2014-12-30

Marvel early 1960s sales trends



From the "misleading charts" files, this 1965 Marvel ad published in NEWSDEALER [source].  The complete lack of a consistent scale is obvious when you look at the numbers reported. Even more subtle is how this chart completely ignores the increase in the number of titles Marvel was publishing in each year, which was constantly increasing in this period, from about 103 comics in 1960 to 165 in 1965. Looking at the numbers with that in mind, you get this:

Year Comics Total Sales Average Sales Change in Average Sales
1960 103 16,100,000 156,300
1961 122 18,700,000 153,300 -1.92
1962 133 19,740,000 148,400 -3.20
1963 142 22,530,000 158,700 6.94
1964 154 27,709,000 179,900 13.36
1965 165 32,000,000 193,900 7.78

Sales actually falling slightly in 1961 and 1962, recovering those sales in 1963, a fairly healthy, but hardly extraordinary, increase in 1964 and a smaller increase expected in 1965.

2014-12-26

November Diamond Books Chart, color-coded

Playing around with a different way to present the Diamond book chart, here are the November numbers. New books are listed in white, relist books which also charted in October are listed in green (with their October ranking noted), and relist books last appearing September or earlier are listed in orange, with the number of months since their last appearance on the Top 300 noted. Also listed for each book is the price, publisher, estimated November sales and the year-to-date sales (only counting months where the book appeared on the Diamond charts).

Let me know if there's anything that can be done to improve the readability of this, and any other information you think it might be good to include. I'm thinking of learning enough coding to turn this into a table you can sort and filter, so for example you could isolate all the Dark Horse books listed.

A few stats:

  • In the Top 300, 161 books are new releases, 139 were on the charts before.
  • The average new item that charted shipped 1729 copies, although without that outlier at #1 it's closer to 1600 copies. Note, though, that many books never make the Top 300, probably around 140 new books this month shipping fewer than 445 copies, so the actual average new book sold somewhere in the 900 to 1100 copies range.
  • Of the 139 backlist items, 87 were also on the October chart. Another 13 were on the chart at least once earlier this year. The remaining 39 hit the charts for the first time in 2014 in November. A few of those are new printings of books which had been out of print or evergreen titles which usually just miss the Top 300 but had a small blip last month, but the majority appear to be books that were liquidated at massive discounts (for example, AVENGERS ORIGIN HC at #96 shipped more copies last month than it did when published in November 2010, the only other month it hit the Top 300. Tellingly, the retail rank is way down at #466 and you can find multiple copies for sale on-line for as little as $3, meaning the wholesale price was even less than that).


#001 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 22 A NEW BEGINNING - $15 - IMA - 22.92k - new book
#002 - TEEN TITANS EARTH ONE HC VOL 01 - $23 - DC - 8.85k - new book
#003 - SAGA DLX ED HC VOL 01 - $50 - IMA - 8.38k - new book
#004 - WICKED & DIVINE TP VOL 01 THE FAUST ACT - $10 - IMA - 7.7k - new book
#005 - SAGA TP VOL 01 - $10 - IMA - 7.29k - last month rank 13 - 51.45k YTD
#006 - SERENITY LEAVES ON WIND HC - $20 - DAR - 6.67k - new book
#007 - AVATAR LAST AIRBENDER TP VOL 09 RIFT PART 3 - $11 - DAR - 6.13k - new book
#008 - BATMAN ETERNAL TP VOL 01 (N52) - $40 - DC - 5.03k - new book
#009 - WAKE HC - $25 - DC - 5.02k - new book
#010 - DEADPOOL TP VOL 06 ORIGINAL SIN - $18 - MAR - 4.74k - new book
#011 - MOUSE GUARD BALDWIN BRAVE OTHER TALES HC - $15 - BOO - 4.2k - new book
#012 - GOTG BY ABNETT AND LANNING COMPLETE COLL TP VOL 02 - $35 - MAR - 3.9k - new book
#013 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 01 DAYS GONE BYE - $15 - IMA - 3.73k - last month rank 36 - 33.63k YTD
#014 - DISNEY FROZEN CINESTORY - $15 - JOE - 3.69k - new book
#015 - INVINCIBLE TP VOL 20 FRIENDS - $17 - IMA - 3.68k - new book
#016 - CIVIL WAR TP - $25 - MAR - 3.67k - last month rank 85 - 13.04k YTD
#017 - DEADPOOL VS X-FORCE TP - $16 - MAR - 3.6k - new book
#018 - GUARDIANS OF GALAXY PREM HC VOL 03 GUARDIANS DISASSEMBLED - $25 - MAR - 3.51k - new book
#019 - JUSTICE LEAGUE TRINITY WAR TP - $20 - DC - 3.45k - new book
#020 - ADVENTURE TIME ORIGINAL GN VOL 04 BITTER SWEETS - $13 - BOO - 3.38k - new book
#021 - BATMAN SUPERMAN TP VOL 01 CROSS WORLD (N52) - $15 - DC - 3.35k - new book
#022 - MILES MORALES ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 01 REVIVAL - $18 - MAR - 3.23k - new book
#023 - BATMAN & ROBIN TP VOL 04 REQUIEM FOR DAMON (N52) - $17 - DC - 3.1k - new book
#024 - FAIREST IN ALL THE LAND TP - $15 - DC - 3.04k - new book
#025 - BATMAN ADVENTURES TP VOL 01 - $20 - DC - 2.93k - new book
#026 - BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS TP VOL 04 THE WRATH (N52) - $18 - DC - 2.88k - new book
#027 - ATTACK ON TITAN GN VOL 14 - $11 - RAN - 2.87k - new book
#028 - BTVS SEASON 10 TP VOL 01 - $19 - DAR - 2.84k - new book
#029 - SAGA TP VOL 03 - $15 - IMA - 2.83k - last month rank 17 - 59.99k YTD
#030 - SHUTTER TP VOL 01 WANDERLOST - $10 - IMA - 2.74k - new book
#031 - ORIGINAL SIN TP THOR AND LOKI TENTH REALM - $17 - MAR - 2.7k - new book
#032 - WOLVERINE TP BOOK 02 THREE MONTHS TO DIE - $20 - MAR - 2.63k - new book
#033 - BATMAN ARKHAM ASYLUM 25TH ANNIV DLX ED TP - $20 - DC - 2.63k - new book
#034 - AMERICAN VAMPIRE TP VOL 06 - $15 - DC - 2.6k - new book
#035 - SAGA TP VOL 02 - $15 - IMA - 2.59k - last month rank 21 - 37.69k YTD
#036 - DEADPOOL CLASSIC TP VOL 10 - $30 - MAR - 2.55k - new book
#037 - BATMAN SUPERMAN HC VOL 02 GAME OVER - $25 - DC - 2.54k - new book
#038 - AQUAMAN TP VOL 04 DEATH OF A KING (N52) - $17 - DC - 2.54k - new book
#039 - THOR GOD OF THUNDER TP VOL 03 ACCURSED - $20 - MAR - 2.48k - new book
#040 - BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS HC VOL 05 GOTHTOPIA (N52) - $25 - DC - 2.46k - new book
#041 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 02 MILES BEHIND US - $15 - IMA - 2.4k - last month rank 79 - 19.55k YTD
#042 - MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDS FOREVER TP VOL 02 - $18 - IDW - 2.39k - new book
#043 - AMAZING SPIDER-MAN LEARNING TO CRAWL TP VOL 01 - $18 - MAR - 2.39k - new book
#044 - INHUMAN TP VOL 01 GENESIS - $18 - MAR - 2.27k - new book
#045 - IRON FIST LIVING WEAPON TP VOL 01 RAGE - $18 - MAR - 2.27k - new book
#046 - ANIMAL MAN TP VOL 05 EVOLVE OR DIE (N52) - $15 - DC - 2.09k - new book
#047 - ELEKTRA TP VOL 01 BLOODLINES - $17 - MAR - 2.08k - new book
#048 - MS MARVEL TP VOL 01 NO NORMAL - $16 - MAR - 2.05k - last month rank 1 - 9.84k YTD
#049 - ASTONISHING X-MEN GIFTED GN HC W/MOTION COMIC DVD - $25 - MAR - 2.02k - return after 27 months - 2.02k YTD
#050 - BATWOMAN TP VOL 05 WEBS (N52) - $20 - DC - 1.94k - new book
#051 - CATWOMAN TP VOL 05 RACE OF THIEVES (N52) - $18 - DC - 1.94k - new book
#052 - BATMAN ARKHAM ASYLUM 25TH ANNIV DLX ED HC - $30 - DC - 1.92k - new book
#053 - BATMAN BEYOND 2.0 TP REWIRED - $17 - DC - 1.89k - new book
#054 - AQUAMAN HC VOL 05 SEA OF STORMS (N52) - $25 - DC - 1.88k - new book
#055 - THOR GOD OF THUNDER PREM HC VOL 04 LAST DAYS MIDGARD - $25 - MAR - 1.85k - new book
#056 - NIGHTCRAWLER TP HOMECOMING VOL 01 - $17 - MAR - 1.83k - new book
#057 - HINTERKIND TP VOL 02 - $15 - DC - 1.67k - new book
#058 - SILVER SURFER EPIC COLLECTION TP WHEN CALLS GALACTUS - $35 - MAR - 1.66k - new book
#059 - ZENITH HC PHASE ONE - $25 - POC - 1.65k - new book
#060 - BATMAN TP VOL 01 THE COURT OF OWLS (N52) - $17 - DC - 1.65k - last month rank 72 - 22.95k YTD
#061 - TOMB RAIDER TP VOL 01 SEASON OF WITCH - $20 - DAR - 1.62k - new book
#062 - FANTASTIC FOUR TP VOL 02 ORIGINAL SIN - $16 - MAR - 1.61k - new book
#063 - AVENGERS PREM HC VOL 06 INFINITE AVENGERS - $25 - MAR - 1.6k - new book
#064 - HELLBOY WEIRD TALES HC - $25 - DAR - 1.57k - new book
#065 - SEX CRIMINALS TP VOL 01 - $10 - IMA - 1.57k - last month rank 67 - 27.97k YTD
#066 - THOR GOD OF THUNDER HC VOL 01 - $35 - MAR - 1.55k - new book
#067 - RUNAWAYS COMPLETE COLLECTION TP VOL 02 - $35 - MAR - 1.54k - new book
#068 - BATMAN THE KILLING JOKE SPECIAL ED HC - $18 - DC - 1.53k - last month rank 78 - 21.31k YTD
#069 - DAY MEN TP VOL 01 - $10 - BOO - 1.52k - new book
#070 - BLEACH GN VOL 62 - $10 - VIZ - 1.52k - new book
#071 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 21 ALL OUT WAR PT 2 - $15 - IMA - 1.51k - last month rank 103 - 30.38k YTD
#072 - NEW AVENGERS PREM HC VOL 04 PERFECT WORLD - $25 - MAR - 1.5k - new book
#073 - MIND MGMT HC VOL 04 MAGICIAN - $20 - DAR - 1.5k - new book
#074 - BATMAN TP VOL 02 THE CITY OF OWLS (N52) - $17 - DC - 1.48k - last month rank 81 - 17.11k YTD
#075 - AVENGERS WORLD TP VOL 02 ASCENSION - $17 - MAR - 1.44k - new book
#076 - ATTACK ON TITAN JUNIOR HIGH GN VOL 02 - $17 - RAN - 1.43k - new book
#077 - AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION TP EARTHS MIGHTIEST HEROES - $35 - MAR - 1.38k - new book
#078 - REALM OF KINGS TP - $35 - MAR - 1.37k - return after 48 months - 1.37k YTD
#079 - AGE OF ULTRON TP - $35 - MAR - 1.35k - last month rank 230 - 8.09k YTD
#080 - BATMAN TP VOL 03 DEATH OF THE FAMILY (N52) - $17 - DC - 1.33k - last month rank 87 - 16.08k YTD
#081 - BLACK SCIENCE TP VOL 01 HOW TO FALL FOREVER - $10 - IMA - 1.32k - last month rank 120 - 16.07k YTD
#082 - LAZARUS HC VOL 01 - $35 - IMA - 1.32k - new book
#083 - INFINITY GAUNTLET TP - $25 - MAR - 1.28k - last month rank 136 - 8.46k YTD
#084 - MARVEL UNIVERSE VS PUNISHER HC - $20 - MAR - 1.27k - return after 47 months - 1.27k YTD
#085 - CAPTAIN AMERICA EPIC COLLECTION TP CAPTAIN LIVES AGAIN - $35 - MAR - 1.26k - new book
#086 - BATMAN DEATH OF THE FAMILY BOOK & JOKER MASK SET (N52) - $40 - DC - 1.23k - last month rank 10 - 20.03k YTD
#087 - SIEGE PREM HC - $25 - MAR - 1.23k - return after 46 months - 1.23k YTD
#088 - ALL NEW INVADERS TP VOL 02 ORIGINAL SIN - $17 - MAR - 1.2k - new book
#089 - GOD IS DEAD TP VOL 03 - $20 - AVA - 1.2k - new book
#090 - GUARDIANS OF GALAXY TP VOL 01 COSMIC AVENGERS - $20 - MAR - 1.19k - last month rank 27 - 22.92k YTD
#091 - MMW INCREDIBLE HULK HC VOL 08 - $70 - MAR - 1.19k - new book
#092 - WALKING DEAD COMPENDIUM TP VOL 01 - $60 - IMA - 1.18k - last month rank 193 - 9.07k YTD
#093 - OZ TP ROAD TO OZ - $18 - MAR - 1.17k - new book
#094 - AVENGERS UNDERCOVER TP VOL 02 GOING NATIVE - $15 - MAR - 1.17k - new book
#095 - ARCHIE THE MARRIED LIFE TP VOL 06 - $20 - ARC - 1.16k - new book
#096 - AVENGERS ORIGIN HC - $25 - MAR - 1.16k - return after 48 months - 1.16k YTD
#097 - PUNK ROCK JESUS DELUXE EDITION HC - $40 - DC - 1.15k - new book
#098 - CHRONICLES OF CONAN TP VOL 28 BLOOD & ICE - $20 - DAR - 1.14k - new book
#099 - ALL YOU NEED IS KILL 2IN1 MANGA GN - $15 - VIZ - 1.14k - new book
#100 - DEADPOOL BY DANIEL WAY COMPLETE COLL TP VOL 01 - $35 - MAR - 1.13k - last month rank 298 - 7.69k YTD
#101 - MASS EFFECT FOUNDATION TP VOL 03 - $17 - DAR - 1.12k - new book
#102 - KINSKI TP - $15 - IMA - 1.1k - new book
#103 - EAST OF WEST TP VOL 01 THE PROMISE - $10 - IMA - 1.07k - last month rank 108 - 17.34k YTD
#104 - DEADPOOL KILLS MARVEL UNIVERSE TP - $15 - MAR - 1.07k - last month rank 123 - 12.73k YTD
#105 - BATMAN DARK KNIGHT RETURNS TP - $20 - DC - 1.06k - last month rank 138 - 14.95k YTD
#106 - FANTASTIC FOUR BY HICKMAN OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 - $125 - MAR - 1.06k - new book
#107 - TRINITY OF SIN PANDORA TP VOL 02 (N52) - $17 - DC - 1.06k - new book
#108 - BATGIRL HC VOL 01 THE DARKEST REFLECTION (N52) - $23 - DC - 1.05k - return after 25 months - 1.05k YTD
#109 - BLUE EXORCIST GN VOL 12 - $10 - VIZ - 1.04k - new book
#110 - ANGRY BIRDS COMICS HC VOL 01 WELCOME TO THE FLOCK - $10 - IDW - 1.04k - new book
#111 - PRINCESS UGG TP VOL 01 - $16 - ONI - 1.03k - new book
#112 - HAWKEYE TP VOL 03 LA WOMAN - $16 - MAR - 1.02k - last month rank 2 - 8.77k YTD
#113 - RAT QUEENS TP VOL 01 SASS & SORCERY - $10 - IMA - 1.01k - last month rank 53 - 18.7k YTD
#114 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 03 SAFETY BEHIND BARS - $15 - IMA - 1k - last month rank 132 - 13.6k YTD
#115 - NEW YORK FOUR DARK HORSE ED TP - $20 - DAR - 1k - new book
#116 - BATMAN COURT OF OWLS BOOK & MASK SET (N52) - $25 - DC - 1k - return after 3 months - 3.31k YTD
#117 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 04 HEARTS DESIRE - $15 - IMA - 0.98k - last month rank 216 - 10.55k YTD
#118 - SUPER HERO SQUAD TP VOL 01 GET YER HERO ON DIGEST - $10 - MAR - 0.95k - return after 56 months - 0.95k YTD
#119 - BATMAN HUSH COMPLETE TP - $25 - DC - 0.95k - last month rank 131 - 15.4k YTD
#120 - DEADPOOL TP VOL 01 DEAD PRESIDENTS NOW - $16 - MAR - 0.94k - last month rank 121 - 11.37k YTD
#121 - RESIDENT EVIL MARHAWA DESIRE GN VOL 01 - $13 - VIZ - 0.94k - new book
#122 - TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE TP VOL 06 - $20 - IDW - 0.93k - new book
#123 - MARVEL ZOMBIES 04 HC - $20 - MAR - 0.93k - return after 28 months - 0.93k YTD
#124 - MARVEL ZOMBIES 5 HC - $25 - MAR - 0.92k - return after 49 months - 0.92k YTD
#125 - HAWKEYE TP VOL 01 MY LIFE AS WEAPON NOW - $17 - MAR - 0.91k - last month rank 149 - 11.68k YTD
#126 - FLASH TP VOL 01 MOVE FORWARD (N52) - $17 - DC - 0.9k - last month rank 166 - 7k YTD
#127 - GRANDVILLE NOEL HC - $20 - DAR - 0.9k - new book
#128 - HELLBLAZER TP VOL 01 ORIGINAL SINS NEW ED - $20 - DC - 0.9k - last month rank 225 - 4.88k YTD
#129 - BATMAN TP VOL 04 ZERO YEAR SECRET CITY (N52) - $17 - DC - 0.9k - last month rank 3 - 8.45k YTD
#130 - CASANOVA COMPLETE ED HC VOL 01 LUXURIA - $30 - IMA - 0.89k - new book
#131 - WATCHMEN TP - $20 - DC - 0.89k - last month rank 111 - 13.09k YTD
#132 - HARLEY QUINN PRELUDES AND KNOCK KNOCK JOKES TP - $20 - DC - 0.87k - return after 3 months - 4.87k YTD
#133 - WOLVERINE BY AARON COMPLETE COLLECTION TP VOL 04 - $35 - MAR - 0.87k - new book
#134 - AXE COP TP VOL 06 AMERICAN CHOPPERS - $13 - DAR - 0.86k - new book
#135 - LOCKE & KEY TP VOL 01 WELCOME TO LOVECRAFT - $20 - IDW - 0.86k - return after 2 months - 7.48k YTD
#136 - MANARA BORGIAS HC - $60 - DAR - 0.85k - new book
#137 - UNCANNY X-MEN MANIFEST DESTINY TP - $25 - MAR - 0.84k - return after 61 months - 0.84k YTD
#138 - ASSASSINS CREED GN VOL 05 EL CAKR - $10 - RAN - 0.84k - new book
#139 - SATOSHI KON OPUS TP - $20 - DAR - 0.83k - new book
#140 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 20 ALL OUT WAR PT 1 - $15 - IMA - 0.83k - last month rank 106 - 39.36k YTD
#141 - DEADLY CLASS TP VOL 01 REAGAN YOUTH - $10 - IMA - 0.83k - last month rank 187 - 9.75k YTD
#142 - SANDMAN TP VOL 01 PRELUDES & NOCTURNES NEW ED - $20 - DC - 0.83k - last month rank 130 - 12.12k YTD
#143 - BOUNCE TP - $25 - IMA - 0.82k - new book
#144 - JUSTICE LEAGUE TP VOL 01 ORIGIN (N52) - $17 - DC - 0.81k - last month rank 150 - 11.34k YTD
#145 - WORST OF EERIE PUBLICATIONS HC - $28 - IDW - 0.81k - new book
#146 - STRONG FEMALE PROTAGONIST GN BOOK 01 - $20 - TOP - 0.8k - new book
#147 - AVENGERS PREM HC FIRST TO LAST - $35 - MAR - 0.8k - return after 42 months - 0.8k YTD
#148 - MONSTER MUSUME GN VOL 05 - $13 - STM - 0.8k - new book
#149 - LOCKE & KEY TP SLIPCASE SET HOLIDAY ED - $100 - IDW - 0.8k - new book
#150 - ARMOR HUNTERS TP VOL 01 - $15 - VAL - 0.79k - new book
#151 - BATMAN THE LONG HALLOWEEN TP - $25 - DC - 0.79k - last month rank 181 - 11.7k YTD
#152 - CLAYMORE GN VOL 25 - $10 - VIZ - 0.78k - new book
#153 - PRETTY DEADLY TP VOL 01 - $10 - IMA - 0.78k - last month rank 146 - 12.5k YTD
#154 - SUPERMAN GOLDEN AGE SUNDAYS 1946-1949 HC - $50 - IDW - 0.78k - new book
#155 - TMNT LEGENDS SOULS WINTER MICHAEL ZULLI HC - $25 - IDW - 0.77k - new book
#156 - TERMINATOR SALVATION FINAL BATTLE TP VOL 01 - $20 - DAR - 0.77k - new book
#157 - EAST OF WEST TP VOL 03 THERE IS NO US - $15 - IMA - 0.76k - last month rank 4 - 8.1k YTD
#158 - MARVEL 75TH ANNIVERSARY OMNIBUS HC - $100 - MAR - 0.76k - new book
#159 - MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS GN VOL 02 GOING GREEN - $8 - NBM - 0.76k - new book
#160 - WALKING DEAD COMPENDIUM TP VOL 02 - $60 - IMA - 0.75k - return after 2 months - 4.71k YTD
#161 - SOUTHERN BASTARDS TP VOL 01 HERE WAS A MAN - $10 - IMA - 0.75k - last month rank 6 - 7.24k YTD
#162 - FABLES TP VOL 01 LEGENDS IN EXILE NEW ED - $13 - DC - 0.75k - last month rank 101 - 13.31k YTD
#163 - MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS ASSEMBLE DIGEST TP VOL 03 - $10 - MAR - 0.75k - new book
#164 - ABSOLUTE BATMAN HAUNTED KNIGHT HC - $100 - DC - 0.74k - new book
#165 - TALES OF HONOR TP VOL 01 - $20 - IMA - 0.74k - new book
#166 - LITTLEST PET SHOP HC - $10 - IDW - 0.74k - new book
#167 - SAVAGE WOLVERINE PREM HC VOL 04 BEST THERE IS - $25 - MAR - 0.74k - new book
#168 - MANIFEST DESTINY TP VOL 01 - $10 - IMA - 0.74k - last month rank 286 - 9.8k YTD
#169 - VAMPIRE DIARIES TP - $25 - DC - 0.73k - new book
#170 - POKEMON ADVENTURES GN VOL 25 FIRERED LEAFGREEN - $10 - VIZ - 0.73k - new book
#171 - DANGER GIRL MAYDAY TP - $18 - IDW - 0.73k - new book
#172 - ASTONISHING THOR HC - $25 - MAR - 0.73k - return after 38 months - 0.73k YTD
#173 - DOOMWAR HC - $25 - MAR - 0.73k - return after 49 months - 0.73k YTD
#174 - BRYAN LEE O MALLEY SECONDS GN - $25 - RAN - 0.72k - last month rank 126 - 8.83k YTD
#175 - V FOR VENDETTA BOOK AND MASK SET - $30 - DC - 0.72k - return after 2 months - 2.5k YTD
#176 - BATMAN KNIGHTFALL TP PART 01 BROKEN BAT - $20 - DC - 0.71k - return after 15 months - 0.71k YTD
#177 - HELLO KITTY GN WORK OF ART - $8 - VIZ - 0.7k - new book
#178 - DC COMICS THE NEW 52 ZERO OMNIBUS HC (N52) - $150 - DC - 0.7k - return after 23 months - 0.7k YTD
#179 - FAIRY TAIL GN VOL 44 - $11 - RAN - 0.69k - new book
#180 - SANDMAN ENDLESS NIGHTS TP NEW EDITION - $20 - DC - 0.69k - return after 13 months - 0.69k YTD
#181 - MARCH GN BOOK 01 - $15 - TOP - 0.69k - last month rank 301 - 6.1k YTD
#182 - UNITY TP VOL 03 ARMOR HUNTERS - $15 - VAL - 0.68k - new book
#183 - V FOR VENDETTA NEW EDITION TP - $20 - DC - 0.68k - last month rank 189 - 8.07k YTD
#184 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 19 MARCH TO WAR - $15 - IMA - 0.68k - last month rank 168 - 14.66k YTD
#185 - CAPTAIN MARVEL TP VOL 01 HIGHER FURTHER FASTER MORE - $18 - MAR - 0.68k - last month rank 28 - 3.58k YTD
#186 - FOREVER SMURFETTE GN - $6 - NBM - 0.67k - new book
#187 - DRAGONS RIDERS OF BERK GN VOL 02 - $7 - RAN - 0.67k - new book
#188 - INCREDIBLE CHANGE BOTS TWO POINT SOMETHING GN - $20 - TOP - 0.67k - new book
#189 - GREEN LANTERN v1 HC VOL 01 THE SINESTRO CORPS WAR - $25 - DC - 0.66k - return after 67 months - 0.66k YTD
#190 - WALTER SIMONSON MANHUNTER ARTIST ED HC - $95 - IDW - 0.66k - new book
#191 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 05 BEST DEFENSE - $15 - IMA - 0.66k - last month rank 196 - 8.79k YTD
#192 - EAST OF WEST TP VOL 02 WE ARE ALL ONE - $15 - IMA - 0.66k - last month rank 143 - 15.63k YTD
#193 - BATMAN HC VOL 05 ZERO YEAR DARK CITY (N52) - $25 - DC - 0.66k - last month rank 5 - 7.43k YTD
#194 - BATMAN YEAR ONE DELUXE SC - $15 - DC - 0.66k - last month rank 259 - 11.41k YTD
#195 - MOON KNIGHT TP VOL 01 FROM DEAD - $18 - MAR - 0.66k - last month rank 9 - 5.63k YTD
#196 - GUARDIANS OF GALAXY TP VOL 02 ANGELA - $20 - MAR - 0.65k - last month rank 93 - 7.24k YTD
#197 - JOKER DEATH OF THE FAMILY TP (N52) - $25 - DC - 0.65k - last month rank 152 - 11.68k YTD
#198 - WOLVERINE OLD MAN LOGAN TP - $30 - MAR - 0.64k - last month rank 169 - 6.59k YTD
#199 - ROYAL BLOOD HC - $17 - RAN - 0.63k - new book
#200 - BATMAN ARKHAM ASYLUM MADNESS HC - $20 - DC - 0.63k - return after 52 months - 0.63k YTD
#201 - DEADPOOL TP VOL 03 GOOD BAD AND UGLY NOW - $16 - MAR - 0.63k - last month rank 96 - 6.66k YTD
#202 - SAMURAI EXECUTIONER OMNIBUS TP VOL 03 - $20 - DAR - 0.63k - new book
#203 - ARCHIE GIANT COMICS FESTIVAL TP - $8 - ARC - 0.63k - new book
#204 - WALKING DEAD OMNIBUS HC VOL 05 - $100 - IMA - 0.62k - new book
#205 - HULK GREEN HULK RED HULK HC - $40 - MAR - 0.62k - return after 50 months - 0.62k YTD
#206 - DREAM STATES THE COLLECTED DREAMING COVERS HC - $50 - DC - 0.62k - new book
#207 - SUICIDE SQUAD TP VOL 01 KICKED IN THE TEETH (N52) - $15 - DC - 0.62k - last month rank 294 - 3.9k YTD
#208 - REGULAR SHOW SKIPS TP - $20 - BOO - 0.62k - new book
#209 - HULK VISIONARIES JOHN BYRNE TP VOL 01 - $25 - MAR - 0.61k - return after 78 months - 0.61k YTD
#210 - MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD INFINITY SWORD QUEST HC - $25 - MAR - 0.61k - return after 55 months - 0.61k YTD
#211 - MY LITTLE PONY DIGEST TP VOL 01 - $7 - IDW - 0.61k - return after 14 months - 0.61k YTD
#212 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 06 SORROWFUL LIFE - $15 - IMA - 0.61k - last month rank 227 - 7.45k YTD
#213 - GRINDHOUSE MIDNIGHT TP VOL 02 BRIDE BLOOD FLESH DOLL - $18 - DAR - 0.61k - new book
#214 - MARVEL ADVENTURES BLACK WIDOW & AVENGERS TP DIGEST - $10 - MAR - 0.61k - return after 40 months - 0.61k YTD
#215 - MMW GOLDEN AGE ALL WINNERS TP VOL 02 - $30 - MAR - 0.61k - new book
#216 - STRAIN TP VOL 01 - $20 - DAR - 0.61k - last month rank 167 - 2.92k YTD
#217 - AVENGERS VS X-MEN TP AVX - $35 - MAR - 0.6k - last month rank 231 - 7.1k YTD
#218 - KISS OF THE ROSE PRINCESS GN VOL 01 - $10 - VIZ - 0.6k - new book
#219 - ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW TP - $18 - CAL - 0.6k - return after 23 months - 0.6k YTD
#220 - TALES O/T TMNT TP VOL 06 - $20 - IDW - 0.6k - new book
#221 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 17 SOMETHING TO FEAR - $15 - IMA - 0.6k - last month rank 211 - 9.07k YTD
#222 - XXXHOLIC REI GN VOL 02 - $11 - RAN - 0.6k - new book
#223 - NISEKOI FALSE LOVE GN VOL 06 - $10 - VIZ - 0.59k - new book
#224 - ATTACK ON TITAN BEGINNING BOX SET - $44 - RAN - 0.59k - new book
#225 - WALKING DEAD HC VOL 01 - $35 - IMA - 0.58k - return after 2 months - 3.31k YTD
#226 - NAILBITER TP VOL 01 THERE WILL BE BLOOD - $10 - IMA - 0.58k - last month rank 11 - 4.96k YTD
#227 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 18 WHAT COMES AFTER - $15 - IMA - 0.58k - last month rank 195 - 10.49k YTD
#228 - GOTHAM CITY SIRENS TP BOOK 01 - $25 - DC - 0.57k - last month rank 15 - 4.43k YTD
#229 - PUNISHER HC FRANKEN-CASTLE - $40 - MAR - 0.57k - return after 48 months - 0.57k YTD
#230 - WONDER WOMAN TP VOL 01 BLOOD (N52) - $15 - DC - 0.57k - last month rank 250 - 6.98k YTD
#231 - WHITE SUITS TP - $18 - DAR - 0.57k - new book
#232 - HAUNTED HORROR HC VOL 02 COMICS MOTHER WARNED ABOUT - $25 - IDW - 0.57k - new book
#233 - ZENITH HC PHASE TWO - $25 - POC - 0.57k - new book
#234 - BETTY & VERONICA SHOPPING SPREE TP - $10 - ARC - 0.57k - new book
#235 - CIVIL WAR HC - $40 - MAR - 0.57k - return after 71 months - 0.57k YTD
#236 - POKEMON ADV BLACK & WHITE GN VOL 05 - $10 - VIZ - 0.56k - new book
#237 - HARLEY QUINN HC VOL 01 HOT IN THE CITY - $25 - DC - 0.56k - last month rank 7 - 6.17k YTD
#238 - BATMAN WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE CAPED CRUSADER TP - $15 - DC - 0.56k - return after 36 months - 0.56k YTD
#239 - PARADISE X TP VOL 01 - $30 - MAR - 0.56k - return after 88 months - 0.56k YTD
#240 - DISNEY MICKEY MOUSE HC VOL 06 LOST LANDS LONG AGO - $35 - FAN - 0.56k - new book
#241 - DEADPOOL CLASSIC TP VOL 01 - $30 - MAR - 0.55k - last month rank 251 - 4.43k YTD
#242 - PAINKILLER JANE 22 BRIDES TP - $18 - MAR - 0.55k - new book
#243 - TEEN TITANS A CELEBRATION OF 50 YEARS HC - $40 - DC - 0.55k - new book
#244 - AVENGERS WEST COAST AVENGERS ASSEMBLE PREM HC - $30 - MAR - 0.55k - return after 51 months - 0.55k YTD
#245 - SUPERMAN RED SON TP - $18 - DC - 0.54k - last month rank 224 - 8.49k YTD
#246 - SILVER TP VOL 01 - $13 - DAR - 0.52k - new book
#247 - CONSTANTINE TP VOL 01 SPARK AND THE FLAME (N52) - $15 - DC - 0.52k - return after 9 months - 3.2k YTD
#248 - SUPERMAN EARTH ONE TP VOL 01 - $13 - DC - 0.52k - return after 5 months - 1.5k YTD
#249 - DRAGONAR ACADEMY GN VOL 04 - $13 - STM - 0.52k - new book
#250 - PREACHER TP BOOK 01 - $20 - DC - 0.52k - last month rank 218 - 7.61k YTD
#251 - IRON MAN PREM HC LEGACY OF DOOM - $20 - MAR - 0.52k - return after 42 months - 0.52k YTD
#252 - MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC TP VOL 01 - $18 - IDW - 0.52k - last month rank 277 - 4.08k YTD
#253 - HEROIC AGE TP - $25 - MAR - 0.52k - return after 48 months - 0.52k YTD
#254 - LEGO LEGENDS OF CHIMA GN VOL 03 CHI QUEST - $8 - NBM - 0.51k - new book
#255 - DEADPOOL VS CARNAGE TP - $17 - MAR - 0.51k - last month rank 212 - 7.36k YTD
#256 - SOLAR MAN OF THE ATOM TP VOL 01 NUCLEAR FAMILY - $17 - DE - 0.51k - new book
#257 - JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA HC VOL 01 (N52) - $25 - DC - 0.51k - return after 12 months - 0.51k YTD
#258 - ORPHAN BLADE GN - $20 - ONI - 0.51k - new book
#259 - ATTACK ON TITAN GN VOL 01 - $11 - RAN - 0.51k - last month rank 242 - 8.92k YTD
#260 - UQ HOLDER GN VOL 03 - $11 - RAN - 0.5k - new book
#261 - X-FILES SEASON 10 HC VOL 03 - $25 - IDW - 0.5k - new book
#262 - IRON MAN TP MANY ARMORS OF IRON MAN - $25 - MAR - 0.5k - return after 81 months - 0.5k YTD
#263 - ORIGINAL SIN HC - $75 - MAR - 0.5k - last month rank 23 - 3.72k YTD
#264 - SANDMAN TP VOL 02 THE DOLLS HOUSE NEW ED - $20 - DC - 0.49k - last month rank 300 - 6.03k YTD
#265 - DEADPOOL KILLS DEADPOOL TP - $15 - MAR - 0.49k - last month rank 204 - 8.08k YTD
#266 - NIGHT OF LIVING DEADPOOL TP - $17 - MAR - 0.49k - last month rank 232 - 8.62k YTD
#267 - GREEN LANTERN v1 HC VOL 02 THE SINESTRO CORPS WAR - $25 - DC - 0.49k - return after 67 months - 0.49k YTD
#268 - JSA OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 - $150 - DC - 0.49k - new book
#269 - INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US TP VOL 01 - $15 - DC - 0.49k - last month rank 201 - 6.53k YTD
#270 - X-MEN SECOND COMING REVELATIONS HC - $25 - MAR - 0.49k - return after 49 months - 0.49k YTD
#271 - NEW AVENGERS HC VOL 02 - $30 - MAR - 0.49k - return after 79 months - 0.49k YTD
#272 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 10 WHAT WE BECOME - $15 - IMA - 0.49k - return after 2 months - 4.53k YTD
#273 - DEADPOOL TP VOL 05 WEDDING OF DEADPOOL - $16 - MAR - 0.49k - last month rank 163 - 7.44k YTD
#274 - DEADPOOL TP VOL 02 SOUL HUNTER NOW - $16 - MAR - 0.49k - last month rank 184 - 6.92k YTD
#275 - LUCIFER AND THE BISCUIT HAMMER TP VOL 01 - $19 - STM - 0.48k - new book
#276 - AVENGERS WORLD TRUST PREM HC - $25 - MAR - 0.48k - return after 58 months - 0.48k YTD
#277 - HELLBOY TP VOL 01 SEED OF DESTRUCTION - $18 - DAR - 0.47k - return after 6 months - 2.37k YTD
#278 - AMAZING SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 01 PARKER LUCK - $18 - MAR - 0.47k - last month rank 8 - 5.47k YTD
#279 - CHEW TP VOL 01 - $10 - IMA - 0.47k - last month rank 222 - 7.46k YTD
#280 - PUNKROCKPAPERSCISSORS TP - $30 - IMA - 0.47k - new book
#281 - EC GEORGE EVANS ACES HIGH HC - $30 - FAN - 0.47k - new book
#282 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 07 THE CALM BEFORE - $15 - IMA - 0.47k - last month rank 262 - 6.26k YTD
#283 - MODESTY BLAISE TP VOL 25 GRIM JOKER - $20 - TTN - 0.47k - new book
#284 - SKY ART OF FINAL FANTASY HC VOL 03 - $25 - DAR - 0.47k - new book
#285 - DIARY OF A WIMPY KID HC VOL 09 LONG HAUL - $14 - ABR - 0.46k - new book
#286 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 11 FEAR THE HUNTERS - $15 - IMA - 0.46k - last month rank 297 - 3.88k YTD
#287 - SKY ART OF FINAL FANTASY HC VOL 02 - $35 - DAR - 0.46k - new book
#288 - WALKING DEAD TP VOL 08 MADE TO SUFFER - $15 - IMA - 0.46k - last month rank 285 - 5.5k YTD
#289 - AVATAR LAST AIRBENDER TP VOL 04 SEARCH PART 1 - $11 - DAR - 0.46k - return after 2 months - 2.8k YTD
#290 - GREEN LANTERN SECRET ORIGIN HC - $20 - DC - 0.46k - return after 48 months - 0.46k YTD
#291 - JUDGE DREDD CITY LIMITS GN - $30 - IDW - 0.46k - new book
#292 - METALLICA NOTHING ELSE MATTERS GN - $20 - PUT - 0.46k - new book
#293 - SUPERMAN EARTH ONE TP VOL 02 - $15 - DC - 0.46k - return after 8 months - 3.68k YTD
#294 - AVATAR LAST AIRBENDER TP VOL 01 PROMISE PART 1 - $11 - DAR - 0.45k - return after 2 months - 2.43k YTD
#295 - GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO TP VOL 10 - $20 - IDW - 0.45k - new book
#296 - HIGH SCHOOL DXD GN VOL 03 - $13 - HAC - 0.45k - new book
#297 - CABLE CLASSIC TP VOL 02 - $30 - MAR - 0.45k - return after 64 months - 0.45k YTD
#298 - FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 3IN1 TP VOL 09 - $15 - VIZ - 0.45k - new book
#299 - BLACKEST NIGHT TP - $20 - DC - 0.45k - last month rank 237 - 6.45k YTD
#300 - ALICE I/T COUNTRY OF CLOVER KNIGHTS KNOWLEDGE GN VOL 03 - $14 - STM - 0.45k - new book

2014-12-21

The November charts are up

November numbers are up at the usual places, including Comichron. Check the other links in the sidebar. It might be the last fairly normal month for a while, with a lot of chart deforming events coming up, including a Loot Crate exclusive cover for BATMAN #36 which will probably more than double the 115k it shipped in November, various Star Wars launches at Marvel next year, with a print run for #1 reportedly already over 1 million (and dozens of covers), possibly not all of those going through the direct market.

Top book was AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #9, which launched an event and had many extra covers. Not surprisingly, #10 dropped right down to normal sales for the title, which are still respectable in the current market. The actual main SPIDER-VERSE event it launched is down a bit further in the charts, about half of what #9 sold. Second issues continue to have average drops in the 33% range, which seems to be the new normal. A big increase for INHUMAN #8, about 70%, apparently engineered by shipping many free copies. The retail rank indicates that it saw a pretty big drop in actual paid copies. The 64% increase for the new creative team on WONDER WOMAN #36 was probably more genuine, though probably short-lived.

On the books chart, 161 new items, 139 backlist, which is about normal for a month without DC or Marvel doing a huge high-discount dump (although there is some of that on this chart). New WALKING DEAD TP book is of course on top, only a few books can ship over 20k out of the gate like that. TEEN TITANS EARTH ONE HC VOL 01 did pretty good at almost 9k, but still only about half the first month sales of the previous EARTH ONE books. SAGA DLX ED HC VOL 01 did remarkably well for a $50 book at over 8k, which also gives it the top retail rank.

Maybe more later this week if I have time, otherwise look forward to the year-end numbers coming up soon.

2014-12-02

A look at some specific numbers - WYTCHES #1

Sorry I haven't been updating lately. I might have some time this month to do some of the playing with spreadsheets that I've been wanting to do, especially if the November numbers are reasonably normal. Check the links in the sidebar for the latest updated charts, articles and podcasts.

I did want to take a look at a rare example of a publisher giving precise sales numbers.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=56841

On WYTCHES #1 : "Image has confirmed that the issue has reached 92,131 copies between its first two printings, with the first printing netting 81,083 in initial retailer orders."


The second print didn't ship until November, so the October numbers should represent the first print numbers only (and the second print should make the November charts).


On the October charts, WYTCHES #1 came in at 67,996, However, it was returnable, and Diamond makes an adjustment for that. The common wisdom is that they reduce the number by 10%, which would put the estimates sales at 75,551. That still leaves a gap of 5532 copies. I'd assume that the number Image reported was the entire print run, including Diamond UK, which isn't included in the North American sales estimates. The common wisdom there is that Diamond UK represents around 10% of the the sales, but that varies wildly by specific book (and down to 0% for some items with licensing or content restrictions), so at about 7% that might seem a bit on the low side, but there were also a number of retailer-specific variant covers for WYTCHES #1 which would definitely lean the numbers more towards North America.

So the numbers would seem to make sense. My initial guess when I read about the print run was that the estimates would come in about 66,000, before I looked at the specific variants which would lean it towards North American sales.

2014-09-06

New Chart Day Early Links

Some charts are up early this time around. I'll have the full summary of links up early next week, but until then here's ICV2's version of the Top 300 Comics and Top 300 Graphic Novels.

As you'd expect, last month's top comic, ROCKET RACCOON #1, took a big dive with #2, down over 80% to a still highly unrealistically high 56.6k. That's one of the biggest single issue drops on the chart in the time that we have comparable statistics (I suspect some early 1990s second issue drops beat it with ease), especially if you discount cases where the drop was after a bargain priced $1 first issue.. MULTIVERSITY is the top debut at 90.5k, which is pretty good for a $5 book, it'll be interesting to see how its release as a series of one-shots does. I'm guessing about 50-60k by the last issue. Two issues of HARLEY QUINN came out and demonstrate the difference between open order variants (#9, 71.5k) and limited variants (#10, 58.5k). Average second issue drops were about 35%.

Over on the Graphic Novels side, THANOS INFINITY REVELATION was the top book, and the most successful of Marvel's current series of original graphic novels. None of the previous ones have shown much legs as backlist, we'll see if this one is different. The Top 300 was almost evenly split new releases (155 books) and backlist (145). DC had a lot of backlist stuff on sale this time around. SAGA continues to do well as backlist, with all three books in the top 10, and representing the top three Image books.

More on these charts soon.

2014-08-16

Observations on July 2014 Comics Chart

This month let's just try going through the Top 300 Comics chart and commenting on anything that seems interesting. Mostly in order, though I've grouped together some books with common themes.


#1. ROCKET RACCOON #1 (MAR) - 293.9k copies
As has been mentioned elsewhere, this rather insane number is bolstered by a number of factors, chief among them a company called "Loot Crate" buying a custom branded cover edition for all their customers, numbering over 100k. There were also a few other custom branded variants and the usual array of Marvel first-issue sales inflating gimmicks. Obviously we'll see a massive drop with #2, probably to under 100k, which is still pretty good for a ROCKET RACCOON series. A year ago we'd probably have seen 30k for the first issue and cancellation numbers by #6.

I do find it curious that Marvel decided to funnel a 100k+ single issue single customer order through Diamond, rather than cutting out the middleman, but I don't know enough to guess whether that was to comply with their exclusive distribution contract with Diamond or a desire to have those numbers be a part of their marketshare in the direct market breakdown.

#2. BATMAN #33 (DC) - 118k copies - down 9.3%
Most of the DC books that saw big increases last month from the "bombshell" cover variants saw some decrease this month with the "Batman 75" variants, but still higher than their May sales. BATMAN is pretty typical, going from 107k to 130k to 118k.

#3. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #4 (MAR) - 117.9k copies - up 8.2%
Starting a run of issues crossing over with ORIGINAL SIN, then another crossover after that. It's been several years since an on-going Marvel book has sustained sales over 100k for more than one or two issues, so this has to be seen as a success.

#4. ORIGINAL SIN #5 (MAR) - 91.4k copies - up 3.3%
#6. ORIGINAL SIN #6 (MAR) - 89.3k copies - down 2.3%
Pretty steady, will probably see a small jump with the last issues.

#5. SPIDER-MAN 2099 #1 (MAR) - 90.7k copies
Decent launch, higher than you'd expect (I'd have guessed 60-70k), and going to be involved in a Spider-Man crossover in a few issues which should keep the numbers steady.

#7. JUSTICE LEAGUE #32 (DC) - 88.2k copies - up 16.3%
A late "bombshell" variant cover boost.

#8. GRAYSON #1 (DC) - 81.4k copies
Better numbers than any issue of NIGHTWING managed, as far back as we have comparable numbers, over double what it was selling recently.

#9. LEGENDARY STAR LORD #1 (MAR) - 78.5k copies
Over twice what you'd have expected if the character weren't appearing in a new movie. I imagine most of the curiosity will be sated by the first issue, but the big launch should give it enough momentum to last longer than the 6-8 issues you'd expect from a STAR LORD series.

#10. HARLEY QUINN #8 (DC) - 76.8k copies - down 17.6%
#16. HARLEY QUINN INVADES COMIC CON #1 (DC) - 65k copies
#80. SECRET ORIGINS #4 (DC) - 37.2k copies - up 31.1%
The new HARLEY QUINN book has been surprisingly successful, down this month only because the popular "bombshell" variant was last month. The COMIC CON special sold in the expected range for an Annual, and the presence of Quinn gave a big boost to SECRET ORIGINS which should be all gone next issue.

#13. SANDMAN OVERTURE #3 (DC) - 72.6k copies - down 19.1%
Falling a bit fast, I don't think slipping from an already slow bi-monthly release schedule to once every four months helps it.  At this rate the ending is still a year away, while originally it should be ending in a few weeks.

#14. SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #7 (DC) - 69.5k copies - down 26.2%
A few issues left to stagger out, has to be seen as a disappointing showing for such a high profile creative team.

#15. BATMAN SUPERMAN #12 (DC) - 68.3k copies - up 27.7%
Another late "bombshell" cover.

#17. BATMAN ETERNAL #13 (DC) - 63.8k copies - up 7.4%
#18. BATMAN ETERNAL #14 (DC) - 63.1k copies - down 1.1%
#22. BATMAN ETERNAL #15 (DC) - 62.1k copies - down 1.6%
#23. BATMAN ETERNAL #16 (DC) - 61.1k copies - down 1.6%
#25. BATMAN ETERNAL #17 (DC) - 60k copies - down 1.9%
No longer returnable with #13, so that accounts for the small jump there as Diamond no longer takes off a portion of sales. Very steady seller overall.

#19. SUPERMAN #33 (DC) - 63k copies - down 34.4%
I'd have to think that they were hoping for a bit more with the new creative team that began with #32, but sales of the book were pretty anemic before.

#20. GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #17 (MAR) - 63k copies - up 14.9%
Small bump to have copies on hand for the film release, most should be gone by the next issue.

#27. LIFE WITH ARCHIE #36 (ARC) - 57.1k copies - up 2664.2%
#42. LIFE WITH ARCHIE #37 (ARC) - 48.8k copies - down 14.4%
#297. LIFE WITH ARCHIE MAGAZINE #36 (ARC) - 6.7k copies
This is the "Death of Alternate Universe Archie" story. Technically I suppose the sales comparison with #35 should be with the magazine version of #36 (which has the story content of the the standard comic version of #36 and #37), since that matched the format. The book always had anemic direct market sales, in the 2-3k range, selling primarily in the mass market until this finale. Don't expect the interest in this to translate to any future interest in any standard Archie books.

#32. OUTCAST #2 (IMA) - 55.1k copies - down 23.2%
Less of a drop than I expected, still returnable so probably shipped closer to 60k. I'll be most curious to see if the first collection can put up anywhere near WALKING DEAD numbers, and how the first issue after the collection does.

#35. TEEN TITANS #1 (DC) - 52.4k copies
#41. NEW SUICIDE SQUAD #1 (DC) - 49.3k copies
Both about twice the sales of the books they replace with similar/identical names. As a quick rule of thumb, an average relaunch will return to previous sales levels in six issues, so if #6 of either stays ahead of those levels I'd chalk it up as a success.

#44. JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #3 (DC) - 47.9k copies - down 23.9%
A bit of a delayed second issue drop thanks to the variant on #2.

#46. STORM #1 (MAR) - 47.6k copies
Seems to be about the expect range for recent solo X-Men books, with NIGHTCRAWLER at 49.4k and CYCLOPS at 47.4k. Given that trend, expect to see this in the 25k range within a few issues.

#59. DOCTOR WHO 11TH #1 (TIT) - 41.1k copies
#67. DOCTOR WHO 10TH #1 (TIT) - 39.7k copies
Interestingly, these sold over twice what any non-crossover DOCTOR WHO book from IDW did, and over four times what any previous Titan comic (in their current incarnation) has managed. Looks like a good marriage of publisher and licence for now, with DOCTOR WHO benefiting from being the biggest book at Titan rather than the fifth most important licensed title at IDW, and DOCTOR WHO being in the Titan listings maybe encouraging a few readers and retailers to pay more attention to those listings in the future. And Titan being a bigger deal outside the US direct market should mean a lot of sales in venues not included in this chart. It'll be interesting to see how the "12th Doctor" book does.

#78. MILES MORALES ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #3 (MAR) - 37.2k copies - down 2.6%
Stabilized very quickly, not sure if the Ultimate line will continue with only one book, or if they'll permanently fold the character into the main Marvel Universe.

#86. MS MARVEL #6 (MAR) - 36k copies - up 6.6%
The endless hype the book has been getting finally translates to a modest increase in sales in the direct market.

#101. BLACK SCIENCE #7 (IMA) - 28.1k copies - up 13.1%
Decent uptick with the "first after collection" issue, and that collection has been selling very well.

#106. STAR WARS #19 (DAR) - 27.2k copies - down 2.5%
One more issue to go, it'll be interesting to see how the Marvel relaunch does. I'm guessing the initial numbers will be high, maybe the 100k range, but down to this range within a few issues, at least until the hype machine for the next movie really starts to rev up.

#111. SUPREME BLUE ROSE #1 (IMA) - 26.1k copies
Significantly higher than any of the previous "Extreme Studios" revivals have done, we'll see if it can sustain decent numbers (or the interest of its creators) for more than a handful of issues.

#115. AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #6 (ARC) - 25.7k copies - down 5.1%
So, turns out the secret to direct market success for Archie was death.

#134. ALL NEW X-FACTOR #10 (MAR) - 22.6k copies - down 4.9%
#135. ALL NEW X-FACTOR #11 (MAR) - 22.4k copies - down 0.6%
#136. ALL NEW INVADERS #7 (MAR) - 22.3k copies - down 4.8%
#137. ALL NEW GHOST RIDER #5 (MAR) - 21.8k copies - down 11.4%
#148. ALL NEW INVADERS #8 (MAR) - 19.9k copies - down 11%
#161. ALL NEW ULTIMATES #5 (MAR) - 18.2k copies - down 11.5%
#209. ALL NEW DOOP #4 (MAR) - 11k copies - down 12.9%
Maybe "All New" isn't as enticing a descriptor as Marvel thinks it is for anything but X-MEN...

#143. RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #33 (DC) - 20.7k copies - down 37.5%
#154. CATWOMAN #33 (DC) - 18.9k copies - down 43.8%
What happens when you go from having a "bombshell" variant to no variant.

#159. STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES GI ZOMBIE #1 (DC) - 18.8k copies
Taking the crown from INFINITY MAN AND THE FOREVER PEOPLE for lowest launching "New 52" book, by a wide margin. It'll be interesting to see if this gets even the usual 8-issue minimum that "New 52" books have gotten.

#163. MIRACLEMAN #8 (MAR) - 17.7k copies - down 7.7%
Not having quite the sales impact that might have been expected.

#169. NAILBITER #3 (IMA) - 16.6k copies - up 9.1%
A fairly rare jump for a third issue indicates some good word-of-mouth.

#172. INFINITY MAN AND THE FOREVER PEOPLE #2 (DC) - 15.9k copies - down 36.2%
Can't be long for the world at this rate.

#173. RAGNAROK #1 (IDW) - 15.6k copies
Decent launch for a creator-owned IDW book.

#184. GROO VS CONAN #1 (DAR) - 13.9k copies
Pretty good sales for both GROO and CONAN in 2014.

#191. DEVILERS #1 (DE) - 12.3k copies
First in a line of books which appear to be company owned but branded "Creators Unleashed". Still a leash on them if the company owns the property, I'd think. Not a bad launch for an original concept book from Dynamite.

#208. ARMOR HUNTERS #2 (VAL) - 11.2k copies - down 31.9%
Top Valiant book for the month, most of the line is under 10k, and some are starting to fall off the Top 300.

#228. LUMBERJANES #4 (BOO) - 10k copies - up 9.2%
Back to the sales level of #2.

#233. NEW VAMPIRELLA #2 (DE) - 9.4k copies - down 58.7%
Steep drop, but still double what OLD VAMPIRELLA finished with.

#267. UBER #15 (AVA) - 7.5k copies - down 0.5%
Coming soon, LYFT and HAXI.

#272. DOCTOR SPEKTOR #2 (DE) - 7.3k copies - down 55.6%
Another massive second issue drop from the new Gold Key revival. Not sure how long that line can continue, although I think it's surpassed the Dark Horse version.

#290. BLACK KISS XXXMAS IN JULY SPECIAL ONE SHOT (IMA) - 6.8k copies
Pretty much held the sales of the last issue of BLACK KISS II, which is pretty good for a book seven months late and double the price.

#299. ANGRY BIRDS COMICS #2 (IDW) - 6.6k copies - down 44.5%
Can't see this having any legs in the direct market, but maybe will be a successful in other markets.

2014-08-11

New Chart Day Link Roundup

Been slow on the linking lately, so some catch-up here on new chart day.

July numbers are up, Comichron has the charts, the market summary and  some commentary, as does ICV2 (comic chart, books chart, summary and analysis) and John Mayo at CBR (charts and commentary) It looks like the short period of Diamond releasing the Top 400 for comics is over, unfortunately. I looked briefly as what those extra 100 entries a month included over here, I was looking forward to seeing more as we got enough months of information.

And just catching up, we got the July Bookscan numbers from ICV2 up here. Basically a lot of Batman, a lot of ATTACK ON TITAN, Bryan Lee O'Malley's first post-SCOTT PILGRIM book doing very well  (even with the sales bifurcated by an exclusive edition in one major store).

Beat articles for June are up for DC and Marvel. Note that the writer of the Indie chart for The Beat is stepping down and they're looking for a replacement, so contact them if you're interested.

John Mayo's sales report podcasts are catching up from the convention season, June Trades episode is up now, expect the Comics one up soon, and the July episodes probably soon after that.

To be discussed here on the July numbers in the next few weeks, obviously the absurdly high sales of ROCKET RACCOON. There's the expected across-the-board drop in the DC books that got the "bombshell variant" bump last month, generally losing about half the increase, with most of them having "Batman 75" variants. There's the continuing success of HARLEY QUINN, which this month saw SECRET ORIGINS get a 30% bump with #4. The Books chart is about typical, with around 55% new books and 45% backlist (I'm still going through it trying to weed out a few "new editions" and deciding which should be counted as new books). As you'd expect, a new WALKING DEAD book is always going to dominate (unless a new SAGA comes in the same month). O'Malley's SECONDS does well there as well, it'll be interesting to see if it has the legs in the direct market that SCOTT PILGRIM did (the SCOTT PILGRIM books don't hit the Top 300 much anymore, but the first one was a pretty consistent presence there for about four years bracketing the release of the film adaptation). More soon.

2014-08-04

Observations on June 2014 Comics Chart - Launches

A few thoughts on some of the new series on the June 2014 charts.

OUTCAST #1 (IMA) - 71.8k
This was returnable, so it probably shipped closer to 80k in North America, plus no doubt a good amount to other markets, I wouldn't be surprised if this reports sales over 100k by the end of the year. It'll be interesting to see if this follows the standard current Image trends of a 30-40% drop with #2.

ORIGINAL SIN 3.x #1 (MAR) - 45.3k
Confusingly numbered tie-in to the current crossover from Marvel, not selling great compared to the main series, but better than the regular Hulk and Iron Man books that it most closely connects with.

SAVAGE HULK #1 (MAR) - 44.2k
The main Hulk title isn't likely to sell more than 35-40k these days, so you'd expect a spin-off to be doing good selling 25-30k, which this will be within a few issues.

WICKED & DIVINE #1 (IMA) - 42.9k
Strong start for an Image book, especially compared to the sub-5k sales on previous Image books by the same creators before their recent Marvel work.

ORIGINAL SINS #1 (MAR) - 39.7k
Also confusingly numbered as a plural of the parent series, selling about half the level of the main series.

BATMAN 66 MEETS GREEN HORNET #1 (DC) - 33k
A "digital first" book, but with a much smaller digital exclusive window than most of DC's digital first books (just a few weeks), and with an interesting hook. Should continue to do well.

INFINITY MAN AND THE FOREVER PEOPLE #1 (DC) - 24.9k
I think this is the lowest launch of any New 52 "on going" title, below even books like GREEN TEAM. So far every book has been given at least eight issues before cancellation, but this might beat that.

BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA #1 (BOO) - 24.2k
Seriously, this is a comic being published in 2014.

NEW VAMPIRELLA #1 (DE) - 22.9k
Doesn't really seem too different from old Vampirella.

ARMOR HUNTERS #1 (VAL) - 16.5k


TMNT TURTLES IN TIME #1 (IDW) - 13.8k


RISE OF THE MAGI #1 (IMA) - 13.3k


TINY TITANS RETURN TO THE TREEHOUSE #1 (DC) - 13k
The previous series maintained sales in the 7-8k range a couple of years ago, this might wind up slightly ahead of that.

FIGMENT #1 (MAR) - 12.7k


WILDFIRE #1 (IMA) - 12.6k


STAR TREK CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER #1 (IDW) - 12k


ANGRY BIRDS COMICS #1 (IDW) - 11.9k


BLOOD QUEEN #1 (DE) - 10.4k


CARTOON NETWORK SUPER SECRET CRISIS WAR #1 (IDW) - 10.2k


RED CITY #1 (IMA) - 9.9k


WINTERWORLD #1 (IDW) - 8k


EMPTY MAN #1 (BOO) - 7.7k


WITCHFINDER MYSTERIES OF UNLAND #1 (DAR) - 7.4k


SUPERANNUATED MAN #1 (IMA) - 7.3k


AMAZING WORLD OF GUMBALL #1 (BOO) - 7.3k


THOMAS ALSOP #1 (BOO) - 6.3k


PAINKILLER JANE 22 BRIDES #1 (MAR) - 6.1k


PRINCESS UGG #1 (ONI) - 6k


DOODLE JUMP #1 (DE) - 5.9k


JIM BUTCHER DRESDEN FILES WAR CRY #1 (DE) - 5.8k


EYE OF NEWT #1 (DAR) - 5.1k


2014-08-03

Observations on June 2014 Comics Chart - Second Issue Drops

Always one of the first things I look at in the new chart, the drops on the second issues. And as usual, all of them were drops, though one came close to staying even. The average drop remains just over 30%.


RAI #2 (VAL) - down 54%
29.1k to 13.4k
Pretty typical for Valiant, especially when they make the first issue returnable. Should still remain above average for a Valiant book for a few more issues.

MADAME FRANKENSTEIN #2 (IMA) - down 52%
9.8k to 4.7k
A much higher than normal fall for an Image book these days, not sure why.

CHAOS #2 (DE) - down 47%
19.5k to 10.4k
Hard to believe that the Chaos line of comics was actually a pretty major seller in the 1990s (though primarily with the character Lady Death, not included in this revival). I don't expect any of the books in the line (and it looks like a lot of them are coming up) will be able to maintain sales higher than 10k.

LITTLEST PET SHOP #2 (IDW) - down 44%
8.2k to 4.6k


ORDINARY #2 (TIT) - down 40%
2.7k to 1.7k


BRASS SUN #2 (REB) - down 38%
2.8k to 1.7k


MPH #2 (IMA) - down 38%
35.6k to 21.9k


BEE AND PUPPYCAT #2 (BOO) - down 38%
12.2k to 7.6k


PATHFINDER CITY SECRETS #2 (DE) - down 35%
7.1k to 4.6k


COWL #2 (IMA) - down 35%
20.9k to 13.6k


CYCLOPS #2 (MAR) - down 34%
47.5k to 31.1k


NAILBITER #2 (IMA) - down 33%
22.7k to 15.2k


WOODS #2 (BOO) - down 33%
13.9k to 9.4k


DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU #2 (MAR) - down 32%
19.3k to 13.1k


DREAM POLICE #2 (IMA) - down 31%
11.8k to 8.1k
This is about an average second issue drop in 2014, so anything below this is doing relatively okay, if they stabalize quickly.

CLIVE BARKERS NIGHTBREED #2 (BOO) - down 27%
7.8k to 5.7k


UNITED STATES OF MURDER INC #2 (MAR) - down 27%
18.5k to 13.6k
Still well above the 10k that the long running POWERS from the same creators manages.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 1.x #2 (MAR) - down 26%
116.6k to 86.3k
Still doing much better than it would be if it was an independently named and numbered mini-series.

GFT WARLORD OF OZ #2 (ZEN) - down 25%
7.8k to 5.8k


DEJAH OF MARS #2 (DE) - down 24%
7.1k to 5.4k


SHEENA #2 (MOO) - down 23%
3.9k to 3k


TREES #2 (IMA) - down 20%
31.9k to 25.5k
According to the writer final orders on this were just over 30k, which makes sense when you adjust for returnability and UK sales. There were also reportedly substantial re-orders for #1, but not enough to make the Top 300, which is all Diamond reported this month. Decent enough retention of first issue orders.

MILES MORALES ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #2 (MAR) - down 17%
45.9k to 38.2k
Held on to more of those first issue numbers than I expected it to, based on other Marvel launches, and especially recent Ultimate line launches.

ORIGINAL SINS #2 (MAR) - down 9%
39.7k to 36.1k
Spin-off to the ORIGINAL SIN crossover, the first issue was also in June. Selling less than half the parent book, which isn't that great, but at least maintaining those numbers.

STAR WARS DARTH MAUL SON OF DATHOMIR #2 (DAR) - down 7%
17.1k to 15.8k
One of the last Dark Horse STAR WARS comics before they lose the license. Looks like retailers had a good idea of the market for that.

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #2 (DC) - down 2%
64.2k to 62.9k
As already discussed, a beneficiary of DC's variant cover scheme this month. Most of the books got more than a 30% bump instead of their usual 2-3% drop. Without the variant, this probably would have been down below 50k, lower than any issue of the JLA title it replaced.

Observations on June 2014 Comics Chart - The Rising

Other than the already discussed "Bombshell" covers from DC, here are the comics in June which had significant increases over the previous issues.

MANIFEST DESTINY #7 (IMA) +45%
14.9k to 21.5k
First issue after the $10 tradepaperback, looks like there's some interest in the book.

WITCHBLADE #175 (IMA) +30%
6k to 7.8k
This title always gets a hefty bump every time the issue number is divisible by 25, and it always goes away with the next issue.

TMNT NEW ANIMATED ADVENTURES #12 (IDW) +25%
6.1k to 7.6k
Doesn't appear to be a specific reason for this, other than the amped up publicity for the characters with the upcoming movie.

NOVA #18 (MAR) +20%
21.7k to 25.9k
Tie-in with Marvel's current crossover, which gets a modest bump which will likely carry over for the next few crossover issues before dissipating.

SEX CRIMINALS #6 (IMA) +16%
22.6k to 26.3k
First issue after what's reprinted in the first collection, which has sold very well with over 16k in the direct market, and making the Bookscan Top 10 in May.

WOLVERINE #8 (MAR) +16%
35k to 40.5k
A small increase for the beginning of the storyline which permanently kills Wolverine for all time.

WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #40 (ARC) +13%
0.9k to 1.1k


FIVE GHOSTS #12 (IMA) +12%
5.7k to 6.4k
Last scheduled issue of the series when it came out, those it was since announced that it continues with #13 in the fall.

SIMPSONS ILLUSTRATED #11 (BON) +11%
2.8k to 3.2k


GHOST #5 (DAR) +11%
6.1k to 6.7k
New creative team and storyline.

ARCHIE #656 (ARC) +10%
3.7k to 4.1k


UNITY #8 (VAL) +9%
8.7k to 9.4k
Crossover with the ARMOR HUNTERS series launching this month at 16.4k

ADVENTURE TIME #29 (BOO) +8%
12.8k to 13.8k


ALL NEW INVADERS #6 (MAR) +7%
21.8k to 23.5k
Crossover

B & V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #239 (ARC) +6%
1.2k to 1.2k


MANHATTAN PROJECTS #21 (IMA) +6%
14.3k to 15.1k
First issue after most recent collection, where the series has been selling solidly.

GHOSTBUSTERS #17 (IDW) +6%
6.1k to 6.4k


STAR TREK ONGOING #34 (IDW) +5%
9.7k to 10.2k

2014-07-14

DC Bombshell sales increases

For June, DC had variant covers scheduled for 21 of their books (19 of which actually came out in June) with the theme "Bombshells", modern takes on classic pin-up art. They've been doing such themed variant months for a while, with themes like "Scribblenauts" or "Robot Chicken" or "Batman 66", but previously the orders for the books were limited by retailer orders for the regular covers, usually 1 for 25 (retailers could order 1 variant for every 25 regular covers they ordered). Starting with the "Bombshells" one, they changed that to give retailers the option to order as many of the variants as they wished. This led to a massive across the board increase in sales for those 19 comics, with one interesting exception.

Sorted by percentage increase:

SUPERMAN == +119.9%
BATWOMAN == +81.6%
CATWOMAN == +67.3%
WONDER WOMAN == +57.3%
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS == +55.6%
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK == +50.8%
BATGIRL == +49.9%
HARLEY QUINN == +49.3%
GREEN LANTERN CORPS == +43.2%
AQUAMAN == +39.8%
FLASH == +37.8%
EARTH 2 == +36.9%
ACTION COMICS == +34.9%
DETECTIVE COMICS == +33.9%
BATMAN AND == +33.6%
SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN == +31.1%
GREEN LANTERN == +28.7%
BATMAN == +21%
JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED == -2%

Of course, SUPERMAN also had a high-profile new creative team, so it would probably have had a big increase anyway, but probably not quite as high an increase.  The only one to drop in sales was JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED, which was the second issue. In normal circumstances, that #2 would have seen at least a 20% drop, so holding at just a 2% drop is effectively a large increase in the range of the other books.

Sorted by units:

SUPERMAN == +48.6k copies
HARLEY QUINN == +30.8k copies
BATMAN == +22.6k copies
DETECTIVE COMICS == +18.5k copies
WONDER WOMAN == +17.6k copies
BATGIRL == +15.8k copies
BATWOMAN == +15.1k copies
SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN == +14.9k copies
ACTION COMICS == +14.3k copies
BATMAN AND == +14.2k copies
CATWOMAN == +13.6k copies
FLASH == +12.9k copies
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK == +12.9k copies
AQUAMAN == +12.8k copies
EARTH 2 == +12.7k copies
GREEN LANTERN == +12.5k copies
GREEN LANTERN CORPS == +12.3k copies
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS == +11.8k copies
JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED == -1.3k copies

Taking out the two special case extreme values, it looks like the gimmick was good for about an average of 15k copies, or a 45% increase.

The same open order variant covers continue with the themes for July ("Batman 75"), August ("Selfie") and October ("Monsters"), with September having the 3-D covers for their "Futures End" one-shots, so we'll see how the sales do with those themes. I suspect that they'll all decrease from the June numbers, but stay ahead of the May base numbers for a few months.

New Chart Day Link Roundup

June Diamond charts are up. For some reason it looks like Diamond went back to just releasing the Top 300 for the comics (plus some scattered lower entries from the Small Press / Indy charts), which is a shame. That extra information was potentially interesting, if you got a good long run of it together.

Comichron has John Jackson Miller's chart over here, and some analysis here. Miller also has some other interesting posts recently, like an overview of 54 years of Archie sales figures, and it looks like he'll have some overall market data for 2013 up soon.

ICV2 has their Comics chart here, and Graphic Novels here. Analysis here.

A few quick observations.  The Books chart is just over half backlist (144 new, 156 backlist), thanks partly to a lot of discount items from DC this time around (for example, ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN FOR TOMORROW shipped over 1800 copies at fire sale prices averaging over 80% last month, and it's a book which only shipped about 1200 copies in the first month of release back in 2009). SAGA is still king of the backlist, with the three volumes being the top three backlist items and in the Top 10 of all book items. And of course AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE was the biggest new release by a wide margin, a first for Archie in that format.

Over on the Comics side, a bit of an aberration thanks to DC's themed variant covers. Until now, the availability of those variants was limited by retailer orders of the main cover (1 for 25). Starting in June, with the "Bombshell variants", DC allowed retailers to order as many as they wished. This led to an average increase on books with the variant of about 45% (not counting SUPERMAN, which also had a high profile new creative team, and JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED which was on its second issue, and only fell 2% from sales of #1, which is effectively a 30%+ increase from expected sales). It remains to be seen if this particular variant theme was especially enticing or if the upcoming ones ("Batman 75" in July, "Selfies" in August, "Monsters" in October) deliver comparable results. I don't expect them to, but they should keep sales higher than the May base level.

Other than that, business as usual, lots of big second issue drops, averaging over 30%, a few surprisingly high launches, we'll see if any of them hold on to most of those numbers, and a few modest increases which might be sustainable content based rather than one-off gimmick based.

2014-07-11

Elsewhere: June 2014 Diamond overview

Diamond has their initial numbers release for June 2014 up now. Expect the full chart up on Monday.

No big launches this month, so no first issues in the entire Top 10 Comics list, and BATMAN tops the list again. Looks like HARLEY QUINN and DETECTIVE will post some pretty significant gains, probably due to the variant covers offered. SUPERMAN probably more than doubled sales from its recent track record thanks to a new creative team, but would have done a lot better with a new #1. On the other hand, SUPERMAN #33 probably won't have nearly the 30-40% plus drop that a #2 would have.

Here's the Top 50 in each category, ranked but not indexed. OUTCAST #1 is the top debut for the month, according to the publisher it sold about 86k, but that presumably includes sales outside NorthAm and there's some reduction for returnability, so it'll probably come in about 72k on the estimates. Also starting strongly from Image is THE WICKED AND THE DIVINE, probably in the 50k+ range. Also looks like a lot of DC books got a big boost from their "Bombshells variant" themed covers.

2014-06-25

Observations on May 2014 Comics Chart - Launches

Quick look at some of the first issues released in May.

ORIGINAL SIN (MAR) - 147k
Not a terrible launch for a Marvel event, but we already know the second issue drops to about 92k, which isn't that great. It probably won't drop much further, with the accelerated release schedule meaning the whole series is already solicited.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 1.x (MAR) - 116.6k
For convenience, this is what I'm calling the miniseries coming out at ASM #1.1 - #1.5. The numbers it's getting are much higher than it would with the exact same contents coming out as SPIDER-MAN: AN EARLY ADVENTURE THAT DOESN'T REALLY FIT IN BETWEEN PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED STORIES #1 - #5, it'll probably be down in the 60-70k range by the last issue, which is pretty good for Marvel in 2014.

NEW 52 FUTURES END (DC) - 70.8k
Second issue was in the same month, dropping 19%, I'm guessing the series might settle in around 40k-45k.

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED (DC) - 64.2k
Follow-up to the JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA series that ended a few months ago, with only a small bump in sales from that. With normal drops it'll be below any issue of JLA by #3.

SUPERMAN DOOMED (DC) - 63.4k
One-shot tying in with the various Superman books, and selling much better than any of them currently do.

THANOS ANNUAL (MAR) - 47.6k
An annual without a regular series, sold about 87% of the last issue of the last THANOS mini-series, which is about normal for an annual.

CYCLOPS (MAR) - 47.5k
Around the same as another solo X-Men launch last month, NIGHTCRAWLER, so expect a similar drop to about 35k next time.

MILES MORALES ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN (MAR) - 45.9k
Good compared to the other recent Ultimate line launches, but weak historically for Ultimate Spider-Man. Normal drops will have it down below 30k within a few issues, the lowest the title has ever been.

MPH (IMA) - 35.6k
Pretty close to the launch of STARLIGHT a few months ago, so expect a similar drop to around 20k within a few issues.

TREES (IMA) - 31.9k
According to the writer, the orders for this were about 38.5k, which makes sense when you factor in an allowance for returnability and for Diamond sales outside North America. If you assume 10% returnability reduction and 10% foreign sales, that gives you 39.4k. The print run was 50k, and we'll see some of the overprint in re-orders next month. The final orders for #2 were apparently just over 30k, I don't think it's returnable, but will still have the foreign sales to take into account, so expect about a 15% drop, smaller than average these days.

GIANT SIZE SPIDER-MAN (MAR) - 24k
In case you were wondering why they were releasing the "Learning to Crawl" miniseries as AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1.x.

NAILBITER (IMA) - 22.7k


COWL (IMA) - 20.9k


CHAOS (DE) - 19.5k


DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU (MAR) - 19.3k


UNITED STATES OF MURDER INC (MAR) - 18.5k
About twice what POWERS by the same creators sells these days, expect it to be down at that level within a few issues, which might take several years to come out.

STAR WARS DARTH MAUL SON OF DATHOMIR (DAR) - 17.1k


DOCTOR SPEKTOR (DE) - 16.5k
History of the Great Dynamite Gold Key launch of 2014
February 2014 - TUROK DINOSAUR HUNTER #1 - 30.7k
March 2014 - MAGNUS ROBOT FIGHTER #1 - 27.5k
April 2014 - SOLAR MAN O/T ATOM #1 - 22.8k
May 2014 - DOCTOR SPEKTOR #1 - 16.5k
This is the last launch for a while (and is just a mini-series), and I don't know if they have any other viable Gold Key books to relaunch. MIGHTY SAMSON and DAGAR THE INVINCIBLE won't do any better, I think. Maybe SPACE FAMILY ROBINSON...

WOODS (BOO) - 13.9k


BEE AND PUPPYCAT (BOO) - 12.2k


MADAME FRANKENSTEIN (IMA) - 9.8k


LITTLEST PET SHOP (IDW) - 8.2k


CLIVE BARKERS NIGHTBREED (BOO) - 7.8k


GFT WARLORD OF OZ (ZEN) - 7.8k


SHADOW MIDNIGHT MOSCOW (DE) - 7.8k


STAR TREK NEW VISIONS (IDW) - 7.4k


PATHFINDER CITY SECRETS (DE) - 7.1k


DEJAH OF MARS (DE) - 7.1k


BURN THE ORPHANAGE REIGN OF TERROR (IMA) - 5.4k


LAST BROADCAST (BOO) - 5.3k


MARS ATTACKS FIRST BORN (IDW) - 5.3k


AXE COP AMERICAN CHOPPERS (DAR) - 5.1k


WEIRD LOVE (IDW) - 5k


THINK TANK FUN WITH PTSD (IMA) - 3k


BRASS SUN (REB) - 2.8k


BRAIN BOY MEN FROM GESTALT (DAR) - 2.8k


ORDINARY (TIT) - 2.7k


ROGUE TROOPER CLASSICS (IDW) - 1.9k