Greetings, sales charts fans! It's time once again to look at DC's sales figures.
DC continue their extra-pricy cardstock variant covers this month, which get unhelpfully separated on the Diamond sales charts (see last month’s column for the details). (Again, a big thanks to John Jackson Miller for doing the math to combine them on his Comichron sales chart!)
Big changes are ahead for DC in the next few months, with the end of Vertigo, the debut of the Hill House imprint, acetate variant covers, an influx of Black Label prestige format titles, and even further out something called 5G as DC looks to once again try to realign their super-hero continuity.
Hang on, it’s going to be a bumpy and wild ride!
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.)
---
3 - BATMAN/SUPERMAN ($3.99)
08/2004: --
08/2009: Superman/Batman #63 -- 37,467
08/2014: Batman/Superman #13 -- 55,954 [53,623]
08/2015: Batman/Superman #23 -- 44,259 [44,704]
---------------------------------------
05/2016: Batman/Superman #32 -- 32,991
---------------------------------------
08/2019: Batman/Superman #1 -- 172,271 (+422.2%)
-----------------
5 years : +221.3%
10 years: +359.8%
15 years: n.a.
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 spin-off of The Batman Who Laughs limited series, bolstered by being returnable and having multiple covers.
---
17/19 - DCEASED ($3.99/$4.99)
05/2019: DCeased #1 of 6 -- 242,365 [249,146]
06/2019: DCeased #2 of 6 -- 152,407 (- 37.9%) [154,625]
07/2019: DCeased #3 of 6 -- 132,072 (- 13.9%) [133,118]
08/2019: DCeased #4 of 6 -- 119,786 (- 10.0%)
Regular: 59,639. Cardstock: 60,147. (1:1)
Retailers ordered slightly more of the more expensive cardstock covers than they did of the regular covers. Sales are slipping but all of the previous issues continue to sell in backorders and new printings, so I think we’re fine here.
---
20/79, 9 - BATMAN ($3.99/$4.99)
08/2004: Batman #631 -- 72,287 [74,830]
08/2009: Batman #689 -- 78,392
08/2014: Batman #34 -- 112,186 [113,402]
08/2015: Batman #43 -- 124,697 [127,996]
08/2016: Batman #4 -- 168,284
08/2016: Batman #5 -- 156,356
08/2017: Batman #28 -- 104,666 (+ 2.3%)
08/2017: Batman #29 -- 100,787 (- 3.7%)
--------------------------------
08/2018: Batman #52 -- 102,344 (- 9.2%) [102,712]
08/2018: Batman #53 -- 99,191 (- 2.7%) [99,920]
09/2018: Batman #54 -- 94,985 (- 5.0%) [94,921]
09/2018: Batman #55 -- 105,609 (+ 12.5%) [106,808]
10/2018: Batman #56 -- 107,578 (+ 5.2%) [112,329]
10/2018: Batman #57 -- 95,296 (- 15.0%) [95,465]
11/2018: Batman #58 -- 94,930 (- 0.5%) [94,975]
11/2018: Batman #59 -- 93,029 (- 1.5%) [93,545]
12/2018: Batman #60 -- 91,275 (- 2.4%)
12/2018: Batman #61 -- 88,428 (- 0.5%) [90,830]
01/2019: Batman #62 -- 90,634 (- 0.2%)
01/2019: Batman #63 -- 83,659 (- 6.6%) [84,682]
02/2019: Batman #64 -- 93,400 (+ 10.8%) [93,863]
02/2019: Batman #65 -- 89,123 (- 4.0%) [90,125]
03/2019: Batman #66 -- 83,102 (- 7.8%)
03/2019: Batman #67 -- 84,463 (+ 1.6%)
04/2019: Batman #68 -- 87,557 (+ 3.7%)
04/2019: Batman #69 -- 88,666 (+ 1.3%)
05/2019: Batman #70 -- 83,518 (- 5.8%)
05/2019: Batman #71 -- 82,704 (- 1.0%)
06/2019: Batman #72 -- 80,585 (- 2.6%)
06/2019: Batman #73 -- 81,919 (+ 1.7%)
07/2019: Batman #74 -- 78,544 (- 4.1%)
07/2019: Batman #75 -- 100,161 (+ 27.5%) [101,650]
08/2019: Batman #76 -- 84,879 (- 16.5%)
08/2019: Batman #77 -- 81,215 (- 4.3%)
-----------------
6 months: - 9.7%
1 year : - 18.0%
2 years : - 19.6%
5 years : - 26.8%
10 years: + 5.9%
15 years: + 11.0%
Issue #76: Regular: 58,539. Cardstock: 26,340 (2.2:1)
Unsatisfied with it only being their best-selling ongoing series, DC are kicking Tom King off Batman early after issue #85 and replacing him with James Tynion IV (while King takes his story over to a new Batman & Catwoman series).
---
10 - BATMAN: CURSE OF THE WHITE KNIGHT (Black Label) ($4.99)
05/2018: White Knight #8 of 8 -- 73,616 [74,420]
---------------------------------------
07/2019: Curse Knight #1 of 8 -- 91,205 (+ 27.1%) [94,625]
08/2019: Curse Knight #2 of 8 -- 74,838 (- 20.9%)
That’s a gentle second issue percentage drop, and brings it back to where the previous series ended. So all is ell here.
---
18 - SUPERMAN: YEAR ONE (Black Label) ($7.99)
06/2019: Superman Year One #1 of 3 -- 88,113 [92,376]
07/2009: --
08/2019: Superman Year One #2 of 3 -- 65,870 (- 28.7%)
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. And so far running on schedule, with just one issue to go!
---
23, 45/131 - JUSTICE LEAGUE ($3.99/$4.99)
08/2014: --
08/2015: Justice League #43 -- 82,304 [85,119]
08/2016: Justice League #2 -- 140,142
08/2016: Justice League #3 -- 121,812
08/2017: Justice League #26 -- 51,048 [51,011]
08/2017: Justice League #27 -- 50,023 [50,359]
--------------------------------------
08/2018: Justice League #5 -- 76,592 (- 3.3%) [77,340]
08/2018: Justice League #6 -- 75,156 (- 1.4%) [76,286]
09/2018: Justice League #7 -- 74,393 (- 1.9%) [74,820]
09/2018: Justice League #8 -- 76,360 (+ 4.3%) [78,012]
10/2018: Justice League #9 -- 72,687 (- 6.4%) [72,991]
10/2018: Justice League #10 -- 84,179 (+ 16.2%) [84,788]
11/2018: Justice League #11 -- 74,204 (- 12.3%) [74,385]
11/2018: Justice League #12 -- 70,105 (- 4.9%) [70,774]
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%)
01/2019: Justice League #16 -- 59,577 (- 1.2%)
02/2019: Justice League #17 -- 57,105 (- 4.1%)
02/2019: Justice League #18 -- 55,988 (- 1.2%) [56,432]
03/2019: Justice League #19 -- 57,733 (+ 2.3%)
03/2019: Justice League #20 -- 64,675 (+ 14.4%) [66,034]
04/2019: Justice League #21 -- 55,245 (- 16.9%)
04/2019: Justice League #22 -- 56,094 (+ 1.5%)
05/2019: Justice League #23 -- 55,077 (- 1.8%)
05/2019: Justice League #24 -- 54,862 (- 0.4%)
06/2019: Justice League #25 -- 57,023 (+ 3.9%)
06/2019: Justice League #26 -- 54,862 (- 7.5%)
07/2019: Justice League #27 -- 56,717 (+ 7.6%)
07/2019: Justice League #28 -- 55,538 (- 2.1%)
08/2019: Justice League #29 -- 52,641 (- 5.2%)
08/2019: Justice League #30 -- 53,432 (+ 1.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 6.6%
1 year : - 31.0%
2 years : + 4.6%
5 years : n.a.
Issue #30: Regular: 38,465. Cardstock: 14,967. (2.6:1)
Issue #30 kicks off the “Justice/Doom War” (after a prelude in issue #29), but it’s pretty much business as usual despite the variant cover shenanigans.
---
22, 24 - DETECTIVE COMICS ($3.99)
08/2004: Detective Comics #797 -- 50,695 [52,811]
08/2009: Detective Comics #856 -- 58,859
08/2014: Detective Comics #34 -- 58,812 [59,309]
08/2015: Detective Comics #43 -- 53,576 [53,797]
08/2016: Detective Comics #938 -- 97,829
08/2016: Detective Comics #939 -- 89,612
08/2017: Detective Comics #962 -- 54,259 [54,226]
08/2017: Detective Comics #963 -- 52,975 [53,095]
------------------------------------------
08/2018: Detective Comics #986 -- 53,346 (+ 1.5%) [53,611]
08/2018: Detective Comics #987 -- 51,362 (- 4.4%) [51,248]
09/2018: Detective Comics #988 -- 51,405 (+ 1.1%) [51,817]
09/2018: Detective Comics #989 -- 50,479 (- 1.2%) [51,176]
10/2018: Detective Comics #990 -- 61,040 (+ 19.5%) [61,149]
10/2018: Detective Comics #991 -- 50,318 (- 16.8%) [50,891]
11/2018: Detective Comics #992 -- 51,002 (+ 0.8%) [51,285]
11/2018: Detective Comics #993 -- 48,971 (- 3.5%) [49,510]
12/2018: Detective Comics #994 -- 51,772 (+ 16.1%) [57,468]
01/2019: Detective Comics #995 -- 51,246 (- 4.7%) [54,772]
01/2019: Detective Comics #996 -- 52,263 (+ 1.6%) [55,645]
01/2019: Detective Comics #997 -- 53,071 (- 1.5%) [54,830]
02/2019: Detective Comics #998 -- 60,447 (+ 11.5%) [61,113]
02/2019: Detective Comics #999 -- 62,953 (+ 6.5%) [65,064]
03/2019: Detective Comics #1000 -- 526,941 (+782.6%) [574,279]
04/2019: Detective Comics #1001 -- 66,743 (- 87.7%) [70,710]
04/2019: Detective Comics #1002 -- 61,007 (- 11.5%) [62,611]
05/2019: Detective Comics #1003 -- 65,709 (+ 4.9%)
05/2019: Detective Comics #1004 -- 63,161 (- 2.4%) [64,124]
06/2019: Detective Comics #1005 -- 60,389 (- 5.8%)
06/2019: Detective Comics #1006 -- 59,309 (- 1.8%)
07/2019: Detective Comics #1007 -- 56,586 (- 4.6%)
07/2019: Detective Comics #1008 -- 57,311 (+ 2.5%) [57,990]
08/2019: Detective Comics #1009 -- 53,070 (- 8.5%)
08/2019: Detective Comics #1010 -- 52,563 (- 1.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 16.3%
1 year : + 0.7%
2 years : - 1.6%
5 years : - 10.9%
10 years: - 10.3%
15 years: + 0.0%
Without cardstock cover shenanigans Detective returns to its glide back down to its pre-anniversary sales level.
---
26 - EVENT LEVIATHAN ($3.99)
05/2019: Superman Leviathan #1 -- 32,549 [36,499]
06/2019: Event Leviathan #1 of 6 -- 81,408 (+123.0%)
07/2019: Event Leviathan #2 of 6 -- 58,667 (- 27.9%) [59,156]
08/2019: Event Leviathan #3 of 6 -- 49,885 (- 15.7%)
No longer returnable.
---
32 - SUPERMAN ($3.99)
08/2004: Superman #208 -- 129,256
08/2009: Superman #691 -- 39,106
08/2014: Superman #34 -- 56,568 [57,514]
08/2015: Superman #43 -- 49,825 [50,637]
08/2016: Superman #4 -- 96,969
08/2016: Superman #5 -- 89,473
08/2017: Superman #28 -- 48,922 [48,991]
08/2017: Superman #29 -- 49,294 [49,740]
----------------------------------
08/2018: Superman #2 -- 77,464 (- 42.8%) [78,282]
09/2018: Superman #3 -- 67,405 (- 12.8%) [68,240]
10/2018: Superman #4 -- 67,197 (- 1.0%) [67,553]
11/2018: Superman #5 -- 54,727 (- 18.0%) [55,378]
12/2018: Superman #6 -- 52,414 (- 3.5%) [53,428]
01/2019: Superman #7 -- 50,713 (- 5.1%)
02/2019: Superman #8 -- 50,475 (- 0.5%)
03/2019: Superman #9 -- 48,919 (- 3.1%)
04/2019: Superman #10 -- 48,802 (- 0.2%)
05/2019: Superman #11 -- 47,933 (- 1.8%)
06/2019: Superman #12 -- 47,199 (- 1.5%)
07/2019: Superman #13 -- 51,944 (+ 10.1%)
08/2019: Superman #14 -- 46,099 (- 11.3%)
-----------------
6 months: - 8.7%
1 year : - 41.1%
2 years : - 6.6%
5 years : - 19.8%
10 years: + 17.9%
15 years: - 64.3%
There were all kinds of shenanigans here, with DC recalling the original printing (along with an issue of Supergirl—now delayed until next month) after sending it to stores. Allegedly because of YotV trade dress issues, though some have suggested that the real reason was due to issues with coloring.
---
54/165 - THE GREEN LANTERN ($3.99/$4.99)
08/2004: Green Lantern #180 -- 36,425
08/2009: Green Lantern #45 -- 102,431
08/2014: Green Lantern #34 -- 43,846 [44,194]
08/2015: Green Lantern #43 -- 42,482 [42,750]
08/2016: Green Lanterns #4 -- 78,254
08/2016: Green Lanterns #5 -- 70,677
08/2017: Green Lanterns #28 -- 30,024 [30,009]
08/2017: Green Lanterns #29 -- 29,451 [29,578]
-----------------------------------------
08/2018: Green Lanterns #52 -- 24,301 (- 0.1%)
08/2018: Green Lanterns #53 -- 23,923 (- 1.6%)
09/2018: Green Lanterns #54 -- 23,821 (- 0.4%)
09/2018: Green Lanterns #55 -- 23,444 (- 1.6%)
10/2018: Green Lanterns #56 -- 33,156 (+ 41.4%)
10/2018: Green Lanterns #57 -- 24,512 (- 26.1%)
11/2018: The Green Lantern #1 -- 113,651 (+317.5%) [102,343]
12/2018: The Green Lantern #2 -- 64,127 (- 36.0%) [65,522]
01/2019: The Green Lantern #3 -- 54,398 (- 17.0%)
02/2019: The Green Lantern #4 -- 50,176 (- 7.8%)
03/2019: The Green Lantern #5 -- 47,325 (- 5.7%)
04/2019: The Green Lantern #6 -- 49,256 (+ 4.1%)
05/2019: The Green Lantern #7 -- 45,338 (- 8.0%)
06/2019: The Green Lantern #8 -- 44,066 (- 2.8%)
07/2019: The Green Lantern #9 -- 43,401 (- 1.5%)
08/2019: The Green Lantern #10 -- 43,132 (- 0.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 20.0%
1 year : + 74.6%
2 years : + 40.4%
5 years : - 8.6%
10 years: - 61.7%
15 years: + 22.0%
Regular: 31,946. Cardstock: 11,186. (2.9:1)
Ending with issue #12 (apparently for story reasons), to be followed by a Morrison-penned three issue Green Lantern: Darkstars series before resuming another GL series with Sharpe.
---
39 - ACTION COMICS ($3.99)
08/2004: Action Comics #818 -- 43,257
08/2009: Action Comics #880 -- 37,588
08/2014: Action Comics #34 -- 46,746 [47,240]
08/2015: Action Comics #43 -- 41,883 [42,149]
08/2016: Action Comics #961 -- 79,003
08/2016: Action Comics #962 -- 70,761
08/2017: Action Comics #985 -- 41,014 [41,110]
08/2017: Action Comics #986 -- 40,607 [40,995]
---------------------------------------
08/2018: Action Comics #1002 -- 61,916 (- 23.9%) [62,645]
09/2018: Action Comics #1003 -- 57,865 (- 7.4%) [58,555]
10/2018: Action Comics #1004 -- 60,420 (+ 4.4%) [61,281]
11/2018: Action Comics #1005 -- 49,149 (- 19.6%) [49,601]
12/2018: --
01/2019: Action Comics #1006 -- 46,140 (- 7.0%)
01/2019: Action Comics #1007 -- 44,405 (- 3.8%)
02/2019: Action Comics #1008 -- 44,084 (+ 0.5%) [44,622]
03/2019: Action Comics #1009 -- 43,014 (- 3.6%)
04/2019: Action Comics #1010 -- 42,317 (- 1.6%)
05/2019: Action Comics #1011 -- 42,207 (- 0.3%)
06/2019: Action Comics #1012 -- 43,893 (+ 4.0%)
07/2019: Action Comics #1013 -- 43,763 (- 0.3%)
08/2019: Action Comics #1014 -- 41,801 (- 4.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 6.3%
1 year : - 33.3%
2 years : + 1.8%
5 years : - 11.5%
10 years: + 11.2%
15 years: - 3.4%
---
125/90 - CATWOMAN ($3.99/$4.99)
08/2004: Catwoman #34 -- 37,033 [42,098]
08/2014: Catwoman #34 -- 23,497
08/2015: Catwoman #43 -- 26,541
----------------------------------
08/2018: Catwoman #2 -- 64,721 (- 47.3%) [65,553]
09/2018: Catwoman #3 -- 55,068 (- 14.9%) [55,830]
10/2018: Catwoman #4 -- 72,130 (+ 31.0%) [72,244]
11/2018: Catwoman #5 -- 50,131 (- 30.5%) [50,313]
12/2018: Catwoman #6 -- 48,014 (- 2.0%) [49,326]
01/2019: Catwoman #7 -- 35,490 (- 28.1%)
02/2019: Catwoman #8 -- 32,360 (- 8.8%)
03/2019: Catwoman #9 -- 43,952 (+ 35.8%)
04/2019: Catwoman #10 -- 40,857 (- 7.0%)
05/2019: Catwoman #11 -- 38,860 (- 4.9%)
06/2019: Catwoman #12 -- 41,167 (+ 5.9%)
07/2019: Catwoman #13 -- 38,879 (- 5.6%)
08/2019: Catwoman #14 -- 39,170 (+ 0.7%)
-----------------
6 months: + 21.0%
1 year : - 40.2%
5 years : + 66.7%
15 years: - 7.0%
Regular: 15,539. Cardstock: 23,631. (0.7:1)
As was the case last month, the cardstock variant for Catwoman is also an Artgerm variant. This issue also starts a fill-in YotV arc by Ram V and Mirka Andolfo.
---
67/166, 68/172 - FLASH ($3.99/$4.99)
08/2004: Flash #213 -- 41,363
08/2009: Rebirth #4 -- 78,107
08/2014: Flash #34 -- 37,109 [37,899]
08/2015: Flash #43 -- 40,542 [41,189]
08/2016: Flash #4 -- 102,208
08/2016: Flash #5 -- 91,830
08/2017: Flash #28 -- 54,076 [54,137]
08/2017: Flash #29 -- 52,819 [53,549]
------------------------------
08/2018: Flash #52 -- 54,588 (- 0.8%) [54,924]
08/2018: Flash #53 -- 48,992 (- 10.1%) [49,357]
09/2018: Flash #54 -- 46,677 (- 5.2%) [46,770]
09/2018: Flash #55 -- 45,729 (- 2.0%) [45,822]
10/2018: Flash #56 -- 57,439 (+ 25.1%) [57,304]
10/2018: Flash #57 -- 44,251 (- 22.4%) [44,466]
11/2018: Flash #58 -- 43,008 (- 3.2%) [43,046]
11/2018: Flash #59 -- 42,020 (- 2.1%) [42,133]
12/2018: Flash #60 -- 42,212 (+ 0.2%)
01/2019: Flash #61 -- 40,596 (- 3.8%)
01/2019: Flash #62 -- 39,349 (- 3.1%)
01/2019: Flash #63 -- 38,263 (- 2.8%) [39,099]
02/2019: Flash #64 -- 67,712 (+ 76.5%) [69,029]
02/2019: Flash #65 -- 60,031 (- 9.7%) [62,360]
03/2019: Flash #66 -- 39,144 (- 37.2%)
03/2019: Flash #67 -- 38,520 (- 1.6%)
04/2019: Flash #68 -- 38,064 (- 1.2%)
04/2019: Flash #69 -- 37,484 (- 1.5%)
05/2019: Flash #70 -- 41,746 (+ 11.4%)
05/2019: Flash #71 -- 40,701 (+ 0.9%) [42,117]
06/2019: Flash #72 -- 40,956 (- 2.8%)
06/2019: Flash #73 -- 38,853 (- 5.1%)
07/2019: Flash #74 -- 38,436 (- 1.1%)
07/2019: Flash #75 -- 41,571 (+ 9.5%) [42,078]
08/2019: Flash #76 -- 38,952 (- 7.4%)
08/2019: Flash #77 -- 38,019 (- 2.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 41.4%
1 year : - 26.2%
2 years : - 28.5%
5 years : + 1.5%
10 years: - 50.7%
15 years: - 7.0%
Issue #76: Regular: 27,869. Cardstock: 11,083. (2.5:1)
Issue #77: Regular: 27,512. Cardstock: 10,507. (2.6:1)
Two cardstock variants for Flash this month. Because why not?
---
56, 55 - WONDER WOMAN ($3.99)
08/2004: Wonder Woman #207 -- 27,187
08/2009: Wonder Woman #35 -- 29,657
08/2014: --
08/2015: Wonder Woman #43 -- 39,646 [40,128]
08/2016: Wonder Woman #4 -- 93,862
08/2016: Wonder Woman #5 -- 85,646
08/2017: Wonder Woman #28 -- 41,837 [41,967]
08/2017: Wonder Woman #29 -- 41,077 [41,383]
-------------------------------------
08/2018: Wonder Woman #52 -- 36,259 (- 32.1%) [36,514]
08/2018: Wonder Woman #53 -- 34,900 (- 2.6%) [35,553]
09/2018: Wonder Woman #54 -- 34,966 (- 1.0%) [35,191]
09/2018: Wonder Woman #55 -- 33,851 (- 2.9%) [34,162]
10/2018: Wonder Woman #56 -- 55,178 (+ 61.6%) [55,214]
10/2018: Wonder Woman #57 -- 42,217 (- 22.9%) [42,566]
11/2018: Wonder Woman #58 -- 44,467 (+ 6.2%) [45,188]
11/2018: Wonder Woman #59 -- 37,418 (- 15.5%) [38,212]
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 (+ 31.2%)
02/2019: Wonder Woman #65 -- 46,007 (+ 2.6%) [47,052]
03/2019: Wonder Woman #66 -- 35,547 (- 24.5%)
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%)
-----------------
6 months: - 32.1%
1 year : - 12.5%
2 years : - 24.3%
5 years : n.a.
10 years: + 6.4%
15 years: + 16.0%
Holding steady, with just regular variant covers.
---
63 - JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK ($3.99)
08/2014: Justice League Dark #34 -- 25,258
------------------------------------------
08/2018: Justice League Dark #2 -- 46,545 (- 25.7%) [47,986]
09/2018: Justice League Dark #3 -- 44,656 (- 4.9%) [45,632]
10/2018: Justice League Dark #4 -- 53,443 (+ 18.7%) [54,154]
11/2018: Justice League Dark #5 -- 43,953 (- 18.1%) [44,367]
12/2018: Justice League Dark #6 -- 41,720 (- 6.0%)
01/2019: Justice League Dark #7 -- 35,967 (- 13.8%)
02/2019: Justice League Dark #8 -- 33,554 (- 6.7%)
03/2019: Justice League Dark #9 -- 31,648 (- 5.7%)
04/2019: Justice League Dark #10 -- 32,439 (+ 2.5%)
05/2019: Justice League Dark #11 -- 31,871 (- 1.8%)
06/2019: Justice League Dark #12 -- 30,851 (- 3.2%)
07/2019: Justice League Dark #13 -- 31,480 (+ 2.0%)
08/2019: Justice League Dark #14 -- 29,754 (- 5.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 11.3%
1 year : - 38.0%
5 years : + 17.8%
---
66 - BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III ($3.99)
05/2019: Batman/TMNT III #1 of 6 -- 38,894 (+ 26.3%)
06/2019: Batman/TMNT III #2 of 6 -- 32,424 (- 16.6%)
07/2019: Batman/TMNT III #3 of 6 -- 29,545 (- 8.9%)
08/2019: Batman/TMNT III #4 of 6 -- 27,879 (- 5.6%)
---
83 - LOIS LANE ($3.99)
07/2019: Lois Lane #1 of 12 -- 40,348
07/2019: Lois Lane #2 of 12 -- 27,578 (- 31.6%)
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.
The first issue was not listed as returnable, but the second issue was; even so LL experienced a typical second issue percentage drop.
---
72 - HARLEY QUINN ($3.99)
08/2014: Harley Quinn #9 -- 71,522 [73,144]
08/2014: Harley Quinn #10 -- 58,500 [58,596]
08/2015: Harley Quinn #19 -- 64,223 [65,155]
08/2016: Harley Quinn #1 -- 395,953 [402,106]
08/2016: Harley Quinn #2 -- 128,316
08/2017: Harley Quinn #25 -- 39,093 [39,127]
08/2017: Harley Quinn #26 -- 37,283 [37,592]
--------------------------------------
08/2018: Harley Quinn #47 -- 29,144 (- 1.5%) [29,315]
08/2018: Harley Quinn #48 -- 28,705 (- 1.6%) [28,841]
09/2018: Harley Quinn #49 -- 29,293 (+ 1.7%) [29,343]
09/2018: Harley Quinn #50 -- 30,059 (+ 3.5%) [30,364]
10/2018: Harley Quinn #51 -- 30,709 (+ 1.3%) [30,755]
10/2018: Harley Quinn #52 -- 41,301 (+ 35.9%) [41,796]
11/2018: Harley Quinn #53 -- 27,903 (- 33.0%) [27,985]
11/2018: Harley Quinn #54 -- 28,028 (+ 1.4%) [28,386]
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 (- 0.3%)
02/2019: Harley Quinn #58 -- 36,010 (+ 36.4%)
03/2019: Harley Quinn #59 -- 44,298 (+ 23.0%)
04/2019: Harley Quinn #60 -- 28,968 (- 34.6%)
05/2019: Harley Quinn #61 -- 30,708 (+ 6.0%)
06/2019: Harley Quinn #62 -- 27,547 (- 10.3%)
07/2019: Harley Quinn #63 -- 32,268 (+ 17.1%)
08/2019: Harley Quinn #64 -- 26,973 (- 16.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 25.1%
1 year : - 7.2%
2 years : - 29.7%
5 years : - 59.1%
---
74, 78 - YEAR OF THE VILLAIN one-shots ($4.99)
08/2019: Black Mask #1 -- 26,733
08/2019: Sinestro #1 -- 26,379
Ordered at near identical levels, indicating that retails really had no idea what to expect from these in terms of sales, and ordered relatively conservatively. DC is going all-in on this Year of the Villain business, and so far it’s being met with a resounding meh.
---
154/143 - BATGIRL ($3.99/$4.99)
08/2004: Batgirl #55 -- 39,469 [43,494]
08/2009: Batgirl #1 -- 51,724
08/2014: Batgirl #34 -- 34,590 [35,273]
08/2015: Batgirl #43 -- 32,079 [32,478]
08/2016: Batgirl #2 -- 68,611
08/2017: Batgirl #14 -- 22,593
-------------------------------
08/2018: Batgirl #25 -- 37,712 (+ 43.9%) [37,668]
08/2018: Batgirl #26 -- 25,947 (- 30.2%) [26,302]
09/2018: Batgirl #27 -- 28,843 (+ 11.0%) [29,201]
10/2018: Batgirl #28 -- 37,397 (+ 34.2%) [39,185]
11/2018: Batgirl #29 -- 35,356 (- 9.0%) [35,665]
12/2018: --
01/2019: Batgirl #30 -- 31,084 (- 12.8%)
01/2019: Batgirl #31 -- 33,287 (+ 7.1%)
02/2019: Batgirl #32 -- 29,839 (- 10.4%)
03/2019: Batgirl #33 -- 24,034 (- 19.5%)
04/2019: Batgirl #34 -- 28,271 (+ 17.6%)
05/2019: Batgirl #35 -- 26,340 (- 6.8%)
06/2019: --
07/2019: Batgirl #36 -- 23,794 (- 9.7%)
07/2019: Batgirl #37 -- 22,430 (- 5.7%)
08/2019: Batgirl #38 -- 25,445 (+ 13.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 14.7%
1 year : - 20.4%
2 years : + 12.6%
5 years : - 27.9%
10 years: - 50.8%
15 years: - 41.5%
Regular: 11,827. Cardstock: 13,618. (0.9:1)
Josh Middleton did the cardstock variant, which is likely the reason for it being more heavily ordered than the regular cover.
---
84 - BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS ($3.99)
08/2004: --
08/2009: Outsiders #21 -- 23,831
-----------------------------------------
05/2019: Batman & Outsiders #1 -- 51,958 (+219.4%)
06/2019: Batman & Outsiders #2 -- 34,745 (- 33.1%)
07/2019: Batman & Outsiders #3 -- 30,639 (- 11.8%)
08/2019: Batman & Outsiders #4 -- 24,803 (- 19.0%)
-----------------
10 years: + 4.1%
15 years: n.a.
Oof, this is not catching on.
---
85 - BATMAN UNIVERSE ($4.99)
07/2019: Batman Universe #1 of 6 -- 35,826
08/2019: Batman Universe #2 of 6 -- 24,498 (- 31.6%)
Limited series reprinting the Bendis/Derington stories that originally appeared in the Walmart exclusive Batman Giant.
---
126/202 - AQUAMAN ($3.99/$4.99)
08/2004: Aquaman #21 -- 23,486
08/2014: Aquaman #34 -- 33,380 [32,641]
08/2015: Aquaman #43 -- 30,480 [30,835]
08/2016: Aquaman #4 -- 67,641
08/2016: Aquaman #5 -- 60,422
08/2017: Aquaman #27 -- 28,677 [29,001]
------------------------------
08/2018: Aquaman #39 -- 30,311 (+ 22.8%) [30,490]
09/2018: Aquaman #40 -- 31,010 (+ 3.0%) [31,406]
10/2018: Aquaman #41 -- 35,121 (+ 11.9%) [35,155]
11/2018: Aquaman #42 -- 38,608 (+ 11.8%) [39,314]
12/2018: Aquaman #43 -- 30,920 (- 18.1%) [32,180]
01/2019: Aquaman #44 -- 26,416 (- 15.9%) [27,071]
02/2019: Aquaman #45 -- 26,291 (- 1.2%) [26,754]
03/2019: Aquaman #46 -- 24,566 (- 8.2%)
04/2019: Aquaman #47 -- 25,442 (+ 3.6%)
05/2019: Aquaman #48 -- 24,421 (- 4.0%)
06/2019: Aquaman #49 -- 23,284 (- 4.7%)
07/2019: Aquaman #50 -- 26,286 (+ 12.9%)
08/2019: Aquaman #51 -- 24,072 (- 8.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 10.0%
1 year : - 21.0%
2 years : - 17.0%
5 years : - 26.3%
15 years: + 2.5%
Regular: 15,345. Cardstock: 8,727.
---
91 - TEEN TITANS ($3.99)
08/2004: Teen Titans #14 -- 63,894
08/2009: Teen Titans #74 -- 30,380
08/2014: Teen Titans #2 -- 40,687 [42,648]
08/2015: Teen Titans #11 -- 32,112 [32,621]
08/2016: Teen Titans #23 -- 19,118
08/2017: Teen Titans #11 -- 33,434 [33,560]
----------------------------------
08/2018: Teen Titans #21 -- 32,095 (- 54.8%) [32,628]
09/2018: Teen Titans #22 -- 30,608 (- 4.6%) [30,765]
10/2018: Teen Titans #23 -- 36,902 (+ 20.6%) [37,016]
11/2018: Teen Titans #24 -- 27,192 (- 26.3%) [27,416]
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 (+ 18.4%)
04/2019: Teen Titans #29 -- 27,137 (- 1.0%)
05/2019: Teen Titans #30 -- 26,502 (- 2.3%)
06/2019: Teen Titans #31 -- 24,208 (- 8.7%)
07/2019: Teen Titans #32 -- 27,905 (+ 15.3%)
08/2019: Teen Titans #33 -- 23,523 (- 15.7%)
-----------------
6 months: + 1.7%
1 year : - 27.9%
2 years : - 29.9%
5 years : - 44.8%
10 years: - 22.6%
15 years: - 63.2%
---
127/217 - JUSTICE LEAGUE ODYSSEY ($3.99/$4.99)
09/2018: Justice League Odyssey #1 -- 57,114 [58,286]
10/2018: Justice League Odyssey #2 -- 46,662 (- 19.0%) [47,239]
11/2018: Justice League Odyssey #3 -- 35,727 (- 23.8%) [36,011]
12/2018: --
01/2019: Justice League Odyssey #4 -- 31,696 (- 12.0%)
01/2019: Justice League Odyssey #5 -- 28,776 (- 9.2%)
02/2019: Justice League Odyssey #6 -- 26,248 (- 8.8%)
03/2019: Justice League Odyssey #7 -- 24,378 (- 7.1%)
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%)
-----------------
6 months: - 12.1%
Regular: 15,311. Cardstock: 7,764. (2.0:1)
---
93 - NIGHTWING ($3.99)
08/2004: Nightwing #96 -- 44,558 [47,479]
08/2014: Grayson #2 -- 56,483 [59,870]
08/2015: Grayson #11 -- 36,538 [37,402]
08/2016: Nightwing #2 -- 102,444
08/2016: Nightwing #3 -- 89,711
08/2017: Nightwing #26 -- 34,020 [33,991]
08/2017: Nightwing #27 -- 33,250 [33,163]
----------------------------------
08/2018: Nightwing #47 -- 26,467 (- 1.8%) [26,440]
09/2018: Nightwing #48 -- 25,733 (- 2.7%)
09/2018: Nightwing #49 -- 25,475 (- 1.0%)
10/2018: Nightwing #50 -- 29,450 (+ 24.6%) [31,751]
10/2018: Nightwing #51 -- 35,026 (+ 11.4%) [35,379]
11/2018: Nightwing #52 -- 26,623 (- 24.5%) [26,705]
11/2018: Nightwing #53 -- 26,442 (+ 0.5%) [26,826]
12/2018: Nightwing #54 -- 28,269 (+ 5.4%)
12/2018: Nightwing #55 -- 26,060 (- 7.8%)
01/2019: Nightwing #56 -- 25,044 (- 3.9%)
02/2019: Nightwing #57 -- 26,845 (+ 7.2%)
03/2019: Nightwing #58 -- 25,433 (- 5.3%)
04/2019: Nightwing #59 -- 24,677 (- 3.0%)
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%)
-----------------
6 months: - 15.4%
1 year : - 14.1%
2 years : - 32.4%
5 years : - 62.1%
15 years: - 52.2%
---
94 - SUPERMAN’S PAL JIMMY OLSEN ($3.99)
07/2019: Jimmy Olsen #1 of 12 -- 33,960
07/2019: Jimmy Olsen #2 of 12 -- 21,880 (- 35.6%)
Typical second issue percentage drop (the first issue was returnable).
Also, this issue contains what is possibly the second-best Superman comic page of the 21st century, so if you didn’t buy it you are missing out.
---
99, 118 - Facsimile Editions ($3.99)
08/2019: Batman #232 -- 21,178
08/2019: House of Secrets #92 -- 17,271
Having seen Marvel’s success with reprinting old milestone comics in toto (ads and all), DC follows suit starting in August. Keep these in mind when considering all the new comics that DC published this month that could not exceed a reprint of a comic they made nearly fifty years ago (and has been reprinted in collections many, many times over the years).
---
107 - DEATHSTROKE ($3.99)
08/2015: Deathstroke #9 -- 36,583 [37,419]
08/2016: Rebirth #1 -- 109,250
08/2017: Deathstroke #22 -- 23,713
-----------------------------------
08/2018: Deathstroke #34 -- 35,168 (- 4.8%) [34,405]
09/2018: Deathstroke #35 -- 31,554 (- 7.7%) [31,761]
10/2018: Deathstroke #36 -- 27,299 (- 13.8%) [27,387]
11/2018: Deathstroke #37 -- 30,734 (+ 12.2%) [30,719]
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 (+ 23.1%)
05/2019: Deathstroke #43 -- 24,857 (- 4.6%)
06/2019: Deathstroke #44 -- 21,785 (- 12.4%)
07/2019: Deathstroke #45 -- 23,386 (+ 7.3%)
08/2019: Deathstroke #46 -- 20,113 (- 14.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 24.5%
1 year : - 44.0%
2 years : - 21.1%
Ending with issue #50 in December.
---
109 - 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%)
Limited series reprinting the King/Hope/Kubert stories that originally appeared in the Walmart exclusive Superman Giant.
---
114 - RED HOOD: OUTLAW ($3.99)
08/2014: Red Hood & Outlaws #34 -- 20,069
08/2015: Red Hood/Arsenal #3 -- 23,841
08/2016: Red Hood & Outlaws #1 -- 92,234
08/2017: Red Hood & Outlaws #13 -- 25,073
-----------------------------------------
08/2018: Red Hood & Outlaws #25 -- 21,874 (+ 16.2%)
09/2018: Red Hood & Outlaws #26 -- 24,688 (+ 12.9%)
10/2018: Red Hood: Outlaw #27 -- 30,343 (+ 24.3%) [30,688]
11/2018: Red Hood: Outlaw #28 -- 24,485 (- 20.2%)
12/2018: Red Hood: Outlaw #29 -- 23,836 (- 2.7%)
01/2019: Red Hood: Outlaw #30 -- 20,247 (- 15.1%)
02/2019: Red Hood: Outlaw #31 -- 19,546 (- 3.5%)
03/2019: Red Hood: Outlaw #32 -- 18,389 (- 5.9%)
04/2019: Red Hood: Outlaw #33 -- 24,706 (+ 34.4%)
05/2019: Red Hood: Outlaw #34 -- 18,389 (- 23.2%)
06/2019: Red Hood: Outlaw #35 -- 18,067 (- 4.8%)
07/2019: Red Hood: Outlaw #36 -- 21,308 (+ 17.9%)
08/2019: Red Hood: Outlaw #37 -- 18,585 (- 12.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 4.9%
1 year : - 15.0%
2 years : - 25.9%
5 years : - 7.4%
---
117 - HAWKMAN ($3.99)
08/2004: Hawkman #31 -- 24,036
------------------------------
08/2018: Hawkman #3 -- 27,331 (- 12.1%) [27,694]
09/2018: Hawkman #4 -- 24,687 (- 10.9%)
10/2018: Hawkman #5 -- 30,171 (+ 22.7%) [30,303]
11/2018: Hawkman #6 -- 21,818 (- 28.0%)
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%)
-----------------
6 months: - 5.1%
1 year : - 35.5%
15 years: - 25.7%
---
124 - DOOM PATROL: WEIGHT OF THE WORLDS (Young Animal) ($3.99)
08/2004: Doom Patrol #3 -- 28,099
08/2009: Doom Patrol #1 -- 28,237
08/2017: --
------------------------------------
08/2018: --
09/2018: --
10/2018: Doom Patrol #12 -- 13,448 (- 12.3%)
11/2018: --
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%)
-----------------
6 months: n.a.
1 year : n.a.
2 years : n.a.
10 years: - 29.4%
15 years: - 29.1%
This is the first time that issues of Doom Patrol have come out in two consecutive months since March & April of 2017!
---
128 - THE TERRIFICS ($3.99)
08/2018: Terrifics #7 -- 22,825 (- 7.7%)
09/2018: Terrifics #8 -- 21,240 (- 6.9%)
10/2018: Terrifics #9 -- 25,545 (+ 20.3%)
11/2018: Terrifics #10 -- 19,035 (- 25.5%)
12/2018: --
01/2019: Terrifics #11 -- 17,352 (- 8.8%)
01/2019: Terrifics #12 -- 16,657 (- 4.0%)
02/2019: Terrifics #13 -- 15,917 (- 4.4%)
03/2019: Terrifics #14 -- 15,294 (- 3.9%)
04/2019: Terrifics #15 -- 14,598 (- 4.6%)
05/2019: Terrifics #16 -- 14,022 (- 3.9%)
06/2019: Terrifics #17 -- 13,486 (- 3.8%)
07/2019: Terrifics #18 -- 17,415 (+ 29.1%)
08/2019: Terrifics #19 -- 15,310 (- 12.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 3.8%
1 year : - 32.9%
Now featuring variant covers, which is likely the reason why issue #19 is up over issue #17 (#18 had a cardstock variant, but #19 is a normal variant).
---
132 - TITANS: BURNING RAGE ($4.99)
08/2019: Burning Rage #1 of 7 -- 14,900
Limited series reprinting the Jurgens/Eaton stories that originally appeared in the Walmart exclusive Teen Titans Giant.
---
134 - MARTIAN MANHUNTER ($3.99)
08/2015: Martian Manhunter #3 -- 22,540
----------------------------------------------
12/2018: Martian Manhunter #1 of 12 -- 39,312 (+224.6%) [40,748]
01/2019: Martian Manhunter #2 of 12 -- 26,573 (- 34.8%)
02/2019: Martian Manhunter #3 of 12 -- 22,431 (- 15.6%)
03/2019: Martian Manhunter #4 of 12 -- 19,187 (- 14.5%)
04/2019: --
05/2019: Martian Manhunter #5 of 12 -- 17,958 (- 6.5%)
06/2019: Martian Manhunter #6 of 12 -- 16,295 (- 9.3%)
07/2019: Martian Manhunter #7 of 12 -- 15,064 (- 7.6%)
08/2019: Martian Manhunter #8 of 12 -- 14,432 (- 4.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 35.7%
---
138 - BATMAN BEYOND ($3.99)
08/2014: Universe #13 -- 14,215
08/2015: Batman Beyond #3 -- 30,806 [31,276]
08/2016: Batman Beyond #15 -- 17,882
08/2017: Batman Beyond #11 -- 21,640
------------------------------------
08/2018: Batman Beyond #23 -- 15,743 (- 0.6%)
09/2018: Batman Beyond #24 -- 15,863 (+ 0.8%)
10/2018: Batman Beyond #25 -- 24,219 (+ 55.7%) [24,703]
11/2018: Batman Beyond #26 -- 18,652 (- 24.5%)
12/2018: --
01/2019: Batman Beyond #27 -- 16,695 (- 10.5%)
01/2019: Batman Beyond #28 -- 16,018 (- 4.1%)
02/2019: Batman Beyond #29 -- 16,174 (+ 1.0%)
03/2019: Batman Beyond #30 -- 16,427 (+ 1.6%)
04/2019: Batman Beyond #31 -- 17,280 (+ 5.2%)
05/2019: Batman Beyond #32 -- 15,398 (- 10.9%)
06/2019: Batman Beyond #33 -- 14,889 (- 3.3%)
07/2019: Batman Beyond #34 -- 14,742 (- 1.0%)
08/2019: Batman Beyond #35 -- 14,094 (- 4.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 12.9%
1 year : - 10.5%
2 years : - 34.9%
5 years : - 0.9%
---
144 - 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%)
Limited series reprinting the Conner/Palmiotti/Hardin stories that originally appeared in the Walmart exclusive Justice League Giant.
---
155 - THE DREAMING (Sandman Universe) (Vertigo) ($3.99)
09/2018: Dreaming #1 -- 37,258 [38,029]
10/2018: Dreaming #2 -- 21,559 (- 43.3%)
11/2018: Dreaming #3 -- 19,815 (- 8.1%)
12/2018: Dreaming #4 -- 18,185 (- 8.2%)
01/2018: Dreaming #5 -- 17,054 (- 6.2%)
02/2018: Dreaming #6 -- 15,989 (- 6.2%)
03/2018: Dreaming #7 -- 15,046 (- 5.9%)
04/2018: Dreaming #8 -- 14,409 (- 4.2%)
05/2018: Dreaming #9 -- 13,749 (- 4.6%)
06/2018: Dreaming #10 -- 12,983 (- 5.6%)
07/2018: Dreaming #11 -- 12,501 (- 3.7%)
08/2018: Dreaming #12 -- 11,803 (- 5.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 26.2%
173 - LUCIFER (Sandman Universe) (Vertigo) ($3.99)
08/2004: Lucifer #53 -- 13,063
08/2016: Lucifer #9 -- 9,554
------------------------------
10/2018: Lucifer #1 -- 28,216 (+349.6%) [28,805]
11/2018: Lucifer #2 -- 16,871 (- 41.4%)
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%)
-----------------
6 months: - 21.8%
15 years: - 19.7%
174 - THE BOOKS OF MAGIC (Sandman Universe) (Vertigo) ($3.99)
08/2004: Life Wartime #2 -- 21,354
-------------------------------------
10/2018: Books of Magic #1 -- 32,284 (+206.0%) [33,255]
11/2018: Books of Magic #2 -- 18,189 (- 45.3%)
12/2018: --
01/2019: Books of Magic #3 -- 15,886 (- 12.7%)
01/2019: Books of Magic #4 -- 14,581 (- 8.2%)
02/2019: Books of Magic #5 -- 13,864 (- 4.8%)
03/2019: Books of Magic #6 -- 13,177 (- 5.1%)
04/2019: Books of Magic #7 -- 12,524 (- 5.0%)
05/2019: Books of Magic #8 -- 11,918 (- 4.8%)
06/2019: Books of Magic #9 -- 11,305 (- 5.1%)
07/2019: Books of Magic #10 -- 10,779 (- 4.7%)
08/2019: Books of Magic #11 -- 10,410 (- 3.4%)
-----------------
6 months: - 24.9%
15 years: - 51.3%
208 - HOUSE OF WHISPERS (Sandman Universe) (Vertigo) ($3.99)
09/2018: House of Whispers #1 -- 28,346 [29,282]
10/2018: House of Whispers #2 -- 16,763 (- 40.9%)
11/2018: House of Whispers #3 -- 14,943 (- 10.9%)
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%)
-----------------
6 months: - 27.3%
DC’s November solicitations have the Sandman Universe titles listed as Black Label.
---
161 - FREEDOM FIGHTERS ($3.99)
12/2018: Freedom Fighters #1 of 12 -- 23,826 (+199.7%) [25,248]
01/2019: Freedom Fighters #2 of 12 -- 14,091 (- 44.2%)
02/2019: Freedom Fighters #3 of 12 -- 13,619 (- 3.3%)
03/2019: Freedom Fighters #4 of 12 -- 13,130 (- 3.6%)
04/2019: Freedom Fighters #5 of 12 -- 12,653 (- 3.6%)
05/2019: Freedom Fighters #6 of 12 -- 12,348 (- 2.4%)
06/2019: --
07/2019: Freedom Fighters #7 of 12 -- 11,800 (- 4.4%)
08/2019: Freedom Fighters #8 of 12 -- 11,436 (- 3.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 16.3%
---
184 - COLLAPSER (Young Animal) ($3.99)
07/2019: Collapser #1 of 6 -- 22,123
08/2019: Collapser #2 of 6 -- 9,626 (- 56.5%)
Huge drop-off, even considering that issue #1 was returnable.
---
201 - DIAL H FOR HERO (Wonder Comics) ($3.99)
03/2019: Dial H for Hero #1 of 6 -- 21,832 (+ 96.9%)
04/2019: Dial H for Hero #2 of 6 -- 12,896 (- 40.9%)
05/2019: Dial H for Hero #3 of 12 -- 11,000 (- 14.7%)
06/2019: Dial H for Hero #4 of 12 -- 9,963 (- 9.4%)
07/2019: Dial H for Hero #5 of 12 -- 9,277 (- 6.9%)
08/2019: Dial H for Hero #6 of 12 -- 8,743 (- 5.8%)
My retailer was shorted all their copies of this issue, and still hasn’t received any of them as of mid-October when this is being written. Or: “How Diamond can kill off sales on marginal titles.”
---
206 - PEARL (Jinxworld) ($3.99)
08/2018: Pearl #1 of 6 -- 32,701 [33,643]
09/2018: Pearl #2 -- 16,808 (- 50.0%)
10/2018: Pearl #3 -- 13,760 (- 18.1%)
11/2018: Pearl #4 -- 11,693 (- 15.0%)
12/2018: Pearl #5 -- 10,584 (- 9.5%)
01/2019: Pearl #6 -- 9,988 (- 5.6%)
02/2019: --
03/2019: Pearl #7 -- 9,798 (- 1.9%)
04/2019: Pearl #8 -- 9,412 (- 3.9%)
05/2019: Pearl #9 -- 9,027 (- 4.1%)
06/2019: Pearl #10 -- 8,700 (- 3.6%)
07/2019: Pearl #11 -- 8,438 (- 3.0%)
08/2019: Pearl #12 -- 8,545 (+ 1.3%)
-----------------
6 months: n.a.
1 year : - 74.6%
Final issue. There are more Jinxworld books coming at some point.
---
239 - SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (Hanna-Barbera) (All-Ages) ($2.99)
08/2004: Scooby-Doo #87 -- 5,436
08/2009: Scooby-Doo #147 -- 4,111
08/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #48 -- ????? (< 5,357)
08/2015: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #60 -- 5,091
08/2016: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #72 -- ????? (< 5,497)
08/2017: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #84 -- ????? (< 5,621)
------------------------------------------------
08/2018: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #94 -- 4,424 (+ 4.4%)
09/2018: --
10/2018: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #95 -- 4,402 (- 0.5%)
11/2018: --
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%)
-----------------
6 months: + 44.8%
1 year : + 34.6%
2 years : ?????
5 years : ?????
10 years: + 44.9%
15 years: + 9.5%
The lowest-selling new issue from DC in August.
---
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
08/2004: 29,318
08/2009: 29,977
08/2014: 28,951 **
08/2015: 27,301 **
08/2016: 67,257 **
08/2017: 30,478 **
---------------
08/2018: 29,661 (- 26.2%)
09/2018: 33,904 (+ 14.3%)
10/2018: 32,789 (- 3.3%)
11/2018: 29,150 (- 11.1%)
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%)
-----------------
6 months: + 12.8%
1 year : + 13.3%
2 years : + 10.3%
5 years : + 16.1%
10 years: + 12.1%
15 years: + 14.6%
DC UNIVERSE
08/2004: 34,018
08/2009: 37,300
08/2014: 36,645
08/2015: 33,079
08/2016: 87,905
08/2017: 35,921
---------------
08/2018: 33,866 (- 32.7%)
09/2018: 40,021 (+ 18.2%)
10/2018: 40,096 (+ 0.2%)
11/2018: 35,313 (- 11.9%)
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%)
-----------------
6 months: + 8.3%
1 year : + 1.3%
2 years : + 4.9%
5 years : + 2.8%
10 years: + 1.0%
15 years: + 10.8%
VERTIGO, YOUNG ANIMAL & JINXWORLD
08/2004: 18,298
08/2009: 11,369
08/2014: 9,082
08/2015: 10,216 **
08/2016: 5,639 **
08/2017: 6,959 **
---------------
08/2018: 23,104 (+330.6%)
09/2018: 22,472 (- 2.7%)
10/2018: 17,168 (- 23.6%)
11/2018: 13,012 (- 24.2%)
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%)
-----------------
6 months: - 3.0%
1 year : - 54.9%
2 years : + 49.6%
5 years : + 14.6%
10 years: - 8.4%
15 years: - 43.1%
---
DC COMICS - TOTAL SALES
08/2004: 2,110,864
08/2009: 2,488,100
08/2014: 2,229,230 **
08/2015: 1,938,355 **
08/2016: 4,977,036 **
08/2017: 2,377,270 **
------------------
08/2018: 2,135,622 (- 12.9%)
09/2018: 2,203,739 (+ 3.2%)
10/2018: 2,557,578 (+ 3.2%)
11/2018: 1,953,053 (- 23.6%)
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%)
-----------------
6 months: + 3.2%
1 year : - 15.0%
2 years : - 23.7%
5 years : - 18.6%
10 years: - 27.1%
15 years: - 14.0%
There were 54 new comics from DC this month, down from 64 last month (which was a five-Wednesday month) and still above the all-time modern-era low of 50 in June. Though when you consider that six of this month’s ‘new’ comics were actually completely full of reprinted material, that puts things in an even different light. Also recall that DC are shifting some of their publishing efforts to OGNs aimed at young readers in the bookstore market, and are already seeing some success there with Teen Titans: Raven being a best selling title for them.
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: 37,680. Median: 26,853. No.: 46. Total: 1,733,287.
4.6 - Batman/Superman
3.2 - DCeased
2.3 - Batman (76)
2.2 - Batman (77)
2.0 - Batman Curse of the White Knight
1.7 - Superman Year One
1.4 - Justice League (30)
1.4 - Detective Comics (1009)
1.4 - Justice League (29)
1.4 - Detective Comics (1010)
1.3 - Event Leviathan
1.2 - Superman
1.1 - The Green Lantern
1.1 - Action Comics
1.0 - Catwoman
1.0 - Flash (76)
1.0 - Flash (77)
0.8 - Wonder Woman (77)
0.8 - Wonder Woman (76)
0.8 - Justice League Dark
0.7 - Batman/TMNT
0.7 - Lois Lane
0.7 - Harley Quinn
0.7 - Black Mask YotV
0.7 - Sinestro YotV
0.7 - Batgirl
0.7 - Batman and the Outsiders
0.7 - Batman Universe
0.6 - Aquaman
0.6 - Teen Titans
0.6 - Justice League Odyssey
0.6 - Nightwing
0.6 - Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen
0.6 - Batman 232 FE
0.5 - Deathstroke
0.5 - Superman Up in the Sky
0.5 - Red Hood Outlaw
0.5 - Hawkman
0.5 - House of Secrets 92 FE
0.4 - The Terrifics
0.4 - Titans Burning Rage
0.4 - Martian Manhunter
0.4 - Batman Beyond
0.4 - Wonder Woman Come Back to Me
0.3 - Freedom Fighters
0.2 - Dial H for Hero
Vertigo, Young Animal & Jinxworld: Average: 10,797. Median: 10,410. No.: 7. Total: 75,580.
1.5 - Doom Patrol Weight of the World
1.1 - The Dreaming
1.0 - Lucifer
1.0 - The Books of Magic
0.9 - Colapser
0.8 - Pearl
0.8 - House of Whispers
Vertigo Average: 10,280 (4 titles); Young Animal Average: 12,958 (2 titles); Jinxworld Average: 8,545 (1 title).
Digital First & Other: Average: 5,955. Median: 5,955. No.: 1. Total: 5,955.
1.0 - 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. 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.
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 International Institute of Business Analysis; 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.
This article was originally published October 12, 2019 on Yet Another Comics Blog.
