DC Comics Month-to-Month Sales: May 2012

by Marc-Oliver Frisch

With “New 52” numbers settled down (see here for a long-term breakdown), May marked a return to a variety of old-fashioned direct-market sales boosters: six of the loowest-selling “New 52” titles were replaced with new launches Earth-2, Worlds’ Finest, Dial H, G.I. Combat, The Ravagers and Batman, Incorporated; new creative teams (meaning Rob Liefeld, mostly) were instated on Hawkman, Deathstroke and Grifter, three of the lower-selling “New 52” books that haven’t been cancelled; Annuals for Batman, Animal Man and Teen Titans, three of the more popular “New 52” series; and, finally, four separate crossovers involving 21 titles, notably the “Court of Owls” storyline running through most of the Batman line.

And those tricks still work quite well, as it turns out: For the DC Universe imprint, average comic-book sales, total unit sales and total dollar sales soared back towards their highest respective levels since November 2011, which is pretty good. With Before Watchmen around the corner and September’s issue-#0 stunt and the next round of “New 52” replacements coming up, it seems safe to say that the publisher will be able to build on the ground recovered thanks to the “New 52” relaunch through the second half of 2012.

Over at Vertigo, on the other hand, alarm bells keep ringing for the periodical comic-book format. With Dominique Laveau, one of the imprint’s March launches has already been axed with issue #7, and with Scalped, Sweet Tooth and I, Zombie running their course, Hellblazer is now the lowest-selling ongoing title in Vertigo’s comic-book stable that doesn’t have an official end date. While it’s unlikely that the book itself is in danger due to low sales, this does put a question mark above Vertigo’s continued ability to publish comic-book titles that aren’t part of the Fables or American Vampire franchises. Look here for a long-term look at Vertigo’s month-to-month sales.

Finally, May was the first month since the launch of the “New 52” in which returnability no longer applied to any of the initial 52 books, and, fortunately, the figures of the 37 titles that had been returnable through April end up right where you’d expect them to. Which suggests that the assumption Diamond only reported 90% of those numbers and my subsequent re-addition of the missing 10% were right on the mark. Thanks again to John Jackson Miller for alerting me on the 90% figure in the first place. (Once again, due to this, please note that the chart positions don’t match the sales figures on those titles. Presuming anyone reads this at all. Which, experience has taught me, is not the case. So it is absolutely safe for me to confess that I am completely naked when writing these columns on DC Comics sales.)

Of course, as of May, Earth-2, Worlds’ Finest, The Ravagers, Dial H and G.I. Combat (but not Batman, Incorporated) were returnable, and their numbers tweaked accordingly by Diamond, so that particular game starts all over again: I’ve re-added 10% to each of those figures. We’ll find out if that‘s on the mark once returnability ends on those titles.

See below for the details and, as usual, 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.

Another procedural note: The “New 52” titles Earth-2, Worlds’ Finest, Batman, Incorporated, Dial H, G.I. Combat, The Ravagers, Batman, Justice League, Action Comics, Green Lantern, Flash, Stormwatch, Teen Titans, Wonder Woman, Detective Comics, Batman: The Dark Knight, Superman, Aquaman, Batwoman, Green Lantern: New Guardians and Swamp Thing are being promoted with various, sometimes multiple variant-cover editions that are likely to have boosted sales. I’ll just mention those here, so keep them in mind.

—–

3 - BATMAN
05/2007: Batman #665 --  80,122
05/2008: Batman #676 -- 105,039 [122,877]
05/2009: BfC #3 of 3 --  89,170
05/2010: Batman #699 --  62,377
-------------------------------
05/2011: Batman #710 --  55,086 (-  2.6%)
06/2011: Batman #711 --  53,113 (-  3.6%)
07/2011: Batman #712 --  51,385 (-  3.3%)
08/2011: Batman #713 --  51,760 (+  0.7%)
09/2011: Batman #1   -- 188,420 (+264.0%) [219,660]
10/2011: Batman #2   -- 172,428 (-  8.5%) [177,721]
11/2011: Batman #3   -- 150,984 (- 12.4%)
12/2011: Batman #4   -- 133,781 (- 11.4%) [141,261]
01/2012: Batman #5   -- 135,145 (+  1.0%) [142,499]
02/2012: Batman #6   -- 128,459 (-  5.0%) [135,435]
03/2012: Batman #7   -- 131,091 (+  2.1%)
04/2012: Batman #8   -- 130,602 (-  0.4%) [136,218]
05/2012: Batman #9   -- 134,605 (+  3.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 10.9%
1 year  : +144.4%
2 years : +115.8%
5 years : + 68.0%

The “Court of Owls” crossover brings a slight increase.

Since we haven’t had any big crossovers at DC in a while, it’s worth mentioning that they don’t really generate new readers — they’re yet another means to get the existing audience to buy more comics than they might otherwise have, basically. So the fact that the best-selling title gets the smallest increase isn’t surprising.

That said, in terms of boosting the sales of the other participating titles, “Court of Owls” is doing its job rather well, no doubt thanks to the good reception of the Snyder/Capullo run that it spins out of.

Meanwhile, Batman #8 charted again in May with an estimated 5,616 units. There were also “Combo Pack” editions for this and for various other titles, but none of them charted in May.

—–

4 - JUSTICE LEAGUE
05/2007: Justice League #9   -- 129,285
05/2008: Justice League #21  --  90,035
05/2009: Justice League #33  --  63,867
05/2010: Justice League #45  --  62,465
---------------------------------------
05/2011: JL of America #57   --  46,729 (-  1.0%)
06/2011: JL of America #58   --  45,442 (-  2.8%)
07/2011: JL of America #59   --  43,545 (-  4.2%)
08/2011: JL of America #60   --  42,587 (-  2.2%)
08/2011: Justice League #1   -- 185,776 (+336.2%) [266,131]
09/2011: --
10/2011: Justice League #2   -- 196,569 (+  5.8%)
11/2011: Justice League #3   -- 168,679 (- 14.2%)
12/2011: Justice League #4   -- 149,314 (- 11.5%) [152,340]
01/2012: Justice League #5   -- 144,670 (-  3.1%) [148,117]
02/2012: Justice League #6   -- 140,819 (-  2.7%)
03/2012: Justice League #7   -- 136,436 (-  3.1%)
04/2012: Justice League #8   -- 133,240 (-  2.3%)
05/2012: Justice League #9   -- 131,332 (-  1.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 22.1%
1 year  : +181.1%
2 years : +110.3%
5 years : +  1.6%

The book has found its level. Note that the highest-selling ongoing title from Marvel again failed to crack 70,000 units in May.

—–

5 - BATMAN ANNUAL
04/2012: Batman Annual #1 -- 101,394

This is part of “Court of Owls,” but more than 100K for an annual is still a spectacularly good number.

—–

7 - BATMAN INCORPORATED
05/2011: Batman, Inc. #6  --  60,480 (-  2.8%)
06/2011: Batman, Inc. #7  --  56,108 (-  7.2%)
08/2011: Batman, Inc. #8  --  53,481 (-  4.7%)
09/2011: --
10/2011: --
11/2011: --
12/2011: Lev Strikes #1   --  43,048 (- 19.5%)
01/2012: --
02/2012: --
03/2012: --
04/2012: --
05/2012: Batman, Inc. #1  --  96,486 (+124.1%)
----------------
6 months:  n.a.
1 year  : +59.5%

Grant Morrison’s big Batman saga returns, and though it has nothing to do with the crossover du jour, likely clears 100,000 units, all things considered. The first issue of the pre-“New 52” run sold an estimated 95,587 units in its first month, so this is a great figure.

—–

8 - DETECTIVE COMICS
05/2007: Detective Comics #832 --  51,727
05/2008: Detective Comics #844 --  48,394
05/2009: --
05/2010: Detective Comics #865 --  41,501
-----------------------------------------
05/2011: Detective Comics #877 --  39,609 (-  1.3%)
06/2011: Detective Comics #878 --  39,152 (-  1.2%)
07/2011: Detective Comics #879 --  39,185 (+  0.1%)
07/2011: Detective Comics #880 --  38,585 (-  1.5%)
08/2011: Detective Comics #881 --  39,729 (+  3.0%)
09/2011: Detective Comics #1   -- 114,880 (+189.2%) [157,751]
10/2011: Detective Comics #2   -- 123,099 (+  7.2%)
11/2011: Detective Comics #3   -- 111,197 (-  9.7%)
12/2011: Detective Comics #4   --  99,366 (- 10.6%)
01/2012: Detective Comics #5   --  99,342 (-  0.0%)
02/2012: Detective Comics #6   --  94,415 (-  5.0%)
03/2012: Detective Comics #7   --  89,891 (-  4.8%)
04/2012: Detective Comics #8   --  87,675 (-  2.5%)
05/2012: Detective Comics #9   --  96,016 (+  9.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 13.7%
1 year  : +142.4%
2 years : +113.4%
5 years : + 85.6%

A “Court of Owls” crossover brings a handsome increase.

—–

11 - EARTH 2
04/2012: Earth 2 #1  -- 95,742

A new series set on Earth 2, which, I’m told, is where the gay people live in the DC Universe.

Once again, surprisingly good numbers, even if you factor in possible returns or the fact that there was a 1:25 variant-cover edition in addition to returnability.

—–

9 - ACTION COMICS
05/2007: Action Comics #849 -- 53,610
05/2007: Action Comics #850 -- 56,166
05/2008: Action Comics #865 -- 46,764
05/2009: Action Comics #877 -- 41,772
05/2010: --
--------------------------------------
05/2011: Action Comics #901 --  44,143 (- 26.6%)
06/2011: Action Comics #902 --  41,960 (-  5.0%)
07/2011: Action Comics #903 --  40,205 (-  4.2%)
08/2011: Action Comics #904 --  39,323 (-  2.2%)
09/2011: Action Comics #1   -- 182,748 (+364.7%) [200,947]
10/2011: Action Comics #2   -- 153,855 (- 15.8%)
11/2011: Action Comics #3   -- 134,875 (- 12.3%)
12/2011: Action Comics #4   -- 112,839 (- 16.3%)
01/2012: Action Comics #5   -- 109,350 (-  3.1%)
02/2012: Action Comics #6   --  96,592 (- 11.7%)
03/2012: Action Comics #7   --  91,822 (-  4.9%)
04/2012: Action Comics #8   --  87,980 (-  4.2%)
05/2012: Action Comics #9   --  88,796 (+  0.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 34.2%
1 year  : +101.2%
2 years :  n.a.
5 years : + 61.8%

Guest art by Gene Ha and a return to the “Obama Superman” character result in a slight sales increase.

—–

10 - GREEN LANTERN
05/2007: Green Lantern #19  --  62,439
05/2007: Green Lantern #20  --  60,556
05/2008: Green Lantern #31  --  65,874
05/2009: Green Lantern #41  --  81,491
05/2010: Green Lantern #54  --  88,292
--------------------------------------
05/2011: Green Lantern #66  --  75,371 (- 0.5%)
06/2011: --
07/2011: Green Lantern #67  --  74,521 (- 1.1%)
08/2011: --
09/2011: Green Lantern #1   -- 141,682 (+90.1%) [169,159]
10/2011: Green Lantern #2   -- 142,344 (+ 0.5%)
11/2011: Green Lantern #3   -- 122,644 (-13.8%)
12/2011: Green Lantern #4   -- 104,199 (-15.0%)
01/2012: Green Lantern #5   --  97,878 (- 6.0%)
02/2012: Green Lantern #6   --  94,087 (- 3.9%)
03/2012: Green Lantern #7   --  90,232 (- 4.1%)
04/2012: Green Lantern #8   --  88,335 (- 2.1%)
05/2012: Green Lantern #9   --  87,601 (- 0.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 28.6%
1 year  : + 16.2%
2 years : -  0.8%
5 years : + 42.5%

Sales have found their level.

—–

12 - BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT
05/2011: --
06/2011: --
07/2011: Dark Knight #3  --  62,792 (- 11.7%)
07/2011: Dark Knight #4  --  57,333 (-  8.7%)
08/2011: Dark Knight #5  --  52,908 (-  7.7%)
09/2011: Dark Knight #1  -- 109,321 (+106.6%) [128,689]
10/2011: Dark Knight #2  -- 100,494 (-  8.1%)
11/2011: Dark Knight #3  --  87,133 (- 13.3%)
12/2011: Dark Knight #4  --  78,689 (-  9.7%)
01/2012: Dark Knight #5  --  76,824 (-  2.4%)
02/2012: Dark Knight #6  --  77,140 (+  0.4%) [ 80,464]
03/2012: Dark Knight #7  --  75,297 (-  2.4%)
04/2012: Dark Knight #8  --  74,287 (-  1.3%)
05/2012: Dark Knight #9  --  82,169 (+ 10.6%)
-----------------
6 months: -  5.7%
1 year  :  n.a.

—–

13 - BATMAN AND ROBIN
05/2010: Batman and Robin #12 --  84,843
----------------------------------------
05/2011: Batman and Robin #23 --  57,525 (- 2.6%)
06/2011: Batman and Robin #24 --  54,984 (- 4.4%)
07/2011: Batman and Robin #25 --  55,172 (+ 0.3%)
08/2011: Batman and Robin #26 --  52,704 (- 4.5%)
09/2011: Batman and Robin #1  --  94,713 (+79.7%) [116,053]
10/2011: Batman and Robin #2  --  98,807 (+ 4.3%)
11/2011: Batman and Robin #3  --  86,309 (-12.7%)
12/2011: Batman and Robin #4  --  76,000 (-11.9%)
01/2012: Batman and Robin #5  --  72,786 (- 4.2%)
02/2012: Batman and Robin #6  --  70,103 (- 3.7%)
03/2012: Batman and Robin #7  --  68,010 (- 3.0%)
04/2012: Batman and Robin #8  --  66,659 (- 2.0%)
05/2012: Batman and Robin #9  --  75,967 (+14.0%)
----------------
6 months: -12.0%
1 year  : +32.1%
2 years : -10.5%

Two more Batman titles boosted by “Court of Owls.”

—–

19 - FLASH
05/2007: Flash: FMA #12  --  47,809
05/2008: Flash #240      --  31,944
05/2009: Rebirth #2 of 5 --  86,183
05/2010: Flash #2        --  76,560
-----------------------------------
05/2011: Flash #12       --  54,914 (+  0.5%)
06/2011: --
07/2011: --
08/2011: --
09/2011: Flash #1        -- 129,260 (+135.4%) [147,818]
10/2011: Flash #2        -- 114,137 (- 11.7%)
11/2011: Flash #3        --  90,417 (- 20.8%)
12/2011: Flash #4        --  77,336 (- 14.5%)
01/2012: Flash #5        --  71,611 (-  7.4%)
02/2012: Flash #6        --  68,061 (-  5.0%)
03/2012: Flash #7        --  64,975 (-  4.5%)
04/2012: Flash #8        --  63,702 (-  2.0%)
05/2012: Flash #9        --  62,807 (-  1.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 30.5%
1 year  : + 14.4%
2 years : - 18.0%
5 years : + 31.4%

Settling down around the 60,000-unit mark, it seems. A good number for a Flash series in the context of the last 10 years.

—–

20 - WORLDS' FINEST
04/2012: Worlds' Finest #1  -- 69,531

A second new title focusing on Earth-2 characters, also promoted with returnability and a 1:25 variant edition. Still, solid debut sales.

—–

21 - SUPERMAN
05/2007: Superman #662 --  55,236
05/2008: Superman #676 --  45,644
05/2009: Superman #688 --  41,642
05/2010: --
---------------------------------
05/2011: Superman #711 --  38,471 (-  3.0%)
06/2011: Superman #712 --  37,362 (-  2.9%)
07/2011: Superman #713 --  36,646 (-  1.9%)
08/2011: Superman #714 --  35,919 (-  2.0%)
09/2011: Superman #1   -- 131,529 (+266.2%) [150,128]
10/2011: Superman #2   -- 104,703 (- 20.4%)
11/2011: Superman #3   --  86,386 (- 17.5%)
12/2011: Superman #4   --  76,532 (- 11.4%)
01/2012: Superman #5   --  73,719 (-  3.7%)
02/2012: Superman #6   --  69,633 (-  5.5%)
03/2012: Superman #7   --  66,588 (-  4.4%)
04/2012: Superman #8   --  64,486 (-  3.2%)
05/2012: Superman #9   --  62,232 (-  3.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 28.0%
1 year  : + 61.8%
2 years :   n.a.
5 years : + 12.7%

Gently drifting down.

—–

22 - NIGHTWING
05/2007: Nightwing #132 -- 30,807
05/2008: Nightwing #144 -- 29,367
---------------------------------
09/2011: Nightwing #1   -- 69,686          [87,561]
10/2011: Nightwing #2   -- 73,054 (+ 4.8%)
11/2011: Nightwing #3   -- 64,098 (-12.3%)
12/2011: Nightwing #4   -- 57,409 (-10.4%)
01/2012: Nightwing #5   -- 56,040 (- 2.4%)
02/2012: Nightwing #6   -- 53,036 (- 5.4%)
03/2012: Nightwing #7   -- 50,489 (- 4.8%)
04/2012: Nightwing #8   -- 52,063 (+ 3.1%) [61,711]
05/2012: Nightwing #9   -- 61,395 (+17.9%)
-----------------
6 months: -  4.2%
5 years : + 99.3%

“Court of Owls” brings a neat increase. Also, issue #8 made the chart again, selling an estimated 9,648 units in reorders. The book keeps doing very well for a Nightwing series.

—–

23 - AQUAMAN
09/2011: Aquaman #1  -- 80,302          [108,545]
10/2011: Aquaman #2  -- 79,156 (- 1.4%) [ 83,626]
11/2011: Aquaman #3  -- 69,137 (-12.7%)
12/2011: Aquaman #4  -- 64,961 (- 6.0%)
01/2012: Aquaman #5  -- 65,094 (+ 0.2%)
02/2012: Aquaman #6  -- 63,450 (- 2.5%)
03/2012: Aquaman #7  -- 62,345 (- 1.7%)
04/2012: Aquaman #8  -- 61,657 (- 1.1%)
05/2012: Aquaman #9  -- 60,527 (- 1.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 12.5%

Standard attrition, but excellent sales for an Aquaman book, obviously.

—–

24 - BATGIRL
05/2010: Batgirl #10     -- 28,641
----------------------------------
05/2011: Batgirl #21     -- 24,043 (-  1.1%)
06/2011: Batgirl #22     -- 23,323 (-  3.0%)
07/2011: Batgirl #23     -- 22,619 (-  3.0%)
08/2011: Batgirl #24     -- 22,695 (+  0.3%)
09/2011: Batgirl #1      -- 90,543 (+299.0%) [107,055]
10/2011: Batgirl #2      -- 83,586 (-  7.7%)
11/2011: Batgirl #3      -- 69,971 (- 16.3%)
12/2011: Batgirl #4      -- 59,972 (- 14.3%)
01/2012: Batgirl #5      -- 57,030 (-  4.9%)
02/2012: Batgirl #6      -- 53,151 (-  6.8%)
03/2012: Batgirl #7      -- 50,761 (-  4.5%)
04/2012: Batgirl #8      -- 48,878 (-  3.7%)
05/2012: Batgirl #9      -- 58,710 (+ 20.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 16.1%
1 year  : +144.2%
2 years : +105.0%

You know the drill: a big boost thanks to “Court of Owls.”

—–

30 - TEEN TITANS
05/2007: Teen Titans #46  -- 61,478
05/2007: Teen Titans #47  -- 63,673
05/2008: Teen Titans #59  -- 46,306
05/2009: Teen Titans #71  -- 34,110
05/2010: Teen Titans #83  -- 24,960
-----------------------------------
05/2011: Teen Titans #95  -- 24,738 (-  1.8%)
06/2011: Teen Titans #96  -- 23,849 (-  3.6%)
07/2011: Teen Titans #97  -- 23,138 (-  3.0%)
07/2011: Teen Titans #98  -- 23,095 (-  0.2%)
08/2011: Teen Titans #99  -- 23,756 (+  2.9%)
08/2011: Teen Titans #100 -- 27,459 (+ 15.6%)
09/2011: Teen Titans #1   -- 73,675 (+168.3%) [89,056]
10/2011: Teen Titans #2   -- 72,107 (-  2.1%)
11/2011: Teen Titans #3   -- 60,758 (- 15.7%)
12/2011: Teen Titans #4   -- 54,929 (-  9.6%)
01/2012: Teen Titans #5   -- 54,606 (-  0.6%)
02/2012: Teen Titans #6   -- 53,123 (-  2.7%)
03/2012: Teen Titans #7   -- 51,402 (-  3.2%)
04/2012: Teen Titans #8   -- 50,814 (-  1.1%)
05/2012: Teen Titans #9   -- 50,261 (-  1.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 17.3%
1 year  : +103.2%
2 years : +101.4%
5 years : - 19.7%

Standard attrition. Which is underwhelming, given that the issue was part of a crossover with Teen Titans Annual, Superboy and Legion Lost, as well as the launch pad for the new Ravagers title. It doesn’t look like retailers were particularly impressed.

—–

33 - CATWOMAN
05/2007: Catwoman #67 -- 19,926
05/2008: Catwoman #79 -- 17,999
-------------------------------
09/2011: Catwoman #1  -- 59,633          [75,566]
10/2011: Catwoman #2  -- 63,573 (+ 6.6%)
11/2011: Catwoman #3  -- 52,196 (-17.9%)
12/2011: Catwoman #4  -- 45,581 (-12.7%)
01/2012: Catwoman #5  -- 44,034 (- 3.4%)
02/2012: Catwoman #6  -- 41,447 (- 5.9%)
03/2012: Catwoman #7  -- 39,608 (- 4.4%)
04/2012: Catwoman #8  -- 38,711 (- 2.3%)
05/2012: Catwoman #9  -- 49,726 (+28.5%)
-----------------
6 months: -  4.7%
5 years : +149.6%

—-

34 - RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS
09/2011: Red Hood #1  -- 56,112          [70,244]
10/2011: Red Hood #2  -- 59,382 (+ 5.8%)
11/2011: Red Hood #3  -- 50,140 (-15.6%)
12/2011: Red Hood #4  -- 44,278 (-11.7%)
01/2012: Red Hood #5  -- 42,560 (- 3.9%)
02/2012: Red Hood #6  -- 39,898 (- 6.3%)
03/2012: Red Hood #7  -- 38,630 (- 3.2%)
04/2012: Red Hood #8  -- 37,974 (- 1.7%)
05/2012: Red Hood #9  -- 54,220 (+42.8%)
-----------------
6 months: +  8.1%

Two more Batman spin-off titles surprisingly big sales boosts supplied by the “Court of Owls” crossover.

—–

35 - WONDER WOMAN
05/2007: Wonder Woman #9   --  58,561
05/2008: Wonder Woman #20  --  38,116
05/2009: Wonder Woman #32  --  33,065
05/2010: Wonder Woman #44  --  25,443
-------------------------------------
05/2011: --
06/2011: Wonder Woman #611 --  30,874 (-  0.4%)
06/2011: Wonder Woman #612 --  30,690 (-  0.6%)
07/2011: Wonder Woman #613 --  29,720 (-  3.2%)
08/2011: Wonder Woman #614 --  29,223 (-  1.7%)
09/2011: Wonder Woman #1   --  76,214 (+160.8%) [95,902]
10/2011: Wonder Woman #2   --  79,060 (+  3.7%)
11/2011: Wonder Woman #3   --  65,621 (- 17.0%)
12/2011: Wonder Woman #4   --  57,675 (- 12.1%)
01/2012: Wonder Woman #5   --  57,626 (-  0.1%)
02/2012: Wonder Woman #6   --  54,190 (-  6.0%)
03/2012: Wonder Woman #7   --  51,314 (-  5.3%)
04/2012: Wonder Woman #8   --  50,450 (-  1.7%)
05/2012: Wonder Woman #9   --  48,750 (-  3.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 25.7%
1 year  :   n.a.
2 years : + 91.6%
5 years : - 16.8%

Levelling out, more or less. Historically, these numbers are still fine.

—–

36 - GREEN LANTERN CORPS
05/2007: Green Lantern Corps #12 -- 33,267
05/2008: Green Lantern Corps #24 -- 46,948
05/2009: Green Lantern Corps #36 -- 61,591
05/2010: Green Lantern Corps #48 -- 68,826
------------------------------------------
05/2011: Green Lantern Corps #60 -- 60,964 (+ 1.3%)
06/2011: --
07/2011: Green Lantern Corps #61 -- 60,836 (- 0.2%)
07/2011: Green Lantern Corps #62 -- 57,928 (- 4.8%)
08/2011: Green Lantern Corps #63 -- 53,372 (- 7.9%)
09/2011: Green Lantern Corps #1  -- 83,077 (+55.7%) [94,800]
10/2011: Green Lantern Corps #2  -- 78,501 (- 5.5%)
11/2011: Green Lantern Corps #3  -- 65,393 (-16.7%)
12/2011: Green Lantern Corps #4  -- 57,180 (-12.6%)
01/2012: Green Lantern Corps #5  -- 54,088 (- 5.4%)
02/2012: Green Lantern Corps #6  -- 51,168 (- 5.4%)
03/2012: Green Lantern Corps #7  -- 48,692 (- 4.8%)
04/2012: Green Lantern Corps #8  -- 47,584 (- 2.3%)
05/2012: Green Lantern Corps #9  -- 46,336 (- 2.6%)
----------------
6 months: -29.1%
1 year  : -24.0%
2 years : -32.7%
5 years : +39.3%

—–

38 - GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS
05/2011: Emerald Warriors #10 -- 52,971 (+ 2.3%)
06/2011: Emerald Warriors #11 -- 53,927 (+ 1.8%)
07/2011: Emerald Warriors #12 -- 48,087 (-10.8%)
08/2011: Emerald Warriors #13 -- 44,228 (- 8.0%)
09/2011: New Guardians #1     -- 84,033 (+90.0%) [96,596]
10/2011: New Guardians #2     -- 71,713 (-14.7%)
11/2011: New Guardians #3     -- 59,774 (-16.7%)
12/2011: New Guardians #4     -- 53,305 (-10.8%)
01/2012: New Guardians #5     -- 52,305 (- 1.9%)
02/2012: New Guardians #6     -- 50,319 (- 3.8%)
03/2012: New Guardians #7     -- 48,422 (- 3.8%)
04/2012: New Guardians #8     -- 47,320 (- 2.3%)
05/2012: New Guardians #9     -- 46,237 (- 2.3%)
----------------
6 months: -22.7%
1 year  : -12.7%

The two secondary Green Lantern titles keep making a slow drippydroppy.

—–

39 - TEEN TITANS ANNUAL
04/2012: Teen Titans Annual #1  -- 44,415

Part of the “Culling” crossover. (Not “Curling,” sadly.)

—–

40 - BATWOMAN
09/2011: Batwoman #1  --  72,228 (+64.6%) [87,952]
10/2011: Batwoman #2  --  74,392 (+ 3.0%)
11/2011: Batwoman #3  --  61,997 (-16.7%)
12/2011: Batwoman #4  --  52,757 (-14.9%)
01/2012: Batwoman #5  --  51,924 (- 1.6%)
02/2012: Batwoman #6  --  49,227 (- 5.2%)
03/2012: Batwoman #7  --  46,874 (- 4.8%)
04/2012: Batwoman #8  --  45,341 (- 3.3%)
05/2012: Batwoman #9  --  43,942 (- 3.1%)
----------------
6 months: -29.1%

Finding its level.

—–

47 - BIRDS OF PREY
05/2007: Birds of Prey #106 -- 28,363
05/2008: Birds of Prey #118 -- 21,941
05/2010: Birds of Prey #1   -- 50,428 [54,965]
-------------------------------------
05/2011: Birds of Prey #12  -- 29,690 (-  1.9%)
06/2011: Birds of Prey #13  -- 28,992 (-  2.4%)
07/2011: Birds of Prey #14  -- 27,102 (-  6.5%)
08/2011: Birds of Prey #15  -- 26,043 (-  3.9%)
09/2011: Birds of Prey #1   -- 56,073 (+115.3%) [66,423]
10/2011: Birds of Prey #2   -- 53,156 (-  5.2%)
11/2011: Birds of Prey #3   -- 40,891 (- 23.1%)
12/2011: Birds of Prey #4   -- 34,460 (- 15.7%)
01/2012: Birds of Prey #5   -- 31,700 (-  8.0%)
02/2012: Birds of Prey #6   -- 30,376 (-  4.2%)
03/2012: Birds of Prey #7   -- 29,196 (-  3.9%)
04/2012: Birds of Prey #8   -- 28,661 (-  1.8%)
05/2012: Birds of Prey #9   -- 41,521 (+ 44.9%)
-----------------
6 months: +  1.5%
1 year  : + 39.9%
5 years : + 46.4%

More “Court of Owls.”

—–

48 - DIAL H
05/2012: Dial H #1  -- 45,308

A new “New 52” title written by popular sci-fi author China Miéville. Once again, you have to figure in returnability and a 1:25 variant, but the numbers are still solid.

—–

50 - RAVAGERS
05/2012: Ravagers #1  -- 44,230

A Teen Titans spin-off by Howard Mackie and Ian Churchill: “New 52,” returnability, 1:25 variant, yadda. Good numbers, given that the franchise was struggling to hit 25K with its mother title this time last year.

—–

52 - SWAMP THING
09/2011: Swamp Thing #1  -- 54,757          [73,683]
10/2011: Swamp Thing #2  -- 58,634 (+ 7.1%)
11/2011: Swamp Thing #3  -- 52,300 (-10.8%)
12/2011: Swamp Thing #4  -- 44,660 (-14.6%)
01/2012: Swamp Thing #5  -- 43,806 (- 1.9%)
02/2012: Swamp Thing #6  -- 41,235 (- 5.9%)
03/2012: Swamp Thing #7  -- 40,268 (- 2.4%)
04/2012: Swamp Thing #8  -- 39,431 (- 2.1%)
05/2012: Swamp Thing #9  -- 39,385 (- 0.1%)
----------------
6 months: -24.7%

Levelled out, it seems. Let’s hazard a guess and say that this is between three and four times of what the book might be selling right now if it had been launched as a Vertigo title.

—–

34 - RED LANTERNS
09/2011: Red Lanterns #1  -- 73,940          [89,170]
10/2011: Red Lanterns #2  -- 74,163 (+ 0.3%)
11/2011: Red Lanterns #3  -- 60,823 (-18.0%)
12/2011: Red Lanterns #4  -- 50,271 (-17.4%)
01/2012: Red Lanterns #5  -- 46,992 (- 6.5%)
02/2012: Red Lanterns #6  -- 43,450 (- 7.5%)
03/2012: Red Lanterns #7  -- 41,628 (- 4.2%)
04/2012: Red Lanterns #8  -- 40,189 (- 3.5%)
05/2012: Red Lanterns #9  -- 39,215 (- 2.4%)
----------------
6 months: -35.5%

Settling down around 40K. Perfectly good for yet another Green Lantern spin-off.

—–

62 - BATWING
09/2011: Batwing #1  -- 45,980          [53,721]
10/2011: Batwing #2  -- 42,750 (- 7.0%)
11/2011: Batwing #3  -- 35,110 (-17.9%)
12/2011: Batwing #4  -- 26,726 (-23.9%)
01/2012: Batwing #5  -- 24,036 (-10.1%)
02/2012: Batwing #6  -- 21,643 (-10.0%)
03/2012: Batwing #7  -- 21,058 (- 2.7%)
04/2012: Batwing #8  -- 20,373 (- 3.3%)
05/2012: Batwing #9  -- 35,731 (+75.4%)
-----------------
6 months: +  1.8%

That big whopping increase is courtesy of “Court of Owls,” naturally.

—–

63 - ANIMAL MAN
09/2011: Animal Man #1     -- 46,051          [65,229]
10/2011: Animal Man #2     -- 53,432 (+16.0%)
11/2011: Animal Man #3     -- 49,184 (- 8.0%)
12/2011: Animal Man #4     -- 42,630 (-13.3%)
01/2012: Animal Man #5     -- 40,573 (- 4.8%)
02/2012: Animal Man #6     -- 38,504 (- 5.1%)
03/2012: Animal Man #7     -- 36,860 (- 4.3%)
04/2012: Animal Man #8     -- 36,369 (- 1.3%)
05/2012: Animal Man #9     -- 35,699 (- 1.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 27.4%

Standard attrition. See Swamp Thing, basically: At Vertigo, the book might have been somewhere below 10K, at this stage.

—–

65 - SUPERGIRL
05/2007: Supergirl #17 --  50,429
05/2008: Supergirl #29 --  30,192
05/2009: Supergirl #41 --  33,441
05/2010: --
---------------------------------
05/2011: Supergirl #64 --  21,411 (-  0.9%)
06/2011: Supergirl #65 --  20,985 (-  2.0%)
07/2011: Supergirl #66 --  20,001 (-  4.7%)
08/2011: Supergirl #67 --  19,764 (-  1.2%)
09/2011: Supergirl #1  --  60,058 (+203.9%) [74,218]
10/2011: Supergirl #2  --  61,388 (+  2.2%)
11/2011: Supergirl #3  --  50,784 (- 17.3%)
12/2011: Supergirl #4  --  44,180 (- 13.0%)
01/2012: Supergirl #5  --  41,446 (-  6.2%)
02/2012: Supergirl #6  --  38,719 (-  6.6%)
03/2012: Supergirl #7  --  37,041 (-  4.3%)
04/2012: Supergirl #8  --  36,042 (-  2.7%)
05/2012: Supergirl #9  --  35,129 (-  2.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 30.8%
1 year  : + 64.1%
2 years :   n.a.
5 years : - 30.3%

Finding its level.

—–

67 - SUPERBOY
05/2011: Superboy #7  --  24,622 (- 19.3%)
06/2011: Superboy #8  --  23,037 (-  6.4%)
07/2011: Superboy #9  --  22,102 (-  4.1%)
08/2011: Superboy #10 --  20,563 (-  7.0%)
08/2011: Superboy #11 --  20,317 (-  1.2%)
09/2011: Superboy #1  --  55,608 (+173.7%) [69,283]
10/2011: Superboy #2  --  57,424 (+  3.3%)
11/2011: Superboy #3  --  47,442 (- 17.4%)
12/2011: Superboy #4  --  40,002 (- 15.7%)
01/2012: Superboy #5  --  37,419 (-  6.5%)
02/2012: Superboy #6  --  34,520 (-  7.8%)
03/2012: Superboy #7  --  33,050 (-  4.3%)
04/2012: Superboy #8  --  31,900 (-  3.5%)
05/2012: Superboy #9  --  34,838 (+  9.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 26.6%
1 year  : + 41.5%

Part of the “Culling” crossover.

—–

68 - JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK
09/2011: Justice League Dark #1   -- 69,840          [81,955]
10/2011: Justice League Dark #2   -- 63,392 (- 9.2%)
11/2011: Justice League Dark #3   -- 51,674 (-18.5%)
12/2011: Justice League Dark #4   -- 44,750 (-13.4%)
01/2012: Justice League Dark #5   -- 40,996 (- 8.4%)
02/2012: Justice League Dark #6   -- 38,360 (- 6.4%)
03/2012: Justice League Dark #7   -- 36,089 (- 5.9%)
04/2012: Justice League Dark #8   -- 35,022 (- 3.0%)
05/2012: Justice League Dark #9   -- 34,649 (- 1.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 33.0%

Levelled out, evidently. It doesn’t look like the arrival of new writer Jeff Lemire is affecting sales much.

—–

71 - SUICIDE SQUAD
09/2011: Suicide Squad #1       -- 49,979          [61,815]
10/2011: Suicide Squad #2       -- 49,570 (- 0.8%)
11/2011: Suicide Squad #3       -- 40,827 (-17.6%)
12/2011: Suicide Squad #4       -- 34,550 (-15.4%)
01/2012: Suicide Squad #5       -- 32,726 (- 5.3%)
02/2012: Suicide Squad #6       -- 30,834 (- 5.8%)
03/2012: Suicide Squad #7       -- 32,908 (+ 6.7%)
04/2012: Suicide Squad #8       -- 32,789 (- 0.4%)
05/2012: Suicide Squad #9       -- 32,581 (- 0.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 20.2%

Holding level, presumably because of a crossover with Resurrection Man.

—–

72 - JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL
09/2011: Justice League International #1  -- 67,866          [78,869]
10/2011: Justice League International #2  -- 66,100 (- 2.6%)
11/2011: Justice League International #3  -- 54,413 (-17.7%)
12/2011: Justice League International #4  -- 44,062 (-19.0%)
01/2012: Justice League International #5  -- 41,147 (- 6.6%)
02/2012: Justice League International #6  -- 37,534 (- 8.8%)
03/2012: Justice League International #7  -- 35,274 (- 6.0%)
04/2012: Justice League International #8  -- 33,773 (- 4.3%)
05/2012: Justice League International #9  -- 32,558 (- 3.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 40.2%

Cancelled with issue #12. It’s unlikely that the decision is based on sales alone, though.

—–

75 - ANIMAL MAN ANNUAL
04/2012: Animal Man Annual #1  -- 31,710

A good number, not far below the monthly title. Letting the regular writers handle these books seems to be helping.

—–

77 - ALL STAR WESTERN
05/2007: Jonah Hex #19 -- 16,473
05/2008: Jonah Hex #31 -- 13,140
05/2009: Jonah Hex #43 -- 11,606
05/2010: Jonah Hex #55 -- 11,327
--------------------------------
05/2011: Jonah Hex #67 -- 10,288 (-  0.5%)
06/2011: Jonah Hex #68 -- 10,224 (-  0.6%)
07/2011: Jonah Hex #69 -- 10,521 (+  2.9%)
08/2011: Jonah Hex #70 -- 10,369 (-  1.5%)
09/2011: ASW #1        -- 43,681 (+321.3%) [54,992]
10/2011: ASW #2        -- 39,857 (-  8.8%)
11/2011: ASW #3        -- 32,776 (- 17.8%)
12/2011: ASW #4        -- 29,349 (- 10.5%)
01/2012: ASW #5        -- 27,206 (-  7.3%)
02/2012: ASW #6        -- 26,170 (-  3.8%)
03/2012: ASW #7        -- 25,349 (-  3.1%)
04/2012: ASW #8        -- 25,040 (-  1.2%)
05/2012: ASW #9        -- 31,413 (+ 25.5%)
-----------------
6 months: -  4.2%
1 year  : +205.3%
2 years : +177.3%
5 years : + 90.7%

A “Court of Owls” tie-in. The book has been doing very well regardless, though.

—–

83 - G.I. COMBAT
04/2012: G.I. Combat #1  -- 33,740

Replacing Men of War as the resident war-with-other-genres-on-top DC Universe title. The issue is returnable and comes with a 1:25 variant, so let’s wait and see where the numbers end up in a few months. For now, sales look all right.

—–

96 - SMALLVILLE SEASON 11
04/2012: Smallville S11 #1  -- 27,004

A new title that continues the story of the TV show, modelled after the recent Buffy comics over at Dark Horse. Sales seem okay for this type of book.

—–

98 - GREEN ARROW
05/2007: Green Arrow #74  -- 30,751
05/2008: Arrow/Canary #8  -- 30,864
05/2009: Arrow/Canary #20 -- 21,445
-----------------------------------
05/2011: Green Arrow #12  -- 31,742 (-  2.8%)
06/2011: Green Arrow #13  -- 27,552 (- 13.2%)
07/2011: Green Arrow #14  -- 25,568 (-  7.2%)
08/2011: Green Arrow #15  -- 23,883 (-  6.6%)
09/2011: Green Arrow #1   -- 61,680 (+158.3%) [72,359]
10/2011: Green Arrow #2   -- 58,708 (-  4.8%)
11/2011: Green Arrow #3   -- 46,899 (- 20.1%)
12/2011: Green Arrow #4   -- 37,116 (- 20.9%)
01/2012: Green Arrow #5   -- 33,593 (-  9.5%)
02/2012: Green Arrow #6   -- 30,097 (- 10.4%)
03/2012: Green Arrow #7   -- 29,004 (-  3.6%)
04/2012: Green Arrow #8   -- 27,433 (-  5.4%)
05/2012: Green Arrow #9   -- 26,966 (-  1.7%)
-----------------
6 months: - 42.5%
1 year  : - 15.1%
2 years : + 25.8%
5 years : - 12.3%

Levelling out.

—–

100 - BATMAN: ARKHAM UNHINGED
04/2012: Arkham Unhinged #1 -- 31,170
05/2012: Arkham Unhinged #2 -- 25,215 (-19.1%)

Repackaged digital material tying in with a video game. Good numbers for this type of thing.

—–

104 - BATMAN BEYOND UNLIMITED
05/2011: Batman Beyond #5      -- 25,413 (- 4.9%)
06/2011: Batman Beyond #6      -- 24,524 (- 3.5%)
07/2011: Batman Beyond #7      -- 22,945 (- 6.4%)
08/2011: Batman Beyond #8      -- 21,838 (- 4.8%)
----------------------------------------
02/2012: Unlimited #1          -- 26,589 (+21.8%) [30,683]
03/2012: Unlimited #2          -- 23,570 (-11.4%)
04/2012: Unlimited #3          -- 24,196 (+ 2.7%)
05/2012: Unlimited #4          -- 24,356 (+ 0.7%)
----------------
1 year  : - 4.2%

People seem to like this. An unexpected minor hit, it appears.

—–

108 - LEGION LOST
09/2011: Legion Lost #1  -- 46,362          [54,588]
10/2011: Legion Lost #2  -- 42,650 (- 8.0%)
11/2011: Legion Lost #3  -- 31,226 (-26.8%)
12/2011: Legion Lost #4  -- 24,020 (-23.1%)
01/2012: Legion Lost #5  -- 21,549 (-10.3%)
02/2012: Legion Lost #6  -- 19,447 (- 9.8%)
03/2012: Legion Lost #7  -- 18,214 (- 6.3%)
04/2012: Legion Lost #8  -- 17,984 (- 1.3%)
05/2012: Legion Lost #9  -- 23,794 (+32.3%)
----------------
6 months: -23.8%

That’s a relatively big boost, thanks to the “Culling” crossover.

—–

115 - STORMWATCH
05/2008: Stormwatch: PHD #7   -- 12,812
05/2009: Stormwatch: PHD #21  --  5,370
---------------------------------------
09/2011: Stormwatch #1        -- 46,397          [57,287]
10/2011: Stormwatch #2        -- 47,520 (+ 2.4%)
11/2011: Stormwatch #3        -- 39,262 (-17.4%)
12/2011: Stormwatch #4        -- 30,987 (-21.1%)
01/2012: Stormwatch #5        -- 29,112 (- 6.1%)
02/2012: Stormwatch #6        -- 26,076 (-10.4%)
03/2012: Stormwatch #7        -- 24,384 (- 6.5%)
04/2012: Stormwatch #8        -- 23,212 (- 4.8%)
05/2012: Stormwatch #9        -- 22,448 (- 3.3%)
-----------------
6 months: - 42.8%

Finding its level very slowly.

—–

116 - FAIREST (Vertigo)
03/2012: Fairest #1  -- 31,769
04/2012: Fairest #2  -- 22,997 (-27.6%)
05/2012: Fairest #3  -- 22,329 (- 2.9%)

This one’s levelling out very quickly after the steep initial drop, on the other hand. On the downside, Fables writer Bill Willingham and popular artist Phil Jimenez will only stick around for the first arc, so sales are unlikely to stay this high.

—–

122 - DEATHSTROKE
09/2011: Deathstroke #1  -- 47,028          [56,820]
10/2011: Deathstroke #2  -- 44,647 (- 5.1%)
11/2011: Deathstroke #3  -- 33,754 (-24.4%)
12/2011: Deathstroke #4  -- 26,367 (-21.9%)
01/2012: Deathstroke #5  -- 23,872 (- 9.5%)
02/2012: Deathstroke #6  -- 21,306 (-10.8%)
03/2012: Deathstroke #7  -- 19,744 (- 7.3%)
04/2012: Deathstroke #8  -- 18,834 (- 4.6%)
05/2012: Deathstroke #9  -- 20,878 (+10.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 38.2%

Rob Liefeld takes over as the new writer and artist, hence the slight increase.

—–

123 - THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
05/2007: Supergirl & LoSH #30 -- 30,767
05/2008: LoSH #42             -- 27,940
05/2010: LoSH #1              -- 44,415 [50,106]
---------------------------------------
05/2011: LoSH #13             -- 23,105 (-  1.3%)
06/2011: LoSH #14             -- 22,600 (-  2.2%)
07/2011: LoSH #15             -- 21,788 (-  3.6%)
08/2011: LoSH #16             -- 21,373 (-  1.9%)
09/2011: LoSH #1              -- 50,402 (+135.8%) [58,325]
10/2011: LoSH #2              -- 47,227 (-  6.3%)
11/2011: LoSH #3              -- 34,979 (- 25.9%)
12/2011: LoSH #4              -- 27,832 (- 20.4%)
01/2012: LoSH #5              -- 25,624 (-  7.9%)
02/2012: LoSH #6              -- 23,428 (-  8.6%)
03/2012: LoSH #7              -- 21,894 (-  6.6%)
04/2012: LoSH #8              -- 21,457 (-  2.0%)
05/2012: LoSH #9              -- 20,854 (-  2.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 40.4%
1 year  : -  9.7%
5 years : - 32.2%

Slowly drifting downward.

—–

126 - DEMON KNIGHTS
09/2011: Demon Knights #1  -- 41,602          [52,329]
10/2011: Demon Knights #2  -- 42,230 (+ 1.5%)
11/2011: Demon Knights #3  -- 34,681 (-17.9%)
12/2011: Demon Knights #4  -- 28,109 (-19.0%)
01/2012: Demon Knights #5  -- 25,823 (- 8.1%)
02/2012: Demon Knights #6  -- 23,476 (- 9.1%)
03/2012: Demon Knights #7  -- 22,000 (- 6.3%)
04/2012: Demon Knights #8  -- 21,124 (- 4.0%)
05/2012: Demon Knights #9  -- 20,196 (- 4.4%)
----------------
6 months: -41.8%

Not so slowly drifting downward.

—–

135 - RESURRECTION MAN
09/2011: Resurrection Man #1  -- 41,740          [50,230]
10/2011: Resurrection Man #2  -- 38,560 (- 7.6%)
11/2011: Resurrection Man #3  -- 29,480 (-23.6%)
12/2011: Resurrection Man #4  -- 23,060 (-21.8%)
01/2012: Resurrection Man #5  -- 20,750 (-10.0%)
02/2012: Resurrection Man #6  -- 18,569 (-10.5%)
03/2012: Resurrection Man #7  -- 17,176 (- 7.5%)
04/2012: Resurrection Man #8  -- 16,664 (- 3.0%)
05/2012: Resurrection Man #9  -- 18,018 (+ 8.1%)
----------------
6 months: -38.9%

A slight increase, due to a crossover with Suicide Squad.

Still, the book is axed with September’s issue #0, oddly enough. You’d think the point of doing “#0” issues was to provide jumping-on points, but apparently not.

—–

138 - THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN
09/2011: Savage Hawkman #1  -- 55,954          [63,959]
10/2011: Savage Hawkman #2  -- 47,763 (-14.6%)
11/2011: Savage Hawkman #3  -- 35,177 (-26.4%)
12/2011: Savage Hawkman #4  -- 28,263 (-19.7%)
01/2012: Savage Hawkman #5  -- 23,967 (-15.2%)
02/2012: Savage Hawkman #6  -- 21,316 (-11.1%)
03/2012: Savage Hawkman #7  -- 19,433 (- 8.8%)
04/2012: Savage Hawkman #8  -- 18,300 (- 5.8%)
05/2012: Savage Hawkman #9  -- 17,626 (- 3.7%)
----------------
6 months: -49.9%

Sales remain unaffected as a new creative team, led by plotter Rob Liefeld, takes over.

—–

139 - FABLES (Vertigo)
05/2007: Fables #61  -- 26,056
05/2008: Fables #73  -- 23,785
05/2009: Fables #84  -- 23,634
05/2010: Fables #95  -- 19,932
------------------------------
05/2011: Fables #105 -- 18,749 (- 0.3%)
06/2011: Fables #106 -- 18,505 (- 1.3%)
07/2011: Fables #107 -- 18,523 (+ 0.1%)
08/2011: Fables #108 -- 18,390 (- 0.7%)
09/2011: Fables #109 -- 18,072 (- 1.7%)
10/2011: Fables #110 -- 18,109 (+ 0.2%)
11/2011: Fables #111 -- 17,687 (- 2.3%)
12/2011: Fables #112 -- 17,602 (- 0.5%)
01/2012: Fables #113 -- 17,588 (- 0.1%)
02/2012: Fables #114 -- 17,374 (- 1.2%)
03/2012: Fables #115 -- 17,384 (+ 0.1%)
04/2012: Fables #116 -- 17,543 (+ 0.9%)
05/2012: Fables #117 -- 17,484 (- 0.3%)
----------------
6 months: - 1.2%
1 year  : - 6.8%
2 years : -12.3%
5 years : -32.9%

Rock-solid figures.

—–

141 - FRANKENSTEIN: AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E.
09/2011: Frankenstein #1          -- 41,551          [50,817]
10/2011: Frankenstein #2          -- 40,423 (- 2.7%)
11/2011: Frankenstein #3          -- 31,869 (-21.2%)
12/2011: Frankenstein #4          -- 24,812 (-22.1%)
01/2012: Frankenstein #5          -- 22,737 (- 8.4%)
02/2012: Frankenstein #6          -- 20,463 (-10.0%)
03/2012: Frankenstein #7          -- 18,891 (- 7.7%)
04/2012: Frankenstein #8          -- 17,953 (- 5.0%)
05/2012: Frankenstein #9          -- 17,266 (- 3.8%)
----------------
6 months: -45.8%

Slowly finding its level.

—–

142 - THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN
09/2011: Firestorm #1  -- 51,537          [62,076]
10/2011: Firestorm #2  -- 43,990 (-14.6%)
11/2011: Firestorm #3  -- 31,654 (-28.0%)
12/2011: Firestorm #4  -- 25,610 (-19.1%)
01/2012: Firestorm #5  -- 21,329 (-16.7%)
02/2012: Firestorm #6  -- 19,162 (-10.2%)
03/2012: Firestorm #7  -- 17,786 (- 7.2%)
04/2012: Firestorm #8  -- 17,076 (- 4.0%)
05/2012: Firestorm #9  -- 17,240 (+ 1.0%)
----------------
6 months: -45.5%

A crossover with Justice League International is responsible for the slight increase.

—–

144 - I, VAMPIRE
09/2011: I, Vampire #1  -- 39,683          [46,993]
10/2011: I, Vampire #2  -- 34,599 (-12.8%)
11/2011: I, Vampire #3  -- 26,070 (-24.7%)
12/2011: I, Vampire #4  -- 21,601 (-17.1%)
01/2012: I, Vampire #5  -- 18,816 (-12.9%)
02/2012: I, Vampire #6  -- 18,153 (- 3.5%)
03/2012: I, Vampire #7  -- 18,440 (+ 1.6%)
04/2012: I, Vampire #8  -- 18,717 (+ 1.5%)
05/2012: I, Vampire #9  -- 17,175 (- 8.2%)
----------------
6 months: -34.1%

The storyline guest-starring Justice League Dark is over, so sales duly return to their old level.

—–

145 - BLUE BEETLE
05/2007: Blue Beetle #15 -- 16,906
05/2008: Blue Beetle #27 -- 13,802
----------------------------------
09/2011: Blue Beetle #1  -- 44,448          [52,288]
10/2011: Blue Beetle #2  -- 39,396 (-11.4%)
11/2011: Blue Beetle #3  -- 27,612 (-29.9%)
12/2011: Blue Beetle #4  -- 21,408 (-22.5%)
01/2012: Blue Beetle #5  -- 19,042 (-11.1%)
02/2012: Blue Beetle #6  -- 17,034 (-10.6%)
03/2012: Blue Beetle #7  -- 15,780 (- 7.4%)
04/2012: Blue Beetle #8  -- 15,180 (- 3.8%)
05/2012: Blue Beetle #9  -- 16,607 (+ 9.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 39.9%
5 years : -  1.8%

Crossover with Green Lantern: New Guardians.

—–

150 - DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS
09/2011: DCU Presents #1  -- 45,701          [53,103]
10/2011: DCU Presents #2  -- 41,584 (- 9.0%)
11/2011: DCU Presents #3  -- 31,019 (-25.4%)
12/2011: DCU Presents #4  -- 24,398 (-21.4%)
01/2012: DCU Presents #5  -- 22,048 (- 9.6%)
02/2012: DCU Presents #6  -- 20,188 (- 8.4%)
03/2012: DCU Presents #7  -- 17,830 (-11.7%)
04/2012: DCU Presents #8  -- 16,566 (- 7.1%)
05/2012: DCU Presents #9  -- 15,776 (- 4.8%)
----------------
6 months: -49.1%

A new arc by James Robinson and Bernard Chang doesn’t do much to the book’s sales.

—–

154 - GRIFTER
09/2011: Grifter #1  -- 41,222          [50,959]
10/2011: Grifter #2  -- 39,900 (- 3.2%)
11/2011: Grifter #3  -- 29,802 (-25.3%)
12/2011: Grifter #4  -- 22,486 (-24.6%)
01/2012: Grifter #5  -- 20,060 (-10.8%)
02/2012: Grifter #6  -- 18,057 (-10.0%)
03/2012: Grifter #7  -- 16,559 (- 8.3%)
04/2012: Grifter #8  -- 15,686 (- 5.3%)
05/2012: Grifter #9  -- 15,228 (- 2.9%)
----------------
6 months: -48.9%

Rob Liefeld arrives as the new plotmaster, while sales keep finding their level. Grifter is now the lowest-selling “New 52” title that hasn’t been cancelled yet.

—–

156 - THE SHADE
10/2011: Shade #1  of 12 -- 30,648
11/2011: Shade #2  of 12 -- 21,431 (-30.1%)
12/2011: Shade #3  of 12 -- 18,922 (-11.7%)
01/2012: Shade #4  of 12 -- 17,512 (- 7.5%)
02/2012: Shade #5  of 12 -- 16,255 (- 7.2%)
03/2012: Shade #6  of 12 -- 16,005 (- 1.5%)
04/2012: Shade #7  of 12 -- 15,499 (- 3.2%)
05/2012: Shade #8  of 12 -- 15,051 (- 2.9%)
----------------
6 months: -29.8%

Slowly drifting down the charts.

—–

161 - AMERICAN VAMPIRE (Vertigo)
05/2010: American Vampire #3  -- 26,510
---------------------------------------
05/2011: American Vampire #15 -- 15,876 (- 1.8%)
06/2011: American Vampire #16 -- 15,705 (- 1.1%)
07/2011: American Vampire #17 -- 15,565 (- 0.9%)
08/2011: American Vampire #18 -- 15,423 (- 0.9%)
09/2011: American Vampire #19 -- 15,288 (- 0.9%)
10/2011: --
11/2011: American Vampire #20 -- 15,685 (+ 2.6%)
12/2011: American Vampire #21 -- 15,026 (- 4.2%)
12/2011: American Vampire #22 -- 14,759 (- 1.8%)
01/2012: American Vampire #23 -- 14,240 (- 3.5%)
02/2012: American Vampire #24 -- 14,278 (+ 0.3%)
03/2012: American Vampire #25 -- 14,598 (+ 2.2%)
04/2012: American Vampire #26 -- 14,493 (- 0.7%)
05/2012: American Vampire #27 -- 14,420 (- 0.5%)
----------------
6 months: - 8.1%
1 year  : - 9.2%
2 years : -45.6%

Perfectly solid sales, all told.

—–

164 - VOODOO
09/2011: Voodoo #1  -- 40,301          [47,112]
10/2011: Voodoo #2  -- 34,690 (-13.9%)
11/2011: Voodoo #3  -- 25,067 (-27.7%)
12/2011: Voodoo #4  -- 20,703 (-17.4%)
01/2012: Voodoo #5  -- 17,683 (-14.6%)
02/2012: Voodoo #6  -- 16,422 (- 7.1%)
02/2012: Voodoo #7  -- 15,097 (- 8.1%)
03/2012: Voodoo #8  -- 14,589 (- 3.4%)
04/2012: Voodoo #9  -- 13,762 (- 5.7%)
----------------
6 months: -45.1%

Cancelled in September, with issue #0.

—–

166 - SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES (Johnny DC)
05/2012: Superman Family Adventures #1  -- 13,303

A new Johnny DC title. See fine print.

—–

172 - CAPTAIN ATOM
09/2011: Captain Atom #1  -- 44,110          [51,314]
10/2011: Captain Atom #2  -- 38,309 (-13.2%)
11/2011: Captain Atom #3  -- 26,829 (-30.0%)
12/2011: Captain Atom #4  -- 19,908 (-25.8%)
01/2012: Captain Atom #5  -- 17,437 (-12.4%)
02/2012: Captain Atom #6  -- 15,220 (-12.7%)
03/2012: Captain Atom #7  -- 13,738 (- 9.7%)
04/2012: Captain Atom #8  -- 13,001 (- 5.4%)
05/2012: Captain Atom #9  -- 12,264 (- 5.7%)
----------------
6 months: -54.3%

Cancelled with issue #0 in September. The writing was on the wall. The writing was also in the sky, in huge, fiery letters that made people reconsider their religious affiliations as we were waiting for DC Comics to make the announcement.

—–

180 - MYSTERY IN SPACE (Vertigo)
05/2011: Strange Adventures #1  --  9,999
10/2011: The Unexpected #1      -- 10,416
-----------------------------------------
05/2012: Mystery in Space #1    -- 11,184

Sales of these $7.99 anthologies keep increasing, so far.

—–

186 - SAUCER COUNTRY (Vertigo)
03/2012: Saucer Country #1  -- 15,684
04/2012: Saucer Country #2  -- 11,263 (-28.2%)
05/2012: Saucer Country #3  -- 10,656 (- 5.4%)

Levelling out quickly, at least.

—–

193 - GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES (Johnny DC)
11/2011: GL: TAS #0 -- 13,569
-----------------------------
04/2012: GL: TAS #1 -- 12,791
05/2012: GL: TAS #2 --  9,615 (-24.8%)
----------------
6 months: -29.1%

A new Johnny DC title. See fine print below.

—–

194 - THE NEW DEADWARDIANS (Vertigo)
03/2012: New Deadwardians #1 of 8 -- 14,530
04/2012: New Deadwardians #2 of 8 -- 10,229 (-29.6%)
05/2012: New Deadwardians #3 of 8 --  9,594 (- 6.2%)

Another Vertigo book finding its level quickly after a harsh second-issue drop.

—–

195 - THE UNWRITTEN (Vertigo)
05/2009: The Unwritten #1  -- 26,915 [31,081]
05/2010: The Unwritten #13 -- 13,467
------------------------------------
05/2011: The Unwritten #25 -- 11,137 (+ 1.0%)
06/2011: The Unwritten #26 -- 10,979 (- 1.4%)
07/2011: The Unwritten #27 -- 10,787 (- 1.8%)
08/2011: The Unwritten #28 -- 10,731 (- 0.5%)
09/2011: The Unwritten #29 -- 10,511 (- 2.1%)
10/2011: The Unwritten #30 -- 10,481 (- 0.3%)
11/2011: The Unwritten #31 -- 10,434 (- 0.5%)
11/2011: The Unwritten #.5 -- 10,183 (- 2.4%)
12/2011: The Unwritten #32 -- 10,073 (- 1.1%)
12/2011: The Unwritten #.5 --  9,759 (- 3.1%)
01/2012: The Unwritten #33 --  9,888 (+ 1.3%)
01/2012: The Unwritten #.5 --  9,483 (- 4.1%)
02/2012: The Unwritten #34 --  9,789 (+ 3.2%)
02/2012: The Unwritten #.5 --  9,595 (- 2.0%)
03/2012: The Unwritten #35 --  9,675 (+ 0.8%)
03/2012: The Unwritten #.5 --  9,529 (- 1.5%)
04/2012: The Unwritten #36 --  9,678 (+ 1.6%)
05/2012: The Unwritten #37 --  9,549 (- 1.3%)
----------------
6 months: - 7.4%
1 year  : -14.3%
2 years : -29.1%

Relatively solid figures.

—–

198 - HELLBLAZER (Vertigo)
05/2007: Hellblazer #232 -- 13,164
05/2008: Hellblazer #244 -- 11,826
05/2009: Hellblazer #255 -- 10,937
05/2010: Hellblazer #267 -- 10,155
----------------------------------
05/2011: Hellblazer #279 --  9,454 (+0.4%)
06/2011: Hellblazer #280 --  9,329 (-1.3%)
07/2011: Hellblazer #281 --  9,225 (-1.1%)
08/2011: Hellblazer #282 --  9,372 (+1.5%)
09/2011: Hellblazer #283 --  9,597 (+2.4%)
10/2011: Hellblazer #284 --  9,608 (+0.1%)
11/2011: Hellblazer #285 --  9,500 (-1.1%)
12/2011: Hellblazer #286 --  9,404 (-1.0%)
01/2012: Hellblazer #287 --  9,368 (-0.4%)
02/2012: Hellblazer #288 --  9,553 (+2.0%)
03/2012: Hellblazer #289 --  9,363 (-2.0%)
09/2012: Hellblazer #290 --  9,472 (+1.2%)
10/2012: Hellblazer #291 --  9,426 (-0.5%)
----------------
6 months: - 0.8%
1 year  : - 0.3%
2 years : - 7.2%
5 years : -28.4%

Steady sales. This is now the lowest-selling ongoing Vertigo title that isn’t officially ending yet. Sales aren’t entirely terrible by Vertigo standards, but I’m half expecting Hellblazer to be relaunched as a “New 52” book after issue #200. Animal Man and Swamp Thing have shown that it might work, and the title character is already starring in Justice League Dark.

I mean, this isn’t the WildStorm Universe, you know.

—–

221 - NIGHT FORCE
03/2012: Night Force #1 of 6 -- 13,174
04/2012: Night Force #2 of 6 --  9,698 (-26.4%)
05/2012: Night Force #3 of 6 --  8,458 (-12.8%)

Terrible figures.

—–

226 - I, ZOMBIE (Vertigo)
05/2010: I, Zombie #1  -- 33,025
--------------------------------
05/2011: I, Zombie #13 -- 10,567 (- 1.5%)
06/2011: I, Zombie #14 -- 10,320 (- 2.3%)
07/2011: I, Zombie #15 -- 10,006 (- 3.0%)
08/2011: I, Zombie #16 --  9,568 (- 4.4%)
09/2011: I, Zombie #17 --  9,316 (- 2.6%)
10/2011: I, Zombie #18 --  9,237 (- 0.9%)
11/2011: I, Zombie #19 --  8,999 (- 2.6%)
12/2011: I, Zombie #20 --  8,805 (- 2.2%)
01/2012: I, Zombie #21 --  8,514 (- 3.3%)
02/2012: I, Zombie #22 --  8,344 (- 2.0%)
03/2012: I, Zombie #23 --  8,219 (- 1.5%)
04/2012: I, Zombie #24 --  8,032 (- 2.3%)
05/2012: I, Zombie #25 --  7,974 (- 0.7%)
----------------
6 months: -11.4%
1 year  : -24.5%

Cancelled with issue #28.

—–

231 - SWEET TOOTH (Vertigo)
05/2010: Sweet Tooth #9  --  9,654
----------------------------------
05/2011: Sweet Tooth #21 --  8,360 (- 0.0%)
06/2011: Sweet Tooth #22 --  8,252 (- 1.3%)
07/2011: Sweet Tooth #23 --  8,018 (- 2.8%)
08/2011: Sweet Tooth #24 --  7,948 (- 0.9%)
09/2011: Sweet Tooth #25 --  7,896 (- 0.7%)
10/2011: Sweet Tooth #26 --  7,963 (+ 0.9%)
11/2011: Sweet Tooth #27 --  7,923 (- 0.5%)
12/2011: Sweet Tooth #28 --  7,699 (- 2.8%)
01/2012: Sweet Tooth #29 --  8,128 (+ 5.6%)
02/2012: Sweet Tooth #30 --  7,584 (- 6.7%)
03/2012: Sweet Tooth #31 --  7,541 (- 0.6%)
04/2012: Sweet Tooth #32 --  7,534 (- 0.1%)
05/2012: Sweet Tooth #33 --  7,631 (+ 1.3%)
----------------
6 months: - 3.7%
1 year  : - 8.7%
2 years : -21.0%

Ending with issue #40.

—–

239 - YOUNG JUSTICE (Johnny DC)
05/2011: Young Justice #4  --  9,729 (+ 3.4%)
06/2011: Young Justice #5  --  8,988 (- 7.6%)
07/2011: Young Justice #6  --  8,642 (- 3.9%)
08/2011: Young Justice #7  --  8,062 (- 6.7%)
09/2011: Young Justice #8  --  7,930 (- 1.6%)
10/2011: Young Justice #9  --  7,737 (- 2.4%)
11/2011: Young Justice #10 --  7,650 (- 1.1%)
12/2011: Young Justice #11 --  7,221 (- 5.6%)
01/2012: Young Justice #12 --  7,288 (+ 0.9%)
02/2012: Young Justice #13 --  7,237 (- 0.7%)
03/2012: Young Justice #14 --  7,241 (+ 0.1%)
04/2012: Young Justice #15 --  7,273 (+ 0.4%)
05/2012: Young Justice #16 --  7,466 (+ 2.7%)
----------------
6 months: - 2.4%
1 year  : -23.3%

Another Johnny DC book.

—–

249 - DOMINIQUE LAVEAU: VOODOO CHILD (Vertigo)
03/2012: Dominique Laveau #1  -- 12,800
04/2012: Dominique Laveau #2  --  8,302 (-35.1%)
05/2012: Dominique Laveau #3  --  6,873 (-17.2%)

Cancelled with issue #7, and it’s not hard to see why. The question is where Vertigo will go from here. Plainly, this is what they get with new titles by unknown creators — and it’s not like established creators like Paul Cornell, Mike Carey or Brian Azzarello are doing much better.

—–

268 - SCALPED (Vertigo)
05/2007: Scalped #5  --  9,022
05/2008: Scalped #17 --  6,927
05/2009: --
05/2010: Scalped #38 --  6,632
------------------------------
05/2011: --
06/2011: Scalped #49 --  6,333 (+ 1.0%)
06/2011: Scalped #50 --  6,471 (+ 2.2%)
07/2011: --
08/2011: Scalped #51 --  6,409 (- 1.0%)
09/2011: Scalped #52 --  6,270 (- 2.2%)
10/2011: Scalped #53 --  6,203 (- 1.1%)
11/2011: Scalped #54 --  6,157 (- 0.7%)
12/2011: --
01/2012: Scalped #55 --  6,083 (- 1.2%)
02/2012: Scalped #56 --  5,999 (- 1.4%)
03/2012: Scalped #57 --  6,007 (+ 0.1%)
04/2011: --
05/2012: Scalped #58 --  6,098 (+ 1.5%)
----------------
6 months: - 1.0%
1 year  :  n.a.
2 years : - 8.1%
5 years : -32.4%

Ending with issue #60.

—–

289 - SCOOBY DOO: WHERE ARE YOU? (Johnny DC)
05/2007: Scooby Doo #120 -- 4,343
05/2008: Scooby Doo #132 -- 4,309
05/2009: Scooby Doo #144 -- 4,062
05/2010: Scooby Doo #156 -- 3,857
---------------------------------
05/2011: SD:WAY? #9      -- 4,838 (+ 5.2%)
06/2011: SD:WAY? #10     -- 4,774 (- 1.3%)
07/2011: SD:WAY? #11     -- 4,791 (+ 0.4%)
08/2011: SD:WAY? #12     -- 4,686 (- 2.2%)
09/2011: SD:WAY? #13     -- 4,701 (+ 0.3%)
10/2011: SD:WAY? #14     -- ?
11/2011: SD:WAY? #15     -- 4,701
12/2011: SD:WAY? #16     -- 4,627 (- 1.6%)
01/2012: SD:WAY? #17     -- 4,533 (- 2.0%)
02/2012: SD:WAY? #18     -- 4,655 (+ 2.7%)
03/2012: SD:WAY? #19     -- 4,677 (+ 0.5%)
04/2012: SD:WAY? #20     -- 4,752 (+ 1.6%)
05/2012: SD:WAY? #21     -- 5,269 (+10.9%)
----------------
6 months: +12.1%
1 year  : + 8.9%
2 years : +36.6%
5 years : +21.3%

Another Johnny DC book.

—–

REORDERS:
191: 9,648 -- Nightwing #8
282: 5,616 -- Batman #8

—–

6-MONTH COMPARISONS
+ 12.1%: Scooby-Doo
+  8.1%: Red Hood
+  1.8%: Batwing
+  1.5%: Birds of Prey
-  0.8%: Hellblazer
-  1.0%: Scalped
-  1.2%: Fables
-  2.4%: Young Justice
-  3.7%: Sweet Tooth
-  4.2%: All Star Western
-  4.2%: Nightwing
-  4.7%: Catwoman
-  5.7%: Dark Knight
-  7.4%: Unwritten
-  8.1%: American Vampire
- 10.9%: Batman
- 11.4%: I, Zombie
- 12.0%: Batman and Robin
- 12.5%: Aquaman
- 13.7%: Detective Comics
- 16.1%: Batgirl
- 17.3%: Teen Titans
- 20.2%: Suicide Squad
- 22.1%: JLA
- 22.7%: New Guardians
- 23.8%: Legion Lost
- 24.7%: Swamp Thing
- 25.7%: Wonder Woman
- 26.6%: Superboy
- 27.4%: Animal Man
- 28.0%: Superman
- 28.6%: Green Lantern
- 29.1%: Batwoman
- 29.1%: GL: TAS
- 29.1%: GL Corps
- 29.8%: Shade
- 30.5%: Flash
- 30.8%: Supergirl
- 33.0%: JLD
- 34.1%: I, Vampire
- 34.2%: Action Comics
- 35.5%: Red Lanterns
- 38.2%: Deathstroke
- 38.9%: Resurrection Man
- 39.9%: Blue Beetle
- 40.2%: JLI
- 40.6%: LoSH
- 41.8%: Demon Knights
- 42.5%: Green Arrow
- 42.8%: Stormwatch
- 45.1%: Voodoo
- 45.5%: Firestorm
- 45.8%: Frankenstein
- 48.9%: Grifter
- 49.1%: DCU Presents
- 49.9%: Hawkman
- 54.3%: Captain Atom

—–

1-YEAR COMPARISONS
+205.3%: All Star Western
+181.1%: JLA
+144.4%: Batman
+144.2%: Batgirl
+142.4%: Detective Comics
+103.2%: Teen Titans
+101.2%: Action Comics
+ 64.1%: Supergirl
+ 61.8%: Superman
+ 59.5%: Batman Inc.
+ 41.5%: Superboy
+ 39.9%: Birds of Prey
+ 32.1%: Batman and Robin
+ 16.2%: Green Lantern
+ 14.4%: Flash
+  8.9%: Scooby-Doo
-  0.3%: Hellblazer
-  4.2%: BB Unlimited
-  6.8%: Fables
-  8.7%: Sweet Tooth
-  9.2%: American Vampire
-  9.7%: LoSH
- 12.7%: New Guardians
- 14.3%: Unwritten
- 15.1%: Green Arrow
- 23.3%: Young Justice
- 24.0%: GL Corps
- 24.5%: I, Zombie

—–

2-YEAR COMPARISONS
+177.3%: All Star Western
+115.8%: Batman
+113.4%: Detective Comics
+110.3%: JLA
+105.0%: Batgirl
+101.4%: Teen Titans
+ 91.6%: Wonder Woman
+ 36.6%: Scooby-Doo
+ 25.8%: Green Arrow
-  0.8%: Green Lantern
-  7.2%: Hellblazer
-  8.1%: Scalped
- 10.5%: Batman and Robin
- 12.3%: Fables
- 18.0%: Flash
- 21.0%: Sweet Tooth
- 29.1%: Unwritten
- 32.7%: GL Corps
- 45.6%: American Vampire

—–

5-YEAR COMPARISONS
+149.6%: Catwoman
+ 99.3%: Nightwing
+ 90.7%: All Star Western
+ 85.6%: Detective Comics
+ 68.0%: Batman
+ 61.8%: Action Comics
+ 46.4%: Birds of Prey
+ 42.5%: Green Lantern
+ 39.3%: GL Corps
+ 31.4%: Flash
+ 21.3%: Scooby-Doo
+ 12.7%: Superman
+  1.6%: JLA
-  1.8%: Blue Beetle
- 12.3%: Green Arrow
- 16.8%: Wonder Woman
- 19.7%: Teen Titans
- 28.4%: Hellblazer
- 30.3%: Supergirl
- 32.2%: LoSH
- 32.4%: Scalped
- 32.9%: Frankenstein

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

DC COMICS
05/2007: 35,656
05/2008: 27,075
05/2009: 24,386
05/2010: 27,785**
---------------
05/2011: 24,561 (-  4.3%)**
06/2011: 25,814 (+  5.1%)**
07/2011: 26,138 (+  1.3%)**
08/2011: 25,632 (-  1.9%)**
09/2011: 57,224 (+123.3%)
10/2011: 51,280 (- 10.4%)**
11/2011: 41,414 (- 19.2%)**
12/2011: 35,397 (- 14.5%)**
01/2012: 33,887 (-  4.3%)**
02/2012: 31,535 (-  6.9%)**
03/2012: 29,679 (-  5.9%)
04/2012: 31,319 (+  5.5%)
05/2012: 39,179 (+ 25.1%)
-----------------
6 months: -  5.4%
1 year  : + 59.5%
2 years : + 41.0%
5 years : +  9.9%

DC UNIVERSE
05/2007: 49,161
05/2008: 35,230
05/2009: 33,163
05/2010: 37,463
---------------
05/2011: 27,745 (-  4.7%)**
06/2011: 28,673 (+  3.4%)**
07/2011: 28,586 (-  0.3%)**
08/2011: 27,761 (-  2.9%)**
09/2011: 67,411 (+142.8%)
10/2011: 59,146 (- 12.3%)**
11/2011: 46,670 (- 21.1%)**
12/2011: 39,390 (- 15.6%)**
01/2012: 37,145 (-  5.7%)**
02/2012: 34,456 (-  7.2%)**
03/2012: 33,229 (-  3.6%)
04/2012: 35,264 (+  6.1%)
05/2012: 44,797 (+ 27.0%)
-----------------
6 months: -  4.0%
1 year  : + 61.5%
2 years : + 19.6%
5 years : -  8.9%

VERTIGO
05/2007: 12,256
05/2008: 10,418
05/2009: 12,918
05/2010: 11,756
---------------
05/2011: 10,668 (+ 6.5%)
06/2011: 10,415 (- 2.4%)
07/2011: 10,784 (+ 3.5%)
08/2011: 10,147 (- 5.9%)
09/2011:  9,995 (- 1.5%)
10/2011: 10,643 (+ 6.5%)
11/2011: 10,355 (- 2.7%)
12/2011: 11,082 (+ 7.0%)
01/2012:  9,995 (- 9.8%)
02/2012: 10,252 (+ 2.6%)
03/2012: 12,688 (+23.8%)
04/2012: 11,595 (- 8.6%)
05/2012: 11,102 (- 4.3%)
-----------------
6 months: +  7.2%
1 year  : +  4.1%
2 years : -  5.6%
5 years : -  9.4%

—–
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 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.