Comic Book Sales Estimates for October 2011

[stillanerd]

Well, the sales estimates for October 2011, courtesy of ICv2, are now posted on their site. Since this is a top 100 comics thread, here they are:

1. JUSTICE LEAGUE #2--180,709
2. BATMAN #2--172,428
3. ACTION COMICS #2--153,855
4. GREEN LANTERN #2--142,344
5. FLASH #2--114,137
6. DETECTIVE COMICS #2
[*]--110,789
7. INCREDIBLE HULK #1--106,472
8. WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #1--95,855
9. FEAR ITSELF #7--95,599
10. SUPERMAN #2
[*]--94,233
11. BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #2
[*]--90,445
12. BATMAN AND ROBIN #2
[*]--88,926
13. WONDER WOMAN #2--79,060
14. BATGIRL #2
[*]--75,227
15. BATWOMAN #2--74,392
16. TEEN TITANS #2
[*]--72,107
17. GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #2--71,713
18. AQUAMAN #2
[*]--71,240
19. GREEN LANTERN CORPS #2
[*]--70,651
20. RED LANTERNS #2
[*]--66,747
21. NIGHTWING #2
[*]--65,749
22. UNCANNY X-MEN #544--60,212
23. JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #2
[*]--59,490
24. FEAR ITSELF FEARLESS #1--59,464
25. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #671--59,426
26. AVENGERS #18--58,897
27. SWAMP THING #2--58,634
28. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #672--57,860
29. CATWOMAN #2
[*]--57,216
30. JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #2
[*]--57,053
31. X-MEN REGENESIS #1--55,787
32. NEW AVENGERS #17--55,732
33. SUPERGIRL #2
[*]--55,249
34. X-MEN SCHISM #5--55,081
35. RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #2
[*]--53,444
36. GREEN ARROW #2
[*]--52,837
37. ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #3--52,521
38. UNCANNY X-FORCE #16--52,398
39. SUPERBOY #2
[*]--51,682
40. FF #10--49,642
41. FF #11--48,433
42. ANIMAL MAN #2
[*]--48,089
43. BIRDS OF PREY #2
[*]--47,840
44. STORMWATCH #2--47,520
45. SUICIDE SQUAD #2
[*]--44,613
46. ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #2--44,399
47. MIGHTY THOR #7--44,017
48. SECRET AVENGERS #18--43,280
49. SAVAGE HAWKMAN #2
[*]--42,987
50. LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #2
[*]--42,504
51. X-MEN #19--40,906
52. ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #3--40,792
53. DEATHSTROKE #2
[*]--40,182
54. FURY OF FIRESTORM THE NUCLEAR MEN #2
[*]--39,591
55. DAREDEVIL #5--39,413
56. WOLVERINE #17 XREGG--39,405
57. INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #509--38,721
58. BATWING #2
[*]--38,475
59. LEGION LOST #2
[*]--38,385
60. LEGION SECRET ORIGIN #1--38,248
61. X-MEN LEGACY #257--38,070
62. DEMON KNIGHTS #2
[*]--38,007
63. DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #2
[*]--37,426
64. BTVS SEASON 9 FREEFALL #2--36,448
65. FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #2
[*]--36,381
66. HUNTRESS #1--36,099
67. GRIFTER #2
[*]--35,910
68. ALL STAR WESTERN #2
[*]--35,871
69. BLUE BEETLE #2
[*]--35,456
70. RESURRECTION MAN #2
[*]--34,704
71. CAPTAIN ATOM #2
[*]--34,478
72. ASTONISHING X-MEN #43--32,620
73. HAWK AND DOVE #2
[*]--32,461
74. AVENGERS 1959 #1--32,418
75. MISTER TERRIFIC #2
[*]--32,367
76. VENOM #8--32,266
77. CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BUCKY #623--32,041
78. WALKING DEAD #90 (MR)--31,778
79. WALKING DEAD #89 (MR)--31,351
80. VOODOO #2--31,221
81. I VAMPIRE #2
[*]--31,139
82. SHADE #1--30,648
83. BATMAN ODYSSEY VOL 2 #1--30,410
84. OMAC #2
[*]--29,434
85. STATIC SHOCK #2
[*]--29,124
86. BLACKHAWKS #2
[*]--28,534
87. MEN OF WAR #2
[*]--28,301
88. AQUAMAN #1--28,243
89. JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #629--28,054
90. JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #630--27,701
91. DEADPOOL #45--27,552
92. MOON KNIGHT #6--27,493
93. GREEN LANTERN #1--27,477
94. HULK #42--27,025
95. DEADPOOL #44--26,878
96. PENGUIN PAIN AND PREJUDICE #1--26,380
97. SUPERIOR #5 (MR)--26,361
98. DETECTIVE COMICS #1--26,235
99. PUNISHER #4--25,847
100. SUPERIOR #6 (MR)--25,707

For a comparison, here are the estimates for last month.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Those drops for Hulk and Captain America & Bucky aren't healthy. At least Journey into Mystery's drops are a bit slower, which makes me happy, hopefully it'll stabilize the way Avengers Academy has, because I love that book.

 

[Will Nolte]

It is weird to see Fear Itself #7 so high on the list with how horrible the crossover was over all...and yet, the two Amazing Spider-Man books scored under Fear Itself...makes no sense with the reviews Spider-Island got over Fear Itself...

 

[CConn]

Events always sell well. No matter the quality.

 

[Dread]

For further records, DC owned almost 51% of the unit share and dominated Marvel about 20% on dollar share. 51 of their 52 #1 issues from September made the Top 300 again, and DC played 129 books in the Top 300. October's been a boon month for them. While there have been some drops, and a good score of the New 52 will barely last a year, a top tier will emerge. It is worth noting that not only are expected books from DC in the Top 25, but also stuff like FLASH, WONDER WOMAN, BATGIRL, TEEN TITANS, and BATWOMAN.

AVENGERS ACADEMY is now below where it sold before FEAR ITSELF, but still north of 23k an issue for the year.

And yes, some of Marvel's drops are bad.

 

[kguillou]

Wow, impressive DC. Very impressive. There's actually several books on that list that have gained sales. Look at Animal Man! $8,000 more units this months. When was last time any comic book not named Walking Dead gained any sales in this current market? These are very encouraging figures. Of course the true test will be what sales look like in month 6, but for now, so far so good. I'm glad DC is kicking ass and taking names and this is coming from a long time Marvel Comics fan. Hopefully, Marvel will take note of this and trim their line and lower prices because f*** $3.99 man.

One thing to note though, I feel like Action Comics and superman should be doing much better. Especially Superman, That book should for all intents and purposes be right up there with Batman. I mean, its a book called SUPERMAN! I'm wondering if the George Perez factor just drove people away. DC's really going to re-examine how they approach that book.

 

[Energist]

I'm glad DC is kicking ass and taking names and this is coming from a long time Marvel Comics fan. Hopefully, Marvel will take note of this and trim their line and lower prices because f*** $3.99 man.

Unfortunately, I fear the more likely scenario is Marvel doing a massive, line-wide "relaunch" of their own. Which I dread the mere thought of, personally.

 

[kguillou]

I dont think they're going too relaunch simply because everyone would be accusing them of being copycats. Marvel has too much pride to do such a blatant mimic move.

 

[Dread]

Unfortunately, I fear the more likely scenario is Marvel doing a massive, line-wide "relaunch" of their own. Which I dread the mere thought of, personally.

I dont think they're going too relaunch simply because everyone would be accusing them of being copycats. Marvel has too much pride to do such a blatant mimic move.

We're already seeing it from Marvel. Summary:

- Marvel has canceled several mini-series either in the cradle or in the midst of their run due to production delays and/or low sales, or expected low sales.

- 16 staffers, including some who worked for Marvel for decades, have been sacked since the start of October. That likely trimmed payroll a bit via eliminating some high salaries.

- The new series that are emerging are more of the same. A third Bendis Avengers title. A third Brubaker Cap book. A second Hickman FF book. Yet more Wolverine/X-Men material. Two more ASM spin-off's. Yet more FEAR ITSELF point issues and epilogue material.

Thus, Marvel's strategy is that of a turtle. Shave costs, and play things safe and no-brainer, with no risks. Marvel's strategy is to see what DC does and how it fares for the fourth quarter of 2011. However, if in six months DC's seeing some long term gains, that creator summit will be interesting.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Those drops for Hulk and Captain America & Bucky aren't healthy. At least Journey into Mystery's drops are a bit slower, which makes me happy, hopefully it'll stabilize the way Avengers Academy has, because I love that book.

It's probably safer than most because it's a complement to Thor, which is one of the really big titles Marvel's chosen as a cornerstone of their universe.

 

[Oddzball]

Unfortunately, I fear the more likely scenario is Marvel doing a massive, line-wide "relaunch" of their own. Which I dread the mere thought of, personally.

DC had Hal go Bad & replaced him with Kyle. It worked. Marvel retaliated by having Tony go bad & replaced him with teen aged Tony. It didn't work to well.

Expect history to repeat itself if they try this.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I don't think Marvel's all that interested in rebooting their continuity the way DC always seems to be. I wouldn't be surprised if they started canceling more comics and relaunching with new #1s, but I don't see them going, "Ha, forget everything you ever knew, this is the remix!"

 

[THANOSRULES]

Staggering lessons here Just look at the books sold ahead of Marvel X-men and Avengers books....



Marvel's continuity is much more accessible than DC's. I don't think a continuity re-launch is needed, what is needed is a simple re-thinking of the approach and a re-thinking to the marketing.

-DC's "continuity" relaunch is effective for a number of reasons, aside from the simple fact it rebooted the DCU. It added weight to the event both in substance and marketing, but i do not think it needs to be done.

DC's books are just different. There's stil alot invested into vibrant cape wearing super heroes over there, but they add a better blend of detective , horror and scifi books. DC's books are more colorful.

DC shows how viable scifi and horror books can be..these books are an afterthought at marvel, who currently has zero regular sci-fi/ cosmic based ongoings, save FF.

I also think Marvel needs to seriously re-invent how they look at their talent, who often times are much more apt to not be committed to comic books. This look at the talent shaping the marvel U needs to happen from the TOP.

 

[runawayboulder]

DC had Hal go Bad & replaced him with Kyle. It worked. Marvel retaliated by having Tony go bad & replaced him with teen aged Tony. It didn't work to well.

Expect history to repeat itself if they try this.

There's a difference there. Hal was a supporting character in a huge storyline at the time, The Return of Superman. There was a major development within that affected him greatly in the destruction of Coast City. What followed was a question of morals and ethics when it comes to a GL ring. Iron Man's deal......that was more of, "oh he's always been a secret traitor working for Kang, since about Avengers vol 1 #16 or so". Ugh.

Marvel's continuity is much more accessible than DC's. I don't think a continuity re-launch is needed, what is needed is a simple re-thinking of the approach and a re-thinking to the marketing.

DC shows how viable scifi and horror books can be..these books are an afterthought at marvel, who currently has zero regular sci-fi/ cosmic based ongoings, save FF.

I also think Marvel needs to seriously re-invent how they look at their talent, who often times are much more apt to not be committed to comic books. This look at the talent shaping the marvel U needs to happen from the TOP.

I think a lot can be accomplished at Marvel by a creative shake up. Instead of giving Bendis a 3RD Avengers title, move him off the book. Same for Brubaker and Fraction. They don't need all these books. Scale it back, shuffle them around or show them the door, it doesn't matter to me personally. I think the creative writing future at Marvel is clearly Remender, Gillen and Aaron.

I also don't think the "Bendis sells the Avengers" argument holds clout anymore. He's selling at 50K. Busiek sold at 80K when he was on it. By the time he was finishing his run on the Kang Dynasty, he was at 50K and only the hardcore fans were still there that could put up with a 14 month long Kang story.