[Updated] DIAMOND's DECEMBER 2006 SALES CHARTS & MARKET SHARE REPORT

[MattBrady]

<a href=http://www.newsarama.com/marketreport/Dec06sales.html><img src=http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/Nov06/JLA_Cv4_var_solicit_t.jpg border=0 align=right></a> <b>Updated 1/23</b>: Newsarama’s partners at <i>Comics Buyer’s Guide</i> have provided us more detailed analysis of December 2006’s sale charts as well as <a href=http://www.newsarama.com/marketreport/dec06charts.html><b>estimates for the Top 300 comic books and Top 100 graphic novels sold to the direct market</b></a>, <i>and</i> the final 2006 Year-End tallies.

<p><p>According to the <a href="http://www.cbgxtra.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1843" target="blank">analysis</a> of John Jackson Miller, F+W Publications editorial director for interactive media and compiler of the world’s largest collection of comics circulation figures, the <i>CBG Standard Catalog of Comic Books</i>, the comic book Direct Marker completed its sixth consecutive year of sales increases in December, surpassing 2005's sales by $37 million overall, or 12%.

<p>Increases for the year came in all sales categories — with growth in both unit and dollar sales of Diamond's most popular comic books outpacing growth for its most popular trade paperbacks, reported Miller.

<p>"Top 300 comics unit sales were up 8% for the year with dollar sales up 14%, as compared with an increase of 6% for Diamond's Top 100 trade paperbacks," Miller said. Diamond's Top 300 comics and Top 100 trades together each month came to just over $300 million — up 12% and the highest that total has been since 1996 — and the "overall" category including all comics, trades, and magazines ended at $395.55 million...

Click <a href=http://www.newsarama.com/marketreport/Dec06sales.html>here</a> for the full story...

[The Guvnor]

The Civil War one-shots done well as expected, given that there was no proper Civil War. The tie-ins are really boosting things like Iron Man, I can't remember the last time it was in the top 25.

Wolverine: Origins still going strong, hanging in the top 20.

[KoozyK]

It's good to have JSofA as a top 10 book. For as long as that'll last...

[EmeraldGuy32]

wow, Fables was the no. 1 graphic novel last month. kudos. everyone should be reading it!

[khuxford]

Heh...Cowboys & Aliens couldn't even top the charts in December with them "giving away" copies to the largest retailers. :p

[TCJohnson]

Really happy to see Christos Gage's book in the top 10.

[Groovie Mann]

manhunter and checkmate in the top 100 makes me happy. manhunter because that issue did better then most issues of the series, and for checkmate, its a niche book and as long as it doesn't slip too low(like in the 115s i believe) i think DC will continue to put it out. still, i hope both books start doing a ltitle better.

[nafannataz]

For the rest of the Top 300, you can see them here

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0701/15/sales.htm

[Ian]

DC: always the underdog.

[nobleman]

#142 FIRESTORM THE NUCLEAR MAN #32 - $2.99 DC

HA-HA-HA-HA...that'll learn ya! Sorry for rubbing it in, but the introduction of this character has made me ill for almost three years now.

[Evil Twin]

I'm sorry to see Jonah Hex missing from the top 100. Jordi Bernet rocks.

I'm pleasantly surprised to see Spirit Archives #3 in retailer dollars for tpbs. That's a series that deserves all its accolades.

Also, forget who's #1. It's discouraging to see the market so dominated by two publishers.

[Tusko]

I was hoping some the Transformers stuff from IDW would make the top 100. Over saturation? I think its pretty good stuff.

[Morrison]

I have to admit, I'm a little surprised that Paul Dini's Detective Comics isn't higher. I wonder how it would be doing without the revolving door art teams....

[Kolimar]

#142 FIRESTORM THE NUCLEAR MAN #32 - $2.99 DC

HA-HA-HA-HA...that'll learn ya! Sorry for rubbing it in, but the introduction of this character has made me ill for almost three years now.

:rolleyes: Sigh... You're not sorry. If that's the best you can do, keep it to yourself, please. :rolleyes:

[matchesmalone]

Imagine how 52 would be doing with better than average-at-best (with 3 or 4 exceptions) and subpar-at-worst (e.g., Moll, Barrows) pencillers.

[TheLizard207]

JLA #4-5 one and two!!! congrats DC! Man I hope DC gets the trade out on the first arc soon.

I think JSAs $4 tag stopped it from debuting higher. Still great though.

Origins can't drop out of the top 20 fast enough.

[Darthphere]

#142 FIRESTORM THE NUCLEAR MAN #32 - $2.99 DC

HA-HA-HA-HA...that'll learn ya! Sorry for rubbing it in, but the introduction of this character has made me ill for almost three years now.


So it begins....

[Kolimar]

I'm sorry to see Jonah Hex missing from the top 100. Jordi Bernet rocks.

Agreed. <w>

[Ian]

#142 FIRESTORM THE NUCLEAR MAN #32 - $2.99 DC

HA-HA-HA-HA...that'll learn ya! Sorry for rubbing it in, but the introduction of this character has made me ill for almost three years now.

Firestorm will be cancelled as of #35.

Keep an eye out for DC Solicitations to be released later today.

[bebopeva88]

Not that sales really matter to me aside from assuring that a title sticks around, but man, DC must be kind of peeved about how in the world Marvel can frequently grab the market lead in a given month.

DC double shipped JLA, JSA debuted, four issues of 52 in the top 12, and it was the month for Justice to come out and they still fall in 2nd. What makes it worse is that it was a slow month for Marvel -- no CW mini proper, no Amazing Spidey, no Moon Knight, Punisher War Journal or Captain America.

Also, The Irredeemable Ant-Man at #123, and Criminal even lower than that?!? Grumble grumble...Criminal should be safe though because it's creator owned.

[Johnny Smith]

Does anybody find it strange that JSA Classified outsells JLA Classified? I know it's not by much, but still ...

[rouge2]

Does anybody find it strange that JSA Classified outsells JLA Classified? I know it's not by much, but still ...

On average it's a much better book (although the JLA crossover stunk and this Hawkman story isn't off to a great start, so maybe the future's not too bright)

[khuxford]

Does anybody find it strange that JSA Classified outsells JLA Classified? I know it's not by much, but still ...

It's newer and has kind of worked better as a showcase title (like a TEEN TITANS SPOTLIGHT from back in the day) instead of needing a full fledged JSA story each time out.

There are some writers that I really respect and enjoy the work of, but couldn't really stomach paying for the JLA stories they did in that title. There wasn't anything special about them. They honestly a little bit cut-and-paste, which is fine for a fill-in issue or two, but not 4-6 issue arcs.

[khuxford]

On average it's a much better book (although the JLA crossover stunk and this Hawkman story isn't off to a great start, so maybe the future's not too bright)

Let's not forget the UNANNOUNCED crossover. I don't recall seeing any solicitation copy that indicated at the beginning of the JLA Classified arc that it would basically continue into JSA Classified. That doesn't even get into how the writer, unfortunately, still seemed to be clinging to the weakest cliches of 80s comic book writing instead of aspiring to do something better/different.

[Disco Cookie]

Question: is the large gap between Marvel's unit share and dollar share a concern? DC is putting out less books but making almost the same as their output in dollar share. Marvel on the other hand has a bigger gap between the two.

On the same logic, Image is doing rather well...

Course numbers aren't my strong point...

[jmcl89]

Does anybody find it strange that JSA Classified outsells JLA Classified? I know it's not by much, but still ...

They are rather different books. The JSA one is in continuity, and spotlights a single character (since most of the JSA don't have their own books). I'd guess there is more demand for that than for out-of-continuity JLA adventures.

[Scorned1]

I was hoping some the Transformers stuff from IDW would make the top 100. Over saturation? I think its pretty good stuff.

Transformers with Angel and 24 didn't crack the top 100. WOW, that is really bad for IDW.

[SpyGuy]

Does anybody find it strange that JSA Classified outsells JLA Classified? I know it's not by much, but still ...

I certainly don't. The recent stories with Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite were great and I dropped JLA CLASSIFIED with #25. Hopefully, JSA CLASSIFIED stays around a long time...

[FireLight]

For the year - as a whole - how much revenue/market share does the one title = 52 = have?

[RedRonin]

Well DC dominated the top 10, which is pretty impressive. I think some of Marvel's titles might be hurting from the delays.

[kitamu re]

I can't remember the last time it was in the top 25.

I actually bought that issue. Nice to the see the panther creep towards the top 30:D

[Drcharles]

Very surprised to see JLA & JSA in the postions that they are, but the biggest surprised was The Spirit # 1, I thought that would have done a lot better.

[Michael Bunge]

Question: is the large gap between Marvel's unit share and dollar share a concern? DC is putting out less books but making almost the same as their output in dollar share. Marvel on the other hand has a bigger gap between the two.



I'm not sure, but I think the difference could be accounted for in Marvel's changed stance on low-selling books. Not that many years ago, you'd look at the numbers and see Marvel books selling, in general, at a higher level than DC books but DC "balancing" things out by keeping around a lot of books that sold below where Marvel would keep publishing them. Now, Marvel seems much more willing to keep some low-selling titles around, while their general sales advantage over DC seems to have shrunk.

Mike

[jmcl89]

Very surprised to see JLA & JSA in the postions that they are, but the biggest surprised was The Spirit # 1, I thought that would have done a lot better.

It looks like it sold about the same as the Spirit/Batman special, which I would take as an encouraging sign.

[Drcharles]

What the Hell.....:eek:

Uncle Sam & FF at # 101
CatWoman at # 107
AquaMan at # 117
Jonah Hex at # 127,

My God I hope the last 3 don't get knocked on the head, such low damned numbers, what a shame thatv so many people are missing out on great reads....

[paulski]

JLA in the #1 & 2 spots? JSA in the Top 10? Quality DC books in 8 of the Top 12 spots?

Someone wake me because I must me having a great dream. :)

[jmcl89]

What the Hell.....:eek:

Uncle Sam & FF at # 101
CatWoman at # 107
AquaMan at # 117
Jonah Hex at # 127,

My God I hope the last 3 don't get knocked on the head, such low damned numbers, what a shame thatv so many people are missing out on great reads....

Catwoman's sales are low, but consistent, so I wouldn't worry about that one. And I think DC will indulge Jonah Hex for a while despite low numbers. I would think things are looking discouraging for Aquaman, though.

[cleazer]

Question: is the large gap between Marvel's unit share and dollar share a concern? DC is putting out less books but making almost the same as their output in dollar share. Marvel on the other hand has a bigger gap between the two.

On the same logic, Image is doing rather well...

Course numbers aren't my strong point...I don't think you quite understand what those numbers mean. Unit share is the total number of actual items that a publisher moved in a month. Dollar share is the retail value of all those items added up together. When you see DC close the gap on Marvel a little in the Dollar Share rankings, that means DC sold a few more expensive items that Marvel did last month.

If you look back at the history of these charts over the past few years, I think you'll see that DC is always a little closer in dollar share to Marvel each month than they are in unit share. That just means that DC is selling more expensive statues and action figures and a few more tpb's than Marvel does. Marvel, on the other hand, sells more comics and less of the "higher-end" stuff compared to DC, so their advantage in unit share usually looks better than their advantage in dollar share.

Hope that clears things up for you. Let me know if it doesn't.

[RolandGunner]

What the Hell.....:eek:

Uncle Sam & FF at # 101
CatWoman at # 107
AquaMan at # 117
Jonah Hex at # 127,

My God I hope the last 3 don't get knocked on the head, such low damned numbers, what a shame thatv so many people are missing out on great reads....

To be fair, last month they were 105, 124, 129, and 144 respectively. Fewer books shipped in December so I doubt the above made up much ground but except for Uncle Sam they didn't lose any either. Also remember that the industry as whole has grown the last few years. Books outside the top 100 can still sell 20K unit plus. Include decent trade sales and they're still making okay money for DC.

[IronWolf]

that Jl of A is so good oh man that a good comic.

[Grobbel]

121 26.93 OCT062181 EXILES #89 $2.99 MAR

I suppose a large part of the orders had been delayed until after 31/12? I can't imagine this title suddenly losing 13,000 readers between #88 an #89, in any case - especially not with the Annual selling at normal levels.

[Disco Cookie]

I don't think you quite understand what those numbers mean. Unit share is the total number of actual items that a publisher moved in a month. Dollar share is the retail value of all those items added up together. When you see DC close the gap on Marvel a little in the Dollar Share rankings, that means DC sold a few more expensive items that Marvel did last month.

If you look back at the history of these charts over the past few years, I think you'll see that DC is always a little closer in dollar share to Marvel each month than they are in unit share. That just means that DC is selling more expensive statues and action figures and a few more tpb's than Marvel does. Marvel, on the other hand, sells more comics and less of the "higher-end" stuff compared to DC, so their advantage in unit share usually looks better than their advantage in dollar share.

Hope that clears things up for you. Let me know if it doesn't.

Thanks for that, it explains things really well.

This chart is for "Actual Sales for Comics, Magazines, & GNs Invoiced in December 2006". Does this include action figures and statues? I guess if it doesn't then DC really is selling a lot more trades (which is clear from the charts anyway...).

[Darthphere]

Firestorm will be cancelled as of #35.

Keep an eye out for DC Solicitations to be released later today.


He was right:

FIRESTORM #35
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Pop Mhan & Rob Stull
Cover by Pete Woods
The end is here as Firestorm faces the fury of a superpowered Kalibak and a horde of Parademons! After this battle, you’ll see a Firestorm that’s never been seen before!
On sale April 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • Final Issue

[EMeadow]

Transformers with Angel and 24 didn't crack the top 100. WOW, that is really bad for IDW.

IDW probably does better overall in the trade market for the licensed stuff. More of a demand for complete stories.

The Star Trek fans will no doubt give them a good trade boost when the stuff starts showing up in the bookstore market.

[Michael P]

The Spirit at 58? Crap, that's not good.

[ME5]

Hello.

Fantastic to see JSoA in the top 10, where it has belonged for quite a few years. I just hope that it can sustain some of the sales it received from the incentive variant cover. The book deserves to be a top 5 seller every month, so I hope the variant cover was able to attract some people who will actually read the comic and realize how good it is.

I am rather surprised that DC was not able to take the dollar share away from Marvel considering Civil War, Amazing Spiderman and Punisher War Journal did not ship while 2 JLoA, JSoA #1, Justice, 4 issues of 52, and most of DC's other top sellers were shipped. What the heck does DC have to do to overtake Marvel? Yeesh!

Oh, and to the person who commented about Dillon's art on Wolverine: Origins: I agree. I usually enjoy Dillon's art, but it is not a good fit for Wolverine. The pages are very static, and the lines seem too straight. I don't really like the perspective Dillon uses for many of his panels in this particular series, so far. I am enjoying the series, more or less, but would appreciate a different artist. I would love to see Coipel (please don't throw eggs at me OM!) get a shot at this book, to be honest.

Be Well...:)

[Michael P]

I suppose a large part of the orders had been delayed until after 31/12? I can't imagine this title suddenly losing 13,000 readers between #88 an #89, in any case - especially not with the Annual selling at normal levels.
The issue was solicited as an out-of-continuity dream sequence, and a new writer is coming on with the next. A number of readers who were planning on jumping ship with the change probably figured this issue wasn't worth it.

[Stephen Day]

I echo those sad to see Firestrom go. I can't say its a shock, but tis still sad to see the axe finally fall.

On the bright side I can replace it with Doctor Fate which looks good. :)

[beta-ray]

manhunter and checkmate in the top 100 makes me happy. manhunter because that issue did better then most issues of the series, and for checkmate, its a niche book and as long as it doesn't slip too low(like in the 115s i believe) i think DC will continue to put it out. still, i hope both books start doing a ltitle better.

Isn't Manhunter having its last issue in April?

[Grobbel]

The issue was solicited as an out-of-continuity dream sequence, and a new writer is coming on with the next. A number of readers who were planning on jumping ship with the change probably figured this issue wasn't worth it.

I'm not surprised by the fact that there is a drop, but this is 40% of the entire readership suddenly vanishing. For a title that has been stable in the 32,000-34,000 for something like 3 years now (one of the most stable titles Marvel has, in fact), I still reckon this has to do with order delays - it happened before earlier this year with a number of other titles (Conan, Spawn) as well, in any case, only to have them show up on the charts a month later with the sales it had allegedly lost in the month before.

[The Holy Cow]

Thanks for that, it explains things really well.

This chart is for "Actual Sales for Comics, Magazines, & GNs Invoiced in December 2006". Does this include action figures and statues? I guess if it doesn't then DC really is selling a lot more trades (which is clear from the charts anyway...).

No, the chart does not include action figures and statues, cleazer made a mistake in his explanations.

[Ace]

I think the delays really hurt Aquaman.

Now, why DC isn't going out of their way, and outside the industry to advertise that Tad Williams, who has a built in audience of thousands, the sort that would read just about anything he wrote, I bet, is taking over Aquaman is beyond me.

[MattBrady]

updated with sales estimates and year-end analysis

[MShivers]

While I am thrilled to see the comics industry as a whole doing so well (it is actually somewhat validating to ol' school comic geeks such as myself :) )... I truly hope that these kinds of numbers can be maintained without the "Big Two" feeling a need to maintain huge "events" every year...

- Michael

[Midas]

I gotta say that these sales charts mostly just bum me out to see so many really great books do poorly while some real garbage is at the top of the list. Ah well. There's no accounting for taste, as they say...

[RockLeefan]

although they are selling more units and making as much as comics were back in 98, surely the average comic was a lot cheaper 9 years ago. All I'm trying to say is that the industry still has a ways to go yet. It's great it's heading in the right direction though!
Slightly off topic but does anyone know if someone has done a comparison of title sales over the last 6 months? I used to enjoy those but never see them around anymore.

[longshot7]

Wasn't there supposed to be a list of the best-sellers of the year? Did I miss it?

[IronWolf]

Justice League Of America is selling great! whoa.

[AngryAmerican66]

He was right:

FIRESTORM #35
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Pop Mhan & Rob Stull
Cover by Pete Woods
The end is here as Firestorm faces the fury of a superpowered Kalibak and a horde of Parademons! After this battle, you’ll see a Firestorm that’s never been seen before!
On sale April 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • Final Issue

Oh happy days! The end of Fauxstorm!
:D

[Jeremy Williams]

Great sales for Justice League of America. As I did, many flocked to the title hoping for a return to greatness. DC should make sure the fans don't leave in drove because Meltzer's untraditional writing. But the first thing they should do is hire a better artist. I think Rags Morales would be more suited to the title. Because in the end, your top book should have your top creators.

[Deadshot77]

At least we know 15,000 is the death sentence for DC as far as Firestorm goes.
It's a shame as I like Dwayne McDuffie & am looking forward to seeing the Female Furies & other new gods in the last arc.

I would have bought the title, but too big of a Ron fan. I always thought they should have had Jason & Ron share the matrix. Professor is cool & has the science knowledge, but if you really wanted to enact change, DC, you should have graduated Ron into the Professor role with the occasionally Ron in control appearance & I would have given it a chance.
Both sides could have been happy. I guess they didn't like the Ebony/Ivory equation. lol.
Ah, well. Firestorm would still be cool to see in JLofA, so hopefully they give him a chance there when Meltzer leaves.

[zeraze1]

I would have bought the title, but too big of a Ron fan. I always thought they should have had Jason & Ron share the matrix. Professor is cool & has the science knowledge, but if you really wanted to enact change, DC, you should have graduated Ron into the Professor role with the occasionally Ron in control appearance & I would have given it a chance.
Both sides could have been happy. I guess they didn't like the Ebony/Ivory equation.

They already explored the "Ebony/Ivory concept" with the Jason/Firehawk and Jason/Stein mergers.

zeraze

[zeraze1]

Transformers with Angel and 24 didn't crack the top 100. WOW, that is really bad for IDW.

Don't weep too much. Expect everything Transformers related, especially the TPBs, to skyrocket in sales when the movie drops.

zeraze

[zeraze1]

I actually bought that issue. Nice to the see the panther creep towards the top 30:D

So, Black superheroes do sell...especially when the publisher bothers to really push them via crossovers, print ads, hot artists, etc.

DC should take notes since Firestorm and other critically acclaimed cancelled titles would still be on the racks if they did the same. Which in turn would enable the company to finally overtake Marvel.

zeraze

[Deadshot77]

They already explored the "Ebony/Ivory concept" with the Jason/Firehawk and Jason/Stein mergers.

zeraze

Has Stein or Lorainne ever have full control of the matrix, tho? I mean what would have an Older or Female Firestorm merger look like? It was cool when they each had their distinct look when one called upon the other. That's what I meant. Equal control of the main character. Stein & Firehawk were Jason's seconds to me, not his equal.