrow #47 -- 30,834 (+ 26.4%)
01/2016: Green Arrow #48 -- 22,117 (- 28.3%)
02/2016: Green Arrow #49 -- 22,096 (-  0.1%)
03/2016: Green Arrow #50 -- 22,977 (+  4.0%)
04/2016: Green Arrow #51 -- 21,168 (-  7.9%)
05/2016: Green Arrow #52 -- 20,559 (-  2.9%)
06/2016: Rebirth #1      -- 89,936 (+373.0%) [97,243]
06/2016: Green Arrow #1  -- 76,816 (-  4.4%) [92,931]
07/2016: Green Arrow #2  -- 80,134 (- 13.8%)
07/2016: Green Arrow #3  -- 80,150 (+  0.0%)
08/2016: Green Arrow #4  -- 74,335 (-  7.3%)
08/2016: Green Arrow #5  -- 69,530 (-  6.5%)
-----------------
6 months: +225.5%
1 year  : +137.4%
2 years : +213.7%
5 years : +201.2%
10 years: +112.9%

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

46 - BATGIRL ($2.99)
08/2011: Batgirl #24 --  22,695
08/2012: Batgirl #12 --  43,804
08/2013: Batgirl #23 --  37,707 
08/2014: Batgirl #34 --  34,590  [35,273]
-------------------------------
08/2015: Batgirl #43 --  32,079 (-  5.0%) [32,478]
09/2015: Batgirl #44 --  30,654 (-  4.9%) [30,882]
10/2015: Batgirl #45 --  29,276 (-  3.8%) [29,715]
11/2015: --
12/2015: Batgirl #46 --  27,591 (-  7.1%)
01/2016: Batgirl #47 --  26,905 (-  2.5%)
02/2016: Batgirl #48 --  25,625 (-  4.8%)
03/2016: Batgirl #49 --  24,730 (-  3.5%)
04/2016: Batgirl #50 --  34,632 (+ 40.0%)
04/2016: Batgirl #51 --  23,280 (- 32.8%)
05/2016: Batgirl #52 --  26,492 (+ 13.8%)
06/2016: --
07/2016: Batgirl #1  -- 105,795 (+299.3%)
08/2016: Batgirl #2  --  68,611 (- 35.1%)
-----------------
6 months: +167.8%
1 year  : +111.3%
2 years : + 94.5%
5 years : +202.3%

Returnable and an f.o.v.; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

Also a steepish drop for the second issue. But it’s becoming quite clear that Rebirth isn’t going to defy the standard rules for sales patterns. So if Batgirl follows suit, it should settle out into the low 50K range after a few more months. Which would historically be pretty good for a Batgirl series.

48, 52 - AQUAMAN ($2.99)
08/2006: --
08/2012: Aquaman #12     -- 61,210
08/2013: Aquaman #23     -- 44,140 
08/2014: Aquaman #34     -- 33,380  [32,641]
----------------------------------
08/2015: Aquaman #43     -- 30,480 (+  8.3%) [30,835]
09/2015: Aquaman #44     -- 26,396 (- 14.4%)
10/2015: Aquaman #45     -- 25,495 (-  3.4%)
11/2015: Aquaman #46     -- 25,962 (+  1.8%)
12/2015: Aquaman #47     -- 20,251 (- 22.0%)
01/2016: Aquaman #48     -- 23,373 (+ 15.4%)
02/2016: Aquaman #49     -- 23,546 (+  0.7%)
03/2016: Aquaman #50     -- 24,487 (+  4.0%)
04/2016: Aquaman #51     -- 21,959 (- 10.3%)
05/2016: Aquaman #52     -- 22,246 (+  1.3%)
06/2016: Rebirth #1      -- 75,206 (+308.3%) [90,841]
06/2016: Aquaman #1      -- 84,745 (+  2.8%) [93,339]
07/2016: Aquaman #2      -- 77,550 (- 16.9%)
07/2016: Aquaman #3      -- 75,196 (-  3.0%)
08/2016: Aquaman #4      -- 67,641 (- 10.0%)
08/2016: Aquaman #5      -- 60,422 (- 10.7%)
-----------------
6 months: +171.9%
1 year  : +107.7%
2 years : + 96.2%
10 years:    n.a.

Both returnable and f.o.v.s; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

Aquaman #5 was the lowest-selling Rebirth issue in August.

49 - HELLBLAZER ($2.99)
08/2006: Hellblazer #223    -- 13,956
08/2011: Hellblazer #282    --  9,372
08/2012: Hellblazer #294    --  9,396
08/2013: Constantine #6     -- 25,174 
08/2014: Constantine #17    -- 15,647 
-------------------------------------
08/2015: The Hellblazer #3  -- 24,040 (- 12.6%)
09/2015: The Hellblazer #4  -- 21,974 (-  8.6%)
10/2015: The Hellblazer #5  -- 20,431 (-  7.0%)
11/2015: The Hellblazer #6  -- 19,328 (-  5.4%)
12/2015: The Hellblazer #7  -- 18,601 (-  3.8%)
01/2016: The Hellblazer #8  -- 17,853 (-  4.0%)
02/2016: The Hellblazer #9  -- 17,178 (-  3.8%)
03/2016: The Hellblazer #10 -- 16,755 (-  2.5%)
04/2016: The Hellblazer #11 -- 16,248 (-  3.0%)
05/2016: The Hellblazer #12 -- 15,904 (-  2.1%)
06/2016: The Hellblazer #13 -- 15,697 (-  1.3%)
07/2016: Rebirth #1         -- 84,404 (+437.7%)
08/2016: Hellblazer #1      -- 65,707 (- 22.2%)
-----------------
6 months: +282.5%
1 year  : +173.3%
2 years : +319.9%
5 years : +601.1%
10 years: +370.8%

Returnable and an f.o.v.; see the discussion at the top of the column for why we mention returnability, why we raise the Diamond N.A.-derived numbers by 10%, and what it all means.

One interesting thing to look for next month is the sales of the new Doom Patrol compared to Hellblazer, both being former Vertigo books now under different DC imprints. Rebirth vs. Young Animal!

64 - JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA ($3.99)
08/2006: JL of America #1  -- 212,581 [223,909]  
08/2011: JL of America #60 --  42,587
08/2012: --
08/2013: JL of America #7  --  93,777 
-------------------------------------
08/2015: JL of America #3  --  67,118 (-  5.3%) [ 68,504]
09/2015: --
10/2015: JL of America #4  --  56,543 (- 17.0%) [ 56,854]
11/2015: JL of America #5  --  52,604 (-  6.7%) [ 53,027]
12/2015: JL of America #6  --  55,410 (+  4.5%)
01/2016: JL of America #7  --  47,835 (- 13.7%)
02/2016: --
03/2016: JL of America #8  --  45,500 (-  4.9%)
04/2016: --
05/2016: --
06/2016: --
07/2016: --
08/2016: JL of America #9  --  44,700 (-  1.8%)
-----------------
6 months:    n.a.
1 year  : - 34.7%
5 years : +  5.0%
10 years: - 80.0%

Just how late is this issue? It came with a Batman v Superman f.o.v. cover. You know, the one that appeared on nearly all the other DCU titles back in March!

76 - HARLEY'S LITTLE BLACK BOOK ($4.99)
12/2015: Harley's LBB #1  -- 92,266
01/2016: --
02/2016: Harley's LBB #2  -- 45,030 (-51.2%)
03/2016: --
04/2016: Harley's LBB #3  -- 41,444 (- 8.0%)
05/2016: --
06/2016: --
07/2016: --
08/2016: Harley's LBB #4  -- 38,545 (- 7.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 14.4%

And speaking of late… Ending with issue #6 (whenever that makes it out…)

87, 94 - HARLEY QUINN & HER GANG OF HARLEYS ($3.99)
08/2015: HQ & PG #3 of 6   -- 38,853 (- 14.0%) [39,582]
09/2015: HQ & PG #4 of 6   -- 36,031 (-  7.7%) [36,525]
10/2015: -- 
11/2015: HQ & PG #5 of 6   -- 34,127 (-  6.3%) [34,221]
12/2015: HQ & PG #6 of 6   -- 31,375 (-  8.3%) 
01/2016: --
02/2016: --
03/2016: --
04/2016: HQ & Gang #1 of 6 -- 52,659 (+ 67.8%)
05/2016: HQ & Gang #2 of 6 -- 37,846 (- 28.1%)
06/2016: HQ & Gang #3 of 6 -- 34,009 (- 10.1%)
07/2016: --
08/2016: HQ & Gang #4 of 6 -- 31,727 (-  6.7%)
08/2016: HQ & Gang #5 of 6 -- 29,616 (-  6.7%)
-----------------
1 year  : - 22.5%

Yes, that makes five Harley Quinn comics out this month, those these last three are way below the first two issues of the new Rebirth title. And ask yourself: are the LBB & Gang books that demonstrably different that their sales should be this much lower than the regular title?

100 - SCOOBY APOCALYPSE ($3.99)
05/2016: Scooby Apocalypse #1  -- 69,520           [77,409]
06/2016: Scooby Apocalypse #2  -- 29,812 (- 61.5%)
07/2016: Scooby Apocalypse #3  -- 29,494 (-  1.1%)
08/2016: Scooby Apocalypse #4  -- 28,148 (-  4.6%)

The top non-DCU title for August.

Looks like it’ll settle in the mid- to upper-20K range. Which is really good for a Scooby-Doo book in today’s direct market.

105 - SUICIDE SQUAD WAR CRIMES SPECIAL ($4.99)
08/2016: War Crimes #1 -- 25,518

While this arrived in stores with a Rebirth banner, it was not solicited as such, and retailers ordered it at the level they did last year’s New Suicide Squad Annual. My guess is that had they known, the retailers would have upped their orders by a not insignificant amount.

106 - FUTURE QUEST ($3.99)
05/2016: Future Quest #1  -- 48,627          [56,756]
06/2016: --
07/2016: Future Quest #2  -- 30,170 (- 45.9%)
07/2016: Future Quest #3  -- 27,786 (-  9.5%)
08/2016: Future Quest #4  -- 25,472 (-  8.3%)

The comic that was originally supposed to be issue #3 now comes out as issue #4. Unlike Scooby Apocalypse, Future Quest is still dropping a bit on the heavy side, and I can’t help but feel that the irregular schedule is part of the problem.

128 - THE FLINTSTONES ($3.99)
07/2016: Flintstones #1  -- 43,996
08/2016: Flintstones #2  -- 19,612 (- 55.4%)

Ouch. Last month’s debut had a lot of variants, but that’s still a hurtful drop for issue #2.

131 - TEEN TITANS ($2.99)
08/2006: Teen Titans #38  -- 69,232
08/2011: Teen Titans #99  -- 23,756
08/2011: Teen Titans #100 -- 27,459
08/2012: Teen Titans #12  -- 42,817
08/2013: Teen Titans #23  -- 31,742 
08/2014: Teen Titans #2   -- 40,687  [42,648]
-----------------------------------
08/2015: Teen Titans #11  -- 32,112 (+ 12.6%) [32,621]
09/2015: --
10/2015: Teen Titans #12  -- 26,796 (- 17.9%) 
11/2015: Teen Titans #13  -- 26,511 (-  1.1%)
12/2015: Teen Titans #14  -- 26,239 (-  1.0%)
12/2015: Teen Titans #15  -- 27,201 (+  3.7%)
01/2016: Teen Titans #16  -- 24,201 (- 11.0%)
02/2016: Teen Titans #17  -- 23,566 (-  2.6%)
03/2016: Teen Titans #18  -- 23,056 (-  2.2%)
04/2016: Teen Titans #19  -- 21,989 (-  4.6%)
05/2016: Teen Titans #20  -- 18,593 (- 15.4%)
06/2016: Teen Titans #21  -- 18,766 (+  0.9%)
07/2016: Teen Titans #22  -- 19,005 (+  1.3%)
08/2016: Teen Titans #23  -- 19,118 (+  0.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 18.9%
1 year  : - 41.4%
2 years : - 55.2%
5 years : - 19.5%
10 years: - 72.4%

Another small rise (the third in a row) for the final issue. Finally gets Rebirthed in September.

133 - SUICIDE SQUAD MOST WANTED: EL DIABLO/BOOMERANG ($4.99)
01/2016: Deadshot/Katana #1 of 6 -- 21,642 
02/2016: Deadshot/Katana #2 of 6 -- 16,529 (- 23.6%) 
03/2016: Deadshot/Katana #3 of 6 -- 14,585 (- 11.8%) 
04/2016: Deadshot/Katana #4 of 6 -- 13,452 (-  7.8%) 
05/2016: Deadshot/Katana #5 of 6 -- 12,725 (-  5.4%) 
06/2016: Deadshot/Katana #6 of 6 -- 12,584 (-  1.1%) 
07/2016: --
08/2016: El Diablo/Boom #6 of 6  -- 18,660 (+ 48.3%) 
-----------------
6 months: + 12.9%

DC liked sales on the first Suicide Squad Most Wanted series so much that they launched a second? Huh.

138 - BATMAN BEYOND ($2.99)
08/2012: Unlimited #7      -- 21,219
08/2013: Universe #1       -- 23,358 
08/2014: Universe #13      -- 14,215 
------------------------------------
08/2015: Batman Beyond #3  -- 30,806 (- 12.0%) [31,276]
09/2015: Batman Beyond #4  -- 31,202 (+  1.3%) [31,518]
10/2015: Batman Beyond #5  -- 29,409 (-  5.7%) [29,626]
11/2015: Batman Beyond #6  -- 27,778 (-  5.5%)
12/2015: Batman Beyond #7  -- 21,946 (- 21.0%)
01/2016: Batman Beyond #8  -- 20,342 (-  7.3%)
02/2016: Batman Beyond #9  -- 19,449 (-  4.4%)
03/2016: Batman Beyond #10 -- 21,578 (+ 10.9%)
04/2016: Batman Beyond #11 -- 18,061 (- 16.3%)
05/2016: Batman Beyond #12 -- 18,133 (+  0.4%)
06/2016: Batman Beyond #13 -- 13,025 (- 28.2%)
07/2016: Batman Beyond #14 -- 18,001 (+ 38.2%)
08/2016: Batman Beyond #15 -- 17,882 (-  0.7%)
-----------------
6 months: -  8.1%
1 year  : - 42.8%
2 years : + 25.8%

Still one more issue to go before getting Rebirthed at the end of September.

140 - DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS (Digital First) ($3.99)
08/2015: Bombshells #1  --  59,253           [61,985]
09/2015: Bombshells #2  --  37,136 (- 39.8%) [37,306]
10/2015: Bombshells #3  --  32,147 (- 11.7%) [32,939]
11/2015: Bombshells #4  --  27,239 (- 17.3%)
11/2015: Bombshells #5  --  25,335 (-  7.0%)
12/2015: Bombshells #6  --  23,679 (-  6.5%)
12/2015: Bombshells #7  --  23,014 (-  2.8%)
01/2016: Bombshells #8  --  21,904 (-  4.8%)
02/2016: Bombshells #9  --  20,349 (-  7.1%)
03/2016: Bombshells #10 --  19,820 (-  2.6%)
04/2016: Bombshells #11 --  18,859 (-  4.8%)
05/2016: Bombshells #12 --  18,512 (-  1.8%)
05/2016: Bombshells #13 --  18,046 (-  2.5%)
06/2016: Bombshells #14 --  18,492 (+  2.5%)
07/2016: Bombshells #15 --  17,956 (-  2.9%)
08/2016: Bombshells #16 --  17,623 (-  1.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 13.4%
1 year  : - 71.6%

It’s fallen a lot since its debut a year ago, but is still DC’s top-selling digital first title in print.

145 - EARTH 2: SOCIETY ($2.99)
08/2012: Earth 2 #4     -- 67,393
08/2013: Earth 2 #15    -- 40,845 
08/2014: Earth 2 #26    -- 37,396  [37,915]
---------------------------------
08/2015: E2 Society #3  -- 28,381 (- 10.6%) [28,671]
09/2015: E2 Society #4  -- 25,443 (- 11.3%)
10/2015: E2 Society #5  -- 23,459 (-  7.8%)
11/2015: E2 Society #6  -- 21,948 (-  6.4%)
12/2015: E2 Society #7  -- 21,059 (-  4.1%)
01/2015: E2 Society #8  -- 19,682 (-  6.5%)
02/2015: E2 Society #9  -- 18,868 (-  4.1%)
03/2015: E2 Society #10 -- 18,391 (-  2.5%)
04/2015: E2 Society #11 -- 17,844 (-  3.0%)
05/2015: E2 Society #12 -- 17,492 (-  2.0%)
06/2015: E2 Society #13 -- 17,430 (-  0.4%)
07/2015: E2 Society #14 -- 16,960 (-  2.7%)
08/2015: E2 Society #15 -- 16,885 (-  0.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 10.5%
1 year  : - 41.1%
2 years : - 55.5%

Still being published, with no end yet announced.

149 - DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS ANNUAL ($4.99)
08/2016: Bombshells Ann #1 -- 16,469

Sales pretty close to the mother title. (Note that the Annual is not a digital first issue.)

159 - EARTH 2 SOCIETY ANNUAL ($4.99)
05/2013: Earth 2 Ann #1 -- 41,325
01/2014: Earth 2 Ann #2 -- 32,231 (-22.0%)
08/2016: Society Ann #1 -- 16,469 (-55.4%)

If you’re scratching your head as to why Earth 2 Society is still being published, the existence of an Annual should downright scrape your scalp.

160 - SIXPACK & DOGWELDER: HARD TRAVELIN' HEROZ ($3.99)
08/2015: All-Star Section 8 #3 of 6  -- 13,032 (- 21.9%) 
09/2015: All-Star Section 8 #4 of 6  -- 11,240 (- 13.8%) 
10/2015: All-Star Section 8 #5 of 6  --  9,787 (- 12.9%) 
11/2015: --
12/2015: All-Star Section 8 #6 of 6  --  8,995 (-  8.1%) 
01/2016: --
02/2016: --
03/2016: --
04/2016: --
05/2016: --
06/2016: --
07/2016: --
08/2016: Sixpack & Dogwelder #1 of 6 -- 15,431 (+ 71.6%)
-----------------
1 year  : + 18.4%

“Hey, you know that poorly received Section Eight series we did last year?”

“Barely, but yeah…”

“Let’s do a sequel, and launch it right in the middle of the Rebirth hubbub so that it will be most certainly ignored.”

“Great idea—I hate publishing things that actually sell well!”

162 - THE LEGEND OF WONDER WOMAN (Digital-First) ($3.99)
01/2016: Legend of WW #1 of 9 -- 25,047
02/2016: Legend of WW #2 of 9 -- 16,816 (- 32.9%)
03/2016: Legend of WW #3 of 9 -- 16,497 (-  1.9%)
04/2016: Legend of WW #4 of 9 -- 16,488 (-  0.1%)
05/2016: Legend of WW #5 of 9 -- 16,583 (+  0.6%)
05/2016: Legend of WW #6 of 9 -- 15,924 (-  4.0%)
06/2016: Legend of WW #7 of 9 -- 15,820 (-  0.7%)
07/2016: Legend of WW #8 of 9 -- 15,945 (+  0.8%)
08/2016: Legend of WW #9 of 9 -- 14,790 (-  7.2%)
----------------
6 months: - 12.0%

Apparently there’s a sequel coming at some point, so DC must be happy with sales overall.

170 - WACKY RACELAND ($3.99)
06/2016: Wacky Raceland #1 -- 34,065
07/2016: Wacky Raceland #2 -- 18,001 (- 47.2%)
08/2016: Wacky Raceland #3 -- 13,648 (- 24.2%)

Last issue will be #6, and it’s pretty obvious as to why this is getting an early axe.

173, 177 - INJUSTICE: YEAR FIVE (Digital-First) ($2.99)
08/2013: Injustice #8     -- 25,223 
08/2014: Injustice Y2 #9  -- 18,397 (-  2.8%)
08/2014: Injustice Y2 #10 -- 18,068 (-  1.8%)
-----------------------------------
08/2015: Injustice Y4 #7  -- 15,559 (+  0.0%)
08/2015: Injustice Y4 #8  -- 15,269 (-  1.9%)
09/2015: Injustice Y4 #9  -- 15,414 (+  0.9%)
09/2015: Injustice Y4 #10 -- 16,243 (+  5.4%)
10/2015: Injustice Y4 #11 -- 14,992 (-  7.7%)
10/2015: Injustice Y4 #12 -- 14,848 (-  1.0%)
11/2015: --
12/2015: --
01/2016: Injustice Y5 #1  -- 17,049 (+ 14.8%)
01/2016: Injustice Y5 #2  -- 14,787 (- 13.3%)
02/2016: Injustice Y5 #3  -- 14,263 (-  3.5%)
02/2016: Injustice Y5 #4  -- 13,918 (-  2.4%)
03/2016: Injustice Y5 #5  -- 14,094 (+  1.3%)
03/2016: Injustice Y5 #6  -- 13,599 (-  3.5%)
04/2016: Injustice Y5 #7  -- 13,823 (+  1.6%)
04/2016: Injustice Y5 #8  -- 13,560 (-  1.9%)
05/2016: Injustice Y5 #9  -- 13,539 (-  0.2%)
05/2016: Injustice Y5 #10 -- 13,332 (-  1.5%)
06/2016: Injustice Y5 #11 -- 13,682 (+  2.6%)
06/2016: Injustice Y5 #12 -- 13,318 (-  2.7%)
07/2016: Injustice Y5 #13 -- 13,590 (+  2.0%)
07/2016: Injustice Y5 #14 -- 13,418 (-  1.3%)
08/2016: Injustice Y5 #15 -- 13,258 (-  1.2%)
08/2016: Injustice Y5 #16 -- 12,914 (-  2.6%)
----------------
6 months: -  7.1%
1 year  : - 15.1%
2 years : - 28.2%

Year Five will wrap up in October, followed by an Annual in November and then a series adapting the original Injustice video game will launch in December.

188 - GOTHAM ACADEMY ANNUAL ($4.99)
08/2016: Gotham Acad Ann #1 -- 11,505

The Second Semester series launches in September. (Without a Rebirth banner.)

Yet another printing of DC Universe Rebirth #1 lands at #192 with an additional 11,090 to be added to the tally.

193 - BATMAN '66 MEETS STEED & MRS. PEEL (Digital-First) ($2.99)
08/2014: Green Hornet #3 of 6 -- 24,409 
---------------------------------------
12/2015: UNCLE #1 of 6        -- 17,363 (- 15.4%)
01/2016: UNCLE #2 of 6        -- 13,940 (- 19.7%)
02/2016: UNCLE #3 of 6        -- 12,824 (-  8.0%)
03/2016: UNCLE #4 of 6        -- 11,945 (-  6.9%)
04/2016: UNCLE #5 of 6        -- 11,187 (-  6.3%)
05/2016: UNCLE #6 of 6        -- 11,060 (-  1.1%)
06/2016: --
07/2016: Avengers #1 of 6     -- 13,921 (+ 25.9%)
08/2016: Avengers #2 of 6     -- 11,079 (- 20.4%)
----------------
6 months: - 13.6%
2 years : - 54.6%

202 - TEEN TITANS GO! (Digital-First) ($2.99)
08/2006: Teen Titans Go! #34 -- 10,328
08/2014: Teen Titans Go! #5  --  8,688 
--------------------------------------
08/2015: Teen Titans Go! #11 --  9,771 (+10.0%)
09/2015: --
10/2015: Teen Titans Go! #12 -- 10,283 (+ 5.2%)
11/2015: --
12/2015: Teen Titans Go! #13 --  9,714 (- 5.5%)
01/2016: --
02/2016: Teen Titans Go! #14 --  9,142 (- 5.9%)
03/2016: --
04/2016: Teen Titans Go! #15 --  9,210 (+ 0.7%)
05/2016: --
06/2016: Teen Titans Go! #16 --  9,324 (+ 1.2%)
07/2016: --
08/2016: Teen Titans Go! #17 --  9,636 (+ 3.3%)
-----------------
6 months: +  5.4%
1 year  : -  1.4%
2 years : + 10.9%
10 years: -  6.7%

Three straight issues with positive growth!

204 - LUCIFER (Vertigo) ($3.99)
12/2015: Lucifer #1  -- 17,306 (+ 57.2%)
01/2016: Lucifer #2  -- 12,497 (- 27.8%)
02/2016: Lucifer #3  -- 11,614 (-  7.1%)
03/2016: Lucifer #4  -- 11,450 (-  1.4%)
04/2016: Lucifer #5  -- 11,049 (-  3.5%)
05/2016: Lucifer #6  -- 10,701 (-  3.1%)
06/2016: Lucifer #7  -- 10,382 (-  3.0%)
07/2016: Lucifer #8  --  9,968 (-  4.0%)
08/2016: Lucifer #9  --  9,554 (-  4.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 17.7%

The top-selling Vertigo title for August. (Astro City skipped the month.)

213 - DOCTOR FATE ($2.99)
08/2015: Doctor Fate #3  -- 18,951 (- 17.5%) 
09/2015: Doctor Fate #4  -- 16,258 (- 14.2%) 
10/2015: Doctor Fate #5  -- 14,560 (- 10.4%) 
11/2015: Doctor Fate #6  -- 13,090 (- 10.1%) 
12/2015: Doctor Fate #7  -- 11,954 (-  8.7%) 
01/2016: Doctor Fate #8  -- 11,109 (-  7.1%) 
02/2016: Doctor Fate #9  -- 10,437 (-  6.0%) 
03/2016: Doctor Fate #10 --  9,780 (-  6.0%) 
04/2016: Doctor Fate #11 --  9,257 (-  5.3%) 
05/2016: Doctor Fate #12 --  9,168 (-  1.0%) 
06/2016: Doctor Fate #13 --  9,067 (-  1.1%) 
07/2016: Doctor Fate #14 --  8,762 (-  3.4%) 
08/2016: Doctor Fate #15 --  8,663 (-  1.1%) 
-----------------
6 months: - 17.0%
1 year  : - 54.3%

Ending in November, though apparently the character will be appearing in the Rebirthed Blue Beetle comic.

216 - LEGENDS OF TOMORROW ($7.99)
03/2016: Legends of Tomorrow #1 -- 18,753
04/2016: Legends of Tomorrow #2 -- 12,728 (- 32.1%)
05/2016: Legends of Tomorrow #3 -- 11,354 (- 10.8%)
06/2016: Legends of Tomorrow #4 --  9,677 (- 14.8%)
07/2016: Legends of Tomorrow #5 --  8,681 (- 10.3%)
06/2016: Legends of Tomorrow #6 --  8,432 (-  2.9%)

Final issue. Just think, if DC had waited a few months and launched this as part of Rebirth, it could have sold so much more. And considering that these stories were all relaunches of DC properties, it would not have felt out of place at all.

284 - CLEAN ROOM (Vertigo) ($3.99)
10/2015: Clean Room #1  -- 14,304
11/2015: Clean Room #2  --  9,351 (- 35.6%)
12/2015: Clean Room #3  --  8,073 (- 13.7%)
01/2015: Clean Room #4  --  7,572 (-  6.2%)
02/2016: Clean Room #5  --  7,020 (-  7.3%)
03/2016: Clean Room #6  --  6,832 (-  2.7%)
04/2016: Clean Room #7  --  6,518 (-  4.6%)
05/2016: Clean Room #8  --  6,394 (-  1.9%)
06/2016: Clean Room #9  --  6,335 (-  0.9%)
07/2016: Clean Room #10 --  6,069 (-  4.2%)
08/2016: Clean Room #11 --  5,906 (-  2.7%)
-----------------
6 months: - 15.9%

289 - BLOODLINES ($2.99)
04/2016: Bloodlines #1 of 6 -- 14,941 
05/2016: Bloodlines #2 of 6 --  8,959 (- 40.0%) 
06/2016: Bloodlines #3 of 6 --  7,371 (- 17.7%) 
07/2016: Bloodlines #4 of 6 --  6,282 (- 14.8%) 
08/2016: Bloodlines #5 of 6 --  5,767 (-  8.2%)

Will the final issue of Bloodlines make it to next month’s Top 300?

296 - THE SHERIFF OF BABYLON (Vertigo) ($3.99)
12/2015: Sheriff of Babylon #1 of 8  -- 10,234 
01/2015: Sheriff of Babylon #2 of 8  --  7,063 (- 31.0%) 
02/2015: Sheriff of Babylon #3 of 8  --  6,385 (-  9.6%) 
03/2015: Sheriff of Babylon #4 of 8  --  6,007 (-  5.9%) 
04/2015: Sheriff of Babylon #5 of 12 --  5,810 (-  3.3%) 
05/2015: Sheriff of Babylon #6 of 12 --  5,615 (-  3.4%) 
06/2015: Sheriff of Babylon #7 of 12 --  5,714 (+  1.8%) 
07/2015: Sheriff of Babylon #8 of 12 --  5,680 (-  0.6%) 
08/2015: Sheriff of Babylon #9 of 12 --  5,587 (-  1.6%) 
-----------------
6 months: - 12.5%

Yeah, only three Vertigo series made it to the Top 300 this month.

+300 - SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (All-Ages) ($2.99)
08/2006: Scooby-Doo #111               -- 4,492
08/2011: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #12 -- 4,686
08/2012: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #24 -- ?????
08/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #36 -- 4,903 
08/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #48 -- ????? (< 5,357)
-----------------------------------------------
08/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #60 -- 5,091  
09/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #61 -- 5,220 (+ 2.5%)  
10/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #62 -- 5,143 (- 1.5%)  
11/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #63 -- 5,215 (+ 1.4%)  
12/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #64 -- ????? (< 5,848)  
01/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #65 -- 4,906   
02/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #66 -- 4,867 (- 0.8%)   
03/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #67 -- 4,940 (+ 1.5%)   
04/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #68 -- 4,892 (- 1.0%)   
05/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #69 -- 5,040 (+ 3.0%)   
06/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #70 -- ????? (< 5,596)   
07/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #71 -- 5,254    
08/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #72 -- ????? (< 5,497)   
-----------------
6 months:    ???%
1 year  :    ???%
2 years :    ???%
5 years :    ???%
10 years:    ???%

+300 - UNFOLLOW (Vertigo) ($3.99)
11/2015: Unfollow #1  -- 10,740 
12/2015: Unfollow #2  --  7,082 (- 34.1%) 
01/2016: Unfollow #3  --  6,510 (-  8.1%) 
02/2016: Unfollow #4  --  5,667 (- 12.9%) 
03/2016: Unfollow #5  --  5,149 (-  9.1%) 
04/2016: Unfollow #6  --  4,815 (-  6.5%) 
05/2016: Unfollow #7  --  ????? (< 4,986) 
06/2016: Unfollow #8  --  ????? (< 5,596) 
07/2016: Unfollow #9  --  ????? (< 5,069) 
08/2016: Unfollow #10 --  ????? (< 5,497) 
-----------------
6 months:   ????%

+300 - ART OPS (Vertigo) ($3.99)
10/2015: Art Ops #1  -- 12,211
11/2015: Art Ops #2  --  7,982 (- 34.6%)
12/2015: Art Ops #3  --  6,771 (- 15.2%)
01/2016: Art Ops #4  --  5,772 (- 14.8%)
02/2016: Art Ops #5  --  5,297 (-  8.2%)
03/2016: Art Ops #6  --  4,908 (-  7.3%)
04/2016: Art Ops #7  --  4,564 (-  7.3%)
05/2016: Art Ops #8  --  ????? (< 4,986)
06/2016: Art Ops #9  --  ????? (< 5,596)
07/2016: --
06/2016: Art Ops #10 --  ????? (< 5,497)
06/2016: Art Ops #11 --  ????? (< 5,497)
-----------------
6 months:   ????%

+300 - RED THORN (Vertigo) ($3.99)
11/2015: Red Thorn #1  -- 11,335 
12/2015: Red Thorn #2  --  6,799 (- 40.0%) 
01/2016: Red Thorn #3  --  5,802 (- 14.7%) 
02/2016: Red Thorn #4  --  4,867 (- 16.1%) 
03/2016: Red Thorn #5  --  4,482 (-  7.9%) 
04/2016: Red Thorn #6  --  ????? (< 4,309) 
05/2016: Red Thorn #7  --  ????? (< 4,986) 
06/2016: Red Thorn #8  --  ????? (< 5,596) 
07/2016: Red Thorn #9  --  ????? (< 5,069) 
08/2016: Red Thorn #10 --  ????? (< 5,497) 
-----------------
6 months:   ????%

+300 - LOONEY TUNES (All-Ages) ($2.99)
08/2006: Looney Tunes #141 -- 2,783
08/2011: Looney Tunes #201 -- ?????
08/2012: Looney Tunes #208 -- ?????
08/2013: Looney Tunes #214 -- ????? 
08/2014: Looney Tunes #220 -- ????? (< 5,357)
-----------------------------------
08/2015: Looney Tunes #225 -- ????? (< 4,286)
09/2015: --
10/2015: Looney Tunes #226 -- ????? (< 4,248)
11/2015: --
12/2015: Looney Tunes #227 -- ????? (< 5,848)
01/2016: --
02/2016: Looney Tunes #228 -- ????? (< 3,744)
03/2016: --
04/2016: Looney Tunes #229 -- ????? (< 4,309)
05/2016: --
06/2016: Looney Tunes #230 -- ????? (< 5,596)
07/2016: --
08/2016: Looney Tunes #231 -- ????? (< 5,497)
-----------------
6 months:   ????%
1 year  :   ????%
2 years :   ????%
5 years :   ????%
10 years:   ????%

Average Periodical Sales (not counting reprints, reorders shipping after the initial month of release, and magazines; based on first-month sales only.)

DC COMICS
08/2006: 42,497
08/2011: 25,632
08/2012: 33,500
08/2013: 30,843 
08/2014: 28,951 **
---------------
08/2015: 27,301 (+  1.1%)**
09/2015: 26,092 (-  4.4%)**
10/2015: 25,681 (-  0.5%)**
11/2015: 30,743 (+ 19.7%)
12/2015: 28,091 (-  8.6%)**
01/2016: 21,845 (- 22.2%)**
02/2016: 24,611 (+ 12.7%)**
03/2016: 22,620 (-  9.6%)**
04/2016: 23,187 (+  2.5%)**
05/2016: 24,532 (+  5.8%)**
06/2016: 48,770 (+ 98.8%)**
07/2016: 63,656 (+ 30.5%)**
08/2016: 67,257 (+  5.7%)**
-----------------
6 months: +173.3%
1 year  : +146.4%
2 years : +132.3%
5 years : +162.4%
10 years: + 58.3%


DC UNIVERSE
08/2006: 54,382 
08/2011: 27,761
08/2012: 38,047
08/2013: 33,583 
08/2014: 36,645  
---------------
08/2015: 33,079 (+  1.2%)
09/2015: 30,645 (-  7.4%)
10/2015: 30,402 (-  0.8%)
11/2015: 38,396 (+ 26.3%)
12/2015: 34,981 (-  8.9%)
01/2016: 27,664 (- 20.1%)
02/2016: 31,503 (+ 13.9%)
03/2016: 28,621 (-  9.1%)
04/2016: 30,003 (+  4.8%)
05/2016: 29,927 (-  0.3%)
06/2016: 65,876 (+120.1%)
07/2016: 90,237 (+ 37.0%)
08/2016: 87,905 (-  2.6%)
-----------------
6 months: +179.0%
1 year  : +165.7%
2 years : +139.9%
5 years : +216.6%
10 years: + 61.6%


VERTIGO
08/2006: 16,107
08/2011: 10,147
08/2012: 11,764
08/2013: 14,130 
08/2014:  9,082 
---------------
08/2015: 10,216 (- 33.0%)**
09/2015: 15,814 (+ 54.8%)**
10/2015: 10,771 (- 31.9%)**
11/2015:  9,780 (-  9.2%)
12/2015:  8,630 (- 11.8%)**
01/2016:  6,832 (- 20.5%)**
02/2016:  6,274 (-  8.2%)**
03/2016:  6,039 (-  3.7%)**
04/2016:  5,649 (-  6.5%)**
05/2016:  5,734 (+  1.5%)**
06/2016:  6,073 (+  5.9%)**
07/2016:  6,328 (+  4.2%)**
08/2016:  5,639 (- 10.9%)**
-----------------
6 months: - 10.1%
1 year  : - 44.8%
2 years : - 37.9%
5 years : - 44.4%
10 years: - 65.0%

Take these Vertigo numbers with a huge grain of salt, as more than half of the books did not make the Top 300, and the method used to estimate those sales errs on the side of being higher than they likely are. And yet despite that, this is the lowest average sales for Vertigo ever.

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

+818.3% - Suicide Squad (New Suicide Squad)
+409.0% - Harley Quinn
+282.5% - Hellblazer (Constantine the Hellblazer)
+279.2% - Deathstroke
+269.1% - Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps (GLC Edge)
+253.1% - Titans (Titans Hunt)
+225.5% - Green Arrow
+217.5% - Nightwing (Grayson)
+180.0% - Flash
+171.9% - Aquaman
+167.8% - Batgirl
+156.7% - Superman
+153.6% - Wonder Woman
+137.8% - Action Comics
+106.9% - Detective Comics
+111.3% - Green Lanterns (Green Lantern)
+ 80.2% - Justice League
+ 58.1% - Batman
+ 12.9% - Suicide Squad Most Wanted
+  5.4% - Teen Titans Go!
-  7.1% - Injustice
-  8.1% - Batman Beyond
- 10.5% - Earth 2 Society
- 12.0% - Legend of Wonder Woman
- 12.5% - Sheriff of Babylon
- 13.4% - DC Comics Bombshells
- 13.6% - Batman 66 Meets...
- 14.4% - Harley's Little Black Book
- 15.9% - Claen Room
- 17.0% - Doctor Fate
- 17.7% - Lucifer
- 18.9% - Teen Titans


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

+465.9% - Suicide Squad (New Suicide Squad)
+302.3% - Harley Quinn
+173.3% - Hellblazer (Constantine the Hellblazer)
+168.9% - Deathstroke
+156.9% - Nightwing (Grayson)
+137.4% - Green Arrow
+135.5% - Flash
+123.7% - Wonder Woman
+111.3% - Batgirl
+107.7% - Aquaman
+ 84.1% - Superman
+ 77.7% - Action Comics
+ 74.2% - Green Lanterns (Green Lantern)
+ 74.2% - Detective Comics
+ 53.9% - Justice League
+ 26.8% - Batman
+ 18.4% - Sixpack & Dogwelder (All-Star Section 8)
-  1.4% - Teen Titans Go!
- 15.1% - Injustice
- 22.5% - Harley Quinn & Gang
- 34.7% - Justice League of America
- 41.1% - Earth 2 Society
- 41.4% - Teen Titans
- 42.8% - Batman Beyond
- 54.3% - Doctor Fate
- 71.6% - DC Comics Bombshells


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

+442.2% - Batgirl & Birds of Prey (Birds of Prey)
+418.9% - Suicide Squad (New Suicide Squad)
+368.1% - Supergirl
+319.9% - Hellblazer (Constantine)
+298.0% - Harley Quinn
+213.7% - Green Arrow
+164.4% - Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps (GLC)
+156.0% - Flash
+ 96.2% - Aquaman
+ 94.5% - Batgirl
+ 68.5% - Green Lanterns (Green Lantern)
+ 62.1% - Superman
+ 60.5% - Nightwing
+ 58.5% - Action Comics
+ 58.0% - Detective Comics
+ 43.1% - Batman
+ 25.8% - Batman Beyond
+ 10.9% - Teen Titans Go!
- 28.2% - Injustice
- 54.6% - Batman 66 Meets...
- 55.2% - Teen Titans
- 55.5% - Earth 2 Society (Earth 2)


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

+601.1% - Hellblazer 
+527.8% - Supergirl
+344.1% - Titans
+220.6% - Batgirl & Birds of Prey (Birds of Prey)
+213.6% - Batman
+207.1% - Wonder Woman
+202.3% - Batgirl
+201.2% - Green Arrow
+159.5% - Detective Comics
+ 90.4% - Action Comics
+ 47.1% - Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps (GLC)
+  5.0% - Justice League of America
- 19.5% - Teen Titans
- 51.7% - Justice League


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

+370.8% - Hellblazer 
+164.4% - Batgirl & Birds of Prey (Birds of Prey)
+142.0% - Blue Beetle
+139.5% - Nightwing
+112.9% - Green Arrow
+ 67.1% - Supergirl
+ 63.9% - Batman
+ 52.5% - Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps (GLC)
+ 41.2% - Detective Comics
+ 39.2% - Superman
+ 34.6% - Flash
+ 29.2% - Action Comics
+  2.8% - Wonder Woman
-  6.7% - Teen Titans Go!
- 72.4% - Teen Titans
- 80.0% - Justice League of America

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

DCU: Average: 87,905. Median: 80,186. No.: 54. Total: 4,746,877

4.5 - Harley Quinn (1)
3.6 - All Star Batman
2.7 - Suicide Squad
2.2 - Suicide Squad Rebirth
1.9 - Batman (4)
1.8 - Batman (5)
1.6 - Justice League (2)
1.5 - Harley Quinn (2)
1.4 - Supergirl Rebirth
1.4 - Justice League (3)
1.2 - Deathstroke Rebirth 
1.2 - Nightwing (2)
1.2 - Flash (4)
1.2 - Superwoman
1.1 - Detective Comics (938)
1.1 - Superman (4)
1.1 - Wonder Woman (4)
1.0 - Red Hood & Outlaws
1.0 - Deathstroke
1.0 - Flash (5)
1.0 - Nightwing (3)
1.0 - Detective Comics (939)
1.0 - Superman (5)
1.0 - Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps (2)
1.0 - Wonder Woman (5)
0.9 - Batgirl & Birds of Prey
0.9 - Blue Beetle Rebirth
0.9 - Titans
0.9 - New Super-Man
0.9 - Action Comics (961)
0.9 - Green Lanterns (4)
0.8 - Green Arrow (4)
0.8 - Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps (3)
0.8 - Action Comics (962)
0.8 - Green Lanterns (5)
0.8 - Batgirl
0.8 - Aquaman (4)
0.7 - Hellblazer
0.7 - Aquaman (5)
0.5 - Justice League of America
0.4 - Harley's Little Black Book
0.4 - Harley Quinn & Gang (4)
0.3 - Harley Quinn & Gang (5)
0.3 - Suicide Squad War Crimes
0.2 - Teen Titans
0.2 - Suicide Squad Most Wanted
0.2 - Batman Beyond
0.2 - Earth 2 Society
0.2 - Earth 2 Society Annual
0.2 - Sixpack & Dogwelder
0.1 - Gotham Academy Annual
0.1 - Doctor Fate
0.1 - Legends of Tomorrow
0.1 - Bloodlines


Vertigo: Average: 5,639**. Median: 4,815**. No.: 7. Total: 39,472**

1.7 - Lucifer
1.0 - Clean Room
1.0 - Sheriff of Babylon
0.9 - Unfollow **
0.8 - Art Ops (10) **
0.8 - Art Ops (11) **
0.8 - Red Thorn  **


Digital First & Other: Average: 14,668**. Median: 13,648**. No.: 13. Total: 190,687**

1.9 - Scooby Apocalypse
1.7 - Future Quest
1.3 - Flintstones
1.2 - DC Comics Bombshells 
1.1 - DC Comics Bombshells Annual
0.9 - Wacky Raceland
0.9 - Injustice Year Five (15)
0.9 - Injustice Year Five (16)
0.8 - Batman 66 Meets The Avengers
0.7 - Teen Titans Go!
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]”). Likewise, any lower numbers due to returns or other factors returns will also be reflected in the brackets. 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 chart in that month. In those cases, it’s assumed that said releases sold either as many units as the No. 300 comic on the chart for that month or what the sales of the previous issue of the series were—whichever is lower—for the purposes of the chart, although its actual sales are likely to be fewer 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 Overseas Press Club of America, 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.

12 COMMENTS

  1. re: Harley and her gang, I think this illustrates the effect of doing a mini-series rather than incorporating the issues into the main series. It is easier for people to justify skipping a mini.

  2. Additionally (re: Harley), don’t discount the real effect of over-saturation in killing readers’ interest. Our Harley numbers were doing far better before they started throwing out numerous one-shots and minis at a frantic pace.

    Also see: Deadpool (or, honestly, anything that Marvel sees as “hot”). They’ll launch a second ongoing, and possibly other offshoots, and then even the sales on the main series start to fall off.

  3. That’s so true. Once you teach readers that the average buyer can’t afford to read all of a character’s adventures, they start to wonder why they are bothering to read any of those adventures.

  4. Something I’ve been meaning to mention: While I’ve never been a fan of artificially bringing the Diamond returnable figures back to their 100% level — I prefer to let Diamond tell us what it ultimately sold at the end of the year — there’s a basic problem with the calculation.

    If you want to account for a 10% reduction, you must multiply the reported figure not by 110%, but rather 111.111%. If the reported Harley Quinn figure was 360k, then in order to get that figure through a reduction of 10% you must have started with 400k, not 396k. A small but meaningful difference.

  5. @JJM: True. But I figure that bringing it up only 10% (besides making the math easier…) also can account for a few actual returns that may happen. And like I did before, I’ll go back after Diamond releases the year-end sales and adjust. I’m pretty sure we won’t see any returns for the first month of Rebirth titles; the second & third months I’m not so sure about, as we’ve seen almost no re-order activity for month 2 except for Justice League. Anyway, we’ll know in a little over 3 months!

  6. I recently checked out the new DC Flintstones series. I know the sales are ghastly, but it is a fascinating retake on the old cartoon series. It’s well drawn and well written, but a major major leap from the tone of the original. This one is deep, dark, and chock-full of social relevance and commentary. Consider flipping through an issue before it disappears!

  7. SAIPAman says ‘That’s so true. Once you teach readers that the average buyer can’t afford to read all of a character’s adventures, they start to wonder why they are bothering to read any of those adventures.’

    The book industry struggles with in genre series that reach around the fifth book or onwards in a series as it’s difficult to get new readers to buy in at that point. I rarely read a series that has more than three books unless it’s been completed in a reasonable number of books.

    In comics, I always wait for a story to be completed before reading it in full (reread Hush last night as that Batman story was excellent!) though I’ll buy and read the first issue of I’ve done with a number of the Rebirth series.

  8. You guys have to look at the spin off numbers and do the math. Just because it doesnt do gangbuster numbers like the solo series, doesnt mean these books arent turning a major profit for everyone. Black Book has a $ 4.99 price tag, and Gang has a $3.99. These books are created by us to give retailers more Harley related product and expand the world building we are doing. We never expected them to sell , on any level, as much as the main title in any way. My local shop EMERALD CITY groups our books together in one section, keeps as many back issues in stock and I am told that they constantly have had new customers come in and buy sets of the books because of all the attention the Suicide squad movie has gotten and especially because of the media surrounding Harley Quinn. This is about supply and demand. The trade book collections will be coming soon as well, and these titles will have a second life. As creators, we are doing things in both of these series that will also kick in the collector market as well, with Gang creating a new villain for Harley and with Black Book 6 bringing classic Lobo back into the DCU again. For us, as always, trying to create the best books possible is always our main concern.

  9. Kako, me ha parecido un acierto tu elección de los pulpitos para el tikka masala.Una receta extarordinraia y además seguro que están mortales!!!Mil besos guapa,

  10. Yes, that is a common C clamp. The block of wood was just a scrap I had laying around. I would guess it was 8 or 9″ long. It doesnt really matter just as long as it is long enough to cover both pistons in the caliper.

  11. Paavo ja Harmi: Hyvin varteenotettava tulkinta tuokin :)sea: Itse en ole tippaakaan käsityöihminen ja varsinkin siitä syytä tuo kumma yhdistelmä kiinnittää huomion. Jännästi vaihtelee kissojen suhde peiliin. Minunkin edellinen kissa teki kuten Anni, mutta Mindy peilailee itseään ja ympäristöään suht intensiivisesti. Hauska kuulla erilaisista kissanhoukuttimista. Sellaisen olemassaolo on varsin kätevää. :)-S

  12. Király összefoglaló! A kertévés műsorok egyszerűen agysorvasztóak, bosszantóak, sÅ‘t gusztustalanok… És kérem erre van igény!Ki nem állnék rakás ember elé a nulla fÅ‘zÅ‘tudományommal! Bár van az a pénz, amennyiért korpásodik az ember haja :-(Abcug a kertévékre! Viszont éljen Stahl, Å‘ legalább nem csak imitálja, amit csinál!

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