DC Comics Month-to-Month Sales: July 2010

by Marc-Oliver Frisch

The “Brightest Day” and Batman titles continued to be the driving force of DC’s comic-book line in July. The publisher’s overall performance in the periodical direct market remained more or less flat, consequently. The most prominent new release of the mainstream DC Universe line, and maybe a bit of a wildcard for retailers, was the debut of Batman: Odyssey, a six-issue miniseries by writer/artist Neal Adams, who is still something of a high-ticket name, but hasn’t actually produced a substantial comics project in decades.

At Vertigo, overall sales were slightly down in July because Fables, for all intents the imprint’s flagship series, didn’t come out. At WildStorm, the numbers were slightly up because of two new miniseries debuting above the 10K mark.

See below for the details, and please consider the small 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.

—–

2/8 - BRIGHTEST DAY
04/2010: Brightest Day #0  -- 129,446
05/2010: Brightest Day #1  -- 103,326 (-20.2%)
05/2010: Brightest Day #2  --  90,245 (-12.7%)
06/2010: Brightest Day #3  --  85,815 (- 4.9%)
06/2010: Brightest Day #4  --  81,384 (- 5.2%)
07/2010: Brightest Day #5  --  77,796 (- 4.4%)
07/2010: Brightest Day #6  --  94,684 (+21.7%)

In the absence of a more obvious explanation for the sudden increase, my best guess is that Brightest Day #6 is the first issue appearing on the chart without artificially reduced numbers.

We’ve seen the phenomenon of an unmotivated 20% increase before with DC’s weekly books, 52, Countdown and Trinity: DC made the first bunch of issues returnable under certain conditions, in order to make it less of a risk for retailers to order those comic books, and Diamond ostensibly compensated for the returnability by counting only 80% of the orders for their charts.

Since the first five issues of Brightest Day were evidently made returnable by DC, they may well have received the same treatment. We’ll get a clearer picture next month. If the increase wasn’t a one-time spike, I’ll adjust the figures for the first five issues accordingly. As usual, both July issues came with a 1:25 variant-cover edition.

Perhaps more significant than the sales of Brightest Day itself, though, is the impressive strength of “Brightest Day” as a publishing banner — see below.

—–

3 - BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE
05/2010: Batman: TRoBW #1 of 6 -- 108,534          [114,447]
05/2010: Batman: TRoBW #2 of 6 --  93,606 (-13.8%) [ 99,361]
06/2010: Batman: TRoBW #3 of 6 --  92,140 (- 1.6%)
07/2010: Batman: TRoBW #4 of 6 --  88,020 (- 4.5%)

5 - BATMAN AND ROBIN
07/2009: Batman and Robin #2  -- 117,986 (-30.2%) [129,086]
08/2009: Batman and Robin #3  -- 110,594 (- 6.3%)
09/2009: Batman and Robin #4  -- 106,925 (- 3.3%)
10/2009: Batman and Robin #5  -- 101,607 (- 5.0%)
11/2009: Batman and Robin #6  --  95,690 (- 5.8%)
12/2009: --
01/2010: Batman and Robin #7  --  87,780 (- 8.3%)
02/2010: Batman and Robin #8  --  87,302 (- 0.6%)
02/2010: Batman and Robin #9  --  84,562 (- 3.1%)
03/2010: Batman and Robin #10 --  85,292 (+ 0.9%)
04/2010: Batman and Robin #11 --  84,006 (- 1.5%)
05/2010: Batman and Robin #12 --  84,843 (+ 1.0%)
06/2010: --
07/2010: Batman and Robin #13 --  85,804 (+ 1.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 2.3%
1 year  : -27.3%

The two Grant Morrison books driving the current “Return of Bruce Wayne” storyline remain rock-solid. There were 1:25 variant editions for both titles, as usual.

—–

6 - GREEN LANTERN
07/2005: --
07/2006: Green Lantern #12  --  80,292
07/2007: Green Lantern #21  --  81,929 [93,052]
07/2008: Green Lantern #33  --  63,814
--------------------------------------
07/2009: Green Lantern #43  -- 109,426 (+30.1%) [117,314]
07/2009: Green Lantern #44  -- 105,063 (- 4.0%) [109,599]
08/2009: Green Lantern #45  -- 102,431 (- 2.5%)
09/2009: Green Lantern #46  -- 103,666 (+ 1.2%)
10/2009: Green Lantern #47  -- 101,349 (- 2.2%)
11/2009: Green Lantern #48  -- 100,371 (- 1.0%)
12/2009: Green Lantern #49  --  97,285 (- 3.1%)
01/2010: Green Lantern #50  -- 106,444 (+ 9.4%)
02/2010: Green Lantern #51  --  95,509 (-10.3%)
03/2010: Green Lantern #52  --  97,369 (+ 2.0%)
04/2010: Green Lantern #53  -- 100,356 (+ 3.1%)
05/2010: Green Lantern #54  --  88,292 (-12.0%)
06/2010: Green Lantern #55  --  85,930 (- 2.7%)
07/2010: Green Lantern #56  --  84,164 (- 2.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 20.9%
1 year  : - 21.5%
2 years : + 31.9%
5 years :   n.a.

Green Lantern sales remain at a high level under the “Brightest Day” umbrella. There was a 1:25 variant, as usual.

—–

9 - BATMAN
07/2005: Batman #642 --  65,435
07/2006: Batman #655 -- 113,567 [123,903]
07/2007: Batman #666 --  83,781
07/2008: Batman #678 -- 103,213
-------------------------------
07/2009: Batman #688 --  83,040 (-14.3%)
08/2009: Batman #689 --  78,392 (- 5.6%)
09/2009: Batman #690 --  77,001 (- 1.8%)
10/2009: Batman #691 --  71,431 (- 7.2%)
10/2009: Batman #692 --  70,322 (- 1.6%)
11/2009: Batman #693 --  68,983 (- 1.9%)
12/2009: Batman #694 --  65,908 (- 4.5%)
01/2010: Batman #695 --  63,467 (- 3.7%)
02/2010: Batman #696 --  61,290 (- 3.4%)
03/2010: Batman #697 --  61,157 (- 0.2%)
04/2010: Batman #698 --  60,934 (- 0.4%)
05/2010: Batman #699 --  62,377 (+ 2.4%)
06/2010: Batman #700 -- 104,755 (+67.9%)
07/2010: Batman #701 --  76,398 (-27.1%)
----------------
6 months: +20.4%
1 year  : - 8.0%
2 years : -26.0%
5 years : +16.8%

Most of the boost from the anniversary issue disappears, but the Grant Morrison-written flashback to “Batman R.I.P.” that’s running in issues #701 and 702 still keeps the numbers noticeably above their usual level, despite the lack of variant-cover editions.

—–

12 - GREEN LANTERN CORPS
07/2006: Green Lantern Corps #2  -- 56,886
07/2007: Green Lantern Corps #14 -- 45,393 [61,493]
07/2008: Green Lantern Corps #26 -- 46,098
------------------------------------------
07/2009: Green Lantern Corps #38 -- 82,415 (+29.6%)
08/2009: Green Lantern Corps #39 -- 84,241 (+ 2.2%)
09/2009: Green Lantern Corps #40 -- 83,112 (- 1.3%)
10/2009: Green Lantern Corps #41 -- 81,377 (- 2.1%)
11/2009: Green Lantern Corps #42 -- 80,391 (- 1.2%)
12/2009: Green Lantern Corps #43 -- 77,774 (- 3.3%)
01/2010: Green Lantern Corps #44 -- 76,458 (- 1.7%)
02/2010: Green Lantern Corps #45 -- 75,404 (- 1.4%)
03/2010: Green Lantern Corps #46 -- 76,720 (+ 1.8%)
04/2010: Green Lantern Corps #47 -- 72,163 (- 5.9%)
05/2010: Green Lantern Corps #48 -- 68,826 (- 4.6%)
06/2010: Green Lantern Corps #49 -- 66,652 (- 3.2%)
07/2010: Green Lantern Corps #50 -- 67,035 (+ 0.6%)
----------------
6 months: -12.3%
1 year  : -18.7%
2 years : +45.4%

The “anniversary” issue brings a marginal boost. Overall, Green Lantern Corps keeps profiting from its “Blackest Night” and “Brightest Day” crossovers to an impressive degree.

There was a 1:25 variant.

—–

15 - THE FLASH
07/2005: Flash #224      --  48,062
07/2006: Flash: FMA #2   --  77,487 [82,501]
07/2007: All Flash #1    --  98,694
07/2008: Flash #242      --  30,325
-----------------------------------
07/2009: --
08/2009: Rebirth #4 of 5 --  78,107 (-  6.0%)
09/2009: --
10/2009: --
11/2009: Rebirth #5 of 6 --  73,875 (-  5.4%)
12/2009: --
01/2010: --
02/2010: Rebirth #6 of 6 --  70,824 (-  4.1%)
03/2010: --
04/2010: Flash #1        -- 100,903 (+ 42.5%)
05/2010: Flash #2        --  76,560 (- 24.1%)
06/2010: Flash #3        --  68,804 (- 10.1%)
07/2010: Flash #4        --  64,832 (-  5.8%)
-----------------
6 months:  n.a.
1 year  :  n.a.
2 years : +113.8%
5 years : + 34.9%

The Flash, which is also tying in with “Brightest Day,” hasn’t found its level yet. It’s getting there, though, and sales are still perfectly all right for a Flash series, if you look at the long-term figures.

There was a 1:10 variant, as usual.

—–

16 - BATMAN: ODYSSEY
07/2010: Batman: Odyssey #1 of 6 -- 61,827

Batman: Odyssey is Neal Adams’ first major comics project in ages, so don’t be surprised if retailers adjust their orders up or down in the next couple of months. For now, 60K looks like they had a lot of faith in the book.

Once again, there was a 1:25 variant, because you demanded it.

—–

18 - JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
07/2005: JLA #116           --  87,644 [ 91,030]
07/2006: Justice League #0  -- 162,378 [169,199]
07/2007: Justice League #11 -- 122,823
07/2008: Justice League #23 --  82,953
--------------------------------------
07/2009: Justice League #35 --  58,915 (- 3.6%)
08/2009: Justice League #36 --  57,549 (- 2.3%)
09/2009: Justice League #37 --  55,478 (- 3.6%)
10/2009: Justice League #38 --  61,012 (+10.0%)
11/2009: Justice League #39 --  89,376 (+46.5%)
12/2009: Justice League #40 --  68,672 (-23.2%)
01/2010: Justice League #41 --  62,262 (- 9.3%)
02/2010: Justice League #42 --  57,522 (- 7.6%)
03/2010: Justice League #43 --  56,461 (- 1.9%)
04/2010: Justice League #44 --  62,342 (+10.4%)
05/2010: Justice League #45 --  62,465 (+ 0.2%)
06/2010: Justice League #46 --  62,754 (+ 0.5%)
07/2010: Justice League #47 --  60,368 (- 3.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 3.0%
1 year  : + 2.5%
2 years : -27.2%
5 years : -31.1%

Justice League is another “Brightest Day” title, and it’s also in the middle of a crossover with Justice Society. Sales start falling back to the usual level regardless.

And again, there’s a variant edition that the solicitation copy doesn’t mention.

—–

22 - SUPERMAN
07/2005: Superman #219 --  71,036 [ 84,145]
07/2006: Superman #654 --  69,526
07/2007: Superman #664 --  52,313
07/2007: Superman #665 --  51,936
07/2008: Superman #678 --  47,670 (-12.8%)
---------------------------------
07/2009: Superman #690 --  39,472 (-  2.2%)
08/2009: Superman #691 --  39,106 (-  0.9%)
09/2009: Superman #692 --  37,695 (-  3.6%)
10/2009: Superman #693 --  35,395 (-  6.1%)
11/2009: Superman #694 --  34,430 (-  2.7%)
12/2009: Superman #695 --  32,482 (-  5.7%)
01/2010: Superman #696 --  31,940 (-  1.7%)
02/2010: Superman #697 --  31,504 (-  1.4%)
03/2010: Superman #698 --  33,336 (+  5.8%)
04/2010: Superman #699 --  33,183 (-  0.5%)
05/2010: --
06/2010: Superman #700 --  67,571 (+103.6%)
07/2010: Superman #701 --  54,506 (- 19.3%)
-----------------
6 months: + 70.7%
1 year  : + 38.1%
2 years : + 14.3%
5 years : - 23.3%

Numbers for the proper start of the J. Michael Straczynski run are solidly ahead of the previous regime, for the time being. Still, if DC were hoping to make a big splash with Straczynski’s name, this isn’t it quite yet. By comparison, Straczynski’s final issue of Thor over at Marvel sold an estimated 65,265 units in September 2009 — also see comments on Wonder Woman below for more on Straczynski’s DC work.

There was, you guessed it, a 1:25 variant edition.

—–

26 - JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA
07/2005: JSA #75             --  55,410
07/2006: JSA #87             --  49,583
07/2007: Justice Society #7  --  88,883
07/2008: Justice Society #17 --  75,532
---------------------------------------
07/2009: Justice Society #29 --  51,375 (-  2.5%)
08/2009: Justice Society #30 --  49,416 (-  3.8%)
09/2009: Justice Society #31 --  47,436 (-  4.0%)
10/2009: Justice Society #32 --  44,885 (-  5.4%)
11/2009: Justice Society #33 --  43,218 (-  3.7%)
12/2009: Justice Society #34 --  41,734 (-  3.4%)
01/2010: Justice Society #35 --  39,934 (-  4.3%)
02/2010: Justice Society #36 --  39,060 (-  2.2%)
03/2010: Justice Society #37 --  37,381 (-  4.3%)
04/2010: Justice Society #38 --  36,648 (-  2.0%)
05/2010: --
06/2010: Justice Society #39 --  36,630 (-  0.1%)
06/2010: Justice Society #40 --  36,008 (-  1.7%)
07/2010: Justice Society #41 --  48,858 (+ 35.7%)
----------------
6 months: +22.4%
1 year  : - 4.9%
2 years : -35.3%
5 years : -11.8%

Thanks to the “Brightest Day” banner, a 1:25 variant edition and a crossover with Justice League, the book gets a hefty sales increase. A new creative team takes over in October — until then, Justice Society is essentially Justice League-B.

—–

31 - GREEN ARROW
07/2005: Green Arrow #52  -- 35,656
07/2006: Green Arrow #64  -- 36,148
07/2007: Year One #1 of 6 -- 37,090
07/2007: Year One #2 of 6 -- 32,222 [34,962]
07/2008: Arrow/Canary #10 -- 29,604
-----------------------------------
07/2009: Arrow&Canary #22 -- 20,571 (-  1.1%)
08/2009: Arrow&Canary #23 -- 19,452 (-  5.4%)
09/2009: Arrow&Canary #24 -- 18,780 (-  3.5%)
10/2009: Arrow&Canary #25 -- 18,013 (-  4.1%)
11/2009: Arrow&Canary #26 -- 17,384 (-  3.5%)
12/2009: Arrow&Canary #27 -- 16,904 (-  2.8%)
01/2010: Arrow&Canary #28 -- 16,482 (-  2.5%)
02/2010: Arrow&Canary #29 -- 16,600 (+  0.7%)
02/2010: Black Arrow #30  -- 42,014 (+153.1%)
03/2010: Green Arrow #31  -- 28,486 (- 32.2%)
04/2010: Green Arrow #32  -- 29,137 (+  2.3%)
05/2010: --
06/2010: Green Arrow #1   -- 54,400 (+ 86.7%)
07/2010: Green Arrow #2   -- 44,118 (- 18.9%)
-----------------
6 months: +167.7%
1 year  : +114.5%
2 years : + 49.0%
5 years : + 23.7%

Considering that there was no variant edition in July, that’s a remarkably small second-issue drop. Green Arrow keeps selling in a different league from where it was six months back. Quite impressive as a relaunch, but it also speaks to the strength of “Brightest Day” as a brand.

—–

32 - BIRDS OF PREY
07/2005: Birds of Prey #84  -- 29,982
07/2006: Birds of Prey #96  -- 32,219
07/2007: Birds of Prey #108 -- 28,025
07/2008: Birds of Prey #120 -- 21,572
-------------------------------------
05/2010: Birds of Prey #1   -- 50,428 (+135.4%) [54,965]
06/2010: Birds of Prey #2   -- 44,064 (- 12.6%)
07/2010: Birds of Prey #3   -- 43,420 (-  1.5%)
-----------------
2 years : +101.3%
5 years : + 44.8%

Likewise, Birds of Prey, another title relaunched under the “Brightest Day” umbrella, is finding its level very quickly, also without the help of variant editions. The book is still more than 10K ahead of what Gail Simone’s previous four-year run on the title did on average. Also, a second printing of the debut issue made the chart in July with another estimated 4,537 units. Encouraging signs all around.

—–

36 - DETECTIVE COMICS
07/2005: Detective Comics #808 --  37,952
07/2006: Detective Comics #821 --  67,345
07/2007: Detective Comics #834 --  53,461
07/2008: Detective Comics #846 --  72,417
-----------------------------------------
07/2009: Detective Comics #855 --  61,205 (-15.9%)
08/2009: Detective Comics #856 --  58,859 (- 3.8%)
09/2009: Detective Comics #857 --  57,063 (- 3.1%)
10/2009: Detective Comics #858 --  58,599 (+ 2.7%)
11/2009: Detective Comics #859 --  54,392 (- 7.2%)
12/2009: Detective Comics #860 --  52,295 (- 3.9%)
01/2010: Detective Comics #861 --  45,937 (-12.2%)
02/2010: --
03/2010: Detective Comics #862 --  44,687 (- 2.7%)
03/2010: Detective Comics #863 --  43,119 (- 3.5%)
04/2010: Detective Comics #864 --  42,436 (- 1.6%)
05/2010: Detective Comics #865 --  41,501 (- 2.2%)
06/2010: Detective Comics #866 --  46,178 (+11.3%)
07/2010: Detective Comics #867 --  40,371 (-12.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 12.1%
1 year  : - 34.0%
2 years : - 44.3%
5 years : +  6.4%

With the solicitation copy for the July issue, the news that the “Batwoman” feature and creators Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III wouldn’t return to Detective Comics was sinking in. Still, if you ignore the variant-cover spike for the June issue, the book just continues its already swift decline.

A new creative team is set to take over in November. Until then, a few thousand copies more may evaporate.

—–

37/39 - JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST
05/2010: Generation Lost #1  of 13 -- 50,784
05/2010: Generation Lost #2  of 13 -- 44,711 (-12.0%)
06/2010: Generation Lost #3  of 13 -- 43,278 (- 3.2%)
06/2010: Generation Lost #4  of 13 -- 41,702 (- 3.6%)
07/2010: Generation Lost #5  of 13 -- 40,370 (- 3.2%)
07/2010: Generation Lost #6  of 13 -- 39,190 (- 2.9%)

The twice-monthly “Brightest Day” tie-in series continues its slow decline. So far, these numbers are perfectly good for a maxiseries.

As usual, there were 1:25 variants.

—–

38 - WONDER WOMAN
07/2005: Wonder Woman #218 --  34,366
07/2005: Wonder Woman #219 --  53,460 [92,164]
07/2006: --
07/2007: Wonder Woman #11  --  52,983
07/2008: Wonder Woman #22  --  36,514
-------------------------------------
07/2009: Wonder Woman #34  --  30,131 (-  8.0%)
08/2009: Wonder Woman #35  --  29,657 (-  1.6%)
09/2009: Wonder Woman #36  --  28,806 (-  2.9%)
10/2009: Wonder Woman #37  --  26,972 (-  6.4%)
11/2009: Wonder Woman #38  --  26,265 (-  2.6%)
12/2009: Wonder Woman #39  --  26,152 (-  0.4%)
01/2010: Wonder Woman #40  --  25,156 (-  3.8%)
02/2010: Wonder Woman #41  --  25,354 (+  0.8%)
03/2010: Wonder Woman #42  --  25,240 (-  0.5%)
04/2010: Wonder Woman #43  --  25,369 (+  0.5%)
05/2010: Wonder Woman #44  --  25,443 (+  0.3%)
06/2010: Wonder Woman #600 --  53,525 (+110.4%) [63,700]
07/2010: Wonder Woman #601 --  39,672 (- 25.9%)
-----------------
6 months: + 57.7%
1 year  : + 31.7%
2 years : +  8.7%
5 years : -  9.7%

Not unlike J. Michael’s first issue of Superman, the writer’s Wonder Woman debut gets the book a nice boost, but fails to really put it on the map. When Gail Simone took over in November 2007, her first issue sold an estimated 53,090 units, as a point of comparison.

Times have changed, granted, and Simone’s debut came after a quickly failing 2006 relaunch that had sold far beyond 100K with its first issue. Still, it’s worth imagining how Straczynski’s arrival at DC would have fared if the company hadn’t done everything short of concealing his identity to undermine it: no promotion to speak of, no relaunch for maximum effect, no effort to shape the publishing line around it.

Instead, Straczynski’s first DC work was a minor-league title with one foot in the grave, while the flagships were slipped in through the backdoor, as if having a new big-name writer was something to be ashamed of.

On the plus side, the anniversary issue sold another 10,175 units in July. So maybe this one’s still kicking, down in the casket.

—–

45 - THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
07/2005: LoSH #8              -- 37,272
07/2006: Supergirl & LoSH #20 -- 41,679
07/2007: Supergirl & LoSH #32 -- 29,826
07/2008: LoSH #43             -- 27,531
07/2008: LoSH #44             -- 29,954
---------------------------------------
05/2010: LoSH #1              -- 44,415 (+98.9%) [50,106]
06/2010: LoSH #2              -- 39,102 (-12.0%)
07/2010: LoSH #3              -- 36,360 (- 7.0%)
-----------------
2 years : + 26.5%
5 years : -  2.5%

The latest Legion relaunch hasn’t quite found its level yet, but the numbers are still good, from a historical perspective. As usual, there was a 1:10 variant edition.

——

46 - RED ROBIN
07/2005: Robin #140    -- 28,909
07/2006: Robin #152    -- 37,466
07/2007: Robin #164    -- 25,955
07/2008: Robin #175    -- 53,880
--------------------------------
07/2009: Red Robin #2  -- 51,593 (- 19.7%) [54,544]
08/2009: Red Robin #3  -- 50,329 (-  2.5%)
09/2009: Red Robin #4  -- 47,945 (-  4.7%)
10/2009: Red Robin #5  -- 44,776 (-  6.6%)
11/2009: Red Robin #6  -- 42,409 (-  5.3%)
12/2009: Red Robin #7  -- 39,528 (-  6.8%)
01/2010: Red Robin #8  -- 37,869 (-  4.2%)
02/2010: Red Robin #9  -- 36,466 (-  3.7%)
03/2010: Red Robin #10 -- 36,708 (+  0.7%)
04/2010: Red Robin #11 -- 36,205 (-  1.4%)
05/2010: Red Robin #12 -- 36,273 (+  0.2%)
06/2010: Red Robin #13 -- 35,917 (-  1.0%)
07/2010: Red Robin #14 -- 35,652 (-  0.7%)
-----------------
6 months: -  5.9%
1 year  : - 30.9%
2 years : - 33.8%
5 years : + 23.3%

The book sticks to its orbit around 36K, for now. A year and a creative-team change in, Red Robin is still a marked improvement over its predecessor, which usually sold well below 30K for the last few years.

—–

49 - ACTION COMICS
07/2005: Action Comics #829 -- 62,994 [76,896]
07/2006: Action Comics #841 -- 58,657
07/2007: Action Comics #851 -- 76,500
07/2007: Action Comics #852 -- 50,294
07/2008: Action Comics #867 -- 49,363
-------------------------------------
07/2009: Action Comics #879 -- 38,324 (- 4.2%)
08/2009: Action Comics #880 -- 37,588 (- 1.9%)
09/2009: Action Comics #881 -- 36,183 (- 3.7%)
10/2009: Action Comics #882 -- 34,754 (- 4.0%)
11/2009: Action Comics #883 -- 33,386 (- 3.9%)
12/2009: Action Comics #884 -- 31,873 (- 4.5%)
01/2010: Action Comics #885 -- 30,678 (- 3.8%)
02/2010: Action Comics #886 -- 29,845 (- 2.7%)
03/2010: Action Comics #887 -- 29,460 (- 1.3%)
04/2010: Action Comics #888 -- 29,536 (+ 0.3%)
04/2010: Action Comics #889 -- 29,106 (- 1.5%)
05/2010: --
06/2010: Action Comics #890 -- 34,744 (+19.4%) [40,039]
07/2010: Action Comics #891 -- 35,328 (+ 1.7%)
----------------
6 months: +15.2%
1 year  : - 7.8%
2 years : -28.4%
5 years : -43.9%

The first issue of the new creative team that was solicited with the proper credits sees another small increase, despite the fact that there was no variant this time. And June’s Action Comics #890 also made the chart again with an estimated 5,295 units.

The good reception of the Paul Cornell/Pete Woods run doesn’t seem to be restricted to the reviews. Maybe DC should let them do a Superman story.

—–

50 - BRIGHTEST DAY: THE ATOM SPECIAL
07/2010: The Atom Special #1 -- 35,203

Not bad sales for a C-list character, thanks to the “Brightest Day” banner.

—–

52 - TIME MASTERS: VANISHING POINT
07/2010: Vanishing Point #1 of 6 -- 34,509

This is a glorified Booster Gold spin-off, basically. The reason why it outsells the regular series by 15K is that the solicitation copy suggests it’s a “companion series” to Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne. The reason why it doesn’t sell even better is because, as usual, DC preferred not to advertise the selling points.

There was a 1:10 variant edition.

—–

55 - BATMAN: THE WIDENING GYRE
08/2009: Widening Gyre #1 of 6 -- 52,191 (- 1.2%)
09/2009: Widening Gyre #2 of 6 -- 46,287 (-11.3%)
10/2009: --
11/2009: Widening Gyre #3 of 6 -- 43,336 (- 6.4%)
12/2009: --
01/2010: Widening Gyre #4 of 6 -- 36,729 (-15.3%)
02/2010: --
03/2010: Widening Gyre #5 of 6 -- 34,338 (- 6.5%)
04/2010: --
05/2010: --
06/2010: --
07/2010: Widening Gyre #6 of 6 -- 33,391 (- 2.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 9.1%

The conclusion to the Kevin Smith vehicle was first solicited for April, but better late than never.

Smith’s commercial appeal in comics circles has seen better days, certainly. His involvement in a comics project is no longer news, even when it’s a major property like Batman.

There was a 1:25 variant edition, as usual. Also, it’s worth noting that Batman: The Widening Gyre is only the first half of a planned 12-issue arc by Smith. Given the persisting delays and the flagging sales, though, lord knows if and when the rest will be published.

—–

60 - TITANS
07/2008: --
---------------------------------
07/2009: Titans #15     -- 46,189 (+42.9%)
08/2009: Titans #16     -- 31,408 (-32.0%)
09/2009: Titans #17     -- 30,154 (- 4.0%)
10/2009: Titans #18     -- 28,215 (- 6.4%)
11/2009: Titans #19     -- 27,099 (- 4.0%)
12/2009: Titans #20     -- 25,887 (- 4.5%)
01/2010: Titans #21     -- 24,924 (- 3.7%)
02/2010: Titans #22     -- 24,489 (- 1.8%)
03/2010: Titans #23     -- 24,260 (- 0.9%)
04/2010: --
05/2010: VfH Special #1 -- 31,718 (+30.7%)
06/2010: Titans #24     -- 33,079 (+ 4.3%)
07/2010: Titans #25     -- 31,505 (- 4.8%)
----------------
6 months: +26.4%
1 year  : -31.8%
2 years :  n.a.

The numbers are dropping a tad, but Titans is still significantly ahead of where it was half a year back, thanks to the “Brightest Day” overhaul.

—–

62 - BATMAN BEYOND
06/2010: Batman Beyond #1 of 6 -- 35,113          [42,283]
07/2010: Batman Beyond #2 of 6 -- 31,397 (-10.6%)

That’s a very small second-issue drop, particularly considering that there was no variant edition in July.

Also, the first issue made the chart again with an estimated 7,170 additional units, and June’s Superman/Batman Annual #4, which featured the Batman Beyond character, also sold another 3,983 copies in July. In short, the book looks like a moderate hit, so the news of an ongoing title doesn’t come as a surprise.

—–

63 - ADVENTURE COMICS
08/2009: Adventure Comics #1   -- 56,706 (+72.6%)
09/2009: Adventure Comics #2   -- 47,296 (-15.9%)
10/2009: Adventure Comics #3   -- 44,431 (- 6.1%)
11/2009: Adventure Comics #4   -- 85,145 (+91.6%)
12/2009: Adventure Comics #5   -- 59,876 (-29.7%)
01/2010: Adventure Comics #6   -- 42,514 (-29.0%)
02/2010: Adventure Comics #7   -- 53,721 (+26.4%)
03/2010: Adventure Comics #8   -- 39,351 (-26.8%)
03/2010: Adventure Comics #9   -- 37,515 (- 4.7%)
04/2010: Adventure Comics #10  -- 37,573 (+ 0.2%)
05/2010: Adventure Comics #11  -- 34,794 (- 7.4%)
06/2010: Adventure Comics #12  -- 34,663 (- 0.4%)
07/2010: Adventure Comics #516 -- 30,897 (-10.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 27.3%

The July issue, which officially re-introduced the historical numbering of the series, was the first without a variant-cover edition. While that may explain a good chunk of the 11% drop, though, Adventure Comics wasn’t doing terribly well to begin with.

—–

64 - SUPERMAN/BATMAN
07/2005: Superman/Batman #21 -- 108,341
07/2006: Superman/Batman #28 --  92,603
07/2007: Superman/Batman #38 --  67,695
07/2008: Superman/Batman #50 --  61,321
---------------------------------------
07/2009: Superman/Batman #62 --  38,412 (+ 0.5%)
08/2009: Superman/Batman #63 --  37,467 (- 2.5%)
09/2009: Superman/Batman #64 --  36,332 (- 3.0%)
10/2009: Superman/Batman #65 --  34,585 (- 4.8%)
11/2009: Superman/Batman #66 --  52,143 (+50.8%)
12/2009: Superman/Batman #67 --  49,650 (- 4.8%)
01/2010: Superman/Batman #68 --  33,869 (-31.8%)
02/2010: Superman/Batman #69 --  33,224 (- 1.9%)
03/2010: Superman/Batman #70 --  32,196 (- 3.1%)
04/2010: Superman/Batman #71 --  31,714 (- 1.5%)
05/2010: Superman/Batman #72 --  32,047 (+ 1.1%)
06/2010: Superman/Batman #73 --  31,425 (- 1.9%)
07/2010: Superman/Batman #74 --  30,847 (- 1.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 8.9%
1 year  : -19.7%
2 years : -49.7%
5 years : -71.5%

Business as usual for Superman/Batman.

—–

71 - BATGIRL
07/2005: Batgirl #66     -- 26,959
07/2008: Batgirl #1 of 6 -- 34,411
----------------------------------
08/2009: Batgirl #1      -- 51,724 (+149.3%)
09/2009: Batgirl #2      -- 40,626 (- 21.5%)
10/2009: Batgirl #3      -- 37,011 (-  8.9%)
11/2009: Batgirl #4      -- 34,697 (-  6.3%)
12/2009: Batgirl #5      -- 32,482 (-  6.4%)
01/2010: Batgirl #6      -- 30,403 (-  6.4%)
02/2010: Batgirl #7      -- 29,524 (-  2.9%)
03/2010: Batgirl #8      -- 30,886 (+  4.6%)
04/2010: Batgirl #9      -- 29,445 (-  4.7%)
05/2010: Batgirl #10     -- 28,641 (-  2.7%)
06/2010: Batgirl #11     -- 28,563 (-  0.3%)
07/2010: Batgirl #12     -- 28,011 (-  1.9%)
----------------
6 months: - 7.9%
2 years : -18.6%
5 years : + 3.9%

Standard attrition.

—–

72 - ZATANNA
05/2010: Zatanna #1  -- 33,691
06/2010: Zatanna #2  -- 29,564 (-12.3%)
07/2010: Zatanna #3  -- 27,792 (- 6.0%)

The series keeps bottoming out nicely. There was a 1:10 variant, as usual.

—–

74 - SUPERGIRL
07/2006: Supergirl #7  --  85,175
07/2006: Supergirl #8  --  76,942
07/2007: Supergirl #19 --  48,576
07/2008: Supergirl #31 --  28,813
---------------------------------
07/2009: Supergirl #43 --  32,849 (+ 0.4%)
08/2009: Supergirl #44 --  33,819 (+ 3.0%)
09/2009: Supergirl #45 --  32,240 (- 4.7%)
10/2009: Supergirl #46 --  30,377 (- 5.8%)
11/2009: Supergirl #47 --  29,159 (- 4.0%)
12/2009: Supergirl #48 --  28,176 (- 3.4%)
01/2010: Supergirl #49 --  27,728 (- 1.6%)
02/2010: Supergirl #50 --  33,338 (+20.2%)
03/2010: Supergirl #51 --  29,845 (-10.5%)
04/2010: Supergirl #52 --  29,490 (- 1.2%)
05/2010: --
06/2010: Supergirl #53 --  28,317 (- 4.0%)
07/2010: Supergirl #54 --  26,941 (- 4.9%)
----------------
6 months: - 2.8%
1 year  : -18.0%
2 years : - 6.5%

Now that it’s no longer closely tied to the Superman line, the book’s sales are back in a free-fall.

—–

77 - RED HOOD: LOST DAYS
06/2010: Red Hood: Lost Days #1 of 6 -- 34,197
07/2010: Red Hood: Lost Days #2 of 6 -- 26,560 (-22.3%)

The first issue had a variant edition to boost the numbers, so that’s a pretty average second-issue drop, on balance.

—–

76 - DC UNIVERSE LEGACIES
05/2010: DCU Legacies #1  of 10 -- 34,429
06/2010: DCU Legacies #2  of 10 -- 29,286 (-14.9%)
07/2010: DCU Legacies #3  of 10 -- 26,708 (- 8.8%)

Fairly regular behavior for a maxiseries. There was a 1:25 variant, as usual.

—–

78 - FIRST WAVE
11/2009: B/DS Special #1    -- 32,636
-------------------------------------
03/2010: First Wave #1 of 6 -- 38,365
04/2010: --
05/2010: First Wave #2 of 6 -- 30,705 (-20.0%)
06/2010: --
07/2010: First Wave #3 of 6 -- 25,920 (-15.6%)

This doesn’t look good, obviously. There was a 1:10 variant, as for the two previous issues, but First Wave is dropping off the map regardless.

With a creative team like Azzarello and Morales, DC probably expected this to do better. Then again, with Azzarello writing, a good number of people are probably waiting for the paperback edition.

—–

81 - GOTHAM CITY SIRENS
07/2009: GC Sirens #2  -- 39,518 (-24.6%)
08/2009: GC Sirens #3  -- 36,772 (- 7.0%)
09/2009: GC Sirens #4  -- 34,405 (- 6.4%)
10/2009: GC Sirens #5  -- 33,015 (- 4.0%)
11/2009: GC Sirens #6  -- 30,990 (- 6.1%)
12/2009: GC Sirens #7  -- 29,709 (- 4.1%)
01/2010: GC Sirens #8  -- 28,254 (- 4.9%)
02/2010: GC Sirens #9  -- 27,172 (- 3.8%)
03/2010: GC Sirens #10 -- 26,550 (- 2.3%)
04/2010: GC Sirens #11 -- 26,359 (- 0.7%)
05/2010: GC Sirens #12 -- 26,029 (- 1.3%)
06/2010: GC Sirens #13 -- 25,867 (- 0.6%)
07/2010: GC Sirens #14 -- 25,315 (- 2.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 10.4%
1 year  : - 35.9%

The decline has been slowing down in the last few months, but Gotham City Sirens still isn’t doing particularly well. And since the solicitation copy still claims Paul Dini as the writer, which he hasn’t been since issue #11, the newfound stability may be deceiving, anyway.

—–

85 - AMERICAN VAMPIRE (Vertigo)
03/2010: American Vampire #1  -- 33,762          [36,831]
04/2010: American Vampire #2  -- 26,770 (-20.7%)
05/2010: American Vampire #3  -- 26,510 (- 1.0%)
06/2010: American Vampire #4  -- 25,977 (- 2.0%)
07/2010: American Vampire #5  -- 24,857 (- 4.3%)

This was the end of the first storyline, as well as the last issue with a backup story written by Stephen King, so the next arc will be the litmus test.

There was a 1:25 variant, as usual.

—–

86 - BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM
07/2009: Batman: SoG #2  -- 44,240 (-23.3%)
08/2009: Batman: SoG #3  -- 40,353 (- 8.8%)
09/2009: Batman: SoG #4  -- 37,888 (- 6.1%)
10/2009: Batman: SoG #5  -- 34,533 (- 8.9%)
11/2009: Batman: SoG #6  -- 32,303 (- 6.5%)
12/2009: Batman: SoG #7  -- 30,290 (- 6.2%)
01/2010: Batman: SoG #8  -- 28,313 (- 6.5%)
02/2010: Batman: SoG #9  -- 27,023 (- 4.6%)
03/2010: Batman: SoG #10 -- 26,396 (- 2.3%)
04/2010: Batman: SoG #11 -- 25,925 (- 1.8%)
05/2010: Batman: SoG #12 -- 25,446 (- 1.9%)
06/2010: Batman: SoG #13 -- 25,205 (- 1.0%)
07/2010: Batman: SoG #14 -- 24,767 (- 1.7%)
----------------
6 months: -12.5%
1 year  : -44.0%

Standard attrition.

—–

88 - TEEN TITANS
07/2005: Teen Titans #26 -- 68,353
07/2006: Teen Titans #37 -- 71,263
07/2007: Teen Titans #49 -- 59,258
07/2008: Teen Titans #61 -- 44,666
----------------------------------
07/2009: Teen Titans #73 -- 30,990 (- 4.7%)
08/2009: Teen Titans #74 -- 30,380 (- 2.0%)
09/2009: Teen Titans #75 -- 32,808 (+ 8.0%)
10/2009: Teen Titans #76 -- 29,166 (-11.1%)
11/2009: Teen Titans #77 -- 46,239 (+58.5%)
12/2009: Teen Titans #78 -- 43,400 (- 6.1%)
01/2010: Teen Titans #79 -- 27,790 (-36.0%)
02/2010: Teen Titans #80 -- 26,537 (- 4.5%)
03/2010: Teen Titans #81 -- 25,758 (- 2.9%)
04/2010: Teen Titans #82 -- 25,303 (- 1.8%)
05/2010: Teen Titans #83 -- 24,960 (- 1.4%)
06/2010: Teen Titans #84 -- 24,593 (- 1.5%)
07/2010: Teen Titans #85 -- 24,248 (- 1.4%)
----------------
6 months: -12.8%
1 year  : -21.8%
2 years : -45.7%
5 years : -64.5%

Another book that’s stabilized somewhat over the last six months, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement, obviously.

—–

89 - JSA ALL-STARS
12/2009: JSA All-Stars #1  -- 42,493
01/2010: JSA All-Stars #2  -- 32,601 (-23.3%)
02/2010: JSA All-Stars #3  -- 29,666 (- 9.0%)
03/2010: JSA All-Stars #4  -- 28,526 (- 3.8%)
04/2010: JSA All-Stars #5  -- 26,581 (- 6.8%)
05/2010: JSA All-Stars #6  -- 25,306 (- 4.8%)
06/2010: JSA All-Stars #7  -- 24,436 (- 3.4%)
07/2010: JSA All-Stars #8  -- 23,478 (- 3.9%)
----------------
6 months: -28.0%

Still not bottoming out.

—–

93 - THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD
07/2007: The Brave and the Bold #5  -- 54,047
07/2008: The Brave and the Bold #15 -- 32,688
---------------------------------------------
07/2009: The Brave and the Bold #25 -- 21,234 (- 0.2%)
08/2009: The Brave and the Bold #26 -- 20,154 (- 5.1%)
09/2009: The Brave and the Bold #27 -- 26,904 (+33.5%)
10/2009: The Brave and the Bold #28 -- 23,176 (-13.9%)
11/2009: The Brave and the Bold #29 -- 21,287 (- 8.2%)
12/2009: The Brave and the Bold #30 -- 20,932 (- 1.7%)
01/2010: The Brave and the Bold #31 -- 21,406 (+ 2.3%)
02/2010: --
03/2010: The Brave and the Bold #32 -- 20,466 (- 4.4%)
04/2010: The Brave and the Bold #33 -- 21,528 (+ 5.2%)
05/2010: The Brave and the Bold #34 -- 21,758 (+ 1.1%)
06/2010: --
07/2010: The Brave and the Bold #35 -- 22,071 (+ 1.4%)
----------------
6 months: + 3.1%
1 year  : + 3.9%
2 years : -32.5%

J. Michael Straczynski’s flagship title at DC continues a small climb.

—–

96 - SECRET SIX
07/2009: Secret Six #11     -- 24,357 (+ 0.4%)
08/2009: Secret Six #12     -- 24,161 (- 0.8%)
09/2009: Secret Six #13     -- 23,919 (- 1.0%)
10/2009: Secret Six #14     -- 23,345 (- 2.4%)
11/2009: Secret Six #15     -- 23,190 (- 0.7%)
12/2009: Secret Six #16     -- 22,638 (- 2.4%)
01/2010: Secret Six #17     -- 38,515 (+70.1%)
02/2010: Secret Six #18     -- 37,876 (- 1.7%)
03/2010: Secret Six #19     -- 23,181 (-38.8%)
04/2010: Secret Six #20     -- 22,695 (- 2.1%)
05/2010: Secret Six #21     -- 22,334 (- 1.6%)
06/2010: Secret Six #22     -- 21,941 (- 1.8%)
07/2010: Secret Six #23     -- 21,554 (- 1.8%)
----------------
6 months: -44.0%
1 year  : -11.5%

Standard attrition. The January issues was a “Blackest Night” crossover, so the drop-off isn’t half as terrible as it looks.

—–

105 - POWER GIRL
07/2009: Power Girl #3  -- 35,163 (- 4.3%)
08/2009: Power Girl #4  -- 32,140 (- 8.6%)
09/2009: Power Girl #5  -- 29,497 (- 8.2%)
10/2009: Power Girl #6  -- 27,060 (- 8.3%)
11/2009: --
12/2009: Power Girl #7  -- 22,533 (-16.7%)
01/2010: Power Girl #8  -- 21,760 (- 3.4%)
02/2010: Power Girl #9  -- 20,900 (- 4.0%)
03/2010: Power Girl #10 -- 20,801 (- 0.5%)
04/2010: Power Girl #11 -- 20,675 (- 0.6%)
05/2010: Power Girl #12 -- 20,681 (+ 0.0%)
06/2010: Power Girl #13 -- 20,583 (- 0.5%)
07/2010: Power Girl #14 -- 19,739 (- 4.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 9.3%
1 year  : -43.8%

That’s the biggest drop Power Girl has seen in a while.

—–

106 - BOOSTER GOLD
07/2008: BGold #1,000,000 -- 34,431
-----------------------------------
07/2009: Booster Gold #22 -- 22,414 (-  3.5%)
08/2009: Booster Gold #23 -- 22,108 (-  1.4%)
09/2009: Booster Gold #24 -- 21,731 (-  1.7%)
10/2009: Booster Gold #25 -- 21,597 (-  0.6%)
11/2009: Booster Gold #26 -- 57,122 (+164.5%)
12/2009: Booster Gold #27 -- 40,256 (- 29.5%)
01/2010: Booster Gold #28 -- 21,967 (- 45.4%)
02/2010: Booster Gold #29 -- 21,020 (-  4.3%)
03/2010: Booster Gold #30 -- 20,187 (-  4.0%)
04/2010: Booster Gold #31 -- 19,818 (-  1.8%)
05/2010: Booster Gold #32 -- 20,343 (+  2.7%)
06/2010: Booster Gold #33 -- 19,895 (-  2.2%)
07/2010: Booster Gold #34 -- 19,592 (-  1.5%)
----------------
6 months: -10.8%
1 year  : -12.6%
2 years : -43.1%

Standard attrition.

—–

116 - THE OUTSIDERS
07/2005: Outsiders #26 -- 43,226
07/2006: Outsiders #38 -- 41,974
07/2007: Outsiders #49 -- 33,110
07/2008: Batsiders #9  -- 34,401
--------------------------------
07/2009: Outsiders #20 -- 24,323 (- 11.5%)
08/2009: Outsiders #21 -- 23,856 (-  1.9%)
09/2009: Outsiders #22 -- 22,775 (-  4.5%)
10/2009: Outsiders #23 -- 21,413 (-  6.0%)
11/2009: Outsiders #24 -- 50,918 (+137.8%) [55,704]
12/2009: Outsiders #25 -- 37,847 (- 25.7%)
01/2010: Outsiders #26 -- 22,626 (- 40.2%)
02/2010: Outsiders #27 -- 21,167 (-  6.5%)
03/2010: Outsiders #28 -- 19,632 (-  7.3%)
04/2010: Outsiders #29 -- 19,094 (-  2.7%)
05/2010: --
06/2010: Outsiders #30 -- 18,045 (-  5.5%)
07/2010: Outsiders #31 -- 17,173 (-  4.8%)
----------------
6 months: -24.1%
1 year  : -29.4%
2 years : -50.1%
5 years : -60.3%

And down it goes. The long-term comparisons speak for themselves.

—–

119 - I, ZOMBIE
05/2010: I, Zombie #1  -- 33,025
06/2010: I, Zombie #2  -- 18,620 (-43.6%)
07/2010: I, Zombie #3  -- 16,898 (- 9.3%)

Bearing in mind that the first issue was two thirds a freebie, the book is doing perfectly well, so far.

—–

124 - THE X-FILES/30 DAYS OF NIGHT
07/2008: Special #0      -- 23,805
11/2008: X-Files #1 of 6 -- 16,042 (-32.6%)
12/2008: X-Files #2 of 6 -- 11,562 (-27.9%)
01/2009: X-Files #3 of 6 --  9,808 (-15.2%)
02/2009: X-Files #4 of 6 --  9,268 (- 5.5%)
03/2009: X-Files #5 of 6 --  8,999 (- 2.9%)
04/2009: X-Files #6 of 6 --  8,789 (- 2.3%)
----------------------------------
07/2010: XF30DoN #1 of 6 -- 16,109 (+83.3%)
----------------
2 years : -32.3%

The combination of two once-popular fantasy franchises is WildStorm’s best-selling comic book in July.

There was a variant-cover edition.

—–

129 - BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL
07/2007: Batman Confidential #7  -- 32,272
07/2008: Batman Confidential #19 -- 25,037
------------------------------------------
07/2009: Batman Confidential #31 -- 19,225 (+ 4.2%)
08/2009: Batman Confidential #32 -- 18,545 (- 3.5%)
09/2009: Batman Confidential #33 -- 18,140 (- 2.2%)
10/2009: Batman Confidential #34 -- 17,097 (- 5.8%)
10/2009: Batman Confidential #35 -- 16,724 (- 2.2%)
11/2009: Batman Confidential #36 -- 16,664 (- 0.4%)
11/2009: Batman Confidential #37 -- 16,355 (- 1.9%)
12/2009: Batman Confidential #38 -- 16,132 (- 1.4%)
12/2009: Batman Confidential #39 -- 15,906 (- 1.4%)
01/2010: Batman Confidential #40 -- 17,241 (+ 8.4%)
02/2010: Batman Confidential #41 -- 16,856 (- 2.2%)
03/2010: Batman Confidential #42 -- 16,652 (- 1.2%)
04/2010: Batman Confidential #43 -- 16,449 (- 1.2%)
05/2010: Batman Confidential #44 -- 15,279 (- 7.1%)
06/2010: Batman Confidential #45 -- 15,070 (- 1.4%)
07/2010: Batman Confidential #46 -- 14,621 (- 3.0%)
----------------
6 months: -15.2%
1 year  : -24.0%
2 years : -41.6%

The completist Batman title keeps sliding down the charts.

—–

129 - DOC SAVAGE
04/2010: Doc Savage #1   -- 24,539
05/2010: Doc Savage #2   -- 19,073 (-22.3%)
06/2010: Doc Savage #3   -- 16,153 (-15.3%)
07/2010: Doc Savage #4   -- 14,621 (- 9.5%)

The two ongoing pulp-hero series launched with First Wave aren’t faring any better than their flagship. On the other hand, the stiff drops aside, the numbers could still be a lot worse for this type of book.

There was a 1:10 variant, as usual.

—–

138 - ASTRO CITY: SILVER AGENT (WildStorm)
07/2005: The Dark Age/Book 1 #2 of 4 -- 29,721
07/2007: --
----------------------------------------------
07/2009: The Dark Age/Book 3 #3 of 4 -- 15,291 (- 6.8%)
08/2009: The Dark Age/Book 3 #4 of 4 -- 14,684 (- 4.0%)
09/2009: Astra Special #1 of 2       -- 14,627 (- 0.4%)
10/2009: Astra Special #2 of 2       -- 13,847 (- 5.3%)
11/2009: --
12/2009: --
01/2010: The Dark Age/Book 4 #1 of 4 -- 13,664 (- 1.3%)
02/2010: --
03/2010: The Dark Age/Book 4 #2 of 4 -- 13,118 (- 4.0%)
03/2010: The Dark Age/Book 4 #3 of 4 -- 12,630 (- 3.7%)
04/2010: --
05/2010: The Dark Age/Book 4 #4 of 4 -- 12,900 (+ 2.1%)
06/2010: --
07/2010: Silver Agent #1 of 2        -- 13,182 (+ 2.2%)
----------------
6 months: - 3.5%
1 year  : -13.8%
5 years : -55.7%

The launch of a new miniseries brings another marginal increase for Astro City.

The last five years haven’t been kind to the title. But then, the average WildStorm book sells 53.4% fewer units than it did in July 2005, so it’s not exactly a problem that’s unique to this series.

On the contrary: Among WildStorm’s longer-running series, Astro City is broadly in a similar position as Ex Machina, and both are better off than Wildcats and The Authority.

WildStorm has a significant brand problem.

—–

139 - THE UNWRITTEN (Vertigo)
07/2009: The Unwritten #3  -- 17,028 (+ 4.5%)
08/2009: The Unwritten #4  -- 16,336 (- 4.1%)
09/2009: The Unwritten #5  -- 16,011 (- 2.0%)
10/2009: The Unwritten #6  -- 15,314 (- 4.4%)
11/2009: The Unwritten #7  -- 14,763 (- 3.6%)
12/2009: The Unwritten #8  -- 14,257 (- 3.4%)
01/2010: The Unwritten #9  -- 13,792 (- 3.3%)
02/2010: The Unwritten #10 -- 13,644 (- 1.1%)
03/2010: The Unwritten #11 -- 13,630 (- 0.1%)
04/2010: The Unwritten #12 -- 13,507 (- 0.9%)
05/2010: The Unwritten #13 -- 13,467 (- 0.3%)
06/2010: The Unwritten #14 -- 13,396 (- 0.5%)
07/2010: The Unwritten #15 -- 13,023 (- 2.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 5.6%
1 year  : -23.5%

Standard attrition.

—–

149 - JONAH HEX
07/2006: Jonah Hex #9  -- 20,385
07/2007: Jonah Hex #21 -- 15,734
07/2008: Jonah Hex #33 -- 14,281
--------------------------------
07/2009: Jonah Hex #45 -- 12,588 (+ 8.6%)
08/2009: Jonah Hex #46 -- 12,466 (- 1.0%)
09/2009: Jonah Hex #47 -- 12,231 (- 1.9%)
10/2009: Jonah Hex #48 -- 11,281 (- 7.8%)
11/2009: Jonah Hex #49 -- 11,146 (- 1.2%)
12/2009: Jonah Hex #50 -- 15,131 (+35.8%)
01/2010: Jonah Hex #51 -- 11,184 (-26.1%)
02/2010: Jonah Hex #52 -- 11,213 (+ 0.3%)
03/2010: Jonah Hex #53 -- 11,565 (+ 3.1%)
04/2010: Jonah Hex #54 -- 11,306 (- 2.2%)
05/2010: Jonah Hex #55 -- 11,327 (+ 0.2%)
06/2010: Jonah Hex #56 -- 13,441 (+18.7%)
07/2010: Jonah Hex #57 -- 12,318 (- 8.4%)
----------------
6 months: +10.1%
1 year  : - 2.2%
2 years : -13.8%

Some of the spike for issue #56 was due to a variant edition, but given that #57 remains ahead of the May issue by almost 1,000 units, Jonah Hex is still climbing.

—–

152 - THE SPIRIT
07/2007: The Spirit #8  -- 21,984
07/2008: The Spirit #19 -- 12,709
---------------------------------
07/2009: The Spirit #31 --  7,882 (-  2.7%)
08/2009: The Spirit #32 --  7,670 (-  2.7%)
---------------------------------
04/2010: The Spirit #1  -- 19,849 (+158.8%)
05/2010: The Spirit #2  -- 14,274 (- 28.1%)
06/2010: The Spirit #3  -- 13,030 (-  8.7%)
07/2010: The Spirit #4  -- 11,915 (-  8.6%)
-----------------
1 year  : + 55.4%
2 years : -  6.3%

See comments on First Wave and Doc Savage. Sales are slowing, but the book is still way ahead of its previous incarnation.

There was a 1:10 variant.

——

155 - DOOM PATROL
07/2005: Doom Patrol #14 -- 15,004
----------------------------------
08/2009: Doom Patrol #1  -- 28,267
09/2009: Doom Patrol #2  -- 22,001 (- 22.2%)
10/2009: Doom Patrol #3  -- 20,036 (-  8.9%)
11/2009: Doom Patrol #4  -- 53,748 (+168.3%)
12/2009: Doom Patrol #5  -- 35,348 (- 34.2%)
01/2010: Doom Patrol #6  -- 17,117 (- 51.6%)
02/2010: Doom Patrol #7  -- 15,689 (-  8.3%)
03/2010: Doom Patrol #8  -- 14,197 (-  9.5%)
04/2010: Doom Patrol #9  -- 13,126 (-  7.5%)
05/2010: Doom Patrol #10 -- 12,334 (-  6.0%)
06/2010: Doom Patrol #11 -- 11,857 (-  3.9%)
07/2010: Doom Patrol #12 -- 11,267 (-  5.0%)
----------------
6 months: -34.2%
5 years : -24.9%

Sliding down, with no end in sight.

—–

156 - JACK OF FABLES (Vertigo)
07/2007: --
07/2008: --
-------------------------------------
07/2009: Jack of Fables #36 -- 15,256 (-22.1%)
08/2009: Jack of Fables #37 -- 14,508 (- 4.9%)
09/2009: Jack of Fables #38 -- 13,790 (- 5.0%)
10/2009: Jack of Fables #39 -- 13,161 (- 4.6%)
11/2009: --
12/2009: Jack of Fables #40 -- 12,970 (- 1.5%)
12/2009: Jack of Fables #41 -- 12,559 (- 3.2%)
01/2010: Jack of Fables #42 -- 11,966 (- 4.7%)
02/2010: --
03/2010: Jack of Fables #43 -- 11,878 (- 0.7%)
03/2010: Jack of Fables #44 -- 11,472 (- 3.4%)
04/2010: Jack of Fables #45 -- 11,324 (- 1.3%)
05/2010: Jack of Fables #46 -- 11,324 (- 1.3%)
06/2010: --
07/2010: Jack of Fables #47 -- 11,195 (- 1.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 6.4%
1 year  : -26.6%
2 years :   n.a.

Standard attrition.

—–

157 - R.E.B.E.L.S.
07/2009: R.E.B.E.L.S. #6  -- 12,349 (-  4.3%)
08/2009: R.E.B.E.L.S. #7  -- 11,682 (-  5.4%)
09/2009: R.E.B.E.L.S. #8  -- 11,347 (-  2.9%)
10/2009: R.E.B.E.L.S. #9  -- 11,284 (-  0.6%)
11/2009: R.E.B.E.L.S. #10 -- 51,100 (+352.9%)
12/2009: R.E.B.E.L.S. #11 -- 31,489 (- 38.4%)
01/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #12 -- 12,428 (- 60.5%)
02/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #13 -- 11,836 (-  4.8%)
03/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #14 -- 11,362 (-  4.0%)
04/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #15 -- 11,271 (-  0.8%)
05/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #16 -- 11,120 (-  1.3%)
06/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #17 -- 11,048 (-  0.7%)
07/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #18 -- 11,007 (-  0.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 11.4%
1 year  : - 10.9%

R.E.B.E.L.S. remains rock-solid at 11K.

—–

165 - HELLBLAZER (Vertigo)
07/2005: Hellblazer #210 -- 14,801
07/2006: Hellblazer #222 -- 13,912
07/2007: Hellblazer #234 -- 13,112
07/2008: Hellblazer #246 -- 12,088
----------------------------------
07/2009: Hellblazer #257 -- 10,762 (-1.3%)
08/2009: Hellblazer #258 -- 10,665 (-0.9%)
09/2009: Hellblazer #259 -- 10,813 (+1.4%)
10/2009: Hellblazer #260 -- 10,767 (-0.4%)
11/2009: Hellblazer #261 -- 10,553 (-2.0%)
12/2009: Hellblazer #262 -- 10,334 (-2.1%)
01/2010: Hellblazer #263 -- 10,179 (-1.5%)
02/2010: Hellblazer #264 -- 10,025 (-1.5%)
03/2010: Hellblazer #265 -- 10,295 (+2.7%)
04/2010: Hellblazer #266 -- 10,256 (-0.4%)
05/2010: Hellblazer #267 -- 10,155 (-1.0%)
06/2010: Hellblazer #268 -- 10,221 (+0.7%)
07/2010: Hellblazer #269 -- 10,048 (-1.7%)
----------------
6 months: - 1.3%
1 year  : - 6.6%
2 years : -16.9%
5 years : -32.1%

The last time Hellblazer was about to fall below the 10,000-unit mark, it ended up bouncing back up. Let’s wait and see if it happens again.

—–

173 - SWEET TOOTH (Vertigo)
09/2009: Sweet Tooth #1  -- 18,657
10/2009: Sweet Tooth #2  -- 11,315 (-39.4%)
11/2009: Sweet Tooth #3  -- 10,363 (- 8.4%)
12/2009: Sweet Tooth #4  --  9,817 (- 5.3%)
01/2010: Sweet Tooth #5  --  9,787 (- 0.3%)
02/2010: Sweet Tooth #6  --  9,740 (- 0.5%)
03/2010: Sweet Tooth #7  --  9,718 (- 0.2%)
04/2010: Sweet Tooth #8  --  9,612 (- 1.1%)
05/2010: Sweet Tooth #9  --  9,654 (+ 0.4%)
06/2010: Sweet Tooth #10 --  9,570 (- 0.9%)
07/2010: Sweet Tooth #11 --  9,478 (- 1.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 3.2%

Standard attrition.

—–

176 - THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS
05/2010: Special #1               -- 7,017
06/2010: --
07/2010: Mighty Crusaders #1 of 6 -- 9,361 (+33.4%)

Predictably dire sales for DC’s latest effort to resuscitate the Red Circle characters.

—–

177 - AZRAEL
10/2009: Azrael #1  -- 35,311 (- 1.7%)
11/2009: Azrael #2  -- 21,392 (-39.4%)
12/2009: Azrael #3  -- 17,757 (-17.0%)
01/2010: Azrael #4  -- 14,703 (-17.2%)
02/2010: Azrael #5  -- 12,856 (-12.6%)
03/2010: Azrael #6  -- 11,825 (- 8.0%)
04/2010: Azrael #7  -- 11,080 (- 6.3%)
05/2010: Azrael #8  -- 10,228 (- 7.7%)
06/2010: Azrael #9  --  9,802 (- 4.2%)
07/2010: Azrael #10 --  9,223 (- 5.9%)
----------------
6 months: -37.3%

Evidently, the plan is to tie in with the upcoming Batman, Inc. At this stage, it’s questionable whether the book will make it to 2011, though.

—–

180 - DAYTRIPPER (Vertigo)
12/2009: Daytripper #1  of 10 -- 12,010
01/2009: Daytripper #2  of 10 --  9,846 (-18.0%)
02/2009: Daytripper #3  of 10 --  9,577 (- 2.7%)
03/2009: Daytripper #4  of 10 --  9,872 (+ 3.1%)
04/2009: Daytripper #5  of 10 --  9,703 (- 1.7%)
05/2009: Daytripper #6  of 10 --  9,574 (- 1.3%)
06/2009: Daytripper #7  of 10 --  9,333 (- 2.5%)
07/2009: Daytripper #8  of 10 --  8,842 (- 5.3%)
----------------
6 months: -10.2%

Dropping off a bit in the home stretch.

—–

184 - HOUSE OF MYSTERY (Vertigo)
07/2008: House of Mystery #3  -- 18,407
---------------------------------------
07/2009: House of Mystery #15 -- 11,809 (- 1.9%)
08/2009: House of Mystery #16 -- 11,572 (- 2.0%)
09/2009: House of Mystery #17 -- 11,142 (- 3.7%)
10/2009: House of Mystery #18 -- 10,922 (- 2.0%)
11/2009: House of Mystery #19 -- 10,478 (- 4.1%)
12/2009: House of Mystery #20 -- 10,175 (- 2.9%)
01/2010: House of Mystery #21 --  9,888 (- 2.8%)
02/2010: House of Mystery #22 --  9,401 (- 4.9%)
03/2010: House of Mystery #23 --  9,350 (- 0.5%)
04/2010: House of Mystery #24 --  9,168 (- 2.0%)
05/2010: House of Mystery #25 --  9,253 (+ 0.9%)
06/2010: House of Mystery #26 --  8,742 (- 5.5%)
07/2010: House of Mystery #27 --  8,481 (- 3.0%)
----------------
6 months: -14.2%
1 year  : -28.2%
2 years : -53.9%

Slipping again.

—–

189 - GOD OF WAR (WildStorm)
03/2010: God of War #1 of 6 -- 9,842
04/2010: --
05/2010: God of War #2 of 6 -- 9,501 (- 3.5%)
06/2010: --
07/2010: God of War #3 of 6 -- 8,220 (-13.5%)

A video-game adaptation.

—–

192 - TINY TITANS (Johnny DC)
07/2008: Tiny Titans #6  -- 10,636
----------------------------------
07/2009: Tiny Titans #18 --  8,576 (- 0.7%)
08/2009: Tiny Titans #19 --  8,432 (- 1.7%)
09/2009: Tiny Titans #20 --  8,435 (+ 0.0%)
10/2009: Tiny Titans #21 --  8,259 (- 2.1%)
11/2009: Tiny Titans #22 --  8,100 (- 1.9%)
12/2009: Tiny Titans #23 --  8,017 (- 1.0%)
01/2010: Tiny Titans #24 --  7,844 (- 2.2%)
02/2010: Tiny Titans #25 --  8,566 (+ 9.2%)
03/2010: Tiny Titans #26 --  7,878 (- 8.0%)
04/2010: Tiny Titans #27 --  8,224 (+ 4.4%)
05/2010: Tiny Titans #28 --  7,959 (- 3.2%)
06/2010: Tiny Titans #29 --  8,195 (+ 3.0%)
07/2010: Tiny Titans #30 --  8,038 (- 1.9%)
----------------
6 months: + 2.5%
1 year  : - 6.3%
2 years : -24.4%

A Johnny DC title.

—–

195 - MADAME XANADU (Vertigo)
07/2008: Madame Xanadu #2  -- 16,655
------------------------------------
07/2009: Madame Xanadu #13 -- 10,009 (+ 0.6%)
08/2009: Madame Xanadu #14 --  9,873 (- 1.4%)
09/2009: Madame Xanadu #15 --  9,733 (- 1.4%)
10/2009: Madame Xanadu #16 --  9,283 (- 4.6%)
11/2009: Madame Xanadu #17 --  8,856 (- 4.6%)
12/2009: Madame Xanadu #18 --  8,686 (- 1.9%)
01/2010: Madame Xanadu #19 --  8,439 (- 2.8%)
02/2010: Madame Xanadu #20 --  8,285 (- 1.8%)
03/2010: Madame Xanadu #21 --  8,191 (- 1.1%)
04/2010: Madame Xanadu #22 --  8,158 (- 0.4%)
05/2010: Madame Xanadu #23 --  8,028 (- 1.6%)
06/2010: Madame Xanadu #24 --  7,979 (- 0.6%)
07/2010: Madame Xanadu #25 --  7,811 (- 2.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 7.4%
1 year  : -22.0%
2 years : -53.1%

Canceled with issue #29, though there are probably other factors than sales involved.

—–

198 - TOM STRONG AND THE ROBOTS OF DOOM (WildStorm)
07/2005: --
---------------------------------
06/2010: RoD #1 of 6    -- 10,552
07/2010: RoD #2 of 6    --  7,655 (-27.5%)
-----------------
5 years : n.a.

The first issue had a variant cover, but that’s still a stiff drop. People don’t seem terribly interested in Alan Moore comics without Alan Moore.

—–

204 - NORTHLANDERS (Vertigo)
07/2008: Northlanders #7  -- 11,918
07/2008: Northlanders #8  -- 11,477
-----------------------------------
07/2009: Northlanders #19 --  8,722 (- 1.8%)
08/2009: --
09/2009: Northlanders #20 --  8,786 (+ 0.7%)
10/2009: Northlanders #21 --  8,360 (- 4.9%)
11/2009: Northlanders #22 --  8,136 (- 2.7%)
12/2009: Northlanders #23 --  8,069 (- 0.8%)
01/2010: Northlanders #24 --  7,935 (- 1.7%)
02/2010: Northlanders #25 --  7,807 (- 1.6%)
03/2010: Northlanders #26 --  7,824 (+ 0.2%)
04/2010: Northlanders #27 --  7,683 (- 1.8%)
05/2010: Northlanders #28 --  7,630 (- 0.7%)
06/2010: Northlanders #29 --  7,498 (- 1.7%)
07/2010: Northlanders #30 --  7,421 (- 1.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 6.5%
1 year  : -14.9%
2 years : -35.3%

Standard attrition.

—–

205 - WARLORD
07/2006: Warlord #6  -- 14,786
------------------------------
07/2009: Warlord #4  -- 11,445 (- 6.8%)
08/2009: Warlord #5  -- 10,790 (- 5.7%)
09/2009: Warlord #6  -- 10,331 (- 4.3%)
10/2009: Warlord #7  --  9,892 (- 4.3%)
11/2009: Warlord #8  --  9,547 (- 3.5%)
12/2009: Warlord #9  --  9,102 (- 4.7%)
01/2010: Warlord #10 --  8,807 (- 3.2%)
02/2010: Warlord #11 --  8,532 (- 3.1%)
03/2010: Warlord #12 --  8,430 (- 1.2%)
04/2010: Warlord #13 --  8,130 (- 3.6%)
05/2010: Warlord #14 --  7,915 (- 2.7%)
06/2010: Warlord #15 --  7,755 (- 2.0%)
07/2010: Warlord #16 --  7,306 (- 5.8%)
----------------
6 months: -17.0%
1 year  : -36.2%

Canceled.

—–

210 - THE AUTHORITY (WildStorm)
07/2005: Revolution #10 of 12 -- 18,878
07/2007: --
---------------------------------------
07/2009: The Authority v4 #12 --  8,918 (- 3.1%)
08/2009: The Authority v4 #13 --  8,648 (- 3.0%)
09/2009: The Authority v4 #14 --  8,394 (- 2.9%)
10/2009: The Authority v4 #15 --  8,174 (- 2.6%)
11/2009: The Authority v4 #16 --  8,066 (- 1.3%)
12/2009: The Authority v4 #17 --  7,829 (- 2.9%)
01/2010: The Authority v4 #18 --  7,952 (+ 1.6%)
02/2010: The Authority v4 #19 --  7,943 (- 0.1%)
03/2010: The Authority v4 #20 --  7,781 (- 2.0%)
04/2010: The Authority v4 #21 --  7,563 (- 2.8%)
05/2010: The Authority v4 #22 --  7,295 (- 3.5%)
06/2010: The Authority v4 #23 --  7,226 (- 1.0%)
07/2010: The Authority v4 #24 --  7,062 (- 2.3%)
----------------
6 months: -11.2%
1 year  : -20.8%
2 years :   n.a.
5 years : -62.6%

The flagship of the WildStorm Universe has long since been converted into a submarine, cruising well below sea level.

—–

215 - SCALPED (Vertigo)
07/2007: Scalped #7  --  8,303
07/2008: Scalped #19 --  7,221
------------------------------
07/2009: Scalped #30 --  7,059 (- 0.3%)
08/2009: Scalped #31 --  6,916 (- 2.0%)
09/2009: --
10/2009: Scalped #32 --  6,905 (- 0.2%)
11/2009: --
12/2009: Scalped #33 --  6,752 (- 2.2%)
01/2010: --
02/2010: Scalped #34 --  6,731 (- 0.3%)
02/2010: Scalped #35 --  6,443 (- 4.3%)
03/2010: Scalped #36 --  6,648 (+ 3.2%)
04/2010: Scalped #37 --  6,584 (- 1.0%)
05/2010: Scalped #38 --  6,632 (+ 0.7%)
06/2010: --
07/2010: Scalped #39 --  6,682 (+ 0.8%)
----------------
6 months:  n.a.
1 year  : - 5.3%
2 years : - 7.5%

Scalped remains rock-solid, as always.

—–

218 - MAGOG
09/2009: Magog #1  -- 26,352
10/2009: Magog #2  -- 16,193 (-38.6%)
11/2009: Magog #3  -- 12,915 (-20.2%)
12/2009: Magog #4  -- 10,700 (-17.2%)
01/2010: Magog #5  --  9,215 (-13.9%)
02/2010: Magog #6  --  8,548 (- 7.2%)
03/2010: Magog #7  --  8,119 (- 5.0%)
04/2010: Magog #8  --  7,743 (- 4.6%)
05/2010: Magog #9  --  7,264 (- 6.2%)
06/2010: Magog #10 --  6,749 (- 7.1%)
07/2010: Magog #11 --  6,608 (- 2.1%)
----------------
6 months: -28.3%

Canceled with issue #12.

—–

219 - DMZ (Vertigo)
07/2006: DMZ #9  -- 14,786
07/2007: DMZ #21 -- 12,433
07/2008: DMZ #33 --  9,684
--------------------------
07/2009: DMZ #43 --  7,806 (-1.5%)
08/2009: DMZ #44 --  7,654 (-2.0%)
09/2009: DMZ #45 --  7,589 (-0.9%)
10/2009: DMZ #46 --  7,399 (-2.5%)
11/2009: DMZ #47 --  7,187 (-2.9%)
12/2009: DMZ #48 --  6,977 (-2.9%)
01/2010: DMZ #49 --  6,872 (-1.5%)
02/2010: DMZ #50 --  7,262 (+5.7%)
03/2010: DMZ #51 --  6,840 (-5.8%)
04/2010: DMZ #52 --  6,826 (-0.2%)
05/2010: DMZ #53 --  6,759 (-1.0%)
06/2010: DMZ #54 --  6,661 (-1.5%)
07/2010: DMZ #55 --  6,581 (-1.2%)
----------------
6 months: - 4.2%
1 year  : -15.7%
2 years : -32.0%

Standard attrition.

—–

220 - BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD (Johnny DC)
07/2005: Batman Strikes! #11   --  9,796
07/2006: Batman Strikes! #23   --  8,154
07/2007: Batman Strikes! #35   --  7,222
07/2008: Batman Strikes! #47   --  7,711
----------------------------------------
07/2009: Brave & Bold #7       --  7,441 (-  2.3%)
08/2009: Brave & Bold #8       --  7,153 (-  3.9%)
09/2009: Brave & Bold #9       --  7,064 (-  1.2%)
10/2009: Brave & Bold #10      --  6,646 (-  5.9%)
11/2009: Brave & Bold #11      --  6,438 (-  3.1%)
12/2009: Brave & Bold #12      --  6,342 (-  1.5%)
01/2010: Brave & Bold #13      --  6,129 (-  3.4%)
02/2010: Brave & Bold #14      --  6,084 (-  0.7%)
03/2010: Brave & Bold #15      --  6,208 (+  2.0%)
04/2010: Brave & Bold #16      --  6,506 (+  4.8%)
05/2010: Brave & Bold #17      --  6,103 (-  6.2%)
06/2010: Brave & Bold #18      --  6,270 (+  2.7%)
07/2010: Brave & Bold #19      --  6,489 (+  3.5%)
----------------
6 months: + 5.9%
1 year  : -12.8%
2 years : -15.9%
5 years : -33.8%

Another Johnny DC book.

—–

221/225 - THE AUTHORITY: THE LOST YEAR (WildStorm)
10/2006: The Authority v3 #1     -- 58,136
03/2007: The Authority v3 #2     -- 39,886
------------------------------------------
11/2009: The Lost Year #3  of 12 --  8,988 (-77.5%)
12/2009: The Lost Year #4  of 12 --  7,999 (-11.0%)
01/2010: The Lost Year #5  of 12 --  7,541 (- 5.7%)
02/2010: The Lost Year #6  of 12 --  7,184 (- 4.7%)
03/2010: The Lost Year #7  of 12 --  6,942 (- 3.4%)
04/2010: The Lost Year #8  of 12 --  6,712 (- 3.3%)
05/2010: --
06/2010: The Lost Year #9  of 12 --  6,558 (- 2.3%)
07/2010: The Lost Year #10 of 12 --  6,409 (- 2.3%)
07/2010: The Lost Year #11 of 12 --  6,123 (- 4.5%)
----------------
6 months: -16.9%

224 - WELCOME TO TRANQUILITY: ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE (WildStorm)
12/2006: Welcome to Tranquility #1  -- 24,352
01/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #2  -- 15,087 (-38.1%)
02/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #3  -- 12,334 (-18.3%)
03/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #4  -- 11,423 (- 7.4%)
04/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #5  -- 10,407 (- 8.9%)
05/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #6  -- 10,280 (- 1.2%)
06/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #7  --  9,858 (- 4.1%)
07/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #8  --  9,509 (- 3.5%)
08/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #9  --  9,135 (- 3.9%)
09/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #10 --  8,611 (- 5.7%)
10/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #11 --  8,439 (- 2.0%)
11/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #12 --  8,076 (- 4.3%)
---------------------------------------------
07/2010: One Foot i/t Grave #1 of 6 --  6,219 (-23.0%)

227 - DV8: GODS AND MONSTERS (WildStorm)
04/2010: Gods and Monsters #1 of 8 -- 10,203
05/2010: Gods and Monsters #2 of 8 --  6,671 (-34.6%)
06/2010: Gods and Monsters #3 of 8 --  6,295 (- 5.6%)
07/2010: Gods and Monsters #4 of 8 --  5,918 (- 6.0%)

229 - WILDCATS (WildStorm)
07/2007: --
07/2008: World's End #1  -- 16,895
----------------------------------
07/2009: World's End #13 --  7,609 (- 3.2%)
08/2009: World's End #14 --  7,417 (- 2.5%)
09/2009: World's End #15 --  7,178 (- 3.2%)
10/2009: World's End #16 --  6,883 (- 4.1%)
11/2009: World's End #17 --  6,691 (- 2.8%)
12/2009: World's End #18 --  6,487 (- 3.2%)
01/2010: World's End #19 --  6,791 (+ 4.7%)
02/2010: World's End #20 --  6,669 (- 1.8%)
03/2010: World's End #21 --  6,491 (- 2.7%)
04/2010: World's End #22 --  6,367 (- 1.9%)
05/2010: World's End #23 --  6,185 (- 2.9%)
06/2010: World's End #24 --  6,051 (- 2.2%)
07/2010: World's End #25 --  5,823 (- 3.8%)
----------------
6 months: -14.3%
1 year  : -23.5%
2 years : -65.5%

The rest of the WildStorm Universe line, all huddled together. Books like Welcome to Tranquility (which achieved its chart position with the help of a 1:10 variant) and the new DV8 seem like a step in the right direction, but that doesn’t get you far when you’re 3.000 miles away from civilization.

At this stage, the imprint’s problems go way beyond the quality of any individual title. What do the WildStorm Universe books provide that Marvel or DC proper don’t offer? There used to be an answer to that question.

—–

231 - THE GREAT TEN
11/2009: The Great Ten #1  of 10 -- 13,159
12/2009: The Great Ten #2  of 10 --  8,760 (-33.4%)
01/2010: The Great Ten #3  of 10 --  7,458 (-14.9%)
02/2010: The Great Ten #4  of 10 --  6,812 (- 8.7%)
03/2010: The Great Ten #5  of 10 --  6,555 (- 3.8%)
04/2010: The Great Ten #6  of 10 --  6,301 (- 3.9%)
05/2010: The Great Ten #7  of 10 --  6,112 (- 3.0%)
06/2010: The Great Ten #8  of 10 --  5,998 (- 1.9%)
07/2010: The Great Ten #9  of 9  --  5,782 (- 3.6%)
----------------
6 months: -22.5%

Not a typo, not a joke: canceled.

Yeah, don’t look at me.

—–

236 - GREEK STREET (Vertigo)
07/2009: Greek Street #1  -- 20,422
08/2009: Greek Street #2  -- 11,996 (-41.3%)
09/2009: Greek Street #3  -- 10,628 (-11.4%)
10/2009: Greek Street #4  --  9,246 (-13.0%)
11/2009: Greek Street #5  --  8,610 (- 6.9%)
12/2009: Greek Street #6  --  7,802 (- 9.4%)
01/2010: Greek Street #7  --  7,335 (- 6.0%)
02/2010: Greek Street #8  --  6,872 (- 6.3%)
03/2010: Greek Street #9  --  6,603 (- 3.9%)
04/2010: Greek Street #10 --  6,324 (- 4.2%)
05/2010: Greek Street #11 --  6,128 (- 3.1%)
06/2010: Greek Street #12 --  5,905 (- 3.6%)
07/2010: Greek Street #13 --  5,523 (- 6.5%)
----------------
6 months: -24.7%
1 year  : -73.0%

Canceled with issue #16.

—–

238 - HUMAN TARGET
02/2010: Human Target #1 of 6 -- 13,690
03/2010: Human Target #2 of 6 --  8,403 (-38.6%)
04/2010: Human Target #3 of 6 --  6,857 (-18.4%)
05/2010: Human Target #4 of 6 --  6,222 (- 9.3%)
06/2010: Human Target #5 of 6 --  5,838 (- 6.2%)
07/2010: Human Target #6 of 6 --  5,494 (- 5.9%)

The TV adaptation concludes with dreadful numbers.

—–

241 - DEMO (Vertigo)
11/2003: Demo #1  of 12      -- 4,529
12/2003: Demo #2  of 12      -- 3,115 (-31.2%)
01/2004: Demo #3  of 12      -- 3,170 (+ 1.8%)
02/2004: Demo #4  of 12      -- 3,220 (+ 1.6%)
03/2004: Demo #5  of 12      -- 3,301 (+ 2.5%)
05/2004: Demo #6  of 12      -- 3,514 (+ 6.5%)
06/2004: Demo #7  of 12      -- 3,882 (+10.5%)
07/2004: Demo #8  of 12      -- 3,803 (- 2.0%)
08/2004: Demo #9  of 12      -- 3,976 (+ 4.6%)
10/2004: Demo #10 of 12      -- 4,260 (+ 7.1%)
10/2004: Demo #11 of 12      -- 4,344 (+ 2.0%)
12/2004: Demo #12 of 12      -- 4,628 (+ 6.5%)
-------------------------------------
02/2010: Demo Vol. 2 #1 of 6 -- 8,317
03/2010: Demo Vol. 2 #2 of 6 -- 6,573 (-21.0%)
04/2010: Demo Vol. 2 #3 of 6 -- 6,010 (- 8.6%)
05/2010: Demo Vol. 2 #4 of 6 -- 5,818 (- 3.2%)
06/2010: Demo Vol. 2 #5 of 6 -- 5,612 (- 3.5%)
06/2010: Demo Vol. 2 #6 of 6 -- 5,361 (- 4.5%)

This is a black & white book, so different economics and expectations apply. The first-month sales are summarily above those of the initial series, for what it’s worth — although that one was published by AiT/Planet Lar, of course, so it’s not a fair comparison.

Ultimately, Demo seems like the kind of book that’s more likely to find its audience as a paperback.

—–

246 - UNKNOWN SOLDIER (Vertigo)
07/2009: Unknown Soldier #10 --  7,256 (- 4.4%)
08/2009: Unknown Soldier #11 --  7,070 (- 2.6%)
09/2009: Unknown Soldier #12 --  6,865 (- 2.9%)
10/2009: Unknown Soldier #13 --  6,636 (- 3.3%)
11/2009: Unknown Soldier #14 --  6,359 (- 4.2%)
12/2009: Unknown Soldier #15 --  6,134 (- 3.5%)
01/2010: Unknown Soldier #16 --  5,848 (- 4.7%)
02/2010: Unknown Soldier #17 --  5,701 (- 2.5%)
03/2010: Unknown Soldier #18 --  5,611 (- 1.6%)
04/2010: Unknown Soldier #19 --  5,542 (- 1.2%)
05/2010: Unknown Soldier #20 --  5,466 (- 1.4%)
06/2010: Unknown Soldier #21 --  5,371 (- 1.7%)
07/2010: Unknown Soldier #22 --  5,238 (- 2.5%)
----------------
6 months: -10.4%
1 year  : -27.8%

Canceled with issue #25.

—–

254 - CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2: GHOST (WildStorm)
11/2009: CoD:MW2: Ghost #1 of 6 -- 11,936
12/2009: CoD:MW2: Ghost #2 of 6 --  5,214 (-56.3%)
01/2010: --
02/2010: CoD:MW2: Ghost #3 of 6 --  4,938 (- 5.3%)
03/2010: CoD:MW2: Ghost #4 of 6 --  5,026 (+ 1.8%)
04/2010: --
05/2010: --
06/2010: CoD:MW2: Ghost #5 of 6 --  4,806 (- 4.4%)
07/2010: CoD:MW2: Ghost #6 of 6 --  4,909 (+ 2.1%)
----------------
6 months:  n.a.

Another video-game adaptation from WildStorm.

—–

255 - SUPER FRIENDS (Johnny DC)
07/2008: Super Friends #5  --  7,141
------------------------------------
07/2009: Super Friends #17 --  5,368 (- 3.2%)
08/2009: Super Friends #18 --  5,291 (- 1.4%)
09/2009: Super Friends #19 --  5,045 (- 4.7%)
10/2009: Super Friends #20 --  5,026 (- 0.4%)
11/2009: Super Friends #21 --  4,879 (- 2.9%)
12/2009: Super Friends #22 --  4,837 (- 0.9%)
01/2010: Super Friends #23 --  4,538 (- 6.2%)
02/2010: Super Friends #24 --  4,644 (+ 2.3%)
03/2010: Super Friends #25 --  4,678 (+ 0.7%)
04/2010: Super Friends #26 --  4,955 (+ 5.9%)
05/2010: Super Friends #27 --  4,688 (- 5.4%)
06/2010: Super Friends #28 --  4,885 (+ 4.2%)
07/2010: Super Friends #29 --  4,900 (+ 0.3%)
----------------
6 months: + 8.0%
1 year  : - 8.7%
2 years : -31.4%

Johnny DC.

—–

262 - AIR (Vertigo)
07/2009: Air #11 --  6,793 (- 2.3%)
08/2009: Air #12 --  6,589 (- 3.0%)
09/2009: Air #13 --  6,476 (- 1.7%)
10/2009: Air #14 --  6,156 (- 4.9%)
11/2009: Air #15 --  5,921 (- 3.8%)
12/2009: Air #16 --  5,733 (- 3.2%)
01/2010: Air #17 --  5,573 (- 2.8%)
02/2010: Air #18 --  5,352 (- 4.0%)
03/2010: Air #19 --  5,268 (- 1.6%)
04/2010: Air #20 --  5,184 (- 1.6%)
05/2010: Air #21 --  5,104 (- 1.5%)
06/2010: Air #22 --  4,973 (- 2.6%)
07/2010: Air #23 --  4,796 (- 3.6%)
----------------
6 months: -13.9%
1 year  : -29.4%

Canceled with issue #24.

—–

276 - BILLY BATSON & THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM (Johnny DC)
07/2008: Billy Batson #1  -- 20,340
-----------------------------------
07/2009: Billy Batson #6  --  6,771 (-14.0%)
08/2009: Billy Batson #7  --  6,382 (- 5.8%)
09/2009: Billy Batson #8  --  5,858 (- 8.2%)
10/2009: Billy Batson #9  --  5,388 (- 8.0%)
11/2009: Billy Batson #10 --  4,993 (- 7.3%)
12/2009: Billy Batson #11 --  4,795 (- 4.0%)
01/2010: Billy Batson #12 --  4,371 (- 8.8%)
02/2010: Billy Batson #13 --  4,316 (- 1.3%)
03/2010: Billy Batson #14 --  4,227 (- 2.1%)
04/2010: Billy Batson #15 --  4,236 (+ 0.2%)
05/2010: Billy Batson #16 --  4,125 (- 2.6%)
06/2010: Billy Batson #17 --  ?
07/2010: Billy Batson #18 --  4,281
----------------
6 months: - 2.1%
1 year  : -36.8%
2 years : -79.0%

281 - SCOOBY DOO (Johnny DC)
07/2005: Scooby Doo #98  -- 4,666
07/2006: Scooby Doo #110 -- 4,781
07/2007: Scooby Doo #122 -- 4,424
07/2008: Scooby Doo #134 -- 4,286
---------------------------------
07/2009: Scooby Doo #146 -- 4,110 (+ 0.4%)
08/2009: Scooby Doo #147 -- 4,111 (+ 0.0%)
09/2009: Scooby Doo #148 -- 4,103 (- 0.2%)
10/2009: Scooby Doo #149 -- 4,005 (- 2.4%)
11/2009: Scooby Doo #150 -- 4,044 (+ 1.0%)
12/2009: Scooby Doo #151 -- 3,906 (- 3.4%)
01/2010: Scooby Doo #152 -- 3,724 (- 4.7%)
02/2010: Scooby Doo #153 -- 3,780 (+ 1.5%)
03/2010: Scooby Doo #154 -- 3,846 (+ 1.8%)
04/2010: Scooby Doo #155 -- 3,836 (- 0.3%)
05/2010: Scooby Doo #156 -- 3,857 (+ 0.6%)
06/2010: Scooby Doo #157 -- ?
07/2010: Scooby Doo #158 -- 4,147
----------------
6 months: +11.4%
1 year  : + 0.9%
2 years : - 3.2%
5 years : -11.1%

Two more Johnny DC books.

—–

295 - SPARTA, U.S.A. (WildStorm)
03/2010: Sparta, U.S.A. #1 of 6 -- 8,214
04/2010: Sparta, U.S.A. #2 of 6 -- 5,194 (-36.8%)
05/2010: Sparta, U.S.A. #3 of 6 -- 4,425 (-14.8%)
06/2010: Sparta, U.S.A. #4 of 6 -- ?
07/2010: Sparta, U.S.A. #5 of 6 -- 3,771

David Lapham’s miniseries scrapes in at the tail end of the Top 300.

Two more WildStorm books, the creator-owned Garrison and the game adaptation Free Realms, missed the chart altogether in July. As always, for the purposes of the average charts below, I’m assuming they sold as many units as the No. 300 title, which was 3,675 in July. The real numbers are likely to be lower.

—–

REORDERS:
163: 10,175 -- Wonder Woman #600
208:  7,170 -- Batman Beyond
245:  5,295 -- Action Comics #890
270:  4,537 -- Birds of Prey #1 (2nd)
285:  3,983 -- Superman/Batman Annual #4

—–

6-MONTH COMPARISONS
+167.7%: Green Arrow
+ 70.7%: Superman
+ 57.7%: Wonder Woman
+ 26.4%: Titans
+ 22.4%: JSA
+ 20.4%: Batman
+ 15.2%: Action Comics
+ 11.4%: Scooby-Doo
+ 10.1%: Jonah Hex
+  8.0%: Super Friends
+  5.9%: Batman: Brave & Bold
+  3.1%: Brave & Bold
+  2.5%: Tiny Titans
-  1.3%: Hellblazer
-  2.1%: Billy Batson
-  2.3%: Batman and Robin
-  2.8%: Supergirl
-  3.0%: JLA
-  3.2%: Sweet Tooth
-  3.5%: Astro City
-  4.2%: DMZ
-  5.6%: Unwritten
-  5.9%: Red Robin
-  6.4%: Jack of Fables
-  6.5%: Northlanders
-  7.4%: Madame Xanadu
-  7.9%: Batgirl
-  8.9%: Superman/Batman
-  9.1%: Batman: Widening Gyre
-  9.3%: Power Girl
- 10.2%: Daytripper
- 10.4%: GC Sirens
- 10.4%: Unknown Soldier
- 10.8%: Booster Gold
- 11.2%: Authority
- 11.4%: REBELS
- 12.1%: Detective Comics
- 12.3%: GL Corps
- 12.5%: Batman: SoG
- 12.8%: Teen Titans
- 13.9%: Air
- 14.2%: House of Mystery
- 14.3%: Wildcats
- 15.2%: Batman Confidential
- 16.9%: Authority: Lost Year
- 17.0%: Warlord
- 20.9%: Green Lantern
- 22.5%: Great Ten
- 24.1%: Outsiders
- 23.7%: Greek Street
- 27.3%: Adventure Comics
- 28.0%: JSA All-Stars
- 28.3%: Magog
- 34.2%: Doom Patrol
- 37.3%: Azrael
- 44.0%: Secret Six

—–

1-YEAR COMPARISONS
+114.5%: Green Arrow
+ 55.4%: Spirit
+ 38.1%: Superman
+ 31.7%: Wonder Woman
+  3.9%: Brave & Bold
+  2.5%: JLA
+  0.9%: Scooby-Doo
-  2.2%: Jonah Hex
-  4.9%: JSA
-  5.3%: Scalped
-  6.3%: Tiny Titans
-  6.6%: Hellblazer
-  7.8%: Action Comics
-  8.0%: Batman
-  8.7%: Super Friends
- 10.9%: REBELS
- 11.5%: Secret Six
- 12.6%: Booster Gold
- 12.8%: Batman: Brave & Bold
- 13.8%: Astro City
- 14.9%: Northlanders
- 15.7%: DMZ
- 18.0%: Supergirl
- 18.7%: GL Corps
- 19.7%: Superman/Batman
- 20.8%: Authority
- 21.5%: Green Lantern
- 21.8%: Teen Titans
- 22.0%: Madame Xanadu
- 23.5%: Unwritten
- 23.5%: Wildcats
- 24.0%: Batman Confidential
- 26.6%: Jack of Fables
- 27.3%: Batman and Robin
- 27.8%: Unknown Soldier
- 28.2%: House of Mystery
- 29.4%: Air
- 29.4%: Outsiders
- 30.9%: Red Robin
- 31.8%: Titans
- 34.0%: Detective Comics
- 35.9%: GC Sirens
- 36.2%: Warlord
- 36.8%: Billy Batson
- 43.8%: Power Girl
- 44.0%: Batman: SoG
- 73.0%: Greek Street

—–

2-YEAR COMPARISONS
+113.8%: Flash
+101.3%: Birds of Prey
+ 49.0%: Green Arrow
+ 45.4%: GL Corps
+ 31.9%: Green Lantern
+ 26.5%: LoSH
+ 14.3%: Superman
+  8.7%: Wonder Woman
-  3.2%: Scooby-Doo
-  6.3%: Spirit
-  6.5%: Supergirl
-  7.5%: Scalped
- 13.8%: Jonah Hex
- 15.9%: Batman: Brave & Bold
- 16.9%: Hellblazer
- 18.6%: Batgirl
- 24.4%: Tiny Titans
- 26.0%: Batman
- 27.2%: JLA
- 28.4%: Action Comics
- 31.4%: Super Friends
- 32.0%: DMZ
- 32.3%: X-Files
- 32.5%: Brave & Bold
- 33.8%: Red Robin
- 34.0%: Detective Comics
- 35.3%: JSA
- 35.3%: Northlanders
- 41.6%: Batman Confidential
- 43.1%: Booster Gold
- 45.7%: Teen Titans
- 49.7%: Superman/Batman
- 50.1%: Outsiders
- 53.1%: Madame Xanadu
- 53.9%: House of Mystery
- 65.5%: Wildcats
- 79.0%: Billy Batson

—–

5-YEAR COMPARISONS
+ 44.8%: Birds of Prey
+ 34.9%: Flash
+ 23.7%: Green Arrow
+ 23.3%: Red Robin
+ 16.8%: Batman
+  6.4%: Detective Comics
+  3.9%: Batgirl
-  2.5%: LoSH
-  9.7%: Wonder Woman
- 11.1%: Scooby-Doo
- 11.8%: JSA
- 23.3%: Superman
- 24.9%: Doom Patrol
- 31.1%: JLA
- 32.1%: Hellblazer
- 33.8%: Batman: Brave & Bold
- 43.9%: Action Comics
- 55.7%: Astro City
- 60.3%: Outsiders
- 62.6%: Authority
- 64.5%: Teen Titans
- 71.5%: Superman/Batman

—–

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

DC COMICS
07/2005: 36,375
07/2006: 41,406
07/2007: 35,617
07/2008: 27,436
---------------
07/2009: 30,905 (+19.4%)**
08/2009: 29,977 (- 3.0%)
09/2009: 28,493 (- 5.0%)**
10/2009: 27,525 (- 4.4%)**
11/2009: 28,913 (+ 5.1%)**
12/2009: 25,904 (-10.4%)**
01/2010: 25,657 (- 1.0%)**
02/2010: 26,199 (+ 2.1%)**
03/2010: 23,299 (-11.1%)**
04/2010: 23,740 (+ 1.9%)**
05/2010: 27,181 (+14.5%)**
06/2010: 25,313 (- 6.9%)**
07/2010: 25,612 (+ 1.2%)**
----------------
6 months: - 0.2%
1 year  : -17.1%
2 years : - 6.7%
5 years : -29.6%

DC UNIVERSE
07/2005: 45,385
07/2006: 51,714
07/2007: 49,149
07/2008: 35,553
---------------
07/2009: 41,218 (+13.9%)
08/2009: 37,300 (- 9.5%)
09/2009: 36,725 (- 1.5%)**
10/2009: 34,795 (- 5.3%)
11/2009: 38,488 (+10.6%)
12/2009: 35,473 (- 7.8%)**
01/2010: 33,698 (- 5.0%)
02/2010: 35,895 (+ 6.5%)
03/2010: 32,375 (- 9.8%)
04/2010: 32,859 (+ 1.5%)
05/2010: 36,533 (+11.2%)
06/2010: 33,891 (- 7.2%)**
07/2010: 35,018 (+ 3.3%)
----------------
6 months: + 3.9%
1 year  : -15.0%
2 years : - 1.5%
5 years : -22.8%

VERTIGO
07/2005: 16,641
07/2006: 16,684
07/2007: 12,193
07/2008: 10,821
---------------
07/2009: 11,055 (- 1.0%)**
08/2009: 11,369 (+ 2.8%)
09/2009: 11,345 (- 0.2%)
10/2009: 10,551 (- 7.0%)
11/2009: 11,036 (+ 4.6%)
12/2009: 10,583 (- 4.1%)
01/2010: 11,267 (+ 6.5%)
02/2010:  9,256 (-17.9%)
03/2010: 11,394 (+23.1%)
04/2010: 10,815 (- 5.1%)
05/2010: 11,756 (+ 8.7%)
06/2010: 10,995 (- 6.5%
07/2010:  9,515 (-13.5%)
----------------
6 months: -15.6%
1 year  : -13.9%
2 years : -12.1%
5 years : -42.8%

WILDSTORM
07/2005: 15,134
07/2006: 12,778
07/2007: 11,234
07/2008:  9,875
---------------
07/2009:  8,519 (- 3.3%)**
08/2009:  7,977 (- 6.4%)
09/2009:  8,280 (+ 3.8%)**
10/2009:  9,769 (+18.0%)**
11/2009:  7,111 (-27.2%)**
12/2009:  7,260 (+ 2.1%)**
01/2010:  6,532 (-10.0%)**
02/2010:  5,692 (-12.9%)**
03/2010:  7,691 (+35.1%)**
04/2010:  5,923 (-23.0%)**
05/2010:  6,808 (+14.9%)**
06/2010:  6,140 (- 9.8%)**
07/2010:  7,054 (+14.9%)**
----------------
6 months: + 8.0%
1 year  : -17.2%
2 years : -28.6%
5 years : -53.4%

—–
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 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.

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 parenthesis 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 released under the Johnny DC imprint 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 and some WildStorm 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.

** 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 as many units as the No. 300 comic on the chart for that month for the purposes of the chart, although its actual sales are likely to be less than that.

For a more lyrical approach to discussing sales figures that covers all the essentials in a more condensed, less tedious fashion, finally, go right here.
—–
Marc-Oliver Frisch writes about comics at his weblog and at Comicgate. You can also follow him on Twitter.