It is that time of the month when we get to check out the latest single-issue comic book sales rankings. Things are getting murkier in terms of actual unit numbers. So, we will have to settle with going to ICv2 for their Top 200 sales rankings. It is not as good as actual unit numbers, but we have to work with what we get.
Keep in mind, that the Top 200 single-issue comic sales charts are based on orders tracked by the ComicHub system at local comic book shops selling American comics. This includes over 3,000 stores selling American comics worldwide. As always, it is important to remember that these rankings are also not actual sales. These rankings only represent the number of units ordered by local comic shops.
July 2022 Top 200 Single Issue Comic Rankings
The Battle for the Top 10
- Batman #125 (DC Comics)
- Star Wars The Mandalorian #1 (Marvel Comics)
- Daredevil #1 (Marvel Comics)
- Amazing Spider-Man #5 (Marvel Comics)
- Amazing Spider-Man #6 (#900) (Marvel Comics)
- A.X.E. Judgment Day #1 (Marvel Comics)
- Dark Crisis #2 (Of 7) (DC Comics)
- Fortnite X / Marvel Zero War #2 (Marvel Comics)
- X-Men Hellfire Gala #1 (Marvel Comics)
- A.X.E. Eve Judgment #1 (Marvel Comics)
Marvel Comics completely annihilated DC Comics. Marvel Comics placed eight titles in the Top 10. This was even better than the six titles Marvel Comics put in the Top 10 in June 2022. Marvel Comics continues to power its success off of a wide range of franchises. This is something DC Comics wishes they could do. Marvel Comics depended on the Spider-Man franchise, X-Men Franchise, and Daredevil franchise.
DC Comics limped into second place with a pathetic two titles in the Top 10. This was down from June 2022 when DC Comics had four titles in the Top 10. Thank god for Bruce Wayne as the Batman secured DC Comics the number one overall spot.
The Battle for the Top 25
- Immortal X-Men #4 (Marvel Comics)
- Saga #60 (Image Comics)
- Moon Knight #13 (Marvel Comics)
- Flashpoint Beyond #3 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
- Star Wars #25 (Marvel Comics)
- Ghost Rider #4 (Marvel Comics)
- Poison Ivy #2 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
- Wolverine #23 (Marvel Comics)
- Joker #15 (Of 15) (DC Comics)
- Gambit #1 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
- Batman 89 #6 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
- DC Vs Vampires #7 (Of 12) (DC Comics)
- Detective Comics #1062 (DC Comics)
- Twig #3 (Of 5) (Image Comics)
- Captain America Sentinel Of Liberty #2 (Marvel Comics)
Marvel Comics continued its domination as it placed a whopping fifteen titles in the Top 25. This is exactly the same number of titles that Marvel Comics had in the Top 25 in June 2022. Marvel Comics should be happy seeing such sustained success. It is also impressive how many different franchises that Marvel Comics is able to draw from to power its Top 25 success. We have the Spider-Man franchise, X-Men franchise, Daredevil franchise, Star Wars franchise, Moon Knight franchise, Ghost Rider franchise, and the Captain America franchise. Wow. This shows how diversified Marvel Comics has become.
I do want to take a moment to point out the continued success of Johnny Blaze’s Ghost Rider title. Ghost Rider #4 took the number 16 spot. That is amazing. I love Johnny Blaze and to see so many readers supporting this title is awesome. I love you guys! Seriously, congrats to Benjamin Percy for doing the impossible in resurrecting Johnny Blaze’s character into a strong seller.
Moon Knight continues to be a sales beast as it remains a Top 15 title. I also continue to be amazed and impressed with what Marvel Comics has been able to do with this franchise. Jed MacKay deserves plenty of credit for helming this successful rebirth of the long downtrodden franchise.
DC Comics came in second place with eight tiles in the Top 25. This is down from the nine titles DC Comics had in the Top 25 in June 2022. Six of DC Comics’ eight titles are from the Batman franchise. Three of those six Batman titles star Bruce Wayne. DC Comics continues to have absolutely nothing other than the Batman franchise.
Image Comics had two titles in the Top 25. This was up from the one title that Image Comics had in the Top 25 in June 2022.
The Battle for the Top 50
- Batman Superman Worlds Finest #5 (DC Comics)
- Carnage #4 (Marvel Comics)
- Jane Foster & The Mighty Thor #2 (Marvel Comics)
- Strange Academy #18 (Marvel Comics)
- Punisher #4 (Marvel Comics)
- Batman Killing Time #5 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
- Something Is Killing The Children #25 (Boom! Studios)
- Grim #3 (Boom! Studios)
- Avengers #58 (Marvel Comics)
- Star Wars Darth Vader #25 (Marvel Comics)
- BRZRKR #9 (Of 12) (Boom! Studios)
- Sabretooth #5 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
- Fantastic Four #45 (Marvel Comics)
- New Mutants #27 (Marvel Comics)
- Spider-Man 2099 Exodus #4 (Marvel Comics)
- Dark Crisis Worlds Without A Justice League Superman #1 (One-Shot) (DC Comics)
- Moon Knight Black White Blood #3 (Of 4) (Marvel Comics)
- She-Hulk #5 (Marvel Comics)
- DC Vs Vampires All-Out War #1 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
- Nightwing #94 (DC Comics)
- Spawn #331 (Image Comics)
- Venom #9 (Marvel Comics)
- King Spawn #12 (Image Comics)
- Black Adam #2 (DC Comics)
- Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi #3 (Marvel Comics)
Marvel Comics took first place with twenty-nine titles in the Top 50. This was even better than the twenty-eight comics that Marvel Comics had in the Top 50 in June 2022. Marvel Comics continues to rely on an impressive selection of franchises to power its Top 50 win.
DC Comics came in second place with fourteen titles in the Top 50. This was tied with what DC Comics did in the Top 50 in June 2022. Nine of DC Comics’ fourteen titles were from the Batman franchise. Five of the nine Batman titles starred Bruce Wayne.
Image Comics took third place with four titles in the Top 50. This tied to what Image Comics did in the Top 50 in June 2022.
Boom! Studios came in fourth place with three titles in the Top 50. This was also tied with what Boom! Studios did in the Top 50 in June 2022.
The Battle for the Top 75
- Marauders #4 (Marvel Comics)
- Star Wars Han Solo Chewbacca #4 (Marvel Comics)
- Ant-Man #1 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
- What If…? Miles Morales #5 (Marvel Comics)
- Closet #2 (Of 3) (Image Comics)
- Legion of X #3 (Marvel Comics)
- New Fantastic Four #2 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
- Gunslinger Spawn #10 (Image Comics)
- Spider-Gwen Gwenverse #4 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
- Spider-Punk #3 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
- Venom Lethal Protector #4 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
- Black Panther #7 (Marvel Comics)
- The Flash #784 (Dark Crisis) (DC Comics)
- Savage Avengers #3 (Marvel Comics)
- Superman Son of Kal-El #13 (DC Comics)
- Avengers Forever #7 (Marvel Comics)
- Miles Morales Spider-Man #40 (Marvel Comics)
- Star Wars Bounty Hunters #25 (Marvel Comics)
- Shang-Chi And The Ten Rings #1 (Marvel Comics)
- Amazing Spider-Man #4 (Marvel Comics) (Resolicitation)
- Batman One Dark Knight #3 (Of 3) (DC Comics)
- Dark Crisis Young Justice #2 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
- Batman The Knight #7 (Of 10) (DC Comics)
- Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi #2 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics) (Resolicitation)
- Starhenge Dragon & Boar #1 (Of 6) (Image Comics)
Marvel Comics crushed everyone by placing forty-six titles in the Top 75. This was one title more than what Marvel Comics did in the Top 75 in June 2022. This is now two months in a row that Marvel Comics has managed to increase the number of titles in the Top 75.
DC Comics came in second place with nineteen titles in the Top 75. This was up from the eighteen titles that DC Comics had in the Top 75 in June 2022. Eleven of the nineteen DC Comics’ titles were from the Batman franchise.
It is pathetic that DC Comics can only manage to place eight non-Batman titles in the Top 75. This is even more inexcusable considering some of their iconic characters like Clark Kent, Diana Prince, Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, and Arthur Curry. This should never happen.
Image Comics took third place with seven titles in the Top 75. This tied to what Image Comics did in June 2022. Boom! Studios came in fourth place with three titles in the Top 75. This was actually down from the four titles that Boom! Studios had in the Top 75 in June 2022.
The Battle for the Top 100
- Strange #4 (Marvel Comics)
- Batman Beyond Neo-Year #4 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
- Captain Carter #4 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
- Knights Of X #4 (Marvel Comics)
- Alien Annual #1 (Marvel Comics)
- Eight Billion Genies #3 (Of 8) (Image Comics)
- Iron Man #21 (Marvel Comics)
- Jurassic League #3 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
- Defenders Beyond #1 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
- She-Hulk #4 (Marvel Comics) (Resolicitation)
- Batman Beyond The White Knight #4 (Of 8) (DC Comics) (Resolicitation)
- Star Wars Darth Vader #24 (Marvel Comics) (Resolicitation)
- Little Monsters #5 (Image Comics)
- Godzilla Vs Power Rangers #4 (Of 5) (IDW Publishing)
- Iron Cat #1 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics) (Resolicitation)
- House of Slaughter #7 (Boom! Studios)
- New Fantastic Four #1 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics) (Resolicitation)
- Once & Future #27 (Boom! Studios)
- Batman Catwoman #12 (Of 12) (DC Comics)
- DC Vs Vampires Killers #1 (One-Shot) (DC Comics)
- Superman Space Age #1 (Of 3) (DC Comics)
- Star Wars Halcyon Legacy #4 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
- Captain Marvel #39 (Marvel Comics)
- Catwoman #45 (DC Comics)
- Black Adam Justice Society Files Hawkman #1 (One-Shot) (DC Comics)
Marvel Comics cruised to an easy win by placing fifty-eight titles in the Top 100. This tied what Marvel Comics did in the Top 100 in June 2022. This also marked two straight months where Marvel Comics increased or stayed the same in the Top 100.
DC Comics limped into second place with twenty-seven titles in the Top 100. This was exactly the same as DC Comics did in June 2022. Fifteen of DC Comics’ twenty-seven titles were from the Batman franchise. With all of their franchises at their disposal, DC Comics managed just twelve non-Batman franchise titles in the Top 100. Incredible.
Image Comics came in third place with nine titles in the Top 100. This was down one title from the ten titles Image Comics had in June 2022. Boom! Studios came in fourth place with five titles in the Top 100. This was an increase over the four titles Boom! Studios had in June 2022. IDW Publishing took fifth place with one title in the Top 100. This was an improvement over the zero titles IDW Publishing had in June 2022.
Debut Issues
2 Star Wars The Mandalorian #1 (Marvel Comics)
3 Daredevil #1 (Marvel Comics)
6 A.X.E. Judgment Day #1 (Marvel Comics)
9 X-Men Hellfire Gala #1 (Marvel Comics)
10 A.X.E. Eve Judgment #1 (Marvel Comics)
20 Gambit #1 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
41 Dark Crisis Worlds Without A Justice League Superman #1 (One-Shot) (DC Comics)
44 DC Vs Vampires All-Out War #1 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
53 Ant-Man #1 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
69 Shang-Chi And The Ten Rings #1 (Marvel Comics)
75 Starhenge Dragon & Boar #1 (Of 6) (Image Comics)
84 Defenders Beyond #1 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
95 DC Vs Vampires Killers #1 (One-Shot) (DC Comics)
96 Superman Space Age #1 (Of 3) (DC Comics)
100 Black Adam Justice Society Files Hawkman #1 (One-Shot) (DC Comics)
121 Genis-Vell Captain Marvel #1 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
128 Madballs Vs Garbage Pail Kids #1 (Dynamite Ent.)
137 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Armageddon Game Opening Moves #1 (IDW Publishing)
139 Grim #1 (Boom! Studios)
160 Artemis Wanted #1 (One-Shot) (DC Comics)
163 Dark Spaces Wildfire #1 (IDW Publishing)
164 Rogues Gallery #1 (Image Comics)
180 Eight Billion Genies #1 (Of 8) (Image Comics)
181 Promethee 1313 #1 (Ablaze)
184 Absolution #1 (AWA)
190 DC Mech #1 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
197 Prodigy Icarus Society #1 (Of 5) (Image Comics)
We got a ton of debut issues in June 2022. I will address most of these issues when we get to the various individual franchises. However, there are a few that I want to touch on now.
Daredevil #1 came in at the number 3 spot. Kevin really enjoyed Daredevil #1. However, I am not that bullish on this new Daredevil title. Having two characters running around at the same time as Daredevil both dilutes the brand and confuses potential new readers. I also view it as a degradation of a phenomenal character in Electra. Poor Electra is stripped of her own autonomy and unique identity in order to be subjugated by an established male’s mantle. I have never understood Marvel Comics and DC Comics’ obsession with this creative path. Maybe Kevin is right and Daredevil will be a big hit. Personally, I am not buying it at all. We shall see over the course of the next few months.
Defenders Beyond #1 is dead on arrival with its debut issue. This is a horrendous start to a title that nobody was asking for at all. Defenders Beyond is a “Defenders” title in name only. Other than Dr. Strange, there is absolutely no connection between this unappealing roster of misfit characters and the classic Defenders that we know and love. Hell, this roster isn’t even as interesting as the “New Defenders” that we got back in the 1980s or even the Secret Defenders that we got in the 1990s.
I am not surprised that Defenders Beyond #1 crashed and burned with its debut issue. I would expect this title to quickly fall out of the Top 150 by its third issue. Once again, Marvel Comics’ editors are clueless about what their readers want.
Genis-Vell Captain Marvel #1 is another title that is dead on arrival as it debuted at the number 121 spot. What the hell, people?! I was so happy that you guys supported Johnny Blaze in his new Ghost Rider comic! Then you guys had to go and do me like this with Genis-Vell Captain Marvel! C’mon! This is Peter David plus Genis-Vell! Damn. My boy is getting no love!
Big Events
6 A.X.E. Judgment Day #1 (Marvel Comics)
7 Dark Crisis #2 (Of 7) (DC Comics)
10 A.X.E. Eve Judgment #1 (Marvel Comics)
41 Dark Crisis Worlds Without A Justice League Superman #1 (One-Shot) (DC Comics)
63 The Flash #784 (Dark Crisis) (DC Comics)
72 Dark Crisis Young Justice #2 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
Neither Marvel Comics’ big event or DC Comics’ big event could crack into the Top 5. That should be alarming for both publishers. At some point, the law of diminished returns is going to kick in with these seemingly endless big events stories.
A.X.E. Judgment Day #1 coming in at the number 6 spot is a disappointment. It used to be that Marvel Comics would roll out a big event and post massive sales numbers and take a Top 5 spot without breaking a sweat. Same thing for DC Comics. Those days appear to be in the past.
I am curious to see if A.X.E. Judgment Day can remain a Top 10 title for its entire six-issue run. Normally, I would be bullish about that happening. However, a debut at the number 6 spot makes me think that this big event might actually end up dropping out of the Top 10. Maybe A.X.E. Judgment Day will build momentum and an audience and improve or at least hold steady for the next few issues.
Dark Crisis #2 coming in at the number 7 spot has to be disappointing for DC Comics given the insane buildup and hype for this big event. There is a good chance that this big event also drops out of the Top 10 before its conclusion.
What also has to be distressing for DC Comics is how the Dark Crisis brand has been a total failure in selling tie-in issues. The Dark Crisis Worlds Without A Justice League Superman #1 one-shot came in at an unimpressive number 41 spot. The Dark Crisis tie-in issue The Flash #784 failed to make the Top 50 by coming in at the number 63 spot.
Dark Crisis Young Justice #2 continues to completely crash and burn as it falls to the number 72 spot. This is no surprise as Meghan Fitzmartin’s story is completely unreadable. I would expect this title to crash out of the Top 100 before it concludes.
The failure of all of the Dark Crisis tie-in issues shows how weak the Dark Crisis brand is despite the massive build-up and hype by DC Comics. At some point, DC Comics is going to have to start looking at making some serious changes in order to try and make themselves relevant again.
Star Wars Franchise
2 Star Wars The Mandalorian #1
15 Star Wars #25
35 Star Wars Darth Vader #25
50 Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi #3
52 Star Wars Han Solo Chewbacca #4
68 Star Wars Bounty Hunters #25
74 Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi #2 (Of 5) (Resolicitation)
87 Star Wars Darth Vader #24 (Resolicitation)
97 Star Wars Halcyon Legacy #4 (Of 5)
116 Star Wars Doctor Aphra #21 (Resolicitation)
119 Star Wars Doctor Aphra #22
151 Star Wars Han Solo Chewbacca #3 (Resolicitation)
179 Star Wars Crimson Reign #5 (Of 5) (Resolicitation)
Star Wars had one title in the Top 5, two titles in the Top 25, and four titles in the Top 50. This is better than in June 2022, when Star Wars had just one title in the Top 25 and three titles in the Top 50.
What would Disney do without the Mandalorian? The Mandalorian continues to be the only surefire hit that Disney has managed to have since purchasing Lucasfilm. Well, Mando’s success rolls on as Star Wars The Mandalorian #1 slaps around both Marvel Comics and DC Comics’ big events. Only the mighty Bruce Wayne was able to top the uber-popular Mandalorian.
Marvel Comics has to be pleased over the monster debut of this latest Star Wars property. I am bullish on Star Wars The Mandalorian. This character is hot and has a hit streaming show. There is no reason at all why this comic book should not continue to be a sales beast.
The only sales duds in the Star Wars franchise would be Star Wars Halcyon Legacy and Star Wars Doctor Aphra. Star Wars Halcyon Legacy #4 barely stayed in the Top 100. I am not surprised as Halcyon Legacy is just a commercial for the new Halcyon Star Wars resort in Walt Disney World.
Star Wars Doctor Aphra continues to trend in the wrong direction. Star Wars Doctor Aphra #22 came in well outside the Top 100 at the number 119 spot. This is even worse than the number 107 spot that Doctor Aphra had in June 2022.
Spider-Man Franchise
4 Amazing Spider-Man #5
5 Amazing Spider-Man #6 (#900)
27 Carnage #4
40 Spider-Man 2099 Exodus #4
47 Venom #9
59 Spider-Gwen Gwenverse #4 (Of 5)
60 Spider-Punk #3 (Of 5)
61 Venom Lethal Protector #4 (Of 5)
67 Miles Morales Spider-Man #40
70 Amazing Spider-Man #4 (Resolicitation)
120 Venom Lethal Protector #3 (Of 5) (Resolicitation)
123 Savage Spider-Man #5 (Of 5)
145 Amazing Spider-Man #2 (Resolicitation)
148 Amazing Spider-Man #3 (Resolicitation)
157 Spider-Man 2099 Exodus #3 (Resolicitation)
162 Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Resolicitation)
187 Miles Morales Spider-Man #39 (Resolicitation)
Peter Parker continues to be the gem of Marvel Comics. Amazing Spider-Man is just an absolute sales beast. This new direction for Amazing Spider-Man is not for me, but plenty of you guys definitely love it! Enjoy!
Venom #9 failed to make the Top 10 for the first time as it fell down to the number 47 spot. Of course, keep in mind that Venom #9 came out with just four days left in July. So, it is possible that Venom will get a big sales bump in August 2022. It is going to be worth watching what happens with Venom next month.
Carnage continues to be a steady seller that finishes just outside of the Top 25. Spider-Man 2099 Exodus had a nice sales bump as it came in at the number 40 spot. That was a big improvement over the number 77 ranking in June 2022.
Spider-Gwen Gwenverse #4 crashed out of the Top 50 and landed at the number 59 spot. This mini-series should conclude outside of the Top 50. This does not surprise me. The Gwenverse gimmick is no longer a novelty and may be running out of steam.
Spider-Punk continues its massive free-fall as Spider-Punk #3 dropped out of the Top 50 and landed at the number 60 spot. Keep in mind that Spider-Punk #1 debuted at the number 8 spot. That is a huge drop in just a couple of issues. I am proud of you guys! The more Marvel Comics is told to stop making endless titles based on derivative Spider-Man characters the better comics will become.
Venom Lethal Protector #4 had a nice sales bump of almost 20 spots. However, it is certain that this mini-series will conclude outside of the Top 50.
Miles Morales Spider-Man enjoyed a strange sales bump with issue #38 that hitting the number 6 spot in June 2022. However, Miles Morales Spider-Man has rapidly returned back to its normal sales ranking range as issue #40 came in at the number 67 rating. The goal for this title is to keep from falling out of the Top 75.
Savage Spider-Man ended with a thud as Savage Spider-Man #5 ended well outside of the Top 100 at the number 123 spot. This does not surprise me. There seemed to be limited consumer excitement over this mini-series.
X-Men Franchise
9 X-Men Hellfire Gala #1
11 Immortal X-Men #4
18 Wolverine #23
20 Gambit #1 (Of 5)
37 Sabretooth #5 (Of 5)
39 New Mutants #27
51 Marauders #4
56 Legion of X #3
79 Knights Of X #4
101 X-Men Red #4 (Resolicitation)
108 X-Men #12 (Resolicitation)
115 Wolverine Patch #4 (Of 5) (Resolicitation)
129 X-Cellent #5
131 X-Force #29 (Resolicitation)
134 Deadpool Bad Blood #3
141 Immortal X-Men #3(Resolicitation)
167 Sabretooth #4 (Of 5)(Resolicitation)
195 Wolverine Patch #3 (Of 5) (Resolicitation)
The X-Men had a nice rebound in July 2022. The X-Men franchise placed one title in the Top 10, four titles in the Top 25, and six titles in the Top 50. This is much better than in June 2022 when the X-Men franchise had zero titles in the Top 10, only one title in the Top 25, and four titles in the Top 50.
X-Men Hellfire Gala #1 managed to squeak into the Top 10. Fan interest seems to remain strong for the Hellfire Gala gimmick. The highest selling monthly title from the X-Men franchise was Immortal X-Men #4 taking the number 11 spot. This is a nice sales bump from the number 28 rank that Immortal X-Men #3 had in June 2022.
Wolverine also got a small sales bump, too. In June 2022, Wolverine #22 was at the number 26 spot. Logan’s old nemesis ended on a high note by taking the number 37 spot. This is much higher than the previous two issues which had been at the number 81 spot and number 108 spot.
New Mutants really stunned me as issue #27 took the number 39 spot. This was much higher than the number 76 spot in June 2022, and almost the same as the number 40 spot in May 2022. I do not get the appeal of this title at all. I am amazed it is even in the Top 50! I am keeping my eye on you guys. There are some shenanigans going on here!
Even Legion of X enjoyed a small sales bump as issue #3 took the number 56 spot which was better than the number 68 spot in June 2022.
However, do you know who did not enjoy a sales bump? Tini Howard’s Knights of X. Issue #4 dropped down to the number 79 spot. No surprise. This title already failed as Excalibur. I have no idea why Marvel Comics thought rolling out the exact same title with the same writer but under a new name would actually trick readers into thinking this was worth reading.
X-Cellent #5 continues to be a sales dud. But, this cannot be a surprise to anyone at all. This title is incredibly niche.
Hulk Franchise
43 She-Hulk #5
60 She-Hulk #4 (Resolicitation)
84 Maestro World War M #5 (Of 5)
121 Hulk #7 (Resolicitation)
We got no new issue of the Hulk for the second month in a row. It is inexcusable that Marvel Comics has a title that has consistently been in the Top 15 and they cannot ship it out on a regular basis.
She-Hulk #5 had a nice rebound up to the number 43 spot. This is a big jump from the number 64 spot in June 2022. Still, we now have gotten two straight months of sales rankings far below the number 17 ranking that She-Hulk #3 had in April 2022. Over the first three issues, it looked like She-Hulk might have the makings of a consistent Top 25 seller. At this point, I think hoping that She-Hulk can just remain a Top 50 title is more realistic.
Avengers Franchise
25 Captain America Sentinel Of Liberty #2
28 Jane Foster & The Mighty Thor #2
34 Avengers #58
53 Ant-Man #1 (Of 5)
62 Black Panther #7
64 Savage Avengers #3
66 Avengers Forever #7
82 Iron Man #21
98 Captain Marvel #39
104 Captain America Symbol Of Truth #3
106 Avengers #57 (Resolicitation)
161 Captain America Symbol of Truth #2 (Resolicitation)
199 Captain America Sentinel of Liberty #1 (Resolicitation)
The Avengers franchise had zero titles in the Top 10, just one title in the Top 25, and only three titles in the Top 50. That is pretty unimpressive for one of Marvel’s premier franchises. It is interesting to see that the Avengers franchise rankings are bookended by the two Captain America titles.
I am surprised by the performance of Captain America Sentinel of Liberty #2. It was far better than I was expecting. The debut issue of Steve Rogers’ new title came in at the number 18 spot which I thought was pretty soft. I figured that meant we were in store of a larger drop for the second issue. Well, that definitely did not happen. Captain American Sentinel of Liberty #2 managed to stay in the Top 25 by taking the number 25 spot. That is a very small drop between a debut issue and the second issue. That is impressive.
On the other hand, Captain America Symbol of Truth #3 was the worst-selling Avengers franchise title. Wow. How fast did Captain Falcon crash and burn? Captain American Symbol of Truth #1 debuted at the number 15 spot. Captain America Symbol of Truth #2 dropped like a dead duck down to the number 122 spot. And, now in June 2022, Captain America Symbol of Truth #3 is still outside of the Top 100 as it took the number 104 spot.
That is brutal. Captain America Symbol of Truth is already a dead title walking. I am not surprised at all. Mantle swap titles are rarely successful. We see this over and over again. The numbers don’t lie.
Jane Foster & The Mighty Thor #2 had a big drop down out of the Top 25 as it came in at the number 28 spot. Again, no surprise. It is a mantle swap title. This five-issue mini-series should target just finishing in the Top 50. That is probably a realistic hope.
Avengers #58 surprised me by taking the number 34 spot! Yeah, I know it is sad where we get excited about the Avengers just cracking into the Top 50. But, here we are. Anyway, it was still a big improvement over the number 91 spot in June 2022 and the number 70 spot in May 2022.
Ant-Man #1 had a disastrous debut coming in outside of the Top 50 at the number 53 spot. This is a title doomed to be out of the Top 100 before it concludes. This is a mantle that has been swapped around too many times and that has killed fan interest.
Iron Man and Captain Marvel continue to get the regular crap sales rankings that they always get.
Batman Franchise
1 Batman #125
14 Flashpoint Beyond #3 (Of 6)
17 Poison Ivy #2 (Of 6)
19 Joker #15 (Of 15)
21 Batman 89 #6 (Of 6)
23 Detective Comics #1062
26 Batman Superman Worlds Finest #5
31 Batman Killing Time #5 (Of 6)
45 Nightwing #94
71 Batman One Dark Knight #3 (Of 3)
73 Batman The Knight #7 (Of 10)
77 Batman Beyond Neo-Year #4 (Of 6)
86 Batman Beyond The White Knight #4 (Of 8) (Resolicitation)
94 Batman Catwoman #12 (Of 12)
99 Catwoman #45
102 Robin #16
107 Batgirls #8
122 Detective Comics #1061 (Resolicitation)
125 I Am Batman #11
127 Batman Urban Legends #17
142 Harley Quinn #17
153 Batman Fortress #3 (Of 8)
155 Robin #15 (Resolicitation)
158 Batman Superman Worlds Finest #4 (Resolicitation)
165 Task Force Z #10 (Of 12)
169 Poison Ivy #1 (Of 6) (Resolicitation)
182 Batman #124 (Resolicitation)
185 Nightwing #93 (Resolicitation)
186 Future State Gotham #15
192 Harley Quinn #16 (Resolicitation)
The Batman franchise had one title in the Top 10, six titles in the Top 25, and nine titles in the Top 50. Bruce Wayne continues to be THE man. Batman #125 managed to beat out not one but two big events and take the number 1 spot in June 2022. Amazing. This title is a juggernaut.
Flashpoint Beyond #3 remained in the Top 15 by taking the number 14 spot. Wow. I have no interest at all in anything Flashpoint related. But, you guys love this title! DC Comics has to be happy with the performance of this mini-series.
Poison Ivy dropped the number 8 spot in June 2022 down to the number 17 spot. This is about what I was expecting. Poison Ivy will probably drop out of the Top 25 with the third issue. It will be interesting to see if Poison Ivy can remain in the Top 50 for the entirety of its mini-series.
Detective Comics shot up the ratings as it took the number 23 spot. This is a big jump from the number 93 spot in June 2022.
Nightwing continues to be a dependable seller. This title consistently comes in the 40-50 range every single month.
Of course, not all is perfect for the Batman franchise. Twelve titles were outside of the Top 75. Nine titles were outside of the Top 100. Three titles were outside of the Top 150.
Catwoman #45 took the number 99 spot. This was identical to the number 99 spot Catwoman #44 took in June 2022. Weird.
Batgirls #8 took the number 107 spot. Batgirls continues to be a total sales dud that is doomed to finish outside of the Top 100 every month.
I am Batman #11 took the number 125 spot. This title continues to be a complete sales failure. Again, it is a mantle swap title so nobody should be surprised that I am Batman is a failure.
Harley Quinn continues to be a mess as issue #17 came in at the number 142 spot. That is even worse than the number 137 ranking Harley Quinn #16 had in June 2022. DC Comics has to do something to revive this once incredibly popular character.
Future State Gotham continues to be a complete joke. Issue #15 barely stayed in the Top 200 by taking the number 186 spot. I do not know what makes DC Comics think that anybody cares about Future State in any capacity at all. Talk about being clueless.
Superman Franchise
26 Batman Superman Worlds Finest #5
41 Dark Crisis Worlds Without A Justice League Superman #1 (One-Shot)
65 Superman Son of Kal-El #13
96 Superman Space Age #1 (Of 3)
112 Action Comics #1045
144 Action Comics #1044 (Resolicitation)
158 Batman Superman Worlds Finest #4 (Resolicitation)
The Superman franchise continues to be a sad situation. As always, the best-selling Superman-related comic book is Batman Superman Worlds Finest. Issue #5 took the number 26 spot. This is close to the number 24 ranking issue #4 took in June 2022. DC Comics has to love this type of consistency on a monthly basis.
At any rate, Batman Superman Worlds Finest treats readers to the Superman that they have been begging to get: Classic Clark Kent Superman. Not social commentary Jon Kent Superman. Not Planet Hulk Clark Kent Superman. Just Clark Kent as the Big Red S acting like the classic and iconic superhero that he is. It really is not that complicated, DC Comics. It really isn’t.
Superman Son of Kal-El #13 finished well outside of the Top 50. Again. Superman Son of Kal-El is the flagship title of the Superman franchise and it cannot come anywhere close to the Top 50. This should never happen. I am unsure how long DC Comics is going to be satisfied with having their flagship Superman title continually struggling just to make it into the Top 75.
Superman Space Age #1 had a horrendous debut as it came in at the number 96 spot. Jesus, it barely made it into the Top 100. Superman Space Age is already a dead title walking. This mini-series is sure to finish outside of the Top 150. I have to say that I am proud of you guys! Mark Russell is a complete hack. The only way to tell DC Comics to stop employing terrible writers is to not purchase the titles by these writers. Mission accomplished, everyone!
Wonder Woman Franchise
130 Wonder Woman #789
160 Artemis Wanted #1 (One-Shot)
175 Nubia Queen of The Amazons #2 (Of 4)
Unranked Wonder Woman: Evolution #8
Oh, poor Wonder Woman. This just breaks my heart every single month. I have no idea why DC Comics seems intent on ruining Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman #789 came in at the number 130 spot. That is horrific. Artemis Wanted #1 was even more awful as it came in at the number 160 spot. It gets even more embarrassing as Nubia Queen of the Amazons #2 plummeted down to the number 175 spot. This was a huge drop from the terrible debut number for Nubia Queen of the Amazons of the number 130 spot in June 2022.
Then you have Wonder Woman: Evolution #8 finishing unranked. It is embarrassing. A Wonder Woman title should never be unranked and unable to crack into the Top 200.
DC comics; handling of the Wonder Woman franchise is nothing short of pure comic book malpractice. The band of writers that have driven this franchise into the ground is Becky Cloonan, Michael Conrad, Jordie Bellaire, Vita Ayla, and Stephanie Williams. These are the “writers” who have brought you this abysmal collection of sales failures.
DC Comics has to fire these writers and then fire the editors who thought these writers were good selections for this franchise. The entire direction of the Wonder Woman franchise needs to be scrapped and restarted. The fans have spoken and the numbers do not lie. The current editors and writers on the Wonder Woman franchise have been complete and total failures. Nothing that DC Comics is doing with the Wonder Woman franchise is appealing to the consumer.
Wonder Woman deserves so much better than this.
Justice League Franchise
49 Black Adam #2
72 Dark Crisis Young Justice #2 (Of 6)
100 Black Adam Justice Society Files Hawkman #1 (One-Shot)
117 Justice League vs The Legion of Super-Heroes #4 (Of 6)
159 Black Adam #1 (Resolicitation)
173 Multiversity Teen Justice #2 (Of 6)
Unranked Aquaman & The Flash: Voidsong #2
Unranked Aquamen #6
Unranked Naomi: Season Two #5
Black Adam #2 almost fell out of the Top 50 as it crashed all the way down to the number 49 spot. This was a big drop from the number 27 spot the debut issue got in June 2022. Again, nobody should be surprised as Black Adam is another mantle swap title. The sales rankings are littered with mantle swap titles failing all over the place. When will publishers learn? Probably never.
Justice League vs the Legion of Super-Heroes #4 finished well outside of the Top 100 at the number 117 spot. This is even worse than the number 99 sales ranking that issue #3 got in May 2022. The Brian Bendis Legion of Super-Heroes has been a complete swing and a miss. DC Comics needs to trash this unpopular Bendis Legion and quickly go back to the popular Levitz Legion that Geoff Johns painstakingly re-integrated back into the DCU. Again, DC Comics continues to commit malpractice in how they handle their properties.
Multiversity Teen Justice #2 dropped in spectacular fashion all the way down to the number 173 spot. I said this would happen when we saw Multiversity Teen Justice #1 debut at the number 100 spot in June 2022. I predicted this title would drop out of the Top 200 before its sixth and final issue. That looks like it could happen by just the third issue. Again, I remain convinced that DC Comics is completely clueless as to what the consumer desires to read.
Do you know what is really embarrassing? That Aquaman & The Flash: Voidsong #2 failed to make it into the Top 200 at all. This is obviously a three-issue mini-series that nobody was interested in reading.
What is also embarrassing? Aquamen #6 also being unranked. When was the last time Aquamen was ranked in the Top 200? That would be Aquamen #3 which took the number 189 spot in April 2022. Since then, issues 4-6 have all been unranked. DC Comics continues to bungle their handling of the Aquaman franchise.
Let’s keep the embarrassment train running for DC Comics! Naomi: Season Two #5 finished unranked. This is now the second month in a row that Naomi Season Two has been unranked. The last ranked issue was Naomi Season Two #3 which came in at the number 188 spot.
Naomi is another uncreative dud courtesy of Brian Bendis. Look, DC Comics, you guys got burned by Bendis. You guys have Bendis a ton of money and in return, he gave you a bag of dog turds. It sucks. I totally get it. I am mad for you. But, you gotta let go of these bad Bendis creations. They are never going to become a thing.
The Top Female Lead Titles
- 17 Poison Ivy #2 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
- 28 Jane Foster & The Mighty Thor #2 (Marvel Comics)
- 43 She-Hulk #5 (Marvel Comics)
- 59 Spider-Gwen Gwenverse #4 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
- 76 Strange #4 (Marvel Comics)
- 78 Captain Carter #4 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
- 85 She-Hulk #4 (Marvel Comics) (Resolicitation)
- 90 Iron Cat #1 (Resolicitation)
- 98 Captain Marvel #39 (Marvel Comics)
- 99 Catwoman #45 (DC Comics)
- 107 Batgirls #8 (DC Comics)
- 114 Iron Cat #2 (Marvel Comics)
- 116 Star Wars Doctor Aphra #21 (Marvel Comics) (Resolicitation)
- 119 Star Wars Doctor Aphra #22 (Marvel Comics)
- 130 Wonder Woman #789 (DC Comics)
- 132 The Variants #2 (Marvel Comics)
- 142 Harley Quinn #17 (DC Comics)
- 160 Artemis Wanted #1 (One-Shot) (DC Comics)
- 169 Poison Ivy #1 (Of 6) (DC Comics) (Resolicitation)
- 175 Nubia Queen of The Amazons #2 (Of 4) (DC Comics)
- 192 Harley Quinn #16 (DC Comics) (Resolicitation)
- Unranked Wonder Woman: Evolution #8
- Unranked Naomi: Season Two #5
There were zero female lead titles in the Top 10, one female lead title in the Top 25, and three in the Top 50. This was slightly worse than June 2022, where there was one female lead title in the Top 10, two in the Top 25, and three in the Top 50.
There were four female lead titles in the Top 75. This was also down from the five female lead titles in the Top 75 in June 2022. The number of female lead titles in the Top 75 has continued to decline since the high of eight titles in April 2022.
We have already talked about most of these titles earlier in this article. So, I will just focus on the ones that we have not touched on, yet. Captain Carter #4 managed to climb back up to the number 78 spot. That is a weak sales ranking, but much better than the number 181 spot in June 2022. Again, it is a mantle swap title so the weak sales ranking is to be expected.
Strange #4 continues to drop like a rock as it fell all the way down to the number 76 spot. Keep in mind that Strange #1 took the number one spot in March 2022. I thought that was a phony number driven up by speculators. Well, it did not take long as just three issues later we have Strange outside of the Top 75. Again, it is a mantle swap title so I am not surprised at all.
Iron Cat #2 plummeted all the way out of the Top 100 and down to the number 114 spot. This is a big drop from its debut ranking at the number 52 spot. That was a bad debut and I called Iron Cat dead on arrival. I was right as this title is already outside of the Top 100 with just the second issue.
I am proud of everyone! Iron Cat is an example of lazy writing. Iron Cat is not just a derivative character, it is one that pulls from two different franchises and mashes them together as is expected from dull remix culture. The only way that publishers will learn to stop giving us uncreative characters like Iron Cat is if we do not purchase the comics. Good job, team.
The Variants #2 dropped out of the Top 100 and down to the number 132 spot. The Variants debuted at the number 94 spot in June 2022. I predicted that this Jessica Jones title would drop out of the Top 150 in an issue or two. It looks like I still have a chance to be right next month!
The Top Minority Lead Titles
- 40 Spider-Man 2099 Exodus #4 (Marvel Comics)
- 49 Black Adam #2 (DC Comics)
- 54 What If…? Miles Morales #5 (Marvel Comics)
- 60 Spider-Punk #3 (Of 5) (Marvel Comics)
- 62 Black Panther #7 (Marvel Comics)
- 67 Miles Morales Spider-Man #40 (Marvel Comics)
- 69 Shang-Chi And The Ten Rings #1 (Marvel Comics)
- 104 Captain America Symbol Of Truth #3 (Marvel Comics)
- 116 Star Wars Doctor Aphra #21 (Marvel Comics) (Resolicitation)
- 119 Star Wars Doctor Aphra #22 (Marvel Comics)
- 125 I Am Batman #11 (DC Comics)
- 157 Spider-Man 2099 Exodus #3 (Marvel Comics) (Resolicitation)
- 159 Black Adam #1 (DC Comics) (Resolicitation)
- 161 Captain America Symbol of Truth #2 (Marvel Comics) (Resolicitation)
- 174 Monkey Prince #6 (Of 12) (DC Comics)
- 175 Nubia Queen of The Amazons #2 (Of 4) (DC Comics)
- 187 Miles Morales Spider-Man #39 (Marvel Comics) (Resolicitation)
- Unranked Duo #3 (DC Comics)
- Unranked Naomi: Season Two #5 (DC Comics)
There were no minority lead titles in the Top 25. This is even worse than the one minority lead titles in the Top 25 in June 2022, May 2022, and April 2022. This is bad news. Marvel Comics and DC Comics need to reevaluate what they are doing with these titles because their approaches clearly are not working.
There were only two minority lead titles in the Top 50. That is even worse than the four minority lead titles in the Top 50 in June 2022. And that was down from the five minority lead titles in the Top 50 in May 2022. Again, this is the wrong direction for Marvel Comics and DC Comics.
Seven minority lead titles made the Top 75. That is the same as it was in June 2022. It is still down from the eight tiles in the Top 75 in May 2022. Seven minority lead titles made the Top 100 which was the same as it was in June 2022. Seven of the fourteen minority lead titles finished outside of the Top 100. This is slightly better when eight finished outside of the Top 100 in June 2022.
Again, Marvel Comics destroyed DC Comics by placing nine issues in the Top 10. DC Comics only managed a meager single minority lead title in the Top 10. This is the same as it was in June 2022 and May 2022. Look, neither publisher is having any real sales success in this category, but DC Comics definitely looks more lost than Marvel Comics at this point.
Shang-Chi And The Ten Rings #1 had a horrible debut coming in at the number 69 spot. This cannot be a surprise to anyone. Shang-Chi #12 came in at the number 104 spot in May 2022. Only Marvel Comics thinks that canceling a title, waiting a month, and then rolling out a new comic with a different title but starring the same character with the same creative team will equal success. These types of clueless editorial decisions have become commonplace.
Dead Titles Walking
Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, titles outside of the Top 100 are usually selling under the 18,000 unit sales mark. These are the Marvel Comics and DC Comics titles that are dead titles walking.
Marvel Comics
104 Captain America Symbol Of Truth #3
109 Maestro World War M #5 (Of 5)
114 Iron Cat #2
118 King Conan #6 (Of 6)
119 Star Wars Doctor Aphra #22
121 Genis-Vell Captain Marvel #1 (Of 5)
123 Savage Spider-Man #5 (Of 5)
129 X-Cellent #5
132 The Variants #2
134 Deadpool Bad Blood #3
170 Iron Man Hellcat Annual #1
194 The Marvels #12
Marvel Comics had twelve dead titles walking. This is down from the sixteen dead tiles walking that Marvel Comics had in June 2022. However, it is still more than the seven dead titles walking that Marvel Comics had in May 2022 and the three dead titles walking in April 2022.
In June 2022, 17% of Marvel Comics; titles are dead titles walking. That is a lower percentage than the 22% dead titles walking share that Marvel Comics had in June 2022.
DC Comics
102 Robin #16
107 Batgirls #8
112 Action Comics #1045
117 Justice League Vs The Legion of Super-Heroes #4 (Of 6)
125 I Am Batman #11
127 Batman Urban Legends #17
130 Wonder Woman #789
133 Rogues #3 (Of 4)
135 Swamp Thing #15 (Of 16)
138 Sandman Universe Nightmare Country #4
142 Harley Quinn #17
153 Batman Fortress #3 (Of 8)
160 Artemis Wanted #1 (One-Shot)
165 Task Force Z #10 (Of 12)
173 Multiversity Teen Justice #2 (Of 6)
174 Monkey Prince #6 (Of 12)
175 Nubia Queen of The Amazons #2 (Of 4)
186 Future State Gotham #15
188 Deathstroke Inc #11
189 Suicide Squad Blaze #3 (Of 3)
190 DC Mech #1 (Of 6)
200 Fables #153 (Of 162)
Unranked Aquaman & The Flash: Voiding #2
Unranked Aquamen #6
Unranked Young Justice: Targets #1
Unranked Naomi: Season Two #5
Unranked Wonder Woman: Evolution #8
Unranked Blood Syndicate: Season One #3
Unranked Duo #3
Unranked Looney Tunes #267
Oh lord, this is about as bad as I have ever seen it for DC Comics. In June 2022, DC Comics had twenty-nine dead titles walking. This is the most that I have seen in quite some time. It is as if DC Comics’ editorial staff is purposely trying to run the business into the ground.
A full 52% of DC Comics’ titles are dead titles walking. This is frightening. I am ready for David Zaslav to come parachuting into DC Comics’ office and start firing everyone at this point. It is untenable to have over half of your product be in the dead walking titles category.
Of course, there are several writers who have multiple titles in the dead walking titles category. Batgirls #2 and Wonder Woman #789 are both brought to you by Becky Cloonan and Michael Conrad. Nubia Queen of the Amazons #2 and Wonder Woman: Evolution #8 are both brought to you by Stephanie Williams.
All right, that is it for July 2022 Will Marvel Comics continue their domination of the Top 200 in August 2022? We will find out. Until then, everyone stay safe and be good!
To comment on this article and other Comic Book Revolution content, visit our Facebook page, our Twitter feed, and our Instagram feed. Also, catch up with all of Rokk’s other musings about comics, anime, TV shows, movies and more over on his Twitter page.