STK652874.jpg
by David Carter

Greetings, sales charts fans! It’s time once again to look at DC’s sales figures.

After last month’s Futures End 3D cover extravataganza, things return to normal in October. DC continued their freely-orderable variant cover program, with the theme this month being Monster covers. The comics with variant covers are still selling higher than they would have without them, but at this point the month-to-month effects are largely subsumed by regular considerations such as creative team changes, crossovers, and standard attrition.

October saw the debuts of several DCU titles, to varying effectiveness. Deathstroke by Tony Daniel and several Batman-related titles did relatively well, while a couple of supernatural-theme books (Trinity of Sin and Klarion) did less so. October was also the debut of the highly-touted revamped Batgirl, which saw the comic jump up to a top-twenty title.

DC’s third weekly title, Earth 2: World’s End, debuted in October. Here are the first month sales of all three weekly series (plus the most recent issue for BE & FE):

Batman Eternal: 105,754; 84,466; 79,703; 78,009 … 52,438 (#30)
Futures End: 77,867; 62,862; 59,148; 58,496 … 35,452 (#26)
E2 World End: 48,248; 40,190; 38,496; 37,874

All three had their first month’s issues returnable. (Also, Batman Eternal had significant reorder activity that is not included in the above.)

All three weekly series will be ending in March as DCE pauses for their move to the West Coast (see below). All indications are that there will be a weekly Batman series resuming in the summer. Whether theyll try for a second and third weekly series as well remains to be seen. On the one hand a weekly series selling in the 30K range is better than 4 monthly series selling around 20K or less. On the other, constant multiple weekly series stand the chance of burning out readers, and they seem to be a lot more logistically complicated from a production standpoint.

Speaking of DCEs West Coast move and weekly series…

In April & May of next year, DC will run a two month event, Convergence, that will see the suspension of their regular publication schedule for 40 two-issue series and a weekly spine series. This event is being handled by a separate editorial team that is not part of the move out west, so that the regular crew (those who are making the move) can get things together out in California, presumably new people are hired, etc.

(It is unclear at this point if Vertigo will cease its regular output for those two months as well, or if the cessation applies only to DCU titles. IIRC the Digital First titles are already being produced out of the West Coast offices so presumably they will go on as usual.)

In the commentary below youll see me refer to the Convergence Gap, that two month period that the regular DCU titles wont be published. It is my belief that there is a shake-up of sorts coming: Many low-selling titles will have their final issue in March, and several new titles will be launched over the summer. Further, there is chatter that the tight centralized editorial control of the New 52 will be relaxing and that new titles (and some existing ones getting new creative teams) will be more creator-driven, along the lines of what the Bat-books have been doing recently with new Batgirl, Gotham Academy, and Gotham by Midnight. Post-Convergence Gap may also see the dropping of the New 52 designation. (Its been three years now, so its getting harder to justify calling it new anymore!)

It is less clear in my mind what will be happening with Vertigo, but this front-piece is already getting overly long so Ill save my Vertigo speculation for next months column.

Please chime in the comments below with your predictions for what will become of DCs publishing slate after the Convergence Gap.

Warning: The commentary below may contain reasoned analysis, speculation (unfounded and otherwise), opinion, and/or snark. Those looking for a more straightforward analysis are directed to John Jackson Miller’s excellent Comichron analysis, posted earlier this month over on Comichron!

Please consider the fine 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.

(Note that the percentage comparisons are now done with total orders including reorder activity, as opposed to initial orders as was the practice of this column under the previous administration.)


6 - BATMAN ($4.99)
10/2004: Batman #633    --  69,946 
10/2009: Batman #691    --  71,431 
10/2010: Batman #704    --  65,212
10/2011: Batman #2      -- 172,428 [198,765]
10/2012: Batman #13     -- 148,305 [169,666] 
-------------------------------
10/2013: Batman #24     -- 124,652 (-  3.5%)
11/2013: Batman #25     -- 125,602 (+  0.8%)
12/2013: Batman #26     -- 119,443 (-  4.9%)
01/2014: Batman #27     -- 115,492 (-  1.7%) [117,395]
02/2014: Batman #28     -- 114,089 (-  1.3%) [115,891]
03/2014: Batman #29     -- 116,926 (+  0.9%)
04/2014: Batman #30     -- 108,998 (-  6.8%)
05/2014: Batman #31     -- 107,499 (+  0.2%) [109,170]
06/2014: Batman #32     -- 130,077 (+ 19.2%) 
07/2014: Batman #33     -- 117,996 (-  9.3%) 
08/2014: Batman #34     -- 112,186 (-  4.9%) 
09/2014: Futures End #1 -- 142,980 (+ 27.4%) 
10/2014: Batman #35     -- 118,860 (- 16.9%) 
-----------------
6 months: +  9.0%
1 year  : -  4.6%
2 years : - 29.9%
5 years : + 66.4%
10 years: + 69.9%
Since #1: - 46.8%

Due to Walking Dead Loot Crateness and Marvel’s ending The Death of Wolverine and starting Thor and Axis, Batman falls down to sixth on the chart this month. But the positive here is that the start of Snyder & Capullo’s “Endgame” comes in higher than the end of “Zero Year.” And that’s for a $4.99 cover-priced issue. No doubt the combination of Batman vs. the Justice League and The Joker led to heightened interest. The was a Monster variant of course and an incentive variant, but those are par for the course these days. A Monster-Selfie differential of positive 6.5K.

9 - HARLEY QUINN ANNUAL ($5.99)
10/2014: Harley Quinn Annual #1 -- 97,312 

Well now. The Harley Quinn annual utilizes four freely-orderable variants (standard & international editions, in regular and Bombshell covers) and a scratch & sniff gimmick to sell nearly 100K copies, which is a good 30K more than the regular series and way more than any other Annual in recent memory. And that’s for a $5.99 comic. Fantastic sales.

12, 13 - JUSTICE LEAGUE ($3.99)
10/2004: JLA #107            --  65,225 [68,082]
10/2009: JL of America #38   --  61,012
10/2010: JL of America #50   --  59,686
10/2011: Justice League #2   -- 196,569
10/2012: Justice League #13  -- 117,752
---------------------------------------
10/2013: Justice League #24  --  98,491 (+ 18.0%)
11/2013: --
12/2013: Justice League #25  --  94,004 (-  4.6%)
12/2013: Justice League #26  --  90,592 (-  3.6%)
01/2014: Justice League #27  --  84,674 (-  6.5%)
02/2014: Justice League #28  --  80,901 (-  4.5%)
03/2014: --
04/2014: Justice League #29  --  78,912 (-  2.5%)
05/2014: Justice League #30  --  77,456 (-  1.8%)
06/2014: Justice League #31  --  75,803 (-  2.1%)
07/2014: Justice League #32  --  88,179 (+ 16.3%)
08/2014: --
09/2014: Justice League #33  --  79,447 (-  9.9%)
09/2014: Futures End #1      -- 104,246 (+ 31.2%)
10/2014: Justice League #34  --  75,400 (- 27.7%)
10/2014: Justice League #35  --  75,264 (-  0.2%)
-----------------
6 months: -  4.5%
1 year  : - 23.5%
2 years : - 36.0%
5 years : + 23.5%
10 years: + 10.6%
Since #1: - 61.6%

Two issues in October as Justice League catches back up to the rest of the New 52 launch titles. Issue #34 had a Selfie variant and #35 had a Monsters variant; they were both ordered for October though and the numbers come in almost exactly even. But sales with the freely-orderable variants are now back down to where they were before DC started that program, meaning that the new Variant covers scheme has granted them about a five month reprieve from the usual attrition.

17 - HARLEY QUINN ($2.99)
11/2013: Harley Quinn #0  -- 114,212           [141,580]
12/2013: Harley Quinn #1  --  92,153 (- 10.8%) [120,312]
01/2014: Harley Quinn #2  --  66,363 (- 26.9%) [ 82,031]
02/2014: Harley Quinn #3  --  63,967 (- 18.6%) [ 72,820]
03/2014: Harley Quinn #4  --  63,120 (-  5.5%)
04/2014: Harley Quinn #5  --  63,155 (+  0.1%)
05/2014: Harley Quinn #6  --  62,467 (-  1.1%)
06/2014: Harley Quinn #7  --  93,266 (+ 49.3%)
07/2014: Harley Quinn #8  --  76,827 (- 17.6%)
08/2014: Harley Quinn #9  --  71,522 (-  6.9%)
08/2014: Harley Quinn #10 --  58,500 (- 18.2%)
09/2014: Futures End #1   -- 119,180 (+103.7%)
10/2014: Harley Quinn #11 --  68,557 (- 42.5%)
-----------------
6 months: +  8.6%
Since #0: - 51.6%

Recall that #10 didn’t have a freely-orderable variant, so the Monster-Selfie differential of -3K is compared to #9. Sales are subject to standard attrition (once you look past the variant cover undulations), but this is still easily one of DC’s best selling titles.

19 - BATGIRL ($2.99)
10/2004: Batgirl #57    -- 39,631  [41,136]
10/2009: Batgirl #3     -- 37,011
10/2010: --
10/2011: Batgirl #2     -- 83,586
10/2012: Batgirl #13    -- 50,074  [71,109]
----------------------------------
10/2013: Batgirl #24    -- 36,666 (-  2.8%)
11/2013: Batgirl #25    -- 40,752 (+ 11.1%)
12/2013: Batgirl #26    -- 34,885 (- 14.4%)
01/2014: Batgirl #27    -- 37,226 (+  6.7%)
02/2014: Batgirl #28    -- 34,567 (-  7.1%)
03/2014: Batgirl #29    -- 33,223 (-  3.9%)
04/2014: Batgirl #30    -- 32,698 (-  1.6%)
05/2014: Batgirl #31    -- 31,522 (-  3.6%)
06/2014: Batgirl #32    -- 47,304 (+ 50.1%)
07/2014: Batgirl #33    -- 37,186 (- 21.4%)
08/2014: Batgirl #34    -- 34,590 (-  7.0%)
09/2014: Futures End #1 -- 67,933 (+ 96.4%)
10/2014: Batgirl #35    -- 62,644 (-  7.8%)
-----------------
6 months: + 91.6%
1 year  : + 70.9%
2 years : - 11.9%
5 years : + 69.3%
10 years: + 32.3%
Since #1: - 41.5%

Arguably one of DC’s most anticipated comics of the Fall, the new creative team for and reinvention of Batgirl scores an impressive 62K copies. And the comic has gone into a second print, which is a sign for consumer demand. This is good supporting evidence for DC relaxing their rigid house-style control over the DCU and opening things up to more varied and creator-driven approaches.

The real rub will come next month, when we see if retailers treat #36 as a second issue and drop their orders accordingly, or if customer demand is high enough that we see more of a standard attrition. It went into a 2nd printing, which is a good indicator of actual customer demand.

Oh, and a Monster-Selfie differential of a whopping +28K. (There was also an incentive variant.)

25 - DETECTIVE COMICS ($3.99)
10/2004: Detective Comics #799 --  48,228
10/2009: Detective Comics #858 --  58,599
10/2010: Detective Comics #870 --  35,674
10/2011: Detective Comics #2   -- 123,099
10/2012: Detective Comics #13  --  76,392
-----------------------------------------
10/2013: Detective Comics #24  --  59,310 (- 12.9%)
11/2013: Detective Comics #25  --  64,392 (+  8.6%)
12/2013: Detective Comics #26  --  56,538 (- 12.2%)
01/2014: Detective Comics #27  --  88,702 (+ 59.8%) [90,335]
02/2014: Detective Comics #28  --  56,619 (- 37.3%)
03/2014: Detective Comics #29  --  55,486 (-  2.0%)
04/2014: Detective Comics #30  --  56,149 (+  1.2%)
05/2014: Detective Comics #31  --  54,518 (-  2.9%)
06/2014: Detective Comics #32  --  72,988 (+ 33.9%)
07/2014: Detective Comics #33  --  62,856 (- 13.9%)
08/2014: Detective Comics #34  --  58,812 (-  6.4%)
09/2014: Futures End #1        --  96,081 (+ 63.4%)
10/2014: Detective Comics #35  --  57,385 (- 40.3%)
-----------------
6 months: +  2.2%
1 year  : -  3.2%
2 years : - 24.9%
5 years : -  2.1%
10 years: + 19.0%
Since #1: - 63.6%

The first of a two-part fill-in by Benjamin Percy & John Paul Leon. A Monster-Selfie differential of just -1.5K.

28 - BATMAN AND... ($2.99)
10/2009: Batman and Robin #5  -- 101,607
10/2010: Batman and Robin #15 --  80,173
10/2011: Batman and Robin #2  --  98,807
10/2012: Batman and Robin #13 --  63,097
----------------------------------------
10/2013: and Two-Face #24     --  52,060 (- 25.0%)
11/2013: and Two-Face #25     --  53,374 (+  2.5%)
12/2013: and Two-Face #26     --  46,611 (- 12.7%)
01/2014: and Two-Face #27     --  45,462 (-  2.5%)
02/2014: and Two-Face #28     --  43,380 (-  4.6%)
03/2014: and Aquaman #29      --  43,295 (-  0.2%)
04/2014: and Wonder Woman #30 --  44,832 (+  3.6%)
05/2014: and Frankenstein #31 --  42,150 (-  6.0%)
06/2014: and Ra's al Ghul #32 --  56,311 (+ 33.6%)
07/2014: Batman and Robin #33 --  56,269 (-  0.1%)
08/2014: Batman and Robin #34 --  53,403 (-  5.1%)
09/2014: Futures End #1       --  83,783 (+ 56.9%)
10/2014: Batman and Robin #35 --  54,616 (- 34.8%)
----------------
6 months: + 21.8%
1 year  : +  4.9%
2 years : - 13.4%
5 years : - 46.2%
Since #1: - 52.9%

Another title showing a bit of growth, with a Monster-Selfie differential of a positive 1.2K.

29, 32, 35, 38, 39 - BATMAN ETERNAL ($2.99)
04/2014: Batman Eternal #1  -- 105,754           [110,916]
04/2014: Batman Eternal #2  --  84,566 (- 20.2%) [ 88,468]
04/2014: Batman Eternal #3  --  79,703 (-  4.8%) [ 84,183]
04/2014: Batman Eternal #4  --  78,009 (-  1.7%) [ 82,743]
05/2014: Batman Eternal #5  --  73,475 (- 11.2%)
05/2014: Batman Eternal #6  --  70,983 (-  3.4%)
05/2014: Batman Eternal #7  --  68,251 (-  3.8%)
05/2014: Batman Eternal #8  --  68,523 (+  0.4%)
06/2014: Batman Eternal #9  --  68,295 (-  0.3%)
06/2014: Batman Eternal #10 --  67,203 (-  1.6%)
06/2014: Batman Eternal #11 --  65,770 (-  2.1%)
06/2014: Batman Eternal #12 --  65,374 (-  0.6%)
07/2014: Batman Eternal #13 --  63,828 (-  2.4%)
07/2014: Batman Eternal #14 --  63,138 (-  1.1%)
07/2014: Batman Eternal #15 --  62,137 (-  1.6%)
07/2014: Batman Eternal #16 --  61,149 (-  1.6%)
07/2014: Batman Eternal #17 --  60,013 (-  1.9%)
08/2014: Batman Eternal #18 --  58,998 (-  1.7%)
08/2014: Batman Eternal #19 --  58,368 (-  1.1%)
08/2014: Batman Eternal #20 --  57,906 (-  0.8%)
08/2014: Batman Eternal #21 --  57,525 (-  0.7%)
09/2014: Batman Eternal #22 --  56,793 (-  1.3%)
09/2014: Batman Eternal #23 --  56,152 (-  1.1%)
09/2014: Batman Eternal #24 --  56,002 (-  0.3%)
09/2014: Batman Eternal #25 --  55,662 (-  0.6%)
10/2014: Batman Eternal #26 --  54,199 (-  2.6%)
10/2014: Batman Eternal #27 --  53,511 (-  1.3%)
10/2014: Batman Eternal #28 --  52,918 (-  1.1%)
10/2014: Batman Eternal #29 --  52,284 (-  1.2%)
10/2014: Batman Eternal #30 --  52,438 (+  0.3%)
-----------------
6 months: - 42.7%
Since #1: - 52.7%

Five issues of the weekly in October. It appears to have stabilized in the low 50K range, with issue #30 even showing a slight uptick. There are reports that a Batman weekly will continue post-Covergence, though I would expect that we’ll see a start-over at #1 and possibly a different title as well.

30 - DEATHSTROKE ($2.99)
10/2011: Deathstroke #2  -- 44,647 
10/2012: Deathstroke #13 -- 15,078 
----------------------------------------
05/2013: Deathstroke #20 -- 11,768 (-  5.0%)
--
10/2014: Deathstroke #1  -- 54,059 (+359.4%) 
-----------------
2 years : +258.5%

Tony Daniel brings his significant fan base to a relaunch of Deathstroke, and the results are very good. The first issue of the relaunch comes in higher than the first month sales of the New 52 launch (47,028) and within spitting distance of its total sales (56,820). Given Deathstroke’s sales history, it’s quite clear than Daniel is the draw here.

There was gong to be a second printing of #1, but that has been cancelled. I’m not sure what to make of that in terms of customer demand.

31 - SUPERMAN ($3.99)
10/2004: Superman #210  -- 113,480 [114,272]
10/2009: Superman #693  --  35,395
10/2010: Superman #703  --  50,460
10/2010: Superman #704  --  46,741
10/2011: Superman #2    -- 104,703
10/2012: Superman #13   --  52,155
---------------------------------
10/2013: Superman #24   --  39,580 (- 33.8%)
11/2013: Superman #25   --  39,295 (-  0.7%)
12/2013: Superman #26   --  36,877 (-  6.2%)
01/2014: Superman #27   --  35,266 (-  4.4%)
02/2014: Superman #28   --  34,296 (-  2.8%)
03/2014: Superman #29   --  33,633 (-  1.9%)
04/2014: Superman #30   --  37,316 (+ 11.0%)
05/2014: Superman #31   --  40,534 (+  8.6%)
06/2014: Superman #32   --  89,140 (+155.4%) [103,508]
07/2014: Superman #33   --  62,998 (- 39.1%)
08/2014: Superman #34   --  56,568 (- 10.2%)
09/2014: Futures End #1 --  77,949 (+ 37.8%)
10/2014: Superman #35   --  53,692 (- 31.1%)
-----------------
6 months: + 43.9%
1 year  : + 35.7%
2 years : +  2.9%
5 years : + 51.7%
10 years: - 53.0%
Since #1: - 64.2%

The Johns-Romita Superman appears to be settling into the low 50K range, which is historically fairly decent for Superman but perhaps lower than would be hoped for form a high-profile creative team. The Monster-Selfie differential is about -3K.

33 - THE MULTIVERSITY ($4.99)
08/2014: The Multiversity #1  -- 90,551 
09/2014: SoS-H: CotC-W    #1  -- 65,022 (- 28.2%)
10/2014: The Just         #1  -- 53,301 (- 18.0%)
-----------------
Since #1: - 41.1%

Not bad sales for an oversized mini-series with no real tie to the regular DCU titles, but DC may have been hoping for more. November’s Pax Americana is likely to see an uptick.

36 - GRAYSON ($2.99)
10/2004: Nightwing #98  -- 43,618
10/2011: Nightwing #2   -- 73,054
10/2012: Nightwing #13  -- 47,171
---------------------------------
10/2013: Nightwing #24  -- 39,853 (-  1.7%)
11/2013: Nightwing #25  -- 44,039 (+ 10.5%)
12/2013: Nightwing #26  -- 38,452 (- 12.7%)
01/2014: Nightwing #27  -- 38,325 (-  0.3%)
02/2014: Nightwing #28  -- 36,940 (-  3.6%)
03/2014: Nightwing #29  -- 36,814 (-  0.3%)
04/2014: --
05/2014: Nightwing #30  -- 43,923 (+ 19.3%)
06/2014: --
07/2014: Grayson #1     -- 81,433 (+ 85.4%)
08/2014: Grayson #2     -- 56,486 (- 30.6%)
09/2014: Futures End #1 -- 76,551 (+ 52.7%)
10/2014: Grayson #3     -- 52,849 (- 31.0%)
-----------------
6 months:    n.a.
1 year  : + 32.6%
2 years : + 12.0%
10 years: + 21.2%
Since #1: - 35.1%

Looks like it will eventually settle in around 50K, which would historically be a very good number for a comic starring the former Nightwing. The Monster-Selfie differential is about -3.5K.

40, 42 - BATMAN/SUPERMAN ($3.99)
10/2004: --
10/2009: Superman/Batman #65 --  34,585
10/2010: Superman/Batman #77 --  31,741
---------------------------------------
10/2013: Batman/Superman #4  --  82,990 (- 14.0%)
11/2013: Batman/Superman #5  --  77,198 (-  7.0%)
12/2013: Batman/Superman #6  --  68,857 (- 10.8%)
01/2014: Batman/Superman #7  --  61,074 (- 11.3%)
02/2014: Batman/Superman #8  --  59,138 (-  3.2%)
03/2014: --
04/2014: Batman/Superman #9  --  56,223 (-  4.9%)
05/2014: Batman/Superman #10 --  54,844 (-  4.9%)
05/2014: Batman/Superman #11 --  53,504 (-  4.9%)
06/2014: --
07/2014: Batman/Superman #12 --  68,345 (+ 27.7%)
08/2014: Batman/Superman #13 --  55,954 (- 18.1%)
09/2014: Futures End #1      --  87,339 (+ 56.1%)
10/2014: Batman/Superman #14 --  52,270 (- 40.2%)
10/2014: Batman/Superman #15 --  50,226 (-  3.9%)
-----------------
6 months: -  8.8%
1 year  : - 38.2%
5 years : + 48.2%
10 years:    n.a.
Since #1: - 66.7%

Two issues in October as Batman/Superman makes up for skipping a month earlier in the year. Issue #14 had a Selfie variant, and #15 had a Monsters variant.

57, 72, 82, 83 - EARTH 2 - WORLD'S END ($2.99)
10/2014: E2 World's End #1  -- 48,249
10/2014: E2 World's End #2  -- 40,190 (- 16.7%)
10/2014: E2 World's End #3  -- 38,496 (-  4.2%)
10/2014: E2 World's End #4  -- 37,874 (-  1.6%)

Returnable, so the numbers are adjusted up by 10% from the estimates. (For why this is done for returnable comics, please see the fine print at the end of this column.)

DC’s third weekly series debuts pretty much where one would expect, falling to the level of the main Earth 2 title by the fourth issue. It’s presently outselling Futures End, but I suspect this won’t last past next month.

49 - SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN ($3.99)
10/2013: Superman/Wonder Woman #1  -- 94,859
11/2013: Superman/Wonder Woman #2  -- 60,185 (- 36.6%)
12/2013: Superman/Wonder Woman #3  -- 51,357 (- 14.7%)
01/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #4  -- 47,350 (-  7.8%)
02/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #5  -- 44,847 (-  5.3%)
03/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #6  -- 43,308 (-  3.4%)
04/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #7  -- 45,157 (+  4.3%)
05/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #8  -- 47,803 (+  5.9%)
06/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #9  -- 62,659 (+ 31.1%)
07/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #10 -- 50,254 (- 19.8%)
08/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #11 -- 50,550 (+  0.6%)
09/2014: Futures End #1            -- 77,169 (+ 52.7%)
10/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #12 -- 47,885 (- 37.9%)
-----------------
6 months: +  6.0%
1 year  : - 49.5%
Since #1: - 49.5%

Back down to where it was before the freely-orderable variants began. A Monster-Selfie differential of close to -3K.

53 - ARKHAM MANOR ($2.99)
10/2014: Arkham Manor #1  -- 45,922

New Batman-related series with the oddball high concept of Wayne Manor becoming the new Arkham Asylum. No freely-orderable variant, but there was an incentive variant.

46K is not a terrible number, but if it follows standard declines (-25% for issue #2, -15% for #3, -10% for issue #4, -3% thereafter) it will be down at around 25K by issue #6. Given the oddball concept this may be the best that could be hoped for.

54 - GREEN LANTERN ($2.99)
10/2004: GL: Rebirth #1     --  95,092 [178,414]
10/2009: Green Lantern #47  -- 101,349
10/2010: Green Lantern #58  --  81,626
10/2011: Green Lantern #2   -- 142,344 
10/2012: Green Lantern #13  --  91,814
--------------------------------------
10/2013: Green Lantern #24  --  57,109 (- 19.4%)
11/2013: Green Lantern #25  --  54,322 (-  5.2%)
12/2013: Green Lantern #26  --  51,420 (-  5.0%)
01/2014: Green Lantern #27  --  48,831 (-  5.0%)
02/2014: GL/Red Lanterns#28 --  49,200 (+  5.6%) [51,548]
03/2014: Green Lantern #29  --  45,797 (- 11.2%)
04/2014: Green Lantern #30  --  44,483 (-  2.9%)
05/2014: Green Lantern #31  --  43,769 (-  1.6%)
06/2014: Green Lantern #32  --  56,315 (+ 28.7%)
07/2014: Green Lantern #33  --  47,279 (- 16.0%)
08/2014: Green Lantern #34  --  43,846 (-  7.3%)
09/2014: Futures End #1     --  77,372 (+ 76.5%)
10/2014: Green Lantern #35  --  45,893 (- 40.7%)
-----------------
6 months: +  3.2%
1 year  : - 19.6%
2 years : - 50.0%
5 years : - 54.7%
10 years: - 74.3%
Since #1: - 72.9%

The line-wide crossover featuring the New Gods begins this month. The flagship title show a modest growth of 2K copies, which is better than another drop. Typically the best-selling title in a crossover shows the least gain, so this isn’t surprising.

5 - ACTION COMICS ($3.99)
10/2004: Action Comics #820 --  41,114
10/2009: Action Comics #882 --  35,754
10/2010: Action Comics #894 --  42,291
10/2011: Action Comics #2   -- 153,855
10/2012: Action Comics #13  --  67,241
--------------------------------------
10/2013: Action Comics #24  --  39,620 (- 23.5%)
11/2013: Action Comics #25  --  46,550 (+ 17.5%)
12/2013: Action Comics #26  --  37,489 (- 19.5%)
01/2014: Action Comics #27  --  36,042 (-  3.9%)
02/2014: Action Comics #28  --  35,305 (-  2.0%)
03/2014: Action Comics #29  --  34,231 (-  3.0%)
04/2014: Action Comics #30  --  37,809 (+ 10.5%)
05/2014: Action Comics #31  --  41,081 (+  8.7%)
06/2014: Action Comics #32  --  55,400 (+ 34.9%)
07/2014: Action Comics #33  --  49,457 (- 10.7%)
08/2014: Action Comics #34  --  46,746 (-  5.5%)
09/2014: Futures End #1     --  74,497 (+ 59.4%)
10/2014: Action Comics #35  --  45,152 (- 39.4%)
-----------------
6 months: + 19.4%
1 year  : + 14.0%
2 years : - 32.9%
5 years : + 26.3%
10 years: +  9.8%
Since #1: - 77.5%

A postscript to “Superman: Doomed” drops about 1.5K. It will be interesting to see what happens to the titles involved in “Superman: Doomed” next month when the crossover is all said and done. It was a nice little boost to the mid-tier titles that participated.

58 - GOTHAM ACADEMY ($2.99)
10/2014: Gotham Academy #1  -- 43,338

Not the greatest numbers for a debut issue, as it seems that retailers didn’t quite know what to make of this Batman-related title set in a boarding school. But since it has gone into a second printing, it would appear that demand was higher than anticipated.

Anyway, this is a fantabulous comic and you should all go out and give it a try right now. Even if you don’t think it’s your cup of tea. Why? Because it is part of DC’s recent movement away from their house style for the DCU and if you want more variety in your DCU comics, you should be willing to support that variety by at least trying the new comics they are putting out there.

Plus you may just end up liking it as much as I do.

60 - GREEN LANTERN / NEW GODS: GODHEAD ($4.99)
10/2014: GL/NG Godhead #1  -- 42,937

A special kicking off the latest line-wide Green Lantern crossover. It sells under the main GL title, which means there may be a couple thousand readers out there who are a bit confused as to what is going on. Or a couple thousand people who just buy every issue of Green Lantern and throw it in mylar without reading it.

64 - NEW SUICIDE SQUAD ($2.99)
10/2011: Suicide Squad #2      -- 49,570
10/2012: Suicide Squad #13     -- 27,644
-----------------------------------------
10/2013: Suicide Squad #24     -- 27,762 (+ 25.3%)
11/2013: Suicide Squad #25     -- 27,067 (-  2.5%)
12/2013: Suicide Squad #26     -- 25,346 (-  6.4%)
01/2014: Suicide Squad #27     -- 24,175 (-  4.6%)
02/2014: Suicide Squad #28     -- 22,882 (-  5.3%)
03/2014: Suicide Squad #29     -- 22,162 (-  3.1%)
04/2014: --
05/2014: Suicide Squad #30     -- 22,063 (-  0.4%)
06/2014: --
07/2014: New Suicide Squad #1  -- 49,260 (+123.3%)
08/2014: New Suicide Squad #2  -- 38,477 (- 21.9%)
09/2014: Futures End #1        -- 73,599 (+ 91.3%)
10/2014: New Suicide Squad #3  -- 39,498 (- 46.3%)
-----------------
6 months:     n.a.
1 year  : + 42.3
2 years : + 42.9%
Since #1: - 19.8%

Oh hey, the figures for issue #3 are actually up about 1K over those of issue #2. That almost never happens, and is a good sign that there is some decent demand for this title. Which is good, as DC has a vested interest in keeping a Suicide Squad comic around while Warner is working on a movie.

65 - TEEN TITANS ($2.99)
10/2004: Teen Titans #17  -- 63,154 [67,926]
10/2009: Teen Titans #76  -- 29,166
10/2010: Teen Titans #88  -- 27,637
10/2011: Teen Titans #2   -- 72,107
10/2012: Teen Titans #13  -- 41,059
-----------------------------------
10/2013: Teen Titans #24  -- 34,536 (- 30.8%)
11/2013: Teen Titans #25  -- 32,395 (-  6.2%)
12/2013: Teen Titans #26  -- 29,149 (- 10.0%)
01/2014: Teen Titans #27  -- 27,558 (-  5.5%)
02/2014: Teen Titans #28  -- 26,732 (-  3.0%)
03/2014: Teen Titans #29  -- 25,969 (-  2.9%)
04/2014: Teen Titans #30  -- 25,709 (-  1.0%)
05/2014: --
06/2014: --
07/2014: Teen Titans #1   -- 52,358 (+103.7%)
08/2014: Teen Titans #2   -- 40,687 (- 22.3%)
09/2014: Futures End #1   -- 62,915 (+ 54.6%)
10/2014: Teen Titans #3   -- 39,198 (- 37.7%)
-----------------
6 months: + 54.5%
1 year  : + 15.0%
2 years : -  3.3%
5 years : + 36.1%
10 years: - 41.5%
Since #1: - 25.1%

Still sliding a bit.

66 - LOBO ($2.99)
12/2009: Highway to Hell #2 -- 13,435
--
--
10/2014: Lobo #1            -- 39,047 (+190.6%)

Near as I can tell, the most recent Lobo comic was the second issue of the prestige format Lobo: Highway to Hell back in 2009. Given that Lobo hasn’t been a hot property since the 1990s, these numbers are about as good as could be expected.

I do question why DC didn’t make the first issues of all of their new titles this month returnable. Surely that would have helped with retailers taking a chance on them and increasing the possibility that they would find new readers.

68 - JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED ($3.99)
04/2014: Justice League United #0  -- 68,431 
05/2014: Justice League United #1  -- 64,209 (-  6.2%) 
06/2014: Justice League United #2  -- 62,928 (-  2.0%) 
07/2014: Justice League United #3  -- 47,919 (- 23.9%) 
08/2014: Justice League United #4  -- 42,504 (- 11.3%) 
09/2014: Futures End #1            -- 72,839 (+ 71.4%)
10/2014: Justice League United #5  -- 38,066 (- 47.7%) 
-----------------
Since #0: - 44.4%

Still dropping, and there’s a Monsters variant (Monster-Selfie differential of 4.5K). DC was able to keep sales up for the first few issues with zero-issue shenanigans and variant covers, but reality is catching up now. Which is kind of a shame as this is a solid super-hero team book, but you can’t just throw a bunch of B- and C-list characters into a book and call it Justice League and expect it to sell like it is actually the Justice League. (See JL Dark…)

69 - EARTH 2 ($2.99)
10/2012: Earth 2 #5     -- 61,529
------------------------------
10/2013: Earth 2 #16    -- 38,389 (- 26.7%)
11/2013: Earth 2 #17    -- 39,846 (+  3.8%)
12/2013: Earth 2 #18    -- 37,130 (-  6.8%)
01/2014: Earth 2 #19    -- 36,103 (-  2.8%)
02/2014: Earth 2 #20    -- 35,732 (-  1.0%)
03/2014: Earth 2 #21    -- 35,295 (-  1.2%)
04/2014: Earth 2 #22    -- 34,970 (-  0.9%)
05/2014: Earth 2 #23    -- 34,531 (-  1.3%)
06/2014: Earth 2 #24    -- 47,277 (+ 36.9%)
07/2014: Earth 2 #25    -- 39,726 (- 16.0%)
08/2014: Earth 2 #26    -- 37,396 (-  5.9%)
09/2014: Futures End #1 -- 65,212 (+ 73.7%)
10/2014: Earth 2 #27    -- 37,925 (- 41.6%)
----------------
6 months: +  8.5%
1 year  : -  1.2%
2 years : - 38.4%
Since #1: - 63.0%

A slight uptick over issue #26. It appears that at least some retailers figured there might be an increase of interest to go along with the new weekly title. A Monster-Selfie differential of positive 0.5K.

70 - FLASH ($2.99)
10/2004: Flash #215       --  44,024  [51,882]
10/2009: --
10/2010: --
10/2011: Flash #2         -- 114,137
10/2012: Flash #13        --  49,936
-----------------------------------
10/2013: Flash #24        --  38,190 (- 25.2%)
11/2013: Flash #25        --  41,838 (+  9.6%)
12/2013: Flash #26        --  36,601 (- 12.5%)
01/2014: Flash #27        --  34,902 (-  4.6%)
02/2014: Flash #28        --  33,853 (-  3.0%)
03/2014: Flash #29        --  33,241 (-  1.8%)
04/2014: Flash #30        --  33,300 (+  5.8%) [35,157]
05/2014: Flash #31        --  34,240 (-  2.6%)
06/2014: Flash #32        --  47,188 (+ 37.8%)
07/2014: Flash #33        --  39,669 (- 15.9%)
08/2014: Flash #34        --  37,109 (-  6.5%)
09/2014: Futures End #1   --  70,368 (+ 89.6%)
10/2014: Flash #35        --  37,484 (- 46.7%)
-----------------
6 months: +  6.6%
1 year  : -  1.8%
2 years : - 24.9%
5 years :    n.a.
10 years: - 27.8%
Since #1: - 74.6%

Another comic showing a slight uptick over August (a Monster-Selfie differential of positive 0.3K), in this case possibly due to anticipated increased demand from the new TV series.

73, 74, 76, 79, 80 - The New 52  Futures End ($2.99)
05/2014: Futures End #0  -- ?????? 
05/2014: Futures End #1  -- 77,867 
05/2014: Futures End #2  -- 62,862 (- 19.3%) 
05/2014: Futures End #3  -- 59,148 (-  5.9%)
05/2014: Futures End #4  -- 58,496 (-  1.1%)
06/2014: Futures End #5  -- 53,645 (-  8.3%)
06/2014: Futures End #6  -- 51,543 (-  3.9%)
06/2014: Futures End #7  -- 50,266 (-  2.5%)
06/2014: Futures End #8  -- 49,138 (-  2.2%)
07/2014: Futures End #9  -- 52,083 (+  6.0%)
07/2014: Futures End #10 -- 46,001 (- 11.7%)
07/2014: Futures End #11 -- 45,222 (-  1.7%)
07/2014: Futures End #12 -- 43,228 (-  4.4%)
07/2014: Futures End #13 -- 42,803 (-  1.0%)
08/2014: Futures End #14 -- 41,185 (-  3.8%)
08/2014: Futures End #15 -- 40,541 (-  1.6%)
08/2014: Futures End #16 -- 40,077 (-  1.1%)
08/2014: Futures End #17 -- 39,750 (-  0.8%)
09/2014: Futures End #18 -- 38,778 (-  2.4%)
09/2014: Futures End #19 -- 38,377 (-  1.0%)
09/2014: Futures End #20 -- 37,990 (-  1.0%)
09/2014: Futures End #21 -- 37,861 (-  0.3%)
10/2014: Futures End #22 -- 36,468 (-  3.7%)
10/2014: Futures End #23 -- 36,120 (-  1.0%)
10/2014: Futures End #24 -- 35,937 (-  0.5%)
10/2014: Futures End #25 -- 35,585 (-  1.0%)
10/2014: Futures End #26 -- 35,452 (-  0.4%)
-----------------
Since #1: - 54.5%

Looks like we’ve settled into a pattern here…

84 - GREEN LANTERN CORPS ($2.99)
10/2009: Green Lantern Corps #41 -- 81,377
10/2010: Green Lantern Corps #53 -- 60,808
10/2011: Green Lantern Corps #2  -- 78,501
10/2012: Green Lantern Corps #13 -- 50,773
------------------------------------------
10/2013: Green Lantern Corps #24 -- 37,312 (+  3.0%)
11/2013: Green Lantern Corps #25 -- 38,369 (+  2.8%)
12/2013: Green Lantern Corps #26 -- 32,797 (- 14.5%)
01/2014: Green Lantern Corps #27 -- 31,447 (-  4.1%)
02/2014: Green Lantern Corps #28 -- 29,142 (-  7.3%)
03/2014: Green Lantern Corps #29 -- 27,754 (-  4.8%)
04/2014: Green Lantern Corps #30 -- 26,640 (-  4.0%)
05/2014: Green Lantern Corps #31 -- 28,449 (+  6.8%)
06/2014: Green Lantern Corps #32 -- 40,734 (+ 43.2%)
07/2014: Green Lantern Corps #33 -- 32,877 (- 19.3%)
08/2014: Green Lantern Corps #34 -- 29,471 (- 10.4%)
09/2014: Futures End #1          -- 58,325 (+ 97.9%)
10/2014: Green Lantern Corps #35 -- 34,222 (- 41.3%)
----------------
6 months: + 28.5%
1 year  : -  8.3%
2 years : - 32.6%
5 years : - 57.9%
Since #1: - 63.9%

The increase over August is easy to explain here: it’s from the line-wide crossover, which is always good for bumping up the lower-selling GL Family titles by a few thousand. A Monsters-Selfie differential of +4.5K.

87 - SINESTRO ($2.99)
04/2014: Sinestro #1    -- 46,480 
05/2014: Sinestro #2    -- 34,640 (- 25.5%) 
06/2014: Sinestro #3    -- 30,422 (- 12.2%) 
07/2014: Sinestro #4    -- 28,095 (-  7.6%) 
08/2014: Sinestro #5    -- 26,867 (-  4.4%) 
09/2014: Futures End #1 -- 60,761 (+126.2%)
10/2014: Sinestro #6    -- 33,621 (- 44.7%) 
-----------------
Since #1: - 27.7%

Joins the line-wide crossover and adds a freely-orderable variant for the first time, giving it quite the boost. It also gives us an important data point: GLC kept the variant and added about 4.5K in sales. If we figure that Sinestro would have added about the same from the cross-over, we can guesstimate that the new variant cover added about 3K or so in additional sales.

94 - AQUAMAN ($2.99)
09/2004: Aquaman #23    -- 22,369
09/2011: Aquaman #2     -- 79,156 [83,626]
09/2012: Aquaman #13    -- 54,648
------------------------------
10/2013: Aquaman #24    -- 42,248 (- 21.3%)
11/2013: Aquaman #25    -- 41,264 (-  2.3%)
12/2013: Aquaman #26    -- 38,841 (-  5.9%)
01/2014: Aquaman #27    -- 36,610 (-  5.7%)
02/2014: Aquaman #28    -- 34,939 (-  4.6%)
03/2014: Aquaman #29    -- 33,907 (-  3.0%)
04/2014: Aquaman #30    -- 32,859 (-  3.1%)
05/2014: Aquaman #31    -- 32,076 (-  2.4%)
06/2014: Aquaman #32    -- 44,853 (+ 39.8%)
07/2014: Aquaman #33    -- 36,140 (- 19.4%)
08/2014: Aquaman #34    -- 33,380 (-  7.6%)
09/2014: Futures End #1 -- 65,212 (+ 95.4%)
10/2014: Aquaman #35    -- 32,238 (- 50.6%)
-----------------
6 months: -  1.9%
1 year  : - 23.7%
2 years : - 41.0%
10 years: + 44.1%
Since #1: - 70.3%

Sales are back down to just about where they were before the variants started. A Monsters-Selfie differential of -1K.

108 - GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS ($2.99)
09/2011: New Guardians #2  -- 71,713
09/2012: New Guardians #13 -- 48,500
------------------------------------
10/2013: New Guardians #24 -- 35,417 (+  2.7%)
11/2013: New Guardians #25 -- 32,069 (-  9.5%)
12/2013: New Guardians #26 -- 30,489 (-  4.9%)
01/2014: New Guardians #27 -- 28,346 (-  7.0%)
02/2014: New Guardians #28 -- 27,212 (-  4.0%)
03/2014: New Guardians #29 -- 25,296 (-  7.0%)
04/2014: New Guardians #30 -- 24,727 (-  2.2%)
05/2014: New Guardians #31 -- 23,886 (-  3.4%)
06/2014: New Guardians #32 -- 23,142 (-  3.1%)
07/2014: New Guardians #33 -- 22,797 (-  1.5%)
08/2014: New Guardians #34 -- 22,052 (-  3.3%)
09/2014: Futures End #1    -- 55,863 (+153.3%)
10/2014: New Guardians #35 -- 26,702 (- 52.2%)
----------------
6 months: +  8.0%
1 year  : - 24.6%
2 years : - 44.9%
Since #1: - 72.4%

Sales jump up about 4.5K due to the crossover, but that probably won’t help the title survive past The Convergence Gap.

110 - JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED ANNUAL ($4.99)
10/2014: JL United Annual #1 -- 26,629 

The Annual kicks off the next JLU storyline, and sees the return of the Legion of Super-Heroes to the DCU. These sales are disappointing on both accounts. (Don’t expect to see the LoSH return to its own title anytime soon.)

111 - RED LANTERNS ($2.99)
09/2011: Red Lanterns #2  -- 74,163
09/2012: Red Lanterns #13 -- 42,804
-----------------------------------
10/2013: Red Lanterns #24 -- 30,771 (+  3.9%)
11/2013: Red Lanterns #25 -- 27,786 (-  9.7%)
12/2013: Red Lanterns #26 -- 26,242 (-  5.6%)
01/2014: Red Lanterns #27 -- 24,477 (-  6.7%)
02/2014: Green Lant/RL#28 -- 49,200 (+110.6%) [51,548]
03/2014: Red Lanterns #29 -- 25,153 (- 51.2%)
04/2014: Red Lanterns #30 -- 24,350 (-  3.2%)
05/2014: Red Lanterns #31 -- 24,307 (-  0.2%)
06/2014: Red Lanterns #32 -- 23,720 (-  2.4%)
07/2014: Red Lanterns #33 -- 23,355 (-  1.5%)
08/2014: Red Lanterns #34 -- 22,761 (-  2.5%)
09/2014: Futures End #1   -- 56,030 (+146.2%)
10/2014: Red Lanterns #35 -- 26,534 (- 52.6%)
----------------
6 months: +  9.0%
1 year  : - 13.8%
2 years : - 38.0%
Since #1: - 70.2%

See GL:NG above.

112 - SUPERGIRL ($2.99)
10/2009: Supergirl #46  -- 30,377
10/2010: Supergirl #57  -- 23,842
10/2011: Supergirl #2   -- 61,388
10/2012: Supergirl #13  -- 29,450
---------------------------------
10/2013: Supergirl #24  -- 23,321 (-  5.8%)
11/2013: Supergirl #25  -- 25,377 (+  8.8%)
12/2013: Supergirl #26  -- 22,646 (- 10.8%)
01/2014: Supergirl #27  -- 21,954 (-  3.1%)
02/2014: Supergirl #28  -- 23,567 (+  7.3%)
03/2014: Supergirl #29  -- 22,883 (-  2.9%)
04/2014: Supergirl #30  -- 23,410 (+  2.3%)
05/2014: Supergirl #31  -- 22,783 (-  2.7%)
06/2014: Supergirl #32  -- 22,481 (-  1.3%)
07/2014: Supergirl #33  -- 22,802 (+  1.4%)
08/2014: Supergirl #34  -- 26,510 (+ 16.3%)
09/2014: Futures End #1 -- 55,706 (+110.1%)
10/2014: Supergirl #35  -- 26,371 (- 52.7%)
-----------------
6 months: + 12.6%
1 year  : + 13.1%
2 years : - 10.5%
5 years : - 13.2%
Since #1: - 64.5%

A “Superman: Doomed” aftermath. Gets a new creative team and change of direction in October.

113 - CATWOMAN ($2.99)
10/2004: Catwoman #36   -- 37,554 [40,226]
10/2011: Catwoman #2    -- 63,573
10/2012: Catwoman #13   -- 40,147 [60,257]
---------------------------------
10/2013: Catwoman #24   -- 35,134 (+ 44.8%)
11/2013: Catwoman #25   -- 29,471 (- 16.1%)
12/2013: Catwoman #26   -- 26,482 (- 10.1%)
01/2014: Catwoman #27   -- 24,956 (-  5.8%)
02/2014: Catwoman #28   -- 23,974 (-  3.9%)
03/2014: Catwoman #29   -- 22,236 (-  7.2%)
04/2014: Catwoman #30   -- 20,968 (-  5.7%)
05/2014: Catwoman #31   -- 20,144 (-  3.9%)
06/2014: Catwoman #32   -- 33,694 (+ 67.3%)
07/2014: Catwoman #33   -- 18,945 (- 43.8%)
08/2014: Catwoman #34   -- 23,497 (+ 24.0%)
09/2014: Futures End #1 -- 56,939 (+142.3%)
10/2014: Catwoman #35   -- 25,970 (+ 24.0%)
-----------------
6 months: + 23.9%
1 year  : - 26.1%
2 years : - 56.9%
10 years: - 35.4%
Since #1: - 65.6%

A new creative team and a new direction, spinning out of Batman Eternal (which hasn’t finished yet, so kind of spoils the Catwoman storyline there, but whatever). I bought it because it had a fantastic variant cover, and was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the story within. A Monster-Selfie differential of +2.5K.

117 - SECRET ORIGINS ($4.99)
04/2014: Secret Origins #1  -- 38,742 
05/2014: Secret Origins #2  -- 32,966 (- 14.9%) 
06/2014: Secret Origins #3  -- 28,351 (- 14.0%) 
07/2014: Secret Origins #4  -- 37,181 (+ 31.1%) 
08/2014: Secret Origins #5  -- 24,126 (- 35.1%) 
09/2004: --
10/2014: Secret Origins #6  -- 24,775 (+  2.7%) 
-----------------
Since #1: - 36.1%

Returns after a scheduled month off. Wonder Woman was the headliner, which probably contributed to the slight increase.

118 - JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK ($3.99)
10/2011: Justice League Dark #2  -- 63,392
10/2012: Justice League Dark #13 -- 30,008
-------------------------------------------
10/2013: Justice League Dark #24 -- 45,401 (+  0.6%)
11/2013: Justice League Dark #25 -- 38,760 (- 14.6%)
12/2013: Justice League Dark #26 -- 36,353 (-  6.2%)
01/2014: Justice League Dark #27 -- 32,576 (- 10.4%)
02/2014: Justice League Dark #28 -- 30,519 (-  6.3%)
03/2014: Justice League Dark #29 -- 29,202 (-  4.3%)
04/2014: Justice League Dark #30 -- 27,695 (-  5.2%)
05/2014: Justice League Dark #31 -- 25,337 (-  8.5%)
06/2014: Justice League Dark #32 -- 38,219 (+ 50.8%)
07/2014: Justice League Dark #33 -- 28,297 (- 26.0%)
08/2014: Justice League Dark #34 -- 25,258 (- 10.7%)
09/2014: Futures End #1          -- 58,529 (+131.7%)
10/2014: Justice League Dark #35 -- 24,462 (- 58.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 11.7%
1 year  : - 46.1%
2 years : - 18.5%
Since #1: - 70.2%

The lowest selling issue yet, even with the Monsters variant. A Monster-Selfie differential of just under -1K. May not be headed for outright cancellation (there is a movie in development after all), but changes are going to have to come soon.

122 - THE FLASH: SEASON ZERO (Digital-First) ($2.99)
10/2014: Flash Season 0 #1 -- 23,501 

The top-rated non DCU title this month ties in to The Flash television series. While its long-term health as a series will depend primarily on its digital sales, print sales do count in the mix.

124 - GREEN ARROW ($2.99)
10/2004: Green Arrow #43  -- 32,133
10/2009: Arrow/Canary #25 -- 18,013
10/2010: Green Arrow #5   -- 42,188
10/2011: Green Arrow #2   -- 58,708
10/2012: Green Arrow #13  -- 22,057
-----------------------------------
10/2013: Green Arrow #24  -- 24,620 (- 43.1%)
11/2013: Green Arrow #25  -- 29,591 (+ 20.2%)
12/2013: Green Arrow #26  -- 24,687 (- 16.6%)
01/2014: Green Arrow #27  -- 23,785 (-  3.7%)
02/2014: Green Arrow #28  -- 26,725 (+ 12.4%)
03/2014: Green Arrow #29  -- 23,698 (- 11.3%)
04/2014: Green Arrow #30  -- 23,577 (-  0.5%)
05/2014: Green Arrow #31  -- 23,475 (-  0.4%)
06/2014: Green Arrow #32  -- 23,602 (+  0.5%)
07/2014: Green Arrow #33  -- 23,452 (-  0.6%)
08/2014: Green Arrow #34  -- 22,927 (-  2.2%)
09/2014: Futures End #1   -- 61,915 (+170.1%)
10/2014: Green Arrow #35  -- 23,346 (- 62.3%)
-----------------
6 months: -  1.0%
1 year  : -  5.2%
2 years : +  5.8%
5 years : + 29.6%
10 years: - 27.3%
Since #1: - 67.7%

The new creative team debuts, but with only the slightest of increase over issue #34 (about 400 copies). That’s not a big show of confidence.

125 - TRINITY OF SIN ($2.99)
10/2014: Trinity of Sin #1 -- 22,683 

The last regular issue of ToS: Pandora sold 10,651; the last regular issue of ToS: Phantom Stranger sold 10,882. So the new combined title comes in a just over the sales of those two combined. Viewed at through those rose-colored glasses this is a successful (re-)launch. But if sales on this drop the standard amounts for new titles, this will be back in the danger zone pretty soon.

126 - BATMAN '66 MEETS THE GREEN HORNET (Digital-First) ($2.99)
06/2014: Batman 66/GH #1 of 6 -- 32,983
07/2014: Batman 66/GH #2 of 6 -- 25,392 (- 23.0%)
08/2014: Batman 66/GH #3 of 6 -- 24,409 (-  3.9%)
09/2014: Batman 66/GH #4 of 6 -- 23,397 (-  4.1%)
10/2014: Batman 66/GH #5 of 6 -- 22,614 (-  3.3%)
-----------------
Since #1: - 31.4%

Penultimate issue. Still doing rather well for this sort of thing.

138 - KLARION ($2.99)
11/2005: 7 Soldiers Klarion #4 -- 28,996 
--
--
10/2014: Klarion #1            -- 20,870 (- 28.0%) 

And in this month’s What Were They Thinking? category… Minimal promotion for a new title featuring a D-List character gets sales pretty much where you’d expect. On the plus side, it does sell better than artist Trevor McCarthy’s previous gig (Batwoman) is doing at the moment..

146 - WORLDS' FINEST ($2.99)
10/2012: Worlds' Finest #5  -- 35,951 
-------------------------------------
10/2013: Worlds' Finest #16 -- 22,987 (-  4.9%)
11/2013: Worlds' Finest #17 -- 21,920 (-  4.6%)
12/2013: Worlds' Finest #18 -- 21,039 (-  4.0%)
01/2014: Worlds' Finest #19 -- 20,998 (-  0.2%)
02/2014: Worlds' Finest #20 -- 25,585 (+ 31.5%) [27,613]
03/2014: Worlds' Finest #21 -- 25,676 (-  7.0%)
04/2014: Worlds' Finest #22 -- 21,485 (- 16.3%)
05/2014: Worlds' Finest #23 -- 21,118 (-  1.7%)
06/2014: Worlds' Finest #24 -- 20,900 (-  1.0%)
07/2014: Worlds' Finest #25 -- 19,957 (-  4.5%)
08/2014: Worlds' Finest #26 -- 19,772 (-  0.9%)
09/2014: Futures End #1     -- 55,376 (+153.3%)
10/2014: Worlds' Finest #27 -- 20,234 (- 63.5%)
-----------------
6 months: -  5.8%
1 year  : - 12.0%
2 years : - 43.7%
Since #1: - 70.9%

The start of “The Secret History of Superman & Batman,” loosely tying in to the Earth 2 weekly. A slight uptick (about 0.5K), but don’t kid yourself, this isn’t surviving past the Convergence Gap, at least not in anything resembling its present form.

149 - RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS ($2.99)
10/2010: Red Hood Lost Days #5  -- 22,967
10/2011: Red Hood & Outlaws #2  -- 59,382
10/2012: Red Hood & Outlaws #13 -- 35,420
-------------------------------
10/2013: Red Hood & Outlaws #24 -- 27,128 (-  5.9%)
11/2013: Red Hood & Outlaws #25 -- 30,632 (+ 12.9%)
12/2013: Red Hood & Outlaws #26 -- 25,382 (- 17.1%)
01/2014: Red Hood & Outlaws #27 -- 24,813 (-  2.2%)
02/2014: Red Hood & Outlaws #28 -- 23,236 (-  6.4%)
03/2014: Red Hood & Outlaws #29 -- 22,316 (-  4.0%)
04/2014: Red Hood & Outlaws #30 -- 21,718 (-  2.7%)
05/2014: Red Hood & Outlaws #31 -- 21,257 (-  2.1%)
06/2014: Red Hood & Outlaws #32 -- 33,081 (+ 55.6%)
07/2014: Red Hood & Outlaws #33 -- 20,669 (- 37.5%)
08/2014: Red Hood & Outlaws #34 -- 20,069 (-  2.9%)
09/2014: Futures End #1         -- 54,984 (+174.0%)
10/2014: Red Hood & Outlaws #35 -- 19,837 (- 63.9%)
----------------
6 months: -  8.7%
1 year  : - 26.9%
2 years : - 44.0%
Since #1: - 71.8%

Drops below 20K for the first time. Another title that may be in its last days.

150 - JUSTICE LEAGUE 3000 ($2.99)
12/2013: Justice League 3K #1  -- 57,726
01/2014: Justice League 3K #2  -- 41,423 (-28.2%)
02/2014: Justice League 3K #3  -- 33,308 (-19.6%)
03/2014: Justice League 3K #4  -- 30,127 (- 9.6%)
04/2014: Justice League 3K #5  -- 27,529 (- 8.6%)
05/2014: Justice League 3K #6  -- 25,738 (- 6.5%)
06/2014: Justice League 3K #7  -- 24,172 (- 6.1%)
07/2014: Justice League 3K #8  -- 22,604 (- 6.5%)
08/2014: Justice League 3K #9  -- 20,974 (- 7.2%)
09/2014: --
10/2014: Justice League 3K #10 -- 19,623 (- 6.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 28.7% 
Since #1: - 66.0%

Back after a scheduled month off, but still dropping with percentages drops still twice as high as standard attrition. The Bwah-hah-hah era Booster Gold and Blue Beetle show up in issue #11, so maybe that will stem the bleeding?

157, 165 - INJUSTICE: YEAR THREE (Digital-First) ($2.99)
10/2013: Injustice #10    -- 24,788 (+ 1.9%)
11/2013: Injustice #11    -- 22,704 (- 8.4%)
12/2013: Injustice #12    -- 21,871 (- 3.7%)
01/2014: Injustice Y2 #1  -- 24,700 (+12.9%)
02/2014: Injustice Y2 #2  -- 22,703 (- 8.1%)
03/2014: Injustice Y2 #3  -- 20,693 (- 8.9%)
04/2014: Injustice Y2 #4  -- 20,310 (- 1.9%)
05/2014: Injustice Y2 #5  -- 19,834 (- 2.3%)
06/2014: Injustice Y2 #6  -- 19,353 (- 2.4%)
07/2014: Injustice Y2 #7  -- 19,811 (+ 2.4%)
07/2014: Injustice Y2 #8  -- 18,931 (- 4.4%)
08/2014: Injustice Y2 #9  -- 18,397 (- 2.8%)
08/2014: Injustice Y2 #10 -- 18,068 (- 1.8%)
09/2014: Injustice Y2 #11 -- 18,086 (+ 0.1%)
09/2014: Injustice Y2 #12 -- 17,829 (- 1.4%)
10/2014: Injustice Y3 #1  -- 19,307 (+ 8.3%)
10/2014: Injustice Y3 #2  -- 17,884 (- 7.4%)
----------------
6 months: - 11.9%
1 year  : - 27.9%
Since #1: -  7.4%

By issue #2 the Year 3 relaunch is right back to where the final issue of Year 2 was. Still DC’s best-selling digital title, so no worries in the short term about this being cancelled (though digital sales are starting to slide as well…)

154 - JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK ANNUAL ($4.99)
10/2012: Justice League Dark Annual #1 -- 32,293 
10/2014: Justice League Dark Annual #2 -- 18,161 (- 33.3%) 
----------------
1 year  :    n.a.
2 years : - 33.3%
Since #1: - 33.3%

Comes in over 6K lower than the parent title.

155 - SENSATION COMICS FEAT WONDER WOMAN (Digital-First) ($3.99)
08/2014: Sensation Comics #1 -- 29,640
09/2014: Sensation Comics #2 -- 22,085 (- 25.5%)
10/2014: Sensation Comics #3 -- 17,996 (- 18.5%)
----------------
Since #1: - 39.3%

A typical third issue drop.

This was the issue that featured the first part of the Gilbert Hernandez Wonder Woman story; plus two other WW stories: one featuring Diana as a rock star by Sean E. Williams and Marguerite Sauvage, and one a team-up with Catwoman Ollie Masters & Amy Mebberson. However, you couldn’t tell that from the cover, which featured a Woman Woman in bloody, brutal combat with Orcs drawn in a typical New 52 style. (This was also true of the digital versions of the issues that featured the Hernandez story.) This is such a grievous failure of marketing that it boggles the mind.

159 - ARROW: SEASON 2.5 (Digital-First) ($2.99)
10/2013: Arrow #12           --  8,148 (-  5.5%) 
--
--
10/2014: Arrow Season 2.5 #1 -- 17,364 (+113.1%) 
----------------
1 year  : +113.1%

Another TV tie-in. The first issue of the physical reprints of the digital-first series set between seasons two and three comes in a darn sight better than the previous Arrow series. Of course that series started off at over 25K and within a year fell to nearly 8K, so we’ll have to see…

160 - SWAMP THING ($2.99)
10/2004: Swamp Thing #8  -- 18,711
10/2011: Swamp Thing #2  -- 58,634
10/2012: Swamp Thing #13 -- 36,069
----------------------------------
10/2013: Swamp Thing #24 -- 21,724 (- 46.2%)
11/2013: Swamp Thing #25 -- 21,141 (-  2.7%)
12/2013: Swamp Thing #26 -- 20,247 (-  4.2%)
01/2014: Swamp Thing #27 -- 19,755 (-  2.4%)
02/2014: Swamp Thing #28 -- 19,146 (-  3.1%)
03/2014: Swamp Thing #29 -- 18,837 (-  1.6%)
04/2014: Swamp Thing #30 -- 18,458 (-  2.0%)
05/2014: Swamp Thing #31 -- 18,249 (-  1.1%)
06/2014: Swamp Thing #32 -- 18,483 (+  1.3%)
07/2014: Swamp Thing #33 -- 17,905 (-  3.1%)
08/2014: Swamp Thing #34 -- 17,570 (-  1.9%)
09/2014: Futures End #1  -- 51,918 (+195.5%)
10/2014: Swamp Thing #35 -- 17,354 (- 66.6%)
----------------
6 months: -  6.0%
1 year  : - 20.1%
2 years : - 51.9%
10 years: -  7.3%
Since #1: - 76.4%

Ordinarily I’d say that Swamp Thing won’t survive the Convergence Gap, but historically the normal rules don’t apply to Swamp Thing. In any event, with Soule leaving soon (for his Marvel exclusive gig) there will be some sort of shake-up even if the title isn’t outright cancelled.

164 - AQUAMAN AND THE OTHERS ($2.99)
04/2014: Aquaman & Others #1  -- 34,056 
05/2014: Aquaman & Others #2  -- 26,198 (- 23.1%) 
06/2014: Aquaman & Others #3  -- 23,109 (- 11.8%) 
07/2014: Aquaman & Others #4  -- 20,520 (- 11.2%) 
08/2014: Aquaman & Others #5  -- 18,639 (-  9.2%) 
09/2014: Futures End #1       -- 53,531 (+174.0%)
10/2014: Aquaman & Others #6  -- 17,086 (- 68.1%) 
-----------------
6 months: - 49.8%
Since #1: - 49.8%

I’m pretty sure this one isn’t going to survive the Convergence Gap.

164 - INJUSTICE ANNUAL ($4.99)
11/2013: Injustice Year 1 Annual #1 -- 21,764 
10/2014: Injustice Year 2 Annual #1 -- 17,086 (- 21.5%) 

The Injustice Annual is not a digital first title, and comes in almost exactly where the final print issue of Year Two did.

167 - BATWOMAN ($2.99)
10/2011: Batwoman #2    -- 74,392
10/2012: Batwoman #13   -- 37,315
--------------------------------
10/2013: Batwoman #24   -- 25,609 (-  2.3%)
11/2013: Batwoman #25   -- 25,987 (+  1.5%)
12/2013: Batwoman #26   -- 23,311 (- 10.3%)
01/2014: Batwoman #27   -- 22,461 (-  3.6%)
02/2014: Batwoman #28   -- 20,672 (-  8.0%)
03/2014: Batwoman #29   -- 19,750 (-  4.5%)
04/2014: Batwoman #30   -- 19,204 (-  2.8%)
05/2014: Batwoman #31   -- 18,463 (-  3.9%)
06/2014: Batwoman #32   -- 33,538 (+ 81.6%)
07/2014: Batwoman #33   -- 23,922 (- 28.7%)
08/2014: Batwoman #34   -- 16,909 (- 29.3%)
09/2014: Futures End #1 -- 50,914 (+201.1%)
10/2014: Batwoman #35   -- 16,767 (- 67.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 12.7%
1 year  : - 34.5%
2 years : - 55.1%
Since #1: - 80.9%

Sales would suggest that this is another title that won’t survive the Convergence Gap, but DC’s stubborn insistence that their editorial meddling was correct may dictate otherwise.

171 - BATMAN '66 (Digital-First) ($2.99)
10/2013: Batman '66 #4  -- 30,099 (- 8.7%)
11/2013: Batman '66 #5  -- 26,785 (-11.0%)
12/2013: Batman '66 #6  -- 24,374 (- 9.0%)
01/2014: Batman '66 #7  -- 21,802 (-10.6%)
02/2014: Batman '66 #8  -- 19,795 (- 9.2%)
03/2014: Batman '66 #9  -- 18,802 (- 5.0%)
04/2014: Batman '66 #10 -- 17,917 (- 4.7%)
05/2014: Batman '66 #11 -- 18,642 (+ 4.0%)
06/2014: Batman '66 #12 -- 17,286 (- 7.3%)
07/2014: Batman '66 #13 -- 17,264 (- 0.1%)
08/2014: Batman '66 #14 -- 21,456 (+24.3%)
09/2014: Batman '66 #15 -- 16,842 (-21.5%)
10/2014: Batman '66 #16 -- 15,923 (- 5.5%)
-----------------
6 months: -  5.5%
1 year  : - 43.8%
Since #1: - 68.4%

I’d completely missed that this went from a $3.99 to a $2.99 title back in July. Though that really didn’t seem to affect sales much, except accounting for that one month halt in attrition.

172 - SWAMP THING ANNUAL ($4.99)
10/2012: Swamp Thing Annual #1 -- 32,293 
10/2013: Swamp Thing Annual #2 -- 19,628 (- 39.2%) 
10/2014: Swamp Thing Annual #3 -- 15,685 (- 20.1%) 
----------------
1 year  : - 20.1%
2 years : - 51.4%
Since #1: - 51.4%

I wonder what the calculus is that leads DC to do an Annual for one of the worst-selling DCU titles?

Oh, here’s an interesting tidbit: The 1 year drops for both the main Swamp Thing title and the Annual are the same: -20.1%

173 - CONSTANTINE ($2.99)
10/2004: Hellblazer #201 -- 15,262
10/2009: Hellblazer #260 -- 10,767
10/2010: Hellblazer #272 --  9,650
10/2011: Hellblazer #284 --  9,608
10/2012: Hellblazer #296 --  9,255
----------------------------------
10/2013: Constantine #7  -- 22,954 (-  8.8%)
11/2013: Constantine #8  -- 20,981 (-  8.6%)
12/2013: Constantine #9  -- 22,403 (+  6.8%)
01/2014: Constantine #10 -- 20,729 (-  7.5%)
02/2014: Constantine #11 -- 20,385 (-  1.7%)
03/2014: Constantine #12 -- 20,051 (-  1.6%)
04/2014: Constantine #13 -- 18,454 (-  8.0%)
05/2014: Constantine #14 -- 17,422 (-  5.6%)
06/2014: Constantine #15 -- 16,704 (-  4.1%)
07/2014: Constantine #16 -- 16,235 (-  2.8%)
08/2014: Constantine #17 -- 15,647 (-  2.8%)
09/2014: Futures End #1  -- 51,990 (+232.3%)
10/2014: Constantine #18 -- 15,647 (- 69.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 15.2%
1 year  : - 31.8%
2 years : + 69.1%
5 years : + 45.3%
10 years: +  2.5%
Since #1: - 58.3%

The Constantine television show finally debuted in October, and while the numbers for the pilot were decent, it has been slipping since then. It was not picked up for the back-nine, but allegedly is still under consideration for a second season. If not renewed, that bodes ill for the continuation of the comics past the Convergence Gap, though as a former Vertigo title it may not be playing by the same rules as the other DCU titles.

187 - AMERICAN VAMPIRE: SECOND CYCLE (Vertigo) ($2.99)
10/2010: American Vampire #7     --  21,910
10/2011: --
10/2012: American Vampire #32    --  14,857
-------------------------------------------
10/2013: --
11/2013: --
12/2013: --
01/2014: --
02/2014: --
03/2014: American Vampire 2Cy #1 --  20,863 (+ 64.3%)
04/2014: American Vampire 2Cy #2 --  17,068 (- 18.2%)
05/2014: American Vampire 2Cy #3 --  15,642 (-  8.4%)
06/2014: --
07/2014: American Vampire 2Cy #4 --  15,400 (-  1.5%)
08/2014: --
09/2014: --
10/2014: American Vampire 2Cy #5 --  14,621 (-  7.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 14.3%
1 year  :    n.a.
2 years : -  1.6%
Since #1: - 31.6%

The good news for American Vampire is that it’s the best-selling Vertigo title for the month. The bad news is that isn’t a very high bar at the moment. Issue #5 of the Second Cycle was originally solicited for August.

192 - BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE (Digital-First) ($3.99)
10/2012: Unlimited #9  -- 19,877
---------------------------------
10/2013: Universe #3   -- 17,658 (- 3.7%)
11/2013: Universe #4   -- 16,889 (- 4.4%)
12/2013: Universe #5   -- 15,857 (- 6.1%)
01/2014: Universe #6   -- 15,070 (- 5.0%)
02/2014: Universe #7   -- 14,435 (- 4.2%)
03/2014: Universe #8   -- 14,097 (- 2.3%)
04/2014: Universe #9   -- 13,807 (- 2.1%)
05/2014: Universe #10  -- 13,869 (+ 0.4%)
06/2014: Universe #11  -- 14,068 (+ 1.4%)
07/2014: Universe #12  -- 14,419 (+ 2.5%)
08/2014: Universe #13  -- 14,215 (- 1.4%)
09/2014: Universe #14  -- 14,061 (- 1.1%)
10/2014: Universe #15  -- 13,739 (- 2.3%)
----------------
6 months: -  0.5%
1 year  : - 22.2%
2 years : - 30.9%
Since #1: - 41.2%

The modest gains made from Batman Beyond’s role in Futures End have been slowly eaten away by standard attrition.

193 - FABLES (Vertigo) ($2.99)
10/2004: Fables #30  -- 25,390
10/2009: Fables #89  -- 21,118
10/2010: Fables #99  -- 19,656
10/2011: Fables #110 -- 18,109
10/2012: Fables #122 -- 16,513
------------------------------
10/2013: Fables #134 -- 14,575 (- 0.4%)
11/2013: Fables #135 -- 14,383 (- 1.3%)
12/2013: Fables #136 -- 14,220 (- 1.1%)
01/2014: Fables #137 -- 14,172 (- 0.3%)
02/2014: Fables #138 -- 14,109 (- 0.4%)
03/2014: Fables #139 -- 13,936 (- 1.2%)
04/2014: --
05/2014: Fables #140 -- 13,977 (+ 0.3%)
06/2014: Fables #141 -- 13,997 (+ 0.1%)
07/2014: Fables #142 -- 13,831 (- 1.2%)
08/2014: Fables #143 -- 13,672 (- 1.1%)
09/2014: Fables #144 -- 13,551 (- 0.9%)
10/2014: Fables #145 -- 13,723 (+ 1.3%)
----------------
6 months:    n.a.
1 year  : -  5.8%
2 years : - 16.9%
5 years : - 35.0%
10 years: - 46.0%
Since #1: - 37.7%

A modest gain of a couple hundred copies, which is something that has happened every so often though out this title’s storied run. Just five issues remain until the end.

203 - ASTRO CITY (Vertigo) ($3.99)
10/2004: Visitor's Guide -- 20,249
10/2009: Astra #2        -- 13,847
10/2010: --
10/2011: --
10/2012: --
---------------------------------------
10/2013: Astro City #5   -- 16,927 (- 4.1%)
11/2013: Astro City #6   -- 16,031 (- 5.3%)
12/2013: Astro City #7   -- 15,360 (- 4.2%)
01/2014: Astro City #8   -- 14,831 (- 3.4%)
02/2014: Astro City #9   -- 14,289 (- 3.7%)
03/2014: Astro City #10  -- 14,094 (- 1.4%)
04/2014: Astro City #11  -- 13,909 (- 1.3%)
05/2014: Astro City #12  -- 13,795 (- 0.8%)
06/2014: Astro City #13  -- 13,419 (- 2.7%)
07/2014: --
08/2014: Astro City #14  -- 13,069 (- 2.6%)
09/2014: Astro City #15  -- 12,660 (- 3.1%)
10/2014: Astro City #16  -- 12,480 (- 1.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 10.3%
1 year  : - 26.3%
2 years :    n.a.
5 years : -  9.9%
10 years: - 38.4%
Since #1: - 54.9%

Drops a couple hundred copies.

At this point, anything over 10K is good for Vertigo, which means that the imprint is like an indy publisher within the larger DCE division of Warner.

204 - BATMAN ESSENTIALS ($1.00)
09/2014: Batman and Son   #1 -- 18,188
09/2014: Gotham Central   #1 --  9,252
10/2014: The Black Mirror #1 -- 12,437

A bargain priced edition of Scott Snyder’s early Batman comics (with the always excellent Jock on art).

211 - HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE ($2.99)
10/2012: He-Man & MotU #3  -- 18,269 
------------------------------------
10/2013: He-Man & MotU #7  -- 16,059 (- 1.4%)
11/2013: He-Man & MotU #8  -- 15,154 (- 5.6%)
12/2013: He-Man & MotU #9  -- 14,465 (- 4.5%)
01/2014: --
02/2014: He-Man & MotU #10 -- 13,816 (- 4.5%)
03/2014: He-Man & MotU #11 -- 13,090 (- 5.3%)
04/2014: He-Man & MotU #12 -- 12,718 (- 2.8%)
05/2014: He-Man & MotU #13 -- 12,430 (- 2.3%)
06/2014: He-Man & MotU #14 -- 12,144 (- 2.3%)
07/2014: He-Man & MotU #15 -- 11,905 (- 2.0%)
08/2014: He-Man & MotU #16 -- 11,721 (- 1.5%)
09/2014: He-Man & MotU #17 -- 11,756 (+ 0.3%)
10/2014: He-Man & MotU #18 -- 11,501 (- 2.2%)
----------------
6 months: -  9.6%
1 year  : - 28.4%
2 years : - 37.0%
Since #1: - 54.5%

A relaunch is nigh (in December).

214 - INFINITE CRISIS: FIGHT FOR THE MULTIVERSE (Digital-First) ($3.99)
07/2014: Infinite Crisis FftM #1 -- 26,096
08/2014: Infinite Crisis FftM #2 -- 15,340 (- 41.2%)
09/2014: Infinite Crisis FftM #3 -- 13,884 (-  9.5%)
10/2014: Infinite Crisis FftM #4 -- 11,348 (- 18.3%)
----------------
Since #1: - 56.5%

Ouch, that is not a healthy drop at this stage of the game.

219 - FAIREST (Vertigo) ($2.99)
10/2012: Fairest #8  -- 18,376
------------------------------
10/2013: Fairest #20 -- 13,008 (- 2.0%)
11/2013: --
12/2013: Fairest #21 -- 12,718 (- 2.2%)
01/2014: Fairest #22 -- 12,434 (- 2.2%)
02/2014: Fairest #23 -- 12,350 (- 0.7%)
03/2014: Fairest #24 -- 11,872 (- 3.9%)
04/2014: Fairest #25 -- 11,801 (- 0.6%)
05/2014: Fairest #26 -- 11,493 (- 2.6%)
06/2014: --
07/2014: Fairest #27 -- 11,329 (- 1.4%)
08/2014: Fairest #28 -- 10,989 (- 3.0%)
09/2014: Fairest #29 -- 10,772 (- 2.0%)
10/2014: Fairest #30 -- 10,711 (- 0.6%)
----------------
6 months: -  9.2%
1 year  : - 17.7%
2 years : - 41.7%
Since #1: - 66.3%

A tiny drop as the title eases towards its finale (issue #33).

224 - INFINITY MAN AND THE FOREVER PEOPLE ($2.99)
06/2014: Infinity Man & FP #1 -- 24,907
07/2014: Infinity Man & FP #2 -- 15,903 (- 36.2%)
08/2014: Infinity Man & FP #3 -- 12,390 (- 22.1%)
09/2014: Futures End #1       -- 45,586 (+267.9%)
10/2014: Infinity Man & FP #4 -- 10,275 (- 77.5%)
-----------------
Since #1: - 58.7%

A tie-in to the “Godhead” crossover (though not actually one of the official chapters), but you couldn’t really tell from the sales figures.

I will be completely gobsmacked if this title survives the Convergence Gap.

230 - SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 CHAOS (Digital-First) ($3.99)
10/2004: --
10/2012: Smallville S11 #6     -- 19,663
--------------------------------------
10/2013: Smallville S11 #18    -- 13,794 (- 2.5%)
11/2013: Smallville S11 #19    -- 13,286 (- 3.7%)
12/2013: Smallville Alien #1   -- 13,019 (- 2.0%)
01/2014: Smallville Alien #2   -- 11,768 (- 9.6%)
02/2014: Smallville Alien #3   -- 11,061 (- 6.0%)
03/2014: Smallville Alien #4   -- 10,570 (- 4.4%)
04/2014: Smallville Lantern #1 -- 12,391 (+17.2%)
05/2014: Smallville Lantern #2 -- 11,372 (- 8.2%)
06/2014: Smallville Lantern #3 -- 11,401 (+ 0.3%)
07/2014: Smallville Lantern #4 -- 11,243 (- 1.4%)
08/2014: Smallville Chaos #1   -- 10,716 (- 4.7%)
09/2014: Smallville Chaos #2   --  9,801 (- 8.5%)
10/2014: Smallville Chaos #3   --  9,661 (- 1.4%)
----------------
6 months: - 22.0%
1 year  : - 30.0%
2 years : - 50.9%
10 years: -  9.8%

Crisis, which follows Chaos, will be the final installment of Smallville Season 11 (the final digital charter just came out). Given the overall trajectory that’s probably a good decision.

I think it was a mistake to bring it so many elements of the standard DCU into the Smallville mythos. Batman and Wonder Woman? Sure. But Monitors? Sinestro Corps? Multiple parallel worlds? Things just got confusing. I give the issues of this to my dad to read, as he was a fan of the TV show, and he remarked while reading through Chaos that he didn’t really know what was going on half the time. As a digital first title, this should have stayed aimed towards the casual fan and not gone so far inside baseball.

237 - STAR-SPANGLED WAR STORIES FEAT GI ZOMBIE ($2.99)
07/2014: SSWS GI Zombie #1 -- 18,762 
08/2014: SSWS GI Zombie #2 -- 11,724 (- 37.5%) 
09/2014: Futures End #1    -- 44,333 (+278.1%)
10/2014: SSWS GI Zombie #3 --  9,228 (- 79.2%) 
-----------------
Since #1: - 50.8%

It saddens me to see a perfectly good series like this dropping to oblivion so rapidly.

248 - THE NAMES (Vertigo) ($2.99)
09/2014: The Names #1 of 8 -- 17,266 
10/2014: The Names #2 of 8 --  9,056 (- 47.6%) 

Returnable, so adjusted up 10% from the reported numbers (see the disclaimers at the end of this column for why we make this adjustment).

That’s a high second issue drop. Presumably this is headed for trade, so sales of the individual issues don’t really matter. You can count on one hand the number of limited series that DC has cancelled before they reach their end.

241 - BODIES (Vertigo) ($2.99)
07/2014:Bodies #1 of 8 -- 17,500 
08/2014:Bodies #2 of 8 -- 11,283 (-33.8%) 
09/2014:Bodies #3 of 8 --  9,439 (-16.3%) 
10/2014:Bodies #4 of 8 --  8,828 (- 6.5%) 

—————-
Since #1: – 48.2%

Issues #1 & #3 were returnable, #2 and #4 were not. As with Bodies this is presumably this is headed for trade; sales of individual issues for a Vertigo limited series are somewhat immaterial.

255 - TEEN TITANS GO! (Digital-First) ($2.99)
10/2004: Teen Titans Go! #12 -- 14,609
--------------------------------------
12/2013: Teen Titans Go! #1  -- 13,441 (+82.0%)
01/2014: --
02/2014: Teen Titans Go! #2  --  9,038 (-32.8%)
03/2014: --
04/2014: Teen Titans Go! #3  --  8,185 (- 9.4%)
05/2014: --
06/2014: Teen Titans Go! #4  --  8,667 (+ 5.9%)
07/2014: --
08/2014: Teen Titans Go! #5  --  8,688 (+ 0.2%)
09/2014: --
10/2014: Teen Titans Go! #6  --  8,677 (- 0.1%)
-----------------
6 months: +  6.0%
10 years: - 40.6%
Since #1: - 35.4%

Returnable, and adjusted accordingly.

Sales for #6 are essentially identical to those of #5, so it looks like TTG has found its level.

256 - TINY TITANS: RETURN TO THE TREEHOUSE (All-Ages) ($2.99)
10/2009: Tiny Titans #21   --  8,259
10/2010: Tiny Titans #33   --  8,045
10/2011: Tiny Titans #45   --  7,836
---------------------------------------
06/2014: Treehouse #1 of 6 -- 13,021 (+ 55.7%)
07/2014: Treehouse #2 of 6 -- 11,387 (- 12.5%)
08/2014: Treehouse #3 of 6 --  8,929 (- 21.6%)
09/2014: Treehouse #4 of 6 --  8,824 (-  1.2%)
10/2014: Treehouse #5 of 6 --  8,630 (-  2.2%)
-----------------
5 years : +  4.5%
Since #1: - 33.7%

Returnable, and adjusted accordingly.

Drops a couple hundred copies, but this looks like the natural level for a Tiny Titans comic.

267 - COFFIN HILL (Vertigo) ($2.99)
10/2013: Coffin Hill #1  -- 24,129
11/2013: Coffin Hill #2  -- 14,472 (-40.0%)
12/2013: Coffin Hill #3  -- 12,337 (-14.8%)
01/2014: Coffin Hill #4  -- 11,306 (- 8.4%)
02/2014: Coffin Hill #5  -- 10,435 (- 7.7%)
03/2014: Coffin Hill #6  --  9,982 (- 4.3%)
04/2014: Coffin Hill #7  --  9,547 (- 4.4%)
05/2014: --
06/2014: Coffin Hill #8  --  8,764 (- 8.2%)
07/2014: Coffin Hill #9  --  8,396 (- 4.2%)
08/2014: Coffin Hill #10 --  7,710 (- 8.1%)
09/2014: Coffin Hill #11 --  7,422 (- 3.7%)
10/2014: Coffin Hill #12 --  7,136 (- 3.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 25.3%
1 year  : - 70.4%
Since #1: - 70.4%

Issue #15 has been solicited for February, and marks the start of a new storyline.

If you’re wondering about trade sales, the first (bargain priced) collection had first month sales (through Diamond) of 2,885.

297 - THE UNWRITTEN V2 APOCALYPSE (Vertigo) ($3.99)
10/2010: The Unwritten #18  -- 12,273
10/2011: The Unwritten #30  -- 10,481
10/2012: The Unwritten #42  --  8,881
------------------------------------
10/2013: The Unwritten #54  --  8,871 (- 1.2%)
11/2013: --
12/2013: --
01/2014: Unwritten vol2 #1  -- 11,975 (+35.0%)
02/2014: Unwritten vol2 #2  --  8,291 (-30.8%)
03/2014: Unwritten vol2 #3  --  7,890 (- 4.8%)
04/2014: Unwritten vol2 #4  --  7,652 (- 3.0%)
05/2014: Unwritten vol2 #5  --  7,267 (- 5.0%)
06/2014: Unwritten vol2 #6  --  7,133 (- 1.8%)
07/2014: Unwritten vol2 #7  --  6,918 (- 3.0%)
08/2014: Unwritten vol2 #8  --  6,575 (- 5.0%)
09/2014: Unwritten vol2 #9  --  6,400 (- 2.7%)
10/2014: Unwritten vol2 #10 --  6,407 (+ 0.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 16.3%
1 year  : - 27.8%
2 years : - 27.9%
Since #1: - 46.5%

Adds seven copies this month. Ending with issue #12.

298 - VERTIGO QUARTERLY CMYK (Vertigo) ($7.99)
04/2014: Cyan #1    -- 9,456 
05/2014: --
06/2014: --
07/2014: Magenta #1 -- 7,360 (- 22.2%) 
08/2014: --
09/2014: --
10/2014: Yellow #1  -- 6,384 (- 13.3%) 
----------------
6 months: - 32.5%
Since #1: - 32.5%

A typical third issue drop, despite the atypical numbering being used.

+302 - FBP: FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS (Vertigo) ($2.99)
10/2013: FBP #4      -- 11,600 (-17.0%)
11/2013: FBP #5      -- 10,391 (-10.4%)
12/2013: FBP #6      --  9,543 (- 8.2%)
01/2014: FBP #7      --  8,971 (- 6.0%)
02/2014: --
03/2014: FBP #8      --  7,852 (-12.5%)
04/2014: FBP #9      --  7,619 (- 3.0%)
05/2014: FBP #10     --  7,242 (- 4.9%)
06/2014: FBP #11     --  6,958 (- 3.9%)
07/2014: FBP #12     --  ????? (< 6,594)
08/2014: FBP #13     --  6,189
09/2014: --
10/2014: FBP #14     --  ????? (< 6,298)
-----------------
6 months:    ???%
1 year  :    ???%
Since #1:    ???%
+302 - HINTERKIND (Vertigo) ($2.99)
10/2013: Hinterkind #1  -- 23,516
11/2013: Hinterkind #2  -- 13,994 (-40.5%)
12/2013: Hinterkind #3  -- 11,659 (-16.7%)
01/2014: Hinterkind #4  --  9,693 (-16.9%)
02/2014: Hinterkind #5  --  8,948 (- 7.7%)
03/2014: Hinterkind #6  --  8,306 (- 7.2%)
04/2014: --
05/2014: Hinterkind #7  --  7,487 (- 9.9%)
06/2014: Hinterkind #8  --  7,212 (- 3.7%)
07/2014: Hinterkind #9  --  6,686 (- 7.3%)
08/2014: Hinterkind #10 --  6,283 (- 6.0%)
09/2014: Hinterkind #11 --  ????? (< 6,262)
10/2014: Hinterkind #12 --  ????? (< 6,298)
-----------------
6 months:    ???%
1 year  :    ???%
Since #1:    ???%
+302 - DEAD BOY DETECTIVES (Vertigo) ($2.99)
12/2013: Dead Boy Detectives #1 -- 21,478
01/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #2   -- 12,276 (-42.8%)
02/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #3  --  9,889 (-19.4%)
03/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #4  --  8,872 (-10.3%)
04/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #5  --  7,957 (-10.3%)
05/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #6  --  7,305 (- 8.2%)
06/2014: --
07/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #7  --  ????? (< 6,594)
08/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #8  --  5,968
09/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #9  --  ????? (< 6,262)
10/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #10 --  ????? (< 6,298)
-----------------
6 months:    ???%
Since #1:    ???%

Three Vertigo titles miss the top 300 this month, with sales less than 6,298. Dead Boy Detectives has not been solicited past December, the end of its second story arc, so it looks like that has been silently cancelled. FBP & Hinterkind are starting up new story arcs, so they'll be around for a bit longer at least. But I'm surprised they weren't canned a while ago. Clearly DC is looking for something from these titles other than selling comic books. (For instance, FBP is in development as a movie at Warner, so that may be keeping it around.)

---

+302 - SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (All-Ages) ($2.99)
10/2004: Scooby-Doo #89                -- 5,449
10/2009: Scooby-Doo #149               -- 4,005
10/2010: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #2  -- 4,926
10/2011: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #14 -- ?????
10/2012: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #26 -- ?????
----------------------------------------
10/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #38 -- 4,983 (+3.0%)
11/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #39 -- ????? 
12/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #40 -- 4,754 
01/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #41 -- 4,649 (-2.2%)
02/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #42 -- 4,540 (-2.3%)
03/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #43 -- 4,623 (+1.8%)
04/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #44 -- 4,650 (+0.6%)
05/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #45 -- 4,840 (+4.1%)
06/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #46 -- ????? (< 4,560)
07/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #47 -- ????? (< 6,594)
08/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #48 -- ????? (< 5,357)
09/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #49 -- ????? (< 6,262)
10/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #50 -- ????? (< 6,298)
-----------------
6 months:    ???%
1 year  :    ???%
2 years :    ???%
5 years :    ???%
10 years:    ???%
Since #1:    ???%
+302 - LOONEY TUNES (All-Ages) ($2.99)
10/2004: Looney Tunes #119 -- 3,218
10/2009: Looney Tunes #191 -- ?????
10/2010: Looney Tunes #183 -- ?????
10/2011: Looney Tunes #203 -- ?????
10/2012: Looney Tunes #209 -- ?????
----------------------------------------
10/2013: Looney Tunes #215 -- ?????
11/2013: -- 
12/2013: Looney Tunes #216 -- 2,822 
01/2014: --
02/2014: Looney Tunes #217 -- 2,784 (- 1.3%)
03/2014: -- 
04/2014: Looney Tunes #218 -- ????? (< 2,823)
05/2014: -- 
06/2014: Looney Tunes #219 -- ????? (< 4,560)
07/2014: -- 
08/2014: Looney Tunes #220 -- ????? (< 5,357)
09/2014: -- 
10/2014: Looney Tunes #221 -- ????? (< 6,298)
-----------------
6 months:   ????%
1 year  :   ????%
2 years :   ????%
5 years :   ????%
10 years:   ????%

As long as the threshold for the Diamond charts is above 6K, it is highly unlikely that we'll see these two all-ages titles ever charting in the top 300. Again, DC is clearly looking for something other than sales to North American comic shops out of these titles. (E.g.. I've heard that Scooby-Doo comics do decently in Europe.)

--

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

DC COMICS
10/2004: 30,125
10/2009: 27,525
10/2010: 23,756
10/2011: 51,342
10/2012: 32,901
---------------
10/2013: 31,928 (- 41.8%)**
11/2013: 32,664 (+  2.3%)
12/2013: ??????
01/2014: 27,881 
02/2014: 27,070 (-  2.9%)
03/2014: 26,776 (-  1.1%)
04/2014: 29,202 (+  9.1%)**
05/2014: 31,764 (+  8.8%)
06/2014: 32,834 (+  3.4%)**
07/2014: 32,760 (+  0.2%)**
08/2014: 28,951 (- 11.6%)**
09/2014: 46,869 (+ 61.9%)**
10/2014: 31,505 (- 32.8%)**
-----------------
6 months: +  8.9%
1 year  : -  1.3%
2 years : -  4.2%
5 years : + 14.5%
10 years: +  4.6%

DC UNIVERSE
10/2004: 35,481
10/2009: 34,795
10/2010: 32,832
10/2011: 59,219
10/2012: 36,571
---------------
10/2013: 33,568 (- 45.0%)**
11/2013: 35,282 (+  5.1%)
12/2013: ??????
01/2014: 33,120 
02/2014: 33,327 (+  0.6%) 
03/2014: 32,007 (-  4.0%) 
04/2014: 36,447 (+ 13.9%) 
05/2014: 39,555 (+  8.5%) 
06/2014: 42,733 (+  8.0%) 
07/2014: 40,945 (-  4.2%) 
08/2014: 36,645 (- 10.5%) 
09/2014: 63,401 (+ 73.0%)** 
10/2014: 40,107 (- 36.7%)
-----------------
6 months: + 10.0%
1 year  : + 19.5%
2 years : +  9.7%
5 years : + 15.3%
10 years: + 13.0%

VERTIGO
10/2004: 17,102
10/2009: 10,551
10/2010:  9,546
10/2011: 10,643
10/2012: 11,496
---------------
10/2013: 22,228 (+ 48.7%)**
11/2013: 13,958 (- 37.2%)
12/2013: ??????
01/2014: 11,473 
02/2014: 13,215 (+ 15.2%) 
03/2014: 19,179 (+ 45.1%) 
04/2014: 11,214 (- 41.5%) 
05/2014: 11,778 (+  5.0%) 
06/2014: 11,372 (-  3.4%) 
07/2014: 15,803 (+ 39.0%)** 
08/2014:  9,082 (- 42.5%)
09/2014: 10,022 (+ 10.4%)**
10/2014:  9,066 (-  9.5%)**
-----------------
6 months: - 19.2%
1 year  : - 29.2%
2 years : - 21.1%
5 years : - 14.1%
10 years: - 47.0%


6 month comparisons
===================

+ 91.6% - Batgirl
+ 54.5% - Teen Titans
+ 43.9% - Superman
+ 28.5% - Green Lantern Corps
+ 23.9% - Catwoman
+ 21.8% - Batman and Robin
+ 19.4% - Action Comics
+  9.0% - Batman
+  9.0% - Red Lanterns
+  8.6% - Harley Quinn
+  8.5% - Earth 2
+  8.0% - Green Lantern: New Guardians
+  6.6% - Flash
+  6.0% - Superman/Wonder Woman
+  6.0% - Teen Titans Go!
+  3.2% - Green Lantern
+  2.2% - Detective Comics
+  1.6% - Supergirl
-  0.5% - Batman Beyond Universe
-  1.0% - Green Arrow
-  1.9% - Aquaman
-  4.5% - Justice League
-  5.5% - Batman '66
-  5.8% - Worlds' Finest
-  6.0% - Swamp Thing
-  8.7% - Red Hood and the Outlaws
-  8.8% - Batman/Superman
-  9.2% - Fairest
-  9.6% - He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
- 10.3% - Astro City
- 11.7% - Justice League Dark
- 11.9% - Injustice
- 12.7% - Batwoman
- 14.3% - American Vampire
- 15.2% - Constantine
- 16.3% - The Unwritten
- 22.0% - Smallville Season 11
- 25.3% - Coffin Hill
- 28.7% - Justice League 3000
- 32.5% - Vertigo Quarterly
- 49.8% - Aquaman and the Others


1 year comparisons
===================

+113.1% - Arrow
+ 70.9% - Batgirl
+ 42.3% - New Suicide Squad (Suicide Squad)
+ 35.7% - Superman
+ 32.6% - Grayson (Nightwing)
+ 15.0% - Teen Titans
+ 14.0% - Action Comics
+ 13.1% - Supergirl
+  4.9% - Batman and Robin
-  1.2% - Earth 2
-  1.8% - Flash
-  3.2% - Detective Comics
-  4.6% - Batman
-  5.2% - Green Arrow
-  5.8% - Fables
-  8.3% - Green Lantern Corps
- 12.0% - Worlds' Finest
- 13.8% - Red Lanterns
- 17.7% - Fairest
- 19.6% - Green Lantern
- 20.1% - Swamp Thing
- 20.1% - Swamp Thing Annual
- 22.2% - Batman Beyond Universe
- 23.5% - Justice League
- 23.7% - Aquaman
- 24.6% - Green Lantern: New Guardians
- 26.1% - Catwoman
- 26.3% - Astro City
- 26.9% - Red Hood and the Outlaws
- 27.8% - The Unwritten
- 27.9% - Injustice
- 28.4% - He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
- 30.0% - Smallville Season 11
- 31.8% - Constantine
- 34.5% - Batwoman
- 38.2% - Batman/Superman
- 43.8% - Batman '66
- 46.1% - Justice League Dark
- 49.5% - Superman/Wonder Woman
- 70.4% - Coffin Hill


2 year comparisons
===================

+258.5% - Deathstroke
+ 69.1% - Constantine (Hellblazer)
+ 42.9% - New Suicide Squad (Suicide Squad)
+ 12.0% - Grayson (Nightwing)
+  5.8% - Green Arrow
+  2.9% - Superman
-  1.6% - American Vampire
-  3.3% - Teen Titans
- 10.5% - Supergirl
- 11.9% - Batgirl
- 13.4% - Batman and Robin
- 16.9% - Fables
- 18.5% - Justice League Dark
- 24.9% - Flash
- 24.9% - Detective Comics
- 27.9% - The Unwritten
- 29.9% - Batman
- 30.9% - Batman Beyond
- 32.6% - Green Lantern Corps
- 32.9% - Action Comics
- 33.3% - Justice League Dark Annual
- 36.0% - Justice League
- 37.0% - He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
- 38.0% - Red Lanterns
- 38.4% - Earth 2
- 41.0% - Aquaman
- 41.7% - Fairest
- 43.7% - Worlds' Finest
- 44.0% - Red Hood and the Outlaws
- 44.9% - Green Lantern: New Guardians
- 50.0% - Green Lantern
- 50.9% - Smallville Season 11
- 51.4% - Swamp Thing Annual
- 51.9% - Swamp Thing
- 55.1% - Batwoman
- 56.9% - Catwoman

5 year comparisons
===================

+ 69.3% - Batgirl
+ 66.4% - Batman
+ 51.7% - Superman
+ 48.2% - Batman/Superman
+ 45.3% - Constantine (Hellblazer)
+ 36.1% - Teen Titans
+ 29.6% - Green Arrow
+ 26.3% - Action Comics
+ 23.5% - Justice League (Justice League of America)
+  4.5% - Tiny Titans
-  2.1% - Detective Comics
-  9.9% - Astro City
- 13.2% - Supergirl
- 35.0% - Fables
- 46.2% - Batman and Robin
- 54.7% - Green Lantern
- 57.9% - Green Lantern Corps


10 year comparisons
===================

+ 69.9% - Batman
+ 44.1% - Aquaman
+ 32.3% - Batgirl
+ 21.2% - Grayson (Nightwing)
+ 19.0% - Detective Comics
+ 10.6% - Justice League (JLA)
+  9.8% - Action Comics
+  2.5% - Constantine (Hellblazer)
-  7.3% - Swamp Thing
-  9.8% - Smallville
- 27.3% - Green Arrow
- 27.8% - Flash
- 35.4% - Catwoman
- 38.4% - Astro City
- 40.6% - Teen Titans Go!
- 41.5% - Teen Titans
- 46.0% - Fables
- 53.0% - Superman
- 74.3% - Green Lantern


Sales Indices
=============

DCU: Average: 40,107. Median: 37,996.

3.0 - Batman
2.4 - Harley Quinn Annual
1.9 - Justice League (34)
1.9 - Justice League (35)
1.7 - Harley Quinn
1.6 - Batgirl
1.4 - Detective Comics
1.4 - Batman and Robin
1.4 - Batman Eternal (26)
1.3 - Deathstroke
1.3 - Superman
1.3 - Batman Eternal (27)
1.3 - The Multiversity
1.3 - Batman Eternal (28)
1.3 - Grayson
1.3 - Batman Eternal (30)
1.3 - Batman Eternal (29)
1.3 - Batan/Superman (14)
1.3 - Batan/Superman (15)
1.2 - Earth 2: World's End (1)
1.2 - Superman/Wonder Woman
1.1 - Arkham Manor
1.1 - Green Lantern
1.1 - Action Comics
1.1 - Green Lantern/New Gods: Godhead
1.0 - Earth 2: World's End (2)
1.0 - New Suicide Squad
1.0 - Teen Titans
1.0 - Lobo
1.0 - Earth 2: World's End (3)
0.9 - Justice League United
0.9 - Earth 2
0.9 - Earth 2: World's End (4)
0.9 - Flash
0.9 - The New 52 - Futures End (22)
0.9 - The New 52 - Futures End (23)
0.9 - The New 52 - Futures End (24)
0.9 - The New 52 - Futures End (25)
0.9 - The New 52 - Futures End (26)
0.9 - Green Lantern Corps
0.8 - Sinestro
0.8 - Aquaman
0.7 - Green Lantern: New Guardians
0.7 - Justice League United Annual
0.7 - Red Lanterns
0.7 - Supergirl
0.6 - Catwoman
0.6 - Secret Origins
0.6 - Justice League Dark
0.6 - Green Arrow
0.6 - Trinity of Sin
0.5 - Klarion
0.5 - Worlds' Finest
0.5 - Red Hood and the Outlaws
0.5 - Justice League 3000
0.5 - Justice League Dark Annual
0.4 - Swamp Thing
0.4 - Aquaman and the Others
0.4 - Batwoman
0.4 - Swamp Thing Annual
0.4 - Constantine
0.3 - Infinity Man and the Forever People
0.2 - Star-Spangled War Stories feat. G.I. Zombie

Vertigo: Average: 9,066*. Median: 7,982*

1.7 - American Vampire
1.5 - Fables
1.4 - Astro City
1.2 - Fairest
1.0 - The Names
1.0 - Bodies
0.8 - Coffin Hill
0.7 - The Unwritten
0.7 - Vertigo Quarterly
0.7 - Hinterkind *
0.7 - FBP *
0.7 - Dead Boy Detectives *

Digital First & Other: Average: 13,928*. Median: 14,831*.

1.7 - Flash Season Zero
1.6 - Batman '66 Meets the Green Hornet
1.4 - Injustice Year Three (1)
1.3 - Sensation Comics feat. Wonder Woman
1.3 - Injustice Year Three (2)
1.2 - Arrow Season 2.5
1.2 - Injustice Year Two Annual
1.1 - Batman '66
1.0 - Batman Beyond Universe
0.8 - He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
0.8 - Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse
0.7 - Smallville Chaos
0.6 - Teen Titans Go!
0.6 - Tiny Titans Return to the Treehouse
0.3 - Scooby-Doo Where Are You? *
0.2 - Looney Tunes *

The sales index number is a ratio of the title's current month sales to the average sales figure of the line to which is belongs for that month. So a sales index number of 1.0 means that a title sold very close to the sales average for that line.

---
The Fine Print (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 of physical comics 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. Keep in mind that sales for some titles may include incentives to acquire variants and not every unit sold is necessarily even intended to be sold to a customer.

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 brackets 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 which are returnable have their numbers artificially adjusted down by Diamond. To make up for that this column increases the reported numbers for those titles by 10%. Which is likely also wrong, but it's a different and likely less wrong kind of wrong, and experience has shown that this leads to sales figures which are more consistent.

Titles released under the All-Ages line 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.

Please keep in mind that raw sales numbers do not tell us about how profitable a book is for a publisher or for the creators.
Above all, do not allow sales numbers to dictate your purchasing and enjoyment of a particular comic. If you enjoy reading a comic series then go right on buying and reading that comic, no matter what the sales figures say.

** Two asterisks after a given month in the average charts mean that one or more periodical release did not make the Top 300/400 chart in that month. In those cases, it's assumed that said releases sold as many units as the No. 300/400 comic on the chart for that month for the purposes of the chart, although its actual sales are likely to be less than that.

Opinions expressed in this column are mine alone, and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer, Heidi MacDonald or anyone at The Comics Beat, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or my neighbor's dog Miles.

The author of this column does weekly snapshots of Amazon comic sales charts at http://yetanothercomicsblog.blogspot.com/ and tweets about comics and related subjects on Twitter at @davereadscomics (PM me there is you need to contact me).

As always, we welcome your comments and corrections below. Please try to keep things civilized.

23 COMMENTS

  1. While I’m certain the Morrison + Quitely Pax Americana issue will have sold very well, the one to watch out for is Morrison + Lee’s Mastermen. I’d wager that might end up in the Top 10 possibly, especially given that both companies will be in the lead-up to events.

  2. The problem with Justice League Dark (or my opinion of it) is there hasn’t yet been a writer who has clicked with that title. All the way back to the Flashpoint mini-series, it just never worked. But I stuck by the book, and was hopeful with J.M. DeMatteis coming on board, and then what do they do, they go and remove that amazing artist (for Grayson?!) and (I’m sorry) but they replace him with someone pretty pedestrian. At that point I dropped the book. I’m hoping one day the light bulb comes on and they replace the artist again with someone more fitting for the title.

    Poor Swamp Thing. I say it every month, but it’s true. Love that book! But with Soule leaving I figure it’s soon for the chopping block.

  3. I just zero-ed out our previous orders for Klarion #3 and Trinity of Sin #3. No subs+ no rack sales=no money to be made.

    Concerning Multiversity, I think the decision to number each issue #1, and the lack of vibrant trade dress is hurting sales. Each issue since the first one I have seen subs abandoning the newest issue on the shelf, because it looks like some kind of random one-shot, instead of part of a connected story. I understand the desire to make each book distinct, but a “Part X of Multiversity” on the cover would have boosted sales and saved some embarrassing explanations.

  4. @Brian – I am always fascinated at those stories about how little some comics fans know, care, or understand about what is being published, such as the above. It’s like they just show up at the shop and look around and take whatever colorful cover strikes their fancy. They don’t read previews, they don’t go to comics Web sites, obviously, because they don’t know what things are or what is coming up. Like the people who thought that all of DC’s books were jumping ahead 5 years forever after September.

    Which is why people who are hardcore fans need to remember that they don’t necessarily make up the majority of comics buyers.

  5. @Glenn
    “Which is why people who are hardcore fans need to remember that they don’t necessarily make up the majority of comics buyers.”

    I could not state this better in anyway, we have 500+ people on our reserve , I would guess maybe 10% , at best , pay attention to sites like : The Beat , CBR , BC , ‘rama , etc and the DC / Marvel / etc publisher sites.

    90% of our buyers come into the store , looks at the racks , then add it to their reserve if they like.

    @ Bryan
    You are dead on with Multiversity , I must explain this to buyers all day long when a new issue hits the stand.

    Klarion and TOS are doing ok for us , but we do much better with DC then Marvel , etc at our store.
    We seem to have better success with DC’s non “A” level titles then Marvel . For us the dead in the water stuff (anything I order 5 or less of ) is: Cyclops , Storm , She-Hulk ( yet , Soule’s Swamp Thing does really well for us- 10 to 1 ratio for Swampy over She-Hulk)

  6. I thought Soule’s contract with Marvel allows him to write Swamp Thing as long as he wants? It’s actually a lot better book than the sales would indicate.

    I agree with the commentary on Justice League Dark. If there wasn’t that “Blight” cross-over (which went on *way* too long), I’d be surprised if this was still being published.

    Justice League United — I still don’t get the point of, either. It’s great to the the LoSH back again, but it’s another book that really doesn’t seem to have a point other than to keep the character trademarks valid.

    I think Constantine is only going to work if they kill off the “Earth 1” version of the character and focus on the “Earth 2” version — which they are writing a lot like the Vertigo character.

    And I’ll be curious if “Trinity of Sin” makes 12 issues. The first two have not convinced me to buy anything past the initial arc (if that…)

  7. “Justice League United — I still don’t get the point of, either. It’s great to the the LoSH back again, but it’s another book that really doesn’t seem to have a point other than to keep the character trademarks valid.”

    That’s essentially the point of every book. As for JLU specifically, it is an entertaining book with good characters. You don’t need more than that, really. It’s well written and Kara is on the team, and Equinox is fun, and we get Martian Manhunter. Yep, I’m on board, and liking it. Plus, the style is different from most other books. Cosmic, whoa!

  8. Re: the Marvel exclusive contact: From what I understand, Soule was given a longer leash with Swamp Thing than with Red Lanterns, but he planned to end his run anyway around #40, so that’s how long he’s staying till. It’s all rather convenient that this will happen right before Convergence anyway. And, err, um, yeah, I think that this magnificent title and Soule’s magnificent run on it probably would have continued if sales there there… but sales aren’t there, so it’s all like “Okay we’ll go a few extra months and then Soule will leave anyway.”

  9. @Bobby: Well dag-futzit, you’re right, I left off Wonder Woman. It was sandwiched between Futures End on the chart and I must’ve glossed over it. Grrr…

    Here they are:


    75, 77 – WONDER WOMAN ($2.99)
    10/2004: Wonder Woman #209 — 25,964
    10/2009: Wonder Woman #37 — 26,972
    10/2010: Wonder Woman #604 — 37,405
    10/2011: Wonder Woman #2 — 79,060
    10/2012: Wonder Woman #13 — 43,731
    ————————————-
    10/2013: Wonder Woman #24 — 34,308 (- 22.3%)
    11/2013: Wonder Woman #25 — 33,532 (- 2.3%)
    12/2013: Wonder Woman #26 — 32,773 (- 2.3%)
    01/2014: Wonder Woman #27 — 32,035 (- 2.3%)
    02/2014: Wonder Woman #28 — 31,464 (- 1.8%)
    03/2014: Wonder Woman #29 — 30,989 (- 1.5%)
    04/2014: Wonder Woman #30 — 31,094 (+ 0.3%)
    05/2014: Wonder Woman #31 — 30,655 (- 1.4%)
    06/2014: Wonder Woman #32 — 48,235 (+ 57.3%)
    07/2014: Wonder Woman #33 — 37,431 (- 22.4%)
    08/2014: —
    09/2014: Futures End #1 — 69,497 (+ 85.7%)
    10/2014: Wonder Woman #34 — 35,774 (- 48.5%)
    10/2014: Wonder Woman #35 — 35,968 (+ 0.5%)
    —————–
    6 months: + 15.4%
    1 year : + 4.6%
    2 years : – 18.0%
    5 years : + 33.0%
    10 years: + 38.2%
    Since #1: – 62.5%

    Azzarello and Chiang & co. finish their run on Wonder Woman at a level that is historically decent for a WW solo title. The new creative team takes over in November.

    —–

    Sorry about that!

    This means that the summary numbers at the end are off as well, but not by much as WW isn’t far off from the DCU average. I’ll make sure to have the revised figures in next month’s summary.

  10. Books that will be cancelled prior to Convergence:

    Red Lanterns
    Red Hood and the Outlaws
    Aquaman and the Others
    Infinity Man & Forever People
    Batwoman
    Klarion

    Is it possible that Swamp Thing and Constantine could be cancelled, only to return as Vertigo titles? Both seem to be an awkward fit in the DCU proper anyway.

    I think they’ll give Trinity of Sin and Star-Spangled War Stories a bit more leeway, due to Pandora being an integral part of the New 52, and as far as SSWS goes, it’ll get extra rope due to the creative team.

    I thought about putting World’s Finest on the cancellation prediction list, but I think instead they’ll introduce a new concept for the book. How about a team-up format. It would be the next best thing to bringing back Brave and Bold.

    One last thing: I don’t know what new titles would replace the cancelled ones, but I’d LOVE to see a Kamandi revival by Gibbons and Sook. If not them, find Ron Frenz or Ladronn.

  11. It’d be interesting to see if Trinity of Sin numbers were really calculated like that? “Pandora sold 10k, Phantom Stranger 10k, so let’s throw a dart at 22k.” You would assume the readership of Pandora and Phantom Stranger partially overlapped already (people who got both Trinity of Sin titles), so already the overlapping interest might be closer to say 8k a month? Would make for a huge drop at #2…

    Also I would like to state for the record that I am deeply dissapointed that opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect those of your neighbour’s dog Miles.

    @Ralph Mathieu
    At least in those cases the ‘new’ helps separate them from the actual York and Hampshire in the UK though.

  12. @TotalSnorfest –

    Well, when those places were named, I assume they were named by people who had (or at least whose families had) lived in the country that York and Hampshire are in. So for those people it wasn’t just about distinguishing, it was about stating that they were in a new version of the older thing. Which is still the case for DC as well.

  13. I really wish Convergence was going to last more than 2 months. My only interest in DC these days is those new series.

  14. Also, whoever decided to give Swamp Thing a 3rd Annual? Thank you!!!! Soule on Swamp Thing is the only DC series I am still reading.

  15. “Azzarello and Chiang & co. finish their run on Wonder Woman at a level that is historically decent for a WW solo title”

    It’s been a good deal more than “decent”, at least in terms of comic sales post 1996 or whatever. No it hasn’t been setting the sales charts on fire, but WW has more than held its own lately. You basically have to go back to Byrne’s run to find a span of WW issues that sold as well relative to the rest of the market. Azz’s stuff wasn’t perfect and there’s room for criticism in various regards, but I don’t think it can be argued that it was the biggest sales and critical triumph that a WW run has had over the course of 3+ years since… Perez, probably. People can say that they liked Rucka’s run more, or Simone’s run more, but Azz blew their sales away and maintained decent critical buzz throughout. So I’d say maybe the acclaim was “decent” but the sales were straight-up historically GOOD, no question.

  16. @Dan: ‘Good’ vs. ‘Decent’ sales is obviously a matter of interpretation and semantics. The sales for the New 52 WW track very closely to those of the 2006 relaunch—within a couple of thousand by the time it reached the #20s & 30s (Simone’s run)—and if not for the artificial bump created by the freely-orderable variants would’ve been at nearly the exact same place by issue #35, just under 30K.

    The ‘natural’ range for a WW solo title over the past 15 or so years has been in the 25K-35K range. Relaunches/crossovers/creative team changes will tend to boost that up (sometimes way up), but it always gravitates back down into that range.

  17. The Names by Peter Milligan is some of the writers best work in a long ass time. It’s a thrilling conspiracy weirdo suspense story with awesome illustrations by Leandro Fernandez. I wasn’t expecting much really, but ended up quite surprised by how well done this series is. I’m totally hooked.

  18. I was told by my LCS that Flash #35 had sold out (unexpectedly), and I had to wait 2 weeks till they received more….don’t know if that was just my LCS who had a “boom” of interest in Flash #35, or across the DCU as a whole. If it’s true they sold out of the first #35 run, then it looks like The Flash sales may end up higher & that there is much more interest in this story arc than first reported.

    In the case of Green Arrow; despite the success of the awesome TV series, I think these numbers are perfectly fine. By my observances of sales numbers of this current series, the series just before the new52, GA&BC, and the “old” GA series once Winick began writing……my opinion is that overall, when it really comes down to it…..if you add in about 1000 people who buy the series in trade form…..there are about 19-20k “die hard” Green Arrow fans. So a number of 23k+ for a new creative team is decent.
    Hopefully that “die hard” fan club will grow over time with the success of the tv series, but the newer generation of fans may just raise digital sales, so I don’t expect we’ll ever see the Emerald Archer as a Top 50 title again. My hope as a GA fan is that the “die hards” that exist are enough for DC to keep publishing the printed title….

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