FEAR ITSELF #2 Out Runs FLASHPOINT #1 in May 2011 Sales

FACING FEAR: Q&A w/ Fraction & Brevoort CREDIT: View full size image

 

In figures that may come as a small surprise to comic book industry fans and pundits (but probably not to Marvel), Fear Itself #2 outsold DC Comics' Flashpoint #1 in the Direct Market in May 2011, this according to the sales figures released by Diamond Comic Distributors on Friday.

Marvel also enjoyed a fairly typical and sizable lead in Market Share in May, accounting for 46.35% of all comic books sold to retailers in May, and 42.45% of wholesale dollars spent, compared to 28.37% and 26.68% for DC, respectively.

Juxtaposed against DC's dominance of the industry news cycles the last 10-11 days, the figures either highlights the sometimes disconnect between industry/Internet "buzz" and sales, or DC's need for a bold game-changer ... or both.

Marvel managed to take six of May's 10 Ten on their way to their Market Share wins.

The Top Graphic Novel of the month was David Lapham and Gianluca Pagliaran's 3-D version of Garth Ennis' zombie series Crossed, giving Avatar Press a rare moment at the top of the one of the monthly charts. 

May 2011 overall was a down sales month overall. Comic book sales were off 2.66% in May compared to April and off 15.46% compared to May 2010. That latter number looks ugly on the surface until you realize May 2010 featured the debut of Avengers and Secret Avengers #1, Brightest Day #1 and #2, Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1 and #2, and Marvel's Siege #4.

The Market Share chart, Comparative Sales Chart, and Top 100 Comic Book and Graphic Novel (with sales indexes) follow.

Look for more May 2011 sales analysis later this month.

TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS

PUBLISHER	DOLLAR SHARE	UNIT SHARE
MARVEL COMICS	42.45%	46.35%
DC COMICS	26.68%	28.37%
DARK HORSE COMICS	4.89%	3.59%
IMAGE COMICS	4.88%	5.35%
IDW PUBLISHING	4.60%	4.26%
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT	2.83%	3.38%
BOOM! STUDIOS	2.33%	2.00%
ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT	1.04%	0.96%
VIZ MEDIA	1.03%	0.47%
AVATAR PRESS	0.93%	0.76%
OTHER NON TOP-10	8.34%	4.51%

 

COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS

	DOLLARS	UNITS
MAY 2011 VS. APRIL 2011
COMICS	-3.35%	-2.66%
GRAPHIC NOVELS	4.99%	12.69%
TOTAL COMICS/GN	-0.64%	-1.42%
MAY 2011 VS. MAY 2010
COMICS	-14.39%	-15.46%
GRAPHIC NOVELS	-4.42%	-3.14%
TOTAL COMICS/GN	-11.21%	-14.46%
YEAR-TO-DATE 2011 VS. YEAR-TO-DATE 2010
COMICS	-8.50%	-8.80%
GRAPHIC NOVELS	-5.41%	-9.80%
TOTAL COMICS/GN	-7.51%	-8.89%

 

TOP 100 COMIC BOOKS

Based on Total Unit Sales of Products Invoiced in May 2011

QTY RANK	DOLLAR RANK	INDEX		DESCRIPTION	PRICE	VENDOR
1	1	174.85		FEAR ITSELF #2	$3.99	MAR
2	2	157.90		FLASHPOINT #1	$3.99	DC
3	8	136.82		GREEN LANTERN #66	$2.99	DC
4	3	123.60		AVENGERS #13 FEAR	$3.99	MAR
5	15	121.42		FF #3	$2.99	MAR
6	19	110.67		GREEN LANTERN CORPS #60	$2.99	DC
7	21	109.96		FF #4	$2.99	MAR
8	20	109.79		BATMAN INCORPORATED #6	$2.99	DC
9	5	109.52		NEW AVENGERS #12	$3.99	MAR
10	6	107.26		AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #661	$3.99	MAR
11	7	105.74		AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #660	$3.99	MAR
12	25	104.43		BATMAN AND ROBIN #23	$2.99	DC
13	9	101.45		AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #662	$3.99	MAR
14	27	100.00		BATMAN #710	$2.99	DC
15	28	99.69		FLASH #12	$2.99	DC
16	10	97.51		UNCANNY X-MEN #537	$3.99	MAR
17	29	96.16		GREEN LANTERN EMERALD WARRIORS #10	$2.99	DC
18	4	94.58		X-MEN GIANT-SIZE #1	$4.99	MAR
19	11	94.28		SECRET AVENGERS #13 FEAR	$3.99	MAR
20	12	93.90		UNCANNY X-FORCE #9	$3.99	MAR
21	14	91.99		UNCANNY X-FORCE #10	$3.99	MAR
22	13	91.63		MIGHTY THOR #2	$3.99	MAR
23	16	88.98		MOON KNIGHT #1	$3.99	MAR
24	17	87.03		ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #158	$3.99	MAR
25	33	84.83		JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #57	$2.99	DC
26	18	84.45		X-MEN #11	$3.99	MAR
27	35	83.66		X-MEN LEGACY #248	$2.99	MAR
28	36	81.80		X-MEN LEGACY #249	$2.99	MAR
29	24	81.31		INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #504 FEAR	$3.99	MAR
30	22	81.23		CAPTAIN AMERICA #618	$3.99	MAR
31	23	81.03		WOLVERINE #9	$3.99	MAR
32	37	80.13		ACTION COMICS #901	$2.99	DC
33	26	79.34		ULTIMATE AVENGERS VS NEW ULTIMATES #4	$3.99	MAR
34	38	73.76		VENOM #3	$2.99	MAR
35	39	71.90		DETECTIVE COMICS #877	$2.99	DC
36	41	70.80		JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #623 FEAR	$2.99	MAR
37	32	69.91		ASTONISHING X-MEN #37	$3.99	MAR
38	40	69.84		SUPERMAN #711	$2.99	DC
39	30	68.22		ASTONISHING X-MEN #38	$3.99	MAR
40	46	68.17		WALKING DEAD #85 (MR)	$2.99	IMA
41	44	66.44		BATMAN ARKHAM CITY #1	$2.99	DC
42	142	66.13		KIRBY GENESIS #0	$1.00	DYN
43	48	63.17		X-MEN PRELUDE TO SCHISM #1	$2.99	MAR
44	34	63.04		NEW MUTANTS #25	$3.99	MAR
45	49	62.72		FEAR ITSELF SPIDER-MAN #1	$2.99	MAR
46	50	58.88		BATMAN GATES OF GOTHAM #1	$2.99	DC
47	52	58.59		HULK #33	$2.99	MAR
48	51	57.62		GREEN ARROW #12 (BRIGHTEST DAY)	$2.99	DC
49	54	56.84		X-MEN PRELUDE TO SCHISM #2	$2.99	MAR
50	56	53.90		BIRDS OF PREY #12	$2.99	DC
51	58	52.82		RED ROBIN #23	$2.99	DC
52	59	52.32		INCREDIBLE HULKS #628	$2.99	MAR
53	43	51.93		FEAR ITSELF HOME FRONT #2	$3.99	MAR
54	60	51.29		JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #51	$2.99	DC
55	63	51.02		INCREDIBLE HULKS #629	$2.99	MAR
56	62	50.83		DEADPOOL #37	$2.99	MAR
57	61	50.81		SUPERMAN BATMAN #84	$2.99	DC
58	45	50.09		DEADPOOL ANNUAL #1	$3.99	MAR
59	66	47.73		DAKEN DARK WOLVERINE #9	$2.99	MAR
60	47	47.52		DAREDEVIL REBORN #4	$3.99	MAR
61	67	47.48		X-23 #10	$2.99	MAR
62	70	46.79		ALPHA FLIGHT #0.1	$2.99	MAR
63	69	46.13		BATMAN BEYOND #5	$2.99	DC
64	73	45.50		THUNDERBOLTS #157	$2.99	MAR
65	74	45.09		AVENGERS ACADEMY #13	$2.99	MAR
66	78	44.96		X-FACTOR #219	$2.99	MAR
67	71	44.91		TEEN TITANS #95	$2.99	DC
68	77	44.86		FEAR ITSELF YOUTH IN REVOLT #1	$2.99	MAR
69	72	44.70		SUPERBOY #7	$2.99	DC
70	76	44.66		DAKEN DARK WOLVERINE #9.1	$2.99	MAR
71	79	43.65		BATGIRL #21	$2.99	DC
72	53	42.85		ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN WOLVERINE #6	$3.99	MAR
73	83	42.73		AVENGERS ACADEMY #14	$2.99	MAR
74	81	42.36		BOOSTER GOLD #44	$2.99	DC
75	42	42.02		ANNIHILATORS #3	$4.99	MAR
76	82	41.94		LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #13	$2.99	DC
77	55	41.20		WOLVERINE BEST THERE IS #6	$3.99	MAR
78	86	40.43		ADVENTURE COMICS #526	$2.99	DC
79	88	40.13		SECRET WARRIORS #27	$2.99	MAR
80	94	39.79		SILVER SURFER #4	$2.99	MAR
81	91	39.01		GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #23	$2.99	DC
82	93	38.87		SUPERGIRL #64	$2.99	DC
83	98	37.95		BLACK PANTHER MAN WITHOUT FEAR #518	$2.99	MAR
84	99	37.31		TITANS #35	$2.99	DC
85	106	36.99		GENERATION HOPE #7	$2.99	MAR
86	105	36.89		IRON MAN 2.0 #5 FEAR	$2.99	MAR
87	102	36.42		DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS #7	$2.99	DC
88	109	36.41		HEROES FOR HIRE #6	$2.99	MAR
89	57	36.17		ROCKETEER ADVENTURES #1	$3.99	IDW
90	110	35.82		SECRET SIX #33	$2.99	DC
91	111	35.35		DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS #8	$2.99	DC
92	113	34.40		STAR WARS JEDI DARK SIDE #1	$2.99	DAR
93	115	34.05		HERC #3 FEAR	$2.99	MAR
94	114	34.04		FABLES #105 (MR)	$2.99	DC
95	87	33.93		HELLBOY BEING HUMAN ONE SHOT	$3.50	DAR
96	64	33.89		BOYS #54 (MR)	$3.99	DYN
97	117	33.89		HEROES FOR HIRE #7	$2.99	MAR
98	31	33.66		AVENGERS ACADEMY GIANT-SIZE #1	$7.99	MAR
99	75	33.49		PUNISHERMAX #13 (MR)	$3.99	MAR
100	116	33.15		ZATANNA #13	$2.99	DC

TOP 100 GRAPHIC NOVELS

Based on Total Unit Sales of Products Invoiced in May 2011

QTY RANK	DOLLAR RANK	INDEX		DESCRIPTION	PRICE	VENDOR
1	13	9.64		CROSSED 3D GN VOL 01 (MR)	$8.99	AVA
2	26	8.72		STAR WARS ADV TP VOL 05 BOBA FETT & SHIP OF FEAR	$7.99	DAR
3	7	8.46		DELIRIUMS PARTY A LITTLE ENDLESS STORYBOOK HC	$14.99	DC
4	3	8.33		BATMAN AND ROBIN DELUXE HC VOL 03 BATMAN MUST DIE	$24.99	DC
5	1	8.23		BRIGHTEST DAY HC VOL 02	$29.99	DC
6	9	7.87		DMZ TP VOL 10 COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT (MR)	$14.99	DC
7	14	5.83		GREEN LANTERN SECRET ORIGIN TP NEW ED	$14.99	DC
8	10	5.51		IRREDEEMABLE TP VOL 06	$16.99	BOO
9	25	5.00		BATMAN LONG SHADOWS TP	$14.99	DC
10	8	5.00		AMERICAN VAMPIRE HC VOL 02 (MR)	$24.99	DC
11	12	4.90		ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 02 CHAMELEONS	$19.99	MAR
12	27	4.61		STAR WARS BLOOD TIES TP VOL 01 TALE OF JANGO & BOBA FETT	$14.99	DAR
13	31	4.60		BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM TP VOL 01 HUSH MONEY	$14.99	DC
14	36	4.34		HELLBLAZER CITY OF DEMONS TP (MR)	$14.99	DC
15	89	4.29		CHARLAINE HARRIS GRAVE SIGHT GN VOL 01 (OF 3)	$7.99	DYN
16	28	4.25		STAR WARS OLD REPUBLIC TP VOL 02 THREAT OF PEACE	$15.99	DAR
17	45	4.08		HOUSE OF MYSTERY TP VOL 06 SAFE AS HOUSES (MR)	$14.99	DC
18	53	3.92		CHAOS WAR X-MEN TP	$15.99	MAR
19	79	3.91		WALKING DEAD TP VOL 01 DAYS GONE BYE	$9.99	IMA
20	46	3.90		SECRET SIX THE REPTILE BRAIN TP	$14.99	DC
21	61	3.75		TINY TITANS TP VOL 05 FIELD TRIPPIN	$12.99	DC
22	29	3.71		CONAN TP VOL 10 IRON SHADOWS IN THE MOON	$17.99	DAR
23	65	3.69		TASKMASTER TP UNTHINKABLE	$14.99	MAR
24	47	3.66		BATGIRL THE FLOOD TP	$14.99	DC
25	18	3.61		GREEN LANTERN CORPS REVOLT OF ALPHA LANTERNS HC	$22.99	DC
26	50	3.56		DEADPOOL WADE WILSONS WAR TP	$14.99	MAR
27	34	3.41		DEADMAN TP VOL 01	$19.99	DC
28	116	3.37		SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ARCHIVES TP VOL 15	$7.95	ARC
29	11	3.36		PAYING FOR IT HC	$24.95	DRA
30	23	3.33		BIRDS OF PREY HC VOL 01 ENDRUN	$22.99	DC
31	56	3.33		SUPERBOY THE BOY OF STEEL TP	$14.99	DC
32	59	3.27		LITTLE ENDLESS STORYBOOK HC	$14.99	DC
33	93	3.24		OH MY GODDESS RTL TP VOL 38	$10.99	DAR
34	69	3.19		NEGIMA GN VOL 29 (MR)	$10.99	RAN
35	40	3.16		CHRONICLES OF KING CONAN TP VOL 02	$18.99	DAR
36	15	3.16		X-MEN AGE OF APOCALYPSE PRELUDE TP	$29.99	MAR
37	24	3.15		THOR WORLD EATERS PREM HC	$24.99	MAR
38	76	3.07		AVENGERS WE ARE THE AVENGERS TP	$16.99	MAR
39	41	3.07		STUFF OF LEGEND TP VOL 02 THE JUNGLE	$16.99	TH3
40	64	3.04		UNKNOWN SOLDIER TP VOL 04 BEAUTIFUL WORLD (MR)	$14.99	DC
41	86	2.96		CAPTAIN AMERICA ALLIES AND ENEMIES TP	$16.99	MAR
42	57	2.95		PUNISHER IN BLOOD TP	$16.99	MAR
43	66	2.90		THOR LORD OF ASGARD TP	$19.99	MAR
44	153	2.89		TRON GN TP ORIGINAL MOVIE ADAPTATION	$9.99	MAR
45	67	2.86		YOSSEL TP	$14.99	DC
46	70	2.84		SUPERBOY LEGION OF SUPER HEROES THE EARLY YEARS TP	$14.99	DC
47	33	2.79		THOR FOR ASGARD HC	$24.99	MAR
48	72	2.76		DEATH OF DRACULA TP	$19.99	MAR
49	95	2.74		GANTZ TP VOL 17 (MR)	$12.99	DAR
50	48	2.72		CHAOS WAR INCREDIBLE HULKS TP	$19.99	MAR
51	49	2.72		ULTIMATE COMICS CAPTAIN AMERICA PREM HC	$19.99	MAR
52	35	2.69		MYSTIQUE BY BRIAN K VAUGHAN ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP	$24.99	MAR
53	37	2.68		DEADPOOL MAX PREM HC NUTJOB (MR)	$24.99	MAR
54	62	2.68		GOON TP VOL 01 NOTHIN BUT MISERY 2ND ED	$16.99	DAR
55	74	2.68		WALKING DEAD TP VOL 02 MILES BEHIND US (NEW PTG)	$14.99	IMA
56	43	2.64		SPIDER-MAN MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH PREM HC	$24.99	MAR
57	39	2.61		JINX GN HC ESSENTIAL COLLECTION (MR)	$24.99	MAR
58	6	2.61		MMW MIGHTY THOR HC VOL 10	$54.99	MAR
59	54	2.60		5 RONIN HC	$19.99	MAR
60	22	2.59		MARVELS PROJECT BIRTH OF SUPER HEROES TP	$29.99	MAR
61	87	2.57		JONAH HEX NO WAY BACK TP	$14.99	DC
62	38	2.57		JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL TP VOL 06	$24.99	DC
63	42	2.55		PUNISHERMAX PREM HC BULLSEYE (MR)	$24.99	MAR
64	60	2.53		TROUBLE BY MARK MILLAR PREM HC	$19.99	MAR
65	58	2.52		INVINCIBLE IRON MAN PREM HC VOL 07 MY MONSTERS	$19.99	MAR
66	63	2.52		ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS TP	$24.99	MAR
67	44	2.50		HELLRAISER MASTERPIECES TP VOL 01	$19.99	BOO
68	2	2.49		CAPTAIN AMERICA OMNIBUS HC VOL 01	$99.99	MAR
69	106	2.48		THOR WOLVES OF NORTH TP	$12.99	MAR
70	128	2.42		CAPTAIN AMERICA AND KORVAC SAGA GN TP	$14.99	MAR
71	52	2.37		ESCAPE FROM WONDERLAND TP	$17.99	ZEN
72	101	2.32		JEW GANGSTER TP	$14.99	DC
73	75	2.31		BART SIMPSON PRINCE OF PRANKS TP	$15.99	BON
74	102	2.27		NEW X-MEN BY GRANT MORRISON GN TP BOOK 01	$14.99	MAR
75	21	2.27		EMMA FROST ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP	$34.99	MAR
76	32	2.25		ALEXANDRO JODOROWSKY SCREAMING PLANET HC	$24.95	HUM
77	55	2.24		DANGER GIRL TP VOL 01 DESTINATION DANGER	$19.99	IDW
78	4	2.21		FLASH OMNIBUS BY GEOFF JOHNS HC VOL 01	$75.00	DC
79	20	2.17		ULTIMATE COMICS DOOMSDAY HC	$39.99	MAR
80	96	2.15		WITCHBLADE REDEMPTION TP VOL 02	$16.99	IMA
81	120	2.15		BATMAN BRAVE AND THE BOLD EMERALD KNIGHT TP	$12.99	DC
82	73	2.14		DEADPOOL CORPS PREM HC VOL 02 YOU SAY REVOLUTION	$19.99	MAR
83	104	2.13		WALKING DEAD TP VOL 13 TOO FAR GONE (MR)	$14.99	IMA
84	91	2.12		FABLES TP VOL 15 ROSE RED (MR)	$17.99	DC
85	90	2.12		DV8 GODS AND MONSTERS TP	$17.99	DC
86	94	2.10		TOM STRONG AND THE ROBOTS OF DOOM TP	$17.99	DC
87	80	2.08		DEADPOOL TEAM-UP HC VOL 03 BFFS	$19.99	MAR
88	78	2.04		SPIDER-MAN HOBGOBLIN LIVES TP	$19.99	MAR
89	97	2.04		JSA ALL STARS GLORY DAYS TP	$17.99	DC
90	111	2.02		WALKING DEAD TP VOL 03 SAFETY BEHIND BARS	$14.99	IMA
91	77	2.01		DONG XOAI VIETNAM TP	$19.99	DC
92	105	2.01		EMILY THE STRANGE TP VOL 03 13TH HOUR	$14.99	DAR
93	83	2.01		TRANSFORMERS 3 DARK MOON MOVIE ADAPTATION TP	$17.99	IDW
94	112	2.00		MEGA MAN GIGAMIX TP VOL 01	$12.95	UDO
95	84	2.00		THOR IRON MAN PREM HC GOD COMPLEX	$19.99	MAR
96	99	1.98		DISNEY TREASURY DONALD DUCK TP VOL 01	$14.99	BOO
97	168	1.96		MORNING GLORIES TP VOL 01 FOR A BETTER FUTURE	$9.99	IMA
98	228	1.87		SMURFS GN VOL 06 SMURFS & HOWLIBIRD	$5.99	NBM
99	16	1.87		THOR ART OF THOR MOVIE HC	$49.99	MAR
100	98	1.86		CAPTAIN AMERICA MAN OUT OF TIME PREM HC	$19.99	MAR

Visit Newsarama on FACEBOOK and TWITTER and tell us what you think!