DC's sales figures continue to make news headlines, and the latest indicates record breaking sales numbers we have not seen since the 90's comic boom. According to the latest press release from DC Comics, the publishing company has confirmed that in the 6-week period launch of their 'new 52,' DC managed to sell over 5 million comic books.
Previously we had seen rough estimates when issues of Justice League #1, Action Comics #1 and Batman #1 all were said to have sold over 100,000 copies respectively and go on to second and third printings. Now, DC reveals some more specific figures. According to the announcement, books like Justice League and Action Comics have gone on to sell over 200,000 copies.
== TEASER ==JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 has sold more than 250,000 copies. ACTION COMICS #1 and BATMAN #1 have both sold more than 200,000 copies. DETECTIVE COMICS #1, THE FLASH #1, GREEN LANTERN #1 and SUPERMAN #1 have all sold more than 150,000 copies. AQUAMAN #1, BATGIRL #1, BATMAN AND ROBIN #1, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #1, GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1, GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #1 and WONDER WOMAN #1 have all sold more than 100,000 copies.
We have to assume that the above figures are in-store comic sales and do not take into account the digital comics that have been sold since DC instilled the same day and date releases of their books. The five million comics sold is great news for DC, but it also sets a really high bar. What this news may not be taking into consideration are the number of comics that were returned. Since the relaunch, DC promised retailers that for a small fee they would be able to stock a high volume of comics and that those that did not sell could be returned.
Well, the publisher must be very secure in their sales numbers and the content they plan on releasing in the future based on the news that was revealed during New York Comic Con's retailer's breakfast. According to a source, DC will continue the "return-ability" of their books well into the spring; extending the program for retailers from now into April, 2012 and in turn providing 1:25 variant books during those months.
The question on everyone's minds is still whether or not the publisher will successfully maintain their momentum and continue to sell hundreds of thousands of copies. Only time will tell. What do you think?
Source: DC Source and Bleeding Cool
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