From a sales viewpoint, I was very interested to see what was going to happen to the super-titles after War of the Supermen. With sales lagging, with new creative teams coming onto the Superman titles, with 'Grounded' getting national press, and with Supergirl moving into a more 'solo' title mode, would there be a rebound to sales? Would there be a flood of folks returning to the titles? Would there be intrigued new readers?
Well, over on ICv2, June sales were posted. I am trying to wrap my head around the whole thing to see if I can understand the results. Here is the link: http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/17860.html
So the first thing to note is that DC had a pretty good month. There was a confluence of events that had anniversary issues Batman #700, Superman #700, and Wonder Woman #600 all released. Add to that the 'bold new directions' of the last two titles with all the publicity those titles garnered and you knew sales would be brisk.
Batman #700 sold 104,755. Superman #700 sold 67,571. Wonder Woman #600 sold 53,525. Green Lantern, Return of Bruce Wayne, and Brightest Day are all in the top ten. Flash, GLC, and JLA all are in the top twenty. That's pretty good.
The Lex Luthor arc in Action Comics didn't seem to grab everyone as much as the JMS directions in Superman and Wonder Woman. Action Comics #890 sold 34,744 issues.
So what about Supergirl? With a promise to keep the title out of major crossovers and with the plan really define the character for the future with 'Who is Supergirl?', would readers come to Supergirl #53?
The book sold 28,317.That is down 4% from Supergirl #52, the last part of the Last Stand cross-over. That is right below where Zatanna and Batgirl sold. Even Harley Quinn outsold Kara last month.
In looking back over the last several months, it looks like the title is sort of finding it's own level in the 28-29K in sales. I can only hope that the continued high quality of the book as well as the noted critical support has sales stabilize and remain solid.
And how about R.E.B.E.L.S. sales? I seriously think I don't need to comment on the book any more in these monthly posts. Sales for the book are shockingly rock stable. There is little fluctuation from month to month.
R.E.B.E.L.S. #17 sold just over 11K, right where the book has sold for about the last year.Such stability might mean the book isn't in danger of cancellation. DC knows how many to print knowing they will sell. I do hope that now that the Vega setting is settled that we see more of the R.E.B.E.L.S. characters themselves. Let's see more Ciji, Wildstar, and Tribulus!
That's fine. I was worried it was in the 25,000 area.
ReplyDeleteOne factor to think about is that the way the economy is going these days. There could also be much fewer dollars out there in the market place. All of the money spent on specials and all important mini-series have sucked up money that would have otherwise gone into the monthly series. I know with my money I have to be extra careful when I spend my comic dollars on my issues these days.
ReplyDeleteJust another angle for everyone to consider.
There could also be much fewer dollars out there in the market place. All of the money spent on specials and all important mini-series have sucked up money that would have otherwise gone into the monthly series
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. And the move to a $3.99 cover price on many comics can't be helping.