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by Marc-Oliver Frisch

The “Return of Bruce Wayne” and “Brightest Day” brands continued to be the driving force behind DC’s periodical output in October. While most of the Batman books were on hiatus, a bunch of one-shots, collectively titled Bruce Wayne: The Road Home, filled the gap. Other October releases include the low-profile miniseries Knight and Squire and JLA/The 99. Consequently, average sales of the DC Universe line remained relatively flat.

The same cannot be said about the company’s Vertigo and WildStorm imprints, however. The 18% drop versus September in Vertigo’s average periodical sales can be explained by the fact that some of Vertigo’s lower-selling series failed to ship in September and then double-shipped in October, which boosted the average in one month and dragged it down in the next. (There were 20 new Vertigo comic books in October, versus 13 in September.) For WildStorm, October was another historical low point, with estimated average sales of around 5,000 units — a drop of more than 50% versus October 2008 and 70% versus October 2005.

See below for the details, and 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.

—–

2 - BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE
05/2010: Batman: TRoBW #1 of 6 -- 108,534          [114,447]
05/2010: Batman: TRoBW #2 of 6 --  93,606 (-13.8%) [ 99,361]
06/2010: Batman: TRoBW #3 of 6 --  92,140 (- 1.6%)
07/2010: Batman: TRoBW #4 of 6 --  88,020 (- 4.5%)
08/2010: --
09/2010: --
10/2010: Batman: TRoBW #5 of 6 --  86,006 (- 2.3%)

As usual with high-profile books, the lateness doesn’t seem to be having much of an impact on sales.

While we’re talking about Batman: Batgirl, Red Robin, Birds of Prey, Gotham City Sirens, Batman: Streets of Gotham and Batman proper all were on hiatus in October, as part of the franchise makeover.

<1–more–>—–

3/4 - BRIGHTEST DAY
04/2010: Brightest Day #0  -- 129,446
05/2010: Brightest Day #1  -- 129,158 (- 0.2%)
05/2010: Brightest Day #2  -- 112,806 (-12.7%)
06/2010: Brightest Day #3  -- 107,269 (- 4.9%)
06/2010: Brightest Day #4  -- 101,730 (- 5.2%)
07/2010: Brightest Day #5  --  97,245 (- 4.4%)
07/2010: Brightest Day #6  --  94,684 (- 2.6%)
08/2010: Brightest Day #7  --  93,459 (- 1.3%)
08/2010: Brightest Day #8  --  91,546 (- 2.1%)
09/2010: Brightest Day #9  --  88,446 (- 3.4%)
09/2010: Brightest Day #10 --  87,241 (- 1.4%)
10/2010: Brightest Day #11 --  83,823 (- 3.9%)
10/2010: Brightest Day #12 --  82,394 (- 1.7%)
-----------------
6 months: - 35.8%

Perfectly solid numbers, as usual. People seem to be happy with the book. As a brand for other titles, however, “Brightest Day” seems to have peaked, if October sales are any indication — see below.

—–

5 - GREEN LANTERN
10/2005: --
10/2006: --
10/2007: Green Lantern #24  --  78,650
10/2008: Green Lantern #35  --  63,383
--------------------------------------
10/2009: Green Lantern #47  -- 101,349 (- 2.2%)
11/2009: Green Lantern #48  -- 100,371 (- 1.0%)
12/2009: Green Lantern #49  --  97,285 (- 3.1%)
01/2010: Green Lantern #50  -- 106,444 (+ 9.4%)
02/2010: Green Lantern #51  --  95,509 (-10.3%)
03/2010: Green Lantern #52  --  97,369 (+ 2.0%)
04/2010: Green Lantern #53  -- 100,356 (+ 3.1%)
05/2010: Green Lantern #54  --  88,292 (-12.0%)
06/2010: Green Lantern #55  --  85,930 (- 2.7%)
07/2010: Green Lantern #56  --  84,164 (- 2.1%)
08/2010: --
09/2010: Green Lantern #57  --  85,179 (+ 1.2%)
10/2010: Green Lantern #58  --  81,626 (- 4.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 18.7%
1 year  : - 19.5%
2 years : + 28.8%
5 years :  n.a.

The highest-selling of the “Brightest Day” tie-in books is losing steam, compared to the last year’s worth of numbers. As the long-term comparisons show, though, the numbers are still rock-solid for Green Lantern.

—–

6 - BATMAN AND ROBIN
10/2009: Batman and Robin #5  -- 101,607 (- 5.0%)
11/2009: Batman and Robin #6  --  95,690 (- 5.8%)
12/2009: --
01/2010: Batman and Robin #7  --  87,780 (- 8.3%)
02/2010: Batman and Robin #8  --  87,302 (- 0.6%)
02/2010: Batman and Robin #9  --  84,562 (- 3.1%)
03/2010: Batman and Robin #10 --  85,292 (+ 0.9%)
04/2010: Batman and Robin #11 --  84,006 (- 1.5%)
05/2010: Batman and Robin #12 --  84,843 (+ 1.0%)
06/2010: --
07/2010: Batman and Robin #13 --  85,804 (+ 1.1%)
08/2010: --
09/2010: Batman and Robin #14 --  82,894 (- 3.4%)
10/2010: Batman and Robin #15 --  80,173 (- 3.3%)
----------------
6 months: - 4.6%
1 year  : -21.1%

Slowly drifting downward as the Morrison run nears its conclusion.

—–

14 - GREEN LANTERN CORPS
10/2005: GLC: Recharge #2 of 5   -- 68,925 [71,414]
10/2006: Green Lantern Corps #5  -- 43,546
10/2007: Green Lantern Corps #16 -- 60,862
10/2007: Green Lantern Corps #17 -- 59,223
10/2008: Green Lantern Corps #29 -- 46,316
------------------------------------------
10/2009: Green Lantern Corps #41 -- 81,377 (- 2.1%)
11/2009: Green Lantern Corps #42 -- 80,391 (- 1.2%)
12/2009: Green Lantern Corps #43 -- 77,774 (- 3.3%)
01/2010: Green Lantern Corps #44 -- 76,458 (- 1.7%)
02/2010: Green Lantern Corps #45 -- 75,404 (- 1.4%)
03/2010: Green Lantern Corps #46 -- 76,720 (+ 1.8%)
04/2010: Green Lantern Corps #47 -- 72,163 (- 5.9%)
05/2010: Green Lantern Corps #48 -- 68,826 (- 4.6%)
06/2010: Green Lantern Corps #49 -- 66,652 (- 3.2%)
07/2010: Green Lantern Corps #50 -- 67,035 (+ 0.6%)
08/2010: Green Lantern Corps #51 -- 67,124 (+ 0.1%)
09/2010: Green Lantern Corps #52 -- 63,577 (- 5.3%)
10/2010: Green Lantern Corps #53 -- 60,808 (- 4.4%)
----------------
6 months: -15.7%
1 year  : -25.3%
2 years : +31.3%
5 years : -11.8%

See Green Lantern, basically. The “Brightest Day” banner seems past its prime now, but sales remain strong nonetheless.

—–

15 - JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
10/2005: JLA #120           --  82,892
10/2005: JLA #121           --  78,869 [81,316]
10/2006: --
10/2007: Justice League #14 -- 101,763
10/2008: Justice League #25 --  80,731
10/2008: Justice League #26 --  77,353
--------------------------------------
10/2009: Justice League #38 --  61,012 (+10.0%)
11/2009: Justice League #39 --  89,376 (+46.5%)
12/2009: Justice League #40 --  68,672 (-23.2%)
01/2010: Justice League #41 --  62,262 (- 9.3%)
02/2010: Justice League #42 --  57,522 (- 7.6%)
03/2010: Justice League #43 --  56,461 (- 1.9%)
04/2010: Justice League #44 --  62,342 (+10.4%)
05/2010: Justice League #45 --  62,465 (+ 0.2%)
06/2010: Justice League #46 --  62,754 (+ 0.5%)
07/2010: Justice League #47 --  60,368 (- 3.8%)
08/2010: Justice League #48 --  60,733 (+ 0.6%)
09/2010: Justice League #49 --  57,616 (- 5.1%)
10/2010: Justice League #50 --  59,686 (+ 3.6%)
----------------
6 months: - 4.3%
1 year  : - 2.2%
2 years : -24.5%
5 years : -26.2%

That obligatory increase for the anniversary issue looks even less impressive if you consider that there was a 1:75 variant-cover edition for issue #50, in addition to the usual 1:10 variant.

—–

17/30/40/46/50/56/58/59 - BRUCE WAYNE: THE ROAD HOME
10/2010: Batgirl #1        -- 38,919
10/2010: Batman & Robin #1 -- 57,805
10/2010: Outsiders #1      -- 33,053
10/2010: Red Robin #1      -- 43,367
10/2010: Catwoman #1       -- 36,211
10/2010: Comm. Gordon #1   -- 33,176
10/2010: Oracle #1         -- 35,328
10/2010: Ras Al Ghul #1    -- 34,612

A rather shameless attempt to squeeze some more money from the “Return of Bruce Wayne” storyline, certainly, but it seems to have worked.

—–

20 - GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD WARRIORS
08/2010: Emerald Warriors #1  -- 68,332
09/2010: Emerald Warriors #2  -- 56,289 (-17.6%)
10/2010: Emerald Warriors #3  -- 50,490 (-10.3%)

Taking its time to bottom out. For the tertiary Green Lantern title, though, these are great numbers.

—–

21/27 - SUPERMAN
10/2005: Superman #222 --  67,638
10/2006: --
10/2007: Superman #668 --  47,948
10/2007: Superman #669 --  47,271
10/2008: Superman #681 --  54,611 [57,212]
---------------------------------
10/2009: Superman #693 --  35,395 (-  6.1%)
11/2009: Superman #694 --  34,430 (-  2.7%)
12/2009: Superman #695 --  32,482 (-  5.7%)
01/2010: Superman #696 --  31,940 (-  1.7%)
02/2010: Superman #697 --  31,504 (-  1.4%)
03/2010: Superman #698 --  33,336 (+  5.8%)
04/2010: Superman #699 --  33,183 (-  0.5%)
05/2010: --
06/2010: Superman #700 --  67,571 (+103.6%)
07/2010: Superman #701 --  54,506 (- 19.3%)
08/2010: Superman #702 --  50,023 (-  8.2%)
09/2010: --
10/2010: Superman #703 --  50,460 (+  0.9%)
10/2010: Superman #704 --  46,741 (-  7.4%)
-----------------
6 months: + 46.5%
1 year  : + 37.3%
2 years : - 11.0%
5 years : - 28.2%

Contrary to the preview information, the October issue ended up being a fill-in. Given J. Michael Straczynski’s departure, sales are unlikely to improve from here on out.

—–

26 - UNTOLD TALES OF BLACKEST NIGHT
10/2010: UToBN #1 --  47,299

Not bad for a $ 4.99 one-shot based on last year’s event story.

There was a 1:10 variant.

—–

35 - ACTION COMICS
10/2005: Action Comics #832 -- 47,968
10/2006: Action Comics #844 -- 78,869 [88,290]
10/2007: Action Comics #856 -- 53,815
10/2007: Action Comics #857 -- 51,401
10/2007: Action Comics #858 -- 54,596 [59,031]
10/2008: Action Comics #870 -- 57,407
-------------------------------------
10/2009: Action Comics #882 -- 34,754 (- 4.0%)
11/2009: Action Comics #883 -- 33,386 (- 3.9%)
12/2009: Action Comics #884 -- 31,873 (- 4.5%)
01/2010: Action Comics #885 -- 30,678 (- 3.8%)
02/2010: Action Comics #886 -- 29,845 (- 2.7%)
03/2010: Action Comics #887 -- 29,460 (- 1.3%)
04/2010: Action Comics #888 -- 29,536 (+ 0.3%)
04/2010: Action Comics #889 -- 29,106 (- 1.5%)
05/2010: --
06/2010: Action Comics #890 -- 34,744 (+19.4%) [40,039]
07/2010: Action Comics #891 -- 35,328 (+ 1.7%)
08/2010: Action Comics #892 -- 36,401 (+ 3.0%)
09/2010: Action Comics #893 -- 33,948 (- 6.7%)
10/2010: Action Comics #894 -- 42,291 (+24.6%)
----------------
6 months: +44.2%
1 year  : +21.7%
2 years : -26.3%
5 years : -11.8%

The October issue had an appearance by Death from Sandman, as well as a variant-cover edition. As a result, Action Comics gets its highest first-month sales in well over a year.

—–

36 - GREEN ARROW
10/2005: Green Arrow #55  -- 32,804
10/2006: Green Arrow #67  -- 32,583
10/2007: Year One #6 of 6 -- 30,943
10/2007: Arrow/Canary #1  -- 52,183
10/2008: Arrow/Canary #13 -- 26,890
-----------------------------------
10/2009: Arrow&Canary #25 -- 18,013 (-  4.1%)
11/2009: Arrow&Canary #26 -- 17,384 (-  3.5%)
12/2009: Arrow&Canary #27 -- 16,904 (-  2.8%)
01/2010: Arrow&Canary #28 -- 16,482 (-  2.5%)
02/2010: Arrow&Canary #29 -- 16,600 (+  0.7%)
02/2010: Black Arrow #30  -- 42,014 (+153.1%)
03/2010: Green Arrow #31  -- 28,486 (- 32.2%)
04/2010: Green Arrow #32  -- 29,137 (+  2.3%)
05/2010: --
06/2010: Green Arrow #1   -- 54,400 (+ 86.7%) [57,554]
07/2010: Green Arrow #2   -- 44,118 (- 18.9%)
08/2010: Green Arrow #3   -- 46,308 (+  5.0%)
09/2010: Green Arrow #4   -- 44,220 (-  4.5%)
10/2010: Green Arrow #5   -- 42,188 (-  4.6%)
-----------------
6 months: + 44.8%
1 year  : +134.2%
2 years : + 56.9%
5 years : + 28.6%

The numbers aren’t quite bottoming out yet, but Green Arrow is still doing very well overall, of course.

—–

43 - WONDER WOMAN
10/2005: Wonder Woman #221 --  52,894
10/2005: Wonder Woman #222 --  47,065 [49,101]
10/2006: --
10/2007: Wonder Woman #13  --  48,385
10/2008: Wonder Woman #25  --  33,583
-------------------------------------
10/2009: Wonder Woman #37  --  26,972 (-  6.4%)
11/2009: Wonder Woman #38  --  26,265 (-  2.6%)
12/2009: Wonder Woman #39  --  26,152 (-  0.4%)
01/2010: Wonder Woman #40  --  25,156 (-  3.8%)
02/2010: Wonder Woman #41  --  25,354 (+  0.8%)
03/2010: Wonder Woman #42  --  25,240 (-  0.5%)
04/2010: Wonder Woman #43  --  25,369 (+  0.5%)
05/2010: Wonder Woman #44  --  25,443 (+  0.3%)
06/2010: Wonder Woman #600 --  53,525 (+110.4%) [63,700]
07/2010: Wonder Woman #601 --  39,672 (- 25.9%)
08/2010: Wonder Woman #602 --  38,012 (-  4.2%)
09/2010: Wonder Woman #603 --  38,852 (+  2.2%)
10/2010: Wonder Woman #604 --  37,405 (-  3.7%)
-----------------
6 months: + 47.4%
1 year  : + 38.7%
2 years : + 11.4%
5 years : - 29.3%

The other monthly title J. Michael Straczynski left a few months in. The sales figures don’t offer much of an argument why he should stick around.

—–

47 - DETECTIVE COMICS
10/2005: Detective Comics #812 --  39,270
10/2006: Detective Comics #824 --  62,431
10/2007: Detective Comics #837 --  51,363
10/2008: Detective Comics #849 --  65,878
-----------------------------------------
10/2009: Detective Comics #858 --  58,599 (+ 2.7%)
11/2009: Detective Comics #859 --  54,392 (- 7.2%)
12/2009: Detective Comics #860 --  52,295 (- 3.9%)
01/2010: Detective Comics #861 --  45,937 (-12.2%)
02/2010: --
03/2010: Detective Comics #862 --  44,687 (- 2.7%)
03/2010: Detective Comics #863 --  43,119 (- 3.5%)
04/2010: Detective Comics #864 --  42,436 (- 1.6%)
05/2010: Detective Comics #865 --  41,501 (- 2.2%)
06/2010: Detective Comics #866 --  46,178 (+11.3%)
07/2010: Detective Comics #867 --  40,371 (-12.6%)
08/2010: Detective Comics #868 --  38,682 (- 4.2%)
09/2010: Detective Comics #869 --  37,394 (- 3.3%)
10/2010: Detective Comics #870 --  35,674 (- 4.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 15.9%
1 year  : - 39.1%
2 years : - 45.9%
5 years : -  9.2%

Following six months’ worth of fill-in stories, a new creative team takes over in issue #871. Looking at the long-term comparisons, I’m sure DC wouldn’t mind a substantial sales boost, at this stage. The book has seen better days.

—–

48/54 - JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST
05/2010: Generation Lost #1  -- 50,784
05/2010: Generation Lost #2  -- 44,711 (-12.0%)
06/2010: Generation Lost #3  -- 43,278 (- 3.2%)
06/2010: Generation Lost #4  -- 41,702 (- 3.6%)
07/2010: Generation Lost #5  -- 40,370 (- 3.2%)
07/2010: Generation Lost #6  -- 39,190 (- 2.9%)
08/2010: Generation Lost #7  -- 39,971 (+ 2.0%)
08/2010: Generation Lost #8  -- 38,745 (- 3.1%)
09/2010: Generation Lost #9  -- 37,151 (- 4.1%)
09/2010: Generation Lost #10 -- 36,624 (- 1.4%)
10/2010: Generation Lost #11 -- 35,504 (- 3.1%)
10/2010: Generation Lost #12 -- 34,752 (- 2.1%)

The companion series to Brightest Day displays a similar, slow decline.

—–

49 - JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA
10/2005: JSA #78             --  54,070
10/2007: Justice Society #10 --  99,424
10/2008: Justice Society #19 --  72,073
---------------------------------------
10/2009: Justice Society #32 --  44,885 (-  5.4%)
11/2009: Justice Society #33 --  43,218 (-  3.7%)
12/2009: Justice Society #34 --  41,734 (-  3.4%)
01/2010: Justice Society #35 --  39,934 (-  4.3%)
02/2010: Justice Society #36 --  39,060 (-  2.2%)
03/2010: Justice Society #37 --  37,381 (-  4.3%)
04/2010: Justice Society #38 --  36,648 (-  2.0%)
05/2010: --
06/2010: Justice Society #39 --  36,630 (-  0.1%)
06/2010: Justice Society #40 --  36,008 (-  1.7%)
07/2010: Justice Society #41 --  48,858 (+ 35.7%)
08/2010: Justice Society #42 --  48,420 (-  0.9%)
09/2010: Justice Society #43 --  36,576 (- 24.5%)
10/2010: Justice Society #44 --  35,483 (-  3.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 3.2%
1 year  : -21.0%
2 years : -50.8%
5 years : -34.4%

The new creative team of Marc Guggenheim and Scott Kolins picks up where the previous one left off in June, saleswise.

Which is to say: oops.

—–

51 - BATMAN: ODYSSEY
07/2010: Batman: Odyssey #1  of  6 -- 61,827
08/2010: Batman: Odyssey #2  of  6 -- 47,675 (-22.9%)
09/2010: Batman: Odyssey #3  of  6 -- 40,046 (-16.0%)
10/2010: Batman: Odyssey #4  of 12 -- 35,307 (-11.8%)

Still not bottoming out. At this stage, it looks like retailers vastly overestimated the demand for this book — and, given that it was extended from the initial six issues to 12 and then to 13, it looks like DC may have done so, as well.

—–

63 - SUPERMAN/BATMAN
10/2005: --
10/2006: --
10/2007: Superman/Batman #41 --  54,928
10/2008: Superman/Batman #53 --  48,187
---------------------------------------
10/2009: Superman/Batman #65 --  34,585 (- 4.8%)
11/2009: Superman/Batman #66 --  52,143 (+50.8%)
12/2009: Superman/Batman #67 --  49,650 (- 4.8%)
01/2010: Superman/Batman #68 --  33,869 (-31.8%)
02/2010: Superman/Batman #69 --  33,224 (- 1.9%)
03/2010: Superman/Batman #70 --  32,196 (- 3.1%)
04/2010: Superman/Batman #71 --  31,714 (- 1.5%)
05/2010: Superman/Batman #72 --  32,047 (+ 1.1%)
06/2010: Superman/Batman #73 --  31,425 (- 1.9%)
07/2010: Superman/Batman #74 --  30,847 (- 1.8%)
08/2010: Superman/Batman #75 --  34,324 (+11.3%)
09/2010: Superman/Batman #76 --  32,003 (- 6.8%)
10/2010: Superman/Batman #77 --  31,741 (- 0.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 0.1%
1 year  : - 8.2%
2 years : -34.1%
5 years :  n.a.

Sales are holding level, for a change.

—–

66 - THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
10/2005: Legion of SH #11     -- 34,113
10/2006: Supergirl & LoSH #23 -- 41,554
10/2007: Supergirl & LoSH #35 -- 27,370
10/2008: LoSH #47             -- 23,751
---------------------------------------
05/2010: LoSH #1              -- 44,415 (+98.9%) [50,106]
06/2010: LoSH #2              -- 39,102 (-12.0%)
07/2010: LoSH #3              -- 36,360 (- 7.0%)
08/2010: LoSH #4              -- 34,239 (- 5.8%)
09/2010: LoSH #5              -- 32,417 (- 5.3%)
10/2010: LoSH #6              -- 30,246 (- 6.7%)
-----------------
2 years : + 27.4%
5 years : - 11.3%

Legion sales are still in free-fall. At this point, this looks like another franchise that could have used some rest and consolidation, rather than two ongoing titles — see Adventure Comics below.

—–

67 - BATMAN BEYOND
06/2010: Batman Beyond #1 of 6 -- 35,113          [42,283]
07/2010: Batman Beyond #2 of 6 -- 31,397 (-10.6%)
08/2010: Batman Beyond #3 of 6 -- 31,469 (+ 0.2%)
09/2010: Batman Beyond #4 of 6 -- 31,368 (- 0.3%)
10/2010: Batman Beyond #5 of 6 -- 30,121 (- 4.0%)

Perfectly solid mid-level numbers.

—–

72 - TEEN TITANS
10/2005: Teen Titans #28 -- 66,581
10/2006: --
10/2007: Teen Titans #52 -- 55,176
10/2008: Teen Titans #64 -- 39,695
----------------------------------
10/2009: Teen Titans #76 -- 29,166 (-11.1%)
11/2009: Teen Titans #77 -- 46,239 (+58.5%)
12/2009: Teen Titans #78 -- 43,400 (- 6.1%)
01/2010: Teen Titans #79 -- 27,790 (-36.0%)
02/2010: Teen Titans #80 -- 26,537 (- 4.5%)
03/2010: Teen Titans #81 -- 25,758 (- 2.9%)
04/2010: Teen Titans #82 -- 25,303 (- 1.8%)
05/2010: Teen Titans #83 -- 24,960 (- 1.4%)
06/2010: Teen Titans #84 -- 24,593 (- 1.5%)
07/2010: Teen Titans #85 -- 24,248 (- 1.4%)
08/2010: Teen Titans #86 -- 24,971 (+ 3.0%)
09/2010: Teen Titans #87 -- 23,259 (- 6.9%)
10/2010: Teen Titans #88 -- 27,637 (+18.8%)
----------------
6 months: + 9.2%
1 year  : - 5.2%
2 years : -30.4%
5 years : -58.5%

Another new creative team and a 1:10 variant edition get Teen Titans a modest increase.

—–

74 - TITANS
10/2008: Titans #6      -- 45,453
---------------------------------
10/2009: Titans #18     -- 28,215 (- 6.4%)
11/2009: Titans #19     -- 27,099 (- 4.0%)
12/2009: Titans #20     -- 25,887 (- 4.5%)
01/2010: Titans #21     -- 24,924 (- 3.7%)
02/2010: Titans #22     -- 24,489 (- 1.8%)
03/2010: Titans #23     -- 24,260 (- 0.9%)
04/2010: --
05/2010: VfH Special #1 -- 31,718 (+30.7%)
06/2010: Titans #24     -- 33,079 (+ 4.3%)
07/2010: Titans #25     -- 31,505 (- 4.8%)
08/2010: Titans #26     -- 32,800 (+ 4.1%)
09/2010: Titans #27     -- 28,438 (-13.3%)
10/2010: Titans #28     -- 27,430 (- 3.6%)
----------------
6 months:  n.a.
1 year  : - 2.8%
2 years : -39.7%

The numbers keep falling back towards pre-“Brightest Day” levels.

—–

76 - ADVENTURE COMICS
10/2009: Adventure Comics #3   -- 44,431 (- 6.1%)
11/2009: Adventure Comics #4   -- 85,145 (+91.6%)
12/2009: Adventure Comics #5   -- 59,876 (-29.7%)
01/2010: Adventure Comics #6   -- 42,514 (-29.0%)
02/2010: Adventure Comics #7   -- 53,721 (+26.4%)
03/2010: Adventure Comics #8   -- 39,351 (-26.8%)
03/2010: Adventure Comics #9   -- 37,515 (- 4.7%)
04/2010: Adventure Comics #10  -- 37,573 (+ 0.2%)
05/2010: Adventure Comics #11  -- 34,794 (- 7.4%)
06/2010: Adventure Comics #12  -- 34,663 (- 0.4%)
07/2010: Adventure Comics #516 -- 30,897 (-10.9%)
08/2010: Adventure Comics #517 -- 28,966 (- 6.3%)
09/2010: Adventure Comics #518 -- 27,028 (- 6.7%)
10/2010: Adventure Comics #519 -- 25,346 (- 6.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 32.5%
1 year  : - 43.0%

The other Legion of Super-Heroes book has shed more than 12,000 units over the last six months.

—–

79 - DC UNIVERSE LEGACIES
05/2010: DCU Legacies #1  of 10 -- 34,429
06/2010: DCU Legacies #2  of 10 -- 29,286 (-14.9%)
07/2010: DCU Legacies #3  of 10 -- 26,708 (- 8.8%)
08/2010: DCU Legacies #4  of 10 -- 25,691 (- 3.8%)
09/2010: DCU Legacies #5  of 10 -- 25,851 (+ 0.6%)
10/2010: DCU Legacies #6  of 10 -- 24,210 (- 6.4%)

Decent numbers for this type of thing.

—–

80 - SUPERGIRL
10/2005: --
10/2006: --
10/2007: Supergirl #22 --  41,758
10/2008: Supergirl #34 --  33,958
---------------------------------
10/2009: Supergirl #46 --  30,377 (- 5.8%)
11/2009: Supergirl #47 --  29,159 (- 4.0%)
12/2009: Supergirl #48 --  28,176 (- 3.4%)
01/2010: Supergirl #49 --  27,728 (- 1.6%)
02/2010: Supergirl #50 --  33,338 (+20.2%)
03/2010: Supergirl #51 --  29,845 (-10.5%)
04/2010: Supergirl #52 --  29,490 (- 1.2%)
05/2010: --
06/2010: Supergirl #53 --  28,317 (- 4.0%)
07/2010: Supergirl #54 --  26,941 (- 4.9%)
08/2010: Supergirl #55 --  25,891 (- 3.9%)
09/2010: Supergirl #56 --  25,034 (- 3.3%)
10/2010: Supergirl #57 --  23,842 (- 4.8%)
----------------
6 months: -19.2%
1 year  : -21.5%
2 years : -29.8%
5 years :  n.a.

Sliding down the charts. A new creative team arrives with issue #60.

—–

82 - ZATANNA
05/2010: Zatanna #1  -- 33,691
06/2010: Zatanna #2  -- 29,564 (-12.3%)
07/2010: Zatanna #3  -- 27,792 (- 6.0%)
08/2010: Zatanna #4  -- 27,203 (- 2.1%)
09/2010: Zatanna #5  -- 25,393 (- 6.7%)
10/2010: Zatanna #6  -- 23,427 (- 7.7%)

Still not bottoming out.

—–

85 - RED HOOD: LOST DAYS
06/2010: Red Hood: Lost Days #1 of 6 -- 34,197
07/2010: Red Hood: Lost Days #2 of 6 -- 26,560 (-22.3%)
08/2010: Red Hood: Lost Days #3 of 6 -- 24,701 (- 7.0%)
09/2010: Red Hood: Lost Days #4 of 6 -- 24,104 (- 2.4%)
10/2010: Red Hood: Lost Days #5 of 6 -- 22,967 (- 4.7%)
86 - TIME MASTERS: VANISHING POINT
07/2010: Vanishing Point #1 of 6 -- 34,509
08/2010: Vanishing Point #2 of 6 -- 26,918 (-22.0%)
09/2010: Vanishing Point #3 of 6 -- 24,177 (-10.2%)
10/2010: Vanishing Point #4 of 6 -- 22,813 (- 5.6%)

It looks like retailers aimed a little too high with their orders for the first few issues of these two miniseries. That said, let’s be realistic: 20K+ isn’t a bad number for either of them.

—–

87 - BATMAN: HIDDEN TREASURES
10/2010: Hidden Treasures #1 --  22,507

The belated publication of an old Ron Marz/Bernie Wrightson effort draws a respectable crowd, particularly as a $ 4.99 special stuffed out with reprint material.

—–

88 - JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA 80-PAGE GIANT 2010
10/2010: JSA 80-Page Giant 2010 #1 --  22,072

Any number above 10,000 is great for these types of one-shot specials. So: 22,072 = double plus good.

—–

89 - AMERICAN VAMPIRE (Vertigo)
03/2010: American Vampire #1  -- 33,762          [36,831]
04/2010: American Vampire #2  -- 26,770 (-20.7%)
05/2010: American Vampire #3  -- 26,510 (- 1.0%)
06/2010: American Vampire #4  -- 25,977 (- 2.0%)
07/2010: American Vampire #5  -- 24,857 (- 4.3%)
08/2010: --
09/2010: American Vampire #6  -- 23,349 (- 6.1%)
10/2010: American Vampire #7  -- 21,910 (- 6.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 18.2%

A drop was expected after Stephen King’s departure. Looks like it’s taking a while to sink in, though. Obviously, American Vampire is still Vertigo’s best-selling comic-book series right now, so there’s no cause for concern yet.

—–

90 - KNIGHT AND SQUIRE
10/2010: Knight & Squire #1 of 6 -- 21,867

Predictably modest numbers for the quirky, British-flavoured Batman spin-off. There was a 1:10 variant edition.

—–

91 - SUPERMAN: THE LAST FAMILY OF KRYPTON
08/2010: Last Family #1 of 4  -- 25,046
09/2010: Last Family #2 of 4  -- 23,059 (-7.9%)
10/2010: Last Family #3 of 4  -- 21,570 (-6.5%)

Not bad sales for a $ 4.99 “Elseworlds” series.

—–

94 - SUPERGIRL ANNUAL
10/2010: Supergirl Annual #2 -- 21,080

The mother title isn’t doing especially well to begin with, so they can be lucky to sell more than 20,000 units of this.

—–

95 - JSA ALL-STARS
12/2009: JSA All-Stars #1  -- 42,493
01/2010: JSA All-Stars #2  -- 32,601 (-23.3%)
02/2010: JSA All-Stars #3  -- 29,666 (- 9.0%)
03/2010: JSA All-Stars #4  -- 28,526 (- 3.8%)
04/2010: JSA All-Stars #5  -- 26,581 (- 6.8%)
05/2010: JSA All-Stars #6  -- 25,306 (- 4.8%)
06/2010: JSA All-Stars #7  -- 24,436 (- 3.4%)
07/2010: JSA All-Stars #8  -- 23,478 (- 3.9%)
08/2010: JSA All-Stars #9  -- 22,347 (- 4.8%)
09/2010: JSA All-Stars #10 -- 21,646 (- 3.1%)
10/2010: JSA All-Stars #11 -- 20,496 (- 5.3%)
----------------
6 months: - 5.3%

The secondary JSA series keeps sliding down the chart.

—–

96 - SECRET SIX
10/2006: Secret Six #5 of 6 -- 36,628
10/2008: Secret Six #2      -- 27,846
-------------------------------------
10/2009: Secret Six #14     -- 23,345 (- 2.4%)
11/2009: Secret Six #15     -- 23,190 (- 0.7%)
12/2009: Secret Six #16     -- 22,638 (- 2.4%)
01/2010: Secret Six #17     -- 38,515 (+70.1%)
02/2010: Secret Six #18     -- 37,876 (- 1.7%)
03/2010: Secret Six #19     -- 23,181 (-38.8%)
04/2010: Secret Six #20     -- 22,695 (- 2.1%)
05/2010: Secret Six #21     -- 22,334 (- 1.6%)
06/2010: Secret Six #22     -- 21,941 (- 1.8%)
07/2010: Secret Six #23     -- 21,554 (- 1.8%)
08/2010: Secret Six #24     -- 21,177 (- 1.8%)
09/2010: Secret Six #25     -- 20,775 (- 1.9%)
10/2010: Secret Six #26     -- 20,377 (- 1.9%)
----------------
6 months: -10.2%
1 year  : -12.7%
2 years : -26.8%

The book keeps up a slow, consistent decline. If the numbers on R.E.B.E.L.S. below are any indication, Secret Six should be perfectly safe for years to come, at this rate.

—–

99 - JLA/THE 99
10/2010: JLA/The 99 #1 of 6 -- 19,995

A crossover between the Justice League and the 99, a superhero franchise published by Kuwaiti company Teshkeel Comics that’s ostensibly very popular in the Middle East.

The chart ranking is oddly appropriate, I guess.

—–

100 - FABLES (Vertigo)
10/2005: Fables #42 -- 24,953
10/2006: Fables #54 -- 25,534
10/2007: Fables #66 -- 25,016
10/2008: Fables #77 -- 23,761
-----------------------------
10/2009: Fables #89 -- 21,118 (-1.8%)
11/2009: Fables #90 -- 20,882 (-1.1%)
12/2009: Fables #91 -- 20,450 (-2.1%)
01/2010: Fables #92 -- 20,180 (-1.3%)
02/2010: --
03/2010: Fables #93 -- 20,003 (-0.9%)
04/2010: Fables #94 -- 19,965 (-0.2%)
05/2010: Fables #95 -- 19,932 (-0.2%)
06/2010: Fables #96 -- 19,842 (-0.5%)
07/2010: --
08/2010: Fables #97 -- 19,625 (-1.1%)
09/2010: Fables #98 -- 19,594 (-0.2%)
10/2010: Fables #99 -- 19,656 (+0.3%)
----------------
6 months: - 1.6%
1 year  : - 6.9%
2 years : -17.3%
5 years : -21.2%

Sales of the evergreen performer are edging upward in wait for issue #100.

—–

107 - POWER GIRL
10/2009: Power Girl #6  -- 27,060 (- 8.3%)
11/2009: --
12/2009: Power Girl #7  -- 22,533 (-16.7%)
01/2010: Power Girl #8  -- 21,760 (- 3.4%)
02/2010: Power Girl #9  -- 20,900 (- 4.0%)
03/2010: Power Girl #10 -- 20,801 (- 0.5%)
04/2010: Power Girl #11 -- 20,675 (- 0.6%)
05/2010: Power Girl #12 -- 20,681 (+ 0.0%)
06/2010: Power Girl #13 -- 20,583 (- 0.5%)
07/2010: Power Girl #14 -- 19,739 (- 4.1%)
08/2010: Power Girl #15 -- 19,091 (- 3.3%)
09/2010: Power Girl #16 -- 18,404 (- 3.6%)
10/2010: Power Girl #17 -- 17,847 (- 3.0%)
----------------
6 months: -13.7%
1 year  : -34.1%

The book keeps dropping down the chart too fast for comfort since the creative-team change in June.

—–

108 - BOOSTER GOLD
10/2007: Booster Gold #3  -- 39,374
10/2008: Booster Gold #13 -- 29,914
-----------------------------------
10/2009: Booster Gold #25 -- 21,597 (-  0.6%)
11/2009: Booster Gold #26 -- 57,122 (+164.5%)
12/2009: Booster Gold #27 -- 40,256 (- 29.5%)
01/2010: Booster Gold #28 -- 21,967 (- 45.4%)
02/2010: Booster Gold #29 -- 21,020 (-  4.3%)
03/2010: Booster Gold #30 -- 20,187 (-  4.0%)
04/2010: Booster Gold #31 -- 19,818 (-  1.8%)
05/2010: Booster Gold #32 -- 20,343 (+  2.7%)
06/2010: Booster Gold #33 -- 19,895 (-  2.2%)
07/2010: Booster Gold #34 -- 19,592 (-  1.5%)
08/2010: Booster Gold #35 -- 19,104 (-  2.5%)
09/2010: Booster Gold #36 -- 18,504 (-  3.1%)
10/2010: Booster Gold #37 -- 17,806 (-  3.8%)
----------------
6 months: -10.2%
1 year  : -17.6%
2 years : -40.5%

The decline is clearly accelerating.

—–

122 - DCU HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 2010
10/2010: DCUH Special 2010 #1 -- 15,256

Any number above 10,000 is great for these types of one-shot specials.

—–

123 - THE OUTSIDERS
10/2005: Outsiders #29 -- 47,611
10/2006: Outsiders #41 -- 36,672
10/2007: --
10/2008: Batsiders #12 -- 46,649
--------------------------------
10/2009: Outsiders #23 -- 21,413 (-  6.0%)
11/2009: Outsiders #24 -- 50,918 (+137.8%) [55,704]
12/2009: Outsiders #25 -- 37,847 (- 25.7%)
01/2010: Outsiders #26 -- 22,626 (- 40.2%)
02/2010: Outsiders #27 -- 21,167 (-  6.5%)
03/2010: Outsiders #28 -- 19,632 (-  7.3%)
04/2010: Outsiders #29 -- 19,094 (-  2.7%)
05/2010: --
06/2010: Outsiders #30 -- 18,045 (-  5.5%)
07/2010: Outsiders #31 -- 17,173 (-  4.8%)
08/2010: Outsiders #32 -- 15,754 (-  8.3%)
09/2010: --
10/2010: Outsiders #33 -- 15,253 (-  3.2%)
----------------
6 months: -20.1%
1 year  : -28.8%
2 years : -67.3%
5 years : -68.0%

Are the numbers finally bottoming out? It wouldn’t hurt.

—–

132 - BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL
10/2007: Batman Confidential #10 -- 28,724
10/2008: Batman Confidential #22 -- 24,281
------------------------------------------
10/2009: Batman Confidential #34 -- 17,097 (- 5.8%)
10/2009: Batman Confidential #35 -- 16,724 (- 2.2%)
11/2009: Batman Confidential #36 -- 16,664 (- 0.4%)
11/2009: Batman Confidential #37 -- 16,355 (- 1.9%)
12/2009: Batman Confidential #38 -- 16,132 (- 1.4%)
12/2009: Batman Confidential #39 -- 15,906 (- 1.4%)
01/2010: Batman Confidential #40 -- 17,241 (+ 8.4%)
02/2010: Batman Confidential #41 -- 16,856 (- 2.2%)
03/2010: Batman Confidential #42 -- 16,652 (- 1.2%)
04/2010: Batman Confidential #43 -- 16,449 (- 1.2%)
05/2010: Batman Confidential #44 -- 15,279 (- 7.1%)
06/2010: Batman Confidential #45 -- 15,070 (- 1.4%)
07/2010: Batman Confidential #46 -- 14,621 (- 3.0%)
08/2010: Batman Confidential #47 -- 14,341 (- 1.9%)
09/2010: Batman Confidential #48 -- 14,329 (- 0.1%)
10/2010: Batman Confidential #49 -- 14,112 (- 1.5%)
----------------
6 months: -14.2%
1 year  : -16.6%
2 years : -41.9%

Business as usual.

—–

134 - I, ZOMBIE
05/2010: I, Zombie #1  -- 33,025
06/2010: I, Zombie #2  -- 18,620 (-43.6%)
07/2010: I, Zombie #3  -- 16,898 (- 9.3%)
08/2010: I, Zombie #4  -- 15,772 (- 6.7%)
09/2010: I, Zombie #5  -- 14,839 (- 5.9%)
10/2010: I, Zombie #6  -- 13,782 (- 7.1%)

The book is still looking for a solid foothold.

—–

137 - FREEDOM FIGHTERS
10/2006: US & FF #4 of 8      -- 26,527
10/2007: US & FF #2 of 8      -- 19,006
---------------------------------------
09/2010: Freedom Fighters #1  -- 19,378
10/2010: Freedom Fighters #2  -- 12,758 (-34.2%)

Unlike for the first issue, there was no variant edition in October, to be fair. This is still a very steep drop, though. I’d be surprised if Freedom Fighters survived the next year, to be honest. Then again, it’s by the writers of Jonah Hex, so who knows.

—–

143 - THE UNWRITTEN (Vertigo)
10/2009: The Unwritten #6  -- 15,314 (- 4.4%)
11/2009: The Unwritten #7  -- 14,763 (- 3.6%)
12/2009: The Unwritten #8  -- 14,257 (- 3.4%)
01/2010: The Unwritten #9  -- 13,792 (- 3.3%)
02/2010: The Unwritten #10 -- 13,644 (- 1.1%)
03/2010: The Unwritten #11 -- 13,630 (- 0.1%)
04/2010: The Unwritten #12 -- 13,507 (- 0.9%)
05/2010: The Unwritten #13 -- 13,467 (- 0.3%)
06/2010: The Unwritten #14 -- 13,396 (- 0.5%)
07/2010: The Unwritten #15 -- 13,023 (- 2.8%)
08/2010: The Unwritten #16 -- 12,778 (- 1.9%)
09/2010: The Unwritten #17 -- 12,796 (+ 0.2%)
10/2010: The Unwritten #18 -- 12,273 (- 4.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 9.1%
1 year  : -19.9%

Relatively solid numbers overall.

—–

155 - R.E.B.E.L.S.
10/2009: R.E.B.E.L.S. #9  -- 11,284 (-  0.6%)
11/2009: R.E.B.E.L.S. #10 -- 51,100 (+352.9%)
12/2009: R.E.B.E.L.S. #11 -- 31,489 (- 38.4%)
01/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #12 -- 12,428 (- 60.5%)
02/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #13 -- 11,836 (-  4.8%)
03/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #14 -- 11,362 (-  4.0%)
04/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #15 -- 11,271 (-  0.8%)
05/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #16 -- 11,120 (-  1.3%)
06/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #17 -- 11,048 (-  0.7%)
07/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #18 -- 11,007 (-  0.4%)
08/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #19 -- 10,851 (-  1.4%)
09/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #20 -- 11,745 (+  8.2%)
10/2010: R.E.B.E.L.S. #21 -- 11,262 (-  4.1%)
-----------------
6 months: -  0.1%
1 year  : -  0.2%

The book continues to be rock-solid around the 11K mark.

—–

160 - RAGMAN: SUIT OF SOULS
10/2010: Ragman: Suit of Souls #1 -- 11,163

Pretty much the best they could have hoped for in the context of there being no context for this book in the company’s publishing line.

—–

161 - JONAH HEX
10/2006: Jonah Hex #12 -- 18,299
10/2007: Jonah Hex #24 -- 14,749
10/2008: Jonah Hex #36 -- 12,629
--------------------------------
10/2009: Jonah Hex #48 -- 11,281 (- 7.8%)
11/2009: Jonah Hex #49 -- 11,146 (- 1.2%)
12/2009: Jonah Hex #50 -- 15,131 (+35.8%)
01/2010: Jonah Hex #51 -- 11,184 (-26.1%)
02/2010: Jonah Hex #52 -- 11,213 (+ 0.3%)
03/2010: Jonah Hex #53 -- 11,565 (+ 3.1%)
04/2010: Jonah Hex #54 -- 11,306 (- 2.2%)
05/2010: Jonah Hex #55 -- 11,327 (+ 0.2%)
06/2010: Jonah Hex #56 -- 13,441 (+18.7%)
07/2010: Jonah Hex #57 -- 12,318 (- 8.4%)
08/2010: Jonah Hex #58 -- 11,775 (- 4.4%)
09/2010: Jonah Hex #59 -- 11,444 (- 2.8%)
10/2010: Jonah Hex #60 -- 11,141 (- 2.7%)
----------------
6 months: - 1.5%
1 year  : - 1.2%
2 years : -11.8%

There have been some ups and downs over the year, but on balance, Jonah Hex is still one of DC’s steadiest performers.

—–

169 - VERTIGO RESURRECTED (Vertigo)
10/2010: Vertigo Resurrected #1 -- 10,358

Among other things, this special includes a 10-year-old Hellblazer story by Warren Ellis and Phil Jimenez about school violence that was deemed too controversial back in the day, thanks to the Columbine shooting. The numbers aren’t spectacular, but still slightly ahead of Hellblazer proper. Not bad for a $ 7.99 book with content that was paid for long ago.

—–

170 - JACK OF FABLES (Vertigo)
10/2006: Jack of Fables #4  -- 21,614
10/2007: Jack of Fables #15 -- 18,329
10/2007: Jack of Fables #16 -- 17,743
10/2008: Jack of Fables #27 -- 15,092
-------------------------------------
10/2009: Jack of Fables #39 -- 13,161 (- 4.6%)
11/2009: --
12/2009: Jack of Fables #40 -- 12,970 (- 1.5%)
12/2009: Jack of Fables #41 -- 12,559 (- 3.2%)
01/2010: Jack of Fables #42 -- 11,966 (- 4.7%)
02/2010: --
03/2010: Jack of Fables #43 -- 11,878 (- 0.7%)
03/2010: Jack of Fables #44 -- 11,472 (- 3.4%)
04/2010: Jack of Fables #45 -- 11,324 (- 1.3%)
05/2010: --
06/2010: --
07/2010: Jack of Fables #46 -- 11,195 (- 1.1%)
08/2010: --
09/2010: Jack of Fables #47 -- 11,026 (- 1.5%)
10/2010: Jack of Fables #48 -- 10,347 (- 6.2%)
----------------
6 months: - 8.6%
1 year  : -21.4%
2 years : -31.4%

An unusually stiff drop. Jack of Fables #48 came out in the last week of October, though, so maybe a couple of boxes fell off a truck and weren’t found in time for the October chart.

——

174 - DOOM PATROL
10/2005: Doom Patrol #17 -- 14,114
----------------------------------
10/2009: Doom Patrol #3  -- 20,036 (-  8.9%)
11/2009: Doom Patrol #4  -- 53,748 (+168.3%)
12/2009: Doom Patrol #5  -- 35,348 (- 34.2%)
01/2010: Doom Patrol #6  -- 17,117 (- 51.6%)
02/2010: Doom Patrol #7  -- 15,689 (-  8.3%)
03/2010: Doom Patrol #8  -- 14,197 (-  9.5%)
04/2010: Doom Patrol #9  -- 13,126 (-  7.5%)
05/2010: Doom Patrol #10 -- 12,334 (-  6.0%)
06/2010: Doom Patrol #11 -- 11,857 (-  3.9%)
07/2010: Doom Patrol #12 -- 11,267 (-  5.0%)
08/2010: Doom Patrol #13 -- 10,878 (-  3.5%)
09/2010: Doom Patrol #14 -- 10,780 (-  0.9%)
10/2010: Doom Patrol #15 -- 10,081 (-  6.5%)
----------------
6 months: -23.2%
1 year  : -49.7%
5 years : -28.6%
175 - DOC SAVAGE
04/2010: Doc Savage #1   -- 24,539
05/2010: Doc Savage #2   -- 19,073 (-22.3%)
06/2010: Doc Savage #3   -- 16,153 (-15.3%)
07/2010: Doc Savage #4   -- 14,621 (- 9.5%)
08/2010: Doc Savage #5   -- 13,125 (-10.2%)
09/2010: Doc Savage #6   -- 11,838 (- 9.8%)
10/2010: Doc Savage #7   -- 10,050 (-15.1%)
----------------
6 months: -59.1%

Neither Doom Patrol nor Doc Savage came out in the last week of the month, unfortunately, so it looks like sales are genuinely terrible, in these cases.

—–

176 - TINY TITANS/LITTLE ARCHIE (Johnny DC)
10/2010: TT/LA #1 of 3   --  9,968

A Johnny DC book. See small print.

—–

180 - THE X-FILES/30 DAYS OF NIGHT (WildStorm)
07/2008: Special #0      -- 23,805
11/2008: X-Files #1 of 6 -- 16,042 (-32.6%)
12/2008: X-Files #2 of 6 -- 11,562 (-27.9%)
01/2009: X-Files #3 of 6 --  9,808 (-15.2%)
02/2009: X-Files #4 of 6 --  9,268 (- 5.5%)
03/2009: X-Files #5 of 6 --  8,999 (- 2.9%)
04/2009: X-Files #6 of 6 --  8,789 (- 2.3%)
----------------------------------
07/2010: XF30DoN #1 of 6 -- 16,109 (+83.3%)
08/2010: XF30DoN #2 of 6 -- 11,163 (-30.7%)
09/2010: XF30DoN #3 of 6 -- 10,803 (- 3.2%)
10/2010: XF30DoN #4 of 6 --  9,780 (- 9.5%)
----------------
2 years :  n.a.

The best-selling WildStorm comic book in October doesn’t offer much in the way of consolation for the folding imprint.

—–

182 - HELLBLAZER (Vertigo)
10/2005: Hellblazer #213 -- 14,688
10/2006: Hellblazer #225 -- 13,629
10/2007: Hellblazer #237 -- 12,703
10/2008: Hellblazer #248 -- 11,600
----------------------------------
10/2009: Hellblazer #260 -- 10,767 (-0.4%)
11/2009: Hellblazer #261 -- 10,553 (-2.0%)
12/2009: Hellblazer #262 -- 10,334 (-2.1%)
01/2010: Hellblazer #263 -- 10,179 (-1.5%)
02/2010: Hellblazer #264 -- 10,025 (-1.5%)
03/2010: Hellblazer #265 -- 10,295 (+2.7%)
04/2010: Hellblazer #266 -- 10,256 (-0.4%)
05/2010: Hellblazer #267 -- 10,155 (-1.0%)
06/2010: Hellblazer #268 -- 10,221 (+0.7%)
07/2010: Hellblazer #269 -- 10,048 (-1.7%)
08/2010: Hellblazer #270 --  9,928 (-1.2%)
09/2010: Hellblazer #271 --  9,851 (-0.8%)
10/2010: Hellblazer #272 --  9,650 (-2.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 5.9%
1 year  : -10.4%
2 years : -16.8%
5 years : -34.3%

Slowly declining, as always.

—–

186 - THE SPIRIT
10/2008: The Spirit #22 -- 10,997
---------------------------------
04/2010: The Spirit #1  -- 19,849 (+158.8%)
05/2010: The Spirit #2  -- 14,274 (- 28.1%)
06/2010: The Spirit #3  -- 13,030 (-  8.7%)
07/2010: The Spirit #4  -- 11,915 (-  8.6%)
08/2010: The Spirit #5  -- 11,015 (-  7.6%)
09/2010: The Spirit #6  -- 10,083 (-  8.5%)
10/2010: The Spirit #7  --  9,233 (-  8.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 53.5%
2 years : - 16.0%

Infernal sales, obviously.

—–

189 - SWEET TOOTH (Vertigo)
10/2009: Sweet Tooth #2  -- 11,315 (-39.4%)
11/2009: Sweet Tooth #3  -- 10,363 (- 8.4%)
12/2009: Sweet Tooth #4  --  9,817 (- 5.3%)
01/2010: Sweet Tooth #5  --  9,787 (- 0.3%)
02/2010: Sweet Tooth #6  --  9,740 (- 0.5%)
03/2010: Sweet Tooth #7  --  9,718 (- 0.2%)
04/2010: Sweet Tooth #8  --  9,612 (- 1.1%)
05/2010: Sweet Tooth #9  --  9,654 (+ 0.4%)
06/2010: Sweet Tooth #10 --  9,570 (- 0.9%)
07/2010: Sweet Tooth #11 --  9,478 (- 1.0%)
08/2010: Sweet Tooth #12 --  9,246 (- 2.5%)
09/2010: Sweet Tooth #13 --  9,097 (- 1.6%)
10/2010: Sweet Tooth #14 --  8,933 (- 1.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 7.1%
1 year  : -21.1%

Standard attrition. At this rate, Sweet Tooth should be safe for a few years — see DMZ or Scalped below.

—–

191/206 - CONSTANTINE: HELLBLAZER: CITY OF DEMONS (Vertigo)
10/2010: CH: CoD #1 of 3 -- 8,784
10/2010: CH: CoD #2 of 3 -- 8,097 (-7.8%)
199 - HOUSE OF MYSTERY HALLOWEEN ANNUAL (Vertigo)
10/2010: HoM Halloween Annual #2 -- 8,323

Not bad sales for spin-off books. The House of Mystery Annual, a $ 4.99 package, is even a few hundred units ahead of its mother title.

—–

202 - AZRAEL
10/2009: Azrael #1  -- 35,311 (- 1.7%)
11/2009: Azrael #2  -- 21,392 (-39.4%)
12/2009: Azrael #3  -- 17,757 (-17.0%)
01/2010: Azrael #4  -- 14,703 (-17.2%)
02/2010: Azrael #5  -- 12,856 (-12.6%)
03/2010: Azrael #6  -- 11,825 (- 8.0%)
04/2010: Azrael #7  -- 11,080 (- 6.3%)
05/2010: Azrael #8  -- 10,228 (- 7.7%)
06/2010: Azrael #9  --  9,802 (- 4.2%)
07/2010: Azrael #10 --  9,223 (- 5.9%)
08/2010: Azrael #11 --  8,930 (- 3.2%)
09/2010: Azrael #12 --  8,559 (- 4.2%)
10/2010: Azrael #13 --  8,198 (- 4.2%)
----------------
6 months: -26.0%
1 year  : -76.8%

Azrael numbers keep crashing.

—–

207 - TINY TITANS (Johnny DC)
10/2008: Tiny Titans #9  --  9,521
----------------------------------
10/2009: Tiny Titans #21 --  8,259 (- 2.1%)
11/2009: Tiny Titans #22 --  8,100 (- 1.9%)
12/2009: Tiny Titans #23 --  8,017 (- 1.0%)
01/2010: Tiny Titans #24 --  7,844 (- 2.2%)
02/2010: Tiny Titans #25 --  8,566 (+ 9.2%)
03/2010: Tiny Titans #26 --  7,878 (- 8.0%)
04/2010: Tiny Titans #27 --  8,224 (+ 4.4%)
05/2010: Tiny Titans #28 --  7,959 (- 3.2%)
06/2010: Tiny Titans #29 --  8,195 (+ 3.0%)
07/2010: Tiny Titans #30 --  8,038 (- 1.9%)
08/2010: Tiny Titans #31 --  7,987 (- 0.6%)
09/2010: Tiny Titans #32 --  8,073 (+ 1.1%)
10/2010: Tiny Titans #33 --  8,045 (- 0.4%)
----------------
6 months: - 2.2%
1 year  : - 2.6%
2 years : -15.5%

A Johnny DC book.

—–

209 - HOUSE OF MYSTERY (Vertigo)
10/2008: House of Mystery #6  -- 15,934
---------------------------------------
10/2009: House of Mystery #18 -- 10,922 (- 2.0%)
11/2009: House of Mystery #19 -- 10,478 (- 4.1%)
12/2009: House of Mystery #20 -- 10,175 (- 2.9%)
01/2010: House of Mystery #21 --  9,888 (- 2.8%)
02/2010: House of Mystery #22 --  9,401 (- 4.9%)
03/2010: House of Mystery #23 --  9,350 (- 0.5%)
04/2010: House of Mystery #24 --  9,168 (- 2.0%)
05/2010: House of Mystery #25 --  9,253 (+ 0.9%)
06/2010: House of Mystery #26 --  8,742 (- 5.5%)
07/2010: House of Mystery #27 --  8,481 (- 3.0%)
08/2010: House of Mystery #28 --  8,238 (- 2.9%)
09/2010: House of Mystery #29 --  8,087 (- 1.8%)
10/2010: House of Mystery #30 --  7,913 (- 2.2%)
----------------
6 months: -13.7%
1 year  : -27.6%
2 years : -50.3%

The book keeps drifting down the charts, and the drops are adding up. That two-year comparison doesn’t look good.

—–

213/220 - MADAME XANADU (Vertigo)
10/2008: Madame Xanadu #5  -- 11,392
------------------------------------
10/2009: Madame Xanadu #16 --  9,283 (- 4.6%)
11/2009: Madame Xanadu #17 --  8,856 (- 4.6%)
12/2009: Madame Xanadu #18 --  8,686 (- 1.9%)
01/2010: Madame Xanadu #19 --  8,439 (- 2.8%)
02/2010: Madame Xanadu #20 --  8,285 (- 1.8%)
03/2010: Madame Xanadu #21 --  8,191 (- 1.1%)
04/2010: Madame Xanadu #22 --  8,158 (- 0.4%)
05/2010: Madame Xanadu #23 --  8,028 (- 1.6%)
06/2010: Madame Xanadu #24 --  7,979 (- 0.6%)
07/2010: Madame Xanadu #25 --  7,811 (- 2.1%)
08/2010: Madame Xanadu #26 --  7,656 (- 2.0%)
09/2010: --
10/2010: Madame Xanadu #27 --  7,453 (- 2.7%)
10/2010: Madame Xanadu #28 --  7,230 (- 3.0%)
----------------
6 months: -10.0%
1 year  : -20.9%
2 years : -36.5%

Another Vertigo title with less than impressive numbers. Madame Xanadu ends with issue #29.

—–

221 - NORTHLANDERS (Vertigo)
10/2008: Northlanders #11 -- 10,353
-----------------------------------
10/2009: Northlanders #21 --  8,360 (- 4.9%)
11/2009: Northlanders #22 --  8,136 (- 2.7%)
12/2009: Northlanders #23 --  8,069 (- 0.8%)
01/2010: Northlanders #24 --  7,935 (- 1.7%)
02/2010: Northlanders #25 --  7,807 (- 1.6%)
03/2010: Northlanders #26 --  7,824 (+ 0.2%)
04/2010: Northlanders #27 --  7,683 (- 1.8%)
05/2010: Northlanders #28 --  7,630 (- 0.7%)
06/2010: Northlanders #29 --  7,498 (- 1.7%)
07/2010: Northlanders #30 --  7,421 (- 1.0%)
08/2010: Northlanders #31 --  7,376 (- 0.6%)
09/2010: Northlanders #32 --  7,321 (- 0.8%)
10/2010: Northlanders #33 --  7,169 (- 2.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 6.7%
1 year  : -14.3%
2 years : -30.8%

The book continues its very slow, very steady decline.

—–

232/235 - SCALPED (Vertigo)
10/2007: Scalped #10 --  7,536
10/2008: Scalped #22 --  6,964
------------------------------
10/2009: Scalped #32 --  6,905 (- 0.2%)
11/2009: --
12/2009: Scalped #33 --  6,752 (- 2.2%)
01/2010: --
02/2010: Scalped #34 --  6,731 (- 0.3%)
02/2010: Scalped #35 --  6,443 (- 4.3%)
03/2010: Scalped #36 --  6,648 (+ 3.2%)
04/2010: Scalped #37 --  6,584 (- 1.0%)
05/2010: Scalped #38 --  6,632 (+ 0.7%)
06/2010: --
07/2010: Scalped #39 --  6,682 (+ 0.8%)
08/2010: Scalped #40 --  6,593 (- 1.3%)
09/2010: --
10/2010: Scalped #41 --  6,623 (+ 0.5%)
10/2010: Scalped #42 --  6,476 (- 2.2%)
----------------
6 months: - 0.5%
1 year  : - 5.2%
2 years : - 6.0%

Scalped sales have varied by less than 500 units over the last year. This continues to be DC’s most steady performer, despite its low sales level.

—–

233 - THE AUTHORITY (WildStorm)
10/2005: Revolution #12 of 12 -- 18,256
10/2006: The Authority v3 #1  -- 58,136
10/2007: Prime #1 of 6        -- 21,992
10/2008: The Authority v4 #3  -- 13,408
---------------------------------------
10/2009: The Authority v4 #15 --  8,174 (- 2.6%)
11/2009: The Authority v4 #16 --  8,066 (- 1.3%)
12/2009: The Authority v4 #17 --  7,829 (- 2.9%)
01/2010: The Authority v4 #18 --  7,952 (+ 1.6%)
02/2010: The Authority v4 #19 --  7,943 (- 0.1%)
03/2010: The Authority v4 #20 --  7,781 (- 2.0%)
04/2010: The Authority v4 #21 --  7,563 (- 2.8%)
05/2010: The Authority v4 #22 --  7,295 (- 3.5%)
06/2010: The Authority v4 #23 --  7,226 (- 1.0%)
07/2010: The Authority v4 #24 --  7,062 (- 2.3%)
08/2010: The Authority v4 #25 --  6,860 (- 2.9%)
09/2010: The Authority v4 #26 --  6,596 (- 3.9%)
10/2010: The Authority v4 #27 --  6,556 (- 0.6%)
----------------
6 months: -13.3%
1 year  : -19.8%
2 years : -51.1%
5 years : -64.1%

Cancelled with issue #29, evidently.

DC’s plans for the WildStorm Universe books aren’t clear yet, but at this stage, these concepts would probably greatly benefit from there not being any plans for them.

—–

236 - TOM STRONG AND THE ROBOTS OF DOOM (WildStorm)
06/2010: RoD #1 of 6    -- 10,552
07/2010: RoD #2 of 6    --  7,655 (-27.5%)
08/2010: RoD #3 of 6    --  6,989 (- 8.7%)
09/2010: RoD #4 of 6    --  6,661 (- 4.7%)
10/2010: RoD #5 of 6    --  6,271 (- 5.9%)

Average miniseries behavior.

—–

238 - DMZ (Vertigo)
10/2006: DMZ #12 -- 14,640
10/2007: DMZ #24 -- 11,583
10/2008: DMZ #35 --  9,240
--------------------------
10/2009: DMZ #46 --  7,399 (-2.5%)
11/2009: DMZ #47 --  7,187 (-2.9%)
12/2009: DMZ #48 --  6,977 (-2.9%)
01/2010: DMZ #49 --  6,872 (-1.5%)
02/2010: DMZ #50 --  7,262 (+5.7%)
03/2010: DMZ #51 --  6,840 (-5.8%)
04/2010: DMZ #52 --  6,826 (-0.2%)
05/2010: DMZ #53 --  6,759 (-1.0%)
06/2010: DMZ #54 --  6,661 (-1.5%)
07/2010: DMZ #55 --  6,581 (-1.2%)
08/2010: DMZ #56 --  6,524 (-0.9%)
09/2010: DMZ #57 --  6,333 (-2.9%)
10/2010: DMZ #58 --  6,198 (-2.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 9.2%
1 year  : -16.2%
2 years : -32.9%

The book is set to conclude with issue #72. At this rate, this means that DMZ is going to hit some really low numbers by then, but unless the decline accelerates, there should be nothing to worry about.

—–

241 - BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD (Johnny DC)
10/2005: Batman Strikes! #14   --  8,950
10/2006: Batman Strikes! #26   --  7,560
10/2007: Batman Strikes! #38   --  6,664
10/2008: Batman Strikes! #50   --  6,413
----------------------------------------
10/2009: Brave & Bold #10      --  6,646 (-  5.9%)
11/2009: Brave & Bold #11      --  6,438 (-  3.1%)
12/2009: Brave & Bold #12      --  6,342 (-  1.5%)
01/2010: Brave & Bold #13      --  6,129 (-  3.4%)
02/2010: Brave & Bold #14      --  6,084 (-  0.7%)
03/2010: Brave & Bold #15      --  6,208 (+  2.0%)
04/2010: Brave & Bold #16      --  6,506 (+  4.8%)
05/2010: Brave & Bold #17      --  6,103 (-  6.2%)
06/2010: Brave & Bold #18      --  6,270 (+  2.7%)
07/2010: Brave & Bold #19      --  6,489 (+  3.5%)
08/2010: Brave & Bold #20      --  6,244 (-  3.8%)
09/2010: Brave & Bold #21      --  6,345 (+  1.6%)
10/2010: Brave & Bold #22      --  6,044 (-  4.7%)
----------------
6 months: - 7.1%
1 year  : - 9.1%
2 years : - 5.8%
5 years : -32.5%

A Johnny DC book.

—–

246 - VICTORIAN UNDEAD SPECIAL (WildStorm)
11/2009: Victorian Undead #1 of 6 -- 11,422
12/2009: Victorian Undead #2 of 6 --  7,430
01/2010: Victorian Undead #3 of 6 --  6,663
02/2010: Victorian Undead #4 of 6 --  6,365
03/2010: Victorian Undead #5 of 6 --  6,285
04/2010: Victorian Undead #6 of 6 --  6,102
-------------------------------------------
10/2010: Victorian Undead Special --  5,723 (-6.2%)
----------------
6 months: - 6.2%

Believe it or not: This sold better than the average WildStorm comic book in October.

—–

250 - WILDCATS (WildStorm)
10/2005: Nemesis #2 of 9 -- 16,829
10/2006: Wildcats #1     -- 82,528
10/2007: --
10/2008: World's End #4  -- 12,431
----------------------------------
10/2009: World's End #16 --  6,883 (- 4.1%)
11/2009: World's End #17 --  6,691 (- 2.8%)
12/2009: World's End #18 --  6,487 (- 3.2%)
01/2010: World's End #19 --  6,791 (+ 4.7%)
02/2010: World's End #20 --  6,669 (- 1.8%)
03/2010: World's End #21 --  6,491 (- 2.7%)
04/2010: World's End #22 --  6,367 (- 1.9%)
05/2010: World's End #23 --  6,185 (- 2.9%)
06/2010: World's End #24 --  6,051 (- 2.2%)
07/2010: World's End #25 --  5,823 (- 3.8%)
08/2010: World's End #26 --  5,607 (- 3.7%)
09/2010: World's End #27 --  5,514 (- 1.7%)
10/2010: World's End #28 --  5,532 (+ 0.3%)
----------------
6 months: -13.1%
1 year  : -19.6%
2 years : -55.5%
5 years : -67.1%

Canceled with issue #29.

—–

251 - THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS
05/2010: Special #1               -- 7,017
06/2010: --
07/2010: Mighty Crusaders #1 of 6 -- 9,361 (+33.4%)
08/2010: Mighty Crusaders #2 of 6 -- 6,751 (-27.9%)
09/2010: Mighty Crusaders #3 of 6 -- 6,035 (-10.6%)
10/2010: Mighty Crusaders #4 of 6 -- 5,436 (- 9.9%)

Completely off the map.

—–

252 - FRINGE: TALES FROM THE FRINGE (WildStorm)
09/2008: Fringe #1 of 6 -- 15,929
01/2009: Fringe #2 of 6 --  8,239 (-48.3%)
03/2009: Fringe #3 of 6 --  7,426 (- 9.9%)
04/2009: Fringe #4 of 6 --  6,899 (- 7.1%)
05/2009: Fringe #5 of 6 --  6,744 (- 2.3%)
06/2009: Fringe #6 of 6 --  6,646 (- 1.5%)
---------------------------------
06/2010: Tales #1 of 6  --  8,099 (+21.9%)
07/2010: --
08/2010: Tales #2 of 6  --  6,506 (-19.7%)
08/2010: Tales #3 of 6  --  5,928 (- 8.9%)
09/2010: Tales #4 of 6  --  5,619 (- 5.2%)
10/2010: Tales #5 of 6  --  5,297 (- 5.7%)
----------------
2 years :  n.a.
253 - DV8: GODS AND MONSTERS (WildStorm)
04/2010: Gods and Monsters #1 of 8 -- 10,203
05/2010: Gods and Monsters #2 of 8 --  6,671 (-34.6%)
06/2010: Gods and Monsters #3 of 8 --  6,295 (- 5.6%)
07/2010: Gods and Monsters #4 of 8 --  5,918 (- 6.0%)
08/2010: Gods and Monsters #5 of 8 --  5,598 (- 5.4%)
09/2010: Gods and Monsters #6 of 8 --  5,488 (- 2.0%)
10/2010: Gods and Monsters #7 of 8 --  5,226 (- 4.8%)
----------------
6 months: -48.8%
254 - GEARS OF WAR (WildStorm)
10/2009: --
11/2009: GoW #10 --  8,066 (-10.5%)
12/2009: --
01/2010: GoW #11 --  7,157 (-11.3%)
02/2010: --
03/2010: --
04/2010: --
05/2010: --
06/2010: GoW #12 --  6,165 (-13.9%)
07/2010: --
08/2010: GoW #13 --  5,962 (- 3.3%)
09/2010: --
10/2010: GoW #14 --  5,204 (-12.7%)
----------------
6 months:  n.a.
1 year  :  n.a.

Assorted WildStorm titles, all still above the average for October.

—–

257 - UNKNOWN SOLDIER (Vertigo)
10/2008: Unknown Soldier #1  -- 16,038
--------------------------------------
10/2009: Unknown Soldier #13 --  6,636 (- 3.3%)
11/2009: Unknown Soldier #14 --  6,359 (- 4.2%)
12/2009: Unknown Soldier #15 --  6,134 (- 3.5%)
01/2010: Unknown Soldier #16 --  5,848 (- 4.7%)
02/2010: Unknown Soldier #17 --  5,701 (- 2.5%)
03/2010: Unknown Soldier #18 --  5,611 (- 1.6%)
04/2010: Unknown Soldier #19 --  5,542 (- 1.2%)
05/2010: Unknown Soldier #20 --  5,466 (- 1.4%)
06/2010: Unknown Soldier #21 --  5,371 (- 1.7%)
07/2010: Unknown Soldier #22 --  5,238 (- 2.5%)
08/2010: Unknown Soldier #23 --  5,090 (- 2.8%)
09/2010: --
10/2010: Unknown Soldier #24 --  5,100 (+ 0.2%)
----------------
6 months: - 8.0%
1 year  : -23.2%
2 years : -68.2%

Canceled with issue #25.

—–

260/270/273/284/293/295/n.a. - DC COMICS PRESENTS
10/2010: Green Lantern #1   -- 4,418
10/2010: Jack Cross #1      -- 3,662
10/2010: Batman/Catwoman #1 -- 4,076
10/2010: Brightest Day #1   -- 4,988
10/2010: Batman #1          -- 4,643
10/2010: Superman #1        -- 3,685
10/2010: Young Justice #1   -- ?

A bunch of $ 7.99 reprint books. The Young Justice one didn’t make the chart.

—–

261 - SCOOBY DOO: WHERE ARE YOU? (Johnny DC)
10/2005: Scooby Doo #101 -- 4,604
10/2006: Scooby Doo #113 -- 4,339
10/2007: Scooby Doo #125 -- 4,407
10/2008: Scooby Doo #137 -- ?
---------------------------------
10/2009: Scooby Doo #149 -- 4,005 (- 2.4%)
11/2009: Scooby Doo #150 -- 4,044 (+ 1.0%)
12/2009: Scooby Doo #151 -- 3,906 (- 3.4%)
01/2010: Scooby Doo #152 -- 3,724 (- 4.7%)
02/2010: Scooby Doo #153 -- 3,780 (+ 1.5%)
03/2010: Scooby Doo #154 -- 3,846 (+ 1.8%)
04/2010: Scooby Doo #155 -- 3,836 (- 0.3%)
05/2010: Scooby Doo #156 -- 3,857 (+ 0.6%)
06/2010: Scooby Doo #157 -- ?
07/2010: Scooby Doo #158 -- 4,147
08/2010: Scooby Doo #159 -- 4,092 (- 1.3%)
09/2010: SD:WAY? #1      -- 6,186 (+51.2%)
10/2010: SD:WAY? #2      -- 4,926 (-20.4%)
----------------
6 months: +28.4%
1 year  : +23.0%
2 years : ?
5 years : + 7.0%

A Johnny DC book.

—–

269 - GREEK STREET (Vertigo)
10/2009: Greek Street #4  --  9,246 (-13.0%)
11/2009: Greek Street #5  --  8,610 (- 6.9%)
12/2009: Greek Street #6  --  7,802 (- 9.4%)
01/2010: Greek Street #7  --  7,335 (- 6.0%)
02/2010: Greek Street #8  --  6,872 (- 6.3%)
03/2010: Greek Street #9  --  6,603 (- 3.9%)
04/2010: Greek Street #10 --  6,324 (- 4.2%)
05/2010: Greek Street #11 --  6,128 (- 3.1%)
06/2010: Greek Street #12 --  5,905 (- 3.6%)
07/2010: Greek Street #13 --  5,523 (- 6.5%)
08/2010: Greek Street #14 --  5,153 (- 6.7%)
09/2010: Greek Street #15 --  4,888 (- 5.1%)
10/2010: Greek Street #16 --  4,648 (- 4.9%)
----------------
6 months: -26.5%
1 year  : -49.3%

Canceled. Greek Street was one of Peter Milligan’s less penetrable — and, let’s be honest, creatively successful — efforts, so it was always going to be an uphill struggle.

—–

274 - GEN13 (WildStorm)
10/2006: Gen13 #1  -- 47,535
10/2007: Gen13 #13 -- 15,539
10/2008: Gen13 #23 -- 10,061
----------------------------
10/2009: Gen13 #32 --  6,044 (- 7.6%)
11/2009: --
12/2009: Gen13 #33 --  5,718 (- 5.4%)
01/2010: --
02/2010: Gen13 #34 --  5,412 (- 5.4%)
03/2010: --
04/2010: Gen13 #35 --  5,257 (- 2.9%)
05/2010: --
06/2010: Gen13 #36 --  5,124 (- 2.5%)
07/2010: --
08/2010: Gen13 #37 --  4,757 (- 7.2%)
09/2010: --
10/2010: Gen13 #38 --  4,404 (- 7.4%)
----------------
6 months: -16.2%
1 year  : -27.1%
2 years : -56.2%

Canceled with issue #39.

—–

286 - RATCHET AND CLANK (WildStorm)
09/2010: Ratchet and Clank #1 of 6 -- 5,655
10/2010: Ratchet and Clank #2 of 6 -- 4,001 (-29.3%)

Another licensed property from WildStorm.

—–

287 - BILLY BATSON & THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM (Johnny DC)
10/2008: --
-----------------------------------
10/2009: Billy Batson #9  --  5,388 (- 8.0%)
11/2009: Billy Batson #10 --  4,993 (- 7.3%)
12/2009: Billy Batson #11 --  4,795 (- 4.0%)
01/2010: Billy Batson #12 --  4,371 (- 8.8%)
02/2010: Billy Batson #13 --  4,316 (- 1.3%)
03/2010: Billy Batson #14 --  4,227 (- 2.1%)
04/2010: Billy Batson #15 --  4,236 (+ 0.2%)
05/2010: Billy Batson #16 --  4,125 (- 2.6%)
06/2010: Billy Batson #17 --  ?
07/2010: Billy Batson #18 --  4,281
08/2010: Billy Batson #19 --  4,120 (- 3.8%)
09/2010: Billy Batson #20 --  ?
10/2010: Billy Batson #21 --  3,945
----------------
6 months: - 6.9%
1 year  : -26.8%
2 years :  n.a.

Another Johnny DC title.

—–

292 - WELCOME TO TRANQUILITY: ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE (WildStorm)
12/2006: Welcome to Tranquility #1  -- 24,352
01/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #2  -- 15,087 (-38.1%)
02/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #3  -- 12,334 (-18.3%)
03/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #4  -- 11,423 (- 7.4%)
04/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #5  -- 10,407 (- 8.9%)
05/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #6  -- 10,280 (- 1.2%)
06/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #7  --  9,858 (- 4.1%)
07/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #8  --  9,509 (- 3.5%)
08/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #9  --  9,135 (- 3.9%)
09/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #10 --  8,611 (- 5.7%)
10/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #11 --  8,439 (- 2.0%)
11/2007: Welcome to Tranquility #12 --  8,076 (- 4.3%)
---------------------------------------------
07/2010: One Foot i/t Grave #1 of 6 --  6,219 (-23.0%)
08/2010: One Foot i/t Grave #2 of 6 --  4,776 (-23.2%)
09/2010: One Foot i/t Grave #3 of 6 --  ?
10/2010: One Foot i/t Grave #4 of 6 --  3,734

The series missed the chart in September. In October, the WildStorm titles Kane and Lynch #3, Ides of Blood #3 and Telara Chronicles #2 failed to chart. As always, for the purposes of the average periodical statistics below, I’m presuming each of them sold as many units as the No. 300 book on the chart, although the actual number is likely to be lower.

Also, I’ve corrected last month’s average sales for DC and WildStorm periodicals, since I’d missed Kane and Lynch #2, which was published in September but also missed the chart.

—–

6-MONTH COMPARISONS
+ 47.4%: Wonder Woman
+ 46.5%: Superman
+ 44.8%: Green Arrow
+ 44.2%: Action Comics
+ 28.4%: Scooby-Doo
+  9.2%: Teen Titans
-  0.1%: REBELS
-  0.1%: Superman/Batman
-  0.5%: Scalped
-  1.5%: Jonah Hex
-  1.6%: Fables
-  2.2%: Tiny Titans
-  3.2%: JSA
-  4.3%: JLA
-  4.6%: Batman and Robin
-  5.3%: JSA All-Stars
-  5.9%: Hellblazer
-  6.2%: Victorian Undead
-  6.7%: Northlanders
-  6.9%: Billy Batson
-  7.1%: Batman: B&B
-  7.1%: Sweet Tooth
-  8.0%: Unknown Soldier
-  8.6%: Jack of Fables
-  9.1%: Unwritten
-  9.2%: DMZ
- 10.0%: Madame Xanadu
- 10.2%: Booster Gold
- 10.2%: Secret Six
- 13.1%: Wildcats
- 13.3%: Authority
- 13.7%: House of Mystery
- 13.7%: Power Girl
- 14.2%: Batman Confidential
- 15.7%: GL Corps
- 15.9%: Detective Comics
- 16.2%: Gen13
- 18.2%: American Vampire
- 18.7%: Green Lantern
- 19.2%: Supergirl
- 20.1%: Outsiders
- 23.2%: Doom Patrol
- 26.0%: Azrael
- 26.5%: Greek Street
- 32.5%: Adventure Comics
- 35.8%: Brightest Day
- 48.8%: DV8
- 53.5%: Spirit
- 59.1%: Doc Savage

—–

1-YEAR COMPARISONS
+134.2%: Green Arrow
+ 38.7%: Wonder Woman
+ 37.3%: Superman
+ 23.0%: Scooby-Doo
+ 21.7%: Action Comics
-  0.2%: REBELS
-  1.2%: Jonah Hex
-  2.2%: JLA
-  2.6%: Tiny Titans
-  2.8%: Titans
-  5.2%: Scalped
-  5.2%: Teen Titans
-  6.9%: Fables
-  8.2%: Superman/Batman
-  9.1%: Batman: B&B
- 10.4%: Hellblazer
- 12.7%: Secret Six
- 14.3%: Northlanders
- 16.2%: DMZ
- 16.6%: Batman Confidential
- 17.6%: Booster Gold
- 19.5%: Green Lantern
- 19.6%: Wildcats
- 19.8%: Authority
- 19.9%: Unwritten
- 20.9%: Madame Xanadu
- 21.0%: JSA
- 21.1%: Batman and Robin
- 21.1%: Sweet Tooth
- 21.4%: Jack of Fables
- 21.5%: Supergirl
- 23.2%: Unknown Soldier
- 25.3%: GL Corps
- 26.8%: Billy Batson
- 27.1%: Gen13
- 27.6%: House of Mystery
- 28.8%: Outsiders
- 34.1%: Power Girl
- 39.1%: Detective Comics
- 43.0%: Adventure Comics
- 49.3%: Greek Street
- 49.7%: Doom Patrol
- 76.8%: Azrael

—–

2-YEAR COMPARISONS
+ 56.9%: Green Arrow
+ 31.3%: GL Corps
+ 28.8%: Green Lantern
+ 27.4%: LoSH
+ 11.4%: Wonder Woman
-  5.8%: Batman: B&B
-  6.0%: Scalped
- 11.0%: Superman
- 11.8%: Jonah Hex
- 15.5%: Tiny Titans
- 16.0%: Spirit
- 16.8%: Hellblazer
- 17.3%: Fables
- 24.5%: JLA
- 26.3%: Action Comics
- 26.8%: Secret Six
- 29.8%: Supergirl
- 30.4%: Teen Titans
- 30.8%: Northlanders
- 31.4%: Jack of Fables
- 32.9%: DMZ
- 34.1%: Superman/Batman
- 36.5%: Madame Xanadu
- 39.7%: Titans
- 40.5%: Booster Gold
- 41.9%: Batman Confidential
- 43.0%: Adventure Comics
- 45.9%: Detective Comics
- 50.3%: House of Mystery
- 50.8%: JSA
- 51.1%: Authority
- 55.5%: Wildcats
- 56.2%: Gen13
- 67.3%: Outsiders
- 68.2%: Unknown Soldier

—–

5-YEAR COMPARISONS
+ 28.6%: Green Arrow
+  7.0%: Scooby-Doo
-  9.2%: Detective Comics
- 11.3%: LoSH
- 11.8%: Action Comics
- 11.8%: GL Corps
- 21.2%: Fables
- 26.2%: JLA
- 28.2%: Superman
- 28.6%: Doom Patrol
- 29.3%: Wonder Woman
- 32.5%: Batman: B&B
- 34.3%: Hellblazer
- 34.4%: JSA
- 58.5%: Teen Titans
- 64.1%: Authority
- 67.1%: Wildcats
- 68.0%: Outsiders

—–

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

DC COMICS
10/2005: 36,627
10/2006: 33,406
10/2007: 31,648
10/2008: 29,109
---------------
10/2009: 27,525 (- 4.4%)**
11/2009: 28,913 (+ 5.1%)**
12/2009: 25,904 (-10.4%)**
01/2010: 25,657 (- 1.0%)**
02/2010: 26,199 (+ 2.1%)**
03/2010: 23,299 (-11.1%)**
04/2010: 23,740 (+ 1.9%)**
05/2010: 27,785 (+17.0%)**
06/2010: 25,788 (- 7.2%)**
07/2010: 25,841 (+ 0.2%)**
08/2010: 23,331 (- 9.7%)**
09/2010: 23,212 (- 0.5%)**
10/2010: 23,756 (- 2.3%)**
----------------
6 months: + 0.1%
1 year  : -13.7%
2 years : -18.4%
5 years : -35.1%
DC UNIVERSE
10/2005: 47,021
10/2006: 42,581
10/2007: 39,748
10/2008: 37,273
---------------
10/2009: 34,795 (- 5.3%)
11/2009: 38,488 (+10.6%)
12/2009: 35,473 (- 7.8%)**
01/2010: 33,698 (- 5.0%)
02/2010: 35,895 (+ 6.5%)
03/2010: 32,375 (- 9.8%)
04/2010: 32,859 (+ 1.5%)
05/2010: 37,463 (+14.0%)
06/2010: 34,612 (- 7.6%)**
07/2010: 35,372 (+ 2.2%)
08/2010: 33,411 (- 5.5%)
09/2010: 32,042 (- 4.1%)
10/2010: 32,832 (+ 2.5%)
----------------
6 months: - 0.1%
1 year  : - 5.6%
2 years : -11.9%
5 years : -30.2%
VERTIGO
10/2005: 16,009
10/2006: 15,189
10/2007: 10,678
10/2008: 11,284
---------------
10/2009: 10,551 (- 7.0%)
11/2009: 11,036 (+ 4.6%)
12/2009: 10,583 (- 4.1%)
01/2010: 11,267 (+ 6.5%)
02/2010:  9,256 (-17.9%)
03/2010: 11,394 (+23.1%)
04/2010: 10,815 (- 5.1%)
05/2010: 11,756 (+ 8.7%)
06/2010: 10,995 (- 6.5%
07/2010:  9,515 (-13.5%)
08/2010:  9,094 (- 4.4%)
09/2010: 11,622 (+27.8%)
10/2010:  9,546 (-17.9%)
----------------
6 months: -11.7%
1 year  : - 9.5%
2 years : -15.4%
5 years : -40.4%
WILDSTORM
10/2005: 17,215
10/2006: 25,747
10/2007: 11,960
10/2008: 10,736
---------------
10/2009:  9,769 (+18.0%)**
11/2009:  7,111 (-27.2%)**
12/2009:  7,260 (+ 2.1%)**
01/2010:  6,532 (-10.0%)**
02/2010:  5,692 (-12.9%)**
03/2010:  7,691 (+35.1%)**
04/2010:  5,923 (-23.0%)**
05/2010:  6,808 (+14.9%)**
06/2010:  6,140 (- 9.8%)**
07/2010:  7,054 (+14.9%)**
08/2010:  6,179 (-12.4%)**
09/2010:  6,046 (- 2.2%)**
10/2010:  5,158 (-14.7%)**
----------------
6 months: -12.9%
1 year  : -47.2%
2 years : -52.0%
5 years : -70.0%

—–
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 and some WildStorm 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.

1 COMMENT

  1. Despite these low numbers overall (compared to Marvel), I’m happy & content that the DC titles I collect are doing ok. Batman, Superman, Green Arrow, GL & Corps, & Flash all seem to be holding steady…..so it’s good news for me.

    I am concerned about Superman/Batman; a series I love, but the numbers seem to be o.k. for now. I hate that they’ve ended their hardcover editions though….usually a sign.

    Thank You Marc-Oliver Frisch for spending all the time you do putting together these great lists! You are an icon to geeks everywhere!

  2. Wow! Is anyone else looking at those Scooby Doo sales? +7.0% in 5 years! +28.4% in 6 months?? Why don’t we ever hear about this comic? It seems like the people at DC could really do well by looking at the Scooby Doo numbers and figuring out what’s working there.

  3. It seems that many Dc titles are holding their sales levels compared to Marvel. Maybe the new DCE shakeup and pricing strategy along with bid storylines are paying off for DC. These past 2 monyths MArvel and DC sales have been much closer. Hope the trend keeps up!

  4. Well, Wildstorm certainly isn’t going out with a bang. Even if the line weren’t canceled, they’d probably all fall out of the top 300 within a few months anyway.

    Numbers don’t look too impressive for DC’s $8/96page reprint books, with the exception of the Vertigo one with its unpublished story. And looking ahead to November, only two of the 8 even make the top 300. Is there any evidence those are aimed at a market outside of comic shops? Has anyone seen them in bookstores or other non-Diamond sourced outlet?

  5. I imagine DC’s thinking with extending Batman: Odyssey out to to twice as many issue is that it will sell very well in a collected edition. And not just a year from now when that edition is actually available. Five or ten years down the road you might see an Absolute version of it loaded with sketches from Neal Adams and all sorts of other material. That format wouldn’t exactly work well for a 6 issue mini-series.

  6. “Wow! Is anyone else looking at those Scooby Doo sales? +7.0% in 5 years! +28.4% in 6 months?? Why don’t we ever hear about this comic? It seems like the people at DC could really do well by looking at the Scooby Doo numbers and figuring out what’s working there.”

    Scooby relaunched with a new title, a new number-one, and a new ongoing theme (“All lead creators named Scott!”). Nothing new other than new, here, and nothing the companies don’t already know about or haven’t done a zillion times now. And nothing that ever seems to work for more than a few months.

  7. “Canceled. Greek Street was one of Peter Milligan’s less penetrable — and, let’s be honest, creatively successful — efforts, so it was always going to be an uphill struggle.”

    Does that still fall under ‘commenting on sales data’? Anyway, I respectfully disagree. Greek Street was no easy read, but that was only because of the large cast and their complex relationships. The plot, the characterization, the subtext – there was nothing impenetrable about any of those, there was a clear and logical story progression given from the book’s premise. More importantly, it was a definite creative success, easily the most sophisticated and intelligent book on the market. It makes more sense to look at it in the context of serious literature than to compare it to the rather shallow entertainment most comics offer. In fact, it got a few rave reviews in the arts sections of german newspapers, something no ongoing book from Marvel or DC has ever accomplished, I think.

  8. @Naveed

    DC announced the price change during October. Most likely retailers wouldnt have had the ability to adjust their final orders in time for this particular chart.

    ANd if buying habits don’t change until the prices change then I wouldnt expect it to show in this data until Feb or Mar.

  9. “Numbers don’t look too impressive for DC’s $8/96page reprint books, with the exception of the Vertigo one with its unpublished story. And looking ahead to November, only two of the 8 even make the top 300. Is there any evidence those are aimed at a market outside of comic shops? Has anyone seen them in bookstores or other non-Diamond sourced outlet?”

    If you think about them as mini TPBs, then the sales don’t seem bad. But on the other hand, it’s not likely that these are evergreens like TPBs.

    I’m just happy more of Brubaker’s Batman issues are being collected.

  10. Chris, SCOOBY DOO is a recently relaunched book which will most likely drop back to previous sales levels relatively quickly. That’s what normally happens.

    In any event, all-ages licensed titles aren’t really aimed at the direct market consumer, so their direct market sales are unlikely to be representative. Frankly, they’re only included in these posts for the sake of completeness, and I wouldn’t pay too much attention to them.

  11. The 96-page “giants” are not books, as they do not appear in Books In Print.

    I suspect DC published these as stocking stuffers, just like the old 80-page giants from the 1970s.

  12. You guys are missing the point with Scooby Doo. It’s up 7% from 5 years ago. It doesn’t matter that it was recently relaunched, a lot of other recently relaunched comics are down from 5 years ago. The *only* other book with a positive gain from 5 years ago is Green Lantern. For a company that specializes in superhero comics, that’s kinda sad.

    I’m not trying to get involved in the Coke/Pepsi battle with Marvel and DC, either. My point is simply a Johnny DC book, something completely ignored by pretty much every comic site out there, is beating everything else in gains.

    This goes to The Beat’s point the other day that there are markets out there we’re totally ignoring in favor of the oh noes, the DM has died discussion that always takes place. If the Scooby Doo editors are having some success, and it appears they are, we should be at least asking why instead of dismissing it again in favor of the old chestnuts of DC is better than Marvel/Marc Oliver is too harsh/the DM is dying.

  13. Heinz:

    I reviewed GREEK STREET #1 when it came out:

    http://comiksdebris.blogspot.com/2009/08/greek-street-1.html

    I’ve since read the first collection — because I find Milligan’s work interesting, even when he fails — and it didn’t do anything to change my initial assessment.

    I love a lot of Peter Milligan comics, believe you me, and I think he’s one of the most interesting guys working in mainstream comics. But GREEK STREET is just an atrocious, directionless mess of sketchy concepts.

  14. 260/270/273/284/293/295/n.a. – DC COMICS PRESENTS
    10/2010: Green Lantern #1 — 4,418
    10/2010: Jack Cross #1 — 3,662
    10/2010: Batman/Catwoman #1 — 4,076
    10/2010: Brightest Day #1 — 4,988
    10/2010: Batman #1 — 4,643
    10/2010: Superman #1 — 3,685
    10/2010: Young Justice #1 — ?
    A bunch of $ 7.99 reprint books. The Young Justice one didn’t make the chart.

    I hope that DC doen’t take this as an inditement that people don’t want to see Young Justice in TPBs.

  15. I don’t blame DC for striking while the iron is hot (so to speak) by starting another Green Lanter title (GL: Emerald Warrior), but I really think that seperating Kyle Rayner (Green Lantern Corp) and Guy Gardner (GL: Emerald Warrior) kills both books. I really enjoyed reading those two together, but seperating them diminishes both, IMO.

  16. I think DC has learned from its mistake (though Marvel is still learning this) with so much $3.99 pricing.

    I would have bought all of these series if the price had been a dollar less:

    Legion of SuperHeroes, Adventure Comics, Action Comics, Detective Comics, Time Masters, The Spirit, The Mighty Crusaders, among others….

  17. I think the $7.99 books are probably working out economically since they’re reprints that’ll never sell enough for royalty payments to kick in and they’re bringing in as much revenue as books 100 places above them in the charts.

    I really like this idea: it makes available collections of books like Jack Cross and The Extremist that would never appear in tpb form.

    And I think Chris Hero has a good point about Scooby-Doo.

  18. “I hope that DC doen’t take this as an inditement that people don’t want to see Young Justice in TPBs.”

    Except it kind of is.

  19. “I really like this idea: it makes available collections of books like Jack Cross and The Extremist that would never appear in tpb form.”

    The DC PRESENTS collections of books like JACK CROSS or THE EXTREMIST sell much, much better than they would have as paperback collections.

    That’s something to consider.

  20. Thanks for the link to your old review, Marc-Oliver. If I may offer a brief comment, so long after the fact: Your main criticism seems to be that it’s hard to empathize with Eddie because of his extreme actions and lack of ‘normal’ emotional responses.
    Three answers come to mind: First, the same could be said of the protagonists of other major Milligan works (Shade, Skreemer, Enigma). Second, there actually are people like that. What we find out about Eddie’s life in the first issue goes a long way towards explaining his character. Third, this somewhat flat and distanced portrayal of the protagonist serves to drive home the book’s central idea: Human beings are like puppets on a string, trapped in endlessly repeating dramas, deluding themselves into thinking that their lives are their own to shape, when actually what shapes them are archaic forces like lust, greed and revenge.

    Greek Street remains proof that the comics medium can achieve the same heights as any other form of literature. It is doubtlessly Milligan’s most accomplished and brilliant work.

  21. Not a fan of Greek Street. I gave it a shot and lost complete interest. Aw well. Hellblazer: City of Demons was a five part miniseries, not three. I was waiting for all the issues to come out before reading the whole series because the first issue was a lot better than I expected.

    I wonder if Scalped would sell a bit better if it’s covers weren’t always so blandly ugly.

  22. RE: Wonder Woman

    “The other monthly title J. Michael Straczynski left a few months in. The sales figures don’t offer much of an argument why he should stick around.”

    Not that I like the creative direction, but isn’t being up nearly 50% over the pre-JMS issues a pretty good argument? He may not have sent the book into Batman range, but JMS has attracted the largest audience since the Heinberg days, hasn’t he?