Mayo Report for 2006-08

Mayo Report: 2006-08 Comics
podcast episode

Mayo Report: 2006-08 Trades
podcast episode

We talked for about the August 2006 comic book sales for 45 minutes or so this minute around.

Starting this month it was decided that I'd also be discussing the trade paperback sales with Chris Marshall of the Collected Comics Library.

While I wasn't part of the discussions or the decision to do a second Mayo Report podcast segment each month, I'd had spoken briefly with Chris at Comic-Con International: San Diego about doing something with him on the trade paperback and hardcover sales estimates. Chris is a great guy and I'm a big fan of his podcast. I'm looking forward to taking advantage his vast knowledge of the trade paperback marketplace to improve my sales analysis in that area.

Below are the rough notes I put together in preparation for the podcast. I've added linked to the charts for the titles mentioned. I use these notes as a guide for the podcast be we never cover all of the titles I have in the notes and we frequently discuss many other things that I don't have in my notes.

Click here to read the questions I got over the past month and my attempts to answer them.

Click here to see how I think One Year Later is doing for DC.


    Top Comics List     Top Comics Breakdown     Top Trades List     Top Trades Breakdown


2006-08 IndexPointValue:

  • CBG = ~958.00
    • Down about ~177.51 from 2006-07 (~1,135.51)
  • ICv2 = ~959.82
    • Down about ~-175.85 from 2006-07 (~1,135.67)


General Comments

  • Marvel seems to have still come out as the marketshare winner even with the delays on Civil War.
  • DC titles are still dropping a bit and finding their levels post One Year Later.

MARKET SHARES

  • Marvel
    • Comic book units: 44.47% (3,285,000)
    • Comic book dollars: 45.12% ($10,350,750.00)
  • DC
    • Comic book units: 42.41% (3,132,900)
    • Comic book dollars: 40.98% ($9,400,969.00)
  • Image
    • Comic book units: 3.55% (262,800)
    • Comic book dollars: 3.43% ($788,652.00)
  • IDW
    • Comic book units: 2.09% (154,600)
    • Comic book dollars: 2.40% ($550,954.00)
  • Dynamic
    • Comic book units: 1.58% (117,300)
    • Comic book dollars: 1.61% ($370,974.00)


COMICS

  • Top 300 Comics (~7,386,700)
    • Down about ~500 (0.00%) from 2006-07 (~7,387,200)

  • 13 titles had more than one new issue released this month
    • 52 (5 issues released)
    • Boys (2 issues released)
    • Emissary (2 issues released)
    • G.I. Joe Declassified (2 issues released)
    • Gold Digger (2 issues released)
    • JSA Classified (2 issues released)
    • Knights of the Dinner Table (2 issues released)
    • She-Hulk 2 (2 issues released)
    • Tales of the TMNT (2 issues released)
    • Ultimate Fantastic Four (2 issues released)
    • Ultimate Spider-Man (2 issues released)
    • Usagi Yojimbo (2 issues released)
    • Wormwood Gentleman Corpse (2 issues released)


MARVEL

New Items: 64, Reorder Items: 22, Total Items: 86

Minimum Cover Price: $2.99, Average Cover Price: $3.21, Maximum Cover Price: $4.99

  • Rank #33: Ms Marvel #6 (~68,200)
    • Up about ~29,300 (75.32%) from #5 (~38,900)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 4    Same: 0    More: 1
    • Big bump in sales due to Civil War
    • This was the biggest percentage gain in August

  • Rank #40: Thunderbolts #105 (~61,400)
    • Up about ~7,300 (13.49%) from #104 (~54,100)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 85    Same: 0    More: 1
    • Thunderbolts continues to benefit from Civil War

  • Rank #41: Annihilation #1 (~60,900)
    • WatchList: Event: Annihilation

  • Rank #85: Black Panther #19 (~28,300)
    • Down about ~41,600 (-59.51%) from #18 (~69,900)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 46    Same: 0    More: 20
    • Sales are back to normal after the wedding issue

  • Rank #117: Marvel Team-Up #23 (~17,700)
    • WatchList: Robert Kirkman
    • Down about ~200 (-1.12%) from #22 (~17,900)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 0    Same: 0    More: 22

  • Rank #140: Civil War #2 (~12,900)
    • Reorder activity
    • Still strong reorder activity for Civil War

  • Rank #141: Civil War #3 (~12,900)
    • Reorder activity
    • Still strong reorder activity for Civil War

  • Rank #208: Civil War #1 (~5,300)
    • Reorder activity
    • Still more reorders for Civil War #1


DC

New Items: 80, Reorder Items: 6, Total Items: 86

Minimum Cover Price: $2.25, Average Cover Price: $3.02, Maximum Cover Price: $5.99

  • Rank #1: Justice League of America #1 (~212,200)
    • Top selling title for DC
    • Up about ~45,000 (26.91%) from #0 (~167,200)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 1    Same: 0    More: 0
    • Brad Meltzer's Justice League makes a strong showing. He seems to have a great grasp on the characters and clearly knows how to write. DC should have a hit with this series as long as Meltzer is on it.
    • There were multiple covers on this and I suspect that a decent percentage of the sales were due to that. As such, I expect a big drop with the second issue and then for the series to start to level out quickly after that.

  • Rank #5: 52 #13 (~119,300)
    • WatchList: Event: 52
    • Up about ~16,900 (16.50%) from #12 (~102,400)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 11    Same: 0    More: 5
    • 52 got a big bump with this issue. This is the first issue that wasn't part of the returnable incentive program that DC set up for the title.
    • It is interesting that the title went up at this point. Presumably this is because of how the initial issues sold to readers.

  • Rank #6: 52 #15 (~119,200)
    • WatchList: Event: 52
    • Up about ~1,200 (1.02%) from #14 (~118,000)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 10    Same: 0    More: 6

  • Rank #7: 52 #14 (~118,000)
    • WatchList: Event: 52
    • Down about ~1,300 (-1.09%) from #13 (~119,300)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 9    Same: 0    More: 7

  • Rank #8: 52 #16 (~117,200)
    • WatchList: Event: 52
    • Down about ~2,000 (-1.68%) from #15 (~119,200)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 8    Same: 0    More: 8

  • Rank #9: 52 #17 (~116,400)
    • WatchList: Event: 52
    • Down about ~800 (-0.68%) from #16 (~117,200)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 7    Same: 0    More: 9
    • 52 continues to slowly lose readers each week but at a fairly small rate.
    • I have to wonder if releasing trades might have helped new readers get into this series after it started.

  • Rank #15: Batman #656 (~95,800)
    • Down about ~26,600 (-21.73%) from #655 (~122,400)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 105    Same: 0    More: 16
    • This is essentially a standard second issue drop with the second issue for this creative team.

  • Rank #19: Wonder Woman #2 (~84,500)
    • Down about ~53,300 (-38.68%) from #1 (~137,800)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 114    Same: 0    More: 2
    • Big second issue drop. The delays between issues isn't going to help this title.
    • This was the biggest drop in units in August.

  • Rank #32: Teen Titans #38 (~69,100)
    • Down about ~2,200 (-3.09%) from #37 (~71,300)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 8    Same: 1    More: 31
    • This issue was seven weeks late.

  • Rank #51: Ion #5 (~45,700)
    • WatchList: Event: Infinite Crisis Aftermath
    • Down about ~4,300 (-8.60%) from #4 (~50,000)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 0    Same: 0    More: 4

  • Rank #71: Shadowpact #4 (~33,300)
    • WatchList: Event: Infinite Crisis Aftermath
    • Down about ~3,000 (-8.26%) from #3 (~36,300)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 0    Same: 0    More: 3

  • Rank #79: Checkmate #5 (~31,200)
    • WatchList: Event: Infinite Crisis Aftermath
    • Down about ~3,500 (-10.09%) from #4 (~34,700)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 0    Same: 0    More: 4

  • Rank #98: Jack of Fables #2 (~23,500)
    • Down about ~3,600 (-13.28%) from #1 (~27,100)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 0    Same: 0    More: 1
    • Fairly minor second issue drop on this title.

  • Rank #128: Manhunter #25 (~15,100)
    • WatchList: Cancelled, Extended
    • Up about ~500 (3.42%) from #24 (~14,600)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 14    Same: 0    More: 10
    • Manhunter was the biggest inrease in sales for a DC title other than 52.

  • Rank #136: Warlord #7 (~13,500)
    • Down about ~1,300 (-8.78%) from #6 (~14,800)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 0    Same: 0    More: 6
    • Still dropping and has been cancelled.

  • Rank #234: 52 #12 (~3,700)
    • Reorder activity
    • WatchList: Event: 52

  • Rank #296: Flash Fastest Man Alive #1 (~2,000)
    • Reorder activity
    • Flash Fastest Man Alive #1 is still having reorder activity. This is a good sign for the series.


IMAGE

New Items: 32, Reorder Items: 1, Total Items: 33

Minimum Cover Price: $1.99, Average Cover Price: $3.23, Maximum Cover Price: $5.99

  • Rank #89: Spawn #159 (~26,200)
    • Down about ~600 (-2.24%) from #158 (~26,800)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 20    Same: 0    More: 105
    • Spawn is the second highest selling Image title this month.
      • Only Darkness/Wolverine outsold it

  • Rank #103: Walking Dead #30 (~20,500)
    • WatchList: Robert Kirkman
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 29    Same: 0    More: 0
    • Walking Dead didn't outsell Spawn #159 this month.
    • More importantly, once you factor in the "reorders" for Spawn #158, it didn't' outsell it last month either.
    • Still, Walking Dead seems to be doing a slow march up the charts while Spawn is currently selling a fraction of the 100K+ units that it used to sell.

  • Rank #135: Invincible #34 (~13,600)
    • WatchList: Robert Kirkman
    • Up about ~700 (5.43%) from #33 (~12,900)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 33    Same: 0    More: 0

  • Rank #271: Retro Rocket #3 (~2,400)
    • Down about ~1,600 (-40.00%) from #1 (~4,000)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 0    Same: 0    More: 1
    • There was too long of a delay between issues. Just before this issue came out I was starting to wonder what was going on with it.


IDW

New Items: 18, Reorder Items: 0, Total Items: 18

Minimum Cover Price: $2.49, Average Cover Price: $3.85, Maximum Cover Price: $5.99

  • Rank #176: CSI Dying in the Gutters #1 (~8,200)
    • This sold better than the CSI titles have been for a while.
    • I wonder which was the bigger draw: the comic industry guest stars or Rich Johnson getting killed.

  • Rank #282: Angel Scriptbook #6 (~2,200)
    • Down about ~100 (-4.35%) from #5 (~2,300)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 0    Same: 0    More: 5
    • Sales have started to level off but possibly not at a high enough level for the series to continue.


OTHER PUBLISHERS

  • Rank #142: Escapists #2 (~12,800)
    • Down about ~8,900 (-41.01%) from #1 (~21,700)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 0    Same: 0    More: 1
    • Escapists continues to do better than the Adventures of the Escapist series.
    • This is a much better approach to the material than the previous anthology series.

  • Rank #145: Mouse Guard #4 (~12,400)
    • WatchList: CGS Indie Challenge: ???
    • Up about ~4,100 (49.40%) from #3 (~8,300)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 3    Same: 0    More: 0
    • Mouse Guard continues to gain more readers. This series is a great read and seems to have clearly found an audience.
    • If you like things like Indiana Jones, you really should check out this title.

  • Rank #163: Shrugged #2 (~9,600)
    • Down about ~3,300 (-25.58%) from #1 (~12,900)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 0    Same: 0    More: 2
    • This title had the standard second issue drop. It will be interesting to see if this offbeat concept finds an audience or not.

  • Rank #193: Rex Mundi #1 Dh Ed (~6,200)
    • WatchList: CGS Indie Challenge: June 2006
    • Up about ~2,300 (58.97%) from #18 (~3,900)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 11    Same: 0    More: 8

  • Rank #203: Devi #2 (~5,500)
    • Down about ~2,900 (-34.52%) from #1 (~8,400)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 0    Same: 0    More: 1
    • Devi #2 almost makes it into the top 200 but not quite.

  • Rank #211: Oz Wonderland Chronicles #1 (~5,000)
    • Up about ~2,100 (72.41%) from #0 (~2,900)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 1    Same: 0    More: 0
    • Oz/Wonderland Chronicles launches with good sales.

  • Rank #230: Sadhu #2 (~3,700)
    • Down about ~200 (-5.13%) from #1 (~3,900)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 0    Same: 0    More: 1
    • Very minor second issue drop.

  • Rank #240: Zoom Suit #4 (~3,500)
    • Down about ~1,100 (-23.91%) from #3 (~4,600)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 0    Same: 0    More: 3
    • Another dropp for Zoom Suit. This series started really strong and then tanked.

  • Rank #254: X Isle #2 (~2,800)
    • WatchList: CGS Indie Challenge: March 2006
    • Down about ~2,500 (-47.17%) from #1 (~5,300)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 0    Same: 0    More: 1
    • This is a huge drop in sales which is surprising for a mini-series. It is possible that many readers of the first issue have decided to wait for the trade.

  • Rank #266: Devi #1 (~2,500)
    • Reorder activity
    • Good reorder numbers for Devi #1. It is possible that retailers underestimated the demand for the Virgin Comics titles.

  • Rank #273: Leading Man #2 (~2,300)
    • WatchList: CGS Indie Challenge: April 2006
    • Up about ~100 (4.55%) from #1 (~2,200)
    • Number of new issues (since 1996-09) that sold:
    • Less: 1    Same: 0    More: 0
    • Leading man went up with the second issue. A second issue bump doesn't usually happen.

  • Rank #291: Athena Voltaire Flight of the Falcon #1 (~2,100)
    • Down about ~600 (-22.22%) from #1 (~2,700)
    • Athena Voltaire came in lower than I expected. This is a great action/adventure series.
    • The first issue from Speakeasy sold around 2,700 units when it was released in 2006-02.


TRADES

  • Rank #1: Marvel Zombies HC (~11,000, Total Sales: ~11,000)
    • Top selling trade for IDW
    • Very good sales for the Marvel Zombies HC

  • Rank #3: Identity Crisis (~7,700, Total Sales: ~7,700)
    • Strong showing for Identity Crisis this month

  • Rank #8: Absolute Kingdom Come Ed HC (~5,500, Total Sales: ~5,500)
    • Impressive sales for a $75 Absolute of material that has been released in hardback

  • Rank #10: Halo Graphic Novel HC (~5,200, Total Sales: ~15,700)
    • Strong reorder activity for the Halo GN

  • Rank #21: Star Trek Manga (~3,300, Total Sales: ~3,300)
    • Not very impressive sales for this…

  • Rank #61: Watchmen (~2,000, Total Sales: ~29,200)
    • WatchList: CGS Book of the Month: March 2006

  • Rank #67: Walking Dead Vol. 1 Days Gone Bye (~1,700, Total Sales: ~44,500)
    • WatchList: Robert Kirkman, CGS Book of the Month: August 2005
    • This is the only Walking Dead trade on the list this month…

  • Rank #99: Wanted (~1,300, Total Sales: ~1,300)
    • WatchList: CGS Book of the Month: February 2006


Order index data provided courtesy of Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. and used with permission.

For additional comic book sales information, check out The Comic Chronicles.

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