by David Carter

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

As you may have heard, DC is going through yet another relaunch of their super-hero books. Unlike the New 52, it is not a continuity restart, although the continuity is certainly in flux. The relaunches aren’t happening all in the same month, but rather are being spread over the course of the next several months. Most titles being relaunched are doing so with a special Rebirth issue, followed by a new #1 issue (except for Action and Detective, which are returning to the original numbering). And many of the relaunching titles are going twice-monthly.

All of the Rebirth comics are returnable, which means that the Diamond reported sales levels (and thus the sales figures derived from them) are lowered by Diamond by some amount. It has long been the practice of this column to thus increase the reported sales by 10% for purposes of the month-to-month comparisons. Back in January of this year I did a comparison between the derived +10% figures and the final year-end figures for returnable books, and found that in most cases the +10% was pretty darn accurate. (There was one case they were not, and that was for the DCYou launch books, but there are good reasons to believe that that will not be the case for the Rebirth books: most of the Rebirth books are already going into second printings, so it is highly unlikely that there will be much in the way of returns for these books, and any that are returned will likely be turned right around into the waiting arms of other stores.)

The other thing to note is that with Rebirth, DC is changing somewhat their freely-orderable variant (f.o.v.) program. Since it launched in June 2014, each month’s f.o.v.s followed a certain theme, such as Looney Tunes or Bombshells, or a particular artist such as Darwyn Cooke or Neal Adams. With Rebirth there are still f.o.v.s, but each comic title will have a ‘permanent’ variant cover artist who will prove all the covers for the year (so twenty-four issues for those that are shipping twice-monthly). I suppose that a change in the f.o.v.s was inevitable, as we’ve seen evidence of diminishing returns for the theme months. But I must admit that I’ll miss the themes, as they were kind of fun.

The big question of course will be how does the Rebirth relaunch compare, sales-wise, to the New 52 relaunch in September 2011? It’s hard to make an exact comparison across the line, since the launches were different. The New 52 rolled out all at once in the same month (except for Justice League, which launched a month earlier), while Rebirth is doing a staged roll-out. So you can’t really compare the average sales for the DCU line, since there are still some legacy titles carrying on their pre-Rebirth status until they are relaunched (or cancelled) later this year.

So where there are titles that launched with New 52 and are relaunched with Rebirth, I’ve put in a line with what the sales were for the New 52 #1 issue (both initial and final sales) so you can at least compare among titles. Some books, like Batman, went up over their New 52 #1, while others were down (at least so far…)

You might expect that the Rebirth issue for the relaunched titles would sell higher than the #1 issue, but that was not always the case! I’m sure there’s something involved with perceived vs. actual demand and final order cut-offs. But in any event I suspect that we’ll see reorder and 2nd printing orders in the coming months, and those may smooth out some of the discrepancies.

Is Rebirth a sales success? Based on the first month, I’d say yes. Despite complaints about constant rebooting and renumbering of titles at the major publishers, starting over with a new #1 is still a surefire way to boost sales. At least for the short term. Time will only tell if this is a flash-in-the-pan or if a long term line-wide rise is in the cards. What will long-term success look like? From my perspective, if DC can get many of their titles to stabilize in the 50K to 70K range, that will be a huge win.

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 right here at The Beat!!

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 done with total orders including reorder activity, as opposed to initial orders as was the practice of this column under the previous administration.)


2, 3 - BATMAN ($2.99)
06/2006: Batman #654  --  76,525  [78,671] 
06/2011: Batman #711  --  53,113
06/2012: Batman #10   -- 130,265 
06/2013: Batman #21   -- 142,088 [156,845]
06/2014: Batman #32   -- 130,077 [132,695] 
--------------------------------
06/2015: Batman #41   -- 142,155 (-  6.1%) [145,305]
07/2015: Batman #42   -- 117,441 (- 18.3%) [118,702]
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 (+115.1%) 
06/2016: Batman #1    -- 308,396 (+ 40.3%) 
-----------------
6 months: +107.6%
1 year  : + 81.8%
2 years : + 99.0%
5 years : +397.2%
10 years: +235.7%

In case you skipped over the prelude at the top: Both issues were returnable, so we’re adjusting the sales figures up 10% from the estimates derived from Diamond’s figures. And there were freely-orderable variants (f.o.v.s). This was the case for all Rebirth comics.

(This is probably also a good place to remind you all that when there are two or more issues of a title published in a month, were use the average sales figures of those when determining the percentages for 6 mo., 1 yr., etc.)

New 52 #1: 188,420 [223,299]

Sales for the new Batman #1 surpassed even those of the New 52 #1, by quite a wide margin. Certainly the returnability helped there, but even so retailers must have figured that they’ll always be able to sell copies of a first issue of Batman, even well into the future.

It’s Batman’s World; we’re all just living in it.

6 - DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE ($5.99)
11/2015: Dark Knight III #1 of 8 -- 440,234           [449,099]
12/2015: Dark Knight III #2 of 8 -- 158,188 (- 62.5%) [168,590]
01/2016: --
02/2016: Dark Knight III #3 of 8 -- 146,044 (- 10.6%) [150,665]
03/2016: --
04/2016: Dark Knight III #4 of 8 -- 143,055 (-  5.1%)
05/2016: --
06/2016: Dark Knight III #5 of 8 -- 139,919 (-  2.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 17.0%

Need more proof? The fifth issue of Dark Knight III outsells the initial sales of all the non-Batman Rebirth books.

8, 10 - SUPERMAN ($2.99)
06/2006: Superman #653 --  69,079
06/2011: Superman #712 --  37,362
06/2012: Superman #10  --  59,081
06/2013: Superman #21  --  44,285 
06/2014: Superman #32  --  89,140 [103,508]
---------------------------------
06/2015: Superman #41  --  53,393 (+  3.0%) [55,368]
07/2015: Superman #42  --  46,691 (- 12.5%) [48,442]
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 (+103.6%)
06/2016: Superman #1   -- 115,918 (- 11.0%)
-----------------
6 months: +159.8%
1 year  : +122.3%
2 years : + 18.9%
5 years : +229.5%
10 years: + 78.2%

Returnable & f.o.v.s; see the numerous explanations elsewhere in this column.

New 52 #1: 131,529 [150,128]

As usual, Superman plays second fiddle to Batman in sales. But despite the rather convoluted continuity for Superman right now, the sales here are really good. Especially when you consider that this Superman is the one who most recently appeared in the Lois & Clark series, the final issue of which sold a mere 18K last month. That’s a 612% increase from L&K #8 to Superman Rebirth #1.

(Also, last month’s New 52 finale issue saw another 9,672 in sales, placing at #205 on the chart; those sales have been added in to the bracketed numbers as per usual.)

7 - THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS: THE LAST CRUSADE ($6.99)
06/2016: DKR Last Crusade #1 -- 122,305

A prequel to the original Dark Knight Returns series, drawn by John Romita Jr. I believe that this one-shot was originally meant to bridge the gap for a skip month of DK3, but twitch that title’s delays it ends up coming out the same month as DK3 #5; so oops?

9, 15 - WONDER WOMAN ($2.99)
06/2006: Wonder Woman #1   -- 132,580
06/2011: Wonder Woman #611 --  30,874
06/2011: Wonder Woman #612 --  30,690
06/2012: Wonder Woman #10  --  47,229
06/2013: Wonder Woman #21  --  35,999 
06/2014: Wonder Woman #32  --  48,235  [49,616]
------------------------------------
06/2015: Wonder Woman #41  --  45,284 (+  0.6%) [45,740]
07/2015: Wonder Woman #42  --  36,668 (- 18.7%) [37,183]
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 (+250.2%)
06/2016: Wonder Woman #1   -- 118,511 (+ 14.1%)
-----------------
6 months: +177.2%
1 year  : +143.1%
2 years : +124.1%
5 years : +261.3%
10 years: - 16.1%

Returnable & f.o.v.s; see the numerous explanations elsewhere in this column.

New 52 #1: 76,214 [95,902]

Greg Rucka returns to DC, along with Liam Sharp (and next month Nicola Scott) to right the Good Ship WW, and so far it appears to be working. Sales on these first two issues surpass any that the New 52 Wonder Woman ever had. (Though to toss a little water on the festivities, the sales do not surpass the start of the 2006 Wonder Woman relaunch.)

11, 17 - FLASH ($2.99)
06/2006: Flash FMA #1 -- 120,404 [126,741] 
06/2011: --
06/2012: Flash #10    --  55,681
06/2013: Flash #21    --  38,848 
06/2014: Flash #32    --  47,188  [48,604]
------------------------------
06/2015: Flash #41    --  41,256 (+  6.8%) [42,891]
07/2015: Flash #42    --  37,956 (- 12.8%) [37,399]
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 (+200.3%)
06/2016: Flash #1     -- 110,431 (+ 12.0%)
-----------------
6 months: +148.1%
1 year  : +143.7%
2 years : +115.0%
5 years :    n.a.
10 years: - 17.5%

Returnable & f.o.v.s; see the numerous explanations elsewhere in this column.

New 52 #1: 129,260 [147,818]

Good numbers for Flash, though sales (so far) lag behind those for both the New 52 relaunch and the 2006 relaunch.

12, 18 - GREEN LANTERNS ($2.99)
06/2006: --
06/2011: --
06/2012: Green Lantern #10  --  80,615
06/2013: Green Lantern #21  --  71,870 
06/2014: Green Lantern #32  --  56,315  [56,510]
--------------------------------------
06/2015: Green Lantern #41  --  45,704 (+  6.7%) [46,109]
07/2015: Green Lantern #42  --  39,290 (- 13.9%) [39,708]
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 (- 14.7%)
-----------------
6 months: +121.9%
1 year  : +120.0%
2 years : + 79.5%
5 years :    n.a.
10 years:    n.a.

Returnable & f.o.v.s; see the numerous explanations elsewhere in this column.

New 52 #1: 141,682 [169,159]

After much discussion and thought, I’ve decided to track the new Green Lanterns series with the old Green Lantern, and thus Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps with the old GLC. My main reasoning being that Green Lantern ended last month and Green Lanterns starts this month, while GLC: Edge of Oblivion ends this month and HJ&GLC starts next month. YYMV of course.

13, 16 - DETECTIVE COMICS ($2.99)
06/2006: Detective Comics #820 --  65,988
06/2011: Detective Comics #878 --  39,152
06/2012: Detective Comics #10  --  83,317
06/2013: Detective Comics #21  --  65,200 
06/2014: Detective Comics #32  --  72,988  [73,597]
----------------------------------------
06/2015: Detective Comics #41  --  57,648 (+  2.9%) [58,361]
07/2015: Detective Comics #42  --  50,743 (- 12.5%) [51,055]
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 (+141.7%)
06/2016: Detective Comics #935 -- 103,417 (-  2.7%)
-----------------
6 months: +128.5%
1 year  : + 79.6%
2 years : + 42.4%
5 years : +167.7%
10 years: + 59.8%

Returnable & f.o.v.s; see the numerous explanations elsewhere in this column.

New 52 #1: 114,880 [157,751]

Resumes its old numbering, as if the New 52 issues were issues #882-933. This is now the Batman Family book, I guess? Maybe now they’ll let Batwoman get married? (Issue #1000 is coming up in about three years—I’m just sayin’…)

19, 33 - GREEN ARROW ($2.99)
06/2006: Green Arrow #63  -- 37,803
06/2011: Green Arrow #13  -- 27,552
06/2012: Green Arrow #10  -- 25,769
06/2013: Green Arrow #21  -- 26,924 
06/2014: Green Arrow #32  -- 23,602 
-----------------------------------
06/2015: Green Arrow #41  -- 29,545 (+ 52.1%) [30,098]
07/2015: Green Arrow #42  -- 24,921 (- 17.2%)
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 (+337.5%)
06/2016: Green Arrow #1   -- 76,816 (- 14.6%)
-----------------
6 months: +170.4%
1 year  : +177.0%
2 years : +253.3%
5 years : +202.6%
10 years: +120.6%

Returnable & f.o.v.s; see the numerous explanations elsewhere in this column.

New 52 #1: 61,680 [72,359]

You have to go back all the way to 2001 to find any issues of Green Arrow selling better than these. And you can likely thank the Arrow TV show in some way, because absent that it is debatable whether or not DC would have even included the title in Rebirth (given the anemic sales of the New 52 book)

24, 35 - AQUAMAN ($2.99)
06/2006: --
06/2012: Aquaman #10     -- 59,288
06/2013: Aquaman #21     -- 46,832 
06/2014: Aquaman #32     -- 44,853  [46,345]
----------------------------------
06/2015: Aquaman #41     -- 33,629 (+  0.6%) [34,131]
07/2015: Aquaman #42     -- 28,158 (- 16.6%) [28,479]
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 (+238.1%)
06/2016: Aquaman #1      -- 84,745 (+ 12.7%)
-----------------
6 months: +294.9%
1 year  : +134.3%
2 years : + 72.6%
10 years:    n.a.

Returnable & f.o.v.s; see the numerous explanations elsewhere in this column.

New 52 #1: 80,302 [108,545]

And for the Rebirth of Aquaman you can likely thank the upcoming Justice League movie.

25, 26 - ACTION COMICS ($2.99)
06/2006: Action Comics #840 -- 61,786  [63,676]
06/2011: Action Comics #902 -- 41,960
06/2012: Action Comics #10  -- 80,751
06/2013: Action Comics #21  -- 46,475 
06/2014: Action Comics #32  -- 55,400  [55,415]
-------------------------------------
06/2015: Action Comics #41  -- 44,083 (+ 12.7%) [44,456]
07/2015: Action Comics #42  -- 37,956 (- 13.5%) [38,434]
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 (+104.0%)
06/2016: Action Comics #958 -- 83,227 (+  0.4%)
-----------------
6 months: +186.2%
1 year  : + 86.8%
2 years : + 49.9%
5 years : + 97.9%
10 years: + 30.4%

Returnable & f.o.v.s; see the numerous explanations elsewhere in this column.

New 52 #1: 182,748 [200,947]

Same renumbering deal as with Detective Comics. This is the Lex Luther is Superman book, spinning out of events in Justice League (this month’s Justice League #52 essentially serves as Action Comics Rebirth #1). I find it kind of interesting that DC are recapitulating the old Return of Superman story from the last time Superman died, with multiple Superman characters appearing to assume the mantle.

30 - TITANS ($2.99)
06/2011: Titans #36           -- 19,780
---------------------------------------
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 (+355.4%)
-----------------
6 months: +279.1%
5 years : +300.9%

Returnable & f.o.v.s; see the numerous explanations elsewhere in this column.

Considering what a sales disappointment the Titans Hunt series was, DC have to be quite happy with these numbers for the Rebirth issue. No doubt this was due to the Rebirth halo, but still.

29, 32 - JUSTICE LEAGUE ($3.99)
06/2012: Justice League #10 -- 130,502
06/2013: Justice League #21 --  94,054 
06/2014: Justice League #31 --  75,803  [76,749]
--------------------------------------
06/2015: Justice League #41 --  97,584 (+ 17.2%)  [96,464]
07/2015: Justice League #42 --  81,291 (- 12.7%)  [84,202]
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%)
-----------------
6 months: - 14.9%
1 year  : - 26.2%
2 years : -  7.2%

Final issues, a month behind all of the other New 52 launch titles due to periodic lateness. (It gets Rebirthed next month.) Also no f.o.v.s here. The contents of issues #51 & #52 were switched from their original solicitations. As mentioned above, issue #52 served as a prequel to the new Action Comics, while I believe that issue #51 was kinda a prequel to the new Titans series. It all got a bit confusing actually (and not just for us readers—apparently some copies of #51 went out with the original cover for issue #51, which was meant to be switched to issue #52…)

Oh, and last month’s issue #50 saw an additional 7,683 copies in reorders this month (chart position #240), which you’ll see added in to the bracketed number.

44 - HARLEY QUINN ($3.99)
06/2014: Harley Quinn #7  --  93,266 [100,119]
------------------------------------
06/2015: Harley Quinn #17 --  68,243 (-  6.2%) [69,406]
07/2015: Harley Quinn #18 --  59,566 (- 13.1%) [60,292]
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%)
-----------------
6 months: - 19.4%
1 year  : - 19.6%
2 years : - 44.3%

The new Harley Quinn series doesn’t launch until August, presumably to coincide with the Suicide Squad movie, and since DC would be crazy to not publish any issue of HQ in June & July the book lingers on for a couple more issues.

The mysterious part here is the sales bounce-back. Like last month’s issue, this issue did not have a f.o.v., sporting just a 1:25 incentive variant. This month did see a Game Stop variant cover, so if those got distributed through Diamond when maybe that’s why? Or perhaps some retailers found out that many of the people buying the f.o.v.s were actually reading them and thus increased their orders? Or maybe there was a halo effect from Rebirth even to the titles that weren’t relaunching.

Coming in at #58 on the chart is the second printing of DC Universe Rebirth with a whopping 42,748 copies (and at double the price of the first printing!) Another 8,436 copies of the first printing also showed up on the chart this month (at position #225). That brings the grand total for DC Universe Rebirth #1 to 286,975. There’s also a 3rd printing on the way, so we may end up seeing DCUR cracking the 300K mark before all is said and done.

73 - WACKY RACELAND ($3.99)
06/2016: Wacky Raceland #1  -- 34,065

The third title in DC’s re-imaging of Hanna-Barbera cartoons has several variants (all f.o.v., I believe) but not the sales level of its two predecessors. This always seemed like it would be the hardest sell of the four titles, as I’m not sure that anyone was clamoring for a Mad Max-type recasting of a one season cartoon from the 1960s.

74 - HARLEY QUINN & HER GANG OF HARLEYS ($3.99)
06/2015: HQ & PG #1 of 6   -- 71,402           [65,876]
07/2015: HQ & PG #2 of 6   -- 44,974 (- 30.1%) [46,044]
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%)
-----------------
6 months: +  8.4%
1 year  : - 48.4%

A typical third issue drop; nothing surprising here.

82 - SCOOBY APOCALYPSE ($3.99)
05/2016: Scooby Apocalypse #1  -- 69,520           [77,409]
06/2016: Scooby Apocalypse #2  -- 29,812 (- 61.5%)

Given that sales on the first issue were driven by a combination of morbid curiosity and a variant cover bonanza, a big drop is not unexpected. There’s some mixed signals though, as we also get another 7,889 copies in reorder activity (at #239 on the chart), so maybe the distribution of supply and demand at various stores is more uneven than usual?

And as disappointing as that drop may be, it’s still outselling the top Vertigo title this month by 3 to 1…

While we’re at it, the first issue of Future Quest saw an additional 8,129 in reorders this month at all (at position #232). But since issue #2 is already running late (not a good sign…) you won’t see those added in until next month.

94 - NEW SUICIDE SQUAD ($2.99)
06/2012: Suicide Squad #10     -- 29,809
06/2013: Suicide Squad #21     -- 22,907 
06/2014: --
----------------------------------------
06/2015: New Suicide Squad #9  -- 42,225 (+ 35.6%) [43,224]
07/2015: New Suicide Squad #10 -- 35,365 (- 17.1%) [35,842]
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%)
-----------------
6 months: -  9.7%
1 year  : - 44.7%
2 years :    n.a.

As with Harley Quinn, Suicide Squad is waiting for August to get Rebirthed.

99 - POISON IVY: CYCLE OF LIFE AND DEATH ($2.99)
01/2016: Poison Ivy Cycle #1 of 6 -- 31,351 
02/2016: Poison Ivy Cycle #2 of 6 -- 23,452 (- 25.2%) 
03/2016: Poison Ivy Cycle #3 of 6 -- 22,812 (-  2.7%) 
04/2016: Poison Ivy Cycle #4 of 6 -- 22,504 (-  1.4%) 
05/2016: Poison Ivy Cycle #5 of 6 -- 21,655 (-  3.8%) 
06/2016: Poison Ivy Cycle #6 of 6 -- 21,806 (+  0.7%)

100 - ROBIN, SON OF BATMAN ($3.99)
06/2006: Robin #151    -- 38,921 
--------------------------------
06/2015: Robin SoB #1  -- 70,505 (+ 36.2%) [63,858]
07/2015: Robin SoB #2  -- 44,232 (- 28.5%) [45,674]
08/2015: Robin SoB #3  -- 38,413 (- 13.5%) [39,523]
09/2015: Robin SoB #4  -- 38,162 (-  1.9%) [38,777]
10/2015: Robin SoB #5  -- 35,619 (-  7.2%) [35,981]
11/2015: Robin SoB #6  -- 35,633 (-  0.2%) [35,904]
12/2015: Robin SoB #7  -- 34,815 (-  3.0%)
01/2016: Robin SoB #8  -- 31,220 (- 10.3%)
02/2016: Robin SoB #9  -- 30,125 (-  3.5%)
03/2016: Robin SoB #10 -- 32,962 (+  9.4%)
04/2016: Robin SoB #11 -- 26,366 (- 20.0%)
05/2016: Robin SoB #12 -- 22,428 (- 14.9%)
06/2016: Robin SoB #13 -- 21,658 (-  3.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 37.8%
1 year  : - 66.1%
10 years: - 44.4%

Final issue. No Rebirth for Robin, though the character will hang around Teen Titans and the various Batman books.

101 - DEATHSTROKE ($2.99)
06/2012: Deathstroke #10 -- 19,722 
----------------------------------
06/2015: Deathstroke #7  -- 38,807 (+ 22.6%) [39,993]
07/2015: Deathstroke #8  -- 33,648 (- 13.3%) [34,754]
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%) 
-----------------
6 months: - 16.8%
1 year  : - 47.3%

Also getting Rebirthed in August.

103 - GRAYSON ANNUAL ($4.99)
10/2013: Nightwing Annual #1 -- 36,108  
12/2014: Grayson Annual #1   -- 32,251 (- 10.7%) 
09/2015: Grayson Annual #2   -- 25,470 (- 21.0%) 
06/2016: Grayson Annual #3   -- 20,972 (- 17.7%)

I had thought that maybe the Grayson Annual was being published to wrap up a storyline from the regular comic; but no, it is apparently just a one-off with several stories.

Nightwing gets Rebirthed in July.

104, 160 - ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL (Digital First) ($2.99)
05/2016: Adv Supergirl #1 of 6 -- 16,704 
05/2016: Adv Supergirl #2 of 6 -- 11,494 (- 31.2%) 
06/2016: Adv Supergirl #3 of 6 -- 20,741 (+ 80.5%) 
06/2016: Adv Supergirl #4 of 6 -- 13,454 (- 35.1%)

Sometimes when running these sales charts you encounter things that are just so out-of-left-field and unexplainable you just have to throw up your hands in ignorance. This is one of those times. Yes, issue #3 had a blank cover variant, but blank variants on other comics in the past haven’t seen this kind of spike.

I’ve finally been beaten by a sales chart.

Though it’s published by Boom! and not DC, I thought it might make sense to at least mention that the first issue of the Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy crossover comes in at position #106 with sales of 20,695. Last month’s issue of Gotham Academy sold just 12,410, though admittedly LJ/GA has a lot more variant covers.

107 - SUPERMAN: THE COMING OF THE SUPERMEN ($3.99)
02/2016: Supermen #1 of 6  -- 37,033
03/2016: Supermen #2 of 6  -- 27,470 (- 25.8%)
04/2016: Supermen #3 of 6  -- 24,500 (- 10.8%)
05/2016: Supermen #4 of 6  -- 21,395 (- 12.7%)
06/2016: Supermen #5 of 6  -- 20,416 (-  4.6%)

113 - TEEN TITANS ($2.99)
06/2006: --
06/2011: Teen Titans #96 -- 24,738
06/2012: Teen Titans #10 -- 47,491
06/2013: Teen Titans #21 -- 34,710 
06/2014: --
----------------------------------
06/2015: Teen Titans #9  -- 33,412 (- 15.5%) [33,804]
07/2015: Teen Titans #10 -- 28,547 (- 14.3%) [28,963]
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%)
01/2015: Teen Titans #16 -- 24,201 (- 11.0%)
02/2015: Teen Titans #17 -- 23,566 (-  2.6%)
03/2015: Teen Titans #18 -- 23,056 (-  2.2%)
04/2015: Teen Titans #19 -- 21,989 (-  4.6%)
05/2015: Teen Titans #20 -- 18,593 (- 15.4%)
06/2015: Teen Titans #21 -- 18,766 (+  0.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 29.8%
1 year  : - 44.5%
2 years :    n.a.
5 years : - 24.1%
10 years:    n.a.

Still a couple more issues to go before getting Rebirthed in September.

116 - 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%)
----------------
6 months: - 20.8%

117 - GREEN LANTERN CORPS: EDGE OF OBLIVION ($2.99)
06/2006: Green Lantern Corps #1   -- 76,686
06/2011: --
06/2012: Green Lantern Corps #10  -- 44,615
06/2013: Green Lantern Corps #21  -- 45,423 
06/2014: Green Lantern Corps #32  -- 40,734  [41,365]
-------------------------------------------
06/2015: --
07/2015: --
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%)
----------------
6 months:    n.a.
1 year  :    n.a.
2 years : - 55.4%
5 years :    n.a.
10 years: - 75.9%

120 - DEATHSTROKE ANNUAL ($4.99)
07/2015: Deathstroke Annual #1 -- 25,178
06/2016: Deathstroke Annual #2 -- 18,254 (- 27.5%)

126 - SWAMP THING ($2.99)
06/2006: Swamp Thing #28     --  7,553
06/2012: Swamp Thing #10     -- 37,383
06/2013: Swamp Thing #21     -- 25,186 
06/2014: Swamp Thing #32     -- 18,483 
--------------------------------------
06/2015: --
07/2015: --
08/2015: --
09/2015: --
10/2015: --
11/2015: --
12/2015: --
01/2016: Swamp Thing #1 of 6 -- 29,048 (+ 81.9%)
02/2016: Swamp Thing #2 of 6 -- 21,453 (- 26.1%)
03/2016: Swamp Thing #3 of 6 -- 20,309 (-  5.3%)
04/2016: Swamp Thing #4 of 6 -- 18,814 (-  7.4%)
05/2016: Swamp Thing #5 of 6 -- 18,021 (-  4.2%)
06/2016: Swamp Thing #6 of 6 -- 17,778 (-  1.3%)
----------------
6 months:    n.a.
1 year  :    n.a.
2 years : -  3.8%
10 years: +135.4%

Though there are presently no announced Rebirth plans for a Swamp Thing, I’m sure ol’ Swampy will return at some point. (IIRC he’ll be appearing in the new Hellblazer?)

128 - EARTH 2: SOCIETY ($2.99)
06/2012: Earth 2 #2     -- 75,936  [84,740]
06/2013: Earth 2 #13    -- 42,916 
06/2014: Earth 2 #24    -- 47,277  [47,707]
---------------------------------
06/2015: E2 Society #1  -- 45,102 (+ 52.6%) [41,763]
07/2015: E2 Society #2  -- 31,663 (- 23.2%) [32,074]
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%)
----------------
6 months: - 17.2%
1 year  : - 58.3%
2 years : - 63.5%

133 - TEEN TITANS ANNUAL ($4.99)
04/2012: Teen Titans Annual #1 -- 44,415 
10/2013: Teen Titans Annual #2 -- 26,957 (- 39.3%)
05/2014: Teen Titans Annual #3 -- 23,140 (- 14.2%)
04/2015: Teen Titans Annual #1 -- 22,939 (-  0.9%)
06/2016: Teen Titans Annual #2 -- 16,624 (- 27.5%)

136 - RED HOOD/ARSENAL ($2.99)
06/2012: Red Hood & Outlaws #10 -- 37,044
05/2013: Red Hood & Outlaws #20 -- 35,542 
06/2014: Red Hood & Outlaws #32 -- 33,081 
-----------------------------------------
06/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #1    -- 44,078 (+137.3%) [40,597]
07/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #2    -- 26,829 (- 33.9%)
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%)
-----------------
6 months: - 36.4%
1 year  : - 59.6%
2 years : - 50.5%

I had thought that last month’s issue was the final issue, but apparently I was wrong. I’m still a bit flabbergasted that it’s being Rebirthed.

142 - 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%)

144 - CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER ($2.99)
06/2006: Hellblazer #221    -- 13,973
06/2011: Hellblazer #280    --  9,329
06/2012: Hellblazer #292    --  9,533
06/2013: Constantine #4     -- 26,417 
06/2014: Constantine #15    -- 16,704 
-------------------------------------
06/2015: The Hellblazer #1  -- 41,888 (+177.6%) [40,335]
07/2015: The Hellblazer #2  -- 27,512 (- 34.3%)
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%)
-----------------
6 months: - 15.6%
1 year  : - 61.1%
2 years : -  6.0%
5 years : + 68.3%
10 years: + 12.3%

Final issue; getting Rebirthed in July.

156, 163 - INJUSTICE: YEAR FIVE (Digital-First) ($2.99)
06/2013: Injustice #6     -- 26,011 
06/2014: Injustice Y2 #6  -- 19,353 
-----------------------------------
06/2015: Injustice Y4 #3  -- 15,982 (+  2.1%)
06/2015: Injustice Y4 #4  -- 15,493 (-  3.1%)
07/2015: Injustice Y4 #5  -- 15,905 (+  2.7%)
07/2015: Injustice Y4 #6  -- 15,556 (-  2.2%)
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%)
----------------
6 months:    n.a.
1 year  : - 14.2%
2 years : - 30.2%

This is the final ‘year’ of Injustice, but with a sequel video game announced I’d expect there to be a companion comic series so Injustice probably won’t be gone for long.

166 - BATMAN BEYOND ($2.99)
06/2012: Unlimited #5      -- 24,058
06/2013: Unlimited #17     -- 15,464 
06/2014: Universe #11      -- 14,068 
------------------------------------
06/2015: Batman Beyond #1  -- 59,151 (+303.9%) [53,362]
07/2015: Batman Beyond #2  -- 35,000 (- 34.4%) [35,238]
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%)
-----------------
6 months: - 40.6%
1 year  : - 75.6%
2 years : -  7.4%

Inexplicable huge drop-off. The second time this month that the sales chart has befuddled me. In fact, this is the fewest number of copies ever for a Batman Beyond comic.

Getting Rebirthed in September, so hanging on until then…

171 - SUICIDE SQUAD MOST WANTED: DEADSHOT/KATANA ($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%)

A second Most Wanted series starts up in August. I guess maybe DC are hoping that Suicide Squad Fever grips the nation?

173 - CYBORG ($2.99)
07/2015: Cyborg #1  -- 45,187           [47,357]
08/2015: Cyborg #2  -- 29,167 (- 35.5%) [30,229]
09/2015: --
10/2015: Cyborg #3  -- 27,550 (-  5.5%) 
10/2015: Cyborg #4  -- 25,926 (-  5.9%) 
11/2015: --
12/2015: Cyborg #5  -- 23,618 (-  8.9%) 
12/2015: Cyborg #6  -- 17,864 (- 24.4%) 
01/2016: Cyborg #7  -- 18,975 (+  6.2%) 
02/2016: Cyborg #8  -- 18,092 (-  4.7%) 
03/2016: Cyborg #9  -- 13,578 (- 25.0%) 
04/2016: Cyborg #10 -- 15,256 (+ 12.4%) 
05/2016: Cyborg #11 -- 12,425 (- 18.6%) 
06/2016: Cyborg #12 -- 12,411 (-  0.1%) 
-----------------
6 months: - 40.2%

Final issue. Getting Rebirthed in September.

179 - BLACK CANARY ($2.99)
06/2015: Black Canary #1  -- 44,865 (+ 39.5%) [41,006]
07/2015: Black Canary #2  -- 27,512 (- 32.9%)
08/2015: Black Canary #3  -- 23,253 (- 15.5%)
09/2015: Black Canary #4  -- 23,678 (+  1.8%)
10/2015: Black Canary #5  -- 22,215 (-  6.2%)
11/2015: --
12/2015: Black Canary #6  -- 21,666 (-  2.5%)
01/2016: Black Canary #7  -- 15,758 (- 27.3%)
02/2016: Black Canary #8  -- 14,461 (-  8.2%)
03/2016: Black Canary #9  -- 13,566 (-  6.2%)
04/2016: Black Canary #10 -- 13,061 (-  3.7%)
04/2016: Black Canary #11 -- 12,560 (-  3.8%)
05/2016: --
06/2016: Black Canary #12 -- 12,046 (-  4.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 44.4%
1 year  : - 70.6%

Final issue. Not getting Rebirthed, though I believe that Black Canary is now appearing in the Rebirthed Green Arrow comic.

IMHO, this was a really good series that deserved better sales than what it received.

190 - LUCIFER (Vertigo) ($3.99)
06/2006: Lucifer #75 -- 11,012 
------------------------------
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%)
-----------------
6 months: - 40.0%
10 years: -  5.7%

The top-selling Vertigo title for May.

198 - ASTRO CITY (Vertigo) ($3.99)
06/2006: -- 
06/2011: --
06/2012: --
06/2013: Astro City #1   -- 27,700
06/2014: Astro City #13  -- 13,419 
----------------------------------
06/2015: Astro City #24  -- 11,226 (+ 0.1%)
07/2015: Astro City #25  -- 11,242 (+ 0.1%)
08/2015: Astro City #26  -- 11,118 (- 1.1%)
09/2015: Astro City #27  -- 11,019 (- 0.9%)
10/2015: Astro City #28  -- 10,808 (- 1.9%)
11/2015: Astro City #29  -- 10,748 (- 0.6%)
12/2015: Astro City #30  -- 10,476 (- 2.5%)
01/2016: Astro City #31  -- 10,351 (- 1.2%)
02/2016: Astro City #32  -- 10,187 (- 1.6%)
03/2016: Astro City #33  -- 10,125 (- 0.6%)
04/2016: Astro City #34  -- 10,120 (- 0.0%)
05/2016: Astro City #35  --  9,996 (- 1.2%)
06/2016: Astro City #36  --  9,960 (- 0.4%)
-----------------
6 months: -  4.9%
1 year  : - 11.3%
2 years : - 25.8%
5 years :    n.a.
10 years:    n.a.

I had hoped that maybe Astro City would rebound back above 10K, but alas it’s not to be.

203 - 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%)

210 - TEEN TITANS GO! (Digital-First) ($2.99)
06/2006: Teen Titans Go! #32 -- 10,736
06/2014: Teen Titans Go! #4  --  8,667 
--------------------------------------
06/2015: Teen Titans Go! #10 --  8,883 (+ 5.8%)
07/2015: --
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%)
-----------------
6 months: -  4.0%
1 year  : +  5.0%
2 years : +  7.6%
10 years: - 13.2%

215 - DOCTOR FATE ($2.99)
06/2015: Doctor Fate #1  -- 39,558           [34,514]
07/2015: Doctor Fate #2  -- 22,967 (- 41.9%) 
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%) 
-----------------
6 months: - 24.2%
1 year  : - 73.7%

I had thought this was ending with issue #16, but issue #17 has been solicited for September. The only thing I can figure is that this comic along with Earth 2 Society are hanging on until there’s some kind of Justice Society Rebirth down the line. Otherwise ???

247 - 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%)

Some have speculated that this is being published to protect the Bloodlines trademark. But with sales like these, DC should’ve just let the trademark lapse.

253 - 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%)
-----------------
6 months: - 21.5%

A director’s cut of Batman Europa #1 comes in at #278 with sales of 6,327. It is not included in the summary statistics below.

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 8 --  5,810 (-  3.3%) 
05/2015: Sheriff of Babylon #6 of 8 --  5,615 (-  3.4%) 
06/2015: Sheriff of Babylon #7 of 8 --  5,714 (+  1.8%) 
-----------------
6 months: - 44.7%

+300 - SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (All-Ages) ($2.99)
06/2006: Scooby-Doo #109               -- 4,423
06/2011: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #10 -- 4,774
06/2012: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #22 -- 4,968
06/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #34 -- 4,881 
06/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #46 -- ????? (< 4,560)
-----------------------------------------------
06/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #58 -- 5,033 (+ 5.0%)  
07/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #59 -- ????? (< 5,446)  
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)   
-----------------
6 months:    ???%
1 year  :    ???%
2 years :    ???%
5 years :    ???%
10 years:    ???%

The top 300 cut-off rose to 5,596 this month, which leaves Scooby-Doo’s sales a bit of a mystery for June.

+300 - SUICIDERS: KINGS OF HELL.A. (Vertigo) ($3.99)
06/2015: Suiciders #5           --  8,731 (-  6.3%) 
07/2015: -- 
08/2015: -- 
09/2015: Suiciders #6           --  8,546 (-  2.1%) 
10/2015: -- 
11/2015: -- 
12/2015: -- 
01/2016: -- 
02/2016: -- 
03/2016: Kings of HelLA #1 of 6 --  8,563 (+  0.2%)
04/2016: Kings of HelLA #2 of 6 --  6,123 (- 28.5%)
05/2016: Kings of HelLA #3 of 6 --  5,375 (- 12.2%)
06/2016: Kings of HelLA #4 of 6 --  ????? (< 5,596)
-----------------
6 months:    n.a.
1 year  :    ???%
+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) 
-----------------
6 months:   ????%
+300 - THE DARK AND BLOODY (Vertigo) ($3.99)
02/2016: Dark & Bloody #1 of 6 -- 8,622
03/2016: Dark & Bloody #2 of 6 -- 5,679 (- 34.1%)
04/2016: Dark & Bloody #3 of 6 -- 4,757 (- 16.2%)
05/2016: Dark & Bloody #4 of 6 -- ????? (< 4,986)
06/2016: Dark & Bloody #5 of 6 -- ????? (< 5,596)
+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)
-----------------
6 months:   ????%
+300 - SURVIVORS' CLUB (Vertigo) ($3.99)
10/2015: Survivors' Club #1 -- 13,194
11/2015: Survivors' Club #2 --  7,846 (- 40.5%)
12/2015: Survivors' Club #3 --  6,668 (- 15.0%)
01/2016: Survivors' Club #4 --  5,731 (- 14.1%)
02/2016: Survivors' Club #5 --  5,221 (-  8.9%)
03/2016: Survivors' Club #6 --  4,862 (-  6.9%)
04/2016: Survivors' Club #7 --  4,516 (-  7.1%)
05/2016: Survivors' Club #8 --  ????? (< 4,986)
06/2016: Survivors' Club #9 --  ????? (< 5,596)
-----------------
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) 
-----------------
6 months:   ????%

The comics have extended gutters and the gutters are full of blood and when the drains finally scab over all the vermin will drown. The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waist and all the Vertigo titles will look up and shout “Buy us!”…

… and we’ll look down, and whisper “No.”

+300 - LOONEY TUNES (All-Ages) ($2.99)
06/2006: Looney Tunes #139 -- 2,694
06/2011: Looney Tunes #199 -- ?????
06/2012: Looney Tunes #208 -- ?????
06/2013: Looney Tunes #213 -- ????? 
06/2014: Looney Tunes #219 -- ????? (< 4,560)
-----------------------------------
06/2015: Looney Tunes #225 -- ????? (< 4,684)
07/2015: --
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)
-----------------
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
06/2006: 42,339
06/2011: 25,814
06/2012: 37,599
06/2013: 34,517 
06/2014: 32,834 **
---------------
06/2015: 35,318 (+ 13.1%)**
07/2015: 27,005 (- 23.5%)**
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%)**
-----------------
6 months: + 73.6%
1 year  : + 38.1%
2 years : + 48.5%
5 years : + 88.9%
10 years: + 15.2%


DC UNIVERSE
06/2006: 53,274 
06/2011: 28,673
06/2012: 43,082
06/2013: 37,133 
06/2014: 42,733  
---------------
06/2015: 46,980 (+ 10.2%)
07/2015: 32,688 (- 30.4%)
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%)
-----------------
6 months: + 88.3%
1 year  : + 40.2%
2 years : + 54.2%
5 years : +129.7%
10 years: + 23.7%


VERTIGO
06/2006: 14,965
06/2011: 10,415
06/2012: 11,448
06/2013: 17,368 
06/2014: 11,372  
---------------
06/2015:  8,011 (- 24.5%)**
07/2015: 15,251 (+ 90.4%)**
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%)**
-----------------
6 months: - 29.6%
1 year  : - 24.2%
2 years : - 46.6%
5 years : - 41.7%
10 years: - 59.4%

Take these Vertigo numbers with a huge grain of salt, as a majority 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.

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

+294.9% - Aquaman
+279.1% - Titans (Titans Hunt)
+186.2% - Action Comics
+177.2% - Wonder Woman
+170.4% - Green Arrow
+159.8% - Superman
+148.1% - Flash
+128.5% - Detective Comics
+121.9% - Green Lanterns (Green Lantern)
+107.6% - Batman
+  8.4% - Harley Quinn and...
-  4.0% - Teen Titans Go!
-  4.9% - Astro City
-  9.7% - New Suicide Squad
- 14.9% - Justice League
- 15.6% - Constantine 
- 16.8% - Deathstroke
- 17.0% - Dark Knight III
- 17.2% - Earth 2 Society
- 19.4% - Harley Quinn
- 20.8% - DC Comics Bombshells
- 21.5% - Clean Room
- 24.2% - Doctor Fate
- 29.8% - Teen Titans
- 36.4% - Red Hood/Arsenal
- 37.8% - Robin, SoB
- 40.0% - Lucifer
- 40.2% - Cyborg
- 40.6% - Batman Beyond
- 44.4% - Black Canary
- 44.7% - The Sheriff of Babylon


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

+177.0% - Green Arrow
+143.7% - Flash
+143.1% - Wonder Woman
+134.3% - Aquaman
+122.3% - Superman
+120.0% - Green Lanterns (Green Lantern)
+ 86.8% - Action Comics
+ 81.8% - Batman
+ 79.6% - Detective Comics
+  5.0% - Teen Titans Go!
- 11.3% - Astro City
- 14.2% - Injustice
- 19.6% - Harley Quinn
- 26.2% - Justice League
- 44.5% - Teen Titans
- 44.7% - New Suicide Squad
- 47.3% - Deathstroke
- 48.4% - Harley Quinn and...
- 58.3% - Earth 2 Society
- 59.6% - Red Hood/Arsenal
- 61.1% - Constantine
- 66.1% - Robin, SoB
- 70.6% - Black Canary
- 73.7% - Doctor Fate
- 75.6% - Batman Beyond


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

+253.3% - Green Arrow
+124.1% - Wonder Woman
+115.0% - Flash
+ 99.0% - Batman
+ 79.5% - Green Lanterns (Green Lantern)
+ 72.6% - Aquaman
+ 49.9% - Action Comics
+ 42.2% - Detective Comics
+ 18.9% - Superman
+  7.6% - Teen Titans Go!
-  3,8% - Swamp Thing
-  6.0% - Constantine
-  7.2% - Justice League
-  7.4% - Batman Beyond
- 25.8% - Astro City
- 30.2% - Injustice
- 44.3% - Harley Quinn
- 50.5% - Red Hood/Arsenal (Red Hood & the Outlaws)
- 55.4% - Green Lantern Corps
- 63.5% - Earth 2


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

+397.2% - Batman
+300.9% - Titans
+261.3% - Wonder Woman
+229.5% - Superman
+202.6% - Green Arrow
+167.7% - Detective Comics
+ 97.9% - Action Comics
+ 68.3% - Constantine (Hellblazer)
- 24.1% - Teen Titans


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

+235.7% - Batman
+135.4% - Swamp Thing
+120.6% - Green Arrow
+ 78.2% - Superman
+ 59.8% - Detective Comics
+ 30.4% - Action Comics
+ 12.3% - Constantine (Hellblazer)
-  5.7% - Lucifer
- 13.2% - Teen Titans Go!
- 16.1% - Wonder Woman
- 17.5% - Flash
- 44.4% - Robin
- 75.9% - Green Lantern Corps
Sales Indices
=============

DCU: Average: 65,876. Median: 62,917. No.: 46. Total: 3,030,315

4.7 - Batman
3.3 - Batman Rebirth
2.1 - Dark Knight III
2.0 - Superman Rebirth
1.9 - Dark Knight Returns Last Crusade
1.8 - Wonder Woman
1.8 - Superman
1.7 - Flash
1.7 - Green Lanterns Rebirth
1.6 - Detective Comics (934)
1.6 - Wonder Woman Rebirth
1.6 - Detective Comics (935)
1.5 - Flash Rebirth
1.4 - Green Lanterns
1.4 - Green Arrow Rebirth
1.3 - Aquaman
1.3 - Action Comics (958)
1.3 - Action Comics (957)
1.2 - Titans Rebirth
1.2 - Green Arrow
1.1 - Aquaman Rebirth
1.1 - Justice League (52)
1.1 - Justice League (51)
0.8 - Harley Quinn
0.5 - Harley Quinn and Her Gang of Harleys
0.4 - New Suicide Squad
0.3 - Poison Ivy Cycle
0.3 - Robin, Son of Batman
0.3 - Deathstroke
0.3 - Grayson Annual
0.3 - Superman Coming of Supermen
0.3 - Teen Titans
0.3 - Green Lantern Corps Edge of Oblivion
0.3 - Deathstroke Annual
0.3 - Swamp Thing
0.3 - Earth 2 Society
0.3 - Teen Titans Annual
0.2 - Red Hood/Arsenal
0.2 - Constantine the Hellblazer
0.2 - Batman Beyond
0.2 - Suicide Squad Most Wanted
0.2 - Cyborg
0.2 - Black Canary
0.1 - Legends of Tomorrow
0.1 - Doctor Fate
0.1 - Bloodlines


Vertigo: Average: 6,073**. Median: 5,095**. No.: 10. Total: 60,727**

1.7 - Lucifer
1.6 - Astro City
1.0 - Clean Room
0.9 - Sheriff of Babylon
0.9 - Suiciders: HelL.A. **
0.8 - Unfollow **
0.8 - Dark & Bloody **
0.8 - Art Ops **
0.7 - Survivors' Club **
0.7 - Red Thorn **


Digital First & Other: Average: 16,048**. Median: 13,682**. No.: 11. Total: 176,532**

2.1 - Wacky Raceland
1.9 - Scooby Apocalypse
1.3 - Adventures of Supergirl (3)
1.2 - DC Comics Bombshells
1.0 - Legend of Wonder Woman
0.9 - Injustice Year Five (11)
0.8 - Adventures of Supergirl (4)
0.8 - Injustice Year Five (12)
0.6 - Teen Titans Go!
0.3 - 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 Association for Professional Basketball Research, 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.

21 COMMENTS

  1. For what it’s worth, I am under the impression that when we say comics are “returned”, it’s actually only the cover that is returned. The covers are torn off and that is what is sent back to the publisher, so that the shipping costs are not too much. So I don’t believe comics that are returned can be given to any other stores.

  2. Still wondering by Green Lantern: Lost Army numbers aren’t included in the Green Lantern Corps list.

  3. SO, can anyone explain this to me: Am I right in thinking that everything established by New 52 is now non canon, but that everything before New 52 is canon again, unless otherwise stated?

  4. @Hogne: I think it’s actually the opposite. New 52 remains canon, except when noted otherwise. But pre-Flashpoint remains canon too, as the reality that existed before being modified by [REBIRTHSPOILER] into the New 52. It’s all rather convoluted, IMHO; kind of the same uncertain continuity state that existed immediately after Crisis in the 80s, but at a hyper-level.

  5. Or to put it another way, whereas one could assume that the pre-Crisis universe totally ended and the post-Crisis universe was a different one with lots of similarities in many ways, DC is saying that the pre-Flashpoint universe was more directly transformed into the current one. Which really is what most people thought happened with the previous universe-changes, so that’s why I think it’s confusing. But the bottom line is, apparently the pre-Flashpoint universe is less “gone” than everybody thought. But in terms of the lives of the characters running around in the current comics, it’s still the new52 universe.

  6. Ah yes, I remember (somewhat fondly) those immediate couple of years post-Crisis when continuity was in flux. Like those post-Crisis, per-Byrne Superman stories, or Hawkman before Tim Truman’s Hawkworld.

  7. Gee, what a continuity nightmare… it’s hard to believe that 5 years ago, with the new52 launch, there was none of that variant cover crazyness. That’s also probably why some of those new launchs are selling better with their #1 but will more quickly fall behind their new52#2 numbers with their #2 issue.

  8. Thing is, the continuity thing is only weird if you are interested in the continuity. Generally speaking, if you ignore the Rebirth special, nothing has changed. Wally West came back from somewhere and that’s about it. Everything else is just things happening in the new52 that are sorta-kinda like things that happened before the new52.

  9. RE: ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL — #1 & 2 were not offered through the catalog (they have “8000” item codes which indicates “added after catalog went to press”), and they were FOC-only.

    (Which is actually an awesome data point to see how many stores might be using FOC — apparently you’re losing 10k in sales without full solicitation!)

    -B

  10. My local comics shop gave away the coverless comics from their new52 returns as part of Free Comic Book day that year.

  11. I wish Rebirth hadn’t made DC so convoluted. Bringing old Wally West into the New 52 when there was already a Wally West in the New 52, just stupid. Are old fans so so desperate to have their old universe back, they want to shit on everything DC published the last 5 years (and many amazing books published there too)?

    The New 52 did it right: start everything again, make the universe accessible, with younger characters at the start of their careers. What’s wrong with that? Just like Star Trek or James Bond, old characters have to adapt with the times.

    Do old readers not want a new generation to understand these characters? How selfish.

  12. DC can fix continuity problems caused by meshing the New 52 with Rebirth simply by ignoring what does not “fit”.

    Steve

  13. I hadn’t looked at the sales charts in awhile and was trying to figure out the comparatively huge drop in sales for Robin: Son of Batman from 10 to 11, especially after sales were so consistent post-the normal second issue drop, and then I realized that Patrick Gleason left the book (both as a writer and as an artist) after Issue 10 and the drop was definitely due to his departure.

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