star_wars_#4_marvel.jpg

by Xavier Lancel

Welcome to a new analysis of the Marvel sales. Reminder: I’m French, that’s why I’m talking funny. Please address your complaints to my sinking-in-the-middle-age country.
Reminder: those sales are estimates, sales to comics shops located in North America. American comics do get sold somewhere else in their original floppy edition. Keep also in mind that if a copy is sold to a shop that doesn’t mean it’s sold to a customer. This would be way too easy. Digital sales are not taken into account.

This month is again lead by the Star Wars franchise at Marvel, but, more surprisingly, it is literally invading the lower portion of the chart with 10k to 20k reorder activity on several issues! There really are a lot of Marvel floppy comics on sale this month (a little more than 100!!). There were so many different variant covers things going on this month that I didn’t bother trying to understand it.

Marvel is leading the way as the most expensive publisher of floppy comics, its customers have never been asked to spend so much in a month. Well, until next month and its invasion of #1 and famous crossovers!

The Marvel Previews has became a mess, titles being scattered in sections they don’t belong to, the “Marvel Heroes” section serving as the default family of titles. A lot of things are happening right now (Star Wars, the Spider-women trend, the Inhumans rise, the Secret Wars, the new #1s, the new old-crossover…) and frankly, I’m wondering where the die-hard Marvel zombies will find the money to buy all this, or even only what is branded as “important”. All is important….does this means in the end that nothing is?

As always, before our exploration of the floppy market, here is a selection of TPB/HC released this month + some scattered in the chart, associated with their title. As always, Deadpool is really a magnet for TPB sales: its various collected editions keep appearing in the charts, a situation that would not have seen the light of the day if Marvel hadn’t stopped its over exploitation of the Deadpool franchise some years ago. Their current exploitation of the character is perfect and it reflects in sales.

Thanks to ICV2.com and Milton Greipp for permission to use these figures.

RAGE OF ULTRON OGN HC
112p, $25, cents per page: 22.3 cents
Since April 2015: 10,934

Those stories labelled as OGN are really making a lot of profit for Marvel, seeing how expensive they are. This one is of course taking advantage of the Avengers movie release to sell more than usual.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN EDGE OF SPIDERVERSE TPB
112p, $16, cents per page: 14.2 cents
Since April 2015: 4,655

After its multiple reprint, this is the place where you can find the first appearance of Spider-Gwen, from issue #2. With no surprise, it sold way more than a standart Spider-Man mini-serie.

SPIDER-VERSE HC
624p, $75, cents per page: 12.0 cents
Since April 2015: 2,365

This huge collection of the whole Spider-verse event is not only quite cheap (it’s $ per page is lower than a TPB), but it’s selling quite well, proving that the Spider_verse event was a huge success.

STAR WARS LEGENDS EPIC COLLECTION VOL.1 EMPIRE TPB
440p, $35, cents per page: 8.0 cents
Since April 2015: 2,340

This is in fact a collection of various Dark Horse produced mini-series, all told from the empire side, and focused on Darth Vader. Those are good numbers, not mind-blowing, but seeing that it’s directed toward people who were not buying the Dark horse collections, it’s doing perfectly well.

AVENGERS ULTRON UNBOUND TPB
224p, $25, cents per page: 11.2 cents
Since April 2015: 1,880

That’s pretty smart from Marvel: instead of putting West Coast Avengers in the title -this a collection of WCA episodes + a Vision mini from 19994-, they are only putting Avengers and Ultron in it…and it worked pretty well.

AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION VOL.4 BEHOLD THE VISION TPB
456p, $35, cents per page: 7.7 cents
Since April 2015: 1,401

Good old John Buscema Avengers episodes are selling ok, there is no crazy rise in sales due to the movie.

WEIRDWORLD TPB
312p, $35, cents per page: 11.2 cents
Since April 2015: 801

Who would have thought that this Elfquest-like Marvel fantasy series would ever be collected? Of course, that’s because Weirdworld will come back during Secret Wars, involving Arkon. Sales are not impressive, but it was expected that 1k could not be reached, that’s probably one of the most difficult Marvel series to sell to modern readers. Taking that into account, 800 copies sold is almost good.

SKULL SLAYER TPB
192p, $25, cents per page: 13.0 cents
Since April 2015: 665

See, I would have thought that Weirdworld would have been harder to sell than Skull the Slayer…I suppose that the artists attached to Weirdworld (Mike Ploog & John Buscema) won it over those associated with Skull (Steve Gan & Sal Buscema).

 

1- 206- 235- STAR WARS

01/15 Stars Wars #1 -  1,031,857          [+12,736]
02/15 Stars Wars #2 -    199,787 (-80.6%) [+10,077]
03/15 Star Wars  #3 -    161,226 (-15.0%) 
04/15 Star Wars  #4 -	203,817 (+26.4%)

Since issue #2: +2.0%

More than the more than 1 million debut sales, this mind-blowing +26.4% (and this unusual +7.4% since issue #2) are the indications that this launch is working very well, probably way more than expected. It should sell like crazy once the paperback editions are out. There are (only) 2 variant covers left. Issue #1 and #2 sell again in reorder.

5- 79- 201- 215- DARTH VADER

02/15 Darth Vader #1 -  276,086          [+11,637]
02/15 Darth Vader #2 –  119,693 (-56.6%) [+11,837]
03/15 Darth Vader #3 -  119,454 (- 0.2%) [+34,298]
04/15 Darth Vader #4 -  123,394 (+ 3.3%)

Since issue #2: +3.1%

Same miracle here, with only one variant cover. Issue #3 sell again at almost 40% of its release sales level, along with issue #1 and #2, selling even more than its last month reorders! That means that sales are going up for 2 months in a row! With numbers like that, Marvel will perhaps soon try their hands on another licence, a genre that it stayed away from since the mid-90’s. You have to go way back to the end of the 80’s to find such a success for a licenced property at Marvel (it was G.I. Joe).

8- KANAN THE LAST PADAWAN LTD

02/15 Kanan TLP #1 -  108.167

By far the weakest star Wars launch so far. But first, it has no major star artist attached to it and second, it’s about a character that only die-hard fans of Star Wars know about. Will there be a major difference in sales between characters from the original Star Wars trilogy and the rest? The following months will give the answer.

 10- 230- PRINCESS LEIA LTD*

03/15 Princess Leia Ltd #1 of 5 – 264,071 [+10,416]
03/15 Princess Leia Ltd #2 of 5-   96,262 (-63.5%)
04/15 Princess Leia Ltd #3 of 5-  102.434 (+6.4%)

Since issue #2: +6.4%

Again, a nice increase, with only 1 variant cover. Will Marvel dilute the Star Wars franchise as she did with the X-Men and the Avengers, with something like 10 ongoing titles or will it try to keep it strong and focused? Numbers seem to suggest there is still room for more. Issue #1 is back with reorder.

11- 126- SPIDER-GWEN

02/15 Spider-Gwen #1 -  278,575 [+24,501]
03/15 Spider-Gwen #2 -  107,070 (-61.6%)
04/15 spider-Gwen #3 -  102.234 (- 4.5%)

Since issue #2: -4.5%

Back to the land of the falling Marvel Universe titles. Spider-Gwen is still both its leader and a strong title, with a really weak fall from issue #2. Issue #1 sell again 24k from reorder.

12- Amazing SPIDER-MAN

04/14  Amazing v3 #1  - 532,586  ( 293.1%)[23,871]
05/14  Amazing v3 #2  - 123,945  ( -76.7%)
06/14  Amazing v3 #3  - 109,029  ( -12.0%)
07/14  Amazing v3 #4  - 117,917  (   8.2%)O.Sin 
08/14  Amazing v3 #5  - 101,655  ( -13.8%)O.Sin 
09/14  Amazing v3 #6  -  93,564  (  -8.0%)
10/14  Amazing v3 #7  - 116,051  (  24.0%)
10/14  Amazing v3 #8  -  99,549  ( -14.2%)
11/14  Amazing v3 #9  - 135,280  
11/14  Amazing v3 #10 – 100,899 
12/14  Amazing v3 #11 – 104,739  ( +3.8%)
01/15  Amazing v3 #12 – 105,458  ( +0.6%)
01/15  Amazing v3 #13 – 103,093  ( -2.2%)
02/15  Amazing v3 #14 – 106,778  ( +3.6%)
02/15  Amazing v3 #15 -  99,660  ( -6.7%)
03/15  Amazing v3 #16 -  92,289  ( -7.4%)
04/15  Amazing v3 #17 -  99.964  ( +8.3%)

03/15  Amazing v3 #16.1- 73,170  (-20.7%)
04/15  Amazing v3 #17.1- 68.907  (- 5.8%)

Since issue #2: -19.3%

I have no idea why the numbers of the ongoing are re-bouncing like that, except if there was a glitch last month. The Gerry Conway mini-series is holding well.

13 DEADPOOL
 
11/12  Deadpool v4 #2  -  76,445 
...
03/14  D'pool #25.NOW  -  48,775  (  18.6%)
... 
10/14  Deadpool v4 #36 -  46,600  (   7.0%)(Axis)
11/14  Deadpool v4 #37 -  51,579  ( -20.8%)(Axis)
12/14  Deadpool v4 #38 -  43,433  ( -15.8%)(Axis)
12/14  Deadpool v4 #39 -  42,198  (  -2.8%)(Axis)
01/15  Deadpool v4 #40 -  42,467   (+0.6%)
01/15  Deadpool v4 #41 -  39,848   (-6.2%)
02/15  Deadpool v4 #42 -  46,104   (+15.7%)
03/15  Deadpool v4 #43 -  44,888   (- 2.6%)
03/15  Deadpool v4 #44 -  39,716   (-11.5%)
04/15  Deadpool v4 #45 -  96.897  (+144.0%)

Since issue #2: +26.8%
Average +TPB sales #35-40: +10.7% 
DEADPOOL TPB VOL.7 : 5,003 [+528]

This is supposed to be the 250th issue of Deadpool. Marvel didn’t even push this one strongly: you had to go as far as page 78 of the Marvel Previews to find it! It’s a 100p mammoth, with a $10 price, and tons of variants. $10 is not cheap. Apparently, customers are more than ready to pay this price, even if they are not reading the ongoing Deadpool title. I wouldn’t be surprised if others fake Deadpool anniversary issues would pop up in the future and if their price would go up to 12$. Those last few years, Marvel has been testing its fan base to know how much more money they can charge their floppy customers, for the same product, or even lower in quality. Meantime,the last collected edition rises above the 5k in comics shop.

DEADPOOL CLASSIC COMPANION TPB
384p, 35$, cents per page: 9.1 cents
Since April 2015: 2,106

Deadpool is so popular it managed to sell more than 2k of this collection of really disparate comics -only because he appears in it- but also really atrocious ones, which, otherwise, would never had a chance of ever being collected, like those issues of Secret Defenders or Silver Sable & the Wild Pack!

16- THOR
  
12/12  Thor v5 #1   - 110,443
...
02/14  Thor #19.Now–  42.034  ( 10.1%)
...
09/14  Thor v5 #25 –  53,047  (  38.4%)
10/14  Thor v6 #1  – 150,862  ( 184.4%)[10,756]
11/14  Thor v6 #2  –  89,131  ( -40.9%)
12/14  Thor v6 #3  –  72,563  ( -18.6%)
01/15  Thor v6 #4  -  69,497  ( -4.2%)
02/15  Thor v6 #5  -  69,513  ( +0.0%)
03/15  Thor v6 #6  -  70,569  ( +1.5%)
04/15  Thor v6 #7  -  71,372  ( +1.1%)

Since issue #2: -19.9%

The expectation to find out who this new Thor is building, while the title remains one of the strongest title of the Marvel Universe line.

19- UNCANNY INHUMANS

04/15 Uncanny Inhumans #0 -  67.017

Stealing its adjective from the X-Men brand (after the Avengers did it), this is supposed to be a prelude to one of the big Secret Wars launches. Brand it as something important, put a bankable artist (Steve Mc Niven) on it, and you sell thrice more than the usual Inhumans title, even with a 4.99$ cover price. Of course, tons of variants here.

21- 40- AVENGERS

12/12  Avengers v5 #2  -  93,894
...
12/13  Avengers#24.NOW - 127,466  ( +91.7%)
01/14  Avengers v5 #25 -  65,591  ( -48.5%)
02/14  Avengers v5 #26 –  59,775  (  -8.9%)
03/14  Avengers v5 #27 -  53,966  (  -9.7%)
04/14  Avengers v5 #28 -  52,808  (  -2.1%)
05/14  Avengers v5 #29 -  58,661  (  11.1%)
05/14  Avengers v5 #30 -  57,099  (  -2.7%)
06/14  Avengers v5 #31 -  53,933  (  -5.5%) O.Sin 
07/14  Avengers v5 #32 -  56,595  (   4.9%) O.Sin
07/14  Avengers v5 #33 -  51,874  (  -8.3%) O.Sin
08/14  Avengers v5 #34 -  54,413  (   4.9%) O.Sin 
09/14  Avengers v5 #35 -  50,629  (  10.2%) 
10/14  Avengers v5 #36 -  56,771  (  12.1%) 
10/14  Avengers v5 #37 -  49,430  ( -12.9%)
11/14  Avengers v5 #38 -  54,368  (   4.3%)
12/14  Avengers v5 #39 -  47,062  ( -13.4%)
01/15  Avengers v5 #40 -  47,483  ( +0.9%) (SW prelude)
02/15  Avengers v5 #41 -  48,437  ( +2.0%) (SW prelude)
03/15  Avengers v5 #42 -  50,811  ( +4.9%) (SW prelude)
04/15  Avengers v5 #43 -  47.200  ( +7.1%) (SW prelude)
04/15  Avengers v5 #44 -	 62.939  (+33.3%) (SW prelude ) END


Since issue #2: -33.0%

After 5 months of preliminaries, it’s the big explosion! Marvel somehow convinced its customers that a final issue is now a big thing. Of course, only the numbering will be affected in the end, it’s not the final issue of Avengers. Still, +33% readers… Don’t be surprised if in a couple of years, there will be big “final issue” advertisements on Marvel and DC comics!

23- ULTRON FOREVER LTD

04/15  Avengers Ultron Forever	 1 of 3 -  60,351
04/15  New Avengers Ultron Forever 2 of 3 -  42,349 (-39.8%)

It seems to have nothing to do with the movie, but it’s the perfect time-table to sell this good old fashioned Alan Davis mini-series priced at 4.99$. At first, I thought there was a mistake in the Marvel Previews, advertising it both as a mini and a one-shot, but this mini-series is a series of one shot with different names of Avengers titles… Those are more than excellent sales, over-selling the usual Avengers titles for its first part, but I would guess that this weird way of selling it hurt its sales with issue #2. If marvel was thinking “Hey, they will buy more of part 2 because it’s labelled as a #1 issue”, it didn’t work at all. Silliness has its limits.

24- SILK 

02/15 Silk #1 -  86,263 [+11,762]
03/15 Silk #2 -  69,369 (-19.6%)
04/15 Silk #3 -  58.755 (-15.3%)

It’s girl on girl in this issue with a fight against Black Cat. Will we see soon the first try for a Black Cat ongoing series? Felicia Hardy is the example of both a strong-mind and sexy character. She could be Marvel’s Catwoman.

28- GOTG AND X-MEN BLACK VORTEX LTD

02/15 GoTG & X-Men Black Vortex Alpha -  60,412
---
04/15 GoTG & X-Men Black Vortex Omega -  55.955 (-7.4%)

This is in fact part 14 of the Black Vortex crossover! 14!! Are we back to the 90’s or what?! Taking that into account, it’s a miracle so many people stayed with it until the end. Very good numbers among all those events currently at Marvel.

29 NEW AVENGERS
01/13  New Avengers v3 # 2 -  79,433 
...
03/14  N Avengers #16.NOW  -  48,731  (  0.0%)
04/14  New Avengers v3 #17 -  45,885  ( -5.8%)
05/14  New Avengers v3 #18 -  43,668  ( -4.8%)
06/14  New Avengers v3 #19 -  41,989  ( -3.8%)
06/14  New Avengers v3 #20 -  43,962  ( -0.1%)
07/14  New Avengers v3 #21 -  42,699  (  1.8%)
08/14  New Avengers v3 #22 -  42,797  (  0.2%)
08/14  New Avengers v3 #23 -  40,018  ( -6.3%)
09/14  New Avengers v3 #24 -  45,123  (-12.8%)
10/14  New Avengers v3 #25 -  42,979  ( -4.8%)
11/14  New Avengers v3 #26 -  46,318  (  7.8%)
11/14  New Avengers v3 #27 -  40,408  (-12.8%)
12/14  New Avengers v3 #28 -  39,855  ( -1.4%)
01/15  New Avengers v3 #29 -  41,116  (+3.1%) (SW prelude)
02/15  New Avengers v3 #30 -  42,827  (+4.2%) (SW prelude)
03/15  New Avengers v3 #31 -  44,444  (+3.8%) (SW prelude)
03/15  New Avengers v3 #32 -  40,583  (-8.7%) (SW prelude)
04/15  New Avengers v3 #33 -  55.437 (+36.6%) (Sw prelude) END

Since issue #2: -30.2%

The new Last issue syndrome kicks in. I forgot to mention previously that those last issue are 4,99$ each. With result like this, Marvel will “end” his universe every two years from now on!

18- GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

04/13  Guardians v3 #2  -  88,184
...
01/14  Guardian #11.NOW -  61,111  (  14.7%)
02/14  Guardians v3 #12 -  55,454  (  -9.3%)
03/14  Guardians v3 #13 -  56,764  (   2.4%)
04/14  Guardians v3 #14 -  53,976  (  -4.9%)
05/14  Guardians v3 #15 -  54,332  (   0.7%)
06/14  Guardians v3 #16 -  54,827  (   0.9%)
07/14  Guardians v3 #17 -  62,986  (  14.9%)
08/14  Guardians v3 #18 -  60,657  (  -3.7%) O.Sin 
09/14  Guardians v3 #19 -  55,891  (  -7.9%) O.Sin 
10/14  Guardians v3 #20 -  61,072  (   9.3%)
11/14  Guardians v3 #21 -  62,387  (   2.2%)
12/14  Guardians v3 #22 -  52,470  ( -15.9%)
01/15  Guardians v3 #23 -  51,466  ( -1.9%)
02/15  Guardians v3 #24 -  60,046  (+16.7%) B.Vortex
03/15  Guardians v3 #25 -  61,798  (+ 2.9%) B.Vortex
04/15  Guardians v3 #26 -  54.124  (-12.4%)

Since issue #2: -38.6%
Average +% TPB SALES #18-23: +3.6% 
GUARDIANS OTG VOL.4 HC: 2,241

Black Vortex is over but variant covers are still here. Nothing unusual here.

35- ALL-NEW X-MEN

11/12  All-New X-Men #2  - 100,983  
...
01/14  All-New #22.NOW   -  76,565  (+21.8%)
02/14  All-New X-Men #23 -  64,625  (-15.6%)
03/14  All-New X-Men #24 -  63,739  ( -1.4%)
04/14  All-New X-Men #25 -  63,827  (  0.1%)
04/14  All-New X-Men #26 -  58,918  ( -7.7%)
05/14  All-New X-Men #27 -  62,269  (  5.7%)
06/14  All-New X-Men #28 -  57,135  ( -8.2%)
07/14  All-New X-Men #29 -  58,817  (  2.9%)
08/14  All-New X-Men #30 -  54,882  ( -6.7%)
08/14  All-New X-Men #31 -  58,535  (  6.7%)
09/14  All-New X-Men #32 -  54,654  ( -6.6%)
10/14  All-New X-Men #33 -  60,032  (  9.8%)
11/14  ---
12/14  All-New X-Men #34 -  57,569  ( -4.1%)
01/15  All-New X-Men #35 -  51,823  (-10.0%)
02/15  All-New X-Men #36 -  49,464  ( -4.6%)
02/15  All-New X-Men #38 -  58,037  (+17.3%) B. Vortex
03/15  All-New X-Men #37 -  48,140  (-17.1%)
03/15  All-New X-Men #39 -  58,490  (+ 0.8%) B. vortex
04/15  All-New X-Men #40 -  50,770  (-13.2%)

Since issue #2: -49.7%
Average +% TPB sales #31-36: +3.2%
ALL NEW X-MEN VOL.6 HC: 1,901

Black Vortex is over and even the revelation that the gayest member of the x-men is gay can’t stop a return to average sales. Don’t worry, fighters of the invasion of gay snatchers, it’s not the real character, only an alternate version of it (like DC’s Green Lantern).

37- UNCANNY AVENGERS

03/14  U Avengers #18.NOW   -  63,516  ( 19.4%)
...
10/14  Uncanny Avengers #25 –  53,263  (  7.7%)
10/14  Aven & X-Men Axis #1 – 138,966  (180.9%)
...
12/14  Aven & X-Men Axis #9 –  69,518  (  0.1%)
01/15  Uncanny Avengers v2 #1 – 74,849 
02/15  Uncanny Avengers v2 #2 – 51,339 (-31.4%)
---
04/15  Uncanny Avengers v2 #3 – 50.595 (-1.4%)

Since issue #2: -1.4%

One month late but look on the bright side: it’s already stabilized! So a completely useless relaunch, but no harm done so far!

38- UNCANNY X-MEN

02/13 Uncanny X-Men v3 #2  - 94,615
---
03/14 U X-Men #19.NOW      - 64,514 ( 17.5%)
04/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #20 - 55,359 (-14.2%)
05/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #21 - 54,747 ( -1.1%)
06/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #22 - 52,731 ( -3.7%)
07/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #23 - 55,738 (  5.7%)
07/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #24 - 53,677 (  5.7%)O.Sin
08/14 ---
09/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #25 -  58,062 (  8.2%)
09/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #26 -  51,862 (-10.7%)
10/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #27 -  57,908 ( 11.7%)
11/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #28 -  55,939 ( -3.4%)
12/14 Uncanny X-Men v3 #29 -  53,502 ( -4.4%)
01/15 Uncanny X-Men v3 #30 -  48,824  (-8.7%)
02/15 Uncanny X-Men v3 #31 -  46,993  (-3.8%)
03/15 Uncanny X-Men v3 #32 -  49,639  (+5.6%)
04/15 Uncanny X-Men v3 #33 -  49,278  (-0.7%)

Since issue #2: -47.9%
Average +% TPB sales #26-31: +2.7%
UNCANNY X-MEN VOL. 5HC: 1,380

If X-men is not the top seller it was, it seems to have stabilized quite well.

50- HOWARD THE DUCK 

03/15 Howard the Duck #1 – 85,929
04/15 Howard the Duck #2 – 43.572 (-49.3%)

Despite 3 variant covers and the presence of Rocket Raccoon, the fall is huge. As long as it stays above 30k, Marvel can be more than happy with its sales.

16- ALL NEW HAWKEYE

03/15  All New Hawkeye #1  -  66,608
04/15  All New Hawkeye #2  -  42,730 (-35.8%)

It was to be expected. As long as it ships every month and sell at least the same amount of copies in floppy than the previous volume, Marvel can be happy.

40- LEGENDARY STAR LORD

07/14  Star Lord #1 – 78,501
08/14  Star Lord #2 – 37,109 (-52.7%)
09/14  Star Lord #3 – 32,918 (-11.3%)
10/14  Star Lord #4 – 37,123 ( 12.8%)
11/14  Star Lord #5 – 36,905 ( -0.6%)
12/14  Star Lord #6 – 32,863 (-11.0%)
01/15  Star Lord #7 – 28,174 (-14.3%)
01/15  Star Lord #8 – 25,227 (-10.5%)
02/15  Star Lord #9 – 38,655 (+53.2%)   B. Vortex
03/15  Star Lord#10 – 40,836 (+ 4.5%)   B. Vortex
04/15  Star Lord#11 – 41,325 (+ 1.2%)   B. Vortex

Since issue #2: +11.4%

Part 13 of Black Vortex. The return to reality could have been brutal but the series is temporarily rebranded as a Kitty Pride & Star-Lord romance book during Secret Wars.

62- FANTASTIC FOUR

02/14  Fantastic Four v6 #1  - 65,775  ( 134.5%)
03/14  Fantastic Four v6 #2  - 37,569  ( -42.9%)
04/14  Fantastic Four v6 #3  - 34,930  (  -7.0%)
05/14  Fantastic Four v6 #4  - 33,263  (  -4.8%)
05/14  Fantastic Four v6 #5  - 33,336  (   0.2%)
06/14  Fantastic Four v6 #6  - 33,177  (  -0.5%) O.S. Tie-In
07/14  Fantastic Four v6 #7  - 33,687  (   1.5%) O.S. Tie-In
08/14  Fantastic Four v6 #8  - 30,674  (  -8.9%) O.S. Tie-In
08/14  Fantastic Four v6 #9  - 28,827  (  -6.0%)
09/14  Fantastic Four v6 #10 - 28,118  (  -2.5%)
10/14  Fantastic Four v6 #11 - 26,938  (  -4.2%)
10/14  Fantastic Four v6 #12 - 26,638  (  -1.1%)
11/14  Fantastic Four v6 #13 - 25,432  (  -4.5%)
12/14  Fantastic Four v6 #14 - 24,716  (  -2.8%)
01/15  Fantastic Four   #642 – 30,118  ( +21,9%)
02/15  Fantastic Four   #643 – 32,302  ( + 7.3%)
03/15  Fantastic Four   #644 – 32,947  ( + 2.0%)
04/15  Fantastic Four   #645 – 39.389  ( +19.6%) END

Since issue #2: +4.8%
Average +% TPB sales #11-14: +4.7%

This extra-sized final issue has a 6$ cover price. I don’t know if somebody really died in it or not but the expectation of an incoming death sure did bring more readers than ever, outselling issue #2 of the relaunch. And it wasn’t labelled in big letters as the final issue, Marvel could have perhaps catch even more buyers if they had done it!

FANTASTIC FOUR VOL.3 BACK IN BLUE TPB
120p, 15$, cents per page: 12.5 cents
Since April 2015: 1,255

The poor-selling results of this collection show the current “disamour” of the FF from customers.

67- ALL NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA*

02/14  Capt AmericaV7 #16.Now – 36,534  (   9.3%)
...
09/14  Captain America v7 #24 – 33,517  (   8.4%)
10/14  Captain America v7 #25 – 74,183  ( 121.3%)
11/14  Captain America v8 #1  –120,500  (  62.4%)
12/14  Captain America v8 #2  – 50,077  ( -58.4%)
01/15  Captain America v8 #3  - 50,045  ( -0.1%)
02/15  Captain America v8 #4  - 41,222  (-17.6%)
03/15  Captain America v8 #5  - 38,871  (- 5.7%)
04/15  Captain America v8 #6  - 38,199  (- 1.7%)

Since issue #2: -23.7%

The first arc draws to a close as sales seems to stabilize.

75- ROCKET RACCOON

07/14  Rocket Raccoon #1  -  293,913  ( --- )[7,738]
08/14  Rocket Raccoon #2  -   56,597  (-80.7%)
09/14  Rocket Raccoon #3  -   52,288  ( -7.6%)
10/14  Rocket Raccoon #4  -   57,830  ( 10.6%)
11/14  Rocket Raccoon #5  -   52,979  ( -8.4%)
12/14  Rocket Raccoon #6  -   41,154  (-22.3%)
01/15  Rocket Raccoon #7  -   39,342  ( -4.4%)
02/15  Rocket Raccoon #8  -   38,769  ( -1.5%)
03/15  Rocket Raccoon #9  -   37,549  ( -3.1%)
04/15  Rocket Raccoon#10  -   35,311  ( -6.0%)

Since issue #2: -37.6%
Average +% TPB Sales #1-6: +5.3%
ROCKET RACOON VOL.1 HC:  3,016

Still falling too fast for comfort but sure to reach at least issue #20 with a sales level like that. Who would have believe that 5 years ago?

78- 94-SUPERIOR IRON MAN

03/14  Ir. Man #23.NOW  - 43,912  (  51.3%)
---
06/14  Iron Man v6 #28  - 28,027  (  -0.9%)
11/14  Sup. Iron Man #1 - 83,994  ( 199.7%)
11/14  Sup. Iron Man #2 - 42,621  ( -49.3%)
12/14  Sup. Iron Man #3 - 38,806  (  -9.0%)
01/15  Sup. Iron Man #4 – 38,515  (  -0,7%)
02/15  Sup. Iron Man #5 – 35,094  (  -8.9%)
03/15  Sup. Iron Man #6 – 37,113  (  +5.8%)
04/15  Sup. Iron Man #7 – 34,440  (  -7.2%)
05/15  Sup. Iron Man #8 – 32,006  (  -7.3%)

Since issue #2: -24.9%
Average +% TPB sales #1-5: +4.3% 

The variant cover is gone. Sales continue to fall but this “since issue #2 %» is still quite good.

SUPERIOR IRON MAN VOL.1 INFAMOUS HC TPB
136p, 25$, cents per page: 18.4 cents
Since April 2015: 1,816

With floppy sales quite disappointing,releasing an HC edition of the series could have been seen like a risky move, it’s not: the first volume sold ok.

80- RETURN OF LIVING DEADPOOL Ltd

02/15  Return of Living Deadpool #1 of 4  -  41,911
03/15  Return of Living Deadpool #2 of 4  -  35,400 (-15.5%)
04/15  Return of Living Deadpool #3 of 4  -  34,220 (- 3.3%)

HAWKEYE VS DEADPOOL TPB: 5,667 [+821]
DEADPOOL ART OF WAR TPB: 4,917 [+553]

Perfect behavior as expected. On the TPB side, the collection of the previous mini continue to sell, like all the Deadpool catalog of TPBs, making them rise above the magical 5k limit!

90- DAREDEVIL

02/14  Daredevil v3 #36 – 31,494  ( -1.8%)
03/14  Daredevil v4 #1  - 76,006  (141.3%)[1,948]
04/14  Daredevil #1.50  - 48,462  (-36.2%)
04/14  Daredevil v4 #2  - 42,811  (-11.7%)
05/14  Daredevil v4 #3  - 39,316  (-8.2%)
06/14  Daredevil v4 #4  - 37,902  (-3.6%)
07/14  Daredevil v4 #5  - 36,825  (-2.8%)
07/14  Daredevil v4 #6  - 37,959  ( 3.1%)
07/14  Daredevil  #0.1  - 33,437
08/14  Daredevil v4 #7  - 36,785  (-3.1%)
09/14  Daredevil v4 #8  - 37,739  ( 2.6%)
10/14  Daredevil v4 #9  - 33,996  (-9.9%)
11/14  Daredevil v4 #10 - 32,438  (-4.6%)
12/14  Daredevil v4 #11 - 31,382  (-3.3%)
01/15  Daredevil v4 #12 – 31,989  (+1.9%)
02/15  Daredevil v4 #13 – 31,483  (-1.6%)
03/15  Daredevil v4 #14 – 29,575  (-6.1%)
04/15  Daredevil v4 #15 – 32,541 (+10.0%)

Since issue #2: -24.0%
Average +% TPB Sales #6-10: +5.5%
DAREDEVIL VOL.2 TPB: 2,098

Sales are going back to the previous months level. We are soon at the end of Mark Waid run, which explain the nice little sales jump.

92- MS. MARVEL

02/14  Ms. Marvel #1 -  50,286  (  --- ) [15,155]
03/14  Ms. Marvel #2 -  38,357  (-23.7%) [3,440]
04/14  Ms. Marvel #3 -  37,140  ( -3.2%)
05/14  Ms. Marvel #4 -  34,839  ( -6.2%)
06/14  Ms. Marvel #5 -  33,795  ( -3.0%)
07/14  Ms. Marvel #6 -  36,041  (  6.6%)
08/14  Ms. Marvel #7 -  32,866  ( -8.8%)
09/14  Ms. Marvel #8 -  32,182  ( -2.1%)
10/14  Ms. Marvel #9 -  32,915  (  2.3%)
---
12/14  Ms. Marvel #10 - 30,282  ( -8.0%)
---
02/15  Ms. Marvel #11 – 29,851  ( -1.4%)
02/15  Ms. Marvel #12 – 29,054  ( -2.7%)
03/15  Ms. Marvel #13 – 32,425  (+11.6%)
04/15  Ms. Marvel #14 – 32,058  (- 1.1%)

Since issue #2: -16.4%
Average +% TPB sales #6-11: +20.4%
MS MARVEL VOL.2 GENERATION WHY TPB: 7,364 [+1,964]

One of the last remaining 2,99$ title at Marvel. Expect this lower price to completly disapear after Secret Wars. On the TPB side, vol.2 is selling again after its release: Ms Marvel is really a juggernaut in collected editions!

93- SPIDER-WOMAN

11/14  Spider-Woman #1 -  93,723 (Spider-Verse)
12/14  Spider-Woman #2 -  44,618  ( -52.4%)(Spider-Verse)
01/15  Spider-Woman #3 -  38,484  (-13.8%) (spider-Verse)
02/15  Spider-Woman #4 -  36,058  (- 6.3%)
03/15  Spider-Woman #5 -  40,068  (+11.1%)
04/15  Spider-Woman #6 -  32,041  (-20.0%)

Since issue #2: -28.2%%

Well, we have our answer to last month riddle: that was the new costume trick which made sales jumped. Here is the cruel return to reality and falling sales. The original Spider-Woman is the black sheep of the “Spider-women” group of titles, like Guardians 3000, the original Guardians of Galaxy team is for its own.

97- SPIDER-MAN 2099

07/14 Spider-Man 2099  #1  -  90,690  ( --- )[6,461]
08/14 Spider-Man 2099  #2  -  47,512  (-47.6%)
09/14 Spider-Man 2099  #3  -  43,418  ( -8.6%)
10/14 Spider-Man 2099  #4  -  40,755  ( -6.1%)
10/14 Spider-Man 2099  #5  -  40,880  (  0.3%)
11/14 Spider-Man 2099  #6  -  38,634  ( -5.5%)
---
01/15 Spider-Man 2099  #7 -  38,455 (-0.5%)
01/15 Spider-Man 2099  #8 -  37,484 (-2.5%)
02/15 Spider-Man 2099  #9 -  34,374 (-8.3%)
03/15 Spider-Man 2099 #10 -  33,528 (-2.5%)
04/15 Spider-Man 2099 #11 -  31,665 (-5.6%)

Since issue #2: -33.4%
Average +% TPB Sales #1-5: +5.4%
SPIDER-MAN 2099 VOL.1 TPB: 2,556

This ship is sinking a little too fast for confort.

54- ANT-MAN 

01/15 Ant-Man #1 – 73,370
02/15 Ant-Man #2 – 40,192 (-45.2%)
03/15 Ant-Man #3 – 37,139 ( -7.6%)
04/15 Ant-Man #4 – 31,637 (-14.8%)

Since issue #2: -21.3%)

By the time the movie is out, this one could reach the cancellation zone.

100- CAPTAIN MARVEL
  
11/13  Captain Marvel v6 #17 - 18,173  (-20.5%)
12/13  ---
01/14  ---
02/14  ---
03/14  Captain Marvel v7 #1  - 44,248  
04/14  Captain Marvel v7 #2  - 28,008 (-36.7%)
05/14  Captain Marvel v7 #3  - 26,057 ( -7.0%)
06/14  Captain Marvel v7 #4  - 24,062 ( -7.7%)
07/14  Captain Marvel v7 #5  - 23,666 ( -1.6%)
08/14  Captain Marvel v7 #6  - 21,221 (-10.3%)
09/14  Captain Marvel v7 #7  - 21,022 ( -0.9%)
10/14  Captain Marvel v7 #8  - 20,692 ( -1.6%)
11/14  Captain Marvel v7 #9  - 19,885 ( -3.9%)
12/14  Captain Marvel v7 #10 - 19,973 (  0.4%)
01/15  Captain Marvel v7 #11 – 19,527 ( -2,2%)
02/15  Captain Marvel v7 #12 – 19,199 ( -1.7%)
03/15  Captain Marvel v7 #13 – 21,915 (+14.1%)
04/15  Captain Marvel v7 #14 – 30,560 (+39.5%) B. Vortex
---
Since issue #2: +9.1%
Average +%TPB sales #7-12: +14.0%

This one slipped from my list last month. After a Women of Marvel variant, a Black Vortex part 12 make the title soar again for a short time.

CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL. 2 STAY FLY TPB
144p, 20$, cents per page: 13.8 cents
Since April 2015: 2,942

Captain Marvel is selling really well in TPB. This +14% is really nice, even if TPB sales are boosted by the fact that no HC edition is produced for this series. Still, amazing numbers!

103- MILES MORALES ULT SPIDER-MAN

04/14  Ult. Spider-Man #200   - 41,608  ( 50.5%)
05/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #1 - 45,864  ( 10.2%)
06/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #2 - 38,231  (-16.6%)
07/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #3 - 37,240  ( -2.6%)
08/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #4 - 34,836  ( -6.5%)
09/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #5 - 34,140  ( -2.0%)
10/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #6 - 33,057  ( -3.2%)
11/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #7 - 31,607  ( -4.4%)
12/14  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #8 - 31,448  ( -0.5%)
01/15  M.M. Ult Spider-man #9 – 30,135  ( -4.2%)
02/15  M.M. Ult Spider-man #10- 29,321  ( -2.7%)
03/15  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #11- 29,101  ( -0.8%)
04/15  M.M. Ult Spider-Man #12- 29,318  ( +0.7%)  END

Since issue #2: -23.3%

It seems to be the last issue before the Secret Wars rebranding. With numbers like that, Miles could come back with his own title again after that.

104- AVENGERS OPERATION HYDRA

04/15 Avengers operation Hydra  - 29,302

Good sales for this one shot story, combined with a reprint of avengers #16, for a very small 3.99$ price.

105- GUARDIANS TEAM-UP

03/15 Guardians Team-up #1 -  155,388
03/15 Guardians Team-up #2 -   38,390 (-75.3%)
03/15 Guardians Team-up #3 -   40,637 (+ 5.9%) B. Vortex
04/15 Guardians Team-up #4 -   28,877 (-28.9%)

Since issue #2: -24.8%

Atrocious sales. I wouldn’t be surprised if this one would be rebranded as a mini-series.

106- 117- HULK

12/12  Incred Hulk v5 #2   - 63,653
...
03/14  Indestructible #20  - 30,042  ( -3.7%)
04/14  Hulk v3 #1          - 73,551 
04/14  Hulk v3 #2          - 40,590  (-44.8%)
05/14  Hulk v3 #3          - 37,639  ( -7.3%)
06/14  Hulk v3 #4          - 35,377  ( -6.0%)
08/14  Hulk v3 #5          - 34,903  ( -1.3%)
09/14  Hulk v3 #6          - 33,032  ( -5.4%)
10/14  Hulk v3 #7          - 35,084  (  6.2%)
11/14  Hulk v3 #8          - 34,483  ( -1.7%)
12/14  Hulk v3 #9          - 27,697  (-19.7%)
01/15  Hulk v3 #10	       - 27,553  ( -0.5%)
02/15  Hulk v3 #11	       - 27,317  ( -0.9%)
03/15  Hulk v3 #12         - 25,568  ( -6.4%)
03/15  Hulk v3 #13         - 26,890  ( +5.2%)
04/15  Hulk v3 #14		  - 28,494  (+6.0%)
04/15  Hulk v3 #15         - 26,118  (-8.3%)

Since issue #2: -35.7%
Average +% TPB sales #5-10: +4.0%
HULK TPB VOL.2 OMEGA HULK: 1,412

Red Hulk VS Green Hulk, this one for real, begins with issue #14. There is a variant cover with issue #14, explaining perhaps the sales jump because, come on, this red vs green thing has been going on forever. People can’t be fooled again by such a cheap trick, right?!

107- X-MEN
 
12/12  X-Men v3 #39  -  29,326  
...
06/13  X-Men v4 #2  -  73,542
...
02/14  X-M  #10.Now -  52,486  (   6.2%)
...
08/14  X-Men v4 #18 -  35,543  (  -2.0%)
09/14  X-Men v4 #19 -  33,737  (  -5.1%)
10/14  X-Men v4 #20 -  33,004  (  -2.2%)
11/14  X-Men v4 #21 -  31,468  (  -4.7%)
12/14  X-Men v4 #22 -  30,200  (  -4.0%)
01/15  X-Men v4 #23 -  29,650  (  -1.8%)
02/15  X-Men v4 #24 -  28,414  (  -4.2%)
03/15  X-Men v4 #25 -  30,876  (  +8.7%)
04/15  X-Men v4 #26 -  27,640  ( -10.5%)

Since issue #2: -62.4% 
X-MEN VOL.4 TPB: 1,592 

Lowest sales so far for an adjectiveless X-Men title.

108- INHUMAN SPECIAL
 
03/15  Amazing Spider-Man Special Ltd 1 of 3  -  51,632
04/15  Inhuman Special            Ltd 2 of 3  -  27,234 (-47.3%)

That makes 3 titles branded Inhumans this month! This special is supposed to be linked with Amazing-Spider-Man and All new Captain America. It is also the continuation of “Inhuman Error”, which is… I don’t know what, it doesn’t appear anywhere else! It’s only by pure luck that I connected it with the Spider-man Special from last month, supposed to continue this month! With such a confusing pitch, it’s normal Part 2 tanked so compared to Part 1, and a miracle it sold still more than the Inhumans ongoing series!

109- 113- SHIELD 

12/14  SHIELD #1 -  94,503  
01/15  SHIELD #2 -  33,965 (-64.1%)
02/15  SHIELD #3 –  29,790 (-12.3%)
---
04/15  SHIELD #4 -  26,930 (-9.6%)
04/15  SHIELD #5 -  26,614 (-1.2%)

Since issue #2: -21.6%

Despite several variant covers programmed on those two issues, the fall continue. TPB sales will determine if Marvel will keep this one alive.

111- AMAZING X-MEN
  
11/13  Amazing X-Men v2 #1   - 112,337  (+434.4%)
12/13  Amazing X-Men v2 #2   -  60,870  ( -45.8%)
...
07/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #9   -  40,562  (  -2.5%)
08/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #10  -  36,405  ( -10.2%)
09/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #11  -  34,552  (  -5.1%)
10/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #12  -  32,966  (  -4.6%)
11/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #13  -  36,338  (  10.2%)
12/14  Amazing X-Men v2 #14  -  31,468  ( -13.4%)(Axis)
01/15  Amazing X-Men v2 #15  -  29,868  ( -5.1%)
01/15  Amazing X-Men v2 #16  -  28,416  ( -4.9%)
02/15  Amazing X-Men v2 #17  -  27,513  ( -3.2%)
03/15  Amazing X-Men v2 #18  -  27,058  ( -1.7%)
04/15  Amazing X-Men v2 #19  -  26,859  ( -0.7%)

Since issue #2: -55.9%

We can safely supposed that the american core audience for the X-men, ready to buy several floppy titles of the brand, is 25K. Did all the previous buyers switch to another Marvel brand or did they give up on Marvel, that’s the question.

112- GOTG BEST STORY EVER
  
04/15  GOTG Best Story Ever -  26,852

Couldn’t Marvel wait a little before releasing again another one shot for the Guardians of the Galaxy fans (despite its weird name, it’s not a reprint)? That’s the 9th GOTG title for them to buy this month, the 11th if they want to follow Black Vortex! They could have choose a quieter month. But it seems to be in line with their brand spirit: release as much titles on a successful brand as you can, as quick as you can, as long at it sells. Forget about straightening a brand and let’s try to find the next short-term successful one!

114- CYCLOPS

05/14  Cyclops #1 – 47,468
06/14  Cyclops #2 – 31,132 ( -34.4%)
07/14  Cyclops #3 – 25,925 ( -16.7%)
08/14  Cyclops #4 – 23,305 ( -16.7%)
09/14  Cyclops #5 – 21,874 (  -6.1%)
10/14  Cyclops #6 – 20,115 (  -8.0%)
11/14  Cyclops #7 – 18,371 (  -8.7%)
12/14  Cyclops #8 – 17,146 (  -6.7%)
01/15  Cyclops #9 – 16,287 (  -5.0%)
02/15  Cyclops #10- 15,091 (  -7.3%)
03/15  Cyclops #11- 14,481 (  -4.0%)
04/15  Cyclops #12- 26,516 ( +83.1%)  B. Vortex

Since issue #2: -14.8%

The Black Vortex miracle.

115 and below- TRUE BELIEVERS

04/15 Civil War #1          – 26,263
04/15 Infinity Gauntlet #1  - 21,770
04/15 Old Man Logan #1      - 18,128
04/15 Age of Ultron #1      - 17,627
04/15 Marvel Zombies #1     - 17,454
04/15 Planet Hulk #1        - 16,794
04/15 Age of Apocalypse #1  - 16,135
04/15 Miles Morales #1      - 15,690
04/15 House of M #1         - 14,845
04/15 Armor Wars #1         - 13,411
04/15 Powers #1             -  6,852

This is a series of reprint at 1$ of famous #1 issues. Most of them will come back during Secret Wars in a new incarnation. That’s an easy way for Marvel to sell TPB of the old version of those events at the same time than the new series beginning next month. Old or new fans of Marvel will be hooked this way. The new ongoing Powers series is late…again, you can use the 1$ reprint as tissue to cry.

116- INHUMAN 

04/14  Inhuman #1 - 58,309  
05/14  Inhuman #2 - 41,810 ( -28.3%) 
08/14  Inhuman #3 - 37,159 ( -11.1%) 
08/14  Inhuman #4 - 34,215 (  -7.9%) 
09/14  Inhuman #5 - 32,719 (  -4.4%) 
09/14  Inhuman #6 - 30,761 (  -6.0%) 
10/14  Inhuman #7 - 29,903 (  -2.8%)
11/14  Inhuman #8 - 50,766 ( -15.0%)
12/14  Inhuman #9 - 25,962 ( -48.9%)
12/14  Inhuman #10- 25,445 (  -2.0%)
01/15  Inhuman #11- 24,410  (- 4.1%)
02/15  Inhuman #12- 24,689  (+ 1.1%)
03/15  Inhuman #13- 25,510  (+ 3.3%)
04/15  Inhuman #14- 26,194  (+ 2.7%)

Since issue #2: -37.3%
Average +% TPB sales #7-12: +5.9%
INHUMAN TPB VOL.2 AXIS: 1,777

It’s still hard to see the pattern here as there is still variant covers on this one. Marvel put it on the first pages of its previews, it probably helped. Marvel’s sudden harassment with the Inhumans brand seems to work, at least on a small scale.

118- 121- 122- 124- WOLVERINES 

01/15 Wolverines #1 – 73,650
01/15 Wolverines #2 – 43,573  (-41.8%)
01/15 Wolverines #3 – 42,051  (- 3.5%)
01/15 Wolverines #4 – 39,790  (- 5.4%)
02/15 Wolverines #5 – 32,953  (-17.2%)
02/15 Wolverines #6 – 31,710  (-3.8%)
02/15 Wolverines #7 – 30,617  (-3.4%)
02/15 Wolverines #8 – 29,923  (-2.3%)
03/15 Wolverines #9 – 28,004  (-6.4%)
03/15 Wolverines #10– 27,590  (-1.5%)
03/15 Wolverines #11– 27,148  (-1.6%)
03/15 Wolverines #12– 26,755  (-1.4%)
04/15 Wolverines #13- 25,790  (-3.6%)
04/15 Wolverines #14- 25,434  (-1.4%)
04/15 Wolverines #15- 25,173  (-1.0%)
04/15 Wolverines #16- 25,239  (+0.3%)

Since issue #2: -42.1%
Average +% TPB sales #1-5: +5.0%

Ending next month. Let’s hope the numbers of claws-wearing characters at Marvel will be reduced drastically at the end of it.

WOLVERINES VOL. 1 DANCING WITH THE DEVIL TPB
112p, 16$, cents per page: 14.3 cents
Since April 2015: 2,175

No miracle here. It justifies plainly its printing, but doesn’t correct the rather disappointing sales trajectory of its floppy edition.

128- ANGELA: ASGARD’S ASSASSIN

12/14  Angela #1 -  61,398  
01/15  Angela #2 -  36,992  (-39.8%)
02/15  Angela #3 -  31,096  (-15.9%)
03/15  Angela #4 -  25,529  (-17.9%)
04/15  Angela #5 -  23,551  (- 7.7%)

Since issue #2: -36.3%

Even with the GOTG co-starring, sales are plummeting.

132- 133- SPIDER-MAN and THE X-MEN
  
02/14  Wolverine/X-Men #42 – 35,392  ( -1.1%)
03/14  Wolver/X-Men v2 #1  - 54,675  ( 54.5%)
---
11/14  Wolver/X-Men v2 #12 - 28,457  (  1.2%)
12/14  Spider/X-Men v1 #1  - 61,952  (117.7%)
01/15  Spider/X-Men v1 #2  - 34,329  (-44.6%)
02/15  Spider/X-Men v1 #3  - 29,025  (-15.5%)
03/15  Spider/X-Men v1 #4  - 26,247  ( -9.6%)
04/15  Spider/X-Men v1 #5  - 23,551  (-10.3%)
04/15  Spider/X-Men v1 #6  - 22,483  (- 4.5%)

since issue #2: -34.5%

This disaster is probably over soon.

134- MOON KNIGHT
  
12/11  Moon Knight v4 #8  -  24,626  
---
03/14  Moon Knight v5 #1  -  58,022 (  --- ) [7,266]
04/14  Moon Knight v5 #2  -  40,885 (-29.5%) [3,621]
05/14  Moon Knight v5 #3  -  42,607 (  4.2%)
06/14  Moon Knight v5 #4  -  40,348 ( -5.3%)
07/14  Moon Knight v5 #5  -  38,630 ( -4.3%)
08/14  Moon Knight v5 #6  -  37,646 ( -2.5%)
09/14  Moon Knight v5 #7  -  35,630 ( -5.4%)
10/14  Moon Knight v5 #8  -  32,434 ( -9.0%)
11/14  Moon Knight v5 #9  -  28,739 (-11.4%)
12/14  Moon Knight v5 #10 -  26,633 ( -7.3%)
01/15  Moon Knight v5 #11 -  24,464 ( -8.1%)
02/15  Moon Knight v5 #12 -  23,486 ( -4.0%)
03/15  Moon Knight v5 #13 -  22,871 ( -2.6%)
04/15  Moon Knight v5 #14 -  22,303 ( -2.5%)

Since issue #2: -45.5%
Average +% TPB sales: +7.3%

Stabilized but doomed.

MOON KNIGHT VOL.2 DEAD WILL RISE TPB
136p, 18$, cents per page: 13.2 cents
Since April 2015: 2,593

If Moon Knight is not putting the charts on fire with its floppy sales, it’s doing really well in TPB form.

136- MAGNETO

03/14  Magneto #1 – 55,337
04/14  Magneto #2 – 35,772  (-35.4%)[2,297]
05/14  Magneto #3 – 35,504  ( -0.7%)
05/14  Magneto #4 – 33,070  ( -6.9%)
06/14  Magneto #5 – 32,837  ( -0.7%)
07/14  Magneto #6 – 32,675  ( -0.5%)
07/14  Magneto #7 – 31,001  ( -5.1%)
08/14  Magneto #8 – 29,727  ( -4.1%)
09/14  Magneto #9 – 31,563  (  6.2%)(Axis)
09/14  Magneto #10– 30,769  ( -2.5%)(Axis)
10/14  Magneto #11– 31,642  (  2.8%)(Axis)
11/14  Magneto #12– 30,107  ( -4.9%)(Axis)
12/14  Magneto #13– 27,418  ( -8.9%)
01/15  Magneto #14- 26,306  (- 4.1%)
02/15  Magneto #15- 24,052  (- 8.6%)
03/15  Magneto #16- 22,888  (- 4.8%)
04/15  Magneto #17- 22,072  (- 3.6%)

Since issue #2: -38.3%

Struggling to stay alive. The Last Days sticker will help him next month.

137- 145- 152- 153- AVENGERS MILLENNIUM LTD


04/15 Avengers Millennium Ltd 1 of 4 – 21,922
04/15 Avengers Millennium Ltd 2 of 4 – 20,444 (-6.7%)
04/15 Avengers Millennium Ltd 3 of 4 – 19,553 (-4.4%)
04/15 Avengers Millennium Ltd 4 of 4 – 19,547 (-0,0%)

In an already very busy month in special for Avengers fans (with the Ultron forever and Operation hydra specials), releasing this mini-series from nowhere all in a row seemed like a suicide note. Well, it still found 20k readers who couldn’t wait for the TPB at all.

141- UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL

01/15 Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #1 - 41,693
02/15 Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #2 – 24,621 (-40.9%)
03/15 Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #3 – 26,586 ( +8.0%)
04/15 Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #4 – 20,987 (-21.1%)

Since issue #2: -14.8%

This issue has a very funny pixelated Street Fighter-like videogame cover. Will a good portion from the readers of Ryan North’s Adventure Time comics adaptation read this one? If so, Marvel will be very happy with its TPB sales.

142- SILVER SURFER

03/14  Silver Surfer v7 #1 -  64,919  (  --- )[2,757]
04/14  Silver Surfer v7 #2 -  39,132  (-39.7%)
06/14  Silver Surfer v7 #3 -  36,075  ( -7.8%)
07/14  Silver Surfer v7 #4 -  32,747  ( -9.2%)
08/14  Silver Surfer v7 #5 -  31,125  ( -5.0%)
10/14  Silver Surfer v7 #6 -  28,052  ( -9.9%)
11/14  Silver Surfer v7 #7 -  25,759  ( -8.2%)
---
01/15 Silver Surfer #8 -  23,420 (-9.1%)
02/15 Silver Surfer #9 -  21,716 (-7.3%)
03/15 Silver Surfer #10-  21,100 (-2.8%)
04/15 Silver Surfer #11-  20,776 (-1.5%)

Since issue #2: -46.9%

This a special oversized issue at 4,99$, with , it seems, some nice graphic experimentations by Mike Allred.

144- 146- AVENGERS WORLD

01/14  Avengers World #2 – 53,693
...
05/14  Avengers World #6 – 28,969  ( -6.9%)
06/14  Avengers World #7 – 27,854  ( -3.8%)
06/14  Avengers World #8 – 26,912  ( -3.4%)
07/14  Avengers World #9 – 24,771  ( -8.0%)
07/14  Avengers World #10– 24,196  ( -2.3%)
08/14  Avengers World #11– 23,493  ( -2.9%)
09/14  Avengers World #12– 22,375  ( -4.8%)
09/14  Avengers World #13– 21,599  ( -3.5%)
10/14  Avengers World #14– 21,095  ( -2.3%)
11/14  Avengers World #15– 27,139  ( 28.7%)(Axis)
12/14  Avengers World #16– 20,853  (-23.2%)(Axis)
---
02/15  Avengers World #17– 20,228  (-3.0%)
03/15  Avengers World #18- 19,497  (-4.6%)
04/15  Avengers World #19- 20,491  (+5.1%)
04/15  Avengers World #20- 20,193  (-1.5%)

Since issue #2: -62.4%
Average +% TPB sales #10-16: +4.6%
AVENGERS WORLD VOL.3 TPB: 1,111

Branded as a kind of “before Secret Wars begins” issues, hence the tiny jump in sales.

151- PUNISHER

02/14  Punisher v10 #1  – 54,558  (   --- )
02/14  Punisher v10 #2  – 31,709  ( -41.9%)
03/14  Punisher v10 #3  – 29,636  (  -5.6%)
04/14  Punisher v10 #4  – 28,435  (  -5.0%)
05/14  Punisher v10 #5  – 27,471  (  -3.4%)
06/14  Punisher v10 #6  – 26,606  (  -3.1%)
06/14  Punisher v10 #7  – 26,192  (  -1.6%)
07/14  Punisher v10 #8  – 25,957  (  -0.9%)
08/14  Punisher v10 #9  – 25,876  (  -0.3%)
09/14  Punisher v10 #10 – 23,680  (  -8.5%)
10/14  Punisher v10 #11 – 28,710  (  21.2%)
11/14  Punisher v10 #12 – 21,785  ( -24.1%)
12/14  Punisher v10 #13 – 21,248  (  -2.5%)
01/15  Punisher v10 #14 – 21,382  (+ 0.4%)
02/15  Punisher v10 #15 – 19,825  (- 7.3%)
03/15  Punisher v10 #16 – 21,607  (+ 9.0%)
04/15  Punisher v10 #17 – 19,762  (- 8.5%)

Since issue #2: -31.9%

Well, we are still in Washington and sales go back to what they were: a mystery I can live without solving, I hope you too.

158- BLACK WIDOW*

01/14  Black Widow #1  - 53,879
01/14  Black Widow #2  - 31,260  ( -42.0%)
02/14  Black Widow #3  – 28,127  ( -10.0%)
03/14  Black Widow #4  – 27,378  (  -2.7%)
04/14  Black Widow #5  – 27,055  (  -1.2%)
05/14  Black Widow #6  – 26,136  (  -3.4%)
06/14  Black Widow #7  – 25,423  (  -2.7%)
07/14  Black Widow #8  – 24,555  (  -3.4%)
08/14  Black Widow #9  – 24,885  (   1.3%)
09/14  Black Widow #10 – 23,687  (  -4.8%)
10/14  Black Widow #11 – 23,922  (   1.0%)
11/14  Black Widow #12 – 22,971  (  -4.0%)
12/14  Black Widow #13 – 21,444  (  -6.6%)
01/15  Black Widow #14 – 20,292  ( - 5,4%)
02/15  Black Widow #15 – 20,581  ( + 1.4%)
03/15  Black Widow #16 – 21,607  ( + 5.0%)
04/15  Black Widow #17 – 18,851  ( -12.8%)

Since issue #2: -39.7%

No variant this month. Seeing how many buy a comic only for its cover, I’m surprised Marvel or DC didn’t try yet to sell floppy comics only composed of collected variant covers.

159- 161- NOVA

02/14  Nova#13.Now – 26,147  (   4.4%)
03/14  Nova v5 #14 – 23,459  ( -10.3%)
03/14  Nova v5 #15 – 22,996  (  -2.0%)
04/14  Nova v5 #16 – 22,020  (  -4.2%)
05/14  Nova v5 #17 – 21,652  (  -1.7%)
06/14  Nova v5 #18 – 25,875  (  19.5%) O.S. Tie-In
07/14  Nova v5 #19 – 24,580  (  -5.0%) O.S. Tie-In
08/14  Nova v5 #20 – 24,377  (  -0.8%) O.S. Tie-In
09/14  Nova v5 #21 – 22,338  (  -8.4%)
10/14  Nova v5 #22 – 22,485  (   0.7%) 
11/14  Nova v5 #23 – 21,706  (  -3.5%)(Axis) 
11/14  Nova v5 #24 – 21,575  (  -0.6%)(Axis)
12/14  Nova v5 #25 – 21,805  (   1.1%)(Axis) 
01/15  Nova v5 #26 – 19,639  (  -9.9%)
02/15  Nova v5 #27 – 19,168  (  -2.4%)
03/15  Nova v5 #28 – 29,175  ( +52.2%) B. Vortex
04/15  Nova v5 #29 – 18,228  ( -37.5%)
04/15  Nova v5 #30 – 18,635  ( + 2.2%)

Back to its usual sales level.

160- CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE MIGHTY AVENGERS

09/14  Mighty Avengers v2 #14 - 21,516  ( -4.3%)
10/14  ---
11/14  Cap & M. Avengers  #1  - 60,206  (179.8%)
11/14  Cap & M. Avengers  #2  - 34,428  (-42.8%)
12/14  Cap & M. Avengers  #3  - 28,744  (-16.5%)
01/15  Cap & M. Avengers  #4  - 25,352  (-11.8%)
02/15  Cap & M. Avengers  #5  - 22,246  (-12.3%)
03/15  Cap & M. Avengers  #6  - 20,235  (- 9.0%)
04/15  Cap Amer & M. Avengers  #7  - 18,362  (- 9.3%)

Since issue #2: -46.7%

It did not take long for this one to disappear in limbo.

174- LOKI, AGENT OF ASGARD

02/14  Loki #1 -  41,921  (  --- )
03/14  Loki #2 -  27,968  ( -33.3%)
04/14  Loki #3 -  27,472  (  -1.8%)[2,269]
05/14  Loki #4 -  26,012  (  -7.0%)
06/14  Loki #5 -  24,794  (  -4.7%)
09/14  Loki #6 -  25,131  (   1.4%)(Axis)
10/14  Loki #7 -  25,430  (   1.2%)(Axis)
11/14  Loki #8 -  23,333  (  -8.2%)(Axis)
12/14  Loki #9 -  21,697  (  -7.0%)(Axis)
01/15  Loki #10-  19,856  ( - 8.5%)
02/15  Loki #11-  18,623  ( - 6.2%)
03/15  Loki #12-  17,940  (  -3.7%)
04/15  Loki #13-  17,212  (  -4.0%)
---
Since issue #2: -38.5%
Average +% TPB sales €6-11: +8.3%

Next month, the Last Days banner could do miracles, seeing how the words Final issue attracted readers on Avengers this month.

LOKI VOL.2 CANNOT TELL A LIE TPB TPB
112p, 18$, cents per page: 16.1 cents
Since April 2015: 2,092

With a not very friendly price tag, this collection is doing rather well.

177- GUARDIANS 3000

10/14  Guardians 3000 #1  -  58,574  (---)
11/14  Guardians 3000 #2  -  34,467  (-41.2%)
12/14  Guardians 3000 #3  -  25,509  (-26.0%)
01/15  Guardians 3000 #4  -  20,318  (-20.3%)
02/15  Guardians 3000 #5  -  18,155  (-10.6%)
03/15  Guardians 3000 #6  -  17,494  (- 3.6%)
04/15  Guardians 3000 #7  -  16,532  (- 5.5%)

Since issue #2: -52.0%

In this issue, the meeting between old and new Guardians of the Galaxy and …readers couldn’t care less.

178- 254-MAX RIDE FIRST FLIGHT LTD

04/15 Max Ride First Flight Ltd #1 of 5– 16,317
04/15 Max Ride First Flight Ltd #2 of 5–  8,638 (-47.1%)

It’s a comic adaptation of the novel adventures of Max Ride, from writer James Patterson. It should probably bounced back a little next time thanks to an a end of the month syndrome, because I can’t believe shops misjudged their sales so much on this one.

181- SECRET AVENGERS

02/14  Secret Avengers v2 #16 – 20,022  (  -0.2%)
03/14  Secret Avengers v3 #1  - 34,036  (  70.0%)
04/14  Secret Avengers v3 #2  - 24,724  ( -27.4%)
05/14  Secret Avengers v3 #3  - 22,860  (  -7.5%)
06/14  Secret Avengers v3 #4  - 21,335  (  -6.7%)
07/14  Secret Avengers v3 #5  - 20,088  (  -5.8%)
07/14  Secret Avengers v3 #6  - 19,435  (  -3.3%)
08/14  Secret Avengers v3 #7  - 20,017  (   3.0%)
09/14  Secret Avengers v3 #8  - 18,680  (  -6.7%)
10/14  Secret Avengers v3 #9  - 18,974  (   1.6%)
11/14  Secret Avengers v3 #10 - 17,652  (  -7.0%)
12/14  Secret Avengers v3 #11 - 17,109  (  16.5%)
01/15  Secret Avengers v3 #12 – 16,525  (  -3.4%)
02/15  Secret Avengers v3 #13 – 16,159  (  -2.2%)
03/15  Secret Avengers v3 #14 – 15,719  (  -2.7%)
04/15  Secret Avengers v3 #15 – 15,925  (  +1.3%)

Since issue #2: -35.6%
Average +% TPB sales #6-10: +6.5%
SECRET AVENGERS VOL. 2 TPB LABYRINTH: 1,269

Was it the cryptic pitch “the end is the beginning is the end is the…” reading like a major crossover selling point that fooled extra customers?

133- IRON FIST LIVING WEAPON LTD
  
04/14  Iron Fist LW #1 of 12 -  53,613 (  --- )[2,350]
05/14  Iron Fist LW #2 of 12 -  33,643 ( -37.2%)
06/14  Iron Fist LW #3 of 12 -  29,816 ( -11.4%)
07/14  Iron Fist LW #4 of 12 -  26,147 ( -12.3%)
08/14  Iron Fist LW #5 of 12 -  24,178 (  -7.5%)
09/14  Iron Fist LW #6 of 12 -  21,926 (  -9.3%)
10/14  ---
11/14  ---
12/14  Iron Fist LW #7 of 12 – 19,526 (-10.9%)
01/15  Iron Fist LW #8 of 12-  17,676 (- 9.5%)
02/15  Iron Fist LW #9 of 12-  16,413 (- 7.1%)
03/15  Iron Fist LW #10of 12-  16,237 (- 1.1%)
04/15  Iron Fist LW #11of 12-  15,542 (- 4.3%)

Since issue #2: -53.8%

Is it really reasonable for hundreds of readers to give up one issue before the conclusion?

 192- BUCKY BARNES WINTER SOLDIER 

05/14  Winter Soldier Bitter March #4 -  19,930  
---
10/14  Bucky Barnes: Winter Solder #1 -  47,471  
11/14  Bucky Barnes: Winter Solder #2 -  32,409  (-31.7%)
---
01/15 Bucky Barnes winter soldier #3 -  22,125 (-31,7%)
01/15 Bucky Barnes winter soldier #4 -  19,280 (-12,9%)
02/15 Bucky Barnes winter soldier #5 -  17,647 (- 8.5%)
03/15 Bucky Barnes winter soldier #6 -  15,150 (-14.1%)
04/15 Bucky Barnes winter soldier #7 -  14,779 (– 2.4%)

Since issue #2: -54.4%

Winter in summer: can’t win!

201- STORM

07/14  Storm #1 – 47,566
08/14  Storm #2 – 25,268 ( -46.9%)
09/14  Storm #3 – 22,078 ( -12.6%)
10/14  Storm #4 – 19,862 ( -10.0%)
11/14  Storm #5 – 17,999 ( - 9.4%)
12/14  Storm #6 – 17,028 ( - 5.4%)
01/15  Storm #7 – 15,784 ( - 7.3%)
02/15  Storm #8 – 14,155 ( -10.3%)
03/15  Storm #9 – 13,712  (- 3.1%)
04/15  Storm#10 – 13,398  (- 2.3%)

Since issue #2: -46.9%
Average +% TPB Sales #1-5: +6.1%
STORM VOL.1 TPB: 1,542

Rain in summer….

208- OPERATION SIN

01/15 Operation Sin #1 of 5 -  26,732
02/15 Operation Sin #2 of 5 -  16,240 (-39.2%)
03/15 Operation Sin #3 of 5 -  13,811 (-15.0%)
04/15 Operation Sin #4 of 5 -  11,949 (-13.5%)

What began like a love story is ending as a disaster.

124- BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN ROAD LTD

03/15 Big Thunder Mountain Road Ltd #1 of 5– 17,567
04/15 Big Thunder Mountain Road Ltd #2 of 5– 11,231 (-36.1%)

Shops seem to have trouble to guess how those comics adaptation will sell in floppy.

237- DARK TOWER DRAWING 3 HOUSE CARDS LTD

03/15 Dark Tower D3HC Ltd #1 of 5 – 11,107
04/15 Dark Tower D3HC Ltd #2 of 5 – 10,019 (-9.8%)

This prove sthat with this oldest franchise, shops know way more accurately what they’re gonna sell and so, don’t need to drastically adjust their demand for issue #2.

238- DEATHLOK

12/09 Deathlok #2 – 14,059
---
10/14 Deathlok #1 – 43,991
11/14 Deathlok #2 – 20,883 (-52.5%)
12/14 Deathlok #3 – 18,112 (-13.3%)
01/15 Deathlok #4 – 14,498 (-20.0%)
02/15 Deathlok #5 – 12,053 (-16.9%)
03/15 Deathlok #6 – 10,066 (-16.5%)
04/15 Deathlok #7 –  9,871 (- 1.9%)

Since issue #2: -52.7%

The lowest ongoing series at Marvel, not yet cancelled.

256. GEORGE ROMERO EMPIRE OF THE DEAD: ACT THREE LTD

01/14  Act One #1 of 5 - 24,515
...
06/14  Act One #5 of 5 – 13,924 (  -6.3%)
...
09/14  Act Two #1 of 5 – 13,163 (  -5.5%)
...
01/15  Act Two #5 of 5 -  7,780  (-6,6%)
…
04/15  Act 3   #1 of 5 -  8,623

Instead of putting them at the end of its Previews catalog, Marvel is now scattering its comics adaptation solicitations between non-related Marvel Universe series.

205- MU GUARDIANS OF GALAXY

02/15 MU guardians of Galaxy #1       – 12,047 
03/15 MU guardians of Galaxy #2       –  9,108 (-24.4%)
04/15 MU guardians of galaxy #3 of  4 -  8,406 (- 7.7%)

Rebranded as a mini-series with this issue. It’s selling more than the others two MU titles so this change remains a mystery.

Thanks for reading until the end! Hope to see you next time. Feel free to comment!

16 COMMENTS

  1. Spider-Man & the X-Men ended with #6. No idea if it was always intended to be a mini, or if it was just killed off for SW.

  2. These columns are how I keep track of new comics since I stopped buying them
    When I read this, boy, am I glad I did.
    btw, preliminaries = foreplay. Just sayin’

  3. The commentary is cut off on the bottom half of the list! I want to see what you wrote.

    I’m half-surprised, half-not at SHIELD’s sales. The show isn’t all that great and I didn’t suspect Coulson as a lead would work out, and the action-adventure angle they’re using doesn’t make sense for an espionage organization. Still, you would think all that promotion and the lure of Mark Waid’s name would draw a few more sales.

  4. Always enjoy reading the sales charts, and like the tiny bit of snark that’s creeped into this one! It is a bummer about the formatting towards the bottom, but what’re you gonna do? I *really* like the price per page comparison on the TPB’s and wish it could be done for the monthlies as well (maybe for the larger priced books would be interesting but then again I’m not the one that would be putting in the time and research to do it!). Good stuff.

  5. “Seeing how many buy a comic only for its cover, I’m surprised Marvel or DC didn’t try yet to sell floppy comics only composed of collected variant covers.”

    Oh, but they DID! A few years ago Marvel published a floppy collection of all the thematic variants in one of those event months as a “Wolverine art appreciation” issue. I have it and it’s quite nice, I must say!

    Sadly they haven’t repeated the stunt.

  6. Welcome!

    One note on style, not formatting:
    On this side of the pond, we use [currency symbol][digit][period][cents].
    Like so: $75,428.91 (Yes, we still use pennies here, even though they cost a nickle to manufacture.)

    I was quite amazed at the length of the list. Has Marvel been publishing more titles than usual? Did any not make the list?
    The order is a bit gemischt at the end as well.

    I don’t mind the grouping for those reprints, but it would be nice if you included the number ranking for each title.

    As for the Alan Davis Ultron mini-series, Marvel did that a few years ago with three annuals. The covers connected, and it featured Clan Destine.

  7. I LOVE seeing the price-per-page analysis. THANK you for that! It’s our hard earned money going to buy these books, and many of us are looking for value for the dollar.

  8. I love this column, but I’d love for an editor to give it a once-over before I ever see it. Xavier is doing great considering English isn’t his first language, but an editor would be appreciated, I think.

  9. “It’s our hard earned money going to buy these books”

    It’s just money. It’s not more valuable because you have a job, and having a job doesn’t mean you necessarily work hard (you probably don’t).

    Just do a simple $1 – 10 page conversion. If you’re paying more than that, you’re buying a Marvel book.

  10. Thanks for all those comments.
    JClebourdais (old collaborator on french comics mag Scarce): yes, foreplay, I should have known that!

    Suzene: thx for the info. No needd to wait for it to come back after SW then.

    The4thpip: Oh, it was? The info on the marvel previews are not very…informative!

    I’m not gonna do the $ per page for the monthly because it’s easy: 4$ for everything , and the pric etag for the monthly follow a specific grid that very few floppies don’t follow.
    For the TPB, it seems to be more random (there is a logic behind the different price tag, it’s just less obvious and more diverse).

    Adam: you’re right and someone is indeed reading and correcting my column before it is posted. Rereading this one, I could have write it a little better. I just won’t shut up, so I tend to write longer comments than others columnists. I should improve. I just learned I have to put the $ sign before a price, not after (can’t we measure anything the same way on each side of the ocean?! :p).

    thans to all for reading this column and commenting.

  11. Marvel are STILL double shipping? Why? I’m surprised by that, it’s not as if they’re short on books published in a given month.

    I’ve lost track of Marvel and what they do since Marvel NOW, so I really appreciate this column and the commentary. I wonder if Marvel will be a lot easier to pick up, once all the Secret Wars stuff is done, and they relaunch their entire line. Apart from Spider-Gwen, doesn’t seem like there’s anything interesting to buy unless you like X-Men, GOTG and Avengers.

  12. They double ship so that you will spend more money for them in a month but, more importantly, so that you will give up on others company titles! (following a double shipping title at Marvel on a tight budget means giving up another title)

Comments are closed.