saucercountry9.jpg
by Marc-Oliver Frisch

While Marvel keeps rolling out its latest round of relaunches, DC is sticking to its guns in November. There’s the “Death of the Family” crossover that continues running through various Batman titles. There’s the “Rise of the Third Army” crossover that continues running through the Green Lantern books. There are three minor crossover storylines running through various other titles. And there are, finally, the Before Watchmen and “digital-first” lines of books, both of which continue to expand in November.

But while Marvel wins the market shares for dollars and units quite handsomely, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad month for DC. On the contrary: The publisher’s bottom line remains rock-solid in November, both in terms of average sales (slightly up from October) and overall sales (slightly down from October), continuing a trend of very steady overall sales figures in 2012.

The notable exception to that trend, once again, is Vertigo, which, due to various ongoing and limited series ending and not being replaced with new ones, only has eight new titles out in November — the lowest number since January 2004, and the second-lowest number overall since March 2003. As a consequence, Vertigo’s total unit sales for periodicals crumble to an estimated 92,000 in November, which is also the second-lowest ever, and only the second time that figure drops below 100K.

With Sweet Tooth, Saucer Country and Hellblazer about to end, American Vampire going on hiatus and Punk Rock Jesus concluding its run, there doesn’t seem to be much of a reason left for DC to keep Vertigo around as a label for new periodical comics, particularly after the dismissal of founding editor Karen Berger. I wrote the October column before Berger’s departure was announced, but this particular development rather underlines my points, I think.

See below for the details and, as usual, please consider the small print at the end of the column. Thanks to Milton Griepp and ICv2.com for the permission to use their figures. An overview of ICv2.com‘s estimates can be found here.

—–

279 - SCOOBY DOO: WHERE ARE YOU? (Johnny DC)
11/2007: Scooby Doo #126 -- 4,237
11/2008: Scooby Doo #138 -- 4,068
11/2009: Scooby Doo #150 -- 4,044
11/2010: SD:WAY? #3      -- 4,861
---------------------------------
11/2011: SD:WAY? #15     -- 4,701
12/2011: SD:WAY? #16     -- 4,627 (- 1.6%)
01/2012: SD:WAY? #17     -- 4,533 (- 2.0%)
02/2012: SD:WAY? #18     -- 4,655 (+ 2.7%)
03/2012: SD:WAY? #19     -- 4,677 (+ 0.5%)
04/2012: SD:WAY? #20     -- 4,752 (+ 1.6%)
05/2012: SD:WAY? #21     -- 5,269 (+10.9%)
06/2012: SD:WAY? #22     -- 4,968 (- 5.7%)
07/2012: SD:WAY? #23     -- 4,934 (- 0.7%)
08/2012: SD:WAY? #24     -- ?
09/2012: SD:WAY? #25     -- 4,979
10/2012: SD:WAY? #26     -- ?
11/2012: SD:WAY? #27     -- 5,032
----------------
6 months: - 4.5%
1 year  : + 7.0%
2 years : + 3.5%
5 years : +18.8%

The faithful five thousand Scooby-Doovians keep showing up.

—–

250 - GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES (Johnny DC)
04/2012: GL: TAS #1 -- 12,791
05/2012: GL: TAS #2 --  9,615 (-24.8%)
06/2012: GL: TAS #3 --  8,716 (- 9.4%)
07/2012: GL: TAS #4 --  7,790 (-10.6%)
08/2012: GL: TAS #5 --  6,968 (-10.6%)
09/2012: GL: TAS #6 --  6,619 (- 5.0%)
10/2012: GL: TAS #7 --  6,516 (- 1.6%)
11/2012: GL: TAS #8 --  5,961 (- 8.5%)
----------------
6 months: -38.0%

Not quite levelled out. It’s worth repeating, though, that this is not Care Bears torture porn, despite being a Green Lantern title, so it was always going to be an uphill struggle.

—–

225 - SAUCER COUNTRY (Vertigo)
03/2012: Saucer Country #1  -- 15,684
04/2012: Saucer Country #2  -- 11,263 (-28.2%)
05/2012: Saucer Country #3  -- 10,656 (- 5.4%)
06/2012: Saucer Country #4  --  9,959 (- 6.5%)
07/2012: Saucer Country #5  --  9,470 (- 4.9%)
08/2012: Saucer Country #6  --  8,700 (- 8.1%)
09/2012: Saucer Country #7  --  8,152 (- 6.3%)
10/2012: Saucer Country #8  --  7,557 (- 7.3%)
11/2012: Saucer Country #9  --  7,102 (- 6.0%)
----------------
6 months: -33.4%

At this rate, Saucer Country will be literally running out of readers this time next year. I don’t see the book making it past issue #15, to be quite frank. (Update: The book is cancelled with issue #14.)

—–

221 - SWEET TOOTH (Vertigo)
11/2009: Sweet Tooth #3  -- 10,363
11/2010: Sweet Tooth #15 --  8,750
----------------------------------
11/2011: Sweet Tooth #27 --  7,923 (- 0.5%)
12/2011: Sweet Tooth #28 --  7,699 (- 2.8%)
01/2012: Sweet Tooth #29 --  8,128 (+ 5.6%)
02/2012: Sweet Tooth #30 --  7,584 (- 6.7%)
03/2012: Sweet Tooth #31 --  7,541 (- 0.6%)
04/2012: Sweet Tooth #32 --  7,534 (- 0.1%)
05/2012: Sweet Tooth #33 --  7,631 (+ 1.3%)
06/2012: Sweet Tooth #34 --  7,689 (+ 0.8%)
07/2012: Sweet Tooth #35 --  7,558 (- 1.7%)
08/2012: Sweet Tooth #36 --  7,441 (- 1.6%)
09/2012: Sweet Tooth #37 --  7,333 (- 1.5%)
10/2012: Sweet Tooth #38 --  7,354 (+ 0.3%)
11/2012: Sweet Tooth #39 --  7,324 (- 0.4%)
----------------
6 months: - 4.0%
1 year  : - 7.6%
2 years : -16.3%

Ending with issue #40.

—–

220 - YOUNG JUSTICE (Johnny DC)
11/2011: Young Justice #10 --  7,650 (- 1.1%)
12/2011: Young Justice #11 --  7,221 (- 5.6%)
01/2012: Young Justice #12 --  7,288 (+ 0.9%)
02/2012: Young Justice #13 --  7,237 (- 0.7%)
03/2012: Young Justice #14 --  7,241 (+ 0.1%)
04/2012: Young Justice #15 --  7,273 (+ 0.4%)
05/2012: Young Justice #16 --  7,466 (+ 2.7%)
06/2012: Young Justice #17 --  7,459 (- 0.1%)
07/2012: Young Justice #18 --  7,458 (- 0.0%)
08/2012: Young Justice #19 --  7,375 (- 1.1%)
09/2012: Young Justice #20 --  7,515 (+ 1.9%)
10/2012: Young Justice #21 --  7,558 (+ 0.6%)
11/2012: Young Justice #22 --  7,344 (- 2.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 1.6%
1 year  : - 4.0%

Rock-solid direct-market figures for a Johnny DC title.

—–

207 - SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES (Johnny DC)
05/2012: Superman Family Adventures #1  -- 13,303
06/2012: Superman Family Adventures #2  -- 10,137 (-23.8%)
07/2012: Superman Family Adventures #3  --  9,246 (- 8.8%)
08/2012: Superman Family Adventures #4  --  8,925 (- 3.5%)
09/2012: Superman Family Adventures #5  --  8,572 (- 4.0%)
10/2012: Superman Family Adventures #6  --  8,450 (- 1.4%)
11/2012: Superman Family Adventures #7  --  8,074 (- 4.5%)
----------------
6 months: -39.3%

Another Johnny DC book with perfectly decent direct-market numbers, it would seem. However: cancelled with issue #12.

—–

199 - LOT 13
10/2012: Lot 13 #1 of 5 -- 12,476
11/2012: Lot 13 #2 of 5 --  8,767 (-29.7%)

That’s a horrendous second-issue drop for a miniseries.

—–

198 - THE UNWRITTEN (Vertigo)
11/2009: The Unwritten #7  -- 14,763
11/2010: The Unwritten #19 -- 12,036
------------------------------------
11/2011: The Unwritten #31 -- 10,434 (- 0.5%)
11/2011: The Unwritten #.5 -- 10,183 (- 2.4%)
12/2011: The Unwritten #32 -- 10,073 (- 1.1%)
12/2011: The Unwritten #.5 --  9,759 (- 3.1%)
01/2012: The Unwritten #33 --  9,888 (+ 1.3%)
01/2012: The Unwritten #.5 --  9,483 (- 4.1%)
02/2012: The Unwritten #34 --  9,789 (+ 3.2%)
02/2012: The Unwritten #.5 --  9,595 (- 2.0%)
03/2012: The Unwritten #35 --  9,675 (+ 0.8%)
03/2012: The Unwritten #.5 --  9,529 (- 1.5%)
04/2012: The Unwritten #36 --  9,678 (+ 1.6%)
05/2012: The Unwritten #37 --  9,549 (- 1.3%)
06/2012: The Unwritten #38 --  9,494 (- 0.6%)
07/2012: The Unwritten #39 --  9,478 (- 0.2%)
08/2012: The Unwritten #40 --  9,127 (- 3.7%)
09/2012: The Unwritten #41 --  8,943 (- 2.0%)
10/2012: The Unwritten #42 --  8,881 (- 0.7%)
11/2012: The Unwritten #43 --  8,791 (- 1.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 7.9%
1 year  : -14.7%
2 years : -27.0%

Slowly slipping down the chart.

The Unwritten is, by a wide margin of about 5,000 units, the lowest-selling Vertigo title that hasn’t been cancelled yet, as I’m writing this. I’m presuming this is because the collections are performing comparatively (if not spectacularly) well in the direct market and actually show up on the Bookscan charts.

—–

193 - HELLBLAZER (Vertigo)
11/2007: Hellblazer #238 -- 12,536
11/2008: Hellblazer #249 -- 11,445
11/2009: Hellblazer #261 -- 10,553
11/2010: Hellblazer #273 --  9,645
----------------------------------
11/2011: Hellblazer #285 --  9,500 (-1.1%)
12/2011: Hellblazer #286 --  9,404 (-1.0%)
01/2012: Hellblazer #287 --  9,368 (-0.4%)
02/2012: Hellblazer #288 --  9,553 (+2.0%)
03/2012: Hellblazer #289 --  9,363 (-2.0%)
04/2012: Hellblazer #290 --  9,472 (+1.2%)
05/2012: Hellblazer #291 --  9,426 (-0.5%)
06/2012: Hellblazer #292 --  9,533 (+1.1%)
07/2012: Hellblazer #293 --  9,247 (-3.0%)
08/2012: Hellblazer #294 --  9,396 (+1.6%)
09/2012: Hellblazer #295 --  9,143 (-2.7%)
10/2012: Hellblazer #296 --  9,255 (+1.2%)
11/2012: Hellblazer #297 --  9,146 (-1.2%)
----------------
6 months: - 3.0%
1 year  : - 3.7%
2 years : - 5.2%
5 years : -27.0%

To be relaunched as a DC Universe title after issue #300.

The fact that DC shitcanned the planned creative team for the relaunch before the first issue is even solicited — presumably after realizing that you’d need someone with new writer (fingers crossed) Jeff Lemire’s type of name for the new series to survive into the double digits — inspires a great deal of confidence.

The spirit of creativity, it is always humming.

—–

188 - G.I. COMBAT
05/2012: G.I. Combat #1  -- 33,740
06/2012: G.I. Combat #2  -- 19,002 (-43.7%)
07/2012: G.I. Combat #3  -- 14,359 (-24.4%)
08/2012: G.I. Combat #4  -- 11,797 (-17.8%)
09/2012: G.I. Combat #0  -- 14,072 (+19.3%)
10/2012: G.I. Combat #5  -- 10,526 (-25.2%)
11/2012: G.I. Combat #6  --  9,713 (- 7.7%)
----------------
6 months: -71.2%

The lowest-selling “New 52” title. Axed with issue #7.

—–

187 - PHANTOM LADY
08/2012: Phantom Lady #1 of 4 -- 17,043
09/2012: Phantom Lady #2 of 4 -- 12,653 (-25.8%)
10/2012: Phantom Lady #3 of 4 -- 10,535 (-16.7%)
11/2012: Phantom Lady #4 of 4 -- 10,119 (- 4.0%)

Terrible sales, but not so terrible that DC won’t have more Freedom-Fighters-related miniseries by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti. For some reason, Phantom Lady didn’t show up in the online solicitations for November, but it doesn’t seem to have hurt the figures any further, at least.

—–

181 - JOE KUBERT PRESENTS
10/2012: Joe Kubert Presents #1 of 6 -- 14,842
11/2012: Joe Kubert Presents #2 of 6 -- 10,542 (-29.0%)

Another miniseries with a massive second-issue drop.

—–

173 - GRIFTER
11/2011: Grifter #3  -- 29,802 (-25.3%)
12/2011: Grifter #4  -- 22,486 (-24.6%)
01/2012: Grifter #5  -- 20,060 (-10.8%)
02/2012: Grifter #6  -- 18,057 (-10.0%)
03/2012: Grifter #7  -- 16,559 (- 8.3%)
04/2012: Grifter #8  -- 15,686 (- 5.3%)
05/2012: Grifter #9  -- 15,228 (- 2.9%)
06/2012: Grifter #10 -- 14,258 (- 6.4%)
07/2012: Grifter #11 -- 13,382 (- 6.1%)
08/2012: Grifter #12 -- 12,400 (- 7.3%)
09/2012: Grifter #0  -- 15,751 (+27.0%)
10/2012: Grifter #13 -- 12,142 (-22.9%)
11/2012: Grifter #14 -- 11,631 (- 4.2%)
----------------
6 months: -23.6%
1 year  : -61.0%

Axed with issue #16.

—–

169 - PUNK ROCK JESUS (Vertigo)
07/2012: Punk Rock Jesus #1 of 5 -- 14,571
08/2012: Punk Rock Jesus #2 of 6 -- 11,936 (-18.1%)
09/2012: Punk Rock Jesus #3 of 6 -- 11,962 (+ 0.2%)
10/2012: Punk Rock Jesus #4 of 6 -- 12,378 (+ 3.5%)
11/2012: Punk Rock Jesus #5 of 6 -- 12,276 (- 0.8%)

The Sean Murphy vehicle keeps selling very well, by Vertigo standards. Punk Rock Jesus was first solicited as a five-issue series, then expanded with the solicitation for issue #2.

—–

167 - BLUE BEETLE
11/2007: Blue Beetle #21 -- 15,645
11/2008: Blue Beetle #33 -- 11,452
----------------------------------
11/2011: Blue Beetle #3  -- 27,612 (-29.9%)
12/2011: Blue Beetle #4  -- 21,408 (-22.5%)
01/2012: Blue Beetle #5  -- 19,042 (-11.1%)
02/2012: Blue Beetle #6  -- 17,034 (-10.6%)
03/2012: Blue Beetle #7  -- 15,780 (- 7.4%)
04/2012: Blue Beetle #8  -- 15,180 (- 3.8%)
05/2012: Blue Beetle #9  -- 16,607 (+ 9.4%)
06/2012: Blue Beetle #10 -- 14,413 (-13.2%)
07/2012: Blue Beetle #11 -- 13,923 (- 3.4%)
08/2012: Blue Beetle #12 -- 13,325 (- 4.3%)
09/2012: Blue Beetle #0  -- 16,888 (+26.7%)
10/2012: Blue Beetle #13 -- 13,141 (-22.2%)
11/2012: Blue Beetle #14 -- 12,508 (- 4.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 24.7%
1 year  : - 54.7%
5 years : - 20.1%

Cancelled with issue #16.

—–

165 - THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN
11/2011: Firestorm #3  -- 31,654 (-28.0%)
12/2011: Firestorm #4  -- 25,610 (-19.1%)
01/2012: Firestorm #5  -- 21,329 (-16.7%)
02/2012: Firestorm #6  -- 19,162 (-10.2%)
03/2012: Firestorm #7  -- 17,786 (- 7.2%)
04/2012: Firestorm #8  -- 17,076 (- 4.0%)
05/2012: Firestorm #9  -- 17,240 (+ 1.0%)
06/2012: Firestorm #10 -- 15,789 (- 8.4%)
07/2012: Firestorm #11 -- 14,931 (- 5.4%)
08/2012: Firestorm #12 -- 14,137 (- 5.3%)
09/2012: Firestorm #0  -- 17,279 (+22.2%)
10/2012: Firestorm #13 -- 13,460 (-22.1%)
11/2012: Firestorm #14 -- 12,862 (- 4.4%)
----------------
6 months: -25.4%
1 year  : -59.4%

The lowest-selling “New 52” title that hasn’t been cancelled. You can’t really say that sales are levelling out yet, so presumably this is a case of too many other titles already getting the axe.

Overall, there are 18 “New 52” books selling below the 20K mark right now, five of which are ending in January, and two more of which are ending in April. This leaves at least 11 books on borrowed time, but without an official end date.

—–

161 - DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS
11/2011: DCU Presents #3  -- 31,019 (-25.4%)
12/2011: DCU Presents #4  -- 24,398 (-21.4%)
01/2012: DCU Presents #5  -- 22,048 (- 9.6%)
02/2012: DCU Presents #6  -- 20,188 (- 8.4%)
03/2012: DCU Presents #7  -- 17,830 (-11.7%)
04/2012: DCU Presents #8  -- 16,566 (- 7.1%)
05/2012: DCU Presents #9  -- 15,776 (- 4.8%)
06/2012: DCU Presents #10 -- 14,310 (- 9.3%)
07/2012: DCU Presents #11 -- 13,619 (- 4.8%)
08/2012: DCU Presents #12 -- 15,138 (+11.2%)
09/2012: DCU Presents #0  -- 17,528 (+15.8%)
10/2012: DCU Presents #13 -- 14,405 (-17.8%)
11/2012: DCU Presents #14 -- 13,537 (- 6.0%)
----------------
6 months: -14.2%
1 year  : -56.4%

Axed with issue #19.

—–

160 - AMERICAN VAMPIRE (Vertigo)
11/2010: American Vampire #8  -- 19,850
---------------------------------------
11/2011: American Vampire #20 -- 15,685 (+ 2.6%)
12/2011: American Vampire #21 -- 15,026 (- 4.2%)
12/2011: American Vampire #22 -- 14,759 (- 1.8%)
01/2012: American Vampire #23 -- 14,240 (- 3.5%)
02/2012: American Vampire #24 -- 14,278 (+ 0.3%)
03/2012: American Vampire #25 -- 14,598 (+ 2.2%)
04/2012: American Vampire #26 -- 14,493 (- 0.7%)
05/2012: American Vampire #27 -- 14,420 (- 0.5%)
06/2012: American Vampire #28 -- 15,573 (+ 8.0%)
07/2012: American Vampire #29 -- 15,324 (- 1.6%)
08/2012: American Vampire #30 -- 15,081 (- 1.6%)
09/2012: American Vampire #31 -- 14,796 (- 1.9%)
10/2012: American Vampire #32 -- 14,857 (+ 0.4%)
11/2012: American Vampire #33 -- 13,614 (- 8.4%)
----------------
6 months: - 5.6%
1 year  : -13.2%
2 years : -31.4%

The final issue of the “Blacklist” arc doesn’t have a variant-cover edition for some reason, hence the stiff drop. The last issue without one was #27. The book goes on hiatus with issue #34.

—–

158 - I, VAMPIRE
11/2011: I, Vampire #3  -- 26,070 (-24.7%)
12/2011: I, Vampire #4  -- 21,601 (-17.1%)
01/2012: I, Vampire #5  -- 18,816 (-12.9%)
02/2012: I, Vampire #6  -- 18,153 (- 3.5%)
03/2012: I, Vampire #7  -- 18,440 (+ 1.6%)
04/2012: I, Vampire #8  -- 18,717 (+ 1.5%)
05/2012: I, Vampire #9  -- 17,175 (- 8.2%)
06/2012: I, Vampire #10 -- 16,517 (- 3.8%)
07/2012: I, Vampire #11 -- 15,734 (- 4.7%)
08/2012: I, Vampire #12 -- 14,788 (- 6.0%)
09/2012: I, Vampire #0  -- 17,920 (+21.2%)
10/2012: I, Vampire #13 -- 14,260 (-20.4%)
11/2012: I, Vampire #14 -- 13,666 (- 4.2%)
----------------
6 months: -20.4%
1 year  : -47.6%

Axed with issue #19.

—–

151 - DEATHSTROKE
11/2011: Deathstroke #3  -- 33,754 (-24.4%)
12/2011: Deathstroke #4  -- 26,367 (-21.9%)
01/2012: Deathstroke #5  -- 23,872 (- 9.5%)
02/2012: Deathstroke #6  -- 21,306 (-10.8%)
03/2012: Deathstroke #7  -- 19,744 (- 7.3%)
04/2012: Deathstroke #8  -- 18,834 (- 4.6%)
05/2012: Deathstroke #9  -- 20,878 (+10.9%)
06/2012: Deathstroke #10 -- 19,722 (- 5.5%)
07/2012: Deathstroke #11 -- 17,107 (-13.3%)
08/2012: Deathstroke #12 -- 16,772 (- 2.0%)
09/2012: Deathstroke #0  -- 20,796 (+24.0%)
10/2012: Deathstroke #13 -- 15,078 (-27.5%)
11/2012: Deathstroke #14 -- 14,452 (- 4.2%)
----------------
6 months: -30.8%
1 year  : -57.2%

Not really levelling out yet, but still ongoing.

—–

148 - THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN
11/2011: Savage Hawkman #3  -- 35,177 (-26.4%)
12/2011: Savage Hawkman #4  -- 28,263 (-19.7%)
01/2012: Savage Hawkman #5  -- 23,967 (-15.2%)
02/2012: Savage Hawkman #6  -- 21,316 (-11.1%)
03/2012: Savage Hawkman #7  -- 19,433 (- 8.8%)
04/2012: Savage Hawkman #8  -- 18,300 (- 5.8%)
05/2012: Savage Hawkman #9  -- 17,626 (- 3.7%)
06/2012: Savage Hawkman #10 -- 16,417 (- 6.9%)
07/2012: Savage Hawkman #11 -- 15,460 (- 5.8%)
08/2012: Savage Hawkman #12 -- 14,745 (- 4.6%)
09/2012: Savage Hawkman #0  -- 18,750 (+27.2%)
10/2012: Savage Hawkman #13 -- 14,763 (-21.3%)
11/2012: Savage Hawkman #14 -- 14,726 (- 0.3%)
----------------
6 months: -16.5%
1 year  : -58.1%

A crossover with Green Arrow is cancelling out the drop, while Hawkman itself is not officially cancelled yet, as I’m writing this.

—–

147 - LEGION LOST
11/2011: Legion Lost #3  -- 31,226 (-26.8%)
12/2011: Legion Lost #4  -- 24,020 (-23.1%)
01/2012: Legion Lost #5  -- 21,549 (-10.3%)
02/2012: Legion Lost #6  -- 19,447 (- 9.8%)
03/2012: Legion Lost #7  -- 18,214 (- 6.3%)
04/2012: Legion Lost #8  -- 17,984 (- 1.3%)
05/2012: Legion Lost #9  -- 23,794 (+32.3%)
06/2012: Legion Lost #10 -- 17,581 (-26.1%)
07/2012: Legion Lost #11 -- 17,037 (- 3.1%)
08/2012: Legion Lost #12 -- 16,066 (- 5.7%)
09/2012: Legion Lost #0  -- 18,786 (+16.9%)
10/2012: Legion Lost #13 -- 15,377 (-18.2%)
11/2012: Legion Lost #14 -- 14,766 (- 4.0%)
----------------
6 months: -37.9%
1 year  : -52.7%

Cancelled with issue #16.

—–

143 - BATWING
11/2011: Batwing #3  -- 35,110 (-17.9%)
12/2011: Batwing #4  -- 26,726 (-23.9%)
01/2012: Batwing #5  -- 24,036 (-10.1%)
02/2012: Batwing #6  -- 21,643 (-10.0%)
03/2012: Batwing #7  -- 21,058 (- 2.7%)
04/2012: Batwing #8  -- 20,373 (- 3.3%)
05/2012: Batwing #9  -- 35,731 (+75.4%)
06/2012: Batwing #10 -- 20,724 (-42.0%)
07/2012: Batwing #11 -- 20,047 (- 3.3%)
08/2012: Batwing #12 -- 18,279 (- 8.8%)
09/2012: Batwing #0  -- 22,135 (+21.1%)
10/2012: Batwing #13 -- 17,166 (-22.5%)
11/2012: Batwing #14 -- 15,967 (- 7.0%)
----------------
6 months: -55.3%
1 year  : -54.5%

Evidently not cancelled yet, amazingly, despite the free-fall.

—–

142 - DEMON KNIGHTS
11/2011: Demon Knights #3  -- 34,681 (-17.9%)
12/2011: Demon Knights #4  -- 28,109 (-19.0%)
01/2012: Demon Knights #5  -- 25,823 (- 8.1%)
02/2012: Demon Knights #6  -- 23,476 (- 9.1%)
03/2012: Demon Knights #7  -- 22,000 (- 6.3%)
04/2012: Demon Knights #8  -- 21,124 (- 4.0%)
05/2012: Demon Knights #9  -- 20,196 (- 4.4%)
06/2012: Demon Knights #10 -- 19,005 (- 5.9%)
07/2012: Demon Knights #11 -- 18,201 (- 4.2%)
08/2012: Demon Knights #12 -- 17,295 (- 5.0%)
09/2012: Demon Knights #0  -- 20,474 (+18.4%)
10/2012: Demon Knights #13 -- 16,805 (-17.9%)
11/2012: Demon Knights #14 -- 16,005 (- 4.8%)
----------------
6 months: -20.8%
1 year  : -53.9%

Another “New 52” book that hasn’t found its level and remains ongoing, for the time being.

—–

141 - AME-COMI GIRLS
10/2012: ACG #1: Wonder Woman -- 24,966
11/2012: ACG #2: Batgirl      -- 16,083 (-35.6%)

This five-parter collecting material that was first released digitally is relaunched as an ongoing series in March, so DC seems happy enough with these figures, despite the gigantic second-issue drop. Different economics apply.

—–

139 - FABLES (Vertigo)
11/2007: Fables #67  -- 24,841
11/2008: Fables #78  -- 23,345
11/2009: Fables #90  -- 20,882
11/2010: --
------------------------------
11/2011: Fables #111 -- 17,687 (- 2.3%)
12/2011: Fables #112 -- 17,602 (- 0.5%)
01/2012: Fables #113 -- 17,588 (- 0.1%)
02/2012: Fables #114 -- 17,374 (- 1.2%)
03/2012: Fables #115 -- 17,384 (+ 0.1%)
04/2012: Fables #116 -- 17,543 (+ 0.9%)
05/2012: Fables #117 -- 17,484 (- 0.3%)
06/2012: Fables #118 -- 18,566 (+ 6.2%)
07/2012: Fables #119 -- 17,110 (- 7.8%)
08/2012: Fables #120 -- 16,704 (- 2.4%)
09/2012: Fables #121 -- 16,596 (- 0.7%)
10/2012: Fables #122 -- 16,513 (- 0.5%)
11/2012: Fables #123 -- 16,229 (- 1.7%)
----------------
6 months: - 7.2%
1 year  : - 8.2%
2 years :   n.a.
5 years : -31.9%

Vertigo’s flagship title continues its slow decline. Fables is one of only three ongoing Vertigo titles that don’t have an official end date yet, and one of the other two is Fairest, a Fables spin-off. It’ll be interesting to see where, and if, Vertigo stands a year from now.

—–

135 - FRANKENSTEIN: AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E.
11/2011: Frankenstein #3          -- 31,869 (-21.2%)
12/2011: Frankenstein #4          -- 24,812 (-22.1%)
01/2012: Frankenstein #5          -- 22,737 (- 8.4%)
02/2012: Frankenstein #6          -- 20,463 (-10.0%)
03/2012: Frankenstein #7          -- 18,891 (- 7.7%)
04/2012: Frankenstein #8          -- 17,953 (- 5.0%)
05/2012: Frankenstein #9          -- 17,266 (- 3.8%)
06/2012: Frankenstein #10         -- 16,377 (- 5.2%)
07/2012: Frankenstein #11         -- 15,635 (- 4.5%)
08/2012: Frankenstein #12         -- 14,679 (- 6.1%)
09/2012: Frankenstein #0          -- 18,122 (+23.5%)
10/2012: Frankenstein #13         -- 16,501 (- 9.0%)
11/2012: Frankenstein #14         -- 16,444 (- 0.4%)
----------------
6 months: - 4.8%
1 year  : -48.4%

Sales remain up versus August, thanks to the “Rotworld” crossover with Animal Man and Swamp Thing.

The book is axed with issue #16.

—–

134 - STORMWATCH
11/2007: --
11/2008: StormWatch: PHD #16  --  6,824
11/2009: StormWatch: PHD #24  --  4,598
---------------------------------------
11/2011: Stormwatch #3        -- 39,262 (-17.4%)
12/2011: Stormwatch #4        -- 30,987 (-21.1%)
01/2012: Stormwatch #5        -- 29,112 (- 6.1%)
02/2012: Stormwatch #6        -- 26,076 (-10.4%)
03/2012: Stormwatch #7        -- 24,384 (- 6.5%)
04/2012: Stormwatch #8        -- 23,212 (- 4.8%)
05/2012: Stormwatch #9        -- 22,448 (- 3.3%)
06/2012: Stormwatch #10       -- 20,592 (- 8.3%)
07/2012: Stormwatch #11       -- 19,678 (- 4.4%)
08/2012: Stormwatch #12       -- 18,531 (- 5.8%)
09/2012: Stormwatch #0        -- 21,764 (+17.5%)
10/2012: Stormwatch #13       -- 17,621 (-19.0%)
11/2012: Stormwatch #14       -- 16,559 (- 6.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 26.2%
1 year  : - 57.8%
5 years :   n.a.

Sales remain in free-fall.

—–

130 - RAVAGERS
05/2012: Ravagers #1  -- 44,230
06/2012: Ravagers #2  -- 31,128 (-29.6%)
07/2012: Ravagers #3  -- 24,963 (-19.8%)
08/2012: Ravagers #4  -- 20,730 (-17.0%)
09/2012: Ravagers #0  -- 22,437 (+ 8.2%)
10/2012: Ravagers #5  -- 18,656 (-16.9%)
11/2012: Ravagers #6  -- 17,334 (- 7.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 60.8%

Crashing and burning right out of the gate, with no end in sight.

—–

129 - FAIREST (Vertigo)
03/2012: Fairest #1  -- 31,769
04/2012: Fairest #2  -- 22,997 (-27.6%)
05/2012: Fairest #3  -- 22,329 (- 2.9%)
06/2012: Fairest #4  -- 21,156 (- 5.3%)
07/2012: Fairest #5  -- 20,371 (- 3.7%)
08/2012: Fairest #6  -- 19,446 (- 4.5%)
09/2012: Fairest #7  -- 18,626 (- 4.2%)
10/2012: Fairest #8  -- 18,376 (- 1.3%)
11/2012: Fairest #9  -- 17,417 (- 5.2%)
----------------
6 months: -22.0%

Still holding up very well, given that Bill Willingham and Phil Jimenez left back in August.

—–

128 - HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE
07/2012: He-Man #1 of 6 -- 27,665
08/2012: --
09/2012: He-Man #2 of 6 -- 19,737 (-28.7%)
10/2012: He-Man #3 of 6 -- 18,269 (- 7.4%)
11/2012: He-Man #4 of 6 -- 17,499 (- 4.2%)

These figures aren’t stellar by any stretch, but they’re good enough, evidently: He-Man is to be relaunched as an ongoing title.

—–

124 - THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
11/2007: SLoSH #36            -- 26,814
11/2008: LoSH #48             -- 22,917
11/2010: LoSH #7              -- 26,439
---------------------------------------
11/2011: LoSH #3              -- 34,979 (- 25.9%)
12/2011: LoSH #4              -- 27,832 (- 20.4%)
01/2012: LoSH #5              -- 25,624 (-  7.9%)
02/2012: LoSH #6              -- 23,428 (-  8.6%)
03/2012: LoSH #7              -- 21,894 (-  6.6%)
04/2012: LoSH #8              -- 21,457 (-  2.0%)
05/2012: LoSH #9              -- 20,854 (-  2.8%)
06/2012: LoSH #10             -- 19,963 (-  4.3%)
07/2012: LoSH #11             -- 19,421 (-  2.7%)
08/2012: LoSH #12             -- 18,907 (-  2.7%)
09/2012: LoSH #0              -- 21,561 (+ 14.0%)
10/2012: LoSH #13             -- 18,487 (- 14.3%)
11/2012: LoSH #14             -- 17,767 (-  3.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 14.8%
1 year  : - 49.2%
2 years : - 32.8%
5 years : - 33.7%

These have been the lowest sales by far of any ongoing Legion series in the 10 years since March 2003 that we have consistent data on. But: still ongoing, at this time.

—–

123 - DIAL H
05/2012: Dial H #1  -- 45,308
06/2012: Dial H #2  -- 30,618 (-32.4%)
07/2012: Dial H #3  -- 26,109 (-14.7%)
08/2012: Dial H #4  -- 22,733 (-12.9%)
09/2012: Dial H #0  -- 24,070 (+ 5.9%)
10/2012: Dial H #5  -- 19,903 (-17.3%)
11/2012: Dial H #6  -- 17,832 (-10.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 60.6%

Dial H for Jesus H. Christ, these are some awful numbers.

—–

138 - SWORD OF SORCERY
09/2012: Sword of Sorcery #0  -- 29,954
10/2012: Sword of Sorcery #1  -- 23,947 (-20.1%)
11/2012: Sword of Sorcery #2  -- 18,080 (-24.5%)

Another terrible drop, as with most of the other recent “New 52” launches. Retailers treated the first issues like first issues, after all, despite the issue-#0 stunt.

Meanwhile, the editors at DC like writer Christy Marx’s work here so much that they went and fired another writer entirely on another title entirely that he’d just been announced as the the writer of.

It’s an exciting time to be freelancing for DC.

(Procedural note, once again: Actual sales were reduced by Diamond for the purposes of the chart, to compensate for returnability. Recently, the reduction has been a flat 10%, or very close to it, so I’m adding these presumably missing 10% to the estimate supplied by Diamond and ICv2.com. Which is why the official chart ranking doesn’t make sense here. The same applies to Team 7, Phantom Stranger, Talon and Before Watchmen: Moloch.)

—–

121 - BATMAN: ARKHAM UNHINGED
04/2012: Arkham Unhinged #1 -- 31,170
05/2012: Arkham Unhinged #2 -- 25,215 (-19.1%)
06/2012: Arkham Unhinged #3 -- 23,322 (- 7.5%)
07/2012: Arkham Unhinged #4 -- 21,809 (- 6.5%)
08/2012: Arkham Unhinged #5 -- 21,059 (- 3.4%)
09/2012: Arkham Unhinged #6 -- 20,259 (- 3.8%)
10/2012: Arkham Unhinged #7 -- 19,890 (- 1.8%)
11/2012: Arkham Unhinged #8 -- 18,393 (- 7.5%)
----------------
6 months: -27.1%

—–

117 - BATMAN BEYOND UNLIMITED
02/2012: Unlimited #1          -- 26,589 (+21.8%) [30,683]
03/2012: Unlimited #2          -- 23,570 (-11.4%)
04/2012: Unlimited #3          -- 24,196 (+ 2.7%)
05/2012: Unlimited #4          -- 24,356 (+ 0.7%)
06/2012: Unlimited #5          -- 24,058 (- 1.2%)
07/2012: Unlimited #6          -- 22,555 (- 6.3%)
08/2012: Unlimited #7          -- 21,219 (- 5.9%)
09/2012: Unlimited #8          -- 20,897 (- 1.5%)
10/2012: Unlimited #9          -- 19,877 (- 4.9%)
11/2012: Unlimited #10         -- 19,004 (- 4.4%)
----------------
6 months: -22.0%

—–

116 - SMALLVILLE SEASON 11
05/2012: Smallville S11 #1  -- 27,004
06/2012: Smallville S11 #2  -- 22,468 (-16.8%)
07/2012: Smallville S11 #3  -- 20,864 (- 7.1%)
08/2012: Smallville S11 #4  -- 19,861 (- 4.8%)
09/2012: Smallville S11 #5  -- 19,499 (- 1.8%)
10/2012: Smallville S11 #6  -- 19,663 (+ 0.8%)
11/2012: Smallville S11 #7  -- 19,104 (- 2.8%)
----------------
6 months: -29.3%

Three titles collecting “digital-first” material with perfectly good sales.

—–

126 - TEAM 7
09/2012: Team 7 #0  -- 34,503
10/2012: Team 7 #1  -- 27,661 (-19.8%)
11/2012: Team 7 #2  -- 19,510 (-29.5%)

Another recent “New 52” launch that probably won’t be around this time next year.

—–

114 - ALL STAR WESTERN
11/2007: Jonah Hex #25 -- 14,577
11/2008: Jonah Hex #37 -- 12,537
11/2009: Jonah Hex #49 -- 11,146
11/2010: Jonah Hex #61 -- 10,796
--------------------------------
11/2011: ASW #3        -- 32,776 (- 17.8%)
12/2011: ASW #4        -- 29,349 (- 10.5%)
01/2012: ASW #5        -- 27,206 (-  7.3%)
02/2012: ASW #6        -- 26,170 (-  3.8%)
03/2012: ASW #7        -- 25,349 (-  3.1%)
04/2012: ASW #8        -- 25,040 (-  1.2%)
05/2012: ASW #9        -- 31,413 (+ 25.5%)
06/2012: ASW #10       -- 25,334 (- 19.4%)
07/2012: ASW #11       -- 23,572 (-  7.0%)
08/2012: ASW #12       -- 22,767 (-  3.4%)
09/2012: ASW #0        -- 25,388 (+ 11.5%)
10/2012: ASW #13       -- 21,481 (- 15.4%)
11/2012: ASW #14       -- 20,186 (-  6.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 35.7%
1 year  : - 38.4%
2 years : + 87.0%
5 years : + 38.5%

All Star Western still sells about twice as many units as Jonah Hex did before the “New 52” relaunch, so there should be a lot more rope until it gets into trouble. That said, the last few months have been rather rocky, sales-wise.

—–

103 - GREEN ARROW
11/2007: Arrow/Canary #2  -- 42,827
11/2008: Arrow/Canary #14 -- 25,599
11/2009: Arrow&Canary #26 -- 17,384
11/2010: Green Arrow #6   -- 39,575
-----------------------------------
11/2011: Green Arrow #3   -- 46,899 (- 20.1%)
12/2011: Green Arrow #4   -- 37,116 (- 20.9%)
01/2012: Green Arrow #5   -- 33,593 (-  9.5%)
02/2012: Green Arrow #6   -- 30,097 (- 10.4%)
03/2012: Green Arrow #7   -- 29,004 (-  3.6%)
04/2012: Green Arrow #8   -- 27,433 (-  5.4%)
05/2012: Green Arrow #9   -- 26,966 (-  1.7%)
06/2012: Green Arrow #10  -- 25,769 (-  4.4%)
07/2012: Green Arrow #11  -- 24,646 (-  4.4%)
08/2012: Green Arrow #12  -- 23,126 (-  6.2%)
09/2012: Green Arrow #0   -- 28,408 (+ 22.8%)
10/2012: Green Arrow #13  -- 22,057 (- 22.4%)
11/2012: Green Arrow #14  -- 21,825 (-  1.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 19.1%
1 year  : - 53.5%
2 years : - 44.9%
5 years : - 49.0%

There’s probably a larger underlying drop here that was dampened by the crossover with Hawkman.

—–

98 - BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY: END GAME
11/2012: End Game #1 -- 22,212

There was a 1:25 variant-cover edition to boost sales, but this is still an excellent number for a $6.99 one-shot collecting material that was first released digitally. The success of this still expanding line of books is probably the biggest surprise in the direct market of 2012, as far as DC is concerned. If this doesn’t turn out to be a fad — and I see no reason why it should — expect this mode of publication to become a lot more common soon.

—–

91 - BIRDS OF PREY
11/2007: Birds of Prey #112 -- 25,117
11/2008: Birds of Prey #124 -- 20,959
11/2010: Birds of Prey #6   -- 34,440
-------------------------------------
11/2011: Birds of Prey #3   -- 40,891 (- 23.1%)
12/2011: Birds of Prey #4   -- 34,460 (- 15.7%)
01/2012: Birds of Prey #5   -- 31,700 (-  8.0%)
02/2012: Birds of Prey #6   -- 30,376 (-  4.2%)
03/2012: Birds of Prey #7   -- 29,196 (-  3.9%)
04/2012: Birds of Prey #8   -- 28,661 (-  1.8%)
05/2012: Birds of Prey #9   -- 41,521 (+ 44.9%)
06/2012: Birds of Prey #10  -- 28,457 (- 31.5%)
07/2012: Birds of Prey #11  -- 27,389 (-  3.8%)
08/2012: Birds of Prey #12  -- 26,587 (-  2.9%)
09/2012: Birds of Prey #0   -- 30,574 (+ 15.0%)
10/2012: Birds of Prey #13  -- 25,851 (- 15.5%)
11/2012: Birds of Prey #14  -- 24,904 (-  3.7%)
-----------------
6 months: - 40.0%
1 year  : - 39.1%
2 years : - 27.7%
5 years : -  0.9%

The book keeps drifting down. Meanwhile, there’s always a new creative team waiting around the corner to replace the people who think they’re the new creative team. (Not to mention, probably, half a platoon’s worth of yokels who were asked to pitch for the book.)

—–

97 - PHANTOM STRANGER
09/2012: Phantom Stranger #0  -- 40,103
10/2012: Phantom Stranger #1  -- 33,350 (-16.8%)
11/2012: Phantom Stranger #2  -- 24,979 (-25.1%)

Let’s be honest: These are still spectacular sales for a Phantom Stranger title.

—–

87 - ARROW
11/2012: Arrow #1  -- 25,442

Another new “digital-first” launch with more than decent figures, the help of a 1:5 variant notwithstanding.

—–

80 - SUPERBOY
11/2011: Superboy #3  --  47,442 (- 17.4%)
12/2011: Superboy #4  --  40,002 (- 15.7%)
01/2012: Superboy #5  --  37,419 (-  6.5%)
02/2012: Superboy #6  --  34,520 (-  7.8%)
03/2012: Superboy #7  --  33,050 (-  4.3%)
04/2012: Superboy #8  --  31,900 (-  3.5%)
05/2012: Superboy #9  --  34,838 (+  9.2%)
06/2012: Superboy #10 --  31,358 (- 10.0%)
07/2012: Superboy #11 --  29,677 (-  5.4%)
08/2012: Superboy #12 --  27,518 (-  7.3%)
09/2012: Superboy #0  --  31,840 (+ 15.7%)
10/2012: Superboy #13 --  25,726 (- 19.2%)
11/2012: Superboy #14 --  28,017 (+  8.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 19.6%
1 year  : - 41.0%

Sales boost courtesy of a crossover with Superman and Supergirl.

—–

79 - JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK
11/2011: Justice League Dark #3   -- 51,674 (-18.5%)
12/2011: Justice League Dark #4   -- 44,750 (-13.4%)
01/2012: Justice League Dark #5   -- 40,996 (- 8.4%)
02/2012: Justice League Dark #6   -- 38,360 (- 6.4%)
03/2012: Justice League Dark #7   -- 36,089 (- 5.9%)
04/2012: Justice League Dark #8   -- 35,022 (- 3.0%)
05/2012: Justice League Dark #9   -- 34,649 (- 1.1%)
06/2012: Justice League Dark #10  -- 33,238 (- 4.1%)
07/2012: Justice League Dark #11  -- 31,792 (- 4.4%)
08/2012: Justice League Dark #12  -- 30,754 (- 3.3%)
09/2012: Justice League Dark #0   -- 34,287 (+11.5%)
10/2012: Justice League Dark #13  -- 30,008 (-12.5%)
11/2012: Justice League Dark #14  -- 28,966 (- 3.5%)
----------------
6 months: -16.4%
1 year  : -44.0%

Slowly drifting down the charts.

—–

77 - LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT
10/2012: LotDK #1  -- 42,904
11/2012: LotDK #2  -- 30,085 (-29.9%)

That’s a big drop, but issue #1 was promoted with a 1:25 variant edition, so it’s not as steep as it looks. Plus, 30K is still a spectacular number for what’s essentially a “reprint” title, even if the previous “printing” was only digital.

—–

73 - SUPERGIRL
11/2007: Supergirl #23 --  45,460
11/2008: Supergirl #35 --  45,518
11/2009: Supergirl #47 --  29,159
11/2010: Supergirl #58 --  25,412
---------------------------------
11/2011: Supergirl #3  --  50,784 (- 17.3%)
12/2011: Supergirl #4  --  44,180 (- 13.0%)
01/2012: Supergirl #5  --  41,446 (-  6.2%)
02/2012: Supergirl #6  --  38,719 (-  6.6%)
03/2012: Supergirl #7  --  37,041 (-  4.3%)
04/2012: Supergirl #8  --  36,042 (-  2.7%)
05/2012: Supergirl #9  --  35,129 (-  2.5%)
06/2012: Supergirl #10 --  33,309 (-  5.2%)
07/2012: Supergirl #11 --  31,879 (-  4.3%)
08/2012: Supergirl #12 --  30,420 (-  4.6%)
09/2012: Supergirl #0  --  34,457 (+ 13.3%)
10/2012: Supergirl #13 --  29,450 (- 14.5%)
11/2012: Supergirl #14 --  31,270 (+  6.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 11.0%
1 year  : - 38.4%
2 years : + 23.1%
5 years : - 31.2%

Sales increase courtesy of crossover with Superboy and Superman.

—–

67 - ANIMAL MAN
11/2011: Animal Man #3     -- 49,184 (- 8.0%)
12/2011: Animal Man #4     -- 42,630 (-13.3%)
01/2012: Animal Man #5     -- 40,573 (- 4.8%)
02/2012: Animal Man #6     -- 38,504 (- 5.1%)
03/2012: Animal Man #7     -- 36,860 (- 4.3%)
04/2012: Animal Man #8     -- 36,369 (- 1.3%)
05/2012: Animal Man #9     -- 35,699 (- 1.8%)
06/2012: Animal Man #10    -- 34,992 (- 2.0%)
07/2012: Animal Man #11    -- 33,909 (- 3.1%)
08/2012: Animal Man #12    -- 34,549 (+ 1.9%)
09/2012: Animal Man #0     -- 38,295 (+10.8%)
10/2012: Animal Man #13    -- 34,303 (-10.4%)
11/2012: Animal Man #14    -- 33,503 (- 2.3%)
----------------
6 months: - 6.2%
1 year  : -31.9%

Back in a slow decline, despite the “Rotworld” crossover.

—–

65 - WORLDS' FINEST
05/2012: Worlds' Finest #1  -- 69,531
06/2012: Worlds' Finest #2  -- 51,510 (-25.9%)
07/2012: Worlds' Finest #3  -- 45,514 (-11.6%)
08/2012: Worlds' Finest #4  -- 39,629 (-12.9%)
09/2012: Worlds' Finest #0  -- 42,770 (+ 7.9%)
10/2012: Worlds' Finest #5  -- 35,951 (-15.9%)
11/2012: Worlds' Finest #6  -- 34,338 (- 4.5%)
----------------
6 months: -50.6%

Very steep decline, overall.

—–

64 - BATWOMAN
11/2011: Batwoman #3  --  61,997 (-16.7%)
12/2011: Batwoman #4  --  52,757 (-14.9%)
01/2012: Batwoman #5  --  51,924 (- 1.6%)
02/2012: Batwoman #6  --  49,227 (- 5.2%)
03/2012: Batwoman #7  --  46,874 (- 4.8%)
04/2012: Batwoman #8  --  45,341 (- 3.3%)
05/2012: Batwoman #9  --  43,942 (- 3.1%)
06/2012: Batwoman #10 --  41,014 (- 6.7%)
07/2012: Batwoman #11 --  38,980 (- 5.0%)
08/2012: Batwoman #12 --  38,064 (- 2.4%)
09/2012: Batwoman #0  --  41,684 (+ 9.5%)
10/2012: Batwoman #13 --  37,315 (-10.5%)
11/2012: Batwoman #14 --  36,395 (- 2.5%)
----------------
6 months: -17.2%
1 year  : -41.3%

Levelling out, evidently.

—-

60 - RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS
11/2011: Red Hood #3  -- 50,140 (-15.6%)
12/2011: Red Hood #4  -- 44,278 (-11.7%)
01/2012: Red Hood #5  -- 42,560 (- 3.9%)
02/2012: Red Hood #6  -- 39,898 (- 6.3%)
03/2012: Red Hood #7  -- 38,630 (- 3.2%)
04/2012: Red Hood #8  -- 37,974 (- 1.7%)
05/2012: Red Hood #9  -- 54,220 (+42.8%)
06/2012: Red Hood #10 -- 37,044 (-31.7%)
07/2012: Red Hood #11 -- 35,820 (- 3.3%)
08/2012: Red Hood #12 -- 34,439 (- 3.9%)
09/2012: Red Hood #0  -- 39,511 (+14.7%)
10/2012: Red Hood #13 -- 35,420 (- 6.7%)
11/2012: Red Hood #14 -- 37,710 (+ 6.5%)
----------------
6 months: -30.5%
1 year  : -24.8%

The “Death of the Family” crossover was name-checked in the advertising copy for issue #14. Enough for a solid sales increase.

—–

58 - TEEN TITANS
11/2007: Teen Titans #53  -- 54,387
11/2008: Teen Titans #65  -- 37,880
11/2009: Teen Titans #77  -- 46,239
11/2010: Teen Titans #89  -- 26,444
-----------------------------------
11/2011: Teen Titans #3   -- 60,758 (- 15.7%)
12/2011: Teen Titans #4   -- 54,929 (-  9.6%)
01/2012: Teen Titans #5   -- 54,606 (-  0.6%)
02/2012: Teen Titans #6   -- 53,123 (-  2.7%)
03/2012: Teen Titans #7   -- 51,402 (-  3.2%)
04/2012: Teen Titans #8   -- 50,814 (-  1.1%)
05/2012: Teen Titans #9   -- 50,261 (-  1.1%)
06/2012: Teen Titans #10  -- 47,491 (-  5.5%)
07/2012: Teen Titans #11  -- 45,367 (-  4.5%)
08/2012: Teen Titans #12  -- 42,817 (-  5.6%)
09/2012: Teen Titans #0   -- 47,318 (+ 10.5%)
10/2012: Teen Titans #13  -- 41,059 (- 13.2%)
11/2012: Teen Titans #14  -- 39,745 (-  3.3%)
-----------------
6 months: - 20.9%
1 year  : - 34.6%
2 years : + 50.3%
5 years : - 26.9%

Sliding down the charts.

—–

57 - RED LANTERNS
11/2011: Red Lanterns #3  -- 60,823 (-18.0%)
12/2011: Red Lanterns #4  -- 50,271 (-17.4%)
01/2012: Red Lanterns #5  -- 46,992 (- 6.5%)
02/2012: Red Lanterns #6  -- 43,450 (- 7.5%)
03/2012: Red Lanterns #7  -- 41,628 (- 4.2%)
04/2012: Red Lanterns #8  -- 40,189 (- 3.5%)
05/2012: Red Lanterns #9  -- 39,215 (- 2.4%)
06/2012: Red Lanterns #10 -- 38,005 (- 3.1%)
07/2012: Red Lanterns #11 -- 36,462 (- 4.1%)
08/2012: Red Lanterns #12 -- 35,070 (- 3.8%)
09/2012: Red Lanterns #0  -- 38,928 (+11.0%)
10/2012: Red Lanterns #13 -- 42,804 (+10.0%)
11/2012: Red Lanterns #14 -- 40,779 (- 4.7%)
----------------
6 months: + 4.0%
1 year  : -33.0%

Sales remain up thanks to the “Rise of the Third Army” crossover.

—–

62 - TALON
09/2012: Talon #0  -- 59,691
10/2012: Talon #1  -- 55,737 (- 6.6%)
11/2012: Talon #2  -- 41,250 (-26.0%)

Another recently launched “New 52” book with a stiff second-issue drop, despite Scott Snyder’s involvement and the continued presence of multiple high-ticket variant-cover editions. Don’t get me wrong: 40K isn’t bad for this type of book, in theory, but given the success of Snyder’s Batman in general and storylines such as “Night of the Owly Court” and “Death of the Family,” it’s still surprising to see Talon drop off so sharply.

—–

56 - SWAMP THING
11/2011: Swamp Thing #3  -- 52,300 (-10.8%)
12/2011: Swamp Thing #4  -- 44,660 (-14.6%)
01/2012: Swamp Thing #5  -- 43,806 (- 1.9%)
02/2012: Swamp Thing #6  -- 41,235 (- 5.9%)
03/2012: Swamp Thing #7  -- 40,268 (- 2.4%)
04/2012: Swamp Thing #8  -- 39,431 (- 2.1%)
05/2012: Swamp Thing #9  -- 39,385 (- 0.1%)
06/2012: Swamp Thing #10 -- 37,383 (- 5.1%)
07/2012: Swamp Thing #11 -- 36,257 (- 3.0%)
08/2012: Swamp Thing #12 -- 36,696 (+ 1.2%)
09/2012: Swamp Thing #0  -- 40,123 (+ 9.3%)
10/2012: Swamp Thing #13 -- 36,069 (-10.1%)
11/2012: Swamp Thing #14 -- 42,036 (+16.5%)
----------------
6 months: + 6.7%
1 year  : -19.6%

Special variant edition plus “Rotworld” crossover equals neat-o sales increase.

—–

54 - WONDER WOMAN
11/2007: Wonder Woman #14  --  53,090
11/2008: Wonder Woman #26  --  33,277
11/2009: Wonder Woman #38  --  26,265
11/2010: --
-------------------------------------
11/2011: Wonder Woman #3   --  65,621 (- 17.0%)
12/2011: Wonder Woman #4   --  57,675 (- 12.1%)
01/2012: Wonder Woman #5   --  57,626 (-  0.1%)
02/2012: Wonder Woman #6   --  54,190 (-  6.0%)
03/2012: Wonder Woman #7   --  51,314 (-  5.3%)
04/2012: Wonder Woman #8   --  50,450 (-  1.7%)
05/2012: Wonder Woman #9   --  48,750 (-  3.4%)
06/2012: Wonder Woman #10  --  47,229 (-  3.1%)
07/2012: Wonder Woman #11  --  45,669 (-  3.3%)
08/2012: Wonder Woman #12  --  44,584 (-  2.4%)
09/2012: Wonder Woman #0   --  49,778 (+ 11.7%)
10/2012: Wonder Woman #13  --  43,731 (- 12.2%)
11/2012: Wonder Woman #14  --  42,384 (-  3.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 13.1%
1 year  : - 35.4%
2 years :   n.a.
5 years : - 20.2%

Slowly drifting down. Viewed over the last 10 years, though, this isn’t bad for a Wonder Woman book.

—–

50 - GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS
11/2010: Emerald Warriors #4  -- 46,319
---------------------------------------
11/2011: New Guardians #3     -- 59,774 (-16.7%)
12/2011: New Guardians #4     -- 53,305 (-10.8%)
01/2012: New Guardians #5     -- 52,305 (- 1.9%)
02/2012: New Guardians #6     -- 50,319 (- 3.8%)
03/2012: New Guardians #7     -- 48,422 (- 3.8%)
04/2012: New Guardians #8     -- 47,320 (- 2.3%)
05/2012: New Guardians #9     -- 46,237 (- 2.3%)
06/2012: New Guardians #10    -- 44,404 (- 4.0%)
07/2012: New Guardians #11    -- 42,929 (- 3.3%)
08/2012: New Guardians #12    -- 41,479 (- 3.4%)
09/2012: New Guardians #0     -- 46,718 (+12.6%)
10/2012: New Guardians #13    -- 48,500 (+ 3.8%)
11/2012: New Guardians #14    -- 47,062 (- 3.0%)
----------------
6 months: + 1.8%
1 year  : -21.3%
2 years : + 1.6%

The “Rise of the Third Army” crossover keeps the numbers up.

—–

49 - FLASH
11/2007: Flash #234      --  46,435
11/2008: Flash #246      --  27,746
11/2009: Rebirth #5 of 6 --  73,875
11/2010: Flash #6        --  57,673
-----------------------------------
11/2011: Flash #3        --  90,417 (- 20.8%)
12/2011: Flash #4        --  77,336 (- 14.5%)
01/2012: Flash #5        --  71,611 (-  7.4%)
02/2012: Flash #6        --  68,061 (-  5.0%)
03/2012: Flash #7        --  64,975 (-  4.5%)
04/2012: Flash #8        --  63,702 (-  2.0%)
05/2012: Flash #9        --  62,807 (-  1.4%)
06/2012: Flash #10       --  55,681 (- 11.4%)
07/2012: Flash #11       --  53,674 (-  3.6%)
08/2012: Flash #12       --  51,779 (-  3.5%)
09/2012: Flash #0        --  56,890 (+  9.9%)
10/2012: Flash #13       --  49,936 (- 12.2%)
11/2012: Flash #14       --  48,012 (-  3.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 23.6%
1 year  : - 46.9%
2 years : - 16.8%
5 years : +  3.4%

Sliding down the chart, but still well within the spectrum for Flash.

—–

47 - BEFORE WATCHMEN: OZYMANDIAS
07/2012: Ozymandias #1 of 6 -- 98,011
08/2012: Ozymandias #2 of 6 -- 64,460 (-34.2%)
09/2012: Ozymandias #3 of 6 -- 52,280 (-18.9%)
10/2012: --
11/2012: Ozymandias #4 of 6 -- 48,404 (- 7.4%)

This title by ethical people who contribute what they can to ensure that their fellow creators continue to be treated fairly hasn’t quite found its level yet.

—–

45 - GREEN LANTERN CORPS
11/2007: Green Lantern Corps #18 -- 55,838 [59,049]
11/2008: Green Lantern Corps #30 -- 43,600
11/2009: Green Lantern Corps #42 -- 80,391
11/2010: Green Lantern Corps #54 -- 57,448
------------------------------------------
11/2011: Green Lantern Corps #3  -- 65,393 (-16.7%)
12/2011: Green Lantern Corps #4  -- 57,180 (-12.6%)
01/2012: Green Lantern Corps #5  -- 54,088 (- 5.4%)
02/2012: Green Lantern Corps #6  -- 51,168 (- 5.4%)
03/2012: Green Lantern Corps #7  -- 48,692 (- 4.8%)
04/2012: Green Lantern Corps #8  -- 47,584 (- 2.3%)
05/2012: Green Lantern Corps #9  -- 46,336 (- 2.6%)
06/2012: Green Lantern Corps #10 -- 44,615 (- 3.7%)
07/2012: Green Lantern Corps #11 -- 42,996 (- 3.6%)
08/2012: Green Lantern Corps #12 -- 41,778 (- 2.8%)
09/2012: Green Lantern Corps #0  -- 47,309 (+13.2%)
10/2012: Green Lantern Corps #13 -- 50,773 (+ 7.3%)
11/2012: Green Lantern Corps #14 -- 49,594 (- 2.3%)
----------------
6 months: + 7.0%
1 year  : -24.2%
2 years : -13.7%
5 years : -11.2%

Sales remain up thanks to the “Rise of the Third Army” crossover.

—–

44 - BEFORE WATCHMEN: SILK SPECTRE
06/2012: Silk Spectre #1 of 4 -- 114,394
07/2012: Silk Spectre #2 of 4 --  68,403 (-40.2%)
08/2012: --
09/2012: Silk Spectre #3 of 4 --  53,464 (-21.8%)
10/2012: --
11/2012: Silk Spectre #4 of 4 --  50,002 (- 6.5%)

More comics in the great North American tradition with very good sales.

—–

42 - NIGHTWING
11/2007: Nightwing #138 -- 46,757
11/2008: Nightwing #150 -- 50,993
---------------------------------
11/2011: Nightwing #3   -- 64,098 (-12.3%)
12/2011: Nightwing #4   -- 57,409 (-10.4%)
01/2012: Nightwing #5   -- 56,040 (- 2.4%)
02/2012: Nightwing #6   -- 53,036 (- 5.4%)
03/2012: Nightwing #7   -- 50,489 (- 4.8%)
04/2012: Nightwing #8   -- 52,063 (+ 3.1%) [61,711]
05/2012: Nightwing #9   -- 61,395 (+17.9%)
06/2012: Nightwing #10  -- 50,585 (-17.6%)
07/2012: Nightwing #11  -- 49,124 (- 2.9%)
08/2012: Nightwing #12  -- 47,484 (- 3.3%)
09/2012: Nightwing #0   -- 53,109 (+11.9%)
10/2012: Nightwing #13  -- 47,171 (-11.2%)
11/2012: Nightwing #14  -- 50,720 (+ 7.5%)
----------------
6 months: -17.4%
1 year  : -20.9%
5 years : + 8.5%

As a reminder: This is what happens when the latest Scott Snyder Batman thing is name-checked in the advertising.

—–

41 - SUPERMAN
11/2007: Superman #670 --  48,407
11/2008: Superman #682 --  55,435
11/2009: Superman #694 --  34,430
11/2010: Superman #705 --  46,261
---------------------------------
11/2011: Superman #3   --  86,386 (- 17.5%)
12/2011: Superman #4   --  76,532 (- 11.4%)
01/2012: Superman #5   --  73,719 (-  3.7%)
02/2012: Superman #6   --  69,633 (-  5.5%)
03/2012: Superman #7   --  66,588 (-  4.4%)
04/2012: Superman #8   --  64,486 (-  3.2%)
05/2012: Superman #9   --  62,232 (-  3.5%)
06/2012: Superman #10  --  59,081 (-  5.1%)
07/2012: Superman #11  --  56,066 (-  5.1%)
08/2012: Superman #12  --  53,326 (-  4.9%)
09/2012: Superman #0   --  60,493 (+ 13.4%)
10/2012: Superman #13  --  52,155 (- 13.8%)
11/2012: Superman #14  --  52,572 (+  0.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 15.5%
1 year  : - 39.1%
2 years : + 13.6%
5 years : +  8.6%

Leading into a crossover with Superboy and Supergirl with a title I’m embarrassed to type although I’m certainly typing a lot of embarrassing shit all the time here (e.g., “AQUAMAN.” There.) so it may just be a temporary flight of over-embarrassment.

—–

38 - AQUAMAN
11/2011: Aquaman #3  -- 69,137 (-12.7%)
12/2011: Aquaman #4  -- 64,961 (- 6.0%)
01/2012: Aquaman #5  -- 65,094 (+ 0.2%)
02/2012: Aquaman #6  -- 63,450 (- 2.5%)
03/2012: Aquaman #7  -- 62,345 (- 1.7%)
04/2012: Aquaman #8  -- 61,657 (- 1.1%)
05/2012: Aquaman #9  -- 60,527 (- 1.8%)
06/2012: Aquaman #10 -- 59,288 (- 2.1%)
07/2012: Aquaman #11 -- 57,675 (- 2.7%)
08/2012: Aquaman #12 -- 61,210 (+ 6.1%)
09/2012: Aquaman #0  -- 61,227 (+ 0.0%)
10/2012: Aquaman #13 -- 54,648 (-10.8%)
11/2012: Aquaman #14 -- 53,664 (- 1.8%)
----------------
6 months: -11.3%
1 year  : -22.4%

Stabilizing again, evidently.

—–

33 - BATMAN INCORPORATED
11/2010: Batman, Inc. #1  --  95,587
------------------------------------
11/2011: --
12/2011: Lev Strikes #1   --  43,048 (- 19.5%)
01/2012: --
02/2012: --
03/2012: --
04/2012: --
05/2012: Batman, Inc. #1  --  96,486 (+124.1%)
06/2012: Batman, Inc. #2  --  73,654 (- 23.7%)
07/2012: --
08/2012: Batman, Inc. #3  --  66,720 (-  9.4%)
09/2012: Batman, Inc. #0  --  66,112 (-  0.9%)
10/2012: Batman, Inc. #4  --  60,888 (-  7.9%)
11/2012: Batman, Inc. #5  --  58,172 (-  4.5%)
----------------
6 months: -39.7%
1 year  :   n.a.
2 years : -39.1%

Grant Morrison’s Batman sales have seen better days. Mostly that was when Scott Snyder wasn’t around.

—–

32 - EARTH 2
05/2012: Earth 2 #1  -- 95,742          [102,490]
06/2012: Earth 2 #2  -- 75,936 (-20.7%) [ 84,740] 
07/2012: Earth 2 #3  -- 74,892 (- 1.4%)
08/2012: Earth 2 #4  -- 67,393 (-10.0%)
09/2012: Earth 2 #0  -- 69,111 (+ 2.6%)
10/2012: Earth 2 #5  -- 61,529 (-11.0%)
11/2012: Earth 2 #6  -- 58,271 (- 4.8%)
----------------
6 months: -39.1%

Swiftly declining.

—–

28 - BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT
11/2011: Dark Knight #3  --  87,133 (- 13.3%)
12/2011: Dark Knight #4  --  78,689 (-  9.7%)
01/2012: Dark Knight #5  --  76,824 (-  2.4%)
02/2012: Dark Knight #6  --  77,140 (+  0.4%) [ 80,464]
03/2012: Dark Knight #7  --  75,297 (-  2.4%)
04/2012: Dark Knight #8  --  74,287 (-  1.3%)
05/2012: Dark Knight #9  --  82,169 (+ 10.6%)
06/2012: Dark Knight #10 --  71,671 (- 12.8%)
07/2012: Dark Knight #11 --  68,632 (-  4.2%)
08/2012: Dark Knight #12 --  67,084 (-  2.3%)
09/2012: Dark Knight #0  --  72,919 (+  8.7%)
10/2012: Dark Knight #13 --  65,271 (- 10.5%)
11/2012: Dark Knight #14 --  62,792 (-  3.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 23.6%
1 year  : - 27.9%

Not quite levelled out yet.

—–

27 - CATWOMAN
11/2007: Catwoman #73 -- 18,815
-------------------------------
11/2011: Catwoman #3  -- 52,196 (-17.9%)
12/2011: Catwoman #4  -- 45,581 (-12.7%)
01/2012: Catwoman #5  -- 44,034 (- 3.4%)
02/2012: Catwoman #6  -- 41,447 (- 5.9%)
03/2012: Catwoman #7  -- 39,608 (- 4.4%)
04/2012: Catwoman #8  -- 38,711 (- 2.3%)
05/2012: Catwoman #9  -- 49,726 (+28.5%)
06/2012: Catwoman #10 -- 37,158 (-25.3%)
07/2012: Catwoman #11 -- 35,551 (- 4.3%)
08/2012: Catwoman #12 -- 34,117 (- 4.0%)
09/2012: Catwoman #0  -- 39,117 (+14.7%)
10/2012: Catwoman #13 -- 40,147 (+ 2.6%) [60,257]
11/2012: Catwoman #14 -- 63,653 (+58.6%)
-----------------
6 months: + 28.0%
1 year  : + 22.0%
5 years : +238.3%

—–

26 - SUICIDE SQUAD
11/2007: Raise the Flag #3 of 8 -- 19,774
-----------------------------------------
11/2011: Suicide Squad #3       -- 40,827 (- 17.6%)
12/2011: Suicide Squad #4       -- 34,550 (- 15.4%)
01/2012: Suicide Squad #5       -- 32,726 (-  5.3%)
02/2012: Suicide Squad #6       -- 30,834 (-  5.8%)
03/2012: Suicide Squad #7       -- 32,908 (+  6.7%)
04/2012: Suicide Squad #8       -- 32,789 (-  0.4%)
05/2012: Suicide Squad #9       -- 32,581 (-  0.6%)
06/2012: Suicide Squad #10      -- 31,576 (-  3.1%)
07/2012: Suicide Squad #11      -- 29,809 (-  5.6%)
08/2012: Suicide Squad #12      -- 28,302 (-  5.1%)
09/2012: Suicide Squad #0       -- 31,875 (+ 12.6%)
10/2012: Suicide Squad #13      -- 27,644 (- 13.3%)
11/2012: Suicide Squad #14      -- 63,691 (+130.4%)
-----------------
6 months: + 95.5%
1 year  : + 56.0%
5 years : +222.1%

And this is what happens when books are bona-fide “Death of the Family” titles — also see Batgirl and Batman below (i.e., above). October’s Catwoman #13, Batgirl #13 and Batman #13 sold another 20-21K each in November, thanks to the crossover, so it’s probably not a case of retailers going overboard, either.

Quite impressive.

—–

24 - ACTION COMICS
11/2007: Action Comics #859 --  54,572
11/2008: Action Comics #871 --  58,547
11/2009: Action Comics #883 --  33,386
11/2010: Action Comics #895 --  33,089
--------------------------------------
11/2011: Action Comics #3   -- 134,875 (- 12.3%)
12/2011: Action Comics #4   -- 112,839 (- 16.3%)
01/2012: Action Comics #5   -- 109,350 (-  3.1%)
02/2012: Action Comics #6   --  96,592 (- 11.7%)
03/2012: Action Comics #7   --  91,822 (-  4.9%)
04/2012: Action Comics #8   --  87,980 (-  4.2%)
05/2012: Action Comics #9   --  88,796 (+  0.9%)
06/2012: Action Comics #10  --  80,751 (-  9.1%)
07/2012: Action Comics #11  --  76,232 (-  5.6%)
08/2012: Action Comics #12  --  71,203 (-  6.6%)
09/2012: Action Comics #0   --  78,626 (+ 10.4%)
10/2012: Action Comics #13  --  67,241 (- 14.5%)
11/2012: Action Comics #14  --  64,341 (-  4.3%)
-----------------
6 months: - 27.5%
1 year  : - 52.3%
2 years : + 94.5%
5 years : + 17.9%

Regardless of what you think about the work, it’s clear that Morrison’s sales draw has suffered over the last year.

It’s probably not the worst idea Morrison ever had to take things easier, recharge his creative batteries and maybe not say too many awful things in interviews or lengthy posts on how he invented first himself and then Alan Moore back in a draughty pawn shop in Hull 35 years ago. It might not hurt the sales numbers to do that for a month or two, is all I’m saying.

—–

30 - BEFORE WATCHMEN: MOLOCH
11/2012: Moloch #1 of 2 --  65,876

Irony is dead, and Dollar Bill hasn’t even shipped yet.

Excellent sales for this comic book by gentlemen whose names will be sung for eons by the freelance community whose own goddamn fault it is when they sign a crummy contract going in.

—–

19 - DETECTIVE COMICS
11/2007: Detective Comics #838 --  60,267 [65,293]
11/2008: Detective Comics #850 --  64,196
11/2009: Detective Comics #859 --  54,392
11/2010: Detective Comics #871 --  36,941
-----------------------------------------
11/2011: Detective Comics #3   -- 111,197 (-  9.7%)
12/2011: Detective Comics #4   --  99,366 (- 10.6%)
01/2012: Detective Comics #5   --  99,342 (-  0.0%)
02/2012: Detective Comics #6   --  94,415 (-  5.0%)
03/2012: Detective Comics #7   --  89,891 (-  4.8%)
04/2012: Detective Comics #8   --  87,675 (-  2.5%)
05/2012: Detective Comics #9   --  96,016 (+  9.5%)
06/2012: Detective Comics #10  --  83,317 (- 13.2%)
07/2012: Detective Comics #11  --  79,835 (-  4.2%)
08/2012: Detective Comics #12  --  75,998 (-  4.8%)
09/2012: Detective Comics #0   --  84,063 (+ 10.6%)
10/2012: Detective Comics #13  --  76,392 (-  9.1%)
11/2012: Detective Comics #14  --  74,560 (-  2.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 22.4%
1 year  : - 33.0%
2 years : +101.8%
5 years : + 23.7%

Not a bad number, given there’s no crossover boost here.

—–

18 - BATMAN AND ROBIN
11/2009: Batman and Robin #6  --  95,690
11/2010: Batman and Robin #16 --  80,343
11/2010: Batman and Robin #17 --  70,600
----------------------------------------
11/2011: Batman and Robin #3  --  86,309 (-12.7%)
12/2011: Batman and Robin #4  --  76,000 (-11.9%)
01/2012: Batman and Robin #5  --  72,786 (- 4.2%)
02/2012: Batman and Robin #6  --  70,103 (- 3.7%)
03/2012: Batman and Robin #7  --  68,010 (- 3.0%)
04/2012: Batman and Robin #8  --  66,659 (- 2.0%)
05/2012: Batman and Robin #9  --  75,967 (+14.0%)
06/2012: Batman and Robin #10 --  66,894 (-11.9%)
07/2012: Batman and Robin #11 --  65,043 (- 2.8%)
08/2012: Batman and Robin #12 --  63,993 (- 1.6%)
09/2012: Batman and Robin #0  --  69,146 (+ 8.1%)
10/2012: Batman and Robin #13 --  63,097 (- 8.8%)
11/2012: Batman and Robin #14 --  75,543 (+19.7%)
----------------
6 months: - 0.6%
1 year  : -12.5%
2 years : + 7.0%

The Snyder crossover is name-checked.

—–

17 - BATGIRL
11/2008: Batgirl #5 of 6 -- 21,595
11/2009: Batgirl #4      -- 34,697
11/2010: Batgirl #15     -- 25,827
----------------------------------
11/2011: Batgirl #3      -- 69,971 (- 16.3%)
12/2011: Batgirl #4      -- 59,972 (- 14.3%)
01/2012: Batgirl #5      -- 57,030 (-  4.9%)
02/2012: Batgirl #6      -- 53,151 (-  6.8%)
03/2012: Batgirl #7      -- 50,761 (-  4.5%)
04/2012: Batgirl #8      -- 48,878 (-  3.7%)
05/2012: Batgirl #9      -- 58,710 (+ 20.1%)
06/2012: Batgirl #10     -- 47,050 (- 19.9%)
07/2012: Batgirl #11     -- 45,004 (-  4.4%)
08/2012: Batgirl #12     -- 43,804 (-  2.7%)
09/2012: Batgirl #0      -- 50,441 (+ 15.2%)
10/2012: Batgirl #13     -- 50,074 (-  0.7%) [71,109]
11/2012: Batgirl #14     -- 77,468 (+ 54.7%)
-----------------
6 months: + 32.0%
1 year  : + 10.7%
2 years : +200.0%

The Snyder crossover is consummated.

The big drama here last month was Gail Simone’s firing, though, of course, which, after the hearty intervention of Team Comics, was swiftly reversed, so congratulations for being back in a professional relationship with the people who will fire you by E-mail after 10 years, then decide they liked you better than the guy they’d apparently hired as your replacement, after all, and then publicly lie about it.

—–

16 - GREEN LANTERN
11/2007: --
11/2008: --
11/2009: Green Lantern #48  -- 100,371
11/2010: Green Lantern #59  --  76,173
--------------------------------------
11/2011: Green Lantern #3   -- 122,644 (-13.8%)
12/2011: Green Lantern #4   -- 104,199 (-15.0%)
01/2012: Green Lantern #5   --  97,878 (- 6.0%)
02/2012: Green Lantern #6   --  94,087 (- 3.9%)
03/2012: Green Lantern #7   --  90,232 (- 4.1%)
04/2012: Green Lantern #8   --  88,335 (- 2.1%)
05/2012: Green Lantern #9   --  87,601 (- 0.8%)
06/2012: Green Lantern #10  --  80,615 (- 8.0%)
07/2012: Green Lantern #11  --  78,708 (- 2.4%)
08/2012: Green Lantern #12  --  77,187 (- 1.9%)
09/2012: Green Lantern #0   --  89,909 (+16.5%)
10/2012: Green Lantern #13  --  91,814 (+ 2.1%)
11/2012: Green Lantern #14  --  78,499 (-14.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 10.4%
1 year  : - 36.0%
2 years : +  3.1%
5 years :   n.a.

This is part of the “Rise of the Third Army” crossover, but sales are still crashing back to the previous level, presumably because there was one special variant less than for issue #13.

—–

8 - JUSTICE LEAGUE
11/2007: --
11/2008: --
11/2009: Justice League #39  --  89,376
11/2010: JL of America #51   --  50,887
---------------------------------------
11/2011: Justice League #3   -- 168,679 (- 14.2%)
12/2011: Justice League #4   -- 149,314 (- 11.5%) [152,340]
01/2012: Justice League #5   -- 144,670 (-  3.1%) [148,117]
02/2012: Justice League #6   -- 140,819 (-  2.7%)
03/2012: Justice League #7   -- 136,436 (-  3.1%)
04/2012: Justice League #8   -- 133,240 (-  2.3%)
05/2012: Justice League #9   -- 131,332 (-  1.4%)
06/2012: Justice League #10  -- 130,502 (-  0.6%)
07/2012: Justice League #11  -- 123,971 (-  5.0%)
08/2012: Justice League #12  -- 120,796 (-  2.6%) [161,235]
09/2012: Justice League #0   -- 125,868 (+  4.2%)
10/2012: Justice League #13  -- 117,752 (-  6.5%)
11/2012: Justice League #14  -- 113,094 (-  4.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 13.9%
1 year  : - 33.0%
2 years : +122.3%
5 years :   n.a.

No Jim Lee, no sustained sales momentum…

—–

2 - BATMAN
11/2007: Batman #671 --  76,764 [ 80,440]
11/2008: Batman #681 -- 103,151 [114,657]
11/2009: Batman #693 --  68,983
11/2010: Batman #704 --  65,212
-------------------------------
11/2011: Batman #3   -- 150,984 (- 12.4%)
12/2011: Batman #4   -- 133,781 (- 11.4%) [144,777]
01/2012: Batman #5   -- 135,145 (+  1.0%) [142,499]
02/2012: Batman #6   -- 128,459 (-  5.0%) [135,435]
03/2012: Batman #7   -- 131,091 (+  2.1%)
04/2012: Batman #8   -- 130,602 (-  0.4%) [136,218]
05/2012: Batman #9   -- 134,605 (+  3.1%)
06/2012: Batman #10  -- 130,265 (-  3.2%)
07/2012: Batman #11  -- 127,210 (-  2.4%)
08/2012: Batman #12  -- 125,249 (-  1.5%)
09/2012: Batman #0   -- 156,561 (+ 25.0%)
10/2012: Batman #13  -- 148,305 (-  5.3%) [169,666]
11/2012: Batman #14  -- 159,729 (+  7.7%)
-----------------
6 months: + 18.7%
1 year  : +  5.8%
2 years : +144.9%
5 years : +108.1%

… unless you’re Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo and keep knocking them out of the park. K-Ching.

—–

6-MONTH COMPARISONS
+ 95.5%: Suicide Squad
+ 32.0%: Batgirl
+ 28.0%: Catwoman
+ 18.7%: Batman
+  7.0%: GL Corps
+  6.7%: Swamp Thing
+  4.0%: Red Lanterns
+  1.8%: New Guardians
-  0.6%: Batman and Robin
-  1.6%: Young Justice
-  3.0%: Hellblazer
-  4.0%: Sweet Tooth
-  4.5%: Scooby-Doo
-  4.8%: Frankenstein
-  5.6%: American Vampire
-  6.2%: Animal Man
-  7.2%: Fables
-  7.9%: The Unwritten
- 10.4%: Green Lantern
- 11.0%: Supergirl
- 11.3%: Aquaman
- 13.1%: Wonder Woman
- 13.9%: JLA
- 14.2%: DCU Presents
- 14.8%: LoSH
- 15.5%: Superman
- 16.4%: JLD
- 16.5%: Hawkman
- 17.2%: Batwoman
- 17.4%: Nightwing
- 19.1%: Green Arrow
- 19.6%: Superboy
- 20.4%: I, Vampire
- 20.8%: Demon Knights
- 20.9%: Teen Titans
- 22.0%: BB Unlimited
- 22.0%: Fairest
- 22.4%: Detective Comics
- 23.6%: Dark Knight
- 23.6%: Flash
- 23.6%: Grifter
- 24.7%: Blue Beetle
- 25.4%: Firestorm
- 26.2%: Stormwatch
- 27.1%: Arkham Unhinged
- 27.5%: Action Comics
- 29.3%: Smallville
- 30.5%: Red Hood
- 30.8%: Deathstroke
- 33.4%: Saucer Country
- 35.7%: ASW
- 37.9%: Legion Lost
- 38.0%: GL: TAS
- 39.1%: Earth 2
- 39.3%: Superman Family Adventures
- 39.7%: Batman, Inc.
- 40.0%: Birds of Prey
- 50.6%: Worlds' Finest
- 55.3%: Batwing
- 60.6%: Dial H
- 60.8%: Ravagers
- 71.2%: G.I. Combat

—–

1-YEAR COMPARISONS
+ 56.0%: Suicide Squad
+ 22.0%: Catwoman
+ 10.7%: Batgirl
+  7.0%: Scooby-Doo
+  5.8%: Batman
-  3.7%: Hellblazer
-  4.0%: Young Justice
-  7.6%: Sweet Tooth
-  8.2%: Fables
- 12.5%: Batman and Robin
- 13.2%: American Vampire
- 14.7%: Unwritten
- 19.6%: Swamp Thing
- 20.9%: Nightwing
- 21.3%: New Guardians
- 22.4%: Aquaman
- 24.2%: GL Corps
- 24.8%: Red Hood
- 27.9%: Dark Knight
- 31.9%: Animal Man
- 33.0%: Detective Comics
- 33.0%: JLA
- 33.0%: Red Lanterns
- 34.6%: Teen Titans
- 35.4%: Wonder Woman
- 36.0%: Green Lantern
- 38.4%: ASW
- 38.4%: Supergirl
- 39.1%: Birds of Prey
- 39.1%: Superman
- 41.0%: Superboy
- 41.3%: Batwoman
- 44.0%: JLD
- 46.9%: Flash
- 47.6%: I, Vampire
- 48.4%: Frankenstein
- 49.2%: LoSH
- 52.3%: Action Comics
- 52.7%: Legion Lost
- 53.5%: Green Arrow
- 53.9%: Demon Knights
- 54.5%: Batwing
- 54.7%: Blue Beetle
- 56.4%: DCU Presents
- 57.2%: Deathstroke
- 57.8%: Stormwatch
- 58.1%: Hawkman
- 59.4%: Firestorm
- 61.0%: Grifter

—–

2-YEAR COMPARISONS
+200.0%: Batgirl
+144.9%: Batman
+122.3%: JLA
+101.8%: Detective Comics
+ 94.5%: Action Comics
+ 87.0%: ASW
+ 50.3%: Teen Titans
+ 23.1%: Supergirl
+ 13.6%: Superman
+  7.0%: Batman and Robin
+  3.5%: Scooby-Doo
+  3.1%: Green Lantern
+  1.6%: New Guardians
-  5.2%: Hellblazer
- 13.7%: GL Corps
- 16.3%: Sweet Tooth
- 16.8%: Flash
- 27.0%: Unwritten
- 27.7%: Birds of Prey
- 31.4%: American Vampire
- 32.8%: LoSH
- 39.1%: Batman, Inc.
- 44.9%: Green Arrow

—–

5-YEAR COMPARISONS
+238.3%: Catwoman
+222.1%: Suicide Squad
+108.1%: Batman
+ 38.5%: ASW
+ 23.7%: Detective Comics
+ 18.8%: Scooby-Doo
+ 17.9%: Action Comics
+  8.6%: Superman
+  8.5%: Nightwing
+  3.4%: Flash
-  0.9%: Birds of Prey
- 11.2%: GL Corps
- 20.1%: Blue Beetle
- 20.2%: Wonder Woman
- 26.9%: Teen Titans
- 27.0%: Hellblazer
- 31.2%: Supergirl
- 31.9%: Fables
- 33.7%: LoSH
- 49.0%: Green Arrow

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

DC COMICS
11/2007: 29,429
11/2008: 25,340
11/2009: 28,913**
11/2010: 25,497**
---------------
11/2011: 41,414 (- 19.2%)**
12/2011: 35,397 (- 14.5%)**
01/2012: 33,887 (-  4.3%)**
02/2012: 31,535 (-  6.9%)**
03/2012: 29,679 (-  5.9%)
04/2012: 31,319 (+  5.5%)
05/2012: 38,708 (+ 23.6%)
06/2012: 37,599 (-  2.9%)
07/2012: 33,837 (- 10.0%)
08/2012: 33,500 (-  1.0%)**
09/2012: 35,811 (+  6.9%)
10/2012: 32,901 (-  8.1%)**
11/2012: 33,872 (+  3.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 12.5%
1 year  : - 18.2%
2 years : + 32.9%
5 years : + 15.1%
DC UNIVERSE
11/2007: 37,257
11/2008: 33,096
11/2009: 38,488
11/2010: 34,180
---------------
11/2011: 46,670 (- 21.1%)**
12/2011: 39,390 (- 15.6%)**
01/2012: 37,145 (-  5.7%)**
02/2012: 34,456 (-  7.2%)**
03/2012: 33,229 (-  3.6%)
04/2012: 35,264 (+  6.1%)
05/2012: 44,139 (+ 25.2%)
06/2012: 43,082 (-  2.4%)
07/2012: 38,502 (- 10.6%)
08/2012: 38,047 (-  1.2%)**
09/2012: 39,408 (+  3.6%)
10/2012: 36,571 (-  7.2%)
11/2012: 36,585 (+  0.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 17.1%
1 year  : - 21.6%
2 years : +  7.0%
5 years : -  1.8%
VERTIGO
11/2007: 10,946
11/2008: 11,936
11/2009: 11,036
11/2010:  9,034
---------------
11/2011: 10,355 (- 2.7%)
12/2011: 11,082 (+ 7.0%)
01/2012:  9,995 (- 9.8%)
02/2012: 10,252 (+ 2.6%)
03/2012: 12,688 (+23.8%)
04/2012: 11,595 (- 8.6%)
05/2012: 11,102 (- 4.3%)
06/2012: 11,448 (+ 3.1%)
07/2012: 11,589 (+ 1.2%)
08/2012: 10,764 (- 7.1%)**
09/2012: 11,710 (+ 8.8%)
10/2012: 11,496 (- 1.8%)**
11/2012: 11,487 (- 0.1%)
-----------------
6 months: +  3.5%
1 year  : + 10.9%
2 years : + 27.2%
5 years : +  4.9%

—–
Disclaimers, et cetera

The numbers above are estimates for comic-book sales in the North American direct market, as calculated by ICv2.com according to the chart and index information provided by Diamond Comic Distributors.

ICv2.com‘s estimates are somewhat lower than the actual numbers, but they are consistent from month to month, so the trends they show are fairly accurate. Since it’s a “month-to-month” column, the comments, unless otherwise noted, are on the most recent month.

Bear in mind that the figures measure sales to retailers, not customers. Also, these numbers do not include sales to bookstores, newsstands, other mass-market retail chains or the United Kingdom. Re-orders are included, so long as they either reached stores in a book’s initial calendar month of release or were strong enough to make the chart again in a subsequent month.

If additional copies of an issue did appear on the chart after a book’s initial calendar month of release, you can see the total number of copies sold in parenthesis behind those issues (e.g. “[36,599]”). Should more than one issue have shipped in a month which is relevant for one of the long-term comparisons, the average between them will be used.

Titles released under the Johnny DC imprint and magazines, such as Mad, mostly sell through channels other than the direct market, so direct-market sales don’t tell us much about their performance. For most Vertigo titles, collection sales tend to be a significant factor, so the numbers for those books should be taken with a grain of salt as well. To learn (a little) more about Vertigo’s collection sales, go right here.

** Two asterisks after a given month in the average charts mean that one or more periodical release did not make the Top 300 chart in that month. In those cases, it’s assumed that said releases sold as many units as the No. 300 comic on the chart for that month for the purposes of the chart, although its actual sales are likely to be less than that.

For a more lyrical approach to discussing sales figures that covers all the essentials in a more condensed, less tedious fashion, finally, go right here.

—–
Marc-Oliver Frisch writes about comics at his weblog and at Comicgate. You can also follow him on Twitter.

48 COMMENTS

  1. “after the dismissal of founding editor Karen Berger”

    Berger resigned. It was reported right on this site: https://www.comicsbeat.com/karen-berger-steps-down-at-vertigo/

    Unless you have some legitimate source that the announced resignation was a cover for her being fired, which would be kind of odd considering she’s hanging around for a few months, maybe you should not go around calling it a dismissal? What is this, Bleeding Cool?

  2. I’m SO glad Talon is selling well. Because if I had to say “Dan Didio’s distaster of a title, Phantom Stranger, is their best selling new wave series?! WTF.” I would have screamed. Seriously, Phantom “This book is crap” Stranger is selling better than Sword of “Amethyst” Sorcery? W.T.F.

    I think Marc-Oliver is just giving us the show we now demand. The “extreme DC anger” is just so over the top this month, I can’t take it seriously. ;)

  3. BobH:

    “Unless you have some legitimate source that the announced resignation was a cover for her being fired, which would be kind of odd considering she’s hanging around for a few months, maybe you should not go around calling it a dismissal?”

    You’re quite right, I fucked up on that.

  4. Other than his issues with Green Lantern and Watchmen, MOF is relatively reasonable this time around…

  5. I bought Phantom Stranger 1 and now 4. Both I wish I could take back. It really is a horrible set up for the Phantom Stranger.
    Meanwhile, I’m hoping Legion of Super Heroes will rise in sales once Keith Griffen rejoins.
    Dial H is trippy and I hope it lasts a little while longer. Sad to see Saucer Country ending.

  6. Everyone raggin’ on Harras but he’s doing a good job. Good enough for a promotion. The rumored WB power struggle could fall in favor of someone who fires Diane Nelson and rethinks the DC prorities. Plus if Man of Steel bombs at the box office, heads will start rolling again.

  7. I think the problem with analyzing these numbers is reflected in the two groups that predominantly read the analysis. On the one hand, there are DC enthusiasts who genuinely enjoy the books. On the other are general comic fans who look at the way DC treats freelancers and long departed employees and feel upset about it. I think, and I could be wrong here, that MOF is in the second group. I know I am, anyway….

    There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the DC books and looking at the bright side. But I also think we all need to say maybe people shouldn’t be jerked around in the process of making those books. There has to be a way for DC to make books people enjoy without treating the people who make them poorly.

  8. jesus. if you don’t like Before Watchmen don’t buy it. We get it. You don’t like it. We got that 6 months ago too.

  9. Before Watchmen is kinda the lowest point ever for a company that seems to pride itself on setting the ethics bar as low as it can possibly go. I mean, I know American corporations are the bastions of unethical behavior, but DC is kinda the Michael Jordan of it.

  10. It looks like Johnny DC, like Vertigo, is no longer being given the leeway in the direct market it once was. Not only is Superman Family Adventures canceled at #12, but also Young Justice is ending with #25 and Green Lantern: The Animated Series is going bi-monthly with #12.

    It seems like a risky move to abandon their children’s characters like Superman and Green Lantern to focus more on their adult only characters like Superman and Green Lantern but maybe it’ll pay-off for them!

  11. Well I completely get that Marc is playing to his audience these days and the analysis seems to almost be self parody by now, it does unfortunately mean that the actual analysis itself … you know the whole kinda point of the column, is sometimes a bit off, or lacks any interesting ideas.

    We can all see that Vertigo is struggling a little (ahem) and has many challenges ahead of it, though with some stuff that could once again boost its brand just around the corner. Reporting that isn’t really analysis its parroting Internet knowledge.

    What would be interesting to discuss and you know, analyse, is the fact that in trimming the line they have of course increased the average sales of the line to what appears (based on the figures presented here, I don’t have the full figures ‘cos you know I’m not around here to… you guessed it analyse) some sort of 5 year (at least) high. Across the board, based on the stats here, the average sales are actually up on 6 month, 1 year, 2 year and 5 year comparisons. Now that’s something that isn’t being discussed, that’s something a simple look at the figures seems to reveal and that’s something this sort of article should surely be putting out there for debate?

    I don’t pretend to know whether this is a positive amongst all the gloom that surrounds Vertigo. Unlike Marc I don’t play at understanding the inner workings of DC, I make the occasional guess. So I’ll make that guess, for the sake of discussion. It might be that DC is contracting the line, to improve over all sales of the titles that remain, to give it a stronger base from which to go forward? Doing that as Image is capturing a lot of the creators and their tales, that might once have gone to them. By increasing average sales it might, over time be able to present a more attractive offer to those going elsewhere at this time?

    I dunno, completely form the outside that guess. BUT surely discussion of that would be of more value to a site like The Beat (if it tries to be, what I think it tries to be) rather than what has become an amusing piece that has lost sight of what I think (hope) is its purpose. Though of course that’s for Heidi to determine at the end of the day.

  12. @Colin
    The trick there is that DC hasn’t trimmed the line. They are putting out more books per month then they were in 2010 and 2011 (pre re-launch). And I believe that has been covered on this site before (not as its own post though).

    MOF has touched on the sales of Swamp Thing and Animal Man being much higher because they are in the DCU as opposed to Vertigo before. I’m sure that same bump will occur with Constantine and I would guess when American Vampire returns it will be in the DCU and not Vertigo.

  13. @Colin
    Gotcha. The one thing that struck me about MOF’s Vertigo comments was citing the lowest sales and number of titles since 2003-2004. I would have liked to have understood what those circumstances were back then for some context. I am with you though about the Vertigo analysis.

  14. I have a six-year-old daughter that I’ve been introducing to comics, and the industry is making it nearly impossible. She liked Tiny Titans – cancelled. She liked Superman Family Adventures – cancelled. She likes DC Nation so on occasion she used her own allowance to buy Young Justice and Green Lantern (the non torture porn version) – both cancelled. I thought she might like Amethyst, but when I checked it out it was all attempted rape and gore (though actually not bad, just not for kids). The only comic store within walking distance, which had a good kid’s section – closed. Kids are the future lifeblood of the industry, but if we’re any example, the industry is doomed.

  15. @daustin — The trick for comics-savvy parents is to look beyond the main superhero publishers for kids’ titles. Both of them publish truly excellent kids’ books (and they’ll replace these with others) but if you’re looking for dependability, “safety” (meaning parent-approval assurance), and variety, it’s good to try the publishers who focus primarily on kids’ comics. We’re all carried at your LCS, plus there’s always Amazon and direct-from-the-publishers if your LCS shuts down.

  16. There is plenty of analysis of Vertigo, throughout the column. However as there are 3 continuing Vertigo projects on the chart out of 8 titles, any major discussion of the average numbers for the line would seem to be redundant.

    This and Paul’s column are the reason why I read the Beat.

  17. Thanks for this, I love reading the analysis and the numbers. It’s a lot like watching Saturday Night Live performed in a comic shop.

  18. A tour de force! Always a pleasure Mr. Frisch.

    Why in the hell DC would mess over their characters with this goofy reboot and then play the character over creator game is lose-lose.

    You done *bleep*ed up DC. Live with it.

  19. Daustin – you definitely want to look beyond superheroes. The indie charts are where the good all ages books are – Adventure Time, My Little Pony, Super Dinosaur, Spongebob, the Bongo books, and in a year or two, Bone and Mouse Guard.

  20. The data is much more fun to follow with snark. More, please.

    Daustin – I’m with you. My kids have tried all-ages books (daughter likes Little Lulu reprints, son likes Young Justice) but as far as super-heroes go…other than YJ and Marvel Adventures, there aren’t a whole lot of options. DC’s strategy seems to be to appeal to a group of customers who are into Care Bear Torture Porn. As a parent, it’s a real bummer.

  21. I guess someone is going to have to explain Care Bear torture porn to me. I only read the New Guardians so not familiar with what is going on on GL these days.

  22. “I have a six-year-old daughter that I’ve been introducing to comics, and the industry is making it nearly impossible.”

    In addition to the suggestions given by others above, you might want to focus outside of periodicals. There are a lot of original graphic novels for kids out there, with some publishers creating nothing but kids/all ages content. I’d especially recommend the books coming out from First Second, like Zita the Spacegirl, the Olympians series, and Giants Beware!. Also good are Roger Langridge’s Snarked!, Jeff Smith’s Bone, Andy Runton’s Owly, et al.

    Additionally, if your area is anything like mine, there should be a fairly large children’s graphic novel section at your local library, and (given the recent widespread cultural penetration of comics) the librarian should be fairly adept at pointing you to things that your daughter would enjoy.

  23. “I’ve bought every single issue of Hellblazer. I plan to never by an issue of Constantine.”
    Yep, and I guess that’s how a lot of people feel right now (me included). Talk about the dumbest move ever from DC.
    1- Relaunch Hellblazer but whithout any of the adult theme that makes it interesting.
    2- Use the DC version with the crappy origin and the lack of personnality we had to endure in the pages of JLA Dark
    3- Put a mostly unknown artistic team on it, then fire them after one issue and before anybody could say if that was a good suprise or not
    4- Name your serie Constantine to remind everyone of the crappy movie. Should we expect the same?

  24. “I have a six-year-old daughter that I’ve been introducing to comics, and the industry is making it nearly impossible.”

    Here, go for the European comics for kids:
    http://www.cinebook.co.uk/index.php?cPath=144&osCsid=7d0b42dce4c9e0c4d5389e6528409e90

    The ones Frisch never talks about (even though he is european himself) because he loves the great North American traditions so much!

    Oh, those european comics for kids I mentioned above? Almost every one of them is creator-owned, except for the ones whose creators are already dead. Every single one of them pays royalties for their current authors too. None is ever done against their creator wishes. So there.

  25. We have picked some good graphic novels that she has enjoyed – Tintin, the Oz series by Marvel, Tezuka’s Princess Knight, with Bone waiting in the wings. Very good stuff, but nothing that is going to get her in the habit of reading old-fashioned monthly single-issues out of the store. Might try My Little Pony (she likes the show) – she’s never been into Adventure Time.

  26. If you’re talking single-issues (I was thinking of graphic novels, since that’s what we publish), I agree that’s a tougher row to hoe. I would suggest getting her into superheroes through the early readers and 8x8s from Marvel Press and Harper Collins (for the DC heroes). She’ll develop a love for the characters and then find the monthly comics when she’s 12 or so like we all did, no problem.

    But back to the indie single issues, the books from APE and Boom! could get her into the idea of old-fashioned serialized comics, and don’t forget Archie!

  27. Holy shit, Batman #14’s sales surpass issue #3.

    DC better be doing everything in their power to keep Synder around. He’s all they’ve really got right now.

  28. Will cancelling the Hellblazer book that about 5000 people were reading enable DC to generate 20,000+ readers for the Constantine book? I dunno, but I wouldn’t expect them to just keep putting out the book for the 5000 readers.

  29. “Very good stuff, but nothing that is going to get her in the habit of reading old-fashioned monthly single-issues out of the store.”

    That’s like complaining that your daughter isn’t going to get in the habit of nicotine or cocaine. Not exactly a bad thing.

  30. “That’s like complaining that your daughter isn’t going to get in the habit of nicotine or cocaine. Not exactly a bad thing.”

    I’ll have to go with Samy here. Isn’t it better for her to be a casual comics fan that buys a bunch of books (HCs, TPBs) a year intead of a comic addict like, well, us?

  31. @Pedro — I see where daustin is coming from. There’s a lot of pleasure in diving into a shared universe, especially when you’re a kid. It’s not really an addiction unless, well, it becomes one!

    But I think most of us approach it in the spirit of good fun: as kids we dove in with abandon because it was new, and as you get older you start picking and choosing, and once you’re a full-on adult a lot of the charm wears off so you pick up recommended runs here and there to see what’s happening. It’s all good!

  32. @daustin

    This topic also came up on Google Plus, and I made some recommendations, which others have touched on here (books, other non-superhero comics for kids, other points of access).
    [QUOTE]
    Superman Adventures
    http://www.comics.org/series/5531/

    EVERYONE should read #6.

    The trade collections:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_Adventures#Reprints
    (26 issues collected)

    (Lots of “animated universe” series out there… )

    The two issues I mentioned:
    DC COMICS PRESENTS: SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #1
    http://www.dccomics.com/comics/dc-comics-presents-superman-adventures-2012/dc-comics-presents-superman-adventures-1

    DC COMICS PRESENTS: WONDER WOMAN ADVENTURES #1
    http://www.dccomics.com/comics/dc-comics-presents-wonder-woman-adventures-1

    Try those first to see if she likes them.

    You can also try the Showcase volumes of Superman:
    http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Showcase-Presents-Superman?store=allproducts&keyword=Showcase+Presents%3A+Superman

    Showcase Presents: Superman, Vol. 1:
    “From School Library Journal
    Grade 3 Up–Twenty-nine Superman comics published between 1959 and 1963 are reprinted in this black-and-white omnibus edition. A perfect example of the tone of the collection is the opening tale, a jolly mystery that culminates in Batman throwing his old chum Superman a birthday party. For all of the hokey word balloons that spell out Superman’s choked-back sobs of anguish at whatever bizarre circumstance he finds himself in, and despite Lois Lane’s constant bold proclamations of her intent to marry the Man of Steel, the pages contain a massive catalogue of invention. Many of the stories consist of Superman’s clever ways of convincing Lois that he’s not Clark Kent, or persuading some criminal that he’s now immune to kryptonite. The text is fraught with barefaced exposition, but the tricks, traps, puzzles, and quandaries that Superman constantly outsmarts are charming and should give readers a clear indication of what comics were like in an earlier age and how they captured the imaginations of young readers so well and so completely. The stories also provide a happy sampling of the first appearances of a number of Superman’s notable supporting characters and beloved minutiae.–Benjamin Russell, The Derryfield School, Manchester, NH
    Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”

    Super Friends!
    http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/super-friends-various/1004646647?ean=9781563897160

    Good stuff!
    [UNQUOTE]

  33. And a previous reply on the same post:
    [QUOTE]
    1. Visit your local public library. Ask a librarian for recommendations. Start with “Smile” by Raina Telgemeier.

    Have her ask her school librarian if they have comics or graphic novels. If the answer is “no”, then you need to ask the librarian why they don’t stock books that kids love to read.

    2. Try these publishers: Scholastic Graphix, First Second, Lerner, Capstone (which publishes Super Pets, a spin-off in the Tiny Titans style) Abrams Amulet, Oni, Top Shelf.

    3. Lots of older Marvel and DC Comics for kids can be found in the dollar bins. The DC Adventures tie-ins are some of the best comics about those characters. DC recently did 80-page giants of Superman and Wonder Woman (Mark Millar!). The Showcase and Essentials line reprint comics mostly aimed at pre-teens. Silver Age Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman…

    4. Licensed comics publishers: Ape/Kizoic, Boom/Kaboom, Dark Horse (Avatar! Star Wars! Little Lulu!), IDW, Bongo

    5. Comic strips are comics. Either pick up an old collection (it will be new to her!) at a used bookstore, or buy one of those nice hardcover archive collections. King Aroo, Peanuts, Pogo!

    6. Digital.
    http://www.monkeybraincomics.com/titles/ (Bandette!)

    7. Manga.
    [UNQUOTE]

  34. I don’t know. When I was a kid Marvel and DC were shared universes. Now they are a long, sprawling story that YOU! HAVE! TO! READ! EVERYTHING! to understand. Oh, and they were publishing about a third of the amount of books they do now (and not all of them were published in Brazil where I lived!).

  35. “Now they are a long, sprawling story that YOU! HAVE! TO! READ! EVERYTHING! to understand.”

    Back in the day, when I walked 5 miles to school uphill both ways, comics were treated like individual products. Not only was POWER MAN & IRON FIST a separate entity, expected to rise and fall on its own merits, but even multiple books about the same character were written and edited with a large amount of independence from each other. Not only would AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and SPECTACULAR have different storylines, you’d even see different supporting characters getting more time in one book than the other.

    Then DC started to have one continuous story flowing through all their Superman titles and that started the trend of publishers not putting out individual comics but instead treating their books as an undifferentiated mass.

    Mike

  36. I come here every month to laugh at two things. 1) Marc’s commentary. 2) The continuing crash and burn of most of DC’s line after their big relaunch. Wonder if they’re ready to beg their old audience back yet? If not, they probably will be within another year or so.

  37. Lemire is my favorite DC writer at the moment. He never disappoints. I’m loving his JLD and Animal Man work and cant wait for Green Arrow and Constantine!

Comments are closed.