Chris Sims and Kerry Callen Greatest Comics That Never Happened April 2012
Diamond’s sales estimates have been released, and there’s no big surprises—but there is a sign of weakness in DC’s New 52 reign.
Hit the break for details.
Loose issues of The Walking Dead may not move Marvel numbers—but in trade paperback, the sales numbers are astonishing. Fifteen of the top 20 trades sold in April were volumes of The Walking Dead—proving that black and white publishing doesn’t hurt sales. In fact, zombies held 9 of the top 10 entries—the only one who managed to bust through was the recent, long-awaited reissue of Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly’s “Flex Metallo” at #4 (DC).
On the comic book issue side of the table, Marvel has reasserted dominance for the first time since DC launched its new 52 lineup. Avengers v. X-Men was the most ordered book in April (no shocker), with its companion book (“Vs”) coming in at #4. The rest of the top 10 rounded out as follows:
1. AVENGERS VS X-MEN #2
2. BATMAN #8
3. JUSTICE LEAGUE #8
4. AVX VS #1
5. GREEN LANTERN #8
6. ACTION COMICS #8
7. DETECTIVE COMICS #8
8. BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #8
9. UNCANNY X-MEN #11
10. AVENGERS #25
You can see that where DC has been holding 90-100% of the top 10 slots, they’re now down to 60%. We’re starting to see this list looking more like it did pre-new 52.
Other than the highlights, the only comment I have on the sales chart is that it is very, very sad that Daredevil ranks only at #30. It is easily the most innovative, well-written, and beautifully constructed (both interior art and covers) mainstream book on the market.
