Sales Review: November 2016

I freely admit that I am a 'Wednesday Warrior', one of those people who is in the comic store every week, picking up my monthlies which have been pulled from the rack for me. I'm on a first name basis with the staff at the store who knows what comics I like and recommend things to me.

I also know I am a dinosaur.

I know that the death knell of comics has been ringing for decades. And I am not a doomsayer. But this months sales discussion over on ICv2 was a bit interesting for me. Actual comic sales were down significantly in comparison to last November - 12.7%!.

That said, trade sales were up 25% from the year prior. When folks like me complain about 'writing for the trade' and bemoan comics being canceled because monthly sales were low while people 'waited for the trade', this number should be shoved in our faces. Trades is where the money is clearly at.

Anyways, ICv2 does its usual job breaking things down for me. Here is the link to the list of the top 300 books from last month:

http://ift.tt/2hFnVBV

And now onto individual title sales review.

Supergirl #3 continued to Cyborg Superman storyline, bringing Kara and Eliza to Argo City. It is a very good issue, filled with action and bringing in some strong character moments.

The 'reanimated' Alura and the twisted, Monkey's Paw wish fulfillment Zor-El wants to give Kara are both chilling.

So how did it sell?

Supergirl #3 was the 75th best ordered title for the month, with just over 37K in sales.

I will remind people that the Supergirl Rebirth Special sold over 100K.
Supergirl #2 was ranked 58th and sold over 45K

My guess is the book will find a stable spot around 28-30K in sales.

But I can't help be a little alarmed with the sort of freefall the book is in.

Meanwhile, the Superman books continue to do quite well.

In my mind, Action Comics is the sort of workhorse of the two books, more enmeshed in the big DCU picture and playing out like a classic.

Meanwhile, Superman has been more of the free-wheeling, freeform, family-based romp. That doesn't mean it is outside the DCU. But it seems more insulated. And it has been a blast.

The Superman 10 and 11 sold strong, topping 65K and remaining in the top 25 books.
Action Comics also did well last month, selling just below 50K

If anyone came out of Rebirth as a dramatically improved product, it was Superman. And sales reflect that.

But I mentioned trades at the top of the post and Supergirl made an appearance there.

The DC Superhero Girls line has been a shining star in 2016 and Supergirl has been a big part of that line.

Last month their second trade, Hits and Myths came out and it was a ton of fun.

It ranked third in trade sales! Amazing!

And all ages book, aimed at girls sold better than Darth Vader. Amazing!

I'm still thankful for Rebirth. Love the DC books I am reading these days.

Posted in: Reviews