It is time to check out the May 2023 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.
ICv2 has respectfully asked that we not publish their sales rankings here on our website. So, you can check out the Top 50 for May 2023 for free or opt for a pro membership and get the Top 200 for May 2023 over on ICv2 and then come back here for a detailed analysis of the May 2023 sales rankings!
May 2023 Top 200 Single Issue Comic Rankings
The Battle for the Top 10
Marvel Comics took first place with six comics in the Top 10. Month-over-month sales were down from the seven titles that Marvel Comics had in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were also down from the seven titles that Marvel Comics had in May 2022.
Marvel Comics is beginning to fall into the same trap as DC Comics did with the Batman franchise. Four of Marvel Comics’ five titles came from the Spider-Man franchise. The only non-Spider-Man title was Daredevil #11 taking the number 9 spot. We will talk more about the Spider-Man franchise titles in the Spider-Man Franchise section.
DC Comics took second place with four comics in the Top 10. Month-over-month sales were up from the awful two titles that DC Comics had in the Top 10 in April 2022. Year-over-year numbers were also up over the two titles that DC Comics had in May 2022.
DC Comics turns the table on Marvel Comics as DC Comics actually had greater diversity among its titles in the Top 10. Amazing! Only two of DC Comics’ four titles came from the Batman franchise. Batman #135 did the impossible and knocked Amazing Spider-Man out of the number 1 position. It has been a while since Amazing Spider-Man lost that number 1 spot.
The non-Batman franchise titles in the Top 10 were Titans #1 at the number 6 spot and Green Lantern #1 at the number 8 spot. DC Comics should feel proud that they hung close to Marvel Comics in the Top 10 and did not have to rely solely on the Batman franchise for their Top 10 success.
The Battle for the Top 25
Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, the titles in the numbers 11-25 range typically sell in the 65,000 to 50,000 unit range.
Marvel Comics grabbed first place with a monstrous seventeen comics in the Top 25. Month-over-month sales were flat as Marvel Comics also had seventeen comics in the Top 25 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were up over the thirteen comics that Marvel Comics had in the Top 25 in May 2022.
It is great to see Fantastic Four continuing to deliver excellent sales numbers! Fantastic Four #7 bounced up from the number 15 spot to the number 13 spot. It looks like Fantastic Four has the potential to be a consistent Top 15 title. Ryan North is doing an excellent job on this title and deserves all of this hard-earned success.
Moon Knight #23 dropped from the number eleven spot to the number 17 spot. That is still a fantastic sales ranking for Moon Knight. I am blown away by how Moon Knight has remained a consistent Top 25 title even after two years on the market.
DC Comics came in a distant second place with just seven comics in the Top 25. However, month-over-month sales were up slightly over the six comics that DC Comics had in the Top 25 in April 2023. Still, year-over-year numbers were flat as DC Comcis also had seven comics in the Top 25 in May 2022.
This is where DC Comics is really suffering. While DC Comics kept the Top 10 close, they got obliterated in the numbers 11-25 spots. DC Comics only placed three measly titles between numbers 11-25. That pales in comparison to Marvel Comics’ eleven titles in this part of the sales rankings.
However, some good news for DC Comics was that only three of their seven comics in the Top 25 were from the Batman franchise. Less reliance on the Batman franchise will help DC Comics as the Batman franchise fatigue inevitably sets in with consumers.
Image Comics had just one comic in the Top 25. Month-over-month sales were down from the two comics that Image Comics had in the Top 25 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were also down from the three comics that Image Comics had in the Top 25 in May 2022.
The Battle for the Top 50
Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, the titles in the numbers 26-50 range typically sell in the 49,000 to 30,000 unit range.
Marvel Comics took first place with thirty-three comics in the Top 50. Month-over-month sales were flat as Marvel Comics also had thirty-three comics in the Top 50 in April 2023. However, year-over-year numbers were up over the twenty-nine comics that Marvel Comics had in the Top 50 in Maay 2022.
Guardians of the Galaxy #2 crashed and burned as it fell from the number 4 spot all the way down to the number 34 spot. Evidently, many readers were not hooked by what they read in the debut issue of Guardians of the Galaxy. This large drop does not surprise me at all. I have not been impressed at all with Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly over on Steve Rogers’ now-canceled title. So, I had zero expectations of them having much sales success on Guardians of the Galaxy.
Scarlet Witch #5 dropped like a dead duck plummeting from the number 8 spot all the way down to the number 37 spot. It looks like the shine on this new title may be wearing off. The next few months are going to be critical for Scarlet Witch and will dictate if this title can transform into a consistent Top 50 title for Marvel Comics each month. I am betting against that happening, but you never know! Anything is possible. After all, I did not see the sales success coming that the first four issues enjoyed.
Ghost Rider #14 dropped from the number 30 spot all the way down to the number 50 spot. This is the lowest sales ranking for Ghost Rider since Ghost Rider #12 came in at the number 42 spot in March 2023. The next few months will be interesting for Ghost Rider and will determine what we can expect from this title in its second year on the market. I am rooting for Ghost Rider to remain a consistent Top 50 title.
DC Comics came in a distant second place with fifteen comics in the Top 50. Still, month-over-month sales were up from the eleven comics DC Comics had in the Top 50 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were also up over the ten comics that DC Comics had in the Top 50 in May 2022.
Once again, DC Comics is getting killed in the numbers 26-50 section of the sales ranking. DC Comics only placed eight titles in this section of the sales rankings. This is far behind the sixteen titles that Marvel Comics placed in this section of the sales rankings.
This is also where we start to see DC Comics’ reliance on the Batman franchise appear in the sales rankings. Seven of DC Comics’ sixteen titles were from the Batman franchise. That is a large percentage, but still not as bad as it has been in the past.
Image Comics had just one comic in the Top 50. Month-over-month sales were down from the three comics that Image Comics had in the Top 50 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were down sharply from the six comics that Image Comics had in the Top 50 in May 2022.
BOOM! Studios had one comic in the Top 50. Month-over-month sales were up over the zero comics that BOOM! Studios had in the Top 50 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were down sharply from the four comics that BOOM! Studios had in the Top 50 in May 2022.
The Battle for the Top 75
Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, the titles in the numbers 51-75 range typically sell in the 29,000 to 25,000 unit range.
Marvel Comics dominated everyone with forty-six comics in the Top 75. However, month-over-month sales were actually down from the forty-nine comics that Marvel Comics had in the Top 75 in April 2023. On the other hand, year-over-year numbers were up from, the thirty-seven comics that Marvel Comics had in the Top 75 in May 2022.
Doctor Strange #3 dropped from the number 63 spot down to the number 73 spot. Yes, Dr. Strange #3 did slip in the final week of May. But, Dr. Strange #2 also shipped in the final week of April. It looks like Dr. Strange’s new title is cooling off in a quick fashion. Again, MCU success does not usually translate into comic book success.
DC Comics placed twenty-one comics in the Top 75. Month-over-month sales were up over the seventeen comics that DC Comics had in the Top 75 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were also up over the seventeen comics that DC Comics had in the Top 75 in May 2022.
DC Comics also got killed in the numbers 51-75 section of the sales rankings. DC Comics only had six titles in this section of the sales rankings compared to Marvel Comics’ thirteen titles.
Justice Society of America #4 dropped from the number 54 spot down to the number 68 spot. It appears that the JSA’s descent down the sales rankings is beginning to slow. Hopefully, this title can stabilize and remain in the Top 100 for the rest of this twelve-issue limited series.
Image Comics had five comics in the Top 75. Month-over-month sales were down from the six comics that Image Comics had in the Top 75 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were down by a massive amount from the thirteen comics that Image Comics had in the Top 75 in May 2022.
BOOM! Studios had one comic in the Top 75. Month-over-month sales were up over the zero comics that BOOM! Studios had in the Top 75 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were down sharply from the five comics that BOOM! Studios had in the Top 75 in May 2022.
IDW Publishing had one comic in the Top 75. Month-over-month numbers were down from the two comics that IDW Publishing had in the Top 75 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were also down from the two comics that IDW Publishing had in the Top 75 in May 2022.
Dynamite Entertainment had one comic in the Top 75. Month-over-month sales were flat as Dynamite Entertainment also had one comic in the Top 75 in April 2023. However, year-over-year numbers were up from the zero comics that Dynamite Entertainment had in the Top 75 in May 2022.
The Battle for the Top 100
Based on historical numbers from the Comichron as well as projections through April 2022, the titles in the numbers 76-100 range typically sell in the 24,000 to 18,000 unit range.
Marvel Comics crushed all publishers by taking first place with sixty-one comics in the Top 100. Month-over-month sales were flat as Marvel Comics also had sixty-one comics in the Top 100 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were up by a wide margin over the forty-six comics that Marvel Comics had in the Top 100 in May 2022.
Punisher #12 dropped from the number 57 spot down to the number 89 spot. Now, this title did ship the last week of May 2023. However, Punisher keeps trending downward. That is no surprise to me. I have not found this latest iteration of Punisher to be that compelling at all. It appears that many readers have been unimpressed with Aaron’s handling of the Punisher’s character.
DC Comics finished in a distant second place with only thirty comics in the Top 100. Having said that, month-over-month sales were up over the twenty-five comics that DC Comics had in the Top 100 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were barely up over the twenty-nine comics that DC Comics had in the Top 100 in May 2022.
Unstoppable Doom Patrol #3 fell from the number 80 spot to the number 93 spot. It appears that this six-issue limited series is going to conclude outside of the Top 100. The question will be if this title can remain in the Top 150 by its conclusion.
Danger Street #6 almost dropped out of the Top 100 as it fell from the number 69 spot down to the number 98 spot. Danger Street is on course to finish its twelve-issue limited series outside of the Top 150. This is no surprise at all as Danger Street is an incredibly niche title and Tom King’s name alone is not enough to sell a title.
Image Comics five comics in the Top 100. Month-over-month sales were down from the nine comics that Image Comics had in the Top 100 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were down by a massive margin from the fifteen comics that Image Comics had in the Top 100 in May 2022.
IDW Publishing had two comics in the Top 100. Month-over-month numbers were flat as IDW Publishing also had two comics in the Top 100 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were also flat as IDW Publishing had two comics in the Top 100 in May 2022.
BOOM! Studios had one comic in the Top 100. Month-over-month sales were up over the two comics that BOOM! Studios had in the Top 100 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were down sharply from the seven comics that BOOM! Studios had in the Top 100 in May 2022.
Dynamite Entertainment had one comic in the Top 100. Month-over-month sales were flat as Dynamite Entertainment also had one comic in the Top 100 in April 2023. However, year-over-year numbers were up from the zero comics that Dynamite Entertainment had in the Top 100 in May 2022.
The Tom Taylor Award For The Writer With The Most Issues In The Top 50
Multiple writers had two issues in the Top 50 in May 2023. Let’s start with the three writers who had two issues from the same title in the Top 50 in May 2023.
Zeb Wells Amazing had two issues with Spider-Man #25 and Amazing Spider-Man #26.
Dan Slott had two issues with Spider-Man #7 and Spider-Man #8.
Greg Pak had two issues with Star Wars: Darth Vader #33 and Star Wars: Darth Vader #34.
All right, now we move up a level to the writers who had two issues in the Top 50 from different titles.
Jed MacKay had two titles with Avengers #1 and Moon Knight #23.
Ryan North Extreme had two titles in Venomverse #1 and Fantastic Four #7.
Steve Orlando had two titles with Spider-Man 2099 Dark Genesis #1 and Scarlet Witch #5.
Benjamin Percy had two titles in Wolverine #33 and Ghost Rider #14.
Mark Waid had two titles with Shazam #1 and Batman Superman Worlds Finest #15.
Joshua Williamson had two titles in Superman #4 and Green Arrow #2.
Now we move to the writers who had two issues from different titles and different publishers in the Top 50.
Phillip Kennedy Johnson had two titles from two different publishers in Green Lantern #1 and Hulk Annual #1.
Chip Zdarsky had two titles from two different publishers in Batman #135 and Daredevil #11. It should be noted that Zdarsky gets the honors for the most issues in the Top 10 in May 2023. Very impressive.
However, there were two writers who both had three issues from three different titles in the Top 50! It is a knockdown drag-out battle for the Tom Taylor Award for May 2023!
Al Ewing comes in swinging with three issues from three different titles with Venom #19, X-Men Red #11, and Extreme Venomverse #2.
Tom Taylor counters with three issues from three different titles with Titans #1, Nightwing #104, and Adventures of Superman Jon Kent #3.
Oh. man! Once again, we go to tie-breakers for the Tom Taylor Award. The first tie-breaker is that ongoing titles are worth more than mini-series. However, here both Ewing and Taylor have two ongoing titles and one mini-series. So, let’s take a look at the two mini-series. Extreme Venomverse is an anthology so Ewing will not be writing any of the remaining issues of this five-issue anthology mini-series. On the other hand, Taylor’s mini-series is written only by him from start to finish.
Therefore, the winner of the Tom Taylor Award for May 2023 is…Tom Taylor! This makes it the third month in a row that Taylor has won the Tom Taylor Award! Maybe one month some writer will be able to wrest this award from Taylor’s kung-fu grip!
Battle of the Franchises
The Spider-Man franchise completely Godzilla stomped all of the other franchises in May 2023. The Spider-Man franchise easily cruised to a dominant first-place finish with four titles in the Top 10, a ridiculous nine titles in the Top 25, and a ludicrous thirteen titles in the Top 50.
I know people are complaining a lot about what is going on in Amazing Spider-Man. But, the Spider-Man franchise is white-hot at the moment. And there is no debating that fact. The gap between Spider-Man and all of the other franchises is massive at the moment.
The Batman franchise rose up from its fourth-place finish in April 2023 to take second place in May 2023 with two titles in the Top 10, three titles in the Top 25, and seven titles in the Top 50. Remember when it was the Batman franchise that was Godzilla stomping all of the competition? Yeah, it looks like Batman has conceded the crown to Spider-Man and I do not see that changing anytime soon.
The X-Men franchise fell from second place in April 2023 down to third place in May 2023 with zero titles in the Top 10, three titles in the Top 25, and six titles in the Top 50. The X-Men franchise has continued to gradually cool down the longer we get from Jonathan Hickman’s departure. I do not think we will see the X-Men heat up to the same level as when Hickman was at the helm. We will see if Fall of X can supercharge the X-Men franchise which is clearly beginning to drop down in the sales rankings.
The Avengers franchise fell from third place in April 2023 to fourth place in May 2023 with one title in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and four titles in the Top 50. The Avengers franchise remains the overlooked middle child between the Spider-Man franchise and the X-Men franchise.
Just like in April 2023, The Star Wars franchise and the Superman franchise tied for fifth place in May 2023 as both had zero titles in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and four titles in the Top 50.
Marvel Comics and DC Comics Debut Issues
1-10
Avengers #1 (Marvel Comics)
Edge of Spider-Verse #1 (Marvel Comics)
Titans #1 (DC Comics)
Extreme Venomverse #1 (Marvel Comics)
Green Lantern #1 (DC Comics)
11-25
Shazam #1 (DC Comics)
Batman The Brave And The Bold #1 (DC Comics)
Silk #1 (Marvel Comics)
Spider-Man 2099 Dark Genesis #1 (Marvel Comics)
26-50
Cult of Carnage: Misery #1 (Marvel Comics)
Carnage Reigns Alpha #1 (Marvel Comics)
Groot #1 (Marvel Comics)
Power Girl Special #1 (One-Shot) (DC Comics)
Batman White Knight Presents Generation Joker #1 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
X-Men Before The Fall Sons of X #1 (Marvel Comics)
Peacemaker Tries Hard #1 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
Storm #1 (Marvel Comics)
Shazam #1 debuted at the number 16 spot. This was a nice debut for the new title from the all-star creative team of Mark Waid and Dan Mora. I adored this issue so I am glad to see it performing well in its debut. I already discussed this title back when DC Comics announced the new Shazam title. I predicted this title would debut in the Top 25. That happened. But, based on Shazam’s terrible sales history I also predicted this title would struggle to stay in the Top 50 after the first five issues. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that Shazam turns out to be a consistent Top 50 seller.
Groot #1 debuted at the number 28 spot. This was an okay debut for everyone’s favorite animated tree. I love Groot, but debuting outside of the Top 25 indicates that Groot is going to have a tough time concluding its six-issue limited series in the Top 100.
Peacemaker #1 debuted at the number 41 spot. This is not that impressive of a debut for a character that has had his own HBO television show and starred in a big blockbuster movie. Again, sales in movies and TV do not necessarily translate into sales in comic books. Peacemaker Tries Hard does not star the Charlton Comics version of Peacemaker. You are definitely getting the John Cena Peacemaker in this title. Given the unimpressive debut number, there is no doubt that Peacemaker Tries Hard will conclude its six-issue limited series outside of the Top 100.
51-100
Danny Ketch: Ghost Rider #1 (Marvel Comics)
Demon Wars Scarlet Sin #1 (Marvel Comics)
Daredevil & Echo #1 (Marvel Comics)
DC Pride 2023 #1 (One-Shot) (DC Comics)
Spirit World #1 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
The Vigil #1 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
Danny Ketch: Ghost Rider #1 debuted at the number 59 spot. That is a rather poor debut for the 1990s Ghost Rider. This makes me a bit sad. Even though I am on team Johnny Blaze, I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Danny Ketch as the Ghost Rider of the 1990s. This mini-series is even being written by Danny Ketch co-creator Howard Mackie!
At any rate, it looks like fans are more interested in 1970s Ghost Rider than 1990s Ghost Rider as Danny could not replicate the excellent debut that Johnny Blaze received with his current ongoing title. Given this unimpressive debut, it would appear that Danny Ketch: Ghost Rider will conclude its five-issue mini-series outside of the Top 100. I am still holding out hope that this title never falls outside of the Top 150.
Daredevil & Echo #1 debuted at the number 79 spot. Again, the only people who should be surprised by this awful debut number would be the Marvel editors. Even pairing Echo up with insanely popular and consistent Top 10 seller Daredevil could not pull this title into the Top 75.
I know Marvel Comics desperately wants to make the 616 Universe like the MCU. And I know that Echo is getting her own Disney+ TV show for some mysterious reason. But, Echo is a sales dud. I would expect this four-issue mini-series to conclude outside of the Top 150.
Spirit World #1 debuted at the number 95 spot. I already discussed this title when it was first announced by DC Comics. Alyssa Wong has never had any sales success so I predicted that Spirit World #1 would be a poor seller and debut in the Top 100 and then drop out of the Top 100 by the second issue. It looks like I was right. Spirit World #1 barely clawed its way into the Top 100. Given this awful debut number, Spirit World #2 is sure to be well outside of the Top 100.
I also predicted that there was a good chance that Spirit World would conclude its six-issue limited series unranked and outside of the Top 200. That is still a strong possibility given the bad debut number.
The Vigil #1 debuted at the number 96 spot. I also discussed this title when it was first announced by DC Comics. I was intrigued by the concept, but the fact that Ram V has never had any sales success in the world of superhero comic books made me hesitant about the success of Vigil. Six-issue mini-series.
I predicted that The Vigil #1 would debut in the Top 75. I was wrong about that as The Vigil #1 barely made it into the Top 100. I did predict that The Vigil would quickly drop out of the Top 100. That is guaranteed to happen given the poor debut number. I did predict that The Vigil would conclude its six-issue mini-series inside of the Top 150. That appears to be a long shot given the bad debut number.
101-125
Fury #1 (Marvel Comics)
City Boy #1 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
Fury #1 debuted at the number 110 spot. This should surprise nobody other than the Marvel editorial staff. Nick Fury Jr. remains the worst mantle swap in the history of comic books. Marvel Comics painfully wanted a Samuel Jackson-type Nick Fury in the 616 Universe. So, what did we get? The appearance of an unknown lovechild of Nicky Fury and some random woman from Atlanta, Georgia. Of course, since Marvel Comics really just wanted Samuel Jackson Nick Fury they had the artists draw a biracial man as looking like….Samuel Jackson…who is not biracial. Great job all around Marvel. At any rate, Nick Fury, Jr. is a crap character so I am not at all surprised that even putting Al Ewing on this comic book could not entice readers to hop aboard.
City Boy #1 debuted at the number 120 spot. I also discussed this title when it was first announced by DC Comics. I thought the concept for this title sounded interesting and unique. I also thought that Greg Pak was enough of an established name to draw readers to this title. Therefore, I stated that City Boy #1 had a good chance of debuting in the Top 50. I was obviously wrong across the board.
I did predict that City Boy would quickly drop out of the Top 100. I also predicted that City Boy would conclude its six-issue mini-series in the Top 150. Well, I was right that City Boy would quickly drop out of the Top 100 as it failed to even make it into the Top 100 with its debut issue. But, it looks like I am going to be wrong about this mini-series concluding in the Top 150. It appears that City Boy is destined to conclude outside of the Top 200 and unranked.
Big Events
X-Men Before The Fall Sons of X #1 (Marvel Comics)
Sins of Sinister Dominion #1 (Resolicitation) (Marvel Comics)
All is quiet at the moment in the Big Event category. We did have the lead-in to the upcoming X-Men big event in Fall of X. X-Men Before The Fall Sons of X #1 debuted at the number 39 spot. That is a rather lukewarm debut as it was well outside of the Top 25. However, I am sure sales will heat up when the actual Fall of X big event begins in August 2023.
Star Wars Franchise
24 Star Wars #34 (Marvel Comics)
30 Star Wars: Darth Vader #33 (Marvel Comics)
38 Star Wars: Darth Vader #34 (Marvel Comics)
46 Star Wars: Yoda #7 (Marvel Comics)
60 Star Wars: Darth Vader – Black, White & Red #2 (Marvel Comics)
62 Star Wars: Darth Vader – Black, White & Red #1 (Resolicitation) (Marvel Comics)
66 Star Wars the High Republic #9 (Marvel Comics)
76 Star Wars Return of the Jedi Lando #1 (One-Shot) (Marvel Comics)
108 Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #34 (Marvel Comics)
112 Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #31 (Marvel Comics)
119 Star Wars the High Republic #10 (Marvel Comics)
145 Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #32 (Marvel Comics)
190 Star Wars The High Republic Adventures #4 (Of 8) (Dark Horse Comics)
Unranked: Star Wars: Sana Starros #4 (Marvel Comics)
The Star Wars franchise had zero titles in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and four titles in the Top 50. This was the same as April 2023 when the Star Wars franchise had zero titles in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and four titles in the Top 50. Year-over-year numbers were down in the Top 10 but up in the Top 50 as the Star Wars franchise had one title in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and two titles in the Top 50 in May 2022.
There still remains an obvious Disney problem with the Star Wars franchise. The four Star Wars titles in the Top 50 are all starring characters from the original Star Wars trilogy. Expanding past that, the six best-selling Star Wars issues are all starring characters from the original Star Wars trilogy.
The best-selling Star Wars book was Star Wars #34 starring Luke Skywalker. Darth Vader stars in the second best-selling title and the fourth best-selling title. Yoda stars in the third best-selling title.
The first Disney Star Wars appearance is Star Wars the High Republic #9 which was the seventh best-selling Star Wars issue.
Star Wars Doctor Aphra rolled out two issues in May and both failed to crack into the Top 100. However, Star Wars Doctor Aphra no longer holds the title as the worst-selling Marvel Comics Star Wars title.
That is because Star Wars: Sana Starros #4 dropped from the number 154 spot, all the way out of the Top 200, and was unranked. Again, this should not surprise anyone who is not a Marvel Comics editor. It really is not that hard to predict. Justina Ireland is a YA novelist and YA novelists have never had any sales success for Marvel Comics.
Spider-Man Franchise
2 Amazing Spider-Man #25
4 Amazing Spider-Man #26
5 Edge of Spider-Verse #1
7 Extreme Venomverse #1
12 Spider-Man #7 (Resolicitation)
14 Spider-Man #8
19 Miles Morales: Spider-Man #6
22 Silk #1
23 Spider-Man 2099 Dark Genesis #1
26 Cult of Carnage: Misery #1
27 Carnage Reigns Alpha #1
29 Venom #19
35 Extreme Venomverse #2
52 Spider-Man 2099 Dark Genesis #2
75 Spider-Man 2099 Dark Genesis #3
77 Spider-Gwen: Shadow Clones #3
83 Edge of Spider-Verse #2
84 Carnage #13
86 Hallows’ Eve #3
87 Amazing Spider-Man #24 (Resolicitation)
97 Red Goblin #4
99 Spider-Man 2099 Dark Genesis #4
115 Venom: Lethal Protector II #3
122 Spider-Man 2099 Dark Genesis #5
128 Amazing Spider-Man #23 (Resolicitation)
162 Venom: Lethal Protector II #2 (Of 5) (Resolicitation)
The Spider-Man franchise had four titles in the Top 10, a ridiculous nine titles in the Top 25, and a ludicrous thirteen titles in the Top 50. This was better than April 2023 when the Spider-Man franchise had four titles in the Top 10, five titles in the Top 25, and eight titles in the Top 50. Year-over-year numbers were up as the Spider-Man franchise had two titles in the Top 10, three titles in the Top 25, and seven titles in the Top 50 in May 2022.
It was another phenomenal month for Amazing Spider-Man. Amazing Spider-Man #25 took the number 2 spot and Amazing Spider-Man #26 took the number 4 spot. What is even more incredible is Amazing Spider-Man #26 took the number 4 spot despite shipping in the final week of May 2023! Again, I get that plenty of people online are criticizing this title. Personally, I do not read Amazing Spider-Man so I cannot comment on it directly. But, there is no doubt that Amazing Spider-Man is white hot right now and plenty of readers must be enjoying it.
Spider-Man continues to perform at a high level in the rankings In fact, 12 the resolicitation for Spider-Man #7 almost cracked the Top 10 by taking the number 12 spot. That is an insane ranking for a resolicitation of an issue from a prior month! In fact, it even beat the new issue in Spider-Man #8 which came in at the number 14 spot.
Peter Parker remains a complete sales beast as Peter Parker places two issues in the Top 5 and four issues in the Top 14. That is pretty mind-blowing.
Edge of Spider-Verse rolled out in May 2023 to much success. Edge of Spider-Verse #1 grabbed the number 5 spot. That is the obvious good news for this title. The bad news is that Edge of Spider-Verse #2 plummeted all the way down to the number 83 spot. Now, to be fair, Edge of Spider-Verse #2 did get released in the last week of May 2023. Still, the number 83 spot is so far down that this title would not have made the Top 50 if it had come out earlier in the month.
Next month will determine if this five-issue limited series is going to pop back up near the Top 50 or if it is going to continue to drop in the rankings. Further, Edge of Spider-Verse #1 had a badass-looking cover of a Spider-T-Rex and a Venom T-Rex battling each other. Edge of Spider-Verse #2 had Spinstress on the cover and looked more like a Disney Princess animated cartoon. So, that might have played a role in how many readers were interested in the two issues.
On top of that, Edge of Spider-Verse is an anthology title with different writers and artists delivering stories about different characters in each issue. So it is not necessary for readers to read all of the issues. I would suspect that readers will hop on issues that star characters or creative teams that interest them.
Extreme Venomverse #1 debuted at the number 7 spot. This was another excellent debut for a Spider-Man franchise title. Extreme Venomverse also performed better than Edge of Spider-Verse as Extreme Venomverse #2 only dropped to the number 35 spot.
Venom: Lethal Protector II #3 finished outside of the Top 100 and at the number 115 spot. This issue did get released in the final week of May 2023. So, there is a chance it would have finished in the Top 100 had it come out earlier in the month.
Venom #19 did not fare as well as it dropped from the number 6 spot down to the number 29 spot. This is not unusual for Venom as it seems to constantly bounce up and down in the rankings.
Cult of Carnage: Misery #1 debuted at the number 26 spot. This was a solid but not spectacular debut. This is a five-issue mini-series starring Liz Allen as Misery. I would suspect that Cult of Carnage: Misery drops out of the Top 50 by the next issue.
Carnage Reigns Alpha #1 debuted at the number 27 spot. This was another solid, but not spectacular debut number. The Carnage Reign event will run through Carnage, Miles Morales, and Red Goblin before concluding in Carnage Reigns Omega #1.
Carnage #13 dropped down to the number 84 spot. However, this issue did get released in the final week of May 2023. So, I would expect Carnage to bounce back up in the rankings next month.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #6 dropped down from the number 14 spot to the number 19 spot. This is the lowest sales ranking the newly restarted Miles Morales title has had so far. The next month will be important as it should give us insight into if this title is starting to slowly slip in the rankings or if it is going to be able to rebound and stay in the Top 15.
Spider-Man 2099 Dark Genesis is a five-issue mini-series that released all five of its issues in May 2023! I hate when comic publishers do this. It always leads to the mini-series suffering worse sales than if it had come out a single issue a month over five months. My man Miguel O’Hara deserved better than this.
Anyway, Spider-Man 2099 Dark Genesis #1 had a solid debut taking the number 23 spot. The second issue dropped to the number 52 spot. The third issue dropped to the number 75 spot. The fourth issue dropped to the number 99 spot. Then the fifth issue in the last week of May 2023 dropped to the number 122 spot.
I do think that Spider-Man 2099 Dark Genesis could have finished in the Top 75 if it had been released one issue a month. And it would have created a more positive narrative around Spider-Man 2099 rather than people talking about how it concluded well outside of the Top 100.
How about the ladies of the Spider-Verse? Silk #1 debuted at the number 22 spot. That is a solid debut number but nothing amazing. I already discussed this new Silk mini-series when it was announced. This debut indicates that Silk will certainly drop out of the Top 25 with the next issue. The question is how far does Silk drop in the Top 50? Silk has never been a strong seller. So, I am not that bullish on Silk being able to finish its five-issue mini-series in the Top 75.
I am rooting for Silk not because I like the character but because of the creative team. Emily Kim is the writer and I enjoyed her Tiger Division mini-series. Sadly, nobody else did as Tiger Division ended up being out of the Top 200 and unranked by the end of the mini-series. So, I am hoping that Kim avoids the same fate with Silk. Also, Ig Guara is the artist and he is fantastic so this will be a great-looking mini-series.
Spider-Gwen: Shadow Clones #3 fell like a wingless bird jumping off a cliff as it dropped from the number 39 spot all the way out of the Top 75 and down to the number 77 spot. I predicted last month that this title would drop out of the Top 50. The reality was even worse than that.
I have a feeling that Spider-Gwen’s shelf life is diminishing. This seems to be a character that readers are tired of more and more with each title that she gets. Personally, I know I am burned out on anything connected to Gwen Stacy.
Hallows’ Eve #3 fall in the rankings slowed a bit as it fell from the number 73 spot down to the number 86 spot. It is amazing that this title was in the number 3 spot just two months ago! This is one of the most dramatic swoons in the rankings that I have seen. Erica Shultz’s story clearly did not connect with many of the readers who hopped onto the first issue.
X-Men Franchise
11 X-Men #22
15 Immortal X-Men #11
25 Wolverine #33
33 X-Men Red #11
39 X-Men Before The Fall Sons of X #1
45 Storm #1
57 X-Force #40
61 Rogue & Gambit #3
91 Sins of Sinister Dominion #1 (Resolicitation)
103 Deadpool #7
138 Deadpool #6
150 X-23: Deadly Regenesis #3
166 New Mutants Lethal Legion #3
175 X-Men #21 (Resolicitation)
176 X-Men 1991 #1 Facsimile Edition Gatefold
193 Bishop War College #4
198 Betsy Braddock Captain Britain #4
Unranked: X-Cellent #3
The X-Men franchise had zero titles in the Top 10, three titles in the Top 25, and six titles in the Top 50. This was worse than April 2023 when the X-Men franchise had one title in the Top 10, five titles in the Top 25, and seven titles in the Top 50. Year-over-year numbers were also down as the X-Men franchise had one title in the Top 10, two titles in the Top 25, and nine titles in the Top 50 in May 2022.
The X-Men title remains the crown jewel of the X-Men franchise. X-Men #22 dropped from the number 7 spot down to the number 11 spot. X-Men consistently sells in this range every month and that does not appear to be changing anytime soon.
Immortal X-Men #11 bounced up from the number 16 spot to the number 15 spot. Immortal X-Men has been a big success for Marvel Comics during its first year. This is another title that has found its happy place in the rankings and shows no signs of changing in the near future.
Wolverine #33 dropped from the number 11 spot down to the number 25 spot. This is normal for Wolverine as this title continues to bounce up and down in the Top 25. What is a constant is that Wolverine seems to be a lock for the Top 25 every month.
It looks like the long layoff for X-Men Red did not damage the title too much. X-Men Red #10 shipped way back in January 2023 and took the number 20 spot. After a long three-month gap, we finally got X-Men Red #11 in May 2023 which took the number 33 spot. Sure, you never want to drop thirteen spots and fall out of the Top 25. But, honestly, that is not that bad of a drop after a three-month gap! It will be interesting to see how X-Men Red does once it is back on a regular shipping schedule.
X-Force #40 popped back up from the number 61 spot to the number 57 spot. Again, it looks like X-Force has found its happy place in the sales rankings as it continues to live in the high 50s to low 60s range. Marvel Comics is certainly pleased that X-Force is such a solid and consistent seller.
Deadpool #6 fell from the number 64 spot and out of the Top 100 and down to the number 103 spot. This is the worst this new title has sold up to this point. It would be shocking to see a character as popular as Deadpool outside of the Top 100. But, this is another title written by Alyssa Wong who is a short story writer and poet and not a superhero comic book writer. This is why Wong has never had any sales success in the past. It appears that not even über popular Deadpool can help Wong out at all.
Storm #1 had an extremely disappointing debut barely making it into the Top 50 by taking the number 45 spot. I already discussed this title back when it was announced. I love Storm and I dig 1980s mohawk Storm. Ann Nocenti is a cool old-school writer who wrote some great stuff in the 1980s and 1990s.
This is sad to see but not surprising. I did predict that this title would debut in the Top 25. That obviously did not happen. I also predicted that Storm #2-5 would sell in the numbers 75-100 range. It looks like that is certainly going to be true for the remainder of this five-issue mini-series.
Rogue & Gambit continues its death spiral down the rankings. Rogue & Gambit #3 fell from the number 43 spot out of the Top 50 and down to the number 61 spot. This is a stunning fall in the rankings as it was just two months ago that Rogue and Gambit #1 took the number 12 spot. Last month, I predicted that Rogue and Gambit would fall out of the Top 50 in May 2023. Now, it looks like this five-issue mini-series is a lock to finish outside of the Top 75.
This does not surprise me at all. Rogue and Gambit are extremely popular and readers love this pairing. However, Stephanie Phillips is the writer and she seems to excel at repelling readers from any title that she writes at a quick rate. Clearly, reader interest was high in Rogue & Gambit when it debuted. But, it is equally clear that a huge percentage of readers were not impressed with what Phillips was delivering on this mini-series.
150 X-23: Deadly Regenesis #3 continues to fall like a meteor from above. X-23: Deadly Regenesis #3 plummetted from the number 72 spot all the way out of the Top 100 and almost out of the Top 150 as it came in at the number 150 spot. It was only two months ago that X-23: Deadly Regenesis #1 took the number 26 spot in the rankings. To fall 124 spots in two months is breathtaking.
Now, to be fair, X-23: Deadly Regenesis #3 did get released in the final week of May 2023. But, good lord, it came in at the number 150 spot! Being released earlier in the month would not have resulted in a much better sales ranking. It would have been a big drop no matter what. Clearly, readers are not picking up what Erica Shultz is putting down on this title.
New Mutants Lethal Legion continues to crater in the sales rankings at a spectacular rate. New Mutants Lethal Legion dropped from the number 98 spot out of the Top 150 and all the way down to the number 166 spot. It is not often you see a comic fall 68 spots in one month!
I predicted that this five-issue mini-series was going to conclude outside of the Top 150. It looks like I was being too generous. This mini-series has a good chance of concluding outside of the Top 200 and unranked. Again, this is no surprise to anyone who is not a Marvel Comics editor. Why Marvel Comics continues to hire these completely random non-comic book writers is beyond me. It never translates into anything even remotely resembling sales success.
Bishop War College #4 took another big drop as it fell from the number 145 spot to the number 193 spot. It is almost a lock that this five-issue mini-series concludes outside of the Top 200 and unranked. This has been a massively disappointing result for a character that I have always liked.
Betsy Braddock Captain Britain #4 took another monster drop as it fell from the number 150 and barely avoided being unranked by coming in at the number 198 spot. Yes, this issue shipped the final week of May 2023. No, it would have not made much difference if it shipped earlier in the month. When an issue barely avoids being unranked it could come out in any week of the month and still do poorly.
It looks like Betsy Braddock Captain Britain has a good chance of being unranked by just its fifth issue which is a rather stunning achievement for a Marvel comic book. Of course, nobody should be surprised. It is a lame mantle swap that nobody asked for that is written by Tini Howard. I am not sure how anyone at Marvel Comics could have expected anything other than this result.
Avengers Franchise
3 Avengers #1
37 Scarlet Witch #5
43 Hulk Annual #1
44 Thor #34
51 She-Hulk #13
56 Invincible Iron Man #6
71 Hulk #14 (Resolicitation)
81 Thor #33 (Resolicitation)
85 Avengers #1 Facsimile Edition
92 Captain America Sentinel Of Liberty #12
105 Captain Marvel #49
130 Iron Man #1 Facsimile Edition
132 Joe Fixit #5
137 Avengers War Across Time #5
153 Avengers: Beyond #3 (of 5)
158 Captain America Symbol of Truth #13
172 Invincible Iron Man #5
183 I Am Iron Man #3 (Resolicitation)
The Avengers franchise had one title in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and four titles in the Top 50. This was worse than April 2023 when the Avengers franchise had one title in the Top 10, three titles in the Top 25, and seven titles in the Top 50. Year-over-year numbers were also down as the Avengers franchise had two titles in the Top 10, five titles in the Top 25, and seven titles in the Top 50 in May 2022.
Avengers #1 enjoyed a brilliant debut coming in at the number 3 spot. Marvel Comics has to be excited that Avengers did so well. The Avengers franchise has been lagging for years now. I am sure that Marvel Comics would like to reconstruct the Avengers franchise into a sales juggernaut in order to complement the Spider-Man and X-Men franchises. This is certainly a fantastic start for the new Avengers title. It is going to be interesting to see if Marvel Comics can make the Avengers a consistent Top 25 title moving forward.
Scarlet Witch #5 completely cratered in the sales rankings by dropping from the number 8 spot and out of the Top 10 and out of the Top 25 and all the way down to the number 37 spot. This is a sudden drop considering how impressively the first four issues of this title sold.
However, we saw this same sale pattern with the new She-Hulk title. The next few months are going to be critical and will determine if Scarlet Witch can bounce back or if this title is doomed to follow the same trajectory as She-Hulk.
Speaking of She-Hulk, She-Hulk #13 dropped from the number 24 spot down to the number 51 spot. Again, I like this title and I love She-Hulk’s character. So, I am hoping that She-Hulk is able to rebound next month instead of continuing to fall down the rankings.
Thor #34 slid down from the number 36 spot to the number 44 spot. It looks like Thor is locked in somewhere between the number 35 spot and the number 65 spot every month. It is going to be worth watching Thor to see if it can retain its former glory that it had under Donny Cates’ guiding hand.
Invincible Iron Man #6 climbed up from the number 75 spot to the number 56 spot. This is the second straight month of positive signs for this title. Just two months ago, Invincible Iron Man #4 was in the number 84 spot. Iron Man is my favorite Marvel Comics character, but I just cannot get into this title. However, it looks like Gerry Duggan is starting to win back some readers.
On the other hand, nobody seems interested at all in Murewa Ayodele’s I Am Iron Man. I Am Iron Man #3 fell from the number 133 spot and almost out of the Top 200 rankings as it came in at the number 183 spot. It seems like a lock that I Am Iron Man will conclude unranked and out of the Top 200.
Captain America Sentinel Of Liberty #12 slipped from the number 44 spot out of the Top 50 and Top 75 and down to the number 92 spot. It looks like many readers were not that interested in the Cold War story that spiked the sales numbers for Captain America Sentinal of Liberty #12.
Things were even worse for Sam Wilson’s title as Captain America Symbol of Truth #13 fell out of the Top 150 and down to the number 158 spot. It was just two months ago that Captain America Symbol of Truth #11 was in the number 80 month. I am not surprised by this slide down the rankings. Having two Captain Americas operating at the same time is dumb. And robbing Sam Wilson of his own unique identity never made much sense to me.
Captain Marvel #49 fell from the number 88 spot and back out of the Top 100 and down to the number 105 spot. This is just Captain Marvel returning back to its norm. It will be interesting to see if Kelly Thompson ends her run out of the Top 100 which would be on par with what she has always done on Captain Marvel.
Batman Franchise
1 Batman #135
10 Batman & The Joker The Deadly Duo #7 (Of 7)
21 Batman The Brave And The Bold #1
32 Batman White Knight Presents Generation Joker #1 (Of 6)
36 Batman Superman Worlds Finest #15
42 Nightwing #104
49 Poison Ivy #12
55 Batman #181 Facsimile Edition
74 Detective Comics #1072
116 Catwoman #55
117 Detective Comics #1071 (Resolicitation)
123 Harley Quinn #30
129 Batman Incorporated #8
135 Batman #134 (Resolicitation)
140 Batgirls #18
142 Multiversity Harley Screws Up The DCU #3 (Of 6)
156 Batman The Adventures Continue Season Three #5 (Of 7)
168 Nightwing #103 (Resolicitation)
189 Harley Quinn #29 (Resolicitation)
194 Tim Drake Robin #9
Unranked: Gotham Academy: Maps of Mystery #1 (One-Shot)
Unranked: Batman: The Audio Adventures #6
Unranked: The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #8
The Batman franchise had two titles in the Top 10, three titles in the Top 25, and seven titles in the Top 50. This was better than April 2022 when the Batman franchise had two titles in the Top 10, three titles in the Top 25, and six titles in the Top 50. Year-over-year numbers were down in the Top 25 but flat in the Top 50 as the Batman franchise had two titles in the Top 10, five titles in the Top 25, and seven titles in the Top 50 in May 2022.
Bruce Wayne finally did the impossible! Bruce was able to dethrone Peter Parker in May 2023 as Batman #135 scored the coveted number 1 spot. It is fun to watch the two iconic heavyweights in the world of comics, Bruce Wayne and Peter Parker, slug it out every month for the number 1 spot.
Batman & The Joker The Deadly Duo #7 concluded its mini-series by taking the number 10 spot. This title did nothing for me. But, I am absolutely in the minority. Most readers just cannot get enough of Bruce Wayne and the Joker. The sales power of these two characters is amazing.
Batman The Brave And The Bold #1 had a solid debut number coming in at the number 21 spot. This debut number does indicate that Batman The Brave And The Bold should be out of the Top 25 with the next issue. This is also an anthology title and these types of titles do not usually sell very well. I am not expecting this title to remain in the Top 50 for long.
Batman White Knight Presents Generation Joker #1 had an average debut by taking the number 32 spot. By debuting at this spot, it would indicate that this title will drop out of the Top 50 in short order. The question is if this six-issue mini-series can conclude inside of the Top 100. I think that is going to happen.
Batman Superman Worlds Finest #15 hung steady by only dropping from the number 35 spot to the number 36 spot. It looks like this title has found its happy place in the rankings. I love Batman Superman Worlds Finest and while I would like to see it being a consistent Top 25 title I will take it being a consistent Top 50 title.
Nightwing #104 fell back from the number 23 spot to the number 42 spot. This is about where Nightwing #102 was two months ago when it took the number 43 spot. I think this is the place in the rankings where we have to expect Nightwing to be each month.
Poison Ivy #12 held steady by only dropping from the number 47 spot to the number 49 spot. To be sure, Poison Ivy is nowhere near the sales beast that it was over the course of its first six issues. However, I am sure DC Comcis would be perfectly happy if Poison Ivy can remain a consistent Top 50 seller.
Detective Comics #1072 dropped from the number 52 spot down to the number 74 spot. Now, to be fair, Detective Comics #1072 did ship in the last week of May 2023. Still, I am not sure coming out earlier in the month would have allowed Detective Comics to crack into the Top 50. DC Comics does not have many strong-selling titles out of the Batman franchise so it really needs to have Detective Comics be a consistent Top 50.
Catwoman #55 dropped from the number 100 spot down to the number 116 spot. This is close to where Catwoman #53 did two months ago when it took the number 111 spot. Tini Howard is bringing her magic of making any title that she writes doomed to live in the Dead Walking Title category. Catwoman is an iconic female superhero who deserves so much more than this. DC Comics owes it to Catwoman to place a talented superhero comic writer on this title who would properly complement all-star artist Nico Leon.
Harley Quinn remains a total mess. It is amazing how DC Comics has run this character into the ground. 123 Harley Quinn #30 took the number 123 spot which is exactly what this title did last month. Yay for consistency? Multiversity Harley Screws Up The DCU #3 fell from the number 130 spot down to the 143 spot. DC Comics has to reevaluate how they package and present Harley Quinn’s character. Then DC Comcis needs to put some real talent at the writer position on this title ASAP. Back in the day, Harley Quinn was a sales monster. Remember those days?
Tim Drake Robin #9 remained largely flat by dropping from the number 193 spot to the number 194 spot. What an unmitigated disaster this title has been.
Superman Franchise
20 Superman #4
31 Power Girl Special #1 (One-Shot)
36 Batman Superman Worlds Finest #15
48 Adventures of Superman Jon Kent #3 (Of 6)
54 Action Comics #1055
78 Superman Lost #3 (Of 10)
104 Superboy The Man of Tomorrow #2 (Of 6)
154 Action Comics #1054 (Resolicitation)
196 Superman #3 (Resolicitation)
The Superman franchise had zero titles in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and four titles in the Top 50. This was the same as April 2022 when the Superman franchise had zero titles in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and four titles in the Top 50. Year-over-year numbers were up as the xx franchise had zero titles in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and one title in the Top 50 in May 2022.
Superman #4 held steady by only dropping from the number 18 spot to the number 20 spot. DC Comics desperately needs Superman to remain a consistent Top 25 title.
Power Girl Special #1 debuted in the number 31 spot. That is not bad considering that this one-shot issue shipped in the last week of May 2023! This does not surprise me. Everyone loves Power Girl!
Adventures of Superman Jon Kent #3 barely clung to the Top 50 as it dropped from the number 32 spot down to the number 48 spot. It is a lock that this title will exit the Top 50 with the next issue. The big question will be if Adventures of Superman Jon Kent can conclude its six-issue limited series in the Top 75.
Action Comics #1055 climbed up from the number 67 spot to the number 54 spot. This is due to the fact that Action Comics #1054 shipped in the final week of April 2023. This is still far from the number 24 sales ranking that Action Comics #1052 got in March 2023.
I had my concerns about Action Comics once it was announced that it would be an anthology title. We just do not usually see any anthology title enjoy much sales success. DC Comics absolutely needs Action Comics to be a consistent Top 50 seller. It will be demoralizing if most of the DC Comics’ Dawn of DC titles sink out of the Top 50.
Superman Lost #3 fell from the number 53 spot and out of the Top 75 and down to the number 78 spot. It appears that many readers are not interested in Christopher Priest’s offering. These sales rankings would indicate that Superman Lost will probably conclude its ten-issue mini-series outside of the Top 150.
Superboy The Man of Tomorrow #2 is the dog of the Superman franchise as it fell from the number 46 spot and out of the Top 100 and down to the number 104 spot. I cannot say that I am surprised. I love Conner Kent’s character so much. But, DC Comics’ decision to grossly regress Conner’s character in favor of elevating Jon Kent is clearly not appealing to readers. At this rate, this six-issue mini-series may not conclude inside of the Top 175.
Wonder Woman Franchise
We have always given Wonder Woman her own franchise section in these comic sales rankings articles. However, given that DC Comics has reduced Wonder Woman to just one title, I have decided to fold Wonder Woman into the “Justice League Franchise” section. Once DC Comics makes more of an investment in the Wonder Woman franchise and gives it multiple titles then we will break her out into her own franchise section again.
Justice League Franchise
8 Green Lantern #1
40 Green Arrow #2 (Of 6)
67 The Flash #798
70 Green Arrow #1 (Of 6)
94 Wonder Woman #799
88 The Flash #799
94 Wonder Woman #799
Unranked: DC/RWBY #4
The Justice League franchise had one title in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and two titles in the Top 50. This was better than April 2023 when the Justice League franchise had zero titles in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and one title in the Top 50. Year-over-year numbers were up in the Top 10 and flat for the Top 50 as the Justice League franchise had zero titles in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and two titles in the Top 50 in May 2022.
Green Lantern #1 had a strong debut taking the number 8 spot. That is damn close to Superman #1 which debuted at the number 5 spot. Behold the power of Hal Jordan. I know people want to but you just can’t sleep on Hal’s character. It is going to be interesting to watch how Green Lantern performs over the next few months compared to how Superman performed over its first three issues.
There is no doubt that DC Comics desperately needs these new Dawn of DC titles starring their core iconic characters to do well. Like Superman, Green Lantern is a title that needs to remain a consistent Top 25 title. We shall see.
Green Arrow #2 dropped from the number 19 spot out of the Top 25 and down to the number 40 spot. Given the number 19 debut number, we all knew that the second issue would be out of the Top 25. However, I was hoping that this second issue would still at least be in the low 20s to early 30s. At this rate, it seems certain that Green Arrow will conclude its six-issue mini-series outside of the Top 50.
The Flash #798 took the number 67 spot and The Flash #799 took the number 88 spot. This was worse than April 2023 when the two issues of The Flash took the number 56 spot and number 71 spot. This title simply is not a strong enough seller to have two new issues a month. DC Comics needs to make some tweaks to this title because The Flash needs to be a consistent Top 50 title if DC Comics is going to become competitive with Marvel Comics.
Mantle Swap Titles
9 Daredevil #11 (Marvel Comics)
19 Miles Morales: Spider-Man #6 (Marvel Comics)
48 Adventures of Superman Jon Kent #3 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
82 Daredevil #10 (Marvel Comics)
110 Fury #1 (Marvel Comics)
158 Captain America Symbol of Truth #13 (Marvel Comics)
167 Black Adam #11 (Of 12) (DC Comics)
198 Betsy Braddock Captain Britain #4 (Marvel Comics)
There was one mantle swap title in the Top 10, two titles in the Top 25, and three titles in the Top 50. This was better in the Top 10 and flat in the Top 50 than in April 2023 when there were zero mantle swap titles in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and three titles in the Top 50.
We have already discussed these titles in their various franchise sections above. The one we have not touched on is Black Adam #11 which fell from the number 152 spot down to the number 167 spot. This limited series was obviously not a hit with the consumer. The big question is if this limited series can conclude within the Top 175.
Legacy Character Titles
6 Titans #1 (DC Comics)
22 Silk #1 (Marvel Comics)
31 Power Girl Special #1 (One-Shot) (DC Comics)
42 Nightwing #104 (DC Comics)
59 Danny Ketch: Ghost Rider #1 (Marvel Comics)
67 The Flash #798 (DC Comics)
88 The Flash #799 (DC Comics)
104 Superboy The Man of Tomorrow #2 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
106 Cosmic Ghost Rider #3 (Marvel Comics)
136 Stargirl The Lost Children #6 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
140 Batgirls #18 (DC Comics)
144 Bloodline Daughter of Blade #4 (Marvel Comics)
150 X-23: Deadly Regenesis #3 (Marvel Comics)
166 New Mutants Lethal Legion #3 (Marvel Comics)
168 Nightwing #103 (DC Comics)
194 Tim Drake Robin #9 (DC Comics)
There was one legacy character title in the Top 10, two titles in the Top 25, and four titles in the Top 50. This was better than April 2023 when there were zero legacy character titles in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and two titles in the Top 50.
Even though May 2023 was an improvement for the Lecacy Character category, it seems to be a bit of a mirage. Titans #1 and Silk #1 were debut issues that helped boost this category. Despite my love for Titans, I do not think it will stay in the Top 10 next month. I also think that Silk will drop out of the Top 25 next month. Power Girl Special #1 was a one-shot so it won’t be here next month. This would translate into June 2023 looking closer to April 2023.
We have already discussed most of these titles in the above franchise sections. Cosmic Ghost Rider #3 fell from the number 62 spot all the way out of the Top 100 and down to the number 106 spot. Keep in mind that Cosmic Ghost Rider #1 was in the number 25 spot just two months ago. That is a monstrous drop in the sales rankings in just a couple of months.
I predicted that this title was going to fall out of the Top 75 in May 2023 and then fall out of the Top 100 in a month or two after May 2023. I was wrong. This title dropped in the rankings even faster than I had anticipated. Of course, there is nothing at all surprising about how quickly Cosmic Ghost Rider shed readers. Stephanie Phillips is the writer and she never has any sales success with super-hero titles and usually drives off readers in a quick fashion.
Stargirl The Lost Children #6 held steady by taking the number 136 spot. This title has been a poor seller. I am not surprised. Stargirl has never had any sales success and benefits simply from being one of Geoff Johns’ pet characters.
Bloodline Daughter of Blade #4 continues its freefall in the sales rankings as it dropped from the number 112 spot to the number 144 spot. This title is certain to be outside of the Top 150 by next month and possibly even outside of the Top 175.
This is just another example of Marvel Comics hiring a complete rando with no background as a superhero comic writer that is failing to have any sales success at all. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. That is the Marvel Comics editorial staff for you.
Female Lead Titles
22 Silk #1 (Marvel Comics)
26 Cult of Carnage: Misery #1 (Marvel Comics)
31 Power Girl Special #1 (One-Shot) (DC Comics)
37 Scarlet Witch #5 (Marvel Comics)
45 Storm #1 (Marvel Comics)
49 Poison Ivy #12 (DC Comics)
51 She-Hulk #13 (Marvel Comics)
65 Demon Wars Scarlet Sin #1 (Marvel Comics)
77 Spider-Gwen: Shadow Clones #3 (Marvel Comics)
86 Hallows’ Eve #3 (Marvel Comics)
94 Wonder Woman #799 (DC Comics)
105 Captain Marvel #49 (Marvel Comics)
112 Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #31 (Marvel Comics)
116 Catwoman #55 (DC Comics)
123 Harley Quinn #30 (DC Comics)
136 Stargirl The Lost Children #6 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
140 Batgirls #18 (DC Comics)
144 Bloodline Daughter of Blade #4 (Marvel Comics)
145 Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #32 (Marvel Comics)
150 X-23: Deadly Regenesis #3 (Marvel Comics)
163 Hellcat #3 (Marvel Comics)
189 Harley Quinn #29 (DC Comics) (Resolicitation)
198 Betsy Braddock Captain Britain #4 (Marvel Comics)
Unranked: Star Wars: Sana Starros #4
There were zero female lead titles in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and six titles in the Top 50. This was worse in the Top 10 and Top 25 but better in the Top 50 than in April 2023 when there was one female lead title in the Top 10, three titles in the Top 25, and five titles in the Top 50. Year-over-year numbers were up sharply as there were zero female lead titles in the Top 10, zero titles in the Top 25, and zero titles in the Top 50 in May 2022.
Marvel placed one female lead title in the Top 25. Month-over-month numbers were down as Marvel Comics had three female lead titles in the Top 25 in April 2023. However, year-over-year numbers were up as Marvel Comics had zero female lead titles in the Top 25 in May 2022.
DC Comics had zero female lead titles in the Top 25. Month-over-month numbers were the same as DC Comics had zero female lead titles in the Top 25 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were also the same as DC Comics also had zero female lead titles in the Top 25 in May 2022.
Marvel placed four female lead titles in the Top 50. Month-over-month numbers were flat as Marvel Comics had four female lead titles in the Top 50 in April 2023. However, year-over-year numbers were up as Marvel Comics had zero female lead titles in the Top 50 in May 2022.
DC Comics had two female lead titles in the Top 50. Month-over-month numbers were up as DC Comics had one female lead title in the Top 50 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were up as DC Comics also had zero female lead titles in the Top 50 in May 2022.
Marvel placed six female lead titles in the Top 75. Month-over-month numbers were down as Marvel Comics had seven female lead titles in the Top 75 in April 2023. However, year-over-year numbers were up as Marvel Comics had one female lead title in the Top 75 in May 2022.
DC Comics had two female lead titles in the Top 75. Month-over-month numbers were up as DC Comics had one female lead title in the Top 75 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were up as DC Comics also had one female lead title in the Top 75 in May 2022.
Marvel placed eight female lead titles in the Top 100. Month-over-month numbers were down as Marvel Comics had nine female lead titles in the Top 100 in April 2023. However, year-over-year numbers were up as Marvel Comics had four female lead titles in the Top 100 in May 2022.
DC Comics had three female lead titles in the Top 100. Month-over-month numbers were flat as DC Comics had three female lead titles in the Top 100 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were flat as DC Comics also had three female lead titles in the Top 100 in May 2022.
Marvel Comics beat DC Comics in this category 4-2 in the Top 50. Marvel Comics crushed DC Comics 8-3 in the Top 100. I remain speechless by DC Comics’ total ineptitude in this category. I have always viewed DC Comics as having superior female superheroes compared to Marvel Comics. Yet, DC Comics cannot seem to figure out the formula to succeed in this category.
One big problem would be the writers that DC Comics always saddle these titles with. Hopefully, DC Comics will start approaching their female superhero titles the same way they do their male superhero titles. I continue to have no hope that DC Comics is going to turn things around in this category anytime soon.
Minority Lead Titles
19 Miles Morales: Spider-Man #6 (Marvel Comics)
22 Silk #1 (Marvel Comics)
23 Spider-Man 2099 Dark Genesis #1 (Marvel Comics)
45 Storm #1 (Marvel Comics)
52 Spider-Man 2099 Dark Genesis #2 (Marvel Comics)
65 Demon Wars Scarlet Sin #1 (Marvel Comics)
79 Daredevil & Echo #1 (Marvel Comics)
95 Spirit World #1 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
96 Vigil #1 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
99 Spider-Man 2099 Dark Genesis #4 (Marvel Comics)
110 Fury #1 (Marvel Comics)
112 Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #31 (Marvel Comics)
120 City Boy #1 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
121 Cyborg #1 (Of 6) (DC Comics)
144 Bloodline Daughter of Blade #4 (Marvel Comics)
145 Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #32 (Marvel Comics)
158 Captain America Symbol of Truth #13 (Marvel Comics)
167 Black Adam #11 (Of 12) (DC Comics)
193 Bishop War College #4 (Marvel Comics)
Unranked: Star Wars: Sana Starros #4 (Marvel Comics)
There were zero minority lead titles in the Top 10, three titles in the Top 25, and four titles in the Top 50. This was better than April 2023 when there were zero minority lead titles in the Top 10, two titles in the Top 25, and two titles in the Top 50.
The increased success in May 2023 also seems to be a bit of a mirage. Storm #1 debuted poorly at the number 45 spot and is sure to be out of the Top 50 next month. Silk #1 debuted at the number 22 spot and is sure to be out of the Top 25 next month. Spider-Man 2099 Dark Genesis was a five-issue mini-series that concluded in May 2023 so it will not be around next month. This would place this category in June 2023 back to where it was in April 2023.
Year-over-year numbers were up in the Top 25 but down in the Top 50 as there were zero minority lead titles in the Top 10, one title in the Top 25, and five titles in the Top 50 in May 2022.
The diversity in this category improved in May 2023. There were nine titles starring Black lead characters. There were six titles starring Asian lead characters. There were just two titles starring Hispanic lead characters. Not sure how the largest minority group in the United States ends up with the smallest number of titles, but there you go.
Marvel placed three minority lead titles in the Top 25. Month-over-month numbers were up as Marvel Comics had two minority lead titles in the Top 25 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were up as Marvel Comics had one minority lead title in the Top 25 in May 2022.
DC Comics had zero minority lead titles in the Top 25. Month-over-month numbers were flat as DC Comics had zero minority lead titles in the Top 25 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were flat as DC Comics also had zero minority lead titles in the Top 25 in May 2022.
Marvel placed four minority lead titles in the Top 50. Month-over-month numbers were up/down as Marvel Comics had two minority lead titles in the Top 50 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were down as Marvel Comics had five minority lead titles in the Top 50 in May 2022.
DC Comics had zero minority lead titles in the Top 50. Month-over-month numbers were flat as DC Comics had zero minority lead titles in the Top 50 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were flat as DC Comics also had zero minority lead titles in the Top 50 in May 2022.
Marvel placed six minority lead titles in the Top 75. Month-over-month numbers were up as Marvel Comics had three minority lead titles in the Top 75 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were flat as Marvel Comics had six minority lead titles in the Top 75 in May 2022.
DC Comics had zero minority lead titles in the Top 75. Month-over-month numbers were flat as DC Comics had zero minority lead titles in the Top 75 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were flat as DC Comics also had zero minority lead titles in the Top 75 in May 2022.
Marvel placed eight minority lead titles in the Top 100. Month-over-month numbers were up as Marvel Comics had three minority lead titles in the Top 100 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were up as Marvel Comics had seven minority lead titles in the Top 100 in May 2022.
DC Comics had two minority lead titles in the Top 100. Month-over-month numbers were up as DC Comics had zero minority lead titles in the Top 100 in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were up as DC Comics had one minority lead title in the Top 100 in May 2022.
Marvel Comics obliterated DC Comics 6-0 in the Top 75. Marvel Comics pantsed DC Comics 8-2 in the Top 100. Marvel Comics continues to destroy DC Comics in this category. This has been going on for a year now. DC Comics needs to get serious about how they handle this category and the writing talent that they hire for this category. Also, DC Comics, let me give you some free advice on how to succeed in this category. Bring back VIBE!
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
100-200
Deadpool #7
Captain Marvel #49
Cosmic Ghost Rider #3
Predator #3
Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #34
Fury #1
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #31
Venom: Lethal Protector II #3
Star Wars the High Republic #10
Spider-Man 2099 Dark Genesis #5
Warlock: Rebirth #2
Miracleman Silver Age #5
Joe Fixit #5 – Peter David
Avengers War Across Time #5
Bloodline Daughter of Blade #4
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #32
Alien #2
Planet of the Apes #2
X-23: Deadly Regenesis #3
Avengers: Beyond #3
Captain America Symbol of Truth #13
Hellcat #3
New Mutants Lethal Legion #3
I Am Iron Man #3
Bishop War College #4
Betsy Braddock Captain Britain #4
Warlock: Rebirth #2 suffered an epic fall in the sales rankings as it dropped from the number 28 spot all the way out of the Top 100 and down to the number 126 spot! That is almost 100 spots exactly! Absolutely insane. I cannot remember seeing a title drop that many spots between the debut issue and the second issue. It breaks my heart because Ron Marz and Ron Lim are a classic creative team.
Unranked
X-Cellent #3
Silver Surfer: Ghost Light #4
Clobberin’ Time #3
Star Wars: Sana Starros #4
Marvel Comics had 30 dead titles walking out of their 87 new titles in May 2023. This means that 34% of Marvel Comics’ new titles in May 2023 were dead titles walking.
Month-over-month numbers were up sharply from the twenty dead titles walking that Marvel Comics had in April 2023. However, the percentage of the Marvel Comics’ new titles that were dead titles walking was slightly down from the 34% that Marvel Comics had in April 2023. Year-over-year numbers were up by a wide margin as Marvel Comics only had seven dead titles walking in May 2022.
DC Comics
100-200
Superboy The Man of Tomorrow #2 (Of 6)
Catwoman #55
City Boy #1 (Of 6)
Cyborg #1 (Of 6)
Harley Quinn #30
Batman Incorporated #8
Stargirl The Lost Children #6 (Of 6)
Batgirls #18
Wildcats #7
Multiversity Harley Screws Up The DCU #3 (Of 6)
Batman The Adventures Continue Season Three #5 (Of 7)
Sandman Universe Nightmare Country The Glass House #2 (Of 6)
Black Adam #11 (Of 12)
Tim Drake Robin #9
Unranked
Gotham Academy: Maps of Mystery #1 (One-Shot)
DC/RWBY #4
Batman: The Audio Adventures #6
The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #8
The Sandman Universe: The Dead Boy Detectives #6
Looney Tunes #272
DC Comics had twenty dead titles walking out of DC Comics’ 49 new titles in May 2023. This means that 41% of the New DC Comics’ titles in May 2023 were dead titles walking.
Month-over-month numbers were up from the eighteen dead titles walking that DC Comics had in April 2023 which comprised 41% of DC Comics’ new titles. Year-over-year numbers were also up as DC Comics had seventeen dead titles walking in May 2022.
The Tini Howard Award For The Writer With The Most Issues In The Dead Titles Walking Category
There were several writers with multiple issues in the Dead Titles Walking category in May 2023. Ed Brisson had two issues in Predator #3 and Batman Incorporated #8.
A regular nominee in Becky Cloonan had two issues in Batgirls #18 and Gotham Academy: Maps of Mystery #1.
However, having two issues in the Dead Titles Walking category was not enough to win the Tini Howard Award for May 2023. Nope. Two writers tied with three issues.
Alyssa Wong had a whopping three issues in the Dead Titles Walking category in Deadpool #7, Star Wars Doctor Aphra #31, and Star Wars Doctor Aphra #32.
The other writer was none other than Tini Howard with three issues in the Dead Walking Titles category in Catwoman #55, Harley Quinn #30, and Betsy Braddock Captain Britain #4.
Since both Wong and Howard are tied with three issues in the Dead Walking Titles category we go to a tie-breaker! Wong may have had three issues in this category but, two of Wong’s dead titles walking were the same comic book: Star Wars Doctor Aphra.
On the other hand, Tini Howard actually had three completely separate titles in the Dead Walking Titles category., And, amazingly enough, Howard had titles from both Marvel Comics and DC Comics which makes her the only writer to pull off that achievement.
Therefore, the Tini Howard Award for May 2023 goes to…Tini Howard! This makes three months in a row for Howard. I have to admire the consistency.
All right, that is it for May 2023 Will Marvel Comics continue its domination of the Top 200 in June 2023? We will find out. Until then, everyone stay safe and be good!
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