Thoughts:
- Yes, the first topic on everyone's minds: BND. Apparently any fan backlash over OMD has not effected sales; All three issues sold within the Top 10. Considering that SS-M and FNSM sold about 50% less than ASM did for years, these numbers for the merged title are a success. It does show some sort of decline after the first week, though, in orders. The first BND issue is seeing a second print and as the #1 book of the industry, the Joe Q trend of "any event that really angers fans = huge sales boosts" continues. I'm still trade-waiting. Still, it cements Dan Slott as an A-list writer, and whether you hold him responsible for OMD or not (I don't; it was a-comin' anyway), having him reach that marker as the writer of the #1 book of the biz is good for him and Marvel, and his fans.
I mean, hey, maybe in a few years THE THING may get another go because of it.
- The boost of "New Cap" gets Brubaker's CA at #34. Amazingly, despite Marvel's attempts to sell it like a big shock, the story had been leading to #34's conclusion for months now so it was just a logical development. Still a case of a great book that sells great.
- So long as books like AXM sell within the Top 10 regardless of how late they are, companies will never hold deadlines seriously. The amazing thing is the story isn't even done! The annual is supposedly due out in April to finish it. If Whedon had it all to do over again, I doubt his run would have been 25 issues. He'd have shaved it back some.
- The only time MIGHTY AVENGERS outsold NEW AVENGERS, aside for it's first issue, was in a month where 2 regular issues shipped and NA only saw an annual.
- AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE continues seeing some slips and barely holds onto the Top 30. Still, it is still doing very well. I predict it seeing an issue #24 easily, which in this market is rare for new ongoings. I love the book to boot.
- The end of the McDuffie FF run sells within the Top 40. Expect sales to double or triple (or more) for the Millar/Hitch debut come Feb.'s numbers.
- The sagging UFF actually saw some kind of boost, as the last few months it couldn't sell within the Top 50. Still, the Ultimate books are lagging (aside for Loeb's ULTIMATES 3) and the line needs something.
- YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS #1 debuts at #43. Any debut within the Top 50 I consider "healthy", especially for a 6 issue mini, but it is worth noting that during CW in 2006, that YA/RUNAWAYS mini debuted within the Top 25 and remained in the Top 30-35 for it's entire run, which was around where the end of the first volume of Heinberg/Cheung sold. My point is that sitting on this franchise almost 2 years has led to a debut that sold 10 slots lower than it used to. Brian Reed is hardly a huge name (even if it is a solid talent) and the second issue may drop below the Top 50.
- THE TWELVE #1 sold at #54. Hmm. This is a mini, but it is also a 12 issue one. Consider that the average lifespan of a "dud" ongoing is 10-12 issues, and you could see this as a "meh" debut. JMS was a name on ASM and is doing well on THOR, but he and Weston can't get this book within the Top 50. Still, considering he is reviving some 40's heroes who haven't been used since the war, and this could be seen as a moderately successful debut. Hopefully the drop-off won't be severe.
- PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL is holding steady, especially when you consider how quickly THE ORDER (which is better) tanked in terms of sales. Both are written by Fraction.
- WHAT IF: SPIDER-MAN VS. WOLVERINE selling within the Top 60 is pretty good for a random WHAT IF one-shot. It outsold Oeming & Kolin's FIREBREAK one-shot. This was an oddball release, rehashing a story that has been out of print since 1990 and has little to do with anything happening now (HOBGOBLIN LIVES! was a decade ago), so given all that, it likely sold due to the cover stars and this is rather decent. I liked the tale.
- WWH: AFTERSMASH: DAMAGE CONTROL debuted within the Top 65. Considering it is only 3 issues, it should stay within the Top 100 by the end. A funny mini, from the looks of the rebut, reuniting McDuffie with his classic Marvel franchise.
- IMMORTAL IRON FIST is holding steady with it's small but steady audience.
- MOON KNIGHT is staying at the end of the Top 70. Just a year ago it was within the Top 35, mind you.
- NOVA #10 within the Top 75; this ongoing has been slipping slightly, but it is still outselling the ANNIHILATION books and may make the first title Nova was in in years to survive past issue #12.
- NEW WARRIORS #8 at #76...this title is sadly slipping from the post Initiative high. Hopefully it sees an issue #12. I enjoy this one, too. It seems the "mystery" of ex-X-Men being the core roster may not have been what mainstreamers expected. While Bendis may be able to sell a Top 10 book by stretching out a mystery to 6+ issues, Grevioux may not get that curtesy sales-wise.
- GHOST RIDER settles into the Top 80. If Aaron can't keep things steady within this arc, the book may be iced. Way left the continuity and character history in a tail-spin, though.
- ANNIHILATION CONQUEST seems to be holding steady within the Top 85 for now. Not selling as well as the original but should remain within the Top 100 for the duration.
- Always is good seeing UMBRELLA ACADEMY within the Top 100.
