DC Sales, April 2006
Marc-Oliver Frisch
"One Year Later" events with a number of spin-offs, including the ongoing series
CHECKMATE, the limited series ION and CRISIS AFTERMATH: THE BATTLE FOR BLÜDHAVEN
and the one-shots THE OMAC PROJECT: INFINITE CRISIS SPECIAL and VILLAINS UNITED:
INFINITE CRISIS SPECIAL. Also launched were the limited series MAN-BAT, BITE
CLUB: VAMPIRE CRIME UNIT, EX MACHINA SPECIAL and SKYE RUNNER.
Thanks to Milton Griepp and ICv2.com for the permission to use their figures.
An overview of ICv2.com's estimates can be found here:
http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/1850.html
-----
DISCLAIMERS
The numbers below are estimates for actual comic book sales in the North
American direct market, as calculated by www.ICv2.com according to the chart and
index information provided by Diamond Distributors.
ICv2.com's estimates are traditionally known to be somewhat lower than the
"actual" actual numbers, but they are consistent from month to month, so the
trends they show should be accurate.
If additional copies of an issue appeared on the chart after the issue's initial
month of release, you can see the total number of copies sold in parenthesis
behind those issues (e.g. "[36,599]").
Should more than one issue have shipped in a month which is relevant for one of
the long-term comparisons, the average will be used.
The titles released under the Johnny DC imprint and Mad Magazine mostly sell
through channels other than the direct market, so direct market sales don't tell
us much about their performance.
-----
(1) INFINITE CRISIS
10/2005: Infinite Crisis #1 (of 7) -- 249,265 -- [270,127]
11/2005: Infinite Crisis #2 (of 7) -- 207,564 (-16.7%) -- [225,621]
12/2005: Infinite Crisis #3 (of 7) -- 188,853 (- 9.0%) -- [218,855]
01/2006: Infinite Crisis #4 (of 7) -- 182,633 (- 3.3%) -- [209,688]
02/2006: --
03/2006: Infinite Crisis #5 (of 7) -- 201,855 (+10.5%) -- [205,133]
04/2006: Infinite Crisis #6 (of 7) -- 194,431 (- 3.7%)
----------------
6 months: -22.0%
There's a slight drop, but the book remains a spectacular success by any
standard. DC are clearly giving the direct market what it wants right now, and
they're rewarded for it.
As in the last few months, all previous issues of INFINITE CRISIS made the chart
again in April, selling between 1,553 (issue #2) and 3,278 copies (issue #5).
Additionally, INFINITE CRISIS SECRET FILES 2006, a $ 5.99 special which
initially shipped in March, sold another 16,597 copies in April, taking the
total count to an impressive 95,337.
(5) JUSTICE
08/2005: Justice #1 (of 12) -- 190,424 -- [223,878]
09/2005: --
10/2005: Justice #2 (of 12) -- 125,115 (-34.3%) -- [143,781]
11/2005: --
12/2005: Justice #3 (of 12) -- 113,369 (- 9.4%) -- [120,943]
01/2006: --
02/2006: Justice #4 (of 12) -- 110,488 (- 2.5%) -- [116,044]
03/2006: --
04/2006: Justice #5 (of 12) -- 110,157 (- 0.3%)
----------------
6 months: -12.0%
The book appears to have found its level. Another great performer.
(9) TEEN TITANS
04/2004: Teen Titans #10 -- 68,359
----------------------------------
04/2005: Teen Titans #23 -- 66,802 ( -1.4%) -- [68,675]
05/2005: Teen Titans #24 -- 69,046 ( +3.4%)
06/2005: Teen Titans #25 -- 70,542 ( +2.2%) -- [72,721]
07/2005: Teen Titans #26 -- 68,353 ( -3.1%)
08/2005: Teen Titans #27 -- 74,782 ( +9.4%) -- [75,996]
09/2005: --
10/2005: Teen Titans #28 -- 66,581 (-11.0%)
11/2005: Teen Titans #29 -- 69,558 (+ 4.5%)
12/2005: Teen Titans #30 -- 67,155 (- 3.5%)
01/2006: Teen Titans #31 -- 65,223 (- 2.9%)
02/2006: Teen Titans #32 -- 69,131 (+ 6.0%)
03/2006: Teen Titans #33 -- 67,208 (- 2.8%)
04/2006: Teen Titans #34 -- 82,503 (+22.8%)
----------------
6 months: +23.9%
1 year : +23.5%
2 years : +20.7%
The book caught up with "One Year Later" in April, and it gets a remarkable
boost out of the event, particularly since the creative team remains the same.
Two different cover editions of issue #34 were released, which no doubt
contribted to the sales increase, but even considering the gimmick, this is a
surprisingly good performance.
March's TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1 also sold another 7,471 copies in April,
meanwhile, now totaling at 69,423 copies.
(10) THE OMAC PROJECT: INFINITE CRISIS SPECIAL
04/2005: The Omac Project #1 (of 6) -- 65,337 -- [125,455]
05/2005: The Omac Project #2 (of 6) -- 88,285 (+35.1%) -- [108,221]
06/2005: The Omac Project #3 (of 6) -- 94,011 (+ 6.5%) -- [103,601]
07/2005: The Omac Project #4 (of 6) -- 93,598 (- 0.4%) -- [101,963]
08/2005: The Omac Project #5 (of 6) -- 94,010 (+ 0.4%) -- [ 96,762]
09/2005: The Omac Project #6 (of 6) -- 93,374 (- 0.7%) -- [ 95,704]
10/2005: --
11/2005: --
12/2005: --
01/2006: --
02/2006: --
03/2006: --
04/2006: The Omac Project: Infinite Crisis Special -- 79,391 (-15.0%)
----------------
6 months: n.a.
1 year : +21.5%
(13) VILLAINS UNITED: INFINITE CRISIS SPECIAL
05/2005: Villains United #1 (of 6) -- 96,735 -- [116,314]
06/2005: Villains United #2 (of 6) -- 94,387 (-2.4%) -- [102,017]
07/2005: Villains United #3 (of 6) -- 88,475 (-6.3%)
08/2005: Villains United #4 (of 6) -- 84,721 (-4.2%)
09/2005: Villains United #5 (of 6) -- 82,493 (-2.6%)
10/2005: Villains United #6 (of 6) -- 83,907 (+1.7%)
11/2005: --
12/2005: --
01/2006: --
02/2006: --
03/2006: --
04/2006: Villains United: Infinite Crisis Special -- 73,778 (-12.1%)
----------------
6 months: -12.1%
More INFINITE CRISIS. Given that the specials came with an increased cover
price of $ 3.99 -- as opposed to the limited series' $ 2.50 -- these sales are
more than decent.
The year-on-year increase for THE OMAC PROJECT is somewhat misleading, by the
way, because, as the re-order tally shows, the first issue of that series had
been massively underordered by retailers.
(14) SUPERMAN
04/2003: Superman #192 -- 34,638
04/2004: Superman #204 -- 231,411
---------------------------------
04/2005: Superman #215 -- 112,593 (+ 11.5%) -- [116,198]
05/2005: Superman #216 -- 70,205 (- 37.7%)
05/2005: Superman #217 -- 65,321 (- 7.0%)
06/2005: Superman #218 -- 61,515 (- 5.8%)
07/2005: Superman #219 -- 71,036 (+ 15.5%) -- [ 84,145]
08/2005: Superman #220 -- 61,264 (- 13.8%)
09/2005: Superman #221 -- 69,065 (+ 12.7%)
10/2005: Superman #222 -- 67,638 (- 2.1%)
11/2005: Superman #223 -- 69,739 (+ 3.1%)
12/2005: Superman #224 -- 63,719 (- 8.6%) -- [ 65,300]
01/2006: Superman #225 -- 61,768 (- 3.1%)
02/2006: Superman #226 -- 63,982 (+ 3.6%)
03/2006: Superman #650 -- 65,603 (+ 2.5%) -- [ 77,783]
04/2006: Superman #651 -- 73,355 (+ 11.8%)
----------------
6 months: + 8.5%
1 year : -34.9%
2 years : -68.3%
Retailers apparently underestimated demand for the Superman titles' "One Year
Later" crossover; not only does SUPERMAN #651 -- which is Part 3 of 8 -- see a
nice sales increase, but the previous issue also sold an additional 12,180
copies. (The ACTION COMICS chapter missed shipping in April, by the way, but
the March issue of that title also sold another 8,382 copies.)
And this is as good a place as any to mention it: If there's a particular theme
in DC's April performance, it's that a good number of titles did not just
maintain the increased sales from March, but went further up. "One Year Later"
is, unquestionably, a big whopping success, as far as publishing events go.
(17) BATMAN
04/2003: Batman #614 -- 153,129
04/2004: Batman #626 -- 78,519
-------------------------------
04/2005: Batman #639 -- 62,344 (+ 4.3%)
05/2005: Batman #640 -- 66,640 (+ 6.9%) -- [ 71,120]
06/2005: Batman #641 -- 67,208 (+ 0.9%) -- [ 70,748]
07/2005: Batman #642 -- 65,435 (- 2.6%)
08/2005: Batman #643 -- 66,396 (+ 1.5%)
08/2005: Batman #644 -- 65,128 (- 1.9%)
09/2005: Batman #645 -- 65,984 (+ 1.3%) -- [ 67,712]
10/2005: Batman #646 -- 69,975 (+ 6.1%)
11/2005: Batman #647 -- 69,718 (- 0.4%)
12/2005: Batman #648 -- 63,151 (- 9.4%) -- [ 64,760]
01/2005: Batman #649 -- 62,379 (- 1.2%) -- [ 64,645]
02/2005: Batman #650 -- 66,447 (+ 6.5%) -- [ 74,355]
03/2005: Batman #651 -- 69,805 (+ 5.1%) -- [ 79,616]
04/2006: Batman #652 -- 72,889 (+ 4.4%)
----------------
6 months: + 4.2%
1 year : +16.9%
2 years : - 7.2%
Another eight-part crossover, and another climber that exceeds retailers'
initial expectations. BATMAN #651 also sold another 9,811 copies in April.
Re-orders on issues predating the current crossover also remain strong: A second
printing of February's "anniversary" issue #650 shifted 7,908 copies in April,
while March's BATMAN ANNUAL sold an additional 14,826 units.
(21) ION
04/2006: Ion #1 (of 12) -- 66,453
ION #1 outsells the pre-relaunch GREEN LANTERN about two to one, so --
especially in the absence of any variant covers -- the book rates as another
enormous success for DC.
Between ION, GREEN LANTERN itself (which again missed shipping in April) and
GREEN LANTERN CORPS (which just saw a successful limited series and returns as
an ongoing title in June), the publisher must be doing something right with the
franchise. Not too long ago, we recall, "the franchise" meant one title selling
consistently in the 30K range. Now, it consists of three titles shifting
between two and three times that amount.
(23) DETECTIVE COMICS
04/2003: Detective Comics #781 -- 38,236
04/2004: Detective Comics #793 -- 34,800
----------------------------------------
04/2005: Detective Comics #805 -- 39,077 (- 0.8%)
05/2005: Detective Comics #806 -- 38,838 (- 0.6%)
06/2005: Detective Comics #807 -- 38,497 (- 0.9%)
07/2005: Detective Comics #808 -- 37,952 (- 1.4%)
08/2005: Detective Comics #809 -- 49,087 (+29.3%)
08/2005: Detective Comics #810 -- 48,270 (- 1.7%)
09/2005: Detective Comics #811 -- 38,772 (-19.7%)
10/2005: Detective Comics #812 -- 39,270 (+ 1.3%)
11/2005: Detective Comics #813 -- 38,338 (- 2.4%)
12/2005: Detective Comics #814 -- 37,145 (- 3.1%)
01/2006: Detective Comics #815 -- 35,569 (- 4.2%)
02/2006: Detective Comics #816 -- 35,410 (- 0.5%)
03/2006: Detective Comics #817 -- 62,245 (+75.8%)
04/2006: Detective Comics #818 -- 60,440 (- 2.9%)
----------------
6 months: +53.9%
1 year : +54.7%
2 years : +73.7%
Not surprisingly, the book retains most of the bump for the duration of the
crossover with BATMAN which began in March.
(25) & (29) CRISIS AFTERMATH: THE BATTLE FOR BLÜDHAVEN
04/2006: Crisis Aftermath: The Battle for Blüdhaven #1 (of 6) -- 56,518
04/2006: Crisis Aftermath: The Battle for Blüdhaven #2 (of 6) -- 52,035 (-7.9%)
Another INFINITE CRISIS spin-off. As usual, the bi-monthly schedule results in
a comparatively small second-issue drop, apparently prompting retailers to order
more copies of issue #2 than they might have if it had shipped two weeks later.
Overall, these are great numbers, particularly given the absence of any major
characters or sales-drawing creators.
(27) JSA
04/2003: JSA #47 -- 42,187
04/2004: JSA #60 -- 42,824
--------------------------
04/2005: JSA #72 -- 43,472 (+ 1.4%)
05/2005: JSA #73 -- 51,326 (+18.1%)
06/2005: JSA #74 -- 51,609 (+ 0.6%)
07/2005: JSA #75 -- 55,410 (+ 7.4%)
08/2005: JSA #76 -- 51,928 (- 6.3%)
09/2005: JSA #77 -- 53,216 (+ 2.5%)
10/2005: JSA #78 -- 54,070 (+ 1.6%)
11/2005: JSA #79 -- 52,783 (- 2.4%)
12/2005: JSA #80 -- 50,862 (- 3.6%)
01/2006: JSA #81 -- 50,078 (- 1.5%)
02/2006: JSA #82 -- 54,234 (+ 8.3%)
03/2006: JSA #83 -- 51,991 (- 4.1%) -- [58,624]
04/2006: JSA #84 -- 53,245 (+ 2.4%)
----------------
6 months: - 1.5%
1 year : +22.5%
2 years : +24.3%
The title is heading for a relaunch. In the meantime, it's doing perfectly
well. Issue #83 sold another 6,633 copies in April.
(34) CHECKMATE
04/2006: Checkmate #1 -- 49,156
Taken on its own terms, these are decent enough numbers for a new title which
doesn't have the benefit of major characters. However, CHECKMATE is being
touted as a follow-up to THE OMAC PROJECT, coming from the same creative team,
so perhaps it's a little disappointing that its debut issue is the
lowest-selling among the INFINITE CRISIS spin-offs so far.
(38) NIGHTWING
04/2003: Nightwing #80 -- 29,508
04/2004: Nightwing #92 -- 29,555
---------------------------------
04/2005: Nightwing #107 -- 38,061 (- 1.8%)
05/2005: Nightwing #108 -- 37,019 (- 2.7%)
06/2005: Nightwing #109 -- 36,601 (- 1.1%)
07/2005: Nightwing #110 -- 38,175 (+ 4.3%)
08/2005: Nightwing #111 -- 36,146 (- 5.3%)
09/2005: Nightwing #112 -- 36,238 (+ 0.3%)
10/2005: Nightwing #113 -- 39,837 (+ 9.9%)
11/2005: Nightwing #114 -- 36,421 (- 8.6%)
12/2005: Nightwing #115 -- 35,674 (- 2.1%)
01/2006: Nightwing #116 -- 35,113 (- 1.6%) -- [37,851]
02/2006: Nightwing #117 -- 35,489 (+ 1.1%)
03/2006: Nightwing #118 -- 42,525 (+19.8%) -- [51,775]
04/2006: Nightwing #119 -- 46,336 (+ 9.0%)
----------------
6 months: +16.3%
1 year : +21.7%
2 years : +56.8%
March's "One Year Later" issue of NIGHTWING is another one that was initially
underordered, it seems. It sold another 9,250 copies in April, and sales
proceeded to rise with the subsequent issue.
(40) OUTSIDERS
04/2004: Outsiders #11 -- 43,130
--------------------------------
04/2005: --
05/2005: Outsiders #23 -- 40,617 (+ 4.5%)
05/2005: Outsiders #24 -- 51,313 (+26.3%) -- [54,734]
06/2005: Outsiders #25 -- 52,187 (+ 1.7%) -- [55,884]
07/2005: Outsiders #26 -- 43,226 (-17.2%)
08/2005: Outsiders #27 -- 44,021 (+ 1.8%)
09/2005: Outsiders #28 -- 44,222 (+ 0.5%)
10/2005: Outsiders #29 -- 47,611 (+ 7.7%)
11/2005: Outsiders #30 -- 44,682 (- 6.2%)
12/2005: Outsiders #31 -- 46,555 (+ 4.2%)
01/2006: Outsiders #32 -- 44,027 (- 5.4%)
02/2006: Outsiders #33 -- 43,270 (- 1.7%)
03/2006: Outsiders #34 -- 47,286 (+ 9.3%)
04/2006: Outsiders #35 -- 45,774 (- 3.2%)
----------------
6 months: - 3.9%
1 year : n.a.
2 years : + 6.1%
The numbers are falling back towards pre-"One Year Later" levels, but remain
solidly within the book's usual range.
(44) SUPERGIRL & THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
04/2003: Legion #19 -- 23,214
04/2004: Legion #32 -- 24,608
----------------------------------------------
04/2005: Legion of Super-Heroes #5 -- 41,664 (- 0.2%)
05/2005: Legion of Super-Heroes #6 -- 40,970 (- 1.7%)
06/2005: Legion of Super-Heroes #7 -- 39,155 (- 4.4%)
07/2005: Legion of Super-Heroes #8 -- 37,272 (- 4.8%)
08/2005: Legion of Super-Heroes #9 -- 35,834 (- 3.9%)
09/2005: Legion of Super-Heroes #10 -- 34,833 (- 2.8%)
10/2005: Legion of Super-Heroes #11 -- 34,113 (- 2.1%)
11/2005: Legion of Super-Heroes #12 -- 33,541 (- 1.7%)
12/2005: --
01/2006: Legion of Super-Heroes #13 -- 32,730 (- 2.4%)
02/2006: Legion of Super-Heroes #14 -- 32,513 (- 0.7%)
02/2006: Legion of Super-Heroes #15 -- 31,649 (- 2.7%)
03/2006: Supergirl & the Legion #16 -- 47,426 (+ 49.9%) -- [54,788]
04/2006: Supergirl & the Legion #17 -- 44,827 (- 5.5%)
----------------
6 months: +31.4%
1 year : + 7.6%
2 years : +82.2%
That's a slight downward correction after March's boost, but sales remain very
comfortably ahead of their previous level. Another 7,362 copies of issue #16
were sold in April as well.
(46) BLUE BEETLE
03/2006: Blue Beetle #1 -- 50,678 -- [57,012]
04/2006: Blue Beetle #2 -- 43,770 (-13.6%)
A relatively small second-issue drop, plus another 6,334 copies of issue #1 sold
in April. Great performance for a C-list concept.
(53) JSA: CLASSIFIED
07/2005: JSA: Classified #1 -- 58,296 -- [86,498]
08/2005: JSA: Classified #2 -- 46,039 (-21.0%) -- [67,358]
09/2005: JSA: Classified #3 -- 54,932 (+19.3%) -- [63,922]
10/2005: JSA: Classified #4 -- 55,903 (+ 1.8%) -- [63,579]
11/2005: JSA: Classified #5 -- 47,380 (-15.3%)
12/2005: JSA: Classified #6 -- 45,317 (- 4.4%)
01/2006: JSA: Classified #7 -- 42,857 (- 5.4%)
02/2006: JSA: Classified #8 -- 39,656 (- 7.5%)
02/2006: JSA: Classified #9 -- 39,104 (- 1.4%)
03/2006: JSA: Classified #10 -- 41,332 (+ 5.7%)
04/2006: JSA: Classified #11 -- 37,815 (- 8.5%)
----------------
6 months: -32.4%
After a brief flicker of increased interest due to "One Year Later" in March,
the book continues its decline.
(54) AQUAMAN: SWORD OF ATLANTIS
04/2003: Aquaman #5 -- 34,684
04/2004: Aquaman #17 -- 25,691
-------------------------------------------------
04/2005: Aquaman #29 -- 19,046 (- 0.7%)
05/2005: Aquaman #30 -- 18,606 (- 2.3%)
06/2005: Aquaman #31 -- 18,402 (- 1.1%)
07/2005: Aquaman #32 -- 17,916 (- 2.6%)
08/2005: Aquaman #33 -- 17,621 (- 1.7%)
09/2005: Aquaman #34 -- 17,605 (- 0.1%)
10/2005: Aquaman #35 -- 22,644 (+ 28.6%)
11/2005: Aquaman #36 -- 18,022 (- 20.4%)
12/2005: Aquaman #37 -- 19,640 (+ 9.0%)
01/2006: Aquaman #38 -- 18,321 (- 6.7%)
02/2006: Aquaman #39 -- 18,326 (+ 0.0%)
03/2006: Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #40 -- 37,611 (+105.2%) -- [46,401]
04/2006: Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #41 -- 37,567 (- 0.1%)
----------------
6 months: +65.9%
1 year : +97.2%
2 years : +46.2%
Remarkably, AQUAMAN not only sold another 8,790 of its March issue in April, but
also maintained its more than doubled sales with the subsequent issue. Okay,
there was a variant cover edition, but the same is true of issue #40, so the
book's continued great performance in comparison to the previous month is not
down to gimmicks. SWORD OF ATLANTIS is one of the surprise hits to come out of
"One Year Later."
(55) ROBIN
04/2003: Robin #113 -- 22,663
04/2004: Robin #125 -- 32,923
-----------------------------
04/2005: Robin #137 -- 30,798 (- 2.7%)
05/2005: Robin #138 -- 29,935 (- 2.8%)
06/2005: Robin #139 -- 29,645 (- 1.0%)
07/2005: Robin #140 -- 28,909 (- 2.5%)
08/2005: Robin #141 -- 28,564 (- 1.2%)
09/2005: Robin #142 -- 28,822 (+ 0.9%)
10/2005: Robin #143 -- 34,141 (+18.5%)
11/2005: Robin #144 -- 32,314 (- 5.4%)
12/2005: Robin #145 -- 28,532 (-11.7%)
01/2006: Robin #146 -- 29,499 (+ 3.4%) -- [31,851]
02/2006: Robin #147 -- 32,120 (+ 8.9%)
03/2006: Robin #148 -- 36,717 (+14.3%)
04/2006: Robin #149 -- 37,173 (+ 1.2%)
----------------
6 months: + 8.9%
1 year : +20.7%
2 years : +12.9%
Another climber.
(56) GREEN ARROW
04/2003: Green Arrow #23 -- 55,280
04/2003: Green Arrow #24 -- 53,565
04/2004: Green Arrow #37 -- 34,124
----------------------------------
04/2005: Green Arrow #49 -- 31,403 (- 0.8%)
05/2005: Green Arrow #50 -- 34,886 (+11.1%)
06/2005: Green Arrow #51 -- 31,346 (-10.2%)
07/2005: Green Arrow #52 -- 35,656 (+13.8%)
08/2005: Green Arrow #53 -- 32,474 (- 8.9%)
09/2005: Green Arrow #54 -- 34,331 (+ 5.7%)
10/2005: Green Arrow #55 -- 32,804 (- 4.5%)
11/2005: Green Arrow #56 -- 32,670 (- 0.4%)
12/2005: Green Arrow #57 -- 31,778 (- 2.7%)
01/2006: Green Arrow #58 -- 30,990 (- 2.5%)
02/2006: Green Arrow #59 -- 31,250 (+ 0.8%)
03/2006: Green Arrow #60 -- 37,946 (+21.4%)
04/2006: Green Arrow #61 -- 35,993 (- 5.2%)
----------------
6 months: + 9.7%
1 year : +14.6%
2 years : + 5.5%
(57) BIRDS OF PREY
04/2003: Birds of Prey #54 -- 23,521
04/2004: Birds of Prey #66 -- 31,525
------------------------------------
04/2005: Birds of Prey #81 -- 29,832 (- 0.4%)
05/2005: Birds of Prey #82 -- 29,855 (+ 0.1%)
06/2005: Birds of Prey #83 -- 38,067 (+27.5%)
07/2005: Birds of Prey #84 -- 29,982 (-21.2%)
08/2005: Birds of Prey #85 -- 32,076 (+ 7.0%)
09/2005: Birds of Prey #86 -- 31,270 (- 2.5%)
10/2005: Birds of Prey #87 -- 32,084 (+ 2.6%)
11/2005: Birds of Prey #88 -- 32,823 (+ 2.3%)
12/2005: Birds of Prey #89 -- 30,653 (- 6.6%)
01/2006: Birds of Prey #90 -- 30,460 (- 0.6%)
02/2006: Birds of Prey #91 -- 29,835 (- 2.1%)
03/2006: Birds of Prey #92 -- 36,808 (+23.4%)
04/2006: Birds of Prey #93 -- 34,404 (- 6.5%)
----------------
6 months: + 7.2%
1 year : +15.3%
2 years : + 9.1%
GREEN ARROW and BIRDS OF PREY, in contrast to most other books involved in "One
Year Later," follow the usually expected pattern and begin to drop back towards
their usual sales level after the initial boost. They're both still solidly
ahead of that level, however.
(61) JLA: CLASSIFIED
04/2005: JLA: Classified #6 -- 48,086 (- 6.4%)
05/2005: JLA: Classified #7 -- 45,788 (- 4.8%)
06/2005: JLA: Classified #8 -- 43,504 (- 5.0%)
06/2005: JLA: Classified #9 -- 42,798 (- 1.6%)
07/2005: JLA: Classified #10 -- 45,039 (+ 5.2%) -- [47,814]
08/2005: JLA: Classified #11 -- 43,582 (- 3.2%) -- [46,056]
09/2005: JLA: Classified #12 -- 43,714 (+ 0.3%)
10/2005: JLA: Classified #13 -- 43,832 (+ 0.3%)
11/2005: JLA: Classified #14 -- 43,469 (- 0.8%)
12/2005: JLA: Classified #15 -- 41,951 (- 3.5%)
01/2006: JLA: Classified #16 -- 39,336 (- 6.2%)
02/2006: JLA: Classified #17 -- 38,014 (- 3.4%)
03/2006: JLA: Classified #18 -- 35,873 (- 5.6%)
03/2006: JLA: Classified #19 -- 35,300 (- 1.6%)
04/2006: JLA: Classified #20 -- 34,039 (- 3.6%)
----------------
6 months: -22.3%
1 year : -29.2%
Continuing its usual decline. These aren't exactly stellar sales, at this
stage, but if we take LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT, another book telling
self-contained arcs by rotating creative teams, as a point of reference (see
below), JSA: CLASSIFIED and JLA: CLASSIFIED should both be safe for a while.
(62) PLANETARY (WildStorm)
04/2003: --
04/2004: --
---------------------------------
04/2005: --
05/2005: --
06/2005: Planetary #23 -- 31,400 (+1.2%)
07/2005: --
08/2005: --
09/2005: --
10/2005: --
11/2005: --
12/2005: --
01/2006: Planetary #24 -- 31,844 (+1.4%)
02/2006: --
03/2006: --
04/2006: Planetary #25 -- 32,836 (+3.1%)
---------------
6 months: n.a.
1 year : n.a.
2 years : n.a.
The book keeps gaining steam with its penultimate issue. PLANETARY #26 hasn't
been solicited yet, meanwhile, so it's going to ship in September, at the
earliest.
(64) BATMAN: SECRETS
03/2006: Batman: Secrets #1 (of 5) -- 38,316
04/2006: Batman: Secrets #2 (of 5) -- 31,867 (-16.8%)
That's not a very encouraging second-issue drop for a limited series.
(65) HAWKGIRL
04/2003: Hawkman #14 -- 29,998
04/2004: Hawkman #27 -- 28,392
-------------------------------
04/2005: Hawkman #39 -- 19,620 (- 0.5%)
05/2005: Hawkman #40 -- 19,912 (+ 1.5%)
06/2005: Hawkman #41 -- 21,238 (+ 6.7%)
07/2005: Hawkman #42 -- 21,365 (+ 0.6%)
08/2005: Hawkman #43 -- 22,010 (+ 3.0%)
09/2005: Hawkman #44 -- 22,560 (+ 2.5%)
10/2005: Hawkman #45 -- 23,379 (+ 3.6%)
11/2005: Hawkman #46 -- 25,329 (+ 8.3%)
12/2005: Hawkman #47 -- 24,736 (- 2.3%)
01/2006: Hawkman #48 -- 24,259 (- 1.9%)
02/2006: Hawkman #49 -- 25,031 (+ 3.2%)
03/2006: Hawkgirl #50 -- 34,728 (+38.7%)
04/2006: Hawkgirl #51 -- 30,657 (-11.7%)
----------------
6 months: +31.1%
1 year : +56.3%
2 years : + 8.0%
HAWKGIRL sheds a portion of its "One Year Later" increase, but remains about
5,000 units ahead of its previous sales level.
(67) CATWOMAN
04/2003: Catwoman #18 -- 23,199
04/2004: Catwoman #30 -- 24,286
-------------------------------
04/2005: Catwoman #42 -- 21,029 (- 4.5%)
05/2005: Catwoman #43 -- 20,818 (- 1.0%)
06/2005: Catwoman #44 -- 21,574 (+ 3.6%)
07/2005: Catwoman #45 -- 20,848 (- 3.4%)
08/2005: Catwoman #46 -- 20,702 (- 0.7%) -- [21,718]
09/2005: Catwoman #47 -- 20,699 (- 0.0%)
10/2005: Catwoman #48 -- 21,104 (+ 2.0%)
11/2005: Catwoman #49 -- 21,257 (+ 0.7%)
12/2005: Catwoman #50 -- 24,136 (+13.5%) -- [26,170]
01/2006: Catwoman #51 -- 22,681 (- 6.0%)
02/2006: Catwoman #52 -- 21,954 (- 3.2%)
03/2006: Catwoman #53 -- 28,473 (+29.7%) -- [34,428]
04/2006: Catwoman #54 -- 28,922 (+ 1.6%)
----------------
6 months: +37.1%
1 year : +37.5%
2 years : +19.1%
You know the drill: The March issue sells another 5,955 and the subsequent one
continues to go up in sales, suggesting that there's more demand for the "One
Year Later" CATWOMAN than retailers expected.
(71) RED SONJA/CLAW: DEVIL'S HANDS (WildStorm)
03/2006: Red Sonja/Claw: Devil's Hands #1 (of 4) -- 33,241
04/2006: Red Sonja/Claw: Devil's Hands #2 (of 4) -- 28,266 (-15.0%)
The drop is a bit on the steep side.
(78) SEVEN SOLDIERS: FRANKENSTEIN
11/2005: Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein #1 (of 4) -- 32,774
12/2005: --
01/2006: Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein #2 (of 4) -- 29,574 (-9.8%)
02/2006: --
03/2006: Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein #3 (of 4) -- 29,137 (-1.5%)
04/2006: Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein #4 (of 4) -- 27,873 (-4.3%)
Average limited series drops.
(72) MAN-BAT
04/2006: Man-Bat #1 (of 5) -- 27,137
Solid numbers for this sort of thing.
(78) BATMAN: YEAR 100
02/2006: Batman: Year 100 #1 (of 4) -- 24,446 -- [29,891]
03/2006: Batman: Year 100 #2 (of 4) -- 23,029 (- 5.8%) -- [27,490]
04/2006: Batman: Year 100 #3 (of 4) -- 25,992 (+12.9%)
The Paul Pope vehicle BATMAN: YEAR 100 is another title that was underestimated
by retailers, and it doesn't have anything to do with "One Year Later" for a
change. In addition to the very unusual increase for the third issue, a second
printing of issue #1 shifted another 5,445 copies and issue #2 sold another
4,461 units in April.
(79) Y: THE LAST MAN (Vertigo)
04/2003: Y: The Last Man #10 -- 24,853
04/2004: Y: The Last Man #21 -- 26,720
--------------------------------------
04/2005: Y: The Last Man #32 -- 26,914 (+4.2%)
05/2005: Y: The Last Man #33 -- 26,883 (-0.1%)
06/2005: Y: The Last Man #34 -- 26,756 (-0.5%)
07/2005: Y: The Last Man #35 -- 26,449 (-1.2%)
08/2005: Y: The Last Man #36 -- 26,558 (+0.4%)
09/2005: Y: The Last Man #37 -- 26,638 (+0.3%)
10/2005: Y: The Last Man #38 -- 26,535 (-0.4%)
11/2005: Y: The Last Man #39 -- 26,395 (-0.5%)
12/2005: Y: The Last Man #40 -- 26,006 (-1.5%)
01/2006: Y: The Last Man #41 -- 25,931 (-0.3%)
02/2006: Y: The Last Man #42 -- 25,775 (-0.6%)
03/2006: Y: The Last Man #43 -- 25,877 (+0.4%)
04/2006: Y: The Last Man #44 -- 25,985 (+0.4%)
---------------
6 months: -2.1%
1 year : -3.5%
2 years : -2.8%
Business as usual. It's worth flagging up every few months: Y: THE LAST MAN and
FABLES are easily the company's most consistent sellers -- not to mention the
best-selling Vertigo titles -- in the direct market.
(80) BATMAN AND THE MONSTER MEN
11/2005: Batman and the Monster Men #1 (of 6) -- 36,177
12/2005: Batman and the Monster Men #2 (of 6) -- 29,138 (-19.5%)
01/2006: Batman and the Monster Men #3 (of 6) -- 27,135 (- 6.9%)
02/2006: Batman and the Monster Men #4 (of 6) -- 26,320 (- 3.0%)
03/2006: Batman and the Monster Men #5 (of 6) -- 25,960 (- 1.4%)
04/2006: Batman and the Monster Men #6 (of 6) -- 25,650 (- 1.2%)
Those are standard limited series numbers, once you get past the very harsh
second-issue drop.
(81) & (85) BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT
04/2003: Legends of the Dark Knight #166 -- 25,664
04/2004: Legends of the Dark Knight #178 -- 24,145
--------------------------------------------------
04/2005: Legends of the Dark Knight #190 -- 25,935 (- 1.2%)
05/2005: Legends of the Dark Knight #191 -- 25,936 (+ 0.0%)
06/2005: Legends of the Dark Knight #192 -- 26,211 (+ 1.1%)
07/2005: Legends of the Dark Knight #193 -- 25,755 (- 1.7%)
08/2005: Legends of the Dark Knight #194 -- 25,290 (- 1.8%)
09/2005: Legends of the Dark Knight #195 -- 25,206 (- 0.3%)
10/2005: Legends of the Dark Knight #196 -- 24,932 (- 1.1%)
11/2005: Legends of the Dark Knight #197 -- 24,478 (- 1.8%)
12/2005: Legends of the Dark Knight #198 -- 24,010 (- 1.9%)
01/2006: Legends of the Dark Knight #199 -- 23,461 (- 2.3%)
02/2006: Legends of the Dark Knight #200 -- 28,984 (+23.5%)
03/2006: Legends of the Dark Knight #201 -- 24,516 (-15.4%)
03/2006: Legends of the Dark Knight #202 -- 23,810 (- 2.9%)
04/2006: Legends of the Dark Knight #203 -- 24,775 (+ 4.1%)
04/2006: Legends of the Dark Knight #204 -- 24,155 (- 2.5%)
---------------
6 months: -1.9%
1 year : -5.7%
2 years : +0.0%
Sales are back in decline, but stay firmly within the book's usual range.
(82) FABLES (Vertigo)
04/2003: Fables #12 -- 24,929
04/2004: Fables #24 -- 25,464
-----------------------------
04/2005: Fables #36 -- 24,975 (+2.1%)
05/2005: Fables #37 -- 24,477 (-2.0%)
06/2005: Fables #38 -- 24,813 (+1.4%)
07/2005: Fables #39 -- 24,617 (-0.8%)
08/2005: Fables #40 -- 24,952 (+1.4%)
09/2005: Fables #41 -- 25,001 (+0.2%)
10/2005: Fables #42 -- 24,953 (-0.2%)
11/2005: Fables #43 -- 24,659 (-1.2%)
12/2005: Fables #44 -- 24,515 (-0.6%)
01/2006: Fables #45 -- 24,297 (-0.9%)
02/2006: Fables #46 -- 24,134 (-0.7%)
03/2006: Fables #47 -- 24,278 (+0.6%)
04/2006: Fables #48 -- 24,476 (+0.8%)
---------------
6 months: -1.9%
1 year : -2.0%
2 years : -3.9%
See comments on Y: THE LAST MAN.
(88) FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MAN
04/2005: Firestorm #12 -- 18,984 (- 2.4%)
05/2005: Firestorm #13 -- 18,899 (- 0.5%)
06/2005: Firestorm #14 -- 18,375 (- 2.8%)
07/2005: Firestorm #15 -- 17,687 (- 3.7%)
08/2005: Firestorm #16 -- 17,688 (+ 0.0%)
09/2005: Firestorm #17 -- 22,553 (+27.5%)
10/2005: Firestorm #18 -- 23,246 (+ 3.1%)
11/2005: Firestorm #19 -- 22,979 (- 1.2%)
12/2005: Firestorm #20 -- 23,473 (+ 2.2%)
01/2006: Firestorm #21 -- 22,500 (- 4.2%)
02/2006: Firestorm #22 -- 21,104 (- 6.2%)
03/2006: Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #23 -- 25,109 (+19.0%)
04/2006: Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #24 -- 23,704 (- 5.6%)
----------------
6 months: + 2.0%
1 year : +24.9%
The numbers are bouncing back from March's increase, but for now remain
considerably ahead of the book's pre-"Crisis" sales.
(90) JONAH HEX
11/2005: Jonah Hex #1 -- 33,771
12/2005: Jonah Hex #2 -- 26,227 (-22.3%)
01/2006: Jonah Hex #3 -- 24,671 (- 5.9%)
02/2006: Jonah Hex #4 -- 23,569 (- 4.5%)
03/2006: Jonah Hex #5 -- 23,496 (- 0.3%)
04/2006: Jonah Hex #6 -- 22,763 (- 3.1%)
It doesn't seem to have found its level yet, after all. Still, there should be
quite a bit of rope before the book is in any danger. For this sort of thing,
these are still very decent sales.
(94) SGT. ROCK: THE PROPHECY
01/2006: Sgt. Rock: The Prophecy #1 (of 6) -- 32,793 -- [35,557]
02/2006: Sgt. Rock: The Prophecy #2 (of 6) -- 24,333 (-25.8%)
03/2006: Sgt. Rock: The Prophecy #3 (of 6) -- 23,510 (- 3.4%)
04/2006: Sgt. Rock: The Prophecy #4 (of 6) -- 21,838 (- 7.1%)
This one appears to be losing steam, but the numbers are still entirely decent.
(Issue #1 was published in three different editions, hence the brisk drop for
the second issue.)
(99) EX MACHINA SPECIAL (WildStorm)
04/2006: Ex Machina Special #1 (of 2) -- 21,356
(103) EX MACHINA (WildStorm)
04/2005: Ex Machina #10 -- 22,101 (- 1.1%)
05/2005: Ex Machina #11 -- 21,885 (- 1.0%)
06/2005: Ex Machina #12 -- 22,004 (+ 0.5%)
07/2005: Ex Machina #13 -- 21,666 (- 1.5%)
08/2005: Ex Machina #14 -- 21,134 (- 2.5%)
09/2005: --
10/2005: Ex Machina #15 -- 21,748 (+ 2.9%)
11/2005: Ex Machina #16 -- 21,250 (- 2.3%)
12/2005: --
01/2006: Ex Machina #17 -- 21,196 (- 0.3%)
02/2006: --
03/2006: Ex Machina #18 -- 21,081 (- 0.5%)
04/2006: Ex Machina #19 -- 20,358 (- 3.4%)
---------------
6 months: -6.4%
1 year : -7.9%
I'm surprised, I have to admit; I would have expected the spin-off to sell a few
thousand copies less than the mother title. Obviously, the decision to do a
separate limited series was rather more sensible than I gave them credit for,
after all. EX MACHINA itself continues a slow decline, meanwhile.
(106) WARLORD
02/2006: Warlord #1 -- 27,443
03/2006: Warlord #2 -- 21,570 (-21.4%)
04/2006: Warlord #3 -- 19,993 (- 7.3%)
This is now officially the lowest-selling DC Universe title, and the drops so
far don't look very encouraging.
On the other hand, WARLORD started out with surprisingly decent sales, and it
still has some 5,000 units between itself and the danger zone. So there's no
reason to panic quite yet.
(107) CAPTAIN ATOM: ARMAGEDDON (WildStorm)
10/2005: Captain Atom: Armageddon #1 (of 9) -- 40,662
11/2005: Captain Atom: Armageddon #2 (of 9) -- 26,402 (-35.1%)
12/2005: Captain Atom: Armageddon #3 (of 9) -- 23,480 (-11.1%)
01/2006: Captain Atom: Armageddon #4 (of 9) -- 21,327 (- 9.2%)
02/2006: Captain Atom: Armageddon #5 (of 9) -- 20,532 (- 3.7%)
03/2006: Captain Atom: Armageddon #6 (of 9) -- 20,195 (- 1.6%)
04/2006: Captain Atom: Armageddon #7 (of 9) -- 19,942 (- 1.3%)
----------------
6 months: -51.0%
Slowly but surely leveling out, as we're heading for the conclusion.
(116) DESOLATION JONES (WildStorm)
05/2005: Desolation Jones #1 -- 21,831
06/2005: --
07/2005: Desolation Jones #2 -- 18,184 (-16.7%)
08/2005: --
09/2005: Desolation Jones #3 -- 17,374 (- 4.5%)
10/2005: --
11/2005: Desolation Jones #4 -- 17,611 (+ 1.4%)
12/2005: --
01/2006: Desolation Jones #5 -- 17,160 (- 2.6%)
02/2006: --
03/2006: --
04/2006: Desolation Jones #6 -- 17,369 (+ 1.2%)
----------------
6 months: n.a.
The book has found its sales niche, it seems, and its not a bad one to sit in.
Of course, that could be entirely moot, since the artist jumped ship after the
first arc, a replacement hasn't been announced yet as I'm writing this, and
issue #7 is yet to be solicited, which means it will be out in September, at the
earliest.
At present, the book seems to have a lot of positive momentum, but it's
questionable whether that momentum will survive the delay and the artist switch.
(118) BITE CLUB: VAMPIRE CRIME UNIT (Vertigo)
04/2004: Bite Club #1 (of 6) -- 24,043
----------------------------------------------------------
04/2006: Bite Club: Vampire Crime Unit #1 (of 6) -- 17,195
----------------
2 years : -28.5%
The creative team is exactly the same as for the first BITE CLUB series, but
that didn't stop a third of the audience to get lost between the two debut
issues. Then again, BITE CLUB #6 sold an estimated 18,222 copies in September
2004, so sales are picking up right where they left off the last time around.
Now, 17,195 units aren't too horrible, compared to other recent Vertigo
launches, but given the usually steep second-issue drops, they were probably
hoping for a better performance.
(119) LOVELESS (Vertigo)
10/2005: Loveless #1 -- 22,483
11/2005: Loveless #2 -- 17,667 (-21.4%)
12/2005: Loveless #3 -- 16,280 (- 7.9%) -- [17,584]
01/2006: --
02/2006: Loveless #4 -- 16,765 (+ 3.0%)
03/2006: Loveless #5 -- 16,704 (- 0.4%)
04/2006: Loveless #6 -- 16,823 (+ 0.7%)
----------------
6 months: -25.2%
The book has apparently found its level.
(124) AMERICAN VIRGIN (Vertigo)
03/2006: American Virgin #1 -- 19,455
04/2006: American Virgin #2 -- 15,780 (-18.9%)
Average drop.
(126) DMZ (Vertigo)
11/2005: DMZ #1 -- 18,705
12/2005: DMZ #2 -- 14,840 (-20.7%)
01/2006: DMZ #3 -- 14,503 (- 2.3%)
02/2006: DMZ #4 -- 14,778 (+ 1.9%)
03/2006: DMZ #5 -- 14,952 (+ 1.2%)
04/2006: DMZ #6 -- 15,212 (+ 1.7%)
It's a very marginal climb, of course, but it's nonetheless promising. The big
news is not that DMZ gained 700 units since January -- it's that it didn't lose
5,000.
(128) MANHUNTER
04/2005: Manhunter #9 -- 13,603 (- 4.4%)
05/2005: Manhunter #10 -- 13,741 (+ 1.0%)
06/2005: Manhunter #11 -- 14,040 (+ 2.2%)
07/2005: Manhunter #12 -- 13,591 (- 3.2%)
08/2005: Manhunter #13 -- 22,110 (+62.7%)
09/2005: Manhunter #14 -- 17,162 (-22.4%)
10/2005: Manhunter #15 -- 14,345 (-16.4%)
11/2005: Manhunter #16 -- 14,257 (- 0.6%)
12/2005: Manhunter #17 -- 13,615 (- 4.5%)
01/2006: Manhunter #18 -- 13,212 (- 3.0%)
02/2006: Manhunter #19 -- 12,970 (- 1.8%)
03/2006: Manhunter #20 -- 16,090 (+24.1%)
04/2006: Manhunter #21 -- 14,950 (- 7.1%)
----------------
6 months: + 4.2%
1 year : + 9.9%
Canceled with issue #25. [Update: Well, not anymore. Since the column was
written, the title has been granted at least five more issues.]
(131) SKYE RUNNER (WildStorm)
04/2006: Skye Runner #1 (of 6) -- 14,600
SKY RUNNER is a generic fantasy title starring a scantily clad woman with big
breasts, if the solicitation copy is anything to go by.
My first impulse is to say that the numbers are about as expected, but hold on:
There is, in fact, an edition with a variant cover drawn by Jim Lee. So it's
actually a rather underwhelming debut. Well, it's bound to get worse with issue
#2, which doesn't have a sales-bloating gimmick edition in its favor.
(132) WILDCATS: NEMESIS (WildStorm)
04/2003: Wildcats Version 3.0 #9 -- 16,232
04/2004: Wildcats Version 3.0 #20 -- 13,545
----------------------------------------------
09/2005: Wildcats: Nemesis #1 (of 9) -- 19,663
10/2005: Wildcats: Nemesis #2 (of 9) -- 16,829 (-14.4%)
11/2005: Wildcats: Nemesis #3 (of 9) -- 16,154 (- 4.0%)
12/2005: Wildcats: Nemesis #4 (of 9) -- 15,428 (- 4.5%)
01/2006: Wildcats: Nemesis #5 (of 9) -- 14,983 (- 2.9%)
02/2006: Wildcats: Nemesis #6 (of 9) -- 14,572 (- 2.7%)
03/2006: Wildcats: Nemesis #7 (of 9) -- 14,533 (- 0.3%)
04/2006: Wildcats: Nemesis #8 (of 9) -- 14,410 (- 0.9%)
----------------
6 months: -14.4%
2 years : + 6.4%
Standard limited series numbers.
(133) HELLBLAZER (Vertigo)
04/2003: Hellblazer #183 -- 16,905
04/2004: Hellblazer #195 -- 14,887
----------------------------------
04/2005: Hellblazer #207 -- 15,368 (- 0.6%)
05/2005: Hellblazer #208 -- 15,420 (+ 0.3%)
06/2005: Hellblazer #209 -- 15,149 (- 1.8%)
07/2005: Hellblazer #210 -- 14,801 (- 2.3%)
08/2005: Hellblazer #211 -- 14,727 (- 0.5%)
09/2005: Hellblazer #212 -- 14,714 (- 0.1%)
10/2005: Hellblazer #213 -- 14,688 (- 0.2%)
11/2005: Hellblazer #214 -- 14,766 (+ 0.5%)
12/2005: Hellblazer #215 -- 14,405 (- 2.5%)
01/2006: Hellblazer #216 -- 14,590 (+ 1.3%)
02/2006: Hellblazer #217 -- 14,306 (- 2.0%)
03/2006: Hellblazer #218 -- 14,129 (- 1.2%)
04/2006: Hellblazer #219 -- 14,206 (+ 0.6%)
---------------
6 months: -3.3%
1 year : -7.6%
2 years : -4.6%
Perfectly solid, as usual.
(135) 100 BULLETS (Vertigo)
04/2003: 100 Bullets #43 -- 17,273
04/2004: --
----------------------------------
04/2005: 100 Bullets #60 -- 14,882 (- 0.3%)
05/2005: 100 Bullets #61 -- 14,927 (+ 0.3%)
06/2005: --
07/2005: 100 Bullets #62 -- 14,867 (- 0.4%)
08/2005: 100 Bullets #63 -- 14,793 (- 0.5%)
09/2005: 100 Bullets #64 -- 14,708 (- 0.6%)
10/2005: 100 Bullets #65 -- 14,744 (+ 0.3%)
11/2005: 100 Bullets #66 -- 14,425 (- 2.2%)
12/2005: 100 Bullets #67 -- 14,165 (- 1.8%)
01/2006: 100 Bullets #68 -- 13,879 (- 2.0%)
02/2006: 100 Bullets #69 -- 13,708 (- 1.2%)
03/2006: 100 Bullets #70 -- 13,591 (- 0.9%)
04/2006: 100 Bullets #71 -- 13,514 (- 0.6%)
----------------
6 months: - 8.3%
1 year : - 9.2%
2 years : n.a.
Standard attrition.
(137) BLOOD OF THE DEMON
04/2005: Blood of the Demon #2 -- 18,404 (-19.3%)
05/2005: Blood of the Demon #3 -- 18,133 (- 1.5%)
06/2005: Blood of the Demon #4 -- 16,311 (-10.1%)
07/2005: Blood of the Demon #5 -- 16,581 (+ 1.7%)
08/2005: Blood of the Demon #6 -- 17,416 (+ 5.0%)
09/2005: Blood of the Demon #7 -- 19,248 (+10.5%)
10/2005: Blood of the Demon #8 -- 14,457 (-24.9%)
11/2005: Blood of the Demon #9 -- 13,971 (- 3.4%)
12/2005: Blood of the Demon #10 -- 12,813 (- 8.3%)
01/2006: Blood of the Demon #11 -- 11,883 (- 7.3%)
02/2006: Blood of the Demon #12 -- 11,362 (- 4.4%)
03/2006: Blood of the Demon #13 -- 14,087 (+24.0%)
04/2006: Blood of the Demon #14 -- 13,091 (- 7.1%)
----------------
6 months: -10.0%
1 year : -28.9%
Canceled with issue #17.
(139) TESTAMENT (Vertigo)
12/2005: Testament #1 -- 16,893 -- [18,166]
01/2006: Testament #2 -- 13,518 (-20.0%)
02/2006: Testament #3 -- 12,831 (- 5.1%)
03/2006: Testament #4 -- 13,074 (+ 1.9%)
04/2006: Testament #5 -- 12,770 (- 2.3%)
Standard decline.
(146) SOLO
04/2005: Solo #4 -- 13,566 (-12.8%)
05/2005: --
06/2005: Solo #5 -- 14,262 (+ 5.1%)
07/2005: --
08/2005: Solo #6 -- 11,752 (-17.6%)
09/2005: --
10/2005: Solo #7 -- 14,961 (+27.3%) -- [17,108]
11/2005: --
12/2005: Solo #8 -- 15,264 (+ 2.0%)
01/2006: --
02/2006: Solo #9 -- 12,020 (-21.3%)
03/2006: --
04/2006: Solo #10 -- 11,414 (- 5.0%)
----------------
6 months: -23.7%
1 year : -15.9%
Canceled with issue #12.
(148) THE EXTERMINATORS (Vertigo)
01/2006: The Exterminators #1 -- 16,187
02/2006: The Exterminators #2 -- 12,459 (-23.0%)
03/2006: The Exterminators #3 -- 11,678 (- 6.3%)
04/2006: The Exterminators #4 -- 11,342 (- 2.9%)
The lowest-selling ongoing DC title which hasn't been canceled yet, apart from
the Johnny DC books. If SWAMP THING is any indication, there's still some
wiggle room, though.
(150) TEEN TITANS GO (Johnny DC)
04/2004: Teen Titans Go #6 -- 14,612
-------------------------------------
04/2005: Teen Titans Go #18 -- 14,152 (+ 0.8%)
05/2005: Teen Titans Go #19 -- 14,348 (+ 1.4%)
06/2005: Teen Titans Go #20 -- 14,114 (- 1.6%)
07/2005: Teen Titans Go #21 -- 13,440 (- 4.8%)
08/2005: Teen Titans Go #22 -- 13,166 (- 2.0%)
09/2005: Teen Titans Go #23 -- 12,933 (- 1.8%)
10/2005: Teen Titans Go #24 -- 12,994 (+ 0.5%)
11/2005: Teen Titans Go #25 -- 12,598 (- 3.1%)
12/2005: Teen Titans Go #26 -- 11,790 (- 6.4%)
01/2006: Teen Titans Go #27 -- 11,609 (- 1.5%)
02/2006: Teen Titans Go #28 -- 11,568 (- 0.4%)
03/2006: Teen Titans Go #29 -- 11,260 (- 2.7%)
04/2006: Teen Titans Go #30 -- 11,225 (- 0.3%)
----------------
6 months: -13.6%
1 year : -20.7%
2 years : -23.2%
A Johnny DC title. See disclaimer.
(151) ALBION (WildStorm)
06/2005: Albion #1 (of 6) -- 18,791 -- [20,427]
07/2005: Albion #2 (of 6) -- 15,403 (-18.0%)
08/2005: --
09/2005: --
10/2005: Albion #3 (of 6) -- 14,835 (- 3.7%)
11/2005: --
12/2005: --
01/2006: --
02/2006: --
03/2006: --
04/2005: Albion #4 (of 6) -- 10,766 (-27.4%)
----------------
6 months: -27.4%
Ouch. Awful sales, obviously, and not at all helped by the massive delays.
(153) MAJESTIC (WildStorm)
04/2005: Majestic #4 -- 17,001 (- 6.3%)
05/2005: Majestic #5 -- 15,914 (- 6.4%)
06/2005: Majestic #6 -- 14,927 (- 6.2%)
07/2005: Majestic #7 -- 13,689 (- 8.3%)
08/2005: Majestic #8 -- 12,808 (- 6.4%)
09/2005: Majestic #9 -- 12,438 (- 2.9%)
10/2005: Majestic #10 -- 11,987 (- 3.6%)
11/2005: Majestic #11 -- 11,754 (- 1.9%)
12/2005: Majestic #12 -- 11,500 (- 2.2%)
01/2006: Majestic #13 -- 10,904 (- 5.2%)
02/2006: Majestic #14 -- 10,944 (+ 0.4%)
03/2006: Majestic #15 -- 10,855 (- 0.8%)
04/2006: Majestic #16 -- 10,671 (- 1.7%)
----------------
6 months: -11.0%
1 year : -37.2%
Canceled with issue #17.
(155) JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED (Johnny DC)
03/2003: Justice League Adventures #18 -- 14,241
03/2004: Justice League Adventures #30 -- 12,194
------------------------------------------------
04/2005: Justice League Unlimited #8 -- 12,145 (- 0.3%)
05/2005: Justice League Unlimited #9 -- 11,869 (- 2.3%)
06/2005: Justice League Unlimited #10 -- 11,634 (- 2.0%)
07/2005: Justice League Unlimited #11 -- 11,340 (- 2.5%)
08/2005: Justice League Unlimited #12 -- 11,181 (- 1.4%)
09/2005: Justice League Unlimited #13 -- 10,914 (- 2.4%)
10/2005: Justice League Unlimited #14 -- 10,706 (- 1.9%)
11/2005: Justice League Unlimited #15 -- 10,625 (- 0.8%)
12/2005: Justice League Unlimited #16 -- 10,774 (+ 1.4%)
01/2006: Justice League Unlimited #17 -- 10,199 (- 5.3%)
02/2006: Justice League Unlimited #18 -- 10,206 (+ 0.1%)
03/2006: Justice League Unlimited #19 -- 10,534 (+ 3.2%)
04/2006: Justice League Unlimited #20 -- 10,620 (+ 0.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 0.8%
1 year : -12.6%
2 years : -12.9%
(156) THE AMERICAN WAY (WildStorm)
02/2006: The American Way #1 (of 8) -- 15,216
03/2006: The American Way #2 (of 8) -- 11,937 (-21.6%)
04/2006: The American Way #3 (of 8) -- 10,503 (-12.0%)
Another sales fiasco.
(177) LUCIFER (Vertigo)
04/2003: Lucifer #37 -- 13,889
04/2004: Lucifer #49 -- 12,846
------------------------------
04/2005: Lucifer #61 -- 11,771 (- 1.4%)
05/2005: Lucifer #62 -- 13,248 (+12.6%)
06/2005: Lucifer #63 -- 11,694 (-11.7%)
07/2005: Lucifer #64 -- 11,418 (- 2.4%)
08/2005: Lucifer #65 -- 11,347 (- 0.6%)
09/2005: Lucifer #66 -- 11,725 (+ 3.3%)
10/2005: Lucifer #67 -- 11,168 (- 4.8%)
11/2005: Lucifer #68 -- 11,036 (- 1.2%)
12/2005: Lucifer #69 -- 10,881 (- 1.4%)
01/2006: Lucifer #70 -- 10,779 (- 0.9%)
02/2006: Lucifer #71 -- 10,578 (- 1.9%)
03/2006: Lucifer #72 -- 10,436 (- 1.3%)
04/2006: Lucifer #73 -- 10,409 (- 0.3%)
----------------
6 months: - 6.8%
1 year : -11.6%
2 years : -19.0%
Ending with issue #75.
(158) TEAM ZERO (WildStorm)
12/2005: Team Zero #1 (of 6) -- 15,933
01/2006: Team Zero #2 (of 6) -- 11,995 (-24.7%)
02/2006: Team Zero #3 (of 6) -- 10,698 (-10.8%)
03/2006: Team Zero #4 (of 6) -- 10,233 (- 4.4%)
04/2006: Team Zero #5 (of 6) -- 10,059 (- 1.7%)
Leveling out now, but these numbers are nothing to write home about.
(164) AMAZING ADVENTURES OF THE JLA
04/2006: Amazing Adventures of the JLA -- 9,162
That's not bad at all for a bunch of reprints priced $ 3.99, on the other hand.
(173) HARD TIME: SEASON TWO
04/2004: Hard Time #3 -- 10,796
-------------------------------------------
12/2005: Hard Time: Season Two #1 -- 11,658 (+49.6%)
01/2006: Hard Time: Season Two #2 -- 9,625 (-17.4%)
02/2006: Hard Time: Season Two #3 -- 8,997 (- 6.5%)
03/2006: Hard Time: Season Two #4 -- 8,635 (- 4.0%)
04/2006: Hard Time: Season Two #5 -- 8,331 (- 3.5%)
---------------
2 years: -22.8%
Canceled with issue #7.
(174) BATMAN STRIKES! (Johnny DC)
04/2003: Batman Adventures #1 -- 15,619
04/2004: Batman Adventures #13 -- 12,092
----------------------------------------
04/2005: Batman Strikes! #8 -- 10,368 (- 3.8%)
05/2005: Batman Strikes! #9 -- 10,376 (+ 0.1%)
06/2005: Batman Strikes! #10 -- 10,048 (- 3.2%)
07/2005: Batman Strikes! #11 -- 9,796 (- 2.5%)
08/2005: Batman Strikes! #12 -- 9,528 (- 2.7%)
09/2005: Batman Strikes! #13 -- 9,284 (- 2.6%)
10/2005: Batman Strikes! #14 -- 8,950 (- 3.6%)
11/2005: Batman Strikes! #15 -- 8,840 (- 1.2%)
12/2005: Batman Strikes! #16 -- 8,462 (- 4.3%)
01/2006: Batman Strikes! #17 -- 8,172 (- 3.4%)
02/2006: Batman Strikes! #18 -- 8,626 (+ 5.6%)
03/2006: Batman Strikes! #19 -- 8,244 (- 4.4%)
04/2006: Batman Strikes! #20 -- 8,331 (+ 1.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 6.9%
1 year : -19.7%
2 years : -31.1%
(176) SWAMP THING (Vertigo)
04/2004: Swamp Thing #2 -- 26,013
----------------------------------
04/2005: Swamp Thing #14 -- 12,057 (- 5.1%)
05/2005: Swamp Thing #15 -- 11,542 (- 4.3%)
06/2005: Swamp Thing #16 -- 10,962 (- 5.0%)
07/2005: Swamp Thing #17 -- 10,345 (- 5.6%)
08/2005: Swamp Thing #18 -- 10,112 (- 2.3%)
09/2005: Swamp Thing #19 -- 9,726 (- 3.8%)
10/2005: Swamp Thing #20 -- 10,209 (+ 5.0%)
11/2005: Swamp Thing #21 -- 9,203 (- 9.9%)
12/2005: Swamp Thing #22 -- 8,892 (- 3.7%)
01/2006: Swamp Thing #23 -- 8,527 (- 4.1%)
02/2006: Swamp Thing #24 -- 8,379 (- 1.7%)
03/2006: Swamp Thing #25 -- 8,076 (- 3.6%)
04/2006: Swamp Thing #26 -- 7,959 (- 1.5%)
----------------
6 months: -22.0%
1 year : -34.0%
2 years : -69.4%
Canceled with issue #29.
(187) WINTER MEN (WildStorm)
08/2005: Winter Men #1 (of 8) -- 11,340
09/2005: Winter Men #2 (of 8) -- 8,862 (-21.9%)
10/2005: --
11/2005: Winter Men #3 (of 8) -- 8,324 (- 6.1%)
12/2005: --
01/2006: --
02/2006: --
03/2006: --
04/2006: Winter Men #4 (of 8) -- 7,129 (-14.4%)
---------------
6 months: n.a.
A disaster, and obviously marred by the irregular schedule as well.
(199) THUNDERBOLT JAXON (WildStorm)
02/2006: Thunderbolt Jaxon #1 (of 5) -- 11,475
03/2006: Thunderbolt Jaxon #2 (of 5) -- 8,726 (-24.0%)
04/2006: Thunderbolt Jaxon #3 (of 5) -- 6,239 (-28.5%)
Horrible sales.
(219) SCOOBY DOO (Johnny DC)
04/2003: Scooby Doo #71 -- 5,895
04/2004: Scooby Doo #83 -- 5,528
---------------------------------
04/2005: Scooby Doo #95 -- 4,800 (+ 0.6%)
05/2005: Scooby Doo #96 -- 4,718 (- 1.7%)
06/2005: Scooby Doo #97 -- 4,819 (+ 2.1%)
07/2005: Scooby Doo #98 -- 4,666 (- 3.2%)
08/2005: Scooby Doo #99 -- 4,654 (- 0.3%)
09/2005: Scooby Doo #100 -- 5,239 (+12.6%)
10/2005: Scooby Doo #101 -- 4,604 (-12.1%)
11/2005: Scooby Doo #102 -- 4,587 (- 0.4%)
12/2005: Scooby Doo #103 -- 4,490 (- 2.1%)
01/2006: Scooby Doo #104 -- 4,454 (- 0.8%)
02/2006: Scooby Doo #105 -- 4,326 (- 2.9%)
03/2006: Scooby Doo #106 -- 4,419 (+ 2.2%)
04/2006: Scooby Doo #107 -- 4,359 (- 1.4%)
----------------
6 months: - 5.3%
1 year : - 9.2%
2 years : -21.2%
(248) LOONEY TUNES (Johnny DC)
04/2003: Looney Tunes #101 -- 3,583
04/2004: Looney Tunes #113 -- 3,266
-----------------------------------
04/2005: Looney Tunes #125 -- 2,974 (+ 4.5%)
05/2005: Looney Tunes #126 -- 2,852 (- 4.1%)
06/2005: Looney Tunes #127 -- 2,991 (+ 4.9%)
07/2005: Looney Tunes #128 -- 2,722 (- 9.0%)
08/2005: Looney Tunes #129 -- 2,736 (- 0.5%)
09/2005: Looney Tunes #130 -- 2,659 (- 2.8%)
10/2005: Looney Tunes #131 -- 2,673 (+ 0.5%)
11/2005: Looney Tunes #132 -- 2,747 (+ 2.8%)
12/2005: Looney Tunes #133 -- 2,633 (- 4.2%)
01/2006: Looney Tunes #134 -- 2,601 (- 1.2%)
02/2006: Looney Tunes #135 -- 2,631 (+ 1.2%)
03/2006: Looney Tunes #136 -- 2,792 (+ 6.1%)
04/2006: Looney Tunes #137 -- 2,558 (- 8.4%)
----------------
6 months: - 4.3%
1 year : -14.0%
2 years : -21.7%
(255) HI HI PUFFY AMIYUMI (Johnny DC)
02/2006: Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi #1 (of 3) -- 3,236
03/2006: Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi #2 (of 3) -- ?????
04/2006: Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi #3 (of 3) -- 2,311
(268) CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY
04/2003: Cartoon Cartoons #17 -- 2,726
04/2004: Cartoon Cartoons #29 -- 2,348
-------------------------------------------------
04/2005: Cartoon Network Block Party #8 -- 2,039 (- 2.0%)
05/2005: Cartoon Network Block Party #9 -- 2,059 (- 1.0%)
06/2005: Cartoon Network Block Party #10 -- ?????
07/2005: Cartoon Network Block Party #11 -- 1,871
08/2005: Cartoon Network Block Party #12 -- ?????
09/2005: Cartoon Network Block Party #13 -- 1,887
10/2005: Cartoon Network Block Party #14 -- 1,805 (- 4.4%)
11/2005: Cartoon Network Block Party #15 -- 1,757 (- 2.7%)
12/2005: Cartoon Network Block Party #16 -- 1,781 (+ 1.4%)
01/2006: Cartoon Network Block Party #17 -- 1,797 (+ 0.9%)
02/2006: Cartoon Network Block Party #18 -- 1,728 (- 3.8%)
03/2006: Cartoon Network Block Party #19 -- ?????
04/2006: Cartoon Network Block Party #20 -- 2,055
----------------
6 months: +13.9%
1 year : + 0.8%
2 years : -12.5%
RE-ORDERS:
(120) 16,597 -- Infinite Crisis Secret Files 2006
(130) 14,826 -- Batman Annual #25
(141) 12,180 -- Superman #650
(160) 9,811 -- Batman #651
(163) 9,250 -- Nightwing #118
(167) 8,790 -- Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #40
(172) 8,382 -- Action Comics #837
(177) 7,908 -- Batman #650 (2nd)
(180) 7,471 -- Teen Titans Annual #1
(182) 7,398 -- Green Lantern #10
(184) 7,362 -- Supergirl & The Legion of Super-Heroes #16
(192) 6,633 -- JSA #83
(196) 6,334 -- Blue Beetle #1
(201) 5,955 -- Catwoman #53
(204) 5,445 -- Batman: Year 100 #1 (2nd)
(216) 4,461 -- All-Star Superman #3
(217) 4,461 -- Batman: Year 100 #2
(236) 3,278 -- Infinite Crisis #5
(255) 2,442 -- Superman/Batman #24
(254) 2,391 -- Infinite Crisis #4
(261) 2,128 -- Infinite Crisis #3
(278) 1,873 -- All-Star Superman #2
(282) 1,822 -- Supergirl #5
(287) 1,669 -- Infinite Crisis #1
(290) 1,633 -- Justice #4
(294) 1,553 -- Infinite Crisis #2
Apart from the usual suspects, such as INFINITE CRISIS, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN,
SUPERMAN/BATMAN, SUPERGIRL or JUSTICE, it seems that many DC Universe titles
were significantly underestimated by retailers in March. Mostly, those are "One
Year Later" books, but also one-shot specials such as INFINITE CRISIS SECRET
FILES 2006, BATMAN ANNUAL #1 and TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1. And, of course, there's
BATMAN: YEAR 100.
AVERAGE SALES PER TITLE
(not counting reprints, re-orders, Johnny DC titles and magazines)
DC COMICS
04/2003: 25,804
04/2004: 31,332
---------------
04/2005: 30,053
05/2005: 34,801 (+11.1%)
06/2005: 32,001 (- 8.1%)
07/2005: 36,375 (+13.7%)
08/2005: 35,930 (- 1.2%)
09/2005: 34,972 (- 2.7%)
10/2005: 36,627 (+ 4.7%)
11/2005: 32,971 (-10.0%)
12/2005: 36,147 (+ 9.6%)
01/2006: 33,019 (- 8.7%)
02/2006: 32,292 (- 2.2%)
03/2006: 36,077 (+11.7%)
04/2006: 33,566 (- 7.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 8.4%
1 year : +11.7%
2 years : + 7.1%
3 years : +30.1%
DC UNIVERSE
04/2003: 32,397
04/2004: 37,031
---------------
04/2005: 39,140
05/2005: 43,505 (+11.2%)
06/2005: 39,888 (- 8.3%)
07/2005: 45,385 (+13.8%)
08/2005: 46,527 (+ 2.5%)
09/2005: 44,823 (- 3.7%)
10/2005: 47,021 (+ 4.9%)
11/2005: 42,342 (-10.0%)
12/2005: 44,993 (+ 6.3%)
01/2006: 40,118 (-10.3%)
02/2006: 40,823 (+ 1.8%)
03/2006: 44,854 (+ 9.9%)
04/2006: 45,129 (+ 0.6%)
---------------
6 months: - 4.0%
1 year : +15.3%
2 years : +21.9%
3 years : +39.3%
Due to several high-profile DC Universe titles not shipping monthly, such as
ALL-STAR BATMAN, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, JUSTICE, SUPERMAN/BATMAN, SUPERGIRL and
GREEN LANTERN, sales of the average DC Comics and DC Universe title have,
understandably, been rather erratic. (Only one of those titles, the bi-monthly
JUSTICE, showed up in April 2006, for instance.)
The general trend is clear, however. Driven, as the long-term comparisons show,
by a significant increase of the sales of its DC Universe books, average sales
of the publisher's overall output in the direct market are considerably up on
those of 2004 and 2003.
VERTIGO
04/2003: 16,215
04/2004: 16,427
---------------
04/2005: 13,050
05/2005: 14,520 (+11.3%)
06/2005: 14,165 (- 2.5%)
07/2005: 16,641 (+17.5%)
08/2005: 13,652 (-18.0%)
09/2005: 14,287 (+ 4.7%)
10/2005: 16,009 (+12.1%)
11/2005: 15,730 (- 1.7%)
12/2005: 16,320 (+ 3.8%)
01/2006: 15,036 (- 7.9%)
02/2006: 15,026 (- 0.1%)
03/2006: 15,812 (+ 5.2%)
04/2006: 15,473 (- 2.1%)
---------------
6 months: - 3.4%
1 year : +18.6%
2 years : - 5.8%
3 years : - 4.6%
Long-term changes for the Vertigo imprint in the direct market are less drastic,
but there seems to be a slight downward trend here, compared to 2003 and 2004.
WILDSTORM
04/2003: 15,933
04/2004: 16,866
---------------
04/2005: 12,846
05/2005: 13,593 (+ 5.8%)
06/2005: 19,059 (+40.2%)
07/2005: 15,134 (-20.6%)
08/2005: 15,998 (+ 5.7%)
09/2005: 13,707 (-14.3%)
10/2005: 17,215 (+25.6%)
11/2005: 16,255 (- 5.6%)
12/2005: 15,068 (- 7.3%)
01/2006: 17,505 (+16.2%)
02/2006: 13,610 (-22.3%)
03/2006: 14,210 (+ 4.4%)
04/2006: 16,036 (+12.9%)
---------------
6 months: - 6.9%
1 year : +24.8%
2 years : - 4.9%
3 years : + 0.7%
Average numbers for the WildStorm imprint are erratic due to titles like
PLANETARY or ASTRO CITY, which are rarely released but raise the average when
they are, and due to occasional high-profile launches like WILDSIDERZ or CAPTAIN
ATOM: ARMAGEDDON, whose first-issue sales are inflated through gimmicks.
Overall, though, looking at the average WildStorm sales throughout 2003 and
2004, which were frequently in the range between 17-20K, a slow decline is
visible here as well.
6-MONTH COMPARISONS:
+ 65.9%: Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis
+ 53.9%: Detective Comics
+ 37.1%: Catwoman
+ 31.4%: Supergirl & The Legion of Super-Heroes
+ 31.1%: Hawkgirl
+ 23.9%: Teen Titans
+ 16.3%: Nightwing
+ 13.9%: Cartoon Network Block Party
+ 9.7%: Green Arrow
+ 8.9%: Robin
+ 8.5%: Superman
+ 7.2%: Birds of Prey
+ 4.2%: Batman
+ 4.2%: Manhunter
+ 2.0%: Firestorm: The Nuclear Man
- 0.8%: Justice League Unlimited
- 1.5%: JSA
- 1.9%: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight
- 1.9%: Fables
- 2.1%: Y: The Last Man
- 3.3%: Hellblazer
- 3.9%: Outsiders
- 4.3%: Looney Tunes
- 5.3%: Scooby-Doo
- 6.4%: Ex Machina
- 6.8%: Lucifer
- 6.9%: The Batman Strikes!
- 8.3%: 100 Bullets
- 10.0%: Blood of the Demon
- 11.0%: Majestic
- 12.0%: Justice
- 13.6%: Teen Titans Go!
- 14.4%: Wildcats: Nemesis
- 22.0%: Infinite Crisis
- 22.0%: Swamp Thing
- 22.3%: JLA: Classified
- 23.7%: Solo
- 25.2%: Loveless
- 27.4%: Albion
- 32.4%: JSA: Classified
- 51.0%: Captain Atom: Armageddon
1-YEAR COMPARISONS:
+ 97.2%: Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis
+ 56.3%: Hawkgirl
+ 54.7%: Detective Comics
+ 37.5%: Catwoman
+ 24.9%: Firestorm: The Nuclear Man
+ 23.5%: Teen Titans
+ 22.5%: JSA
+ 21.7%: Nightwing
+ 20.7%: Robin
+ 16.9%: Batman
+ 15.3%: Birds of Prey
+ 14.6%: Green Arrow
+ 9.9%: Manhunter
+ 7.6%: Supergirl & The Legion of Super-Heroes
+ 0.8%: Cartoon Network Block Party
- 2.0%: Fables
- 3.5%: Y: The Last Man
- 5.7%: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight
- 7.6%: Hellblazer
- 7.9%: Ex Machina
- 9.2%: 100 Bullets
- 9.2%: Scooby-Doo
- 11.6%: Lucifer
- 12.6%: Justice League Unlimited
- 14.0%: Looney Tunes
- 15.9%: Solo
- 20.7%: Teen Titans Go!
- 28.9%: Blood of the Demon
- 29.2%: JLA: Classified
- 31.1%: The Batman Strikes!
- 34.0%: Swamp Thing
- 34.9%: Superman
- 37.2%: Majestic
2-YEAR COMPARISONS:
+ 82.2%: Supergirl & The Legion of Super-Heroes
+ 73.7%: Detective Comics
+ 56.8%: Nightwing
+ 46.2%: Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis
+ 24.3%: JSA
+ 20.7%: Teen Titans
+ 19.1%: Catwoman
+ 12.9%: Robin
+ 9.1%: Birds of Prey
+ 8.0%: Hawkgirl
+ 6.4%: Wildcats: Nemesis
+ 6.1%: Outsiders
+ 5.5%: Green Arrow
+ 0.0%: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight
- 2.8%: Y: The Last Man
- 3.9%: Fables
- 4.6%: Hellblazer
- 7.2%: Batman
- 12.5%: Cartoon Network Block Party
- 12.9%: Justice League Unlimited
- 19.0%: Lucifer
- 21.2%: Scooby-Doo
- 21.7%: Looney Tunes
- 22.8%: Hard Time: Season Two
- 23.2%: Teen Titans Go!
- 28.5%: Bite Club: Vampire Crime Unit
- 31.1%: The Batman Strikes!
- 68.3%: Superman
- 69.4%: Swamp Thing
OTHER PUBLISHERS
(63) RED SONJA (Dynamic Forces)
07/2005: Red Sonja #1 -- 80,603
08/2005: --
09/2005: Red Sonja #2 -- 55,149 (-31.6%)
10/2005: --
11/2005: Red Sonja #3 -- 41,866 (-24.1%)
12/2005: --
01/2006: Red Sonja #4 -- 41,856 (- 0.0%)
02/2006: Red Sonja #5 -- 38,798 (- 7.3%)
02/2006: Red Sonja #6 -- 35,031 (- 9.7%)
03/2006: Red Sonja #7 -- 34,560 (- 1.5%)
03/2006: Red Sonja #8 -- 34,700 (+ 0.4%)
04/2006: Red Sonja #9 -- 32,334 (- 6.8%)
----------------
6 months: n.a.
(97) RED SONJA VS. THULSA DOOM (Dynamite)
01/2006: Red Sonja vs. Thulsa Doom #1 (of 4) -- 26,366
02/2006: --
03/2006: Red Sonja vs. Thulsa Doom #2 (of 4) -- 24,369 (- 7.6%)
04/2006: Red Sonja vs. Thulsa Doom #3 (of 4) -- 21,407 (-12.2%)
The persisting deluge of gimmick editions notwithstanding, RED SONJA continues
to shed readers by the truckload, and it's now joined by the THULSA DOOM
spin-off, apparently.
(68) TRANSFORMERS: INFILTRATION (IDW)
01/2006: Transformers: Infiltration #1 -- 45,468
02/2006: Transformers: Infiltration #2 -- 35,828 (-21.2%)
03/2006: Transformers: Infiltration #3 -- 30,344 (-15.3%)
04/2006: Transformers: Infiltration #4 -- 28,835 (- 5.0%)
(87) TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS (IDW)
02/2006: Transformers: Beast Wars #1 (of 4) -- 34,047
03/2006: Transformers: Beast Wars #2 (of 4) -- 25,737 (-24.4%)
04/2006: Transformers: Beast Wars #3 (of 4) -- 23,966 (- 6.9%)
(98) G.I. JOE VS. TRANSFORMERS VOL. 3 (DDP)
03/2006: G.I. Joe vs. Transformers Vol. 3 #1 (of 5) -- 26,561
04/2006: G.I. Joe vs. Transformers Vol. 3 #2 (of 5) -- 21,386 (-19.5%)
Mediocre sales for the lot of them, again bolstered with numerous variant
editions.
(73) STAR WARS: REBELLION (Dark Horse)
04/2006: Star Wars: Rebellion #1 -- 26,954
(76) STAR WARS: BOBA FETT (Dark Horse)
04/2006: Star Wars: Boba Fett -- 26,153
(92) STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC (Dark Horse)
01/2006: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #1 -- 23,486
02/2006: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #2 -- 21,203 (-9.7%)
03/2006: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #3 -- 21,346 (+0.7%)
04/2006: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #4 -- 22,581 (+5.8%)
Dark Horse keep up a consistently good management with their Star Wars license,
on the other hand. Their books rarely enter the Top 100, but they have been
consistent sellers for years, and the publisher knows how to capitalize on the
occasional media crossover, such as, in this case, a KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC
video game.
The lack of variant cover editions is also worth noting.
(75) SPAWN (Image/TMP)
04/2003: Spawn #124 -- 40,732
04/2004: Spawn #134 -- 35,098
-----------------------------
04/2005: Spawn #145 -- 28,161 (- 0.0%)
05/2005: --
06/2005: Spawn #146 -- 28,093 (- 0.2%)
06/2005: Spawn #147 -- 27,495 (- 2.1%)
07/2005: --
08/2005: Spawn #148 -- 27,548 (+ 0.2%)
09/2005: Spawn #149 -- 26,790 (- 2.8%)
10/2005: Spawn #150 -- 40,152 (+49.9%) -- [42,529]
11/2005: --
12/2005: Spawn #151 -- 28,860 (-28.1%)
01/2006: Spawn #152 -- 27,247 (- 5.6%)
02/2006: Spawn #153 -- 26,884 (- 1.3%)
03/2006: Spawn #154 -- 26,966 (+ 0.3%)
04/2006: Spawn #155 -- 26,728 (- 0.9%)
----------------
6 months: -33.4%
1 year : - 5.1%
2 years : -23.9%
Standard attrition.
(89) CONAN: BOOK OF THOTH (Dark Horse)
03/2006: Conan: Book of Thoth #1 (of 4) -- 25,200
04/2006: Conan: Book of Thoth #2 (of 4) -- 23,215 (-7.9%)
(100) CONAN (Dark Horse)
04/2004: Conan #3 -- 48,588
----------------------------
04/2005: Conan #15 -- 38,086 (- 0.3%)
05/2005: Conan #16 -- 37,632 (- 1.2%)
06/2005: Conan #17 -- 37,032 (- 1.6%)
07/2005: Conan #18 -- 36,323 (- 1.9%)
08/2005: Conan #19 -- 35,455 (- 2.4%)
09/2005: Conan #20 -- 34,899 (- 1.6%)
10/2005: Conan #21 -- 34,232 (- 1.9%)
11/2005: Conan #22 -- 33,653 (- 1.7%)
12/2005: Conan #23 -- 32,592 (- 3.2%)
01/2006: Conan #24 -- 31,907 (- 2.1%)
02/2006: Conan #25 -- 31,675 (- 0.7%)
03/2006: Conan #26 -- 31,573 (- 0.3%)
04/2006: Conan #27 -- 21,327 (-32.5%)
----------------
6 months: -37.7%
1 year : -44.0%
2 years : -56.1%
In the absence of a readily available explanation for this steep and sudden
sales drop, I'll go out on a limb and presume that 10,000 copies of CONAN #27
simply made it to the shops too late to register on the April chart. We'll find
out next month.
The BOOK OF THOTH spin-off continues to do perfectly well, meanwhile.
--
Marc-Oliver Frisch
POPP'D! >> http://poppd.blogspot.com
COMIKADO << http://comikado.blogspot.com
SUPERCRITICAL >> http://supercritic.blogspot.com
If we didn't exist, Grant Morrison would have to invent us.
--
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