COMICS: Marvel Once Again Back On Top After Beating DC's December Market Share

COMICS: Marvel Once Again Back On Top After Beating DC's December Market Share

After coming out on top for three months in a row thanks to the success of "The New 52" relaunch, DC has once again fallen behind Marvel in terms of dollars spent and comics sold. Read on for details.

News
By JoshWilding - Jan 03, 2012 10:01 AM EST
Filed Under: Comics
Source: Bleeding Cool



Thanks to the launch of "The New 52" back in September, DC was able to take over market share from Marvel in terms of both the amount of dollars spend and the number of comics bought. This hadn't happened for a long time and both October and November saw the publishers maintain their new-found lead. However, thanks to a decision to release their comics in all five weeks of December, Marvel is once again back on top. Just.

As Bleeding Cool report, they started closing the gap back in November and DC's decision to release almost no comics in the fifth week of December meant that they've no fallen behind once again. As the site reports, "Marvel rose from 33.3% to 34.43% of dollars spent in December 2011, while DC fell from 34.69% to 33.74%. And for the number of comics bought, Marvel led again increasing from 37.94% to 39.05% against DC falling from 39.66% to 37.72%."

Will Marvel be able to maintain their lead this month? Only time will tell...


About The Author:
JoshWilding
Member Since 3/13/2009
Comic Book Reader. Film Lover. WWE and F1 Fan. Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic and ComicBookMovie.com's #1 contributor.
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PaulRom
PaulRom - 1/3/2012, 10:34 AM
That's great, another reason for the Marvelites to make DC look bad.
Though I can't deny that DC's most recent comics haven't been quite as great as the first issues of the relaunch.
Berger45
Berger45 - 1/3/2012, 10:34 AM
Well that didn't take long. Nice try Intruder.
ThatFan
ThatFan - 1/3/2012, 10:39 AM
@PaulRom its sad that DC fans look at Marvel fans like we're the biggest fanboys on the face of the earth. We're no more a fanboy than you people are :\
PaulRom
PaulRom - 1/3/2012, 10:40 AM
@ThatFan Yeah, the Nolanites are about as crazy/fanboyish as Marvelites (I consider myself a little bit of both).
PaulRom
PaulRom - 1/3/2012, 10:45 AM
@Intruder To you, everything about DC sucks. Whether or not the company's bad is debatable, but I think the relaunch is a good idea. Not only to attract newer readers (like myself), but they've had multiple deaths/resurrections for many major characters (Superman, Batman, Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, Jason Todd, Doomsday, etc.); in that case, it'd be better to start over as if the deaths never happened. Which is what I think Marvel should do with more of their titles (Punisher and Daredevil are good starts).

And for the record, I think Geoff Johns has too much on his schedule. I'm liking his work on Aquaman and sometimes Green Lantern, but someone else should fill in for Justice League (not liking how he writes Wonder Woman much at all). The occasional mediocre lines prove that.
Coldblood6
Coldblood6 - 1/3/2012, 10:52 AM
That's the amazing thing about this whole scenario. You could literally see (via interviews) that the 'bigwigs' at MARVEL just said 'Thanx!' to DC for going through all this trouble and moneyspending to get new people (and some older people who had stopped) back into the comicbook stores. Eventually, sooner rather than later, they'll just switch over to MARVEL, because the characters are cooler and more interesting as is the MARVEL Universe on the whole. Plus MARVEL has an entire Universe on the big screen.
dahamma
dahamma - 1/3/2012, 10:53 AM
Batman is the only DC reading I do now a days, everything else is kinda crappy
PaulRom
PaulRom - 1/3/2012, 10:53 AM
@Intruder I wouldn't say either companies are 'lame'. They both have their good titles (Batman, Daredevil) and not so good (Batman & Robin, Incredible Hulk).
And yes, Marvel seems to have too much pride in their universe. Probably beyond a healthy amount.
cmax
cmax - 1/3/2012, 10:56 AM
New 52 was an ambitious idea, but when it all comes down to it you don't need to reboot your entire line - you just need to publish better stories. I'm not saying Marvel stories are better than DC's, but the whole reboot thing can only be a drawing point for so long.

It's new, and then suddenly it's old.
Destroyer14
Destroyer14 - 1/3/2012, 10:56 AM
It was inevitable. By the way, does anyone know which comic issue this picture is from? I can't locate it.
JaySchluffy
JaySchluffy - 1/3/2012, 10:57 AM
People forget one VERY important point in all this.

DC is now publishing 50-60 issues a month, Marvel publish anywhere from 80-100 per month. Of course they are going to have a higher market share eventually because they simply publish more book. Thats why it was such a big thing when DC took the #1 spot with far less books on the stands.

The New 52 is still a success and has brought DC's overall market share to a comfortable high (last january they struggled to receive 27% share of the market).

DC have rebooted their universe now three times in the past 50 years (Showcase, Crisis, Flashpoint), the reboot has happened before and in 25 years it will probably happen again. It's the way DC work and it's to be expected.
darthbobtarkas
darthbobtarkas - 1/3/2012, 10:58 AM
DC is cool enough. Marvel is like that new flashy kid on the block who can rap and act cool and shit. DC is that amazingly cool Grandfather who keeps on telling brilliant stories. Each company has it's merits. [frick] those people who classify others into Dc fanboys and Marvel fanboys. We just bloody love comics.
skidz
skidz - 1/3/2012, 11:01 AM
I think DC just needs some fresh writers willing to take bigger risks. The only ones I pay any attention to are Geoff Johns and Grant Morrison. None of the others at DC take any real risks. Two of their best voices (Ed Brubaker and Jeph Loeb) jumped ship and moved to Marvel. I'm a fan of both companies, but most of the DC material just feels stale.
marvel72
marvel72 - 1/3/2012, 11:03 AM
excellent marvel will always be number 1 even if dc knocks them off with a gimmick they always come back fighting.

i predict these dc new 52 titles to be cancelled by september 2012.

-o.m.a.c
-mister terrific
-frankenstein agent of shade
-i,vampire
-resurrection man
-demon knights
-voodoo
-blackhawks
-men of war
-all star western
-static shock

& maybe....

-batwing
-catwoman

also why do lame shit from the above list get titles but not the likes of captain marvel,power girl or zatanna.
darthbobtarkas
darthbobtarkas - 1/3/2012, 11:04 AM
@skidz Jeph Loeb isn't doing Marvel a lot of good though. Wonder if he went to Marvel with sabotage in his mind?
PaulRom
PaulRom - 1/3/2012, 11:04 AM
@intruder Well, I've only read the first two issues so I can't judge the line in its entirety. The storytelling was pretty good, but the artwork was awful. IMO, perhaps the best comic line right now is a three way tie between Venom, Daredevil and Snyder's Batman.
PaulRom
PaulRom - 1/3/2012, 11:05 AM
@Marvel72 Catwoman never should have gotten her own series. Read the first issue and never went back.
darthbobtarkas
darthbobtarkas - 1/3/2012, 11:07 AM
@marvel72 Are you even reading All Star Western, Blackhawks, Frankenstein and Demon Knights? They're fricking brilliant. But I'm totally with you on Shazam/Power Girl/Zatanna. Bloody love Zattana.
skidz
skidz - 1/3/2012, 11:14 AM
@darthbobtarkas: True, I think Loeb was better at writing for them. He hasn't really made any waves in his current role.
sarahsatire
sarahsatire - 1/3/2012, 11:14 AM
@PaulRom Before you go saying Incredible Hulk is one of Marvel's "not so good" titles maybe you should familiarize yourself with the body of work because you cannot give an educated opinion if you have only read two issues of a comic run. Maybe you can start with Peter David's award winning 12 year run on The Incredible Hulk? He is only one of the comic world's best writers after all.
JaySchluffy
JaySchluffy - 1/3/2012, 11:15 AM
@TheGODDAMSUPERGUY Don't forget Marvel's love of the $3.99 point while following suit with DC and making books 20 pages....and still charging $3.99...

No one can defend that decision by Marvel straight faced.
headlopper
headlopper - 1/3/2012, 11:15 AM
Ha-ha-ha! Was there any doubt!

X- Force Forever!( ...and Batman Beyond- Terry McGuiness FTW!)
marvel72
marvel72 - 1/3/2012, 11:17 AM
@ destroyer14

mark bagley run on the amazing spider-man was 345, 351-415 so it could be in there somewhere also checkout venom lethal protector.

@ darthbobtarkas

no i haven't because i don't like the look or sound of them,the only dc books i'm intrested in when the trades become availble are......

-batman (snyder)
-green lantern
-red lanterns
-flash
-animal man
-swamp thing

& maybe

-aquaman
-justice league dark
-savage hawkman
headlopper
headlopper - 1/3/2012, 11:18 AM
See, DC's got their redeemable value.(...I'm diggin' the 'Huntress' too BTW)
CPBuff22
CPBuff22 - 1/3/2012, 11:19 AM
DC fans, Marvel does produce far more titles. That being said, most comic shops don't purchase every title. Unless your in a large city your going to find the smaller shops are going to choose not to order some of these titles. So just because you have more product doesn't automatically lead to more sales, as seen in October & November when Marvel was pushing out a bunch of Fear Itself one shot tie ins.

Honestly for the younger generation Marvel just has more to offer. I grew up with both Marvel & DC but if you look at the number of Marvel related shows, movies, & merchandise far exceeded that of DC. With so much out there to attract the youth of today Marvel is going to pull more sales.

The Green Lantern movie was a chance for DC to draw in new fans, unfortunately the movie was a huge disappointment even for those who are only casual fans.
headlopper
headlopper - 1/3/2012, 11:20 AM
@sarahsatire- Logic wins every time. Well said.
JaySchluffy
JaySchluffy - 1/3/2012, 11:23 AM
@Intruder, ok I'm sorry but you do know how how a pie chart works right? If one segment decreases in value of course another segment will then INCREASE in value to compensate, otherwise we will end up with a chart that fills 87%...

Also did you forget about the fact that DC's sales increased in October after the initial relaunch in september. It hasn't been a clear cut "DC sales have been steadily declining" since the relaunch. That and the fact that the further into any story you go the sales will drop...

You may want to pop your head over to ComicsBeat.com and try and get a clearer idea of how month to month sales work.
http://www.comicsbeat.com/2011/12/28/marvel-month-to-month-sales-november-2011/
JaySchluffy
JaySchluffy - 1/3/2012, 11:27 AM
@Intruder, it's not excuses. It's math.
TheShakeBake
TheShakeBake - 1/3/2012, 11:28 AM
Can't MArvel and DC fans unite to just like comic books and comic book movies alike!!! I mean I'm a Marvel fan all the way but I can still enjoy a DC book or movie. WHY CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS!!
headlopper
headlopper - 1/3/2012, 11:28 AM
@Intruder - Yep. I agree with your last thread. The future film projects and TV shows will keep Marvel firmly in the public's mind for years to come . Good point!

And BTW. ' The Incredible Hulk' is just getting better with every issue.
PoPcornDude
PoPcornDude - 1/3/2012, 11:29 AM
it doesn't matter, my favorite character is shitty, in my eyes...

spiderman still SUX !!!
headlopper
headlopper - 1/3/2012, 11:33 AM
@TheShakeBake- Because some people wear deodorant and some people wear anti-perspirant.
I don't understand it myself.
SotNatt
SotNatt - 1/3/2012, 11:36 AM
Wow...talk about bad pacing. Although, the market jump was based on curiosity rather than appeal anyway, so DC was bound to fall behind again eventually.
headlopper
headlopper - 1/3/2012, 11:41 AM
@Intruder - BTW, check out my latest editorial on Sue Richards. Tell me what you think!
JaySchluffy
JaySchluffy - 1/3/2012, 11:45 AM
@Intruder Like I said previously. I don't see how this is a "failure". A year ago DC's share of the market barley hit over 25%. The top two companies are now literally neck and neck against each other (even with one publishing far less comics for cheeper than another....). I wonder what the top 100 list for december will look like hmm? In november marvels highest selling book was #5 in the charts, selling 50,000 issues less than the #1 book. Last time I checked 50,000 issues was the average number of sales for books like The Avengers, Ultimate Spider-Man The Amazing Spider-Man & Captain America (all hitting no higher than #25 on the sales charts...) thats pretty disappointing for a publishers biggest hitting books.

And don't get me started on your so called "DC Media blitz". Last time I checked DC wasn't the company that leaked spoiler stories to USA Today frequently throughout this year a day before release (negating the point of their precious polybags....)
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