"Amazing Spider-Man" Flies High, Batman Family Stays Strong in April 2014 Sales

[CBR News]

"Amazing Spider-Man" debuted to record numbers while Batman locked in half the top ten slots and Image dominates graphic novel sales in April 2014.


Full article here.

[Objectively Biased]

So.....

that Ultimate relaunch really didn't pan out.

[MarvelMaster616]

I'm surprised the numbers for Amazing Spider-Man #1 weren't higher. Given all the variants and all the hype, I thought it would have easily topped 600k. Guess it's not going to be the Obama issue.

[TheMerc]

Other than the fact that Hulk 1 was that successful (especially when you consider that it wasn't all that well recieved by fans and critics alike, I believe), there are very little surprises in the Top 10. Batman Eternal has been selling less with each issue, though. That is, obviously, to be expected, but I wonder if, by the end of this experiment, the financial demands of the weekly schedule won't outweigh reader's devotion even for as popular a character as Batman.

I have to say, it's disappointing to see so many excellent titles (Green Arrow, Mighty Avengers, Black Widow, Loki Agent of Asgard, among others) sell so few copies. I can see why that's the case with Superior Foes (despite being consistently excellent when Spencer & Lieber are on board, it's admittedly a very niche title), but when we're talking about very popular characters, especially ones featured on movies & TV shows, it's baffling that the titles' obvious and unanimous quality isn't enough to draw more people in.

Though most of all, I'm disappointed by how low the sales for Winter Soldier: The Bitter March are. Buck had a huge box office hit come out last month and presumably The Bitter March was originally intended both as a satellite for Remender's Captain America series as well as a feeler for just how interested comic readers are in another Winter Soldier series. The fact that it's moving so few copies probably doesn't bode well for Bucky's chances. Which is a shame, because the story is a delightful callback to the classic Connery Bond movies; however, the fact that Winter Soldier moments are so scarce in his own titular mini-series probably drove away people. Maybe the ol' Jason Vorhees approach to Bucky wasn't the best decision so close to the movie's release (although, admittedly, Remender's Cap isn't that big a seller either, so maybe I'm overestimating the importance of the movie's influence in comic sales).

[Mister Ferro]

Other than the fact that Hulk 1 was that successful (especially when you consider that it wasn't all that well recieved by fans and critics alike, I believe), there are very little surprises in the Top 10. Batman Eternal has been selling less with each issue, though. That is, obviously, to be expected, but I wonder if, by the end of this experiment, the financial demands of the weekly schedule won't outweigh reader's devotion even for as popular a character as Batman.

Hulk #1 is not successful, at all. It did 73,551 units which is 45,425 units less than what Indestructible Hulk 1 did. #2 lost 32,961 units with 40,590 shipped. That puts #2 only 10,500 units away from the final issue 20 that shipped in March for Indestructible Hulk.

[Doctor Deadpool]

So.....

that Ultimate relaunch really didn't pan out.

Oh, it panned, alright.

Anywho, I was actually surprised that Deadpool got a bump as big as it did with an issue that was $10.

[Hrist]

I have to say, it's disappointing to see so many excellent titles (Green Arrow, Mighty Avengers, Black Widow, Loki Agent of Asgard, among others) sell so few copies. I can see why that's the case with Superior Foes (despite being consistently excellent when Spencer & Lieber are on board, it's admittedly a very niche title), but when we're talking about very popular characters, especially ones featured on movies & TV shows, it's baffling that the titles' obvious and unanimous quality isn't enough to draw more people in.

These are all niche titles, though, starring characters that have never been huge sellers, despite stuff like Loki's movie popularity. But BW, Loki, and She-Hulk have been pretty small drops despite not being blockbusters— which indicates they might be finding a loyal audience even if it's not a huge one. X-Factor is one of the models of this kind of success, with low but consistent sales, and it's still finding a level after a Marvel Now relaunch. I am a bit worried about Mighty Avengers, that's still dropping.

Though most of all, I'm disappointed by how low the sales for Winter Soldier: The Bitter March are. Buck had a huge box office hit come out last month and presumably The Bitter March was originally intended both as a satellite for Remender's Captain America series as well as a feeler for just how interested comic readers are in another Winter Soldier series. The fact that it's moving so few copies probably doesn't bode well for Bucky's chances. Which is a shame, because the story is a delightful callback to the classic Connery Bond movies; however, the fact that Winter Soldier moments are so scarce in his own titular mini-series probably drove away people. Maybe the ol' Jason Vorhees approach to Bucky wasn't the best decision so close to the movie's release (although, admittedly, Remender's Cap isn't that big a seller either, so maybe I'm overestimating the importance of the movie's influence in comic sales).

The Bitter March is an odd duck. Marvel has trended away from miniseries lately because they do not sell (& Doop, Iron Patriot seem to reflect this) but you can see why a Winter Soldier flashback mini might work right now, with the movie out. A flashback story from his brainwashed days is something that works well in a limited format and makes sense with his role in the film. But it's being marketed more as a tie-in to Remender's Captain America than a Winter Soldier mini, and like you say, he doesn't appear that much in favor of this Iron Nail thing. I don't think this confused approach helped retailers, but also note that the main CA only got a very small boost in April from the movie.

[RobinFan4880]

I feel like OGN may be the future for non-event mini-series.

[yet another]

Hulk #1 is not successful, at all. It did 73,551 units which is 45,425 units less than what Indestructible Hulk 1 did. #2 lost 32,961 units with 40,590 shipped. That puts #2 only 10,500 units away from the final issue 20 that shipped in March for Indestructible Hulk.

Still, pretty good ROI for a few variant covers (four on #1 according to the CBR preview) and a renumbering without changing anything else.

[dupont2005]

Other than the fact that Hulk 1 was that successful (especially when you consider that it wasn't all that well recieved by fans and critics alike, I believe), there are very little surprises in the Top 10. Batman Eternal has been selling less with each issue, though. That is, obviously, to be expected, but I wonder if, by the end of this experiment, the financial demands of the weekly schedule won't outweigh reader's devotion even for as popular a character as Batman.

I have to say, it's disappointing to see so many excellent titles (Green Arrow, Mighty Avengers, Black Widow, Loki Agent of Asgard, among others) sell so few copies. I can see why that's the case with Superior Foes (despite being consistently excellent when Spencer & Lieber are on board, it's admittedly a very niche title), but when we're talking about very popular characters, especially ones featured on movies & TV shows, it's baffling that the titles' obvious and unanimous quality isn't enough to draw more people in.

Though most of all, I'm disappointed by how low the sales for Winter Soldier: The Bitter March are. Buck had a huge box office hit come out last month and presumably The Bitter March was originally intended both as a satellite for Remender's Captain America series as well as a feeler for just how interested comic readers are in another Winter Soldier series. The fact that it's moving so few copies probably doesn't bode well for Bucky's chances. Which is a shame, because the story is a delightful callback to the classic Connery Bond movies; however, the fact that Winter Soldier moments are so scarce in his own titular mini-series probably drove away people. Maybe the ol' Jason Vorhees approach to Bucky wasn't the best decision so close to the movie's release (although, admittedly, Remender's Cap isn't that big a seller either, so maybe I'm overestimating the importance of the movie's influence in comic sales).

What disappoints me is that people are disappointed that Marvel and DC aren't selling even more units, when Fantagraphics and ONI have less than half a percent of the market share combined.

[fredmanson]

As always, I am really surprised by how low these numbers are vs. the real sales numbers. I think that it is time for Diamond AND for the publishers to publish the global numbers including overseas sales. I am living in France and I pre-order my books from the UK. I am not alone. We are a huge number of European readers buying US comic books. So, it's really time to think that the world is not "in the USA's borders" but it's the whole planet. Thanks.

[CliffHanger2]

I'm surprised that there's no Avengers titles in the top 10.

[Brave Sir Robin]

I see this report as good news. DC isn't even 30% of the market. The independents are creeping up. My hope is that at some point, Warner Bros will wake up to the increasing malaise of the DC grim, gratuitous violence world that is drifting down in sales and fire Didio. They can then bring in a publisher that breaks out of this mold with books that are more uplifting and less disturbing that could bring in more sales.

[Doctor Deadpool]

I see this report as good news. DC isn't even 30% of the market. The independents are creeping up. My hope is that at some point, Warner Bros will wake up to the increasing malaise of the DC grim, gratuitous violence world that is drifting down in sales and fire Didio. They can then bring in a publisher that breaks out of this mold with books that are more uplifting and less disturbing that could bring in more sales.

I agree with your general point, and but the smug you're releasing into the atmosphere is a bit stiffing.

[Mister Ferro]

Still, pretty good ROI for a few variant covers (four on #1 according to the CBR preview) and a renumbering without changing anything else.

Not really. Even the variants that Marvel are doing are losing their appeal, otherwise Hulk #1 would have done 100k.