Spider-Man Comics Sales For April 2016

Where both issues of The Amazing Spider-Man get beat by a (supposed) cross between Gwen Stacy and Deadpool, and the Spider-Women crossover is in full swing.

Hello again, Spider-Man fans and comic book lovers, as we once again look at the sales estimates for comics related to our friendly neighborhood web-slinger for the month of April (courtesy of both ICv2 and Comichron). And in for this month, there are some particular lessons illustrated for why a comic does or doesn’t do well on the charts:

First, number one issues, no matter how ludicrous they may seem, tend to do very well. Second, the more variant covers you have, the more orders that comic gets, as shown by a few declines in the estimates and ranking this month from comic which had multiple variants last month and none for this month.  And finally, crossovers also boost dealer orders and sales, especially for those titles which are struggling to gain a foothold. As much as we may complain any time DC or Marvel employs such tactics to grab our attention, there’s a reason why they keep on doing them.

In any case, let’s see how the various Spider-Man comics did, shall we?

"Gwenpool #1, Gurihiru cover6 — 98.95 — Gwenpool #1 — 100,852"

Commentary: Seriously? A comic book about a character who started off as a gag variant not only becomes the fifth best-selling comic of the month, but also reaches 100,000 in sales estimates? I suppose many bought it out of curiosity (not to mention it did have few variants attached to it) over whether she’s an alternate version of Gwen Stacy and Deadpool. Well, the joke’s on us, I guess, because it turns out Gwen Poole (yes, that really is her name) is not even remotely related to either Gwen or Deadpool. She’s just a comic book fan girl from our world who has somehow gotten stuck in the Marvel Universe. Which makes me doubt issue #2 will be in the top 10 next month. That said, The Unbelievable Gwenpool #1, as it’s also called, did get a lot of rave reviews, so who knows?

"Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #11 Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #1010 — 72.25 — Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4 #10 — 73,643 (-16.47%) 12 — 66.17 — Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4 #11 — 67,446 (-8.41%)October 2015: 2 — Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4 #1 — 245,873October 2015: 10 — Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4 #2 — 111,322 (-54.7%)November 2015: 14–Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4 #3 — 93,848 (-15.7%)December 2015: 13 — Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4 #4 — 82,066 (-12.6%)December 2015: 17 — Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4 #5 — 79,122 (-4.0%)January 2016: 11 — Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4 #6 — 76,517 (-3.29%)February 2016: 9 — Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4 #7 — 75,357 (-15.16%)February 2016: 11 — Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4 #8 — 71,599 (-4.98%)March 2016: 5 — Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4 #9 — 88,164 (+23.13%)April 2015: 12 — 76.23 — Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 3 #17 — 99,964"

Commentary: Once more, an issue of Amazing Spider-Man stays in the top 10, but perhaps due not have so many variant covers this time around, it has lower sales estimates. In fact the second issue for the month dropped below 70,000. I imagine, though, the sales estimates for Amazing Spider-Man #12 will go right back above 70,000 given that it does have Mary Jane Watson on the cover. After all, any time she does an appearance on the cover of Amazing Spider-Man, the sales estimates go up. If that doesn’t happen next month, if Amazing Spider-Man still falls below 70K, then something is wrong.  

"Spider-Man/Deadpool #415 — 63.71 — Spider-Man/Deadpool #4 — 64,931 (-4.51)January 2016: 3 — Spider-Man/Deadpool #1 — 133,813February 2016: 12 — Spider-Man/Deadpool #2 — 69,801 (-47.83%)March 2016: 11 — Spider-Man/Deadpool #3 — 68,003 (-2.57%)"

Commentary: The ongoing team-up between Marvel’s two wisecrackers continues being their second bestselling Spider-Man comic, and now their bestselling Deadpool comic. That said, I wonder if the initial enthusiasm for Spider-Man/Deadpool is beginning to wear off, as it has dropped down into the low-to-mid 60K range for this month. After all, when this comic came out, the Deadpool movie was already a couple of months old, and it would still be another month for its Blu-Ray/DVD release. Meaning if there is any correlation a comic book series and interest in a movie based off of that character, whatever hype for Deadpool has already died down Even so, it does look like a normal rate of attrition at this point, and it’s continuing to stay within the top 20.

"Spider-Gwen #7, Bengal cover18 — 59.75 — Spider-Gwen Vol. 2 #7 — 60,900 (+32.21%)October 2015: 3 — Spider-Gwen Vol. 2 #1 — 197,103November 2015: 25 — Spider-Gwen Vol. 2 #2 — 62,209 (-68.4%)December 2015: 36 — Spider-Gwen Vol. 2 #3 — 54,844 (-11.83%)January 2016: 29 — Spider-Gwen Vol. 2 #4 — 48,664 (-11.27%)February 2016: 32 — Spider-Gwen Vol. 2 #5 — 43,796 (-11.11%)March 2016: 32 — Spider-Gwen Vol. 2 #6 — 46,060 (+5.16%)April 2015: 11 — 77.97 — Spider-Gwen Vol. 1 #3 — 102,234"

Commentary: Exhibit A in why multi-part crossovers sell, as Spider-Gwen #7, part 2 of Spider-Women story arc, saw an increase of over 30% from last month’s Spider-Gwen #6. Granted, Spider-Gwen was already the bestselling of the female-centric Spider titles, and it did have a couple of variant covers, but it being part of a crossover definitely helped. What’s interesting is that this issue ranked higher than the first chapter of Spider-Women. 

"Spider-Man #320 — 58.66 — Spider-Man #3 — 59,789 (-1.38%)February 2016: 4 — Spider-Man #1 — 99,951March 2016: 16 — Spider-Man #2 — 60,627 (-39.34%)April 2015: 103 — Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man #12 — 29,318"

Commentary: Not as sharp a drop as last month, though at just under 60K, Brian Michael Bendis’ new Miles Morales series does seem as though its reaching a settling point. It also looks as though that the buzz around him becoming a part of the Marvel Universe has quieted down, as well. I do wonder, though, if some of this is attributable towards the comic still not being clear just how much of Miles’ history has changed post Secret Wars,  or what he’s undergone during the “eight month gap.” It would, after all, make Spider-Man a bit more accessible, even for those who followed Miles’ earlier adventures during Ultimate Comics Spider-Man and Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man.

"Spider-Women Alpha #133 — 49.27 — Spider-Woman: Alpha #1 — 50,220"

Commentary: You might be thinking that 50K is much to brag about, but this is actually a somewhat decent showing for what is, technically, a one-shot, especially as it’s also made number 33 on the Diamond Distributors list. Of course, it also helps that Spider-Women: Alpha #1 also Part One of the Spider-Women crossover, so it should have more than average dealer orders in anticipation customers would want to pick up the beginning of the story. Having multiple variant covers attached also helps, too.

"Silk #7, Yasmine Putri cover42 — 42.20 — Silk  Vol. 2 #7 — 43,012 (+73.10%)November 2015: 33 — Silk  Vol. 2 #1 — 57,140December 2015: 36 — Silk  Vol. 2 #2 — 38,356 (-32.90%)January 2016: 56 — Silk  Vol. 2 #3 — 33,102 (-13.70%)February 2016: 71 — Silk  Vol. 2 #4 — 26,786 (-19.08%)February 2016: 75 — Silk  Vol. 2 #5 — 26,032 (-2.81%)March 2016: 79 — Silk  Vol. 2 #6 — 24,847 (-4.55%)April 2015: 24 — Silk Vol. 1 #3 — 58,755"

Commentary: Here is “Exhibit B” that crossovers increase orders and sales on sagging titles. And in the case of Silk, it really got a big boost, jumping up almost three-quarters of percentage from where it was last month and into the top 50. Of course, the question is will the title fall back down to where it was after Spider-Women is over? After all, Silk took a really big hit when Stacey Lee, the regular artist for the first series, has been all but replaced by Tana Ford. Not to mention it’s competing against the more fan-favorite, Spider-Gwen.

"Spider-Woman #6, Yasmine Putri cover47 — 38.55 — Spider-Woman  Vol. 6 #6 — 39,291 (+90.78%)November 2015: 37 — Spider-Woman  Vol. 6 #1 — 53,885December 2015: 97 — Spider-Woman  Vol. 6 #2 — 27,801 (-48.40%)January 2016: 89 — Spider-Woman  Vol. 6 #3 — 24,054 (-13.48%)February 2016: 104 — Spider-Woman  Vol. 6 #4 — 20,747 (-13.74%)March 2016: 94 — Spider-Woman  Vol. 6 #5 — 20,594 (-0.73%)April 2015: 93 — Spider-Woman Vol. 5 #6 — 32,041"

Commentary: And here’s “Exhibit C” of why comic book companies use crossovers, and in Spider-Woman’s case, it’s definitely reaping the rewards. Although still lower in the sales estimates that both Spider-Gwen and Silk, it had highest increase percentage wise. Which, of course, also means a chance for greater exposure for Spider-Woman than what there otherwise would’ve been. Still, just like the case with Silk, the question is whether Spider-Woman will fall back down towards its previous estimates when the Spider-Women crossover is all over? 

"Spidey #5 Spidey #479 — 24.09 — Spidey  #4 — 24,553 (-12.81%) 88 — 22.56 — Spidey  #5 — 22,991 (-6.36%)December 2015: 25 — Spidey  #1 — 65,503January 2016: 55 — Spidey  #2 — 33,585 (–48.73%)February 2016: 65 — Spidey  #3 — 28,161 (-16.15%)"

Commentary: So after a month hiatus, and a reshuffling of stories between issues #5 and #6, Spidey has returned. And falling ever more towards to the 20K line in the sales estimates. Obviously, the delay didn’t help but again, I think the main problem goes right back to the title’s premise. It sold itself as stories from Spider-Man’s past adventures during his high school years, and yet none of it is in continuity based on the comic’s story content. Thus, it’s just a fun, lighthearted distraction for readers as opposed to a must buy.

"Carnage #781 — 24.02 — Carnage #7 — 24,480 (-15.21%)November 2015: 19 — Carnage  #1 — 69,773November 2015: 57 — Carnage  #2 — 41,576 (-40.41%)December 2015: 73 — Carnage  #3 — 34,852 (-16.17%)January 2016: 61 — Carnage  #4 — 31,687 (-9.08%)February 2016: 68 — Carnage #5 — 27,160 (-14.28%)March 2016: 65 — Carnage #6 — 28,874 (+6.31%)"

Commentary: So after getting an increase last month from the variant covers, Carnage not only drops but drops way below compared to issue #5. Not what I would consider a good sign. Fortunately, it still has somewhat of a cushion in being closer to 25K than 20K. In any case, this is confirmation that Carnage remains a somewhat solid, C-level title sales wise. I do, however, predict that, if the rate of attrition continues on its present course, we might be looking at a run which last up to at least 20-25 issues, enough for five trade paperback volumes.

"Spider-Man 2099 #984 — 23.63 — Spider-Man 2099 Vol. 3 #9 — 24,081 (-15.74%)October 2015: 34 — Spider-Man 2099 Vol. 3 #1 — 57,719October 2015: 51 — Spider-Man 2099 Vol. 3 #2 — 40,701 (-29.48%)November 2015: 72 — Spider-Man 2099 Vol. 3 #3 — 34,969 (-14.08%)December 2015: 77 — Spider-Man 2099 Vol. 3 #4 — 32,464 (-7.16%)January 2016: 71 — Spider-Man 2099 Vol. 3 #5 — 28,489 (-12.24%)February 2016: 72 — Spider-Man 2099 Vol. 3 #6 — 26,626 (-6.53%)February 2016: 74 — Spider-Man 2099 Vol. 3 #7 — 26,163 (-1.73%)March 2016: 68 — Spider-Man 2099 Vol. 3 #8 — 28,580 (+9.23%)April 2015: 97 — Spider-Man 2099 Vol. 2 #11 — 31,665"

Commentary: Looks as though Spider-Man 2099 is in the same boat as Carnage, in that it rose to 28K last month from variants until dropping down to 24K. Which also means, just like Carnage, the latest volume of the Spider-Man from the future is shaping into another solid C-list title from Marvel. Which makes sense as both Carnage and Miguel O’Hara are characters with their own devoted fan base among Spider-Man fans. Also, the comic finally appears that it’s regaining its focus after the brief cancellation caused by Secret Wars.  That said, the current volume is definitely down compared to what it was last year. And like Carnage, I expect it may have the same amount of longevity if continuing on its present course.

"Amazing Spider-Man & Silk: The Spider(Fly) Effect #2 (of 4)93 — 21.76 — Amazing Spider-Man and Silk: The (Spider)Fly Effect #2 — 22,182 (-27.99%)March 2016: 63 — Amazing Spider-Man and Silk: The (Spider)Fly Effect #1 — 30,806"

Commentary: As I mentioned during last month’s look Spider-Man comic sales, I wasn’t surprised by the results of the first issue of Amazing Spider-Man and Silk: The (Spider)Fly Effect when it came to its rankings and sales estimates. So I’m not too surprised by the second issue’s performance, or that it’s lower than the first one.  Miniseries usually don’t do as well as ongoing titles, and this is a reprinting of a digital comic. For those reasons, I believe the folks at Marvel aren’t too panicked about this one’s sales estimates when it comes to print.

"Venom: Space Knight #6116 — 17.56 — Venom: Space Knight #6 — 17,894 (-4.85%)November 2015: 29 — Venom: Space Knight #1 — 59,151December 2015: 79 — Venom: Space Knight #2 — 32,210 (-45.55%)January 2016: 79 — Venom: Space Knight #3 — 25,770 (-19.99%)February 2016: 96 — Venom: Space Knight #4 — 21,545 (-16.39%)March 2016: 104 — Venom: Space Knight #5 — 18,807 (-12.70%)"

Commentary: Now with this comic, however, perhaps Marvel should panic. I know I’ve talked about this repeatedly, but it does bear repeating: the main reason this comic is in free fall is because it’s as far removed from what Spider-Man and comic book fans think about Venom. I don’t think it’s any accident that once Robbie Thompson established when the Klyntar (still not used to that being the official species name for the symbiotes) separates from Flash Thompson, it resembles Venom in his original form. Because like all comic book characters, Venom needs a distinctive appearance to make him stand out, one that his fans will recognize and thus, hopefully, pick up the comic. At least compared to Venom’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” outfit. 

"Web Warriors #6125 — 17.05 — Web Warriors #6 — 17,376 (-6.68%)November 2015: 26 — Web Warriors #1 — 62,096December 2015: 80 — Web Warriors #2 — 31,614 (-49.08%)January 2016: 84 — Web Warriors #3 — 25,407 (-19.63%)February 2016: 107 — Web Warriors #4 — 20,198 (-20.50%)March 2016: 107 — Web Warriors #5 — 18,621 (-7.80%)"

Commentary: And finally, the other Spider-Man related comic in total free fall. To think that this comic started off being close to the top 25, only to drop almost one hundred spots down the charts within six months and lose close to three-quarters of its potential audience. Quite alarming when put into that perspective, and I’m not so sure Marvel can really do anything the stem the bleeding at this point.

That’s all the sales estimates for this month, Spider-Man fans. Until next time!