Greetings, sales charts fans! It's time once again to look at DC's sales figures.
Once again December was an odd month for DC, as (due to the end-of-year holidays) they only shipped three weeks worth of comics, holding off their normal fourth week comics until the first week of January. (This was a different tactic from Marvel, Image, and other companies, who instead squeezed their normal four week slate into the first three weeks of December). But whereas last year DC only shipped 52 comics in December, this year they had 71, nearly a full slate. The increase in number of titles is largely due to reprint comics, the Giants which mix new stories and reprints, and the expansion of the Black Label line.
Also of note: Diamond released their list of the Top 1000 comics for 2019 in January, so we added in those revised sales estimates (indicated by the numbers in [brackets]). The 1000th comic had sales of 25,067, so any sales that were below that did not get revised. Things were made extra complicated this year because many of DC’s comics in the later part of 2019 came in two editions with two different price points and thus charted separately; so in those cases we didn’t modify the sales unless both price points made it into the top 1000.
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 at Comichron!
Please consider the fine print at the end of the column, as it explains several things about how these charts are compiled.
(Note that the percentage comparisons are done with total orders including reorder activity.)
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1 - DOOMSDAY CLOCK ($5.99)
12/2017: Doomsday Clock #2 of 12 -- 158,603 [189,573]
--------------------------------------------
12/2018: Doomsday Clock #8 of 12 -- 123,768 (- 6.5%) [128,856]
01/2019: --
02/2019: --
03/2019: Doomsday Clock #9 of 12 -- 120,079 (- 2.1%) [126,116]
04/2019: --
05/2019: Doomsday Clock #10 of 12 -- 117,419 (- 3.3%) [122,007]
06/2019: --
07/2019: --
08/2019: --
09/2019: Doomsday Clock #11 of 12 -- 115,817 (- 4.4%) [116,658]
10/2019: --
11/2019: --
12/2019: Doomsday Clock #12 of 12 -- 117,926 (+ 1.1%)
-----------------
6 months: n.a.
1 year : - 8.5%
2 years : - 37.8%
The over-sized and over-priced final issue finally arrives with a slight uptick in sales, a little over two years from the release of the first issue. Had DC just originally announced this as a bi-monthly series then the lateness wouldn’t be so glaring. As it is the series lasted long enough to be overshadowed by the other Watchmen sequel, the HBO miniseries. It remains to be seen how Doomsday Clock fares in its post-series collected edition life.
---
3 - BATMAN: LAST KNIGHT ON EARTH (Black Label) ($5.99)
05/2019: Last Knight #1 of 3 -- 113,287 [141,354]
06/2019: --
07/2019: Last Knight #2 of 3 -- 105,012 (- 20.8%) [111,999]
08/2019: --
09/2019: --
10/2019: --
11/2019: --
12/2019: Last Knight #3 of 3 -- 90,058 (- 19.6%)
-----------------
6 months: n.a.
’Tis the season for very late final issues of DC mini-series. Percentage-wise that’s not bad for a third issue drop, but it likely would have been softer without the extra-long gap. Other Black Label series should take note, especially those without Batman...
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4 - THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS: THE GOLDEN CHILD (Black Label) ($5.99)
06/2016: DKR Last Crusade #1 -- 122,305
12/2019: DKR Golden Child #1 -- 88,794 (- 27.4%)
The previous one-shot enjoyed the halo of coming out at the same time that Dark Knight III was running, but Golden Child is not as lucky.
---
15/96, 12/99 - BATMAN ($3.99/$4.99, $4.99/$5.99)
12/2004: Batman #635 -- 60,898 [63,067]
12/2009: Batman #694 -- 65,908
12/2014: Batman #37 -- 113,255
12/2015: Batman #47 -- 127,201
12/2016: Batman #12 -- 111,391
12/2016: Batman #13 -- 108,407
12/2017: Batman #36 -- 94,385 [95,765]
12/2017: Batman #37 -- 92,902 [95,163]
--------------------------------
12/2018: Batman #60 -- 91,275 (- 2.4%)
12/2018: Batman #61 -- 88,428 (- 0.5%) [90,830]
01/2019: Batman #62 -- 90,634 (+ 0.0%) [90,837]
01/2019: Batman #63 -- 83,659 (- 6.5%) [84,935]
02/2019: Batman #64 -- 93,400 (+ 10.9%) [94,169]
02/2019: Batman #65 -- 89,123 (- 3.9%) [90,494]
03/2019: Batman #66 -- 83,102 (- 8.1%) [83,138]
03/2019: Batman #67 -- 84,463 (+ 0.5%) [83,551]
04/2019: Batman #68 -- 87,557 (+ 5.1%) [87,787]
04/2019: Batman #69 -- 88,666 (+ 1.6%) [89,150]
05/2019: Batman #70 -- 83,518 (- 6.0%) [83,824]
05/2019: Batman #71 -- 82,704 (- 0.9%) [83,101]
06/2019: Batman #72 -- 80,585 (- 2.7%) [80,857]
06/2019: Batman #73 -- 81,919 (+ 2.1%) [82,583]
07/2019: Batman #74 -- 78,544 (- 5.1%) [78,385]
07/2019: Batman #75 -- 100,161 (+ 29.7%) [101,650]
08/2019: Batman #76 -- 84,879 (- 14.2%) [87,181]
08/2019: Batman #77 -- 81,215 (+ 7.3%) [93,575]
09/2019: Batman #78 -- 80,979 (- 11.4%) [82,874]
09/2019: Batman #79 -- 84,117 (+ 1.5%)
10/2019: Batman #80 -- 86,677 (+ 3.0%)
10/2019: Batman #81 -- 84,620 (- 2.4%)
11/2019: Batman #82 -- 89,532 (+ 5.8%)
11/2019: Batman #83 -- 81,927 (- 8.5%)
12/2019: Batman #84 -- 79,179 (- 3.4%)
12/2019: Batman #85 -- 80,472 (+ 1.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 2.3%
1 year : - 12.3%
2 years : - 16.4%
5 years : - 29.5%
10 years: + 21.1%
15 years: + 26.6%
Issue #84 - Regular: 58,597. Cardstock: 20,582 (2.8:1)
Issue #85 - Regular: 60,318. Cardstock: 20,154 (3.0:1)
Tom King’s premature swan song; even the cardstock covers couldn’t keep the penultimate issue from dipping down below the 80K mark (though the over-sized and -priced final issue pops a bit back up).
I’ll expect that sales will take a jump back up next with with the debut of the new creative team, and then start to slide back down into the 80K range again (making allowances for the upcoming 100th issue).
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6 - HARLEY QUINN: VILLAIN OF THE YEAR ($4.99)
07/2014: Harley Quinn Comic Con #1 -- 64,978 [68,667]
12/2014: Harley Quinn Holiday Sp #1 -- 63,465 (- 7.6%)
02/2015: Harley Quinn Valentines #1 -- 68,611 (+ 19.4%) [75,747]
09/2015: Harley Quinn Road Trip #1 -- 51,135 (- 31.8%) [51,668]
04/2016: Harley & SS April Fools #1 -- 75,354 (+ 45.8%)
09/2017: Harley Quinn 25th Anniv #1 -- 97,211 (+ 29.2%) [97,363]
01/2018: Harley Be Careful What #1 -- 32,137 (- 67.4%) [31,767]
12/2019: Harley Villain of Year #1 -- 73,146 (+130.3%)
The one-shot spoofing on DC’s Year of the Villain sells quite a bit better than the actual Year of the Villain tie-in series and one-shots. Maybe tells us something...?
---
10 - SUPERMAN ($3.99)
12/2004: Superman #212 -- 100,244 [103,545]
12/2009: Superman #695 -- 32,482
12/2014: Superman #37 -- 50,383
12/2015: Superman #47 -- 47,377
12/2016: Superman #12 -- 60,992
12/2016: Superman #13 -- 59,393
12/2017: Superman #36 -- 44,281
12/2017: Superman #37 -- 48,591 [49,516]
----------------------------------
12/2018: Superman #6 -- 52,414 (- 3.5%) [53,428]
01/2019: Superman #7 -- 50,713 (- 3.9%) [51,365]
02/2019: Superman #8 -- 50,475 (- 0.7%) [50,992]
03/2019: Superman #9 -- 48,919 (- 3.1%) [49,408]
04/2019: Superman #10 -- 48,802 (- 0.3%) [49,243]
05/2019: Superman #11 -- 47,933 (- 2.3%) [48,103]
06/2019: Superman #12 -- 47,199 (- 1.4%) [47,446]
07/2019: Superman #13 -- 51,944 (+ 9.5%)
08/2019: Superman #14 -- 46,099 (- 9.6%) [46,973]
09/2019: Superman #15 -- 47,857 (+ 3.1%) [48,409]
10/2019: Superman #16 -- 43,717 (- 9.6%) [43,748]
11/2019: Superman #17 -- 46,132 (+ 5.7%) [46,244]
12/2019: Superman #18 -- 66,684 (+ 44.2%)
-----------------
6 months: + 40.5%
1 year : + 24.8%
2 years : + 42.2%
5 years : + 32.4%
10 years: +105.3%
15 years: - 35.6%
Superman adds over 20K copies for the big reveal issue of “The Truth.”
---
13 - HARLEEN (Black Label) ($7.99)
09/2019: Harleen #1 of 3 -- 84,785 [90,901]
10/2019: Harleen #2 of 3 -- 65,720 (- 25.1%) [68,067]
11/2019: --
12/2019: Harleen #3 of 3 -- 59,501 (- 12.6%)
The final issue sees a percentage drop-off on the lower end of third issue expectations.
---
31/143 - SUICIDE SQUAD ($4.99/$5.99)
12/2014: New Suicide Squad #5 -- 32,834
12/2015: New Suicide Squad #15 -- 26,449
12/2016: Suicide Squad #8 -- 59,967
12/2017: Suicide Squad #31 -- 28,229
12/2017: Suicide Squad #32 -- 27,631
------------------------------------------
12/2018: Suicide Squad #49 -- 25,933 (+ 1.7%)
01/2019: Suicide Squad #50 -- 25,906 (+ 0.4%) [26,042]
02/2019: --
03/2019: --
04/2019: --
05/2019: --
06/2019: --
07/2019: --
08/2019: --
09/2019: --
10/2019: --
11/2019: --
12/2019: Suicide Squad #1 -- 59,183 (+127.3%)
-----------------
6 months: n.a.
1 year : +128.2%
2 years : +111.9%
5 years : + 80.2%
Regular: 46,258. Cardstock: 12,925 (3.6:1)
The debut of a new Suicide Squad series comes in quite a bit lower than the Rebirth series, but about 10K higher than the first-month sales for both of the New 52 series. No SS series has made it three years since the original 80s series; we’ll have to wait and see if this latest series can buck that trend...
---
14 - BATMAN: CURSE OF THE WHITE KNIGHT (Black Label) ($4.99)
12/2017: White Knight #3 of 8 -- 72,679 [86,988]
---------------------------------------
07/2019: Curse Knight #1 of 8 -- 91,205 (+ 29.6%) [96,446]
08/2019: Curse Knight #2 of 8 -- 74,838 (- 20.1%) [77,071]
09/2019: Curse Knight #3 of 8 -- 67,840 (- 11.2%) [68,434]
10/2019: Curse Knight #4 of 8 -- 63,819 (- 5.3%) [64,775]
11/2019: Presents Von Freeze -- 51,975 (- 18.5%) [52,824]
12/2019: Curse Knight #5 of 8 -- 58,839 (+ 11.4%)
-----------------
2 years : - 32.4%
Back for the second half of the series.
---
30 - JOKER: KILLER SMILE (Black Label) ($5.99)
10/2019: Killer Smile #1 of 3 -- 77,410 [79,867]
11/2019: --
12/2019: Killer Smile #2 of 3 -- 51,512 (- 35.5%)
Returnable, so we’ve adjusted the estimated sales numbers derived from the Diamond-supplied sales index by 10%. For why we do this, please see the fine print at the end of the column.
A typical second issue drop, as even Joker-fueled Black Label comics aren’t immune from the laws of comic sales physics.
---
33 - YEAR OF THE VILLAIN: HELL ARISEN ($4.99)
12/2019: Hell Arisen #1 of 4 -- 50,573
Returnable, so we’ve adjusted the estimated sales numbers derived from the Diamond-supplied sales index by 10%. For why we do this, please see the fine print at the end of the column.
Apex Lex Luthor vs. The Batman Who Laughs as “Year of the Villain” is showing signs of having overstayed its welcome. Also $1 more for no good reason other than getting another buck out of readers.
Legion ---
48/150 - BATMAN/SUPERMAN ($3.99/$4.99)
12/2004: Superman/Batman #15 -- 119,926 [123,273]
12/2004: Superman/Batman #16 -- 115,657 [120,927]
12/2009: Superman/Batman #67 -- 49,650
12/2014: Batman/Superman #17 -- 44,714
12/2015: Batman/Superman #27 -- 30,021
---------------------------------------
08/2019: Batman/Superman #1 -- 172,271 (+422.2%) [171,248]
09/2019: Batman/Superman #2 -- 62,050 (- 63.3%) [64,022]
10/2019: Batman/Superman #3 -- 55,334 (- 12.0%) [56,671]
11/2019: Batman/Superman #4 -- 59,646 (+ 5.9%) [60,644]
12/2019: Batman/Superman #5 -- 48,734 (- 19.6%)
-----------------
5 years : + 9.0%
10 years: - 1.8%
15 years: - 60.1%
Regular: 36,269. Cardstock: 12,465. (2.9:1)
A steep drop from last month’s acetate-fueled spike; expect to see such a drop for pretty much all of the titles that had acetate covers last month.
--
24, 28 - JUSTICE LEAGUE ($3.99)
12/2014: Justice League #37 -- 72,081
12/2015: Justice League #46 -- 75,660
12/2016: Justice League #10 -- 73,652
12/2016: Justice League #11 -- 71,527
12/2017: Justice League #34 -- 46,958
12/2017: Justice League #35 -- 46,228
--------------------------------------
12/2018: Justice League #13 -- 66,852 (- 5.5%)
12/2018: Justice League #14 -- 61,940 (- 5.5%) [63,198]
01/2019: Justice League #15 -- 60,326 (- 4.5%) [60,503]
01/2019: Justice League #16 -- 59,577 (- 1.2%) [60,208]
02/2019: Justice League #17 -- 57,105 (- 4.1%) [57,241]
02/2019: Justice League #18 -- 55,988 (- 1.2%) [56,559]
03/2019: Justice League #19 -- 57,733 (+ 2.3%) [57,791]
03/2019: Justice League #20 -- 64,675 (+ 14.4%) [66,194]
04/2019: Justice League #21 -- 55,245 (- 16.9%) [55,340]
04/2019: Justice League #22 -- 56,094 (+ 1.5%) [56,790]
05/2019: Justice League #23 -- 55,077 (- 1.8%) [55,375]
05/2019: Justice League #24 -- 54,862 (- 0.4%) [55,279]
06/2019: Justice League #25 -- 57,023 (+ 3.9%) [57,334]
06/2019: Justice League #26 -- 54,862 (- 7.5%) [53,375]
07/2019: Justice League #27 -- 56,717 (+ 7.6%)
07/2019: Justice League #28 -- 55,538 (- 2.1%) [55,824]
08/2019: Justice League #29 -- 52,641 (- 5.2%) [52,835]
08/2019: Justice League #30 -- 53,432 (+ 1.5%)
09/2019: Justice League #31 -- 52,329 (- 2.1%) [52,371]
09/2019: Justice League #32 -- 51,112 (- 2.3%)
10/2019: Justice League #33 -- 50,194 (- 1.8%)
10/2019: Justice League #34 -- 50,958 (+ 1.5%)
11/2019: Justice League #35 -- 55,411 (+ 8.7%) [55,499]
11/2019: Justice League #36 -- 48,522 (- 12.4%) [48,747]
12/2019: Justice League #37 -- 47,669 (- 2.2%)
12/2019: Justice League #38 -- 46,800 (- 1.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 14.7%
1 year : - 27.4%
2 years : + 1.4%
5 years : - 34.5%
The penultimate issues of the “Justice/Doom War” (though as those who read January’s issue know it doesn’t so much end as it simply stops.)
---
49,158 - DETECTIVE COMICS ($3.99/$4.99)
12/2004: Detective Comics #801 -- 42,775
12/2009: Detective Comics #860 -- 52,295
12/2014: Detective Comics #37 -- 54,953
12/2015: Detective Comics #47 -- 45,867
12/2016: Detective Comics #946 -- 66,374
12/2016: Detective Comics #947 -- 65,090
12/2017: Detective Comics #970 -- 52,560
12/2017: Detective Comics #971 -- 51,727
------------------------------------------
12/2018: Detective Comics #994 -- 51,772 (+ 16.1%) [57,468]
01/2019: Detective Comics #995 -- 51,246 (- 4.3%) [54,970]
01/2019: Detective Comics #996 -- 52,263 (+ 1.6%) [55,838]
01/2019: Detective Comics #997 -- 53,071 (- 1.5%) [54,977]
02/2019: Detective Comics #998 -- 60,447 (+ 11.6%) [61,344]
02/2019: Detective Comics #999 -- 62,953 (+ 6.3%) [65,181]
03/2019: Detective Comics #1000 -- 526,941 (+781.7%) [574,705]
04/2019: Detective Comics #1001 -- 66,743 (- 87.6%) [71,061]
04/2019: Detective Comics #1002 -- 61,007 (- 11.4%) [62,941]
05/2019: Detective Comics #1003 -- 65,709 (+ 5.1%) [66,130]
05/2019: Detective Comics #1004 -- 63,161 (- 2.7%) [64,358]
06/2019: Detective Comics #1005 -- 60,389 (- 5.7%) [60,659]
06/2019: Detective Comics #1006 -- 59,309 (- 1.0%) [60,072]
07/2019: Detective Comics #1007 -- 56,586 (- 5.5%) [56,758]
07/2019: Detective Comics #1008 -- 57,311 (+ 2.2%) [57,990]
08/2019: Detective Comics #1009 -- 53,070 (- 8.0%) [53,367]
08/2019: Detective Comics #1010 -- 52,563 (- 0.8%) [52,926]
09/2019: Detective Comics #1011 -- 50,416 (- 4.5%) [50,570]
09/2019: Detective Comics #1012 -- 50,034 (- 0.4%) [50,375]
10/2019: Detective Comics #1013 -- 50,166 (- 0.3%) [50,225]
10/2019: Detective Comics #1014 -- 48,337 (- 2.6%) [48,923]
11/2019: Detective Comics #1015 -- 55,337 (+ 13.1%)
11/2019: Detective Comics #1016 -- 47,827 (- 13.6%)
12/2019: Detective Comics #1017 -- 47,355 (- 1.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 21.6%
1 year : - 17.6%
2 years : - 9.2%
5 years : - 13.8%
10 years: - 9.4%
15 years: + 10.7%
Regular: 35,589. Cardstock: 11,766. (3.0:1)
Just one issue this month, as the second issue was pushed to January 1. Then the title goes monthly in February.
---
69/215 - LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES ($3.99/$4.99)
09/2019: Millennium #1 of 2 -- 48,389 (+231.4%)
10/2019: Millennium #2 of 2 -- 39,489 (- 18.4%)
11/2019: Legion of S-H #1 -- 75,611 (+ 91.5%)
12/2019: Legion of S-H #2 -- 39,218 (- 48.1%)
Regular: 27,177. Cardstock: 8,476. (3.2:1)
Returnable, so we’ve adjusted the estimated sales numbers derived from the Diamond-supplied sales index by 10%. For why we do this, please see the fine print at the end of the column.
Even with the returnability the second issue of LoSH takes a big sales hit, partly because of the fact that the first issue had a ton of variant covers.
---
50 - WONDER WOMAN: DEAD EARTH (Black Label) ($6.99)
12/2019: Dead Earth #1 of 4 -- 39,096 [39,491]
Returnable, so we’ve adjusted the estimated sales numbers derived from the Diamond-supplied sales index by 10%. For why we do this, please see the fine print at the end of the column.
Black Label series by Daniel Warren Johnson. Interestingly the year-end numbers were different from the December numbers, lending credence to our long-standing practice of adding 10% to those titles that are listed as returnable. In fact, if you do the math, you’ll see that deducting 10% from the year-end number of 39,491 gives exactly the December-reported figure of 35,541! (This was not the case for Killer Smile #2, which reported the same number in both charts, so it appears that someone slipped up with the Death Earth figure in the year-end chart...)
---
51 - THE BATMAN’S GRAVE ($3.99)
10/2019: Batman’s Grave #1 of 12 -- 65,412
11/2019: Batman’s Grave #2 of 12 -- 43,583 (- 33.4%) [44,302]
12/2019: Batman’s Grave #3 of 12 -- 34,855 (- 33.4%)
The first issue of the series that was neither returnable (#2) nor had a cardstock variant (#1).
---
60 - GREEN LANTERN: BLACKSTARS ($3.99)
12/2004: GL Rebirth #3 -- 106,523 [126,654]
12/2009: Green Lantern #49 -- 97,285
12/2014: Green Lantern #37 -- 44,033
12/2015: Green Lantern #47 -- 45,706
12/2016: Green Lanterns #12 -- 42,241
12/2016: Green Lanterns #13 -- 41,090
12/2017: Green Lanterns #36 -- 26,436
12/2017: Green Lanterns #37 -- 26,055
-----------------------------------------
12/2018: The Green Lantern #2 -- 64,127 (- 36.0%) [65,522]
01/2019: The Green Lantern #3 -- 54,398 (- 16.3%) [54,836]
02/2019: The Green Lantern #4 -- 50,176 (- 7.2%) [50,899]
03/2019: The Green Lantern #5 -- 47,325 (- 5.9%) [47,891]
04/2019: The Green Lantern #6 -- 49,256 (+ 4.0%) [49,817]
05/2019: The Green Lantern #7 -- 45,338 (- 8.3%) [45,663]
06/2019: The Green Lantern #8 -- 44,066 (- 2.9%) [44,336]
07/2019: The Green Lantern #9 -- 43,401 (- 1.8%) [43,550]
08/2019: The Green Lantern #10 -- 43,132 (- 1.0%)
09/2019: The Green Lantern #11 -- 41,044 (- 4.7%) [41,090]
10/2019: The Green Lantern #12 -- 40,437 (- 1.4%) [40,522]
11/2019: GL Blackstars #1 of 3 -- 42,145 (+ 4.4%) [42,307]
12/2019: GL Blackstars #2 of 3 -- 34,172 (- 19.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 22.9%
1 year : - 47.8%
2 years : + 30.2%
5 years : - 22.4%
10 years: - 64.9%
15 years: - 73.0%
Returnable, so we’ve adjusted the estimated sales numbers derived from the Diamond-supplied sales index by 10%. For why we do this, please see the fine print at the end of the column.
This issue was a hoot, parodying pretty much everything going on in the DCU these days (“City of Bane,” “Year of the Villain,” “Justice Doom War,” etc.)
---
129/106 - HARLEY QUINN & POISON IVY ($3.99/$4.99)
12/2017: H&I meet B&V #3 of 6 -- 24,356
---------------------------------------------
09/2019: H. Quinn & P. Ivy #1 of 6 -- 110,326 (+432.2%) [114,143]
10/2019: H. Quinn & P. Ivy #2 of 6 -- 55,678 (- 49.5%)
11/2019: H. Quinn & P. Ivy #3 of 6 -- 45,826 (- 17.7%)
12/2019: H. Quinn & P. Ivy #4 of 6 -- 33,838 (- 26.2%)
-----------------
2 years : + 38.9%
Regular: 15,034. Cardstocks: 18,804. (0.8:1)
These are bigger drops than one would want to see at this stage of the game. Like the previous issues this had dual cardstock variants.
---
55 - TALES FROM THE DARK MULTIVERSE one-shots ($5.99)
10/2019: Batman: Knightfall -- 62,819 [62,458]
10/2019: Death of Superman -- 51,218 [47,708]
11/2019: Blackest Night -- 36,456 [37,178]
11/2019: Infinite Crisis -- 35,575 [36,494]
12/2019: The Judas Contract -- 31,762
The final (for now) issue of DC’s What If...?
---
86/244 - FLASH ($3.99/$4.99)
12/2004: --
12/2009: --
12/2014: Flash #37 -- 37,026
12/2015: Flash #47 -- 42,129
12/2016: Flash #12 -- 64,476
12/2016: Flash #13 -- 62,800
12/2017: Flash #36 -- 47,998
12/2017: Flash #37 -- 46,881
-------------------------------
12/2018: Flash #60 -- 42,212 (+ 0.2%)
01/2019: Flash #61 -- 40,596 (- 3.7%) [40,647]
01/2019: Flash #62 -- 39,349 (- 2.7%) [39,569]
01/2019: Flash #63 -- 38,263 (- 2.1%) [38,721]
02/2019: Flash #64 -- 67,712 (+ 78.5%) [69,127]
02/2019: Flash #65 -- 60,031 (- 8.9%) [62,962]
03/2019: Flash #66 -- 39,144 (- 37.6%) [39,319]
03/2019: Flash #67 -- 38,520 (- 1.0%) [38,909]
04/2019: Flash #68 -- 38,064 (- 1.6%) [38,303]
04/2019: Flash #69 -- 37,484 (- 1.7%) [37,651]
05/2019: Flash #70 -- 41,746 (+ 12.7%) [42,433]
05/2019: Flash #71 -- 40,701 (- 0.1%) [42,397]
06/2019: Flash #72 -- 40,956 (- 2.3%) [41,411]
06/2019: Flash #73 -- 38,853 (- 4.6%) [39,506]
07/2019: Flash #74 -- 38,436 (- 2.3%) [38,581]
07/2019: Flash #75 -- 41,571 (+ 9.1%) [42,078]
08/2019: Flash #76 -- 38,952 (- 7.4%)
08/2019: Flash #77 -- 38,019 (- 2.4%)
09/2019: Flash #78 -- 36,673 (- 3.1%) [36,833]
09/2019: Flash #79 -- 35,660 (- 2.2%) [36,020]
10/2019: Flash #80 -- 35,151 (- 2.4%)
10/2019: Flash #81 -- 34,063 (- 2.5%) [34,279]
11/2019: Flash #82 -- 39,710 (+ 16.0%) [39,769]
11/2019: Flash #83 -- 32,608 (- 17.5%) [32,808]
12/2019: Flash #84 -- 31,472 (- 4.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 22.2%
1 year : - 25.4%
2 years : - 33.7%
5 years : - 15.0%
10 years: n.a.
15 years: n.a.
Regular: 24,206. Cardstock: 7,266. (3.3:1)
Only one issue of Flash this month, but there will be three issues in January! Which when you consider that this issue of Flash is the lowest-selling its of a regular Flash comic since 2008, really says something about DC’s stick-to-itiveness!
---
67 - WONDER WOMAN ($3.99)
12/2004: Wonder Woman #211 -- 24,828
12/2009: Wonder Woman #39 -- 26,152
12/2014: Wonder Woman #37 -- 43,066
12/2015: Wonder Woman #47 -- 40,123
12/2016: Wonder Woman #12 -- 55,639
12/2016: Wonder Woman #13 -- 54,589
12/2017: Wonder Woman #36 -- 37,647
12/2017: Wonder Woman #37 -- 36,970 [38,227]
-------------------------------------
12/2018: Wonder Woman #60 -- 36,966 (- 3.2%)
01/2019: Wonder Woman #61 -- 36,413 (- 1.5%)
01/2019: Wonder Woman #62 -- 33,780 (- 7.0%)
01/2019: Wonder Woman #63 -- 34,963 (+ 3.2%)
02/2019: Wonder Woman #64 -- 45,866 (+ 31.6%) [46,024]
02/2019: Wonder Woman #65 -- 46,007 (+ 2.5%) [47,173]
03/2019: Wonder Woman #66 -- 35,547 (- 24.6%)
03/2019: Wonder Woman #67 -- 33,665 (+ 16.6%) [41,434]
04/2019: Wonder Woman #68 -- 37,676 (- 9.1%)
04/2019: Wonder Woman #69 -- 34,990 (- 7.1%)
05/2019: Wonder Woman #70 -- 34,503 (- 1.4%)
05/2019: Wonder Woman #71 -- 32,792 (- 5.0%)
06/2019: Wonder Woman #72 -- 32,604 (- 0.6%)
06/2019: Wonder Woman #73 -- 31,459 (- 3.5%)
07/2019: Wonder Woman #74 -- 31,334 (- 0.4%)
07/2019: Wonder Woman #75 -- 32,823 (+ 4.8%)
08/2019: Wonder Woman #76 -- 31,526 (- 4.0%)
08/2019: Wonder Woman #77 -- 31,561 (+ 0.1%)
09/2019: Wonder Woman #78 -- 30,139 (- 4.5%)
09/2019: Wonder Woman #79 -- 30,103 (- 0.1%)
10/2019: Wonder Woman #80 -- 28,112 (- 6.6%)
10/2019: Wonder Woman #81 -- 28,711 (+ 2.1%)
11/2019: Wonder Woman #82 -- 34,520 (+ 20.2%)
12/2019: Wonder Woman #83 -- 27,775 (- 19.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 13.3%
1 year : - 24.9%
2 years : - 26.8%
5 years : - 35.5%
10 years: + 6.0%
15 years: + 11.9%
The lowest-selling issue of a regular Wonder Woman comic since 2010. Good thing that January brings an anniversary issue and legacy renumbering!
---
75 - FLASH FORWARD ($3.99)
09/2019: Flash Forward #1 of 6 -- 46,176 [47,186]
10/2019: Flash Forward #2 of 6 -- 33,646 (- 27.6%) [34,172]
11/2019: Flash Forward #3 of 6 -- 28,854 (- 14.8%) [29,110]
12/2019: Flash Forward #4 of 6 -- 26,210 (- 10.0%)
---
76 - SHAZAM! ($3.99)
12/2018: Shazam! #1 -- 66,950 [74,218]
01/2019: Shazam! #2 -- 43,607 (- 35.7%) [47,686]
02/2019: Shazam! #3 -- 37,905 (- 19.1%) [39,325]
03/2019: Shazam! #4 -- 38,420 (+ 1.9%) [39,579]
04/2019: --
05/2018: Shazam! #5 -- 35,337 (- 10.2%) [35,662]
06/2018: Shazam! #6 -- 34,002 (- 3.8%) [34,337]
07/2019: --
08/2019: --
09/2018: Shazam! #7 -- 31,834 (- 6.4%) [32,207]
10/2019: --
11/2018: Shazam! #8 -- 28,395 (- 10.8%) [28,545]
12/2018: Shazam! #9 -- 26,115 (- 8.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 23.2%
1 month : - 64.8%
Two issues two months in a row! Alas, Shazam!’s newfound regularity may be too little too late.
---
125/263 - THE LOW LOW WOODS (Hill House) (Black Label) ($3.99/$4.99)
12/2019: Low Low Woods #1 of 6 -- 24,718
Regular: 15,851. Cardstock: 6,620. (2.4:1)
According to the Diamond chart, the regular cover was returnable but the cardstock cover was not. So we’ve adjusted the estimated sales numbers derived from the Diamond-supplied sales index by 10%. For why we do this, please see the fine print at the end of the column.
The third Hill House title, and so far each successive title has debuted lower than the previous. Will it all be too much for the market to handle at once?
---
84 - BASKETFUL OF HEADS (Hill House) (Black Label) ($3.99)
10/2019: Basketful Heads #1 of 7 -- 43,230 [46,051]
11/2019: Basketful Heads #2 of 7 -- 28,720 (- 35.7%) [29,618]
12/2019: Basketful Heads #3 of 7 -- 24,445 (- 17.5%)
The top-selling non-DCU comic for December. Unlike the first two issues, issue #3 was not returnable.
---
85 - CATWOMAN ($3.99)
12/2004: Catwoman #38 -- 25,108
12/2014: Catwoman #37 -- 25,154
12/2015: Catwoman #47 -- 15,038
----------------------------------
12/2018: Catwoman #6 -- 48,014 (- 2.0%) [49,326]
01/2019: Catwoman #7 -- 35,490 (- 27.3%) [35,864]
02/2019: Catwoman #8 -- 32,360 (- 8.6%) [32,777]
03/2019: Catwoman #9 -- 43,952 (+ 34.8%) [44,196]
04/2019: Catwoman #10 -- 40,857 (- 6.8%) [41,172]
05/2019: Catwoman #11 -- 38,860 (- 5.1%) [39,075]
06/2019: Catwoman #12 -- 41,167 (+ 5.7%) [41,297]
07/2019: Catwoman #13 -- 38,879 (- 5.9%)
08/2019: Catwoman #14 -- 39,170 (+ 0.7%)
09/2019: Catwoman #15 -- 42,687 (+ 9.0%)
10/2019: Catwoman #16 -- 26,744 (- 37.3%) [26,750]
11/2019: Catwoman #17 -- 35,056 (+ 31.6%) [35,213]
12/2019: Catwoman #18 -- 24,324 (- 30.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 41.1%
1 year : - 50.7%
5 years : - 3.3%
15 years: - 3.1%
---
88 - HARLEY QUINN ($3.99)
12/2014: Harley Quinn #13 -- 68,102
12/2015: Harley Quinn #23 -- 69,168
12/2016: Harley Quinn #9 -- 49,871
12/2016: Harley Quinn #10 -- 48,380
12/2017: Harley Quinn #33 -- 33,694
--------------------------------------
12/2018: Harley Quinn #55 -- 27,742 (- 2.3%)
12/2018: Harley Quinn #56 -- 26,491 (- 4.5%)
01/2019: Harley Quinn #57 -- 26,407 (+ 0.1%) [26,522]
02/2019: Harley Quinn #58 -- 36,010 (+ 35.8%) [36,022]
03/2019: Harley Quinn #59 -- 44,298 (+ 23.2%) [44,393]
04/2019: Harley Quinn #60 -- 28,968 (- 34.3%) [29,155]
05/2019: Harley Quinn #61 -- 30,708 (+ 5.5%) [30,746]
06/2019: Harley Quinn #62 -- 27,547 (- 9.5%) [27,831]
07/2019: Harley Quinn #63 -- 32,268 (+ 15.9%)
08/2019: Harley Quinn #64 -- 26,973 (- 16.1%) [27,086]
09/2019: Harley Quinn #65 -- 26,082 (- 3.4%) [26,159]
10/2019: Harley Quinn #66 -- 24,206 (- 7.5%)
11/2019: Harley Quinn #67 -- 30,377 (+ 25.9%) [30,472]
12/2019: Harley Quinn #68 -- 23,583 (- 22.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 15.3%
1 year : - 13.0%
2 years : - 30.0%
5 years : - 65.4%
With a well-regarded animated series on DC Universe and a big-budget movie out in February, you might think that there’d be more of a Harley-sance for the regular title. But while the Harley mini-series are doing well, the regular title continues to falter.
---
90, 94, 116 - YEAR OF THE VILLAIN/INFECTED one-shots ($3.99, $4.99)
08/2019: YotV Black Mask #1 -- 26,733 [27,040]
08/2019: YotV Sinestro #1 -- 26,379 [26,477]
09/2019: YotV Lex Luthor #1 -- 27,563 [27,936]
09/2019: YotV The Riddler #1 -- 27,053 [27,140]
10/2019: YotV The Joker #1 -- 128,632 [128,618]
10/2019: YotV Black Adam #1 -- 22,245
11/2019: Inf. King Shazam #1 -- 28,201 [28,329]
11/2019: Inf. Scarab #1 -- 20,463
12/2019: Inf. Deathbringer #1 -- 22,924
12/2019: Inf. Commissioner #1 -- 22,033
12/2019: YotV Ocean Master #1 -- 17,084
Deathbringer and The Commissioner were ordered very generically, while Ocean Master was ordered at the same level as the regular Aquaman title.
---
115/288 - YOUNG JUSTICE (Wonder Comics) ($3.99/$4.99)
01/2019: Young Justice #1 -- 73,952 (+986.4%) [77,524]
02/2019: Young Justice #2 -- 37,081 (- 52.2%) [37,074]
03/2019: Young Justice #3 -- 33,683 (- 8.2%) [34,020]
04/2019: Young Justice #4 -- 31,319 (- 6.7%) [31,732]
05/2019: Young Justice #5 -- 29,821 (- 5.2%) [30,076]
06/2019: Young Justice #6 -- 28,182 (- 5.5%) [28,420]
07/2019: Young Justice #7 -- 26,777 (- 5.2%) [26,952]
08/2019: --
09/2019: Young Justice #8 -- 26,261 (- 2.6%)
10/2019: Young Justice #9 -- 24,091 (- 8.3%)
11/2019: Young Justice #10 -- 24,162 (+ 0.3%)
12/2019: Young Justice #11 -- 22,402 (- 7.3%)
-----------------
6 months: - 21.2%
Regular: 17,096. Cardstock: 5,306. (3.2:1)
---
98 - FAR SECTOR (Young Animal) ($3.99)
11/2019: Far Sector #1 of 12 -- 43,219 [43,024]
12/2019: Far Sector #2 of 12 -- 20,239 (- 53.0%)
Even though the year-end sales figure for the first issue is down, it also includes an additional 3,734 copies that charted in December. Which very likely means that there were a fair number of returns from some stores, but then other stores had to order extras.
So despite the big drop-off for the second issue, I think this is being under ordered in the same way that Naomi was...
---
159/217 - SUPERGIRL ($3.99/$4.99)
12/2009: Supergirl #48 -- 28,179
12/2014: Supergirl #37 -- 26,272
12/2016: Supergirl #4 -- 31,040
12/2017: Supergirl #16 -- 28,450
----------------------------------
12/2018: Supergirl #25 -- 21,564 (+ 1.3%)
01/2019: Supergirl #26 -- 29,499 (+ 37.1%) [29,571]
02/2019: Supergirl #27 -- 19,980 (- 32.4%)
03/2019: Supergirl #28 -- 32,370 (+ 63.3%) [32,620]
04/2019: Supergirl #29 -- 19,550 (- 40.1%)
05/2019: Supergirl #30 -- 18,443 (- 5.7%)
06/2019: Supergirl #31 -- 20,903 (+ 13.3%)
07/2019: Supergirl #32 -- 22,532 (+ 7.8%)
08/2019: --
09/2019: Supergirl #33 -- 24,795 (+ 10.0%)
09/2019: Supergirl #34 -- 24,209 (- 2.4%)
10/2019: Supergirl #35 -- 19,102 (- 21.1%)
11/2019: Supergirl #36 -- 29,738 (+ 59.6%) [30,494]
12/2019: Supergirl #37 -- 19,923 (- 34.7%)
-----------------
6 months: - 4.7%
1 year : - 7.6%
2 years : - 30.0%
5 years : - 24.2%
10 years: - 29.3%
Regular: 11,539. Cardstock: 8,384 (1.4:1)
Shocked that this didn’t sell better with the Darrick Chew cardstock variant!
---
101 - NIGHTWING ($3.99)
12/2004: Nightwing #100 -- 40,022
12/2014: Grayson #5 -- 42,611 [42,648]
12/2015: Grayson #15 -- 35,765
12/2016: Nightwing #10 -- 49,436
12/2016: Nightwing #11 -- 47,781
12/2017: Nightwing #34 -- 29,426
12/2017: Nightwing #35 -- 29,310
----------------------------------
12/2018: Nightwing #54 -- 28,269 (+ 5.4%)
12/2018: Nightwing #55 -- 26,060 (- 7.8%)
01/2019: Nightwing #56 -- 25,044 (- 3.5%) [25,154]
02/2019: Nightwing #57 -- 26,845 (+ 7.8%) [27,125]
03/2019: Nightwing #58 -- 25,433 (- 5.3%) [25,698]
04/2019: Nightwing #59 -- 24,677 (- 4.0%)
05/2019: Nightwing #60 -- 24,233 (- 1.8%)
06/2019: Nightwing #61 -- 22,621 (- 6.7%)
07/2019: Nightwing #62 -- 25,753 (+ 13.8%)
08/2019: Nightwing #63 -- 22,711 (- 11.8%)
09/2019: Nightwing #64 -- 21,736 (- 4.3%)
10/2019: Nightwing #65 -- 20,834 (- 4.1%)
11/2019: Nightwing #66 -- 26,178 (+ 25.7%)
12/2019: Nightwing #67 -- 19,766 (- 24.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 12.6%
1 year : - 27.2%
2 years : - 32.7%
5 years : - 53.7%
15 years: - 50.6%
The first time an issue of Nightwing has sold below 20K—at least as far as my records go back (2001), and likely ever.
---
111 - THE DOLLHOUSE FAMILY (Hill House) (Black Label) ($3.99)
11/2019: Dollhouse Family #1 of 6 -- 30,658
12/2019: Dollhouse Family #2 of 6 -- 19,729 (- 35.6%)
Returnable, so we’ve adjusted the estimated sales numbers derived from the Diamond-supplied sales index by 10%. For why we do this, please see the fine print at the end of the column.
A typical second issue percentage drop.
---
102 - JUSTICE LEAGUE ODYSSEY ($3.99)
12/2018: --
01/2019: Justice League Odyssey #4 -- 31,696 (- 11.6%) [31,841]
01/2019: Justice League Odyssey #5 -- 28,776 (- 8.6%) [29,101]
02/2019: Justice League Odyssey #6 -- 26,248 (- 8.8%) [26,534]
03/2019: Justice League Odyssey #7 -- 24,378 (- 8.1%)
04/2019: Justice League Odyssey #8 -- 23,493 (- 3.6%)
05/2019: Justice League Odyssey #9 -- 24,512 (+ 4.3%)
06/2019: Justice League Odyssey #10 -- 24,053 (- 1.9%)
07/2019: Justice League Odyssey #11 -- 23,346 (- 2.9%)
08/2019: Justice League Odyssey #12 -- 23,075 (- 1.2%)
09/2019: Justice League Odyssey #13 -- 22,012 (- 4.6%)
10/2019: Justice League Odyssey #14 -- 20,623 (- 6.3%)
11/2019: Justice League Odyssey #15 -- 25,062 (+ 21.9%) [25,134]
12/2019: Justice League Odyssey #16 -- 19,470 (- 22.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 19.1%
1 year : n.a.
---
103 - TEEN TITANS ($3.99)
12/2004: Teen Titans #19 -- 62,585 [66,290]
12/2009: Teen Titans #78 -- 43,400
12/2014: Teen Titans #5 -- 34,101
12/2015: Teen Titans #14 -- 26,239
12/2015: Teen Titans #15 -- 27,201
12/2016: Teen Titans #3 -- 44,116
12/2017: Teen Titans #15 -- 38,745 [40,747]
----------------------------------
12/2018: Teen Titans #25 -- 27,285 (- 0.5%)
01/2019: Teen Titans #26 -- 24,208 (- 11.3%)
02/2019: Teen Titans #27 -- 23,137 (- 4.4%)
03/2019: Teen Titans #28 -- 27,405 (+ 19.7%) [27,704]
04/2019: Teen Titans #29 -- 27,137 (- 0.1%) [27,690]
05/2019: Teen Titans #30 -- 26,502 (- 3.5%) [26,731]
06/2019: Teen Titans #31 -- 24,208 (- 9.4%)
07/2019: Teen Titans #32 -- 27,905 (+ 15.3%)
08/2019: Teen Titans #33 -- 23,523 (- 15.7%)
09/2019: Teen Titans #34 -- 22,138 (- 5.9%)
10/2019: Teen Titans #35 -- 20,893 (- 5.6%)
11/2019: Teen Titans #36 -- 26,181 (+ 26.1%) [26,356]
12/2019: Teen Titans #37 -- 19,453 (- 26.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 19.6%
1 year : - 28.7%
2 years : - 52.3%
5 years : - 42.9%
10 years: - 55.2%
15 years: - 70.7%
---
108 - JOHN CONSTANTINE: HELLBLAZER (Sandman Universe) (Black Label) ($3.99)
12/2004: Hellblazer #203 -- 15,304
12/2009: Hellblazer #262 -- 10,334
12/2014: Constantine #20 -- 15,574
12/2015: The Hellblazer #7 -- 18,601
12/2016: The Hellblazer #5 -- 25,780
12/2017: The Hellblazer #17 -- 13,683
-------------------------------------
10/2019: Sandman Univ Pres -- 25,236 (+113.5%) [25,644]
11/2019: JC Hellblazer #1 -- 30,790 (+ 24.0%) [31,808]
12/2019: JC Hellblazer #2 -- 18,576 (- 41.6%)
-----------------
2 years : + 35.8%
5 years : + 19.3%
10 years: + 79.8%
15 years: + 21.4%
So far this is tracking on par with the current Books of Magic series.
---
109 - BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS ($3.99)
12/2004: Outsiders #18 -- 40,602
12/2009: Outsiders #25 -- 37,847
-----------------------------------------
05/2019: Batman & Outsiders #1 -- 51,958 (+224.8%) [52,826]
06/2019: Batman & Outsiders #2 -- 34,745 (- 33.5%) [35,107]
07/2019: Batman & Outsiders #3 -- 30,639 (- 12.7%)
08/2019: Batman & Outsiders #4 -- 24,803 (- 18.2%) [25,067]
09/2019: Batman & Outsiders #5 -- 22,712 (- 9.4%)
10/2019: Batman & Outsiders #6 -- 22,607 (- 0.5%)
11/2019: Batman & Outsiders #7 -- 25,103 (+ 11.3%) [25,170]
12/2019: Batman & Outsiders #8 -- 18,337 (- 27.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 47.8%
10 years: - 51.5%
15 years: - 54.8%
---
110 - LOIS LANE ($3.99)
07/2019: Lois Lane #1 of 12 -- 40,348 [38,280]
08/2019: Lois Lane #2 of 12 -- 27,578 (- 30.9%) [26,438]
09/2019: Lois Lane #3 of 12 -- 23,728 (- 14.0%)
10/2019: Lois Lane #4 of 12 -- 21,280 (- 10.3%)
11/2019: Lois Lane #5 of 12 -- 19,559 (- 8.1%)
12/2019: Lois Lane #6 of 12 -- 18,231 (- 6.8%)
---
112 - AQUAMAN ($3.99)
12/2004: Aquaman #25 -- 21,107
12/2014: Aquaman #37 -- 31,198
12/2015: Aquaman #47 -- 20,251
12/2016: Aquaman #12 -- 35,571
12/2016: Aquaman #13 -- 34,619
12/2017: Aquaman #31 -- 25,474
------------------------------
12/2018: Aquaman #43 -- 30,920 (- 18.1%) [32,180]
01/2019: Aquaman #44 -- 26,416 (- 15.6%) [27,165]
02/2019: Aquaman #45 -- 26,291 (- 1.2%) [26,826]
03/2019: Aquaman #46 -- 24,566 (- 8.4%)
04/2019: Aquaman #47 -- 25,442 (+ 4.8%) [25,753]
05/2019: Aquaman #48 -- 24,421 (- 5.2%)
06/2019: Aquaman #49 -- 23,284 (- 4.7%)
07/2019: Aquaman #50 -- 26,286 (+ 12.9%)
08/2019: Aquaman #51 -- 24,072 (- 8.4%)
09/2019: Aquaman #52 -- 22,493 (- 6.6%)
10/2019: Aquaman #53 -- 20,526 (- 8.7%)
11/2019: Aquaman #54 -- 24,896 (+ 21.3%)
12/2019: Aquaman #55 -- 17,932 (- 28.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 23.0%
1 year : - 44.3%
2 years : - 29.6%
5 years : - 42.5%
15 years: - 15.0%
The first time an issue of Aquaman has sold below 20K since the start of the New 52 era. (And it’s quite a bit below 20K...)
---
114 - HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE MULTIVERSE ($3.99)
12/2014: He-Man Eternity #1 -- 18,884
12/2015: He-Man Eternity #13 -- 10,096
12/2016: He-Man/T’cats #3 of 6 -- 19,902
----------------------------------------
11/2019: He-Man & MotM #1 of 6 -- 29,254 (+ 65.0%) [30,394]
12/2019: He-Man & MotM #2 of 6 -- 17,107 (- 43.7%)
-----------------
5 years : - 9.4%
A biggish second-issue percentage drop.
---
118 - DEATHSTROKE ($4.99)
12/2014: Deathstroke #3 -- 34,010
12/2015: Deathstroke #13 -- 25,344
12/2016: Deathstroke #8 -- 32,530
12/2016: Deathstroke #9 -- 31,519
12/2017: Deathstroke #26 -- 19,432
-----------------------------------
12/2018: Deathstroke #38 -- 28,803 (- 6.2%)
01/2019: Deathstroke #39 -- 21,442 (- 25.6%)
02/2019: Deathstroke #40 -- 19,608 (- 8.6%)
03/2019: Deathstroke #41 -- 21,167 (+ 8.0%)
04/2019: Deathstroke #42 -- 26,054 (+ 23.4%) [26,112]
05/2019: Deathstroke #43 -- 24,857 (- 4.8%)
06/2019: Deathstroke #44 -- 21,785 (- 12.4%)
07/2019: Deathstroke #45 -- 23,386 (+ 7.3%)
08/2019: Deathstroke #46 -- 20,113 (- 14.0%)
09/2019: Deathstroke #47 -- 18,422 (- 8.4%)
10/2019: Deathstroke #48 -- 17,203 (- 6.6%)
11/2019: Deathstroke #49 -- 21,577 (+ 25.4%)
12/2019: Deathstroke #50 -- 16,602 (- 23.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 23.8%
1 year : - 42.4%
2 years : - 14.6%
5 years : - 51.2%
Final issue. Over-sized and -priced, but didn’t get any kind of bump.
---
Coming in at #120 is the latest one-shot DCU anthology: New Years Evil, selling 16,177 copies at $9.99 a pop. I keep threatening to tabulate all of these one-shot anthologies together, but things are running late this month so it won’t be this time.
---
122 - BATMAN UNIVERSE ($4.99)
07/2019: Batman Universe #1 of 6 -- 35,826
08/2019: Batman Universe #2 of 6 -- 24,498 (- 31.6%)
09/2019: Batman Universe #3 of 6 -- 20,633 (- 15.8%)
10/2019: Batman Universe #4 of 6 -- 18,194 (- 11.8%)
11/2019: Batman Universe #5 of 6 -- 17,091 (- 6.1%)
12/2019: Batman Universe #6 of 6 -- 16,038 (- 6.2%)
Final issue of the limited series reprinting the Bendis/Derington stories that originally appeared in the Walmart exclusive Batman Giant.
---
248/209 - RWBY (Digital First) (Rooster Teeth) ($3.99/$4.99)
10/2019: RWBY #1 of 7 -- 23,552
11/2019: RWBY #2 of 7 -- 18,854 (- 19.9%)
12/2019: RWBY #3 of 7 -- 15,968 (- 15.3%)
Regular: 7,184. Cardstock: 8,784. (0.8:1)
The cardstock variant is my Stanley “Artgerm” Lau, which explains why it sells better than the regular cover.
---
134 - HAWKMAN ($3.99)
12/2004: Hawkman #35 -- 21,358
12/2016: Death of #3 -- 13,607
12/2017: HM Found #1 -- 64,617 [86,906]
------------------------------
12/2018: Hawkman #7 -- 20,625 (- 5.5%)
01/2019: Hawkman #8 -- 20,198 (- 2.1%)
02/2019: Hawkman #9 -- 18,829 (- 6.8%)
03/2019: Hawkman #10 -- 18,269 (- 3.0%)
04/2019: Hawkman #11 -- 18,392 (+ 0.7%)
05/2019: Hawkman #12 -- 18,135 (- 1.4%)
06/2019: Hawkman #13 -- 17,524 (- 3.4%)
07/2019: Hawkman #14 -- 19,934 (+ 13.8%)
08/2019: Hawkman #15 -- 17,865 (- 10.4%)
09/2019: Hawkman #16 -- 16,492 (- 7.7%)
10/2019: Hawkman #17 -- 15,951 (- 3.3%)
11/2019: Hawkman #18 -- 21,084 (+ 32.2%)
12/2019: Hawkman #19 -- 14,321 (- 32.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 18.3%
1 year : - 30.6%
2 years : - 83.5%
15 years: - 32.9%
---
136 - SUPERMAN’S PAL JIMMY OLSEN ($3.99)
07/2019: Jimmy Olsen #1 of 12 -- 33,960 [30,029]
08/2019: Jimmy Olsen #2 of 12 -- 21,880 (- 27.1%)
09/2019: Jimmy Olsen #3 of 12 -- 18,120 (- 17.2%)
10/2019: Jimmy Olsen #4 of 12 -- 15,820 (- 12.7%)
11/2019: Jimmy Olsen #5 of 12 -- 14,586 (- 7.8%)
12/2019: Jimmy Olsen #6 of 12 -- 13,816 (- 5.3%)
Nearly 14K of us are reading the best comic DC is currently publishing—the rest of you are missing out!
---
139 - SUPERMAN: UP IN THE SKY ($4.99)
07/2019: Superman Sky #1 of 6 -- 28,028
08/2019: Superman Sky #2 of 6 -- 19,961 (- 28.8%)
09/2019: Superman Sky #3 of 6 -- 17,391 (- 12.9%)
10/2019: Superman Sky #4 of 6 -- 15,817 (- 9.1%)
11/2019: Superman Sky #5 of 6 -- 14,186 (- 10.3%)
12/2019: Superman Sky #6 of 6 -- 13,373 (- 5.7%)
Final issue of the limited series reprinting the King/Hope/Kubert stories that originally appeared in the Walmart exclusive Superman Giant.
---
141 - METAL MEN ($3.99)
10/2019: Metal Men #1 of 12 -- 24,723 (+ 78.4%) [25,257]
11/2019: Metal Men #2 of 12 -- 16,323 (- 34.0%)
12/2019: Metal Men #3 of 12 -- 13,114 (- 19.7%)
---
145 - THE LAST GOD (Black Label) ($4.99)
10/2019: The Last God #1 -- 27,774 [38,245]
11/2019: The Last God #2 -- 14,540 (- 62.0%)
12/2019: The Last God #3 -- 12,843 (- 11.7%)
---
161 - SUPERMAN SMASHES THE KLAN (All Ages) ($7.99)
10/2019: Superman Smashes #1 of 3 -- 24,375
11/2019: --
12/2019: Superman Smashes #2 of 3 -- 11,400 (- 53.2%)
The real market for this series is its eventual trade collection in bookstores and school book fairs, so while it would be nice to see the sales higher it really doesn’t matter.
---
164 - GOTHAM CITY MONSTERS ($3.99)
09/2019: Gotham City Monsters #1 of 6 -- 28,082
10/2019: Gotham City Monsters #2 of 6 -- 15,534 (- 44.7%)
11/2019: Gotham City Monsters #3 of 6 -- 12,688 (- 18.3%)
12/2019: Gotham City Monsters #4 of 6 -- 11,043 (- 13.0%)
---
165, 179, 199 - Dollar Comics ($1.00)
09/2019: Batman #608 -- 19,610
09/2019: Crisis on ∞ Earths #1 -- 19,275
09/2019: Detective Comics #854 -- 17,014
09/2019: Harley Quinn #1 -- 15,660
10/2019: Joker #1 -- 23,869
10/2019: Watchmen #1 -- 19,156
10/2019: Swamp Thing #1 -- 17,849
10/2019: Superman #75 -- 17,139
10/2019: Batman #497 -- 16,571 [33,157]
11/2019: Flashpoint #1 -- 13,580
11/2019: Blackest Night #1 -- 13,403
11/2019: Infinite Crisis #1 -- 12,280
11/2019: Luthor #1 -- 9,900
12/2019: Birds of Prey #1 -- 10,829
12/2019: Tales Teen Titans Ann #3 -- 10,127
12/2019: The Flash #164 -- 9,068
These promotionally-priced reprints won’t be included in the summary charts at the end of the column, but we present their sales here for your enjoyment!
---
174 - DOOM PATROL: WEIGHT OF THE WORLDS (Young Animal) ($3.99)
12/2004: Doom Patrol #7 -- 19,336
12/2009: Doom Patrol #5 -- 35,348
12/2016: --
12/2017: --
------------------------------------
12/2018: --
01/2019: --
02/2019: --
03/2019: --
04/2019: --
05/2019: --
06/2019: --
07/2019: Weight Worlds #1 -- 25,896 (+ 92.6%)
08/2019: Weight Worlds #2 -- 16,289 (- 37.1%)
09/2019: Weight Worlds #3 -- 15,473 (- 5.0%)
10/2019: Weight Worlds #4 -- 10,838 (- 30.0%)
11/2019: Weight Worlds #5 -- 11,125 (+ 2.6%)
12/2019: Weight Worlds #6 -- 10,416 (- 6.4%)
-----------------
2 years : n.a.
10 years: - 70.5%
15 years: - 45.6%
---
175 - THE DREAMING (Sandman Universe) (Black Label) ($3.99)
12/2018: Dreaming #4 -- 18,185 (- 8.2%)
01/2019: Dreaming #5 -- 17,054 (- 6.2%)
02/2019: Dreaming #6 -- 15,989 (- 6.2%)
03/2019: Dreaming #7 -- 15,046 (- 5.9%)
04/2019: Dreaming #8 -- 14,409 (- 4.2%)
05/2019: Dreaming #9 -- 13,749 (- 4.6%)
06/2019: Dreaming #10 -- 12,983 (- 5.6%)
07/2019: Dreaming #11 -- 12,501 (- 3.7%)
08/2019: Dreaming #12 -- 11,803 (- 5.6%)
09/2019: Dreaming #13 -- 11,759 (- 0.4%)
10/2019: Dreaming #14 -- 11,077 (- 5.8%)
11/2019: Dreaming #15 -- 10,745 (- 3.0%)
12/2019: Dreaming #16 -- 10,352 (- 3.7%)
-----------------
6 months: - 20.3%
1 year : - 43.1%
Ending with issue #20. Which is odd considering that it’s one of the better-selling Sandman Universe titles and a creative team change had been previously announced. So maybe they’re going to start a new series with the new creative team in order to get a short-term sales boost?
---
180 - Facsimile Editions ($3.99)
08/2019: Batman #232 -- 21,178
08/2019: House of Secrets #92 -- 17,271
09/2019: Batman #181 -- 20,514
10/2019: Batman #251 -- 24,115
11/2019: Green Lantern #85 -- 14,198
12/2019: Crisis ∞ Earths #1 -- 10,024
Why make new comics when you can sell reprints of old comics at today’s cover prices? Crisis #1 was reprinted just three months ago as a Dollar Comic, so I’m not sure what DC was thinking here...
---
185 - DC GIANT one-shots ($4.99)
09/2019: Scooby-Doo 50th -- 8,290
10/2019: DC Villains #1 -- 15,304
10/2019: DC Ghosts #1 -- 10,838
11/2019: --
12/2019: Batwoman/Supergirl #1 -- 9,846
While many of the new DC Giants are intended to be ongoings—some monthly-ish, some bi-monthly-ish, some ???—others are intended to be one-shots. The same rules apply: a mixture of new stories and reprints, and on sale at Walmart a couple of weeks or so before being available with a new cover via the direct market.
---
190 - FLASH GIANT ($4.99)
10/2019: Flash Giant #1 -- 14,666
11/2019: --
12/2019: Flash Giant #2 -- 9,543 (- 34.9%)
207 - WONDER WOMAN GIANT ($4.99)
10/2019: Wonder Woman Giant #1 -- 13,254
11/2019: --
12/2019: Wonder Woman Giant #2 -- 8,873 (- 33.1%)
Just two more DC Giants to round things out this month, as DC tend to release one per week and they only shipped comics for three weeks in December. Both of these second issues show typical percentage drops.
---
197 - LUCIFER (Sandman Universe) (Black Label) ($3.99)
12/2004: Lucifer #57 -- 12,442
12/2015: Lucifer #1 -- 17,306
12/2016: Lucifer #13 -- 7,739
------------------------------
12/2018: Lucifer #3 -- 14,929 (- 11.5%)
01/2019: Lucifer #4 -- 14,474 (- 3.0%)
02/2019: Lucifer #5 -- 13,413 (- 7.3%)
03/2019: Lucifer #6 -- 12,721 (- 5.2%)
04/2019: Lucifer #7 -- 12,114 (- 4.8%)
05/2019: Lucifer #8 -- 11,611 (- 4.2%)
06/2019: Lucifer #9 -- 11,201 (- 3.5%)
07/2019: Lucifer #10 -- 10,746 (- 4.1%)
08/2019: Lucifer #11 -- 10,495 (- 2.3%)
09/2019: Lucifer #12 -- 10,206 (- 2.8%)
10/2019: Lucifer #13 -- 9,829 (- 3.7%)
11/2019: Lucifer #14 -- 9,425 (- 4.1%)
12/2019: Lucifer #15 -- 9,190 (- 2.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 18.0%
1 year : - 38.4%
15 years: - 26.1%
---
216 - WONDER WOMAN: COME BACK TO ME ($4.99)
07/2019: WW Come Back #1 of 6 -- 20,308
08/2019: WW Come Back #2 of 6 -- 13,386 (- 34.1%)
09/2019: WW Come Back #3 of 6 -- 11,120 (- 16.9%)
10/2019: WW Come Back #4 of 6 -- 9,735 (- 12.5%)
11/2019: WW Come Back #5 of 6 -- 8,759 (- 10.0%)
12/2019: WW Come Back #6 of 6 -- 8,442 (- 3.6%)
Final issue of the limited series reprinting the Conner/Palmiotti/Hardin stories that originally appeared in the Walmart exclusive Justice League Giant.
---
218 - WONDER TWINS (Wonder Comics) ($3.99)
02/2019: Wonder Twins #1 of 6 -- 27,584 [28,194]
03/2019: Wonder Twins #2 of 6 -- 19,892 (- 29.4%)
04/2019: Wonder Twins #3 of 6 -- 16,951 (- 14.8%)
05/2019: Wonder Twins #4 of 12 -- 15,643 (- 7.7%)
06/2019: Wonder Twins #5 of 12 -- 13,994 (- 10.5%)
07/2019: Wonder Twins #6 of 12 -- 13,214 (- 5.6%)
08/2019: --
09/2019: Wonder Twins #7 of 12 -- 9,055 (- 31.5%)
10/2019: Wonder Twins #8 of 12 -- 9,360 (+ 3.4%)
11/2019: Wonder Twins #9 of 12 -- 8,888 (- 5.0%)
12/2019: Wonder Twins #10 of 12 -- 8,309 (- 6.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 40.6%
---
234 - TITANS: BURNING RAGE ($4.99)
08/2019: Burning Rage #1 of 7 -- 14,900
09/2019: Burning Rage #2 of 7 -- 10,849 (- 27.2%)
10/2019: Burning Rage #3 of 7 -- 9,172 (- 15.5%)
11/2019: Burning Rage #4 of 7 -- 8,132 (- 11.3%)
12/2019: Burning Rage #5 of 7 -- 7,676 (- 5.6%)
Limited series reprinting the Jurgens/Eaton stories that originally appeared in the Walmart exclusive Teen Titans Giant.
---
251 - HOUSE OF WHISPERS (Sandman Universe) (Black Label) ($3.99)
12/2018: House of Whispers #4 -- 13,619 (- 8.9%)
01/2019: House of Whispers #5 -- 12,505 (- 8.2%)
02/2019: House of Whispers #6 -- 11,566 (- 7.5%)
03/2019: House of Whispers #7 -- 10,874 (- 6.0%)
04/2019: House of Whispers #8 -- 10,155 (- 6.6%)
05/2019: House of Whispers #9 -- 9,646 (- 5.0%)
06/2019: House of Whispers #10 -- 9,024 (- 6.4%)
07/2019: House of Whispers #11 -- 8,658 (- 4.1%)
08/2019: House of Whispers #12 -- 8,412 (- 2.8%)
09/2019: House of Whispers #13 -- 8,078 (- 4.0%)
10/2019: House of Whispers #14 -- 7,737 (- 4.2%)
11/2019: House of Whispers #15 -- 7,405 (- 4.3%)
12/2019: House of Whispers #16 -- 7,112 (- 4.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 21.2%
1 year : - 47.8%
---
257 - INFERIOR FIVE ($3.99)
09/2019: Inferior Five #1 of 12 -- 19,964
10/2019: Inferior Five #2 of 12 -- 10,334 (- 48.2%)
11/2019: Inferior Five #3 of 6 -- 8,828 (- 14.6%)
12/2019: Inferior Five #4 of 6 -- 6,878 (- 22.1%)
---
281 - GEN:LOCK (Digital First) (Rooster Teeth) ($3.99)
11/2019: gen:Lock #1 of 7 -- 13,587
12/2019: gen:Lock #2 of 7 -- 5,777 (- 57.5%)
A big second issue drop, as it did not have the benefit of a cardstock variant like the first issue.
---
292 - COLLAPSER (Young Animal) ($3.99)
07/2019: Collapser #1 of 6 -- 22,123
08/2019: Collapser #2 of 6 -- 9,626 (- 56.5%)
09/2019: Collapser #3 of 6 -- 7,371 (- 23.4%)
10/2019: Collapser #4 of 6 -- 6,181 (- 16.1%)
11/2019: Collapser #5 of 6 -- 5,355 (- 13.4%)
12/2019: Collapser #6 of 6 -- 5,044 (- 5.8%)
When a comic’s sales live up to its title.
---
302 - SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (Hanna-Barbera) (All-Ages) ($2.99)
12/2004: Scooby-Doo #91 -- 5,201
12/2009: Scooby-Doo #151 -- 3,906
12/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #52 -- ????? (< 5,053)
12/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #64 -- ????? (< 5,848)
12/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #76 -- 4,805
12/2017: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #88 -- 4,026
------------------------------------------------
12/2018: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #96 -- 4,214 (- 4.3%)
01/2019: --
02/2019: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #97 -- 4,112 (- 2.4%)
03/2019: --
04/2019: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #98 -- 4,332 (+ 5.4%)
05/2019: --
06/2019: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #99 -- 4,498 (+ 3.8%)
07/2019: --
08/2019: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #100 -- 5,955 (+ 32.4%)
09/2019: --
10/2019: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #101 -- 4,649 (- 21.9%)
11/2019: --
12/2019: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #102 -- 4,418 (- 5.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 1.8%
1 year : + 4.8%
2 years : + 9.7%
5 years : ?????
10 years: + 13.1%
15 years: - 15.1%
The lowest-selling new issue from DC in October.
---
Average Periodical Sales (not counting reprints, reorders shipping after the initial month of release, director’s cuts, and magazines; based on first-month sales only.)
DC COMICS
12/2004: 30,589
12/2009: 25,904
12/2014: 29,047 **
12/2015: 28,091
12/2016: 35,265 **
12/2017: 29,762
---------------
12/2018: 36,514 (+ 25.3%)
01/2019: 27,526 (- 24.6%)
02/2019: 29,807 (+ 8.3%)
03/2019: 36,887 (+ 23.8%)
04/2019: 29,141 (- 21.0%)
05/2019: 36,909 (+ 26.7%)
06/2019: 35,745 (- 3.2%)
07/2019: 33,289 (- 6.9%)
08/2019: 33,608 (+ 1.0%)
09/2019: 32,017 (- 4.7%)
10/2019: 31,781 (- 0.7%)
11/2019: 27,135 (- 14.6%)
12/2019: 28,983 (+ 6.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 18.9%
1 year : - 20.6%
2 years : - 2.6%
5 years : - 5.3%
10 years: + 11.9%
15 years: - 5.3%
DC UNIVERSE
12/2004: 36,925
12/2009: 35,473
12/2014: 34,882
12/2015: 34,981
12/2016: 45,125
12/2017: 35,878
---------------
12/2018: 44,269 (+ 25.4%)
01/2019: 32,835 (- 25.8%)
02/2019: 34,801 (+ 6.0%)
03/2019: 46,190 (+ 32.7%)
04/2019: 34,471 (- 25.4%)
05/2019: 43,378 (+ 25.8%)
06/2019: 41,806 (- 3.6%)
07/2019: 38,444 (- 8.0%)
08/2019: 37,680 (- 2.0%)
09/2019: 36,611 (- 2.8%)
10/2019: 34,143 (- 6.7%)
11/2019: 30,006 (- 12.1%)
12/2019: 33,463 (+ 11.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 20.0%
1 year : - 24.4%
2 years : - 6.7%
5 years : - 4.1%
10 years: - 5.7%
15 years: - 9.4%
’VERTIGO’ (Young Animal, Sandman Universe, Hill House, non-DCU Black Label)
12/2004: 14,649
12/2009: 10,583
12/2014: 13,195 **
12/2015: 8,630 **
12/2016: 9,177 **
12/2017: 6,468
---------------
12/2018: 11,983 (- 7.9%)
01/2019: 10,822 (- 9.7%)
02/2019: 10,732 (- 0.8%)
03/2019: 9,739 (- 9.3%)
04/2019: 9,496 (- 9.3%)
05/2019: 9,635 (+ 1.5%)
06/2019: 8,584 (+ 1.5%)
07/2019: 12,955 (+ 50.9%)
08/2019: 10,410 (- 19.6%)
09/2019: 9,788 (- 6.0%)
10/2019: 16,848 (+ 72.1%)
11/2019: 18,313 (+ 8.7%)
12/2019: 14,788 (- 19.2%)
-----------------
6 months: + 72.3%
1 year : + 23.4%
2 years : +128.6%
5 years : + 12.1%
10 years: + 39.7%
15 years: + 0.9%
---
DC COMICS - TOTAL SALES
12/2004: 2,110,638
12/2009: 1,994,601
12/2014: 2,701,403 **
12/2015: 2,640,519 **
12/2016: 2,926,973 **
12/2017: 2,351,182
------------------
12/2018: 1,898,752 (- 2.8%)
01/2019: 2,367,265 (+ 24.7%)
02/2019: 1,758,617 (- 25.7%)
03/2019: 2,213,196 (+ 25.8%)
04/2019: 1,515,307 (- 31.5%)
05/2019: 2,177,609 (+ 43.7%)
06/2019: 1,787,229 (- 25.7%)
07/2019: 2,130,506 (+ 19.2%)
08/2019: 1,814,822 (- 14.8%)
09/2019: 2,145,167 (+ 18.2%)
10/2019: 2,764,956 (+ 28.9%)
11/2019: 2,089,383 (- 24.4%)
12/2019: 2,057,809 (- 1.5%)
-----------------
6 months: + 15.1%
1 year : + 8.4%
2 years : - 12.5%
5 years : - 23.8%
10 years: + 3.2%
15 years: - 2.5%
There were 71 ‘new’ comics from DC in December—down slightly from 77 in November—and is actually quite a lot considering that DC only shipped new comics for three weeks in December. Compare that to December 2018 when DC only shipped 52 new comics! Of this month’s 71 comics, five were reprints of comic previously published, and three were mixtures of new and reprint material.
Sales Indices
=============
The Sales Index number is the ratio of that comic’s sales to the average sales of all comics in that category.
DCU: Average: 33,463. Median: 23,583. No.: 55. Total: 1,840,475.
3.5 - Doomsday Clock
2.7 - Batman Last Knight on Earth
2.7 - Dark Knight Returns the Golden Child
2.4 - Batman (85)
2.4 - Batman (84)
2.2 - Harley Quinn Villain of the Year
2.0 - Superman
1.8 - Harleen
1.8 - Suicide Squad
1.8 - Batman Curse of the White Knight
1.5 - Joker Killer Smile
1.5 - Year of the Villain Hell Arisen
1.5 - Batman/Superman
1.4 - Justice League (37)
1.4 - Detetive Comics
1.4 - Justice League (38)
1.2 - Legion of Super-Heroes
1.2 - Wonder Woman Dead Earth
1.0 - The Batman’s Grave
1.0 - Green Lantern Blackstars
1.0 - Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy
0.9 - Tales of the Dark Multiverse Judas Contract
0.9 - Flash
0.8 - Wonder Woman
0.8 - Flash Forward
0.8 - Shazam!
0.7 - Catwoman
0.7 - Harley Quinn
0.7 - Infected Deathbringer
0.7 - Young Justice
0.7 - Infected The Commissioner
0.6 - Supergirl
0.6 - Nightwing
0.6 - Justice League Odyssey
0.6 - Teen Titans
0.5 - Batman and the Outsiders
0.5 - Lois Lane
0.5 - Aquaman
0.5 - YotV Ocean Master
0.5 - Deathstroke
0.5 - New Years Evil
0.5 - Batman Universe
0.4 - Hawkman
0.4 - Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen
0.4 - Superman Up in the Sky
0.4 - Metal Men
0.3 - Gotham City Monsters
0.3 - Crisis on Infinite Earths 1 FE
0.3 - Batwoman/Supergirl Giant
0.3 - Flash Giant
0.3 - Wonder Woman Giant
0.3 - Wonder Woman Come Back to Me
0.2 - Wonder Twins
0.2 - Titans Burning Rage
0.2 - Inferior Five
‘Vertigo’ (Young Animal, Sandman Universe, Hill House, non-DCU Black Label): Average: 14,788. Median: 12,843. No.: 11. Total: 162,664.
1.7 - The Low Low Woods
1.7 - Basketful of Heads
1.4 - Far Sector
1.3 - The Dollhouse Family
1.3 - John Constantine Hellblazer
0.9 - The Last God
0.7 - Doom Patrol Weight of the World
0.7 - The Dreaming
0.6 - Lucifer
0.5 - House of Whispers
0.3 - Collapser
Young Animal Average: 11,900 (3 titles). Sandman Universe Average: 11,308 (4 titles). Hill House Average: 22,964 (3 titles). Other Black Label average: 12,843 (1 title).
Digital First, All Ages & Other: Average: 10,934. Median: 11,400. No.: 5. Total: 54,670.
1.6 - He-Man and the Masters of the Multiverse
1.5 - RWBY
1.0 - Superman Smashes the Klan
0.5 - gen:Lock
0.4 - Scooby-Doo Where Are You?
---
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 and Comichron, according to the chart and index information provided by Diamond Comic Distributors.
ICv2.com's and Comichron’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 many sales to bookstores, newsstands, libraries, 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; or they show up in the year-end Top 1000. 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]"). Likewise, any lower numbers due to returns or other factors returns will also be reflected in the brackets. 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. Likewise, Digital First comics are published online before print, and may do a significant amount of their sales in that arena. DC Giants are released first to Walmarts and may receive a significant amount of sales through that outlet. For most Black Label, Young Animal, Sandman Universe, and related 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.
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 chart in that month. In those cases, it's assumed that said releases sold as many units as the No. 300 comic on the chart for that month for the purposes of the chart, although its actual sales are likely to be less than that.
Opinions expressed in this column are mine alone, and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer; The National Association for Catering and Events; or my former 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.
