by Xavier Lancel

Welcome to a new analysis of the Marvel sales.  I’m French, that’s why I’m talking funny. Please address your complaints to my home-of-human-rights-but-not-of-migrants country.

unbeatable-squirrel-girl-1-cover-header

Reminder: those sales are estimates, sales to comics shops situated in North America. American comics do get sold somewhere else in their original floppy edition. Keep in mind that just because a copy is sold to a shop doesn’t mean that it’s sold to a customer. That would be way too easy. Digital sales are not taken into account.

We’re now in the middle of the Secret Wars event, having wrapped its fourth month. New mini-series launching are getting weaker, even if they still hit comfortable numbers. The wallets of Marvel customers are sighing in relief, as the number of $5 issues has really dried down with only two $5 Marvel comics this month and a $6 SHIELD anniversary issue. At the same time, things are calming down on the Star Wars front, August being the first month without noticeable reorders on the line. Still, after 8 months of absolute craziness, no one should expect this kind of thing to happen again anytime soon! The Spider-Women trend seems to have faded down very quickly, but Spider-Gwen is waiting for her relaunch, so we’ll see if its leader is stays strong as the other versions are take a small plunge.

Things being rather quiet this month, I took the opportunity to scan the entire Marvel Previews for products shipping in August: it was a bit of a mess. It opened with the Last Days MU titles, then tons of SW series which were divided in two sections: the Battleworld series and the Warzones series. You can’t really say why one series is in one section instead of the other, as these two labels seem to have similar content. After those two sections, a little bit of chaos: the Star Wars titles section, followed by MU ongoing titles, interrupted by the « Marvel Age » section, and at the end– the « library » adaptations.

But let’s go back to those Secret Wars titles. Those titles, when they were mini-series, often didn’t have a preset number of issues. Readers didn’t know how many issues they would have to buy in order to see a series completed. This « mystery » strategy probably had several effects: one is confusion. To try to clarify things, an asterisk (seemingly added in precipitation) at the beginning of each Secrets Wars title section claimed: « Secret Wars Series last for the duration of Secret Wars ». Which is not entirely true. We already know that A-Force, Weirdworld, and Old Man Logan will still be here after the event, only renumbered. One quarter of the Secret Wars minis in Previews had a definite number of issues known by the pre-order reader. There is probably a reason why those titles were treated differently, with a number of issues already given to the buyers. Your theories on the subject are welcome. It will be interesting to see how the Marvel Previews catalog will be reorganized once Secret Wars is finished.

Thanks to ICV2.com and Milton Greipp for permission to use these figures, to the Comics Zone shop in Lyon, and to all the people who are taking the time to comment, happy or not. As always, a small selection of TPB is opening the show.


 

 UNBEATTABLE SQUIRREL GIRL TPB VOL.1: 4,382
128p, $16, cents per page: 12.5

First collection (containing issue #1-5) and it’s an immediate success! It seems that, at last, Marvel is attracting new customers to its TPB section– probably even new young readers! It will be interesting to see if this series will transform into a never-ending cash machine like Ms. Marvel and Deadpool are, or turn out to be a one hit wonder, which would already be great. Anyway, with numbers like this, we can say that Squirrel Girl should not be cancelled anytime soon.

 

 BLACK PANTHER BY PRIEST VOL.1: 1,986
416p, $35, cents per page: 8.4

At last! One of the best run on any Marvel series is available. There will be probably 3 volumes, as this one contains issue #1-17 of Christopher Priest’s 50ish issues run. Will you please just take a quick look at this very attractive price per page? You have absolutely no excuse to let this one pass. In Vol.2, you will marvel at the progress in Sal Velutto’s art. It will then reach an incredible peak on quality, which should make you want to pick up Velutto’s current work on The Phantom at Hermes Press.

 

 POWER MAN AND IRON FIST EPIC COLLECTION HEROES FOR HIRE: 1,809
448p, $40, cents per page: 8,9

Contains issues #48-70, again at an attractive price (those Epic collections are a very nice alternative to the Essentials). This series deserve to be better known. It’s cheesy, outside of big-events. For Marvel fans completely tired of series filled with events tie-in and tons of secondary series to follow, this will be a joy, like an oasis of quietness and « work-well-done ».

 

Average +% TPB sales #1-5  : +5.0%
Average +% TPB sales #6-10 : +5.0%
Average +% TPB sales #11-16: +5.5%
WOLVERINES TPB VOL. 1:  2,175
WOLVERINES TPB VOL. 2:  1,570
WOLVERINES TPB VOL. 3:  1,478
WOLVERINES TPB VOL.4: 1,321
112p, $16, cents per page: 14.3

Last volume of this series. Tied results on both format (single and TPB). It will probably fall in limbo zone very quickly.


1- 265-SECRET WARS LTD 

05/15 Secret Wars Ltd #1 -  544,342                  
05/15 Secret Wars Ltd #2 -  231,560   (-57.5%)         [+5,480]
06/15 Secret Wars Ltd #3 -  224,067   (-  3.2%)
07/15 Secret Wars Ltd #4 -  221,041   (-  1.4%)
08/15 Secret Wars Ltd #5 – 204,416   (-  7.5%)

Still above the 200k line, which is of course very good. There is some minor reorder activity on issue #2 also this month. That’s the only top 300 reorder activity this month.

 

2- STAR WARS

01/15 Star Wars  #1 -  1,055,494         
02/15 Star Wars  #2 -	   212,089  (-79.9%)
03/15 Star Wars  #3 -	   175,579  (-17.2%)
04/15 Star Wars  #4 -	   203,817  (+16.1%)
05/15 Star Wars  #5 -	   146,850  (-27.9%)
06/15 Star Wars  #6 -	   152,652  (+ 4.0%)
07/15 Star Wars  #7 -	   160,000  (+ 1.0%)
08/15 Star Wars #8  -	   145,066  (-  9.3%)

Since issue #2: -31.6%

First month without any noticeable reorder activity. We are perhaps entering a new phase for the title where it quietly finds its sales comfort zone. It’s still selling 2 times more than the best ongoing MU title. Saleswise, these Star Wars titles are really in a league of their own in the Marvel catalog.

 

4- DARTH VADER

02/15 Darth Vader #1 -  296,929                
02/15 Darth Vader #2 -  125,466  (-57.7%)
03/15 Darth Vader #3 -  126,278  (+ 0.6%)    
04/15 Darth Vader #4 -  136,451  (+ 8.1%)    
05/15 Darth Vader #5 -  113,025  (-17.2%)
06/15 Darth Vader #6 -  107,739  (- 4.7%)
07/15 Darth Vader #7 -  114,349  (+ 6.1%)
08/15 Darth Vader #8 -    98,994  (-13.4%)

Since issue #2: -21.1%

For the first time, it’s under the 100k line. It will be interesting to see, once the new movie is out, if Marvel will apply its relaunch-mania (they probably already have their finger on the button— ed.) to the Star Wars line in order to sell extra copies.

 

5- 6- SPIDER-MAN RENEW YOUR WOWS LTD 

06/15 Spider-Man Renew your wows Ltd #1  -  203,565
07/15 Spider-Man Renew your wows Ltd #2  -    93,981  (-54.0%)
08/15 Spider-Man Renew your wows Ltd #3  -    90,787  (-  3.4%)
08/15 Spider-Man Renew your wows Ltd #4  -    83,549  (-  8.0%)

Still doing strongly.

 

9- 13- CIVIL WAR LTD 

07/15 Civil War Ltd #1  -     170,546
08/15 Civil War Ltd #2  -	77,219  (-54.7%)
08/15 Civil War Ltd #3  -	68,035  (-11.9%)

Following the usual pattern of those SW minis. Still, it’s mind-blowing that there is 100K of #1 in circulation with no hope of finding their numbered sisters. Sooner or later, we’ll get to say “Welcome to the $1 back-issue bin!”

 

10- 12- STAR WARS LANDO LTD 

07/15 Lando Ltd #1 of 5  -   192,949
08/15 Lando Ltd #2 of 5  -	71,043  (-63.2%)
08/15 Lando Ltd #3 of 5 -	68,787  (-  3.2%)

That’s quite an ugly fall from issue #1, but it puts the mini-series at a sales level more in accord with the popularity of the character. I see no reason for this double-shipping strategy except to coerce the buyers into spending an increasing amount of money each month on their Star Wars fix. In the new Marvel previews solicitations, there are 7 Star Wars titles, making for a total of $31 in floppies.

 

11- OLD MAN LOGAN LTD 

05/15 Old Man Logan Ltd #1 -	122,702          
06/15 Old Man Logan Ltd #2 -	 78,426  (-36.1%)
07/15 Old Man Logan Ltd #3 -	 67,482  (-14.0%)
08/15 Old Man Logan Ltd #4 -	 69,122  (+ 2.4%)

Since issue #2: -11.9%

This nice rebound (due to a particular interest in this month’s manga artist variant program?) is a good signal for the ongoing to come.

 

15- AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 1.

03/15  Amazing #16.1- 73,170  (-20.7%)
04/15  Amazing #17.1- 68,907  (- 5.8%)
05/15  ---
06/15  Amazing #18.1- 66,600  (-3.3%)
07/15  Amazing #19.1- 67,521  (+1.4%)
08/15  Amazing #20.1- 65,634  (-2.8%)

This mini-series holds on quite well to all its readers.

 

17- HOUSE OF M  LTD  

08/15  House of M  Ltd #1  -  61,512

That’s a rather tired welcome for this mini-series. It seems that the latter you arrive in the SW schedule, the weaker you’ll do.

 

19-DEADPOOL SECRET SECRET WARS LTD 

05/15 Deadpool SSW Ltd #1 of 4  - 136,987          
06/15 Deadpool SSW Ltd #2 of 4 -  70,256  (-48.7%)
07/15 Deadpool SSW Ltd #3 of 4 -  54,531  (-22.4%)
08/15 Deadpool SSW Ltd #4 of 4 -   57,004  (+ 4.5%) END

Last issue. The sudden boost is probably due to its participation to this month manga artist variant program. It’s gonna sell like pancakes every month in trade format.

 

20- INFINITY GAUNTLET LTD

05/15 Infinity Gauntlet Ltd  #1 -	95,131
06/15 Infinity Gauntlet Ltd  #2 -	59,667 (-37.3%)
07/15 ---
08/15 Infinity Gauntlet Ltd  #3 – 54,279  (-9.0%)

Following the usual pattern.

 

22- AGE OF APOCALYPSE LTD  

07/15 Age of Apocalypse Ltd #1  -  88,346
08/15 Age of Apocalypse Ltd #2  -  52,058  (-41.0%)

Visually, this mini-series is a torture for hair design lovers. The 90’s, yeurk!

 

24- 29- GUARDIANS OF KNOWHERE LTD 

04/13  Guardians v3 #2  -  88,184
...
04/15  Guardians v3 #26 -  54,124  (-12.4%)
05/15  Guardians v3 #27 -  49,308  (- 8.9%)

07/15 Guardians of Knowhere Ltd #1  -  81,902
08/15 Guardians of Knowhere Ltd #2  -  50,913  (-37.8%)
08/15 Guardians of Knowhere Ltd #3  -  47,414  (-  6.9%)

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

Buyers took it as a continuation of the ongoing series. Would it have sold better if it had been published in the ongoing with a SW tie-in banner? Probably not the first issue, but the others, yes, probably.

 

26- X-MEN 92 ($5)

06/15 X-Men 92 #1  - 104,943          
07/15 X-Men 92 #2  -  51,042  (-51.4%)
08/15 X-Men 92 #3  -  49,756  (-  2.5%)

One of two $5 marvel comic this month (along with Secret Love), this title is holding pretty well, but is part of the manga variant program, so the numbers would be a little lower in a world where people read what they purchase.

 

27- A-FORCE

05/15 A-Force #1  -	114,528
---
07/15 A-Force #2  -	 60,330  (-47.3%)
08/15 A-Force #3  -     49,074  (-18.7%)

Searching for its level. Anything above 35K should be considered a success.

 

28- SPIDER-ISLAND LTD  

07/15 Spider-Island Ltd #1  -  64,481
08/15 Spider-Island Ltd #2  -  47,960  (-25.6%)

If it began lower than a lot of other « event-remix » minis, but its issue #2 fall is cushioned.

 

30-KANAN THE LAST PADAWAN LTD

04/15 Kanan TLP #1 -  113.158         
05/15 Kanan TLP #2 -   64,960  (-42.6%)
06/15 Kanan TLP #3 -   56,370  (-13.2%)
07/15 Kanan TLP #4 -   52,260  (-  7.3%)
08/18 Kanan TLP #5 -   46,351  (-11.3%)

Since issue #2: -28.6%

End of the first story arc. Series derivated from anything else than the first trilogy seems way more difficult to sell. Are the Star Wars comics readers newer fans, or are they mostly nostalgics from the first bunch of movies?

 

31- SPIDER-VERSE  

05/15 Spider-Verse #1 – 76,536
06/15 Spider-Verse #2 – 59,466  (-22.3%)
07/15 Spider-Verse #3 – 50,820  (-14.5%)
08/15 Spider-Verse #4 -  45,246  (-11.0%)

Since issue #2: -23.9%

If you don’t like spiders, don’t buy this comic, it’s filled with them!

 

32- ULTIMATE END LTD 

05/15 Ultimate End Ltd #1 of 5 – 75,525
06/15 Ultimate End Ltd #2  of 5– 49,157  (-34.9%)
07/15 Ultimate End Ltd #3  of 5– 42,577  (-13.4%)
08/15 Ultimate End Ltd #4  of 5-  44,948  (+5.6%)

The manga variant cover boost is on.

 

33- PLANET HULK

05/15 Planet Hulk #1 – 72,868
06/15 Planet Hulk #2 – 47,944  (-34.2%)
07/15 Planet Hulk #3 – 48,236  (+ 0.6%)
08/15 Planet Hulk #4 -  44,608  (- 7.5%)

I will welcome with relief the end of this variant cover mania because it disrupts the numbers so much every month. Sometimes, they make this column a nightmare to write. This one, as you guess, was part of the manga variant program this month.

 

42- SECRET WARS BATTLEWORLD LTD 

05/15 SW Battleworld Ltd  #1 of 4 – 67,485
06/15 SW Battleworld Ltd  #2 of 4– 42,566  (-36.9%)
07/15 SW Battleworld Ltd  #3 of 4– 43,736  (+ 2.7%)
08/15 SW Battleworld Ltd  #4 of 4-  38,536  (-11.9%)

Rather weak compared to Secret Wars numbers but still good for anything randomly published in the MU.

 

45 - YEARS OF FUTURE PAST LTD 

06/15 Years of Future Past Ltd #1 -  71,450
07/15 Years of Future Past Ltd #2 -  47,512  (-33.5%)
07/15 Years of Future Past Ltd #3 -  44,074  (- 7.2%)
08/15 Years of Future Past Ltd #4 -  37,968  (-13.9%)

No variant cover at all this month, so these are the « real » numbers.

 

49- AGE OF ULTRON VS MARVEL ZOMBIES LTD 

06/15 AoU VS Marvel Zombies Ltd #1  -  78,646
07/15 AoU VS Marvel Zombies Ltd #2  -  40,483  (-48.5%)
08/15 AoU VS Marvel Zombies Ltd #3  -  36,388  (-10.1%)

Standard behavior.

 

50- FUTURE IMPERFECT LTD 

06/15 Future Imperfect Ltd #1  -  62,110
07/15 Future Imperfect Ltd #2  -  41,427  (-33.3%)
07/15 Future Imperfect Ltd #3  -  38,269  (- 7.6%)
08/15 Future Imperfect Ltd #4  -  35,661  (- 6.8%)

Absolutely no variant cover this month (it’s easier to spot those who don’t have a variant than those who do, weird world!).

 

52- ANT-MAN LAST DAYS 

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%)
05/15 Ant-Man #5 – 83,095 (+162.7%)
06/15 Ant-Man Larger than Life #1- 28,797 
07/15 Ant-Man Annual #1 – 24,223
08/15 Ant-Man Last Days -  35,594  (-57.2%)

Average +% TPB sales #1-5 : +9.6%
ANT-MAN TPB VOL.1: 3,870 [+ 543]

Weird decision for Marvel on this one. Instead of going back to the usual numerotation, they published the Last Days issue of Ant-Man as a special. It does not seem to have made any difference, but it give to us a good indication that Ant-Man sales level didn’t drop as low as what we might have thought looking at the other one-shots released these last two months.

 

53- GROOT LTD

06/15 Groot Ltd #1  -  97,193          
07/15 Groot Ltd #2  -  39,198  (-59.7%)
08/15 Groot Ltd #3  -  34,663  (-11.6%)

No variant this month. The number of Marvel series on odd characters has perhaps reached its limit right now with Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Howard the Duck, and The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl.

 

54- MARVEL ZOMBIES 

06/15 Marvel Zombies #1  -  51,917
07/15 Marvel Zombies #2  -  39,148  (-24.6%)
08/15 Marvel Zombies #3  -  34,629  (-11.5%)

In the usual zone for the Marvel Zombies franchise.

 

55- SILK 

02/15 Silk #1 -  86,263 
03/15 Silk #2 -  69,369 (-19.6%)
04/15 Silk #3 -  58.755 (-15.3%)
05/15 Silk #4 -  44,316 (-24.6%)
06/15 Silk #5 -  38,798 (-12.5%)
07/15 ---
08/15 Silk #6 -  34,368 (-10.7%)

Since issue #2: -44.1%

The trend looks bad but a Last Days issue followed by a relaunch are gonna help dissimulate it for the next few months.

 

56- SIEGE LTD 

07/15 Siege Ltd #1  -  49,195
08/15 Siege Ltd #2  -  34,002  (-30.8%)

Entering the « nothing to say about it »  zone.

 

57-STAR LORD & KITTY PRIDE LTD

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
05/15  Star Lord#12 – 25,580 (-38.1%)
---
07/15  Star-Lord & Kitty Pride Ltd #1 -  44,760 
08/15  Star-Lord & Kitty Pride Ltd #2 -  32,578  (-27.2%)

Average +% TPB Sales # 6-10: +7.4%
TPB VOL.2 – 2,092

This book still attracts as many readers as it did 6 months ago, but the future doesn’t look bright for our space hero. If the title follows the same trend as it did before after its relaunch, it will be in the cancellation zone in less than 12 issues.

 

60- GIANT SIZE LITTLE MARVEL AVX LTD 

06/15 GS Little Marvel AVX Ltd #1  -  66,401
07/15 GS Little Marvel AVX Ltd #2  -  36,019  (-45.8%)
08/15 GS Little Marvel AVX Ltd #3  -  32,003  (-11.1%)

Still doing great for something so off-beat.

 

61- INHUMAN ATTILAN RISING LTD 

05/15 Inhuman Attilan Rising Ltd #1 – 56,963
06/15 Inhuman Attilan Rising Ltd #2 – 40,722  (-28.5%)
07/15 Inhuman Attilan Rising Ltd #3 – 34,919  (-14.3%)
08/15 Inhuman Attilan Rising Ltd #4 -  31,907  (- 8.6%)

Slowing down, but still way above the Inhumans ongoing sales level.

 

64- MS. MARVEL ($3)

02/14  Ms. Marvel #1 -  50,286  (  --- ) 
03/14  Ms. Marvel #2 -  38,357  (-23.7%)
...
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%)
05/15  Ms. Marvel #15 – 32,185  (+ 0.4%)
06/15  Ms. Marvel #16 – 32,855  (+ 2.1%)
07/15 ---
08/15  Ms. Marvel #17 – 31,567  (- 3.9%)

Since issue #2: -17.7%

The last surviving $2.99 Marvel comic before its upcoming +$1 relaunch is holding very nicely. I compiled every TPB sales for Ms Marvel, so expect an article on that subject soon.

 

63- MS DEADPOOL AND HOWLING COMMANDOS 

06/15 Ms Deadpool and HC #1  -  48,514
07/15 Ms Deadpool and HC #2  -  36,404  (-25.0%)
08/15 Ms Deadpool and HC #3  -  31,135  (-14.5%)

Selling less than the Deadpool ongoing..that’s weird. It will be interesting to see if its TPB sales will be like those of all of Deadpool adventures– selling hundreds of copies every month, or like those of any other Marvel series– selling well in their first months then disappearing.

 

67- SECRET WARS 2099 LTD 

05/15 Secret Wars 2099 Ltd #1 – 46,228
06/15 Secret Wars 2099 Ltd #2 – 44,931  (- 2.8%)
07/15 Secret Wars 2099 Ltd #3 – 35,932  (-20.0%)
08/15 Secret Wars 2099 Ltd #4 – 30,478  (-15.2%)

Saleswise, the 2099 appellation took over the Secret Wars one.

 

69- INFERNO LTD 

05/15 Inferno Ltd #1 – 46,801
06/15 Inferno Ltd #2 – 39,137  (-16.4%)
07/15 Inferno Ltd #3 – 35,285  (-  9.8%)
08/15 Inferno Ltd #4 -  30,363  (-13.9%)

Again an unusual sales trajectory with mild results.

 

72- X-TINCTION AGENDA LTD 

06/15 X-Tinction Agenda Ltd #1  -  46,694
07/15 X-Tinction Agenda Ltd #2  -  35,033  (-25.0%)
08/15 X-Tinction Agenda Ltd #3  -  29,697  (-15.2%)

Starting from the same sales level than the Inferno mini, this one fell way quicker.

 

77- 1872 LTD 

07/15 1872 Ltd#1  -  42,805
08/15 1872 Ltd#2  -  27,791  (-35.1%)

Still doing wonders for a western series.

 

81- 123- 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%)
05/15 Guardians Team-Up #5 -   25,093  (-13.1%)
06/15 Guardians Team-Up #6 -   23,004  (-  8.3%)
07/15 Guardians Team-Up #7 -   20,639  (- 10.3%)
07/15 Guardians Team-Up #8 -   18,973  (-  8.1%)
08/15 Guardians Team-Up #9 -   18,940  (-  0.2%)
08/15 Guardians Team-Up #10-  26,929  (+42.2%)

Since issue #2: -50.6%

Guess which guest-star has the power to make this title bounce back by more than +40%? Yep, it’s always the same: Deadpool!

 

82- HOWARD THE DUCK 

03/15 Howard the Duck #1 – 85,929
04/15 Howard the Duck #2 – 43,572 (-49.3%)
05/15 Howard the Duck #3 – 35,391 (-18.2%)
06/15 Howard the Duck #4 – 34,043 (- 3.8%)
07/15 ---
08/15 Howard the Duck #5 – 26,891 (-21.0%)

Since issue#2: -21.9%

That’s one hit our Howard wasn’t able to duck.

 

86- ARMOR WARS LTD 

06/15 Armor wars Ltd #1 -  69,808
06/15 Armor wars Ltd #2 -  37,798  (-45.9%)
07/15 Armor wars Ltd #3 -  32,138  (-15.0%)
08/15 Armor wars Ltd #4 -  26,212  (-18.4%)

Bleeding readers endlessly. A scarce Paul Rivoche is drawing the cover.

 

87- HOWARD THE HUMAN 

08/15 Howard the Human Ltd #1 of 1 – 26,211

Since issue#2: -21.9%

At the same exact level as the last Howard the Duck issue. Either this mini did not attract any extra readers from Secret Wars, or some Howard the Duck fans missed it. Either way, the trick did not work (I thought this tie-in was pretty neat, at least. It was probably ruined by its late debut- ed.).

 

91- SW SECRET LOVE LTD  ($5)

08/15 SW Secret Love Ltd #1 of 1  -  25,176

This title is a romance anthology one-shot that you really should check it out, as it’s so beautifully rendered.  It sold at an amazing level for this kind of product, especially considering that it’s the other $5 book this month.

 

94- CAPTAIN MARVEL AND CAROL CORPS LTD 
  
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%)
...
03/15  Captain Marvel v7 #13 – 21,915 (+14.1%)
04/15  Captain Marvel v7 #14 – 30,560 (+39.5%) B. Vortex
05/15  Captain Marvel v7 #15 – 19,740 (-35.4%)

06/15  Cap Marvel & Carol Corps Ltd #1 -  47,302
07/15  Cap Marvel & Carol Corps Ltd #2 -  28,741  (-39.2%)
08/15  Cap Marvel & Carol Corps Ltd #3 -  24,295 (- 15.5%)

Average +%TPB sales #7-12: +14.0%
CAPTAIN MARVEL TPB VOL.2 : 2,942

Not that great, seeing as there is a manga variant this month.

 

96- RED SKULL LTD 

07/15 Red Skull Ltd #1 of 3  -  33,246
08/15 Red Skull Ltd #2 of 3  -  23,974  (-27.9%)

There is probably a reason behind the fact that we knew in advance how many issues this mini would have while it’s a mystery for more than 70% of the other mini-series published during the SW event.

 

99- WEIRDWORLD  

06/15 Weirdworld #1  -  48,688
07/15 Weirdworld #2  -  26,307  (-46.0%)
08/15 Weirdworld #3  -  23,784  (- 9.6%)

It will be relaunched once SW is over.  Critics seem to love it (they sure do– ed.).

 

100- RUNAWAYS LTD 

06/15 Runaways Ltd #1  -  41,063
07/15 Runaways Ltd #2  -  30,697  (-25.2%)
08/15 Runaways Ltd #3 -   23,755  (-22.6%)

This one turned out to be a limited series. It’s probably better this way because barring a miracle, it would have gone under the cancellation line on any extra issues.

 

102- MAGNETO

03/14  Magneto #1 –  55,337
04/14  Magneto #2 –  35,772  (-35.4%)
...
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%)
05/15  Magneto #18-  27,788  (+25.9%)
06/15  Magneto #19-  29,249  (+ 5.3%)
07/15  Magneto #20-  24,063  (-17.7%)
08/15 Magneto  #21-  23,244  (- 3.4%)

Since issue #2: -32.7%
MAGNETO TPB VOL.3 -  1,711
Average +% TPB sales #13-17: +6.5% 

The never-ending Last Days effect.

 

104- 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%)
05/15  Spider-Woman #7 -  29,567  (- 7.3%)
06/15  Spider-Woman #8 -  26,568  (-10.1%)
07/15  Spider-Woman #9 -  24,354  (- 8.3%)
08/15 Spider-Woman #10-  23,005  (- 5.5%)

Since issue #2: -45.6% 
Average +% TPB sales #1-4 : +5.7%
SPIDER-WOMAN TPB VOL.1: 2,528

Waiting for a relaunch, Spider-Woman keeps on falling despite her Last days tag. Not a good sign at all. I doubt that focusing the relaunch on her pregnancy will improve things. Let’s just hope that Marvel will not request that she be killed giving birth!

 

106- SHIELD ($6)

12/14  SHIELD #1 -  94,503  
01/15  SHIELD #2 -  33,965  (- 64.1%)
02/15  SHIELD #3 –  29,790  (- 12.3%)
03/15  ---
04/15  SHIELD #4 -  26,930  (-  9.6%)
04/15  SHIELD #5 -  26,614  (-  1.2%)
05/15  SHIELD #6 -  23,152  (- 13.0%)
06/15  SHIELD #7 -  25,786  (+11.4%)
07/15  SHIELD #8 -  19,469  (- 24.5%)
08/15  SHIELD #9 -  22,613  (+16.1%)

Since issue #2: -33.4%
SHIELD TPB Vol.1 -  2,460
Average +% TPB sales #1-6: +7.2%

This one was an over-sized issue with 3 variant covers. Inside, a S.H.I.E.L.D. adventure, the birth of the new Howling Commandos (whose solo series will be launched post SW), and a Nick Fury reprint, all in celebration of 50 years of S.H.I.E.L.D. (well, not 50 years of publishing but a creation that date back to 50 years now). It stopped the bleeding for one month.

 

107- HANK JOHNSON AGENT OF HYDRA LTD 

08/15 HJ Agent of Hydra  Ltd #1  -  22,583

When you arrive late to the party, don’t expect anybody to have saved a piece of cake for you. That’s probably why this SW one shot would be the weakest so far if not for Master of Kung-Fu.

 

109- KORVAC SAGA LTD 

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%)
05/15  Guardians 3000 #8  -  15,660  (- 5.3%)

06/15 Korvac Saga Ltd #1  -  34,137
07/15 Korvac Saga Ltd #2  -  26,470  (-22.5%)
08/15 Korvac Saga Ltd #3  -  22,417  (-15.3%)
 
Average +% TPB Sales #1-6: +4.2%
GUARDIANS 3000 TPB VOL.1: 1,446

From what we have seen from the last previews solicitation, because the good old Guardians don’t sell, they will be mixed with modern ones to form a new Guardian team.

 

112- SECRET WARS JOURNAL LTD 

05/15 Secret Wars Journal Ltd #1 of 5 – 44,606
06/15 Secret Wars Journal Ltd #2 of 5 – 29,161  (-34.6%)
07/15 Secret Wars Journal Ltd #3 of 5 – 26,031  (-10.7%)
08/15 Secret Wars Journal Ltd #4 of 5 -  21,465  (-17.5%)

That’s quite a bad result for one of the major SW companion series. Perhaps it’s time to say good-bye to the « journal » event companion brand

 

114- CAPTAIN BRITAIN & MIGHTY DEFENDERS LTD 

07/15 Cap Britain & M. Defenders Ltd #1 of 2  -  27,618
08/15 Cap Britain & M. Defenders Ltd #2 of 2 -   20,453  (-25.9%)

A mini-series of 2? Seriously? They could have sold it as a one-shot. Well,this way, that’s $8 in Marvel pockets instead of $6.

 

116- GHOST RACERS LTD

03/14  All New Ghost Rider#1  -  50,072 (  --- )[2,567]
04/14  All New Ghost Rider#2  -  29,429 (-41.2%)
...
03/15 All New Ghost Rider #12 –  11,923 (-4.5%)
...
06/15 Ghost Racers Ltd #1 -  33,143 
07/15 Ghost Racers Ltd #2 -  24,274  (-26.8%)
08/15 Ghost Racers Ltd #3 -  20,026  (-17.5%)

Not putting the road on fire but still attracting almost twice as many people as before.

 

120- 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%)
05/15 Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #5 – 20,088  (- 4.3%)
06/15 Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #6 – 19,341  (- 3.7%)
07/15 Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #7 – 19,801  (+ 2.4%)
08/15 Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #8 -  19,134  (- 3.4%)

Since issue #2: -22.3%

No variant cover at all this month. It seems to have found its niche. Well, until it’s relaunched anyway.

 

121- 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%)
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%)
05/15  Loki #14-  21,904  ( +27.3%)
06/15  Loki #15-  19,956  (  -8.9%)
07/15  Loki #16-  19,846  (  -0.6%)
08/15  Loki #17-  19,003  (  -4.2%)  END

Since issue #2: -32.1%
Average +% TPB sales #6-11: +8.3%
LOKI TPB VOL. 02: 2,092

This time, it’s over. All in all, « kid »Loki managed to live a meaty volume of adventures

 

128- WHERE MONSTERS DWELL LTD 

05/15 Where Monsters Dwell Ltd #1 of 5 – 26,574
06/15 Where Monsters Dwell Ltd #2 of 5 – 20,078  (-24.4%)
07/15 Where Monsters Dwell Ltd #3 of 5 – 19,223  (- 4.3%)
08/15 Where Monsters Dwell Ltd #4 of 5 -  17,555  (-8.7%)

Fans of this kind of story are invited to pick up the upcoming Howling Commandos series or to search for the back issues of the 1998 (Monster Hunters in) Marvel Universe series.

 

133- MASTER OF KUNG-FU LTD 

05/15 Master of Kung-Fu Ltd #1 of 4 – 23,407
06/15 Master of Kung-Fu Ltd #2 of 4 – 19,763  (-15.6%)
07/15 Master of Kung-Fu Ltd #3 of 4 – 18,348  (- 7.2%)
08/15 Master of Kung-Fu Ltd #4 of 4-  16,111  (-12.2%)

Definitively not a good signal to launch a new ongoing anytime soon.

 

145- MODOK ASSASSIN LTD 

05/15 Modok Assassin Ltd #1 of 5 – 26,574
06/15 Modok Assassin Ltd #2 of 5 – 19,618 (-26.2%)
07/15 Modok Assassin Ltd #3 of 5 – 16,379 (-16.5%)
08/15 Modok Assassin Ltd #4 of 5 -  14,501 (-11.5%)

Who would have thought 10 years ago that Modok would one day be the selling point of several series?

 

 161- 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%)
05/15 Bucky Barnes Winter Soldier #8 -  13,646 (- 7.7%)
06/15 Bucky Barnes Winter Soldier #9 -  12,850 (- 5.8%)
07/15 ---
08/15 Bucky Barnes Winter Soldier #10-  12,446  (-3.1%)

Since issue #2: -61.6%
Average +% TPB Sales #1-5: +5.2% 
B.B. WINTER SOLDIER TOP VOL.1: 1,682

It’s nice that Marvel let this one end instead of cancelling it abruptly as they could have done past issue #4.

 

239- 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
05/15  Act 3   #2 of 5 -  7,191 (-16.6%)
06/15  Act 3   #3 of 5 -  6,827 (- 5.1%)
07/15  ---
08/15  Act 3   #4 of 5 -  6,751 (- 1.1%)

It seems it will end only 1K below the last issue of the previous chapter.

240- BIG THUNDER MOUTAIN ROAD LTD

03/15 Big Thunder Moutain Road Ltd #1 of 5– 17,567
04/15 Big Thunder Moutain Road Ltd #2 of 5– 11,231 (-36.1%)
05/15 Big Thunder Moutain Road Ltd #3 of 5-  8,407 (-25.1%)
06/15 Big Thunder Moutain Road Ltd #4 of 5-  7,855 (- 6.6%)
07/15 ---
08/15 Big Thunder Moutain Road Ltd #5 of 5-  6,723 (-14.4%)

6.7K seems like the new usual ending zone for this kind of series.

 

272- MU ULT SPIDER-MAN WEB WARRIORS

06/14  MUU Spider-Man #27 – 4,713  ( -1.0%)

10/14  ---
11/14  MUU Spider-Man WW #1  – 6,343  (  -1.0%)
12/14  MUU Spider-Man WW #2  – 5,063  ( -20.2%)
01/15  MUU spider-Man WW #3  - 4,873  (-3,8%)
?
?
?
05/15  MUU spider-man WW #7  - 4,843
06/15  MUU spider-man WW #8  - 7,383 (+52.4%)
?
08/15  MUU spider-man WW #10 – 5,162

Not sliding down, which is a rarity.

 

280-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%)
05/15 ---
06/15 Max Ride First Flight Ltd #3 of 5–  6,246  (-27.7%)
07/15 Max Ride First Flight Ltd #4 of 5–  5,821  (-  6.8%)
08/15 Max Ride First Flight Ltd #5 of 5–  4,967  (-14.7%

Below 5K, you have to wonder if there is still an interest to release a floppy edition of this before the paperback.

 

286- MU AVENGERS ASSEMBLE SEASON TWO

01/15 MU Avengers Assemble Season Two #3 - 4,503
?
?
?
05/15 MU Avengers Assemble Season Two #7 – 4,665
?
?
08/15 MU Avengers Assemble Season Two #10- 4,806

Like MU Spider-man, that’s a rather good trajectory.


 

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

9 COMMENTS

  1. Everything good about Secret Wars has been outside everything Hickman-written. The 24-issue build-up (or 100+ issue build-up, to be more accurate) was the biggest waste of time in the world, and the main series itself is more Hickman gibberish, but the miniseries have all largely been fun (except Guardians of Knowhere, which is typical Bendis meandering garbage).

    Easily Marvel’s best event in . . . geez, I don’t know, since Infinity Gauntlet? Age of Apocalypse? And entirely in spite of anything Hickman has written.

  2. Really? I would say that’s damning with faint praise. I’m finding the only SW books of any interest (apart from the main series — which I think is pretty decent) are the ones that have zero to do with any of the main MU characters (like the Hank Johnson book and maybe Weirdworld). The rest of these expensive “what if?” stories have been fairly dull reading and I regret purchasing most the ones I did and don’t feel I missed anything on the ones I didn’t.)

    Marvel relaunching everything with shiny new, more expensive #1s next month will certainly keep them at the top, though.

  3. But so far I’ve enjoyed Starlord and Kitty Pryde, Secret Wars 2099, Master of Kungfu . . . Planet Hulk had no ending and barely any characterization, but it was a really fun premise. I’m thrilled that Marvel is encouraging its writers to be as imaginative and playful as they want during this event, given how stringently the main Marvel U. seems to be forced to line up with the films.

  4. why do say ms marvel is a cash cow? i am very curious. i admit im not sure how the business end of comics works. ms marvel gets so much hype, someone at marvel called her the 21st century spider man.
    all i see is low sales. 30k a month sure doesnt look like great numbers . its good enough to stay afloat. its good enough to be a cult hit but the book is treated like a hit. if someone can explain why i’d be grateful. thank you

  5. Critical praise doesn’t translate to a cash cow. I, for one, am kind of tired of everyone fawning over the series.

    Regarding the Secret Wars event, I’ve enjoyed quite a few of the minis. 1872 is excellent so far. I also have enjoyed Where Monsters Dwell, Marvel Zombies, Thors, Hail Hydra and Red Skull.

  6. Yes, Scottie is right, Ms Marvel is selling like crazy in trades, way way more than anything else at Marvel. Only Deadpool ad Hawkeye are in the same category sales wise. You should soon see an article by me on its Tpb sales, prepare to be amazed! :)
    And 30K is very good sales if the titles is not losing readers, like almost all the other top 300 floppies, month after month. But that’s Ms Marvel trade sales , everymonth, which make it an amazing sucess for Marvel.

  7. Plus digital – although we don’t know digital numbers, they have crowed publicly about the fact that it’s one of their best sellers – across the whole line – in digital. The book has found A LOT of readers outside the direct market.

Comments are closed.