February 2016 Diamond charts available

The February 2016 Diamond charts are now available, here at Comichron and see the sidebar for the other usual sources.

The Graphic Novel chart has around 129 new entries and 171 backlist, which is more heavy on the backlist than normal. This is mostly due to Marvel providing heavy discounts on some older books to clear out the inventory, which meant that no less than 43 old ESSENTIAL black and white volumes placed on the top 300, as well as a few high priced OMNIBUS volumes.  This was also the case last month with the OMNIBUS books, and partly explains the atypically high Marvel market share in recent months.

Interesting trio at #12 - #14 on the GN chart:

STUMPTOWN HC VOL 02
ALICE COOPER HC VOL 01 WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE
PUT THE BOOK BACK ON SHELF BELLE & SEBASTIAN ANTHOLOGY GN

These are all backlist books (though the ALICE COOPER one didn't seem to have made it to the Top 300 the month it was first published), and this month each sold around 3000 copies (3009, 3002 and 3000 respectively, by the Comichron estimates). Their retail rankings indicate that they were sold at a high discount, probably to the Comics Bento subscription box service (that can be verified in a few weeks), which gives us a good idea of what their sales are. There have been a number of older books showing up on the chart in the last year with several thousand in sales, probably due to this Diamond account.

On the comic chart, second issue drops are still big and getting bigger, especially at Marvel, where a 50% drop from #1 to #2 is almost becoming the rule. Expect things to be unsettled for the next few months, as DC's lead-in to the "Rebirth" event, and subsequent double shipping of many titles, distorts the market. 

March 2015 Diamond Charts available

The March 2015 Diamond numbers are up. Here's John Mayo's version at CBR, see the sidebar for links to other charts and columns.

The Graphic Books chart has 147 new items and 153 backlist items, give or take, depending on whether you choose to count the movie cover edition of KINGSMAN or the new edition of DRAGONLANCE CHRONICLES (previously from Devil's Due, now from IDW) as new or backlist. I counted both of those as new.

The top 10 backlist items were:

SAGA TP VOL 04
SAGA TP VOL 01
WALKING DEAD TP VOL 01 DAYS GONE BYE
CIVIL WAR TP
SAGA TP VOL 02
SEX CRIMINALS TP VOL 01
YU-GI-OH 5DS GN VOL 07
BATMAN TP VOL 01 THE COURT OF OWLS (N52)
SAGA TP VOL 03
WICKED & DIVINE TP VOL 01 THE FAUST ACT

Over on the Comics chart, a few anomalies with Star Wars still having a big effect with its recent publisher shift, now accounting for four of the top 10. Presumably this will continue through the year as the hype machine for the the next movie grinds on and more comics directly dealing with the movie (preludes, adaptations and probably eventually follow-ups) come out. DC had kind of an odd month, with several of their top books (most notably BATMAN and JUSTICE LEAGUE) running late and missing the month. It'll be quite a while before there's anything approaching a normal month again, with DC's CONVERGENCE and subsequent launch of almost two dozen new books and Marvel's SECRET WARS and whatever comes after that both taking up the next few months.

Second issues averaged a drop of 37%, although that somewhat unfairly includes the 97.9% drop of ORPHAN BLACK #2 after the Loot Crate propelled half-million sales of #1. Without that the #2 drop was around 34%, which is close to normal.

January 2015 Diamond Charts

Diamond has up the preliminary January 2015 numbers, Top 100 Comics here, Top 100 Graphic Novels here and Top Charts here. The usual sources should have the full Top 300 charts and estimates up tomorrow.

The index value should wind up being around 1120-1140. That should mean that STAR WARS #1 will just make it over 1 million copies (it needs the index value to be over 1118 to hit that mark).

Looks like I guessed on the high side, with the numbers at Comichron coming in with an index of 1102.32, putting STAR WARS just 14k shy of 1 million. It probably makes that up with Diamond UK numbers, and the second printing in February will put it over for Diamond US.

A look at some specific numbers - WYTCHES #1

Sorry I haven't been updating lately. I might have some time this month to do some of the playing with spreadsheets that I've been wanting to do, especially if the November numbers are reasonably normal. Check the links in the sidebar for the latest updated charts, articles and podcasts.

I did want to take a look at a rare example of a publisher giving precise sales numbers.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=56841

On WYTCHES #1 : "Image has confirmed that the issue has reached 92,131 copies between its first two printings, with the first printing netting 81,083 in initial retailer orders."


The second print didn't ship until November, so the October numbers should represent the first print numbers only (and the second print should make the November charts).


On the October charts, WYTCHES #1 came in at 67,996, However, it was returnable, and Diamond makes an adjustment for that. The common wisdom is that they reduce the number by 10%, which would put the estimates sales at 75,551. That still leaves a gap of 5532 copies. I'd assume that the number Image reported was the entire print run, including Diamond UK, which isn't included in the North American sales estimates. The common wisdom there is that Diamond UK represents around 10% of the the sales, but that varies wildly by specific book (and down to 0% for some items with licensing or content restrictions), so at about 7% that might seem a bit on the low side, but there were also a number of retailer-specific variant covers for WYTCHES #1 which would definitely lean the numbers more towards North America.

So the numbers would seem to make sense. My initial guess when I read about the print run was that the estimates would come in about 66,000, before I looked at the specific variants which would lean it towards North American sales.

Observations on July 2014 Comics Chart

This month let's just try going through the Top 300 Comics chart and commenting on anything that seems interesting. Mostly in order, though I've grouped together some books with common themes.

#1. ROCKET RACCOON #1 (MAR) - 293.9k copies
As has been mentioned elsewhere, this rather insane number is bolstered by a number of factors, chief among them a company called "Loot Crate" buying a custom branded cover edition for all their customers, numbering over 100k. There were also a few other custom branded variants and the usual array of Marvel first-issue sales inflating gimmicks. Obviously we'll see a massive drop with #2, probably to under 100k, which is still pretty good for a ROCKET RACCOON series. A year ago we'd probably have seen 30k for the first issue and cancellation numbers by #6.

I do find it curious that Marvel decided to funnel a 100k+ single issue single customer order through Diamond, rather than cutting out the middleman, but I don't know enough to guess whether that was to comply with their exclusive distribution contract with Diamond or a desire to have those numbers be a part of their marketshare in the direct market breakdown.

#2. BATMAN #33 (DC) - 118k copies - down 9.3%
Most of the DC books that saw big increases last month from the "bombshell" cover variants saw some decrease this month with the "Batman 75" variants, but still higher than their May sales. BATMAN is pretty typical, going from 107k to 130k to 118k.

#3. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #4 (MAR) - 117.9k copies - up 8.2%
Starting a run of issues crossing over with ORIGINAL SIN, then another crossover after that. It's been several years since an on-going Marvel book has sustained sales over 100k for more than one or two issues, so this has to be seen as a success.

#4. ORIGINAL SIN #5 (MAR) - 91.4k copies - up 3.3%
#6. ORIGINAL SIN #6 (MAR) - 89.3k copies - down 2.3%

Pretty steady, will probably see a small jump with the last issues.

#5. SPIDER-MAN 2099 #1 (MAR) - 90.7k copies
Decent launch, higher than you'd expect (I'd have guessed 60-70k), and going to be involved in a Spider-Man crossover in a few issues which should keep the numbers steady.

#7. JUSTICE LEAGUE #32 (DC) - 88.2k copies - up 16.3%
A late "bombshell" variant cover boost.

#8. GRAYSON #1 (DC) - 81.4k copies
Better numbers than any issue of NIGHTWING managed, as far back as we have comparable numbers, over double what it was selling recently.

#9. LEGENDARY STAR LORD #1 (MAR) - 78.5k copies
Over twice what you'd have expected if the character weren't appearing in a new movie. I imagine most of the curiosity will be sated by the first issue, but the big launch should give it enough momentum to last longer than the 6-8 issues you'd expect from a STAR LORD series.

#10. HARLEY QUINN #8 (DC) - 76.8k copies - down 17.6%
#16. HARLEY QUINN INVADES COMIC CON #1 (DC) - 65k copies

#80. SECRET ORIGINS #4 (DC) - 37.2k copies - up 31.1%

The new HARLEY QUINN book has been surprisingly successful, down this month only because the popular "bombshell" variant was last month. The COMIC CON special sold in the expected range for an Annual, and the presence of Quinn gave a big boost to SECRET ORIGINS which should be all gone next issue.

#13. SANDMAN OVERTURE #3 (DC) - 72.6k copies - down 19.1%
Falling a bit fast, I don't think slipping from an already slow bi-monthly release schedule to once every four months helps it.  At this rate the ending is still a year away, while originally it should be ending in a few weeks.

#14. SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #7 (DC) - 69.5k copies - down 26.2%
A few issues left to stagger out, has to be seen as a disappointing showing for such a high profile creative team.

#15. BATMAN SUPERMAN #12 (DC) - 68.3k copies - up 27.7%
Another late "bombshell" cover.

#17. BATMAN ETERNAL #13 (DC) - 63.8k copies - up 7.4%
#18. BATMAN ETERNAL #14 (DC) - 63.1k copies - down 1.1%
#22. BATMAN ETERNAL #15 (DC) - 62.1k copies - down 1.6%
#23. BATMAN ETERNAL #16 (DC) - 61.1k copies - down 1.6%
#25. BATMAN ETERNAL #17 (DC) - 60k copies - down 1.9%

No longer returnable with #13, so that accounts for the small jump there as Diamond no longer takes off a portion of sales. Very steady seller overall.

#19. SUPERMAN #33 (DC) - 63k copies - down 34.4%
I'd have to think that they were hoping for a bit more with the new creative team that began with #32, but sales of the book were pretty anemic before.

#20. GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #17 (MAR) - 63k copies - up 14.9%
Small bump to have copies on hand for the film release, most should be gone by the next issue.

#27. LIFE WITH ARCHIE #36 (ARC) - 57.1k copies - up 2664.2%
#42. LIFE WITH ARCHIE #37 (ARC) - 48.8k copies - down 14.4%

#297. LIFE WITH ARCHIE MAGAZINE #36 (ARC) - 6.7k copies

This is the "Death of Alternate Universe Archie" story. Technically I suppose the sales comparison with #35 should be with the magazine version of #36 (which has the story content of the the standard comic version of #36 and #37), since that matched the format. The book always had anemic direct market sales, in the 2-3k range, selling primarily in the mass market until this finale. Don't expect the interest in this to translate to any future interest in any standard Archie books.

#32. OUTCAST #2 (IMA) - 55.1k copies - down 23.2%
Less of a drop than I expected, still returnable so probably shipped closer to 60k. I'll be most curious to see if the first collection can put up anywhere near WALKING DEAD numbers, and how the first issue after the collection does.

#35. TEEN TITANS #1 (DC) - 52.4k copies
#41. NEW SUICIDE SQUAD #1 (DC) - 49.3k copies

Both about twice the sales of the books they replace with similar/identical names. As a quick rule of thumb, an average relaunch will return to previous sales levels in six issues, so if #6 of either stays ahead of those levels I'd chalk it up as a success.

#44. JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #3 (DC) - 47.9k copies - down 23.9%
A bit of a delayed second issue drop thanks to the variant on #2.

#46. STORM #1 (MAR) - 47.6k copies
Seems to be about the expect range for recent solo X-Men books, with NIGHTCRAWLER at 49.4k and CYCLOPS at 47.4k. Given that trend, expect to see this in the 25k range within a few issues.

#59. DOCTOR WHO 11TH #1 (TIT) - 41.1k copies
#67. DOCTOR WHO 10TH #1 (TIT) - 39.7k copies

Interestingly, these sold over twice what any non-crossover DOCTOR WHO book from IDW did, and over four times what any previous Titan comic (in their current incarnation) has managed. Looks like a good marriage of publisher and licence for now, with DOCTOR WHO benefiting from being the biggest book at Titan rather than the fifth most important licensed title at IDW, and DOCTOR WHO being in the Titan listings maybe encouraging a few readers and retailers to pay more attention to those listings in the future. And Titan being a bigger deal outside the US direct market should mean a lot of sales in venues not included in this chart. It'll be interesting to see how the "12th Doctor" book does.

#78. MILES MORALES ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #3 (MAR) - 37.2k copies - down 2.6%
Stabilized very quickly, not sure if the Ultimate line will continue with only one book, or if they'll permanently fold the character into the main Marvel Universe.

#86. MS MARVEL #6 (MAR) - 36k copies - up 6.6%
The endless hype the book has been getting finally translates to a modest increase in sales in the direct market.

#101. BLACK SCIENCE #7 (IMA) - 28.1k copies - up 13.1%
Decent uptick with the "first after collection" issue, and that collection has been selling very well.

#106. STAR WARS #19 (DAR) - 27.2k copies - down 2.5%
One more issue to go, it'll be interesting to see how the Marvel relaunch does. I'm guessing the initial numbers will be high, maybe the 100k range, but down to this range within a few issues, at least until the hype machine for the next movie really starts to rev up.

#111. SUPREME BLUE ROSE #1 (IMA) - 26.1k copies
Significantly higher than any of the previous "Extreme Studios" revivals have done, we'll see if it can sustain decent numbers (or the interest of its creators) for more than a handful of issues.

#115. AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #6 (ARC) - 25.7k copies - down 5.1%
So, turns out the secret to direct market success for Archie was death.

#134. ALL NEW X-FACTOR #10 (MAR) - 22.6k copies - down 4.9%
#135. ALL NEW X-FACTOR #11 (MAR) - 22.4k copies - down 0.6%
#136. ALL NEW INVADERS #7 (MAR) - 22.3k copies - down 4.8%
#137. ALL NEW GHOST RIDER #5 (MAR) - 21.8k copies - down 11.4%
#148. ALL NEW INVADERS #8 (MAR) - 19.9k copies - down 11%

#161. ALL NEW ULTIMATES #5 (MAR) - 18.2k copies - down 11.5%

#209. ALL NEW DOOP #4 (MAR) - 11k copies - down 12.9%

Maybe "All New" isn't as enticing a descriptor as Marvel thinks it is for anything but X-MEN...

#143. RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #33 (DC) - 20.7k copies - down 37.5%
#154. CATWOMAN #33 (DC) - 18.9k copies - down 43.8%

What happens when you go from having a "bombshell" variant to no variant.

#159. STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES GI ZOMBIE #1 (DC) - 18.8k copies
Taking the crown from INFINITY MAN AND THE FOREVER PEOPLE for lowest launching "New 52" book, by a wide margin. It'll be interesting to see if this gets even the usual 8-issue minimum that "New 52" books have gotten.

#163. MIRACLEMAN #8 (MAR) - 17.7k copies - down 7.7%
Not having quite the sales impact that might have been expected.

#169. NAILBITER #3 (IMA) - 16.6k copies - up 9.1%
A fairly rare jump for a third issue indicates some good word-of-mouth.

#172. INFINITY MAN AND THE FOREVER PEOPLE #2 (DC) - 15.9k copies - down 36.2%
Can't be long for the world at this rate.

#173. RAGNAROK #1 (IDW) - 15.6k copies
Decent launch for a creator-owned IDW book.

#184. GROO VS CONAN #1 (DAR) - 13.9k copies
Pretty good sales for both GROO and CONAN in 2014.

#191. DEVILERS #1 (DE) - 12.3k copies
First in a line of books which appear to be company owned but branded "Creators Unleashed". Still a leash on them if the company owns the property, I'd think. Not a bad launch for an original concept book from Dynamite.

#208. ARMOR HUNTERS #2 (VAL) - 11.2k copies - down 31.9%
Top Valiant book for the month, most of the line is under 10k, and some are starting to fall off the Top 300.

#228. LUMBERJANES #4 (BOO) - 10k copies - up 9.2%
Back to the sales level of #2.

#233. NEW VAMPIRELLA #2 (DE) - 9.4k copies - down 58.7%
Steep drop, but still double what OLD VAMPIRELLA finished with.

#267. UBER #15 (AVA) - 7.5k copies - down 0.5%
Coming soon, LYFT and HAXI.

#272. DOCTOR SPEKTOR #2 (DE) - 7.3k copies - down 55.6%
Another massive second issue drop from the new Gold Key revival. Not sure how long that line can continue, although I think it's surpassed the Dark Horse version.

#290. BLACK KISS XXXMAS IN JULY SPECIAL ONE SHOT (IMA) - 6.8k copies
Pretty much held the sales of the last issue of BLACK KISS II, which is pretty good for a book seven months late and double the price.

#299. ANGRY BIRDS COMICS #2 (IDW) - 6.6k copies - down 44.5%
Can't see this having any legs in the direct market, but maybe will be a successful in other markets.

Observations on June 2014 Comics Chart - Launches

A few thoughts on some of the new series on the June 2014 charts.

OUTCAST #1 (IMA) - 71.8k
This was returnable, so it probably shipped closer to 80k in North America, plus no doubt a good amount to other markets, I wouldn't be surprised if this reports sales over 100k by the end of the year. It'll be interesting to see if this follows the standard current Image trends of a 30-40% drop with #2.

ORIGINAL SIN 3.x #1 (MAR) - 45.3k
Confusingly numbered tie-in to the current crossover from Marvel, not selling great compared to the main series, but better than the regular Hulk and Iron Man books that it most closely connects with.

SAVAGE HULK #1 (MAR) - 44.2k
The main Hulk title isn't likely to sell more than 35-40k these days, so you'd expect a spin-off to be doing good selling 25-30k, which this will be within a few issues.

WICKED & DIVINE #1 (IMA) - 42.9k
Strong start for an Image book, especially compared to the sub-5k sales on previous Image books by the same creators before their recent Marvel work.

ORIGINAL SINS #1 (MAR) - 39.7k
Also confusingly numbered as a plural of the parent series, selling about half the level of the main series.

BATMAN 66 MEETS GREEN HORNET #1 (DC) - 33k
A "digital first" book, but with a much smaller digital exclusive window than most of DC's digital first books (just a few weeks), and with an interesting hook. Should continue to do well.

INFINITY MAN AND THE FOREVER PEOPLE #1 (DC) - 24.9k
I think this is the lowest launch of any New 52 "on going" title, below even books like GREEN TEAM. So far every book has been given at least eight issues before cancellation, but this might beat that.

BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA #1 (BOO) - 24.2k
Seriously, this is a comic being published in 2014.

NEW VAMPIRELLA #1 (DE) - 22.9k
Doesn't really seem too different from old Vampirella.

ARMOR HUNTERS #1 (VAL) - 16.5k


TMNT TURTLES IN TIME #1 (IDW) - 13.8k


RISE OF THE MAGI #1 (IMA) - 13.3k


TINY TITANS RETURN TO THE TREEHOUSE #1 (DC) - 13k
The previous series maintained sales in the 7-8k range a couple of years ago, this might wind up slightly ahead of that.

FIGMENT #1 (MAR) - 12.7k


WILDFIRE #1 (IMA) - 12.6k


STAR TREK CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER #1 (IDW) - 12k


ANGRY BIRDS COMICS #1 (IDW) - 11.9k


BLOOD QUEEN #1 (DE) - 10.4k


CARTOON NETWORK SUPER SECRET CRISIS WAR #1 (IDW) - 10.2k


RED CITY #1 (IMA) - 9.9k


WINTERWORLD #1 (IDW) - 8k


EMPTY MAN #1 (BOO) - 7.7k


WITCHFINDER MYSTERIES OF UNLAND #1 (DAR) - 7.4k


SUPERANNUATED MAN #1 (IMA) - 7.3k


AMAZING WORLD OF GUMBALL #1 (BOO) - 7.3k


THOMAS ALSOP #1 (BOO) - 6.3k


PAINKILLER JANE 22 BRIDES #1 (MAR) - 6.1k


PRINCESS UGG #1 (ONI) - 6k


DOODLE JUMP #1 (DE) - 5.9k


JIM BUTCHER DRESDEN FILES WAR CRY #1 (DE) - 5.8k


EYE OF NEWT #1 (DAR) - 5.1k

Observations on June 2014 Comics Chart - Second Issue Drops

Always one of the first things I look at in the new chart, the drops on the second issues. And as usual, all of them were drops, though one came close to staying even. The average drop remains just over 30%.

RAI #2 (VAL) - down 54%
29.1k to 13.4k
Pretty typical for Valiant, especially when they make the first issue returnable. Should still remain above average for a Valiant book for a few more issues.

MADAME FRANKENSTEIN #2 (IMA) - down 52%
9.8k to 4.7k
A much higher than normal fall for an Image book these days, not sure why.

CHAOS #2 (DE) - down 47%
19.5k to 10.4k
Hard to believe that the Chaos line of comics was actually a pretty major seller in the 1990s (though primarily with the character Lady Death, not included in this revival). I don't expect any of the books in the line (and it looks like a lot of them are coming up) will be able to maintain sales higher than 10k.

LITTLEST PET SHOP #2 (IDW) - down 44%
8.2k to 4.6k


ORDINARY #2 (TIT) - down 40%
2.7k to 1.7k


BRASS SUN #2 (REB) - down 38%
2.8k to 1.7k


MPH #2 (IMA) - down 38%
35.6k to 21.9k


BEE AND PUPPYCAT #2 (BOO) - down 38%
12.2k to 7.6k


PATHFINDER CITY SECRETS #2 (DE) - down 35%
7.1k to 4.6k


COWL #2 (IMA) - down 35%
20.9k to 13.6k


CYCLOPS #2 (MAR) - down 34%
47.5k to 31.1k


NAILBITER #2 (IMA) - down 33%
22.7k to 15.2k


WOODS #2 (BOO) - down 33%
13.9k to 9.4k


DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU #2 (MAR) - down 32%
19.3k to 13.1k


DREAM POLICE #2 (IMA) - down 31%
11.8k to 8.1k
This is about an average second issue drop in 2014, so anything below this is doing relatively okay, if they stabalize quickly.

CLIVE BARKERS NIGHTBREED #2 (BOO) - down 27%
7.8k to 5.7k


UNITED STATES OF MURDER INC #2 (MAR) - down 27%
18.5k to 13.6k
Still well above the 10k that the long running POWERS from the same creators manages.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 1.x #2 (MAR) - down 26%
116.6k to 86.3k
Still doing much better than it would be if it was an independently named and numbered mini-series.

GFT WARLORD OF OZ #2 (ZEN) - down 25%
7.8k to 5.8k


DEJAH OF MARS #2 (DE) - down 24%
7.1k to 5.4k


SHEENA #2 (MOO) - down 23%
3.9k to 3k


TREES #2 (IMA) - down 20%
31.9k to 25.5k
According to the writer final orders on this were just over 30k, which makes sense when you adjust for returnability and UK sales. There were also reportedly substantial re-orders for #1, but not enough to make the Top 300, which is all Diamond reported this month. Decent enough retention of first issue orders.

MILES MORALES ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #2 (MAR) - down 17%
45.9k to 38.2k
Held on to more of those first issue numbers than I expected it to, based on other Marvel launches, and especially recent Ultimate line launches.

ORIGINAL SINS #2 (MAR) - down 9%
39.7k to 36.1k
Spin-off to the ORIGINAL SIN crossover, the first issue was also in June. Selling less than half the parent book, which isn't that great, but at least maintaining those numbers.

STAR WARS DARTH MAUL SON OF DATHOMIR #2 (DAR) - down 7%
17.1k to 15.8k
One of the last Dark Horse STAR WARS comics before they lose the license. Looks like retailers had a good idea of the market for that.

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #2 (DC) - down 2%
64.2k to 62.9k
As already discussed, a beneficiary of DC's variant cover scheme this month. Most of the books got more than a 30% bump instead of their usual 2-3% drop. Without the variant, this probably would have been down below 50k, lower than any issue of the JLA title it replaced.

Observations on June 2014 Comics Chart - The Rising

Other than the already discussed "Bombshell" covers from DC, here are the comics in June which had significant increases over the previous issues.

MANIFEST DESTINY #7 (IMA) +45%
14.9k to 21.5k
First issue after the $10 tradepaperback, looks like there's some interest in the book.

WITCHBLADE #175 (IMA) +30%
6k to 7.8k
This title always gets a hefty bump every time the issue number is divisible by 25, and it always goes away with the next issue.

TMNT NEW ANIMATED ADVENTURES #12 (IDW) +25%
6.1k to 7.6k
Doesn't appear to be a specific reason for this, other than the amped up publicity for the characters with the upcoming movie.

NOVA #18 (MAR) +20%
21.7k to 25.9k
Tie-in with Marvel's current crossover, which gets a modest bump which will likely carry over for the next few crossover issues before dissipating.

SEX CRIMINALS #6 (IMA) +16%
22.6k to 26.3k
First issue after what's reprinted in the first collection, which has sold very well with over 16k in the direct market, and making the Bookscan Top 10 in May.

WOLVERINE #8 (MAR) +16%
35k to 40.5k
A small increase for the beginning of the storyline which permanently kills Wolverine for all time.

WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #40 (ARC) +13%
0.9k to 1.1k


FIVE GHOSTS #12 (IMA) +12%
5.7k to 6.4k
Last scheduled issue of the series when it came out, those it was since announced that it continues with #13 in the fall.

SIMPSONS ILLUSTRATED #11 (BON) +11%
2.8k to 3.2k


GHOST #5 (DAR) +11%
6.1k to 6.7k
New creative team and storyline.

ARCHIE #656 (ARC) +10%
3.7k to 4.1k


UNITY #8 (VAL) +9%
8.7k to 9.4k
Crossover with the ARMOR HUNTERS series launching this month at 16.4k

ADVENTURE TIME #29 (BOO) +8%
12.8k to 13.8k


ALL NEW INVADERS #6 (MAR) +7%
21.8k to 23.5k
Crossover

B & V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #239 (ARC) +6%
1.2k to 1.2k


MANHATTAN PROJECTS #21 (IMA) +6%
14.3k to 15.1k
First issue after most recent collection, where the series has been selling solidly.

GHOSTBUSTERS #17 (IDW) +6%
6.1k to 6.4k


STAR TREK ONGOING #34 (IDW) +5%
9.7k to 10.2k

DC Bombshell sales increases

For June, DC had variant covers scheduled for 21 of their books (19 of which actually came out in June) with the theme "Bombshells", modern takes on classic pin-up art. They've been doing such themed variant months for a while, with themes like "Scribblenauts" or "Robot Chicken" or "Batman 66", but previously the orders for the books were limited by retailer orders for the regular covers, usually 1 for 25 (retailers could order 1 variant for every 25 regular covers they ordered). Starting with the "Bombshells" one, they changed that to give retailers the option to order as many of the variants as they wished. This led to a massive across the board increase in sales for those 19 comics, with one interesting exception.

Sorted by percentage increase:

SUPERMAN == +119.9%
BATWOMAN == +81.6%
CATWOMAN == +67.3%
WONDER WOMAN == +57.3%
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS == +55.6%
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK == +50.8%
BATGIRL == +49.9%
HARLEY QUINN == +49.3%
GREEN LANTERN CORPS == +43.2%
AQUAMAN == +39.8%
FLASH == +37.8%
EARTH 2 == +36.9%
ACTION COMICS == +34.9%
DETECTIVE COMICS == +33.9%
BATMAN AND == +33.6%
SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN == +31.1%
GREEN LANTERN == +28.7%
BATMAN == +21%
JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED == -2%

Of course, SUPERMAN also had a high-profile new creative team, so it would probably have had a big increase anyway, but probably not quite as high an increase.  The only one to drop in sales was JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED, which was the second issue. In normal circumstances, that #2 would have seen at least a 20% drop, so holding at just a 2% drop is effectively a large increase in the range of the other books.

Sorted by units:

SUPERMAN == +48.6k copies

HARLEY QUINN == +30.8k copies

BATMAN == +22.6k copies

DETECTIVE COMICS == +18.5k copies

WONDER WOMAN == +17.6k copies

BATGIRL == +15.8k copies

BATWOMAN == +15.1k copies

SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN == +14.9k copies

ACTION COMICS == +14.3k copies

BATMAN AND == +14.2k copies

CATWOMAN == +13.6k copies

FLASH == +12.9k copies

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK == +12.9k copies

AQUAMAN == +12.8k copies

EARTH 2 == +12.7k copies

GREEN LANTERN == +12.5k copies

GREEN LANTERN CORPS == +12.3k copies

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS == +11.8k copies

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED == -1.3k copies

Taking out the two special case extreme values, it looks like the gimmick was good for about an average of 15k copies, or a 45% increase.

The same open order variant covers continue with the themes for July ("Batman 75"), August ("Selfie") and October ("Monsters"), with September having the 3-D covers for their "Futures End" one-shots, so we'll see how the sales do with those themes. I suspect that they'll all decrease from the June numbers, but stay ahead of the May base numbers for a few months.

Observations on May 2014 Comics Chart - Launches

Quick look at some of the first issues released in May.

ORIGINAL SIN (MAR) - 147k
Not a terrible launch for a Marvel event, but we already know the second issue drops to about 92k, which isn't that great. It probably won't drop much further, with the accelerated release schedule meaning the whole series is already solicited.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 1.x (MAR) - 116.6k
For convenience, this is what I'm calling the miniseries coming out at ASM #1.1 - #1.5. The numbers it's getting are much higher than it would with the exact same contents coming out as SPIDER-MAN: AN EARLY ADVENTURE THAT DOESN'T REALLY FIT IN BETWEEN PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED STORIES #1 - #5, it'll probably be down in the 60-70k range by the last issue, which is pretty good for Marvel in 2014.

NEW 52 FUTURES END (DC) - 70.8k
Second issue was in the same month, dropping 19%, I'm guessing the series might settle in around 40k-45k.

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED (DC) - 64.2k
Follow-up to the JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA series that ended a few months ago, with only a small bump in sales from that. With normal drops it'll be below any issue of JLA by #3.

SUPERMAN DOOMED (DC) - 63.4k
One-shot tying in with the various Superman books, and selling much better than any of them currently do.

THANOS ANNUAL (MAR) - 47.6k
An annual without a regular series, sold about 87% of the last issue of the last THANOS mini-series, which is about normal for an annual.

CYCLOPS (MAR) - 47.5k
Around the same as another solo X-Men launch last month, NIGHTCRAWLER, so expect a similar drop to about 35k next time.

MILES MORALES ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN (MAR) - 45.9k
Good compared to the other recent Ultimate line launches, but weak historically for Ultimate Spider-Man. Normal drops will have it down below 30k within a few issues, the lowest the title has ever been.

MPH (IMA) - 35.6k
Pretty close to the launch of STARLIGHT a few months ago, so expect a similar drop to around 20k within a few issues.

TREES (IMA) - 31.9k
According to the writer, the orders for this were about 38.5k, which makes sense when you factor in an allowance for returnability and for Diamond sales outside North America. If you assume 10% returnability reduction and 10% foreign sales, that gives you 39.4k. The print run was 50k, and we'll see some of the overprint in re-orders next month. The final orders for #2 were apparently just over 30k, I don't think it's returnable, but will still have the foreign sales to take into account, so expect about a 15% drop, smaller than average these days.

GIANT SIZE SPIDER-MAN (MAR) - 24k
In case you were wondering why they were releasing the "Learning to Crawl" miniseries as AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1.x.

NAILBITER (IMA) - 22.7k


COWL (IMA) - 20.9k


CHAOS (DE) - 19.5k


DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU (MAR) - 19.3k


UNITED STATES OF MURDER INC (MAR) - 18.5k
About twice what POWERS by the same creators sells these days, expect it to be down at that level within a few issues, which might take several years to come out.

STAR WARS DARTH MAUL SON OF DATHOMIR (DAR) - 17.1k


DOCTOR SPEKTOR (DE) - 16.5k
History of the Great Dynamite Gold Key launch of 2014
February 2014 - TUROK DINOSAUR HUNTER #1 - 30.7k
March 2014 - MAGNUS ROBOT FIGHTER #1 - 27.5k
April 2014 - SOLAR MAN O/T ATOM #1 - 22.8k
May 2014 - DOCTOR SPEKTOR #1 - 16.5k

This is the last launch for a while (and is just a mini-series), and I don't know if they have any other viable Gold Key books to relaunch. MIGHTY SAMSON and DAGAR THE INVINCIBLE won't do any better, I think. Maybe SPACE FAMILY ROBINSON...

WOODS (BOO) - 13.9k


BEE AND PUPPYCAT (BOO) - 12.2k


MADAME FRANKENSTEIN (IMA) - 9.8k


LITTLEST PET SHOP (IDW) - 8.2k


CLIVE BARKERS NIGHTBREED (BOO) - 7.8k


GFT WARLORD OF OZ (ZEN) - 7.8k


SHADOW MIDNIGHT MOSCOW (DE) - 7.8k


STAR TREK NEW VISIONS (IDW) - 7.4k


PATHFINDER CITY SECRETS (DE) - 7.1k


DEJAH OF MARS (DE) - 7.1k


BURN THE ORPHANAGE REIGN OF TERROR (IMA) - 5.4k


LAST BROADCAST (BOO) - 5.3k


MARS ATTACKS FIRST BORN (IDW) - 5.3k


AXE COP AMERICAN CHOPPERS (DAR) - 5.1k


WEIRD LOVE (IDW) - 5k


THINK TANK FUN WITH PTSD (IMA) - 3k


BRASS SUN (REB) - 2.8k


BRAIN BOY MEN FROM GESTALT (DAR) - 2.8k


ORDINARY (TIT) - 2.7k


ROGUE TROOPER CLASSICS (IDW) - 1.9k

Observations on May 2014 Comics Chart - Second Issue Drops

A large number of second issues on the Diamond Top 400 Comics chart in May, all of them falling from the first issues as you'd expect. The average drop was just over 30%, but if you do a weighted average, based on the actual sales, it's closer to 47%. The 400k+ drop in copies of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN is responsible for that, not counting it and the weighted average is also about 30%.

Someone pointed out that counting re-orders of the first issue unfairly penalized books that were doing well, increasing the apparent 2nd issue drop, which might decrease as re-orders for #2 come in. Fair point, so the main number is based on first month orders only, with a note if there were re-orders for #1 on the charts as well.

Only a few comments so far, I'll update this if I come up with anything I want to say about the others.

Amazing Spider-Man (MAR)
down -76.7% - 532.6k to 123.9k
-77.3 with re-orders on #1 factored in
Well, everyone saw this coming. Not a record single issue drop, but close to it in recent times, especially if you factor out special cases where the first issues had excessive variant covers or bargain $1 prices. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN had it's own special circumstances, including some order incentives and apparently a very large order from the "mystery box" company Nerd Block (that'll be an even bigger factor in the upcoming ROCKET RACCOON #1 and the larger purchase of it by Loot Crate). Anyway, a normal third issue Marvel drop will put this book at about 100k, and it might settle at 80k-90k, which would still make it the best selling on-going Marvel book. They used to cancel books at that level...

Solar Man Of The Atom (DE)
down -61% - 22.8k to 8.9k
Pretty standard for Dynamite's relaunch of the old Gold Key line, all three non-#1 issues are lightly clustered in sales between 8k and 9k and falling. Hard to believe full colour work-for-hire comics can continue for long at the levels will settle at.

Real Heroes (IMA)
down -52% - 23.7k to 11.4k
-59 with re-orders on #1 factored in
Pretty big fall, already a lot lower than you'd expect a well-established creator from Marvel to be doing with a pretty straightforward super-hero book at Image, although the earlier AMERICA'S GOT POWERS didn't do much better.

Lola XOXO (ASP)
down -45% - 9.2k to 5.1k
Actually not doing that bad for a new series from Aspen, and better than the second issues of a lot of their $1 launch books last year.

Elektra (MAR)
down -44% - 47.7k to 26.6k
A little bit low for a Marvel book on-going book on its second issue, but enough that it might get a full year to see if it catches on.

Flash Gordon (DE)
down -43% - 14.4k to 8.3k

Translucid (BOO)
down -42% - 9.5k to 5.5k

Field (IMA)
down -41% - 11.2k to 6.6k

68 Rule Of War (IMA)
down -39% - 7.5k to 4.5k

Iron Fist Living Weapon (MAR)
down -37% - 53.6k to 33.6k
-40 with re-orders on #1 factored in

Original Sin (MAR)
down -37% - 147k to 92.6k
First issue was also in May, this is kind of a low level for a Marvel event book, it's about the level of FEAR ITSELF from 2011, which is perceived as one of the less successful ones.

Shutter (IMA)
down -35% - 19k to 12.3k
-43 with re-orders on #1 factored in

Star Mage (IDW)
down -35% - 2.8k to 1.8k

Black Dynamite (IDW)
down -34% - 11k to 7.2k

V-Wars (IDW)
down -34% - 10.5k to 6.9k

All New Doop (MAR)
down -34% - 22.6k to 15k

7th Sword (IDW)
down -33% - 5k to 3.4k

Southern Bastards (IMA)
down -32% - 38k to 25.8k
-37 with re-orders on #1 factored in

Dead Letters (BOO)
down -31% - 7.6k to 5.3k

Dexter's Laboratory (IDW)
down -29% - 7.4k to 5.2k

Nightcrawler (MAR)
down -28% - 49.4k to 35.4k

Caliban (AVA)
down -28% - 13.2k to 9.5k

Inhuman (MAR)
down -28% - 58.3k to 41.8k

Ultimate FF (MAR)
down -27% - 23.3k to 17.1k
Not a bad drop these days, but it was a pretty low launch, and no surprise the series is already announced as ending with #6.

24 (IDW)
down -26% - 8.5k to 6.3k

Lumberjanes (BOO)
down -25% - 13.1k to 9.9k
-37 with re-orders on #1 factored in

Sinestro (DC)
down -25% - 46.5k to 34.6k
On track to be a sold secondary Green Lantern family title, selling in the 25k range within a few issues. Which is at least better than LARFLEEZE did.

Danger Girl Mayday (IDW)
down -23% - 9.1k to 6.9k

Aquaman And The Others (DC)
down -23% - 34.1k to 26.2k
Probably down below 20k within a few issues, which is quickly into the cancellation zone for mainline DC books.

GFT Godstorm Hercules Payne (ZEN)
down -23% - 4.1k to 3.2k

GFT Helsing (ZEN)
down -21% - 5.6k to 4.4k

Sandman Overture Special Edition (DC)
down -21% - 14.5k to 11.5k

Angel And Faith Season 10 (DAR)
down -20% - 17.8k to 14.2k

All New Ultimates (MAR)
down -20% - 30.3k to 24.2k

Shadowman End Times (VAL)
down -20% - 7.8k to 6.2k

New 52 Futures End (DC)
down -19% - 70.8k to 57.1k
Weekly book, and being bolstered a bit by being returnable.

Star Wars Rebel Heist (DAR)
down -18% - 24.9k to 20.4k

Secret Origins (DC)
down -15% - 38.7k to 33k
Holds the first issue sales relatively well, smartly going from Superman on #1 to the more popular Batman on #2. Might see some interesting fluctuations on this, depending on the cover subject. Green Lantern on #3 might drop a lot, Harley Quinn on #4 might recover some of that.

Conan The Avenger (DAR)
down -14% - 11.6k to 9.9k
This is the on-going series (or as "on-going" as Conan series go) that held most of its first issue sales. Conan's a pretty known quantity at this point, and sales on it have fallen pretty far from their peak.

Marvel's Guardians Of Galaxy Prelude (MAR)
down -14% - 22.7k to 19.6k
Just a quick little 2-issue mini-series to flesh out a collection before the movie

Transformers Windblade (IDW)
down -9% - 9.9k to 9k
Pretty small drop

Smallville Season 11 Lantern (DC)
down -8% - 12.4k to 11.4k
Digital first series that's now being released as a series of mini-series and specials, so pretty much treated as an on-going for orders, with just a small bump for a #1 and small drop for a #2.

Elsewhere: May 2014 Diamond overview

Diamond has their market overview numbers for May up now, the usual suspects should have articles up based on it soon. The big story will be that the Marvel/DC market share split is much tighter than it has been in months. The full charts probably won't be available until Monday, but we might get a Top 50 or 100 before then.

[and, indeed, here are the Top 50 charts, without order index values]

Some stuff to watch for, ORIGINAL SIN #2 seems to take quite a tumble, already below the last issue of FOREVER EVIL by the second issue. WALKING DEAD #127 probably took a small jump up, since it was a double-sized issue at the regular price, but it doesn't look like it was that big a jump.  On the Books side, three original graphic novels in the Top 10, kind of tells you something that an original X-MEN book is back-to-back in the ranking with an original BLACK CANARY AND ZATANNA book.

Diamond Expanded Chart #301-400

It's been five months now since Diamond increased the scope of their monthly comics chart from the Top 300 to the Top 400. Time to take a look at what those extra data points get us.

Of the extra 500 entries we've gotten, 64 are additional orders for books which shipped in prior months, usually books with heavy re-orders and additional printings. A few titles which show up most often are HARLEY QUINN, SEX CRIMINALS and AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE.

Another 16 entries are bargain priced (usually $1) reprints from various publishers, including Dark Horse, IDW and Image, usually of the first issues of recent books which are now getting their first collections out.

That leaves us with 420 entries.  Looking at them by publisher:

Marvel's 9 entries are almost all in their MARVEL UNIVERSE line of books for younger readers based on their animated TV shows. The only exception is CAPTAIN AMERICA WINTER SOLDIER DIRECTOR'S CUT #1 a reprint with some extras tying in to a recent movie.

DC has quite a bit of variety in their 17 entries in this range.  There are 4 entries for "Combo Pack" editions, which they offer for their higher selling books and include a digital code for $1 extra. The rare times they chart these seem to sell about 1-2% of the regular editions, so most fall outside of even the expanded chart. Several licensed books, which are aimed outside of the direct market, fall in this range, including LOONEY TOONS, SCOOBY DOO and the digital-first VAMPIRE DIARIES. One book in their "New 52" line, GREEN TEAM TEEN TRILLIONAIRES, fell into this range with its final two issues. Usually those are cancelled long before they get that low. There are also two oddities, WAKE PART ONE #1, reprinting the first five issues of the mini-series in a non-tradepaperback format and the VILLAINS MONTH 3D MOTION COMPLETE SET of second printings of their 3D gimmick covers of last year for $200.

There are five major mid-range publishers that generally have around a dozen entries on that part of the chart each month.

Dark Horse 71
Dynamite 60
IDW 59
Image 54
Boom 53

And apologies, but I haven't had time to do the full post I wanted to on this topic. Maybe in a few months when we have more data. In the meantime, here are the non-DC/Marvel comics that appeared in the #301-400 range at least three months in the last five, sorted by average sales of those issues (note that some of these had earlier issues in the top 300, which aren't counted in the average).

LADY RAWHIDE (DE) - 4520 average
MIND MGMT (DAR) - 4490 average
OTHER DEAD (IDW) - 4440 average
SHOTGUN WEDDING (IMA) - 4440 average
GRINDHOUSE DOORS OPEN AT MIDNIGHT (DAR) - 4360 average
SHERLOCK HOLMES MORIARTY LIVES (DE) - 4270 average
X (DAR) - 4240 average
HIT LIST (ZEN) - 4210 average
CLIVE BARKER NEXT TESTAMENT (BOO) - 4180 average
DARK HORSE PRESENTS (DAR) - 4110 average
THE LONE RANGER (DE) - 4080 average
ARCHIE (ARC) - 4070 average
PEANUTS VOL 2 (BOO) - 4070 average
FOX (ARC) - 4020 average
ARTIFACTS (IMA) - 3990 average
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA STARBUCK (DE) - 3820 average
CURSE (BOO) - 3790 average
SHAHRAZAD (BIG) - 3790 average
HACKTIVIST (BOO) - 3740 average
CLOWN FATALE (DAR) - 3720 average
CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT (DAR) - 3680 average
FIVE WEAPONS (IMA) - 3670 average
GREAT PACIFIC (IMA) - 3670 average
MINIMUM WAGE (IMA) - 3640 average
NOIR (DE) - 3610 average
GRAVEL COMBAT MAGICIAN (AVA) - 3590 average
JENNIFER BLOOD (DE) - 3570 average
SKYMAN (DAR) - 3570 average
THUNDER AGENTS (IDW) - 3560 average
MIDAS FLESH (BOO) - 3550 average
STRAIN THE FALL (DAR) - 3490 average
SUICIDE RISK (BOO) - 3470 average
HAUNTED HORROR (IDW) - 3460 average
BAD BLOOD (DAR) - 3450 average
TMNT COLOR CLASSICS SERIES 2 (IDW) - 3430 average
INDESTRUCTIBLE (IDW) - 3380 average
A VOICE IN THE DARK (IMA) - 3350 average
BLACK BAT (DE) - 3300 average
REVELATIONS (BOO) - 3250 average
SIXTH GUN (ONI) - 3210 average
FURIOUS (DAR) - 3200 average
GRIMM WARLOCK (DE) - 3180 average
THE SPIDER (DE) - 3140 average
JUDGE DREDD CLASSICS (IDW) - 2770 average
DEATH SENTENCE (TIT) - 2750 average
OCCULTIST (DAR) - 2740 average
JUICE SQUEEZERS (DAR) - 2730 average
GARFIELD (BOO) - 2720 average
CATALYST COMIX (DAR) - 2580 average
DECEIVERS (BOO) - 2570 average
DEADWORLD RESTORATION (IDW) - 2530 average
SINISTER DEXTER (IDW) - 2390 average
TRISH OUT OF WATER (ASP) - 2360 average
ELEPHANTMEN (IMA) - 2330 average
POPEYE CLASSICS ONGOING (IDW) - 2160 average

Elsewhere: Beat Indy March Sales Analysis

Over at The Beat, Chris Rice, either for the first time or as usual, I'm not sure, has the Indy month-to-month sales analysis for the March 2014 comics chart.

Observations on April 2014 Comics Chart - Second Issue Drops

There were 37 second issues (not counting annuals) on Diamond's April 2014 Comics chart. Not surprisingly, all of them dropped in sales from the first issue. The average drop was 32.5%, a number that definitely seems to be creeping up. A few years ago about 20% was normal. Third issues these days tend to fall about 10% on average, which is up just slightly from a few years ago.

Here they are, in order of the drop percentage. Comments on just a few of them, most of them are pretty self explanatory.

MAGNUS ROBOT FIGHTER (DE)
-64% : 27.5k to 9.9k
That's pretty massive, one of the biggest second issue drops we've seen in the last decade when there wasn't a situation like a $1 first issue or some other over-the-top promotion. That doesn't bode well for the future of this Gold Key revival that Dynamite is in the middle of. Both non-#1 issues this month are under 10k in just the third month, and each launch comes in lower than the previous one. By comparison, it took Valiant almost a 1 1/2 years before they had books below 10k, and two years before all their non-#1 books were below 10k (which also happened this month).

TALES OF HONOR (IMA)
-56% : 13.8k to 6.1k
I thought those first issue sales felt high for a book based on a science fiction series which has seen better days, adapted by a comic studio which has seen better days. Still pretty good sales for a Top Cow book in 2014.

ROGUE TROOPER (IDW)
-45% : 6.3k to 3.4k
Yeah, I don't think the interest in Americanized versions of 2000 A.D. concepts extends beyond JUDGE DREDD. Hell, it barely extends to DREDD, which only sells about 7k, not sure if anything better could be expected for this.

HULK (MAR)
-45% : 73.6k to 40.6k
That first issue was also in April. This pretty much turned the clock back about six months, selling what the previous series was back in October. That series ended at about 30k, so we'll see if this can settle in ahead of that.

RUSH CLOCKWORK ANGELS (BOO)
-44% : 11.6k to 6.5k
It seems that the second issue drops for the mid-tier publishers are starting to crawl upwards into the range that Marvel has been in for a while. That's one of many Marvel behaviours they'd be wise not to emulate, if you have a choice. Anyway, this is more in line with what you'd expect from a serialized adaptation of a 2-year-old album by a geriatric Canadian progressive rock band.

DAREDEVIL (MAR)
-44% : 76k to 42.8k
I'm ignoring the weird "#1.50" issue between the first and second. Anyway, this is pretty much following the same trend as HULK, with the numbers just slightly higher. It'll also have to settle down quickly to remain ahead of the 32k the previous series ended with.

SOVEREIGN (IMA)
-44% : 13.2k to 7.5k

AUTEUR (Oni)
-43% : 7.5k to 4.3k

SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN SEASON 6 (DE)
-43% : 11.5k to 6.5k
For comparison, it took the previous BIONIC MAN series up to #15 to fall down to this level of sales.

RETURNING (BOO)
-42% : 5.1k to 3k

IRON PATRIOT (MAR)
-42% : 31.8k to 18.5k

ALL NEW GHOST RIDER (MAR)
-41% : 50.1k to 29.4k

BLACKOUT (DAR)
-41% : 5.5k to 3.3k

SILVER SURFER (MAR)
-40% : 64.9k to 39.1k

MAGNETO (MAR)
-39% : 59.1k to 35.8k

MOON KNIGHT (MAR)
-37% : 65.3k to 40.9k
Note that both MAGNETO and MOON KNIGHT had some re-order activity making the charts for their first issues, so the comparison to just first month sales isn't as bad (35% and 30%), but still not great.

CAPTAIN MARVEL (MAR)
-37% : 44.2k to 28k
Almost exactly what #2 of the previous series sold in 2012, so if it follows that trend it's down below 20k by #8.

STRAY BULLETS THE KILLERS (IMA)
-36% : 14.2k to 9.1k

STARLIGHT (IMA)
-35% : 34.1k to 22.3k

VEIL (DAR)
-33% : 14.4k to 9.6k
Bit of a dip, but still the best-selling Dark Horse creator-owned book.

EVIL EMPIRE (BOO)
-28% : 9.3k to 6.7k

SECRET AVENGERS (MAR)
-27% : 34k to 24.7k
The progression of SECRET AVENGERS second issues:
SECRET AVENGERS 2010 #2 : 77933
SECRET AVENGERS 2013 #2 : 46419
SECRET AVENGERS 2014 #2 : 24724
The next time they launch it I think it'll be cancelled before it's even solicited...

GFT NEVERLAND AGE OF DARKNESS (ZEN)
-27% : 5.7k to 4.1k

STAR SLAMMERS REMASTERED (IDW)
-26% : 3.8k to 2.8k

AVENGERS UNDERCOVER (MAR)
-26% : 31.9k to 23.7k
Just because your movie made a billion dollars doesn't mean you can have a dozen books with "Avengers" in the title running at the same time.

ROCKY & BULLWINKLE (IDW)
-25% : 7k to 5.3k
"Hey Rocky, watch me pull a successful relaunch out of my hat!"
"Again? That trick never works!"

WITCHER (DAR)
-25% : 6.5k to 4.9k

BTVS SEASON 10 (DAR)
-22% : 27.9k to 21.8k
Still slightly ahead (about 7%) of the sales SEASON 9 finished at, but the drop for #3 should take care of that. Just two "seasons" ago (which is seven years, I guess these are Westeros seasons) the second issue sold almost 100k, and eventually over 130k in visible sales after re-orders came in.

BATMAN ETERNAL (DC)
-20% : 96.1k to 76.9k
The first of DC's new weekly books, which is a big part of their publishing plan over the next year. Not too serious a drop for these days, but note that DC makes the first few issues of their weekly books returnable to give retailers a better chance to gauge sales levels. That also means that Diamond reduces the sales somewhat to account for the returnability, the exact amount is unknown (but presumably #1 and #2 were reduced proportionally).

CROW PESTILENCE (IDW)
-20% : 5.1k to 4.1k

MONSTER & MADMAN (IDW)
-20% : 7.1k to 5.7k

GFT ROBYN HOOD LEGEND (ZEN)
-19% : 6.6k to 5.3k

AMERICAN VAMPIRE SECOND CYCLE (DC)
-18% : 19k to 15.5k
Still a bit up on the last issues of the first series before the hiatus, but not by much. Should be down below that level by #6. Everything with a smaller drop was a mini-series, so this is actually maintaining sales pretty well for an on-going series.

SHOTGUN WEDDING (IMA)
-16% : 5.2k to 4.3k

DEADPOOL VS CARNAGE (MAR)
-14% : 57.3k to 49.4k

FATHOM KIANI VOL 3 (ASP)
-14% : 4.3k to 3.7k
At this level there's just not that far to fall and remain on the charts.

WHAT IF AGE OF ULTRON (MAR)
-7% : 23.8k to 22.1k
A weekly mini-series of essentially interchangeable chapters, so a pretty tight spread in sales, with the lowest about 83% of the highest. Pretty normal for these weekly WHAT IF events Marvel has done a few times in the last decade.

Observations on April 2014 Comics Chart - The Rising

Only a handful of significant (greater than 3%) increases in April's Diamond Comics Chart.

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #31 (MAR) : +58% : +49885 units
Final issue of the series, and closely tied to the big launch of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN last month. The increase is even more impressive if you compare it to only first month sales of #30, which had significant re-orders. Then it would be +80%. Anyway, despite everything this series did seem to be a story that got some good traction among the pool of readers still buying comics in direct market outlets for actual story content reasons.

DEADPOOL #27 (MAR) : +41% : +17896 units
A lot of factors in this rise for a significantly higher priced $10 issue , including new stories from past creators, a lot of covers and more.

SUPERMAN #30 (DC) : +11% : +3683 units
ACTION COMICS #30 (DC) : +10% : +3578 units
SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #7 (DC) : +4% : +1849 units

The Superman family of books has a crossover featuring the villain Doomsday. The first time they did that had a lot more impact than increases of less than 4000 copies...

WARLORD OF MARS #100 (DE) : +58% : +3244 units

Adding a bunch of stuff together to artificially get to a landmark final issue before the upcoming reboot (while a #100 is gold, a #101 is poison apparently). Big percentage increase, which you get when sales are so low. There's a reason we're not seeing JOHN CARTER 2 opening in theatres this summer...

WALKING DEAD #125 (IMA) : +3% : +2102 units
TMNT ONGOING #33 (IDW) : +11% : +1696 units
BATMAN AND #30 WONDER WOMAN (DC) : +4% : +1537 units
STAR TREK ONGOING #32 (IDW) : +10% : +1020 units
Doesn't seem to be any particular reason for these small increases, other than WALKING DEAD is coming off some good numbers for the TV show season finale, there's a new TMNT movie coming out soon and Wonder Woman is probably more popular than Aquaman, the previous guest star in BATMAN AND...". Got nothing for TREK.

X-FILES SEASON 10 #11 (IDW) : +8% : +958 units
This starts a storyline that sees some callbacks to the TV show (Krycek, Lone Gunmen), so that might account for the modest increase in orders.

MAXX MAXXIMIZED #6 (IDW) : +16% : +738 units
This looks like a phantom increase, with #5 having had an especially large 22% drop, possibly due to some part of the print run shipping late, but not enough to make the charts this month. If you look at the sales of #4, it's more like a 5% drop per issue, which is more realistic. And all-in-all, not doing too bad for a serialized reprint of a book which was pretty readily available for a long time.

MANIFEST DESTINY #6 (IMA) : +5% : +699 units
This seems to be genuinely doing well, with increases for the last few issues and some re-orders making the charts for earlier issues recently, plus a $1 reprint of #1.  The first collection is out this month at $10, and #7 in June continues after that, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a big jump for that.

GODZILLA RULERS OF THE EARTH #11 (IDW) : +4% : +240 units

Pretty small increase, maybe just noise, or maybe indicative of the level of interest in the movie (although another company has the actual movie license).

Elsewhere: April 2014 Diamond overview

Diamond has their market overview numbers for April up now and Comichron has the usual quick analysis from John Jackson Miller, plus a recent article about "million sellers". Nothing much to add to the numbers released so far, more when the full charts come out next week.

Elsewhere: Mayo on Marvel Relaunches

Between the monthly Diamond charts, John Mayo looks at some of the recent Marvel relaunches and diminishing returns, with charts.

Elsewhere: Beat Marvel March Sales Analysis

The Beat has Jason Enright's analysis of the month-to-month sales trends for Marvel for the March 2014 Diamond comics chart.

Elsewhere: Beat DC Chart March 2014

David Carter has the DC Month-to-Month comparisons for March up at The Beat.