The Top 300 Selling Comic Books For November 2004

This list comes from digging through sales figures, asking too many questions and using Diamond Comics information. The snotty comments in white are from deep in Cory's sick twisted little brain.

1 SUPERMAN BATMAN #13 $2.95 DC 157,949

With this issue, and the one below, ending the story of the new Supergirl, and while a lot of people are loving the art, I find Michael Turner's stuff a bit stiff, and his female characters all look exactly the same, down to their lips and upturned noses. But, a solid story introducing the "New" Supergirl who has the same origin as the Silver Age Supergirl. Mildly recommended.

2 ASTONISHING X-MEN #6 $2.99 MAR 134,840

Joss Whedon made "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" 0one of the best shows on TV, and his writing is even BETTER on this X-Men comic, the only one left to pick up all fo the ideas that Grant Morrison gave them and carry them forward. This is the last part of the first six issue arc, but it is STILL entertaining on its own. Highly recommended.

3 IDENTITY CRISIS #6 (Of 7) $3.95 DC 132,384

This is the Big Story of the year, and it's much like all the rest, a well written, well drawn story that isn't any good. By the way, if you have EVER read a mystery in your LIFE you can guess who the killer is after this issue.

4 SUPERMAN BATMAN #14 $2.95 DC 121,831
5 SUPERMAN #211 $2.50 DC 106,469

The Big Jim Lee issues, and I'm a bit amazed that it's selling below what Batman sold when Jim Lee was drawing that. But then, I still think everyone Jim Lee draws looks like cats have scratched their faces all up.

6 AVENGERS #503 (#88) $3.50 MAR 105,761

A lot of people are complaining about the ending of this story, as if it "couldn't happen" or the like. I liked it as a story, but it wasn't a conclusion so much as "clearing the decks" for a new version of the Avengers. It's a good story on it's own, but I think it's success will depend on how well the new Avengers series does.

7 AVENGERS FINALE #1 $3.50 MAR 101,431

A nice tribute issue, with art by a LOT of the previous artists of the Avengers as it goes through the history of the team, and sets the scene for the next series. A nice one-shot with some fantastic art.

8 ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #13* $2.25 MAR 96,820
9 ULTIMATE X-MEN #53 $2.25 MAR 92,133
10 UNCANNY X-MEN #452 $2.25 MAR 92,051

Is Alan Davis back yet? Because this book sucks without him.

11 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #68 $2.25 MAR 91,075
12 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #69 $2.25 MAR 90,010

After the REALLY POWERFUL Carnage story, Bendis lightens up the book a lot for a team-up with Wolverine. It's probably the funniest Spider-Man comic I have read in a decade, and well worth it. Highly recommended.

13 JLA CLASSIFIED #1 $2.95 DC 88,747

Grant Morrison back on the JLA!! W00t! The story is VERY dense, almost the opposite of most comics, as Morrison gives more story in one comic than most people give in entire series. My favorite comic of the month, and highly recommended!

14 X-MEN #164 $2.25 MAR 88,620
15 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #514 $2.25 MAR 87,121

The finale of the horrid "Sins Past" story, which gives us Yet Another Green Goblin. Worst story of the JMS run By Far.

16 GREEN LANTERN REBIRTH #2 (Of 6) $2.95 DC 86,273

Continuing the Hal Jordan story for Old Time Fanboys. But the art is great.

17 ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #12 $2.25 MAR 84,417
18 WOLVERINE #22 $2.25 MAR 81,841

Wolverine kicks the ass of everyone in the Marvel Universe. That's pretty much the plot. Weird thing is, it works. A rocking adventure story that doesn't take a whole lot of time to do anything other than just have endless fight scenes, which is fun in a "Big Summer Movie" kind of way.

19 X-MEN END BK 1 DREAMERS & DEMONS #5 (Of 6) $2.99 MAR 69,642

Funny to me that this one started after the Wolverine The End mini-series started, and this one will be done long before Wolverine is. This are ready made to be in book form, and that's when I'll read it.

20 IRON MAN #1 $3.50 MAR 68,992

I know some people are all pissy about Warren Ellis doing a mainline Marvel book after complaining about super-heroes for so long, but I was not all that excited. Ellis's work on the mainstream heroes has always been a bit lacking, in my eyes, and this first issue was really no exception. It wasn't great...and really wasn't even all that good. No new ground broken here, and unless there is something more interesting coming up, this book will be like that last run, buy it if you really like Iron Man stories.

21 MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN #8 $2.99 MAR 68,290
22 CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 $2.99 MAR 67,225

Another reboot and restart, this time written by Ed Brubaker, who is probably best known for his crime noir work on the Batman titles. For a first issue, it's a bit lacking, since I think that a first issue should introduce the character and his situation, while this reads much more like the first part of a new story, rather than the beginning of a series. As the first part of a story, though, it's a decent start and I'm interested to see where it goes.

23 BATMAN #634 $2.25 DC 63,769

With War Games over, Batman is now alone. The problem is, there's really no difference between this story and any story that would have come before War Games. Hopefully, as this story arc continues, it will start using the new "Batman is on his own" setting to tell stories that couldn't have been told before.

24 JLA #108 $2.25 DC 63,355
25 TEEN TITANS #18 $2.50 DC 61,537
26 SUPREME POWER #13 (MR) $2.99 MAR 57,768
27 DETECTIVE COMICS #800 $3.50 DC 52,399

This is now written by David Lapham, who is probably best known for his long-running series "Stray Bullets" which is one of the earliest of the "Crime comics" from the 90's. His start here is fairly low key, despite starting in a big anniversary issue. Hopefully, it will be like his Stray Bullets series, where things take time to build, but once they do, the stories are worth it.

28 FANTASTIC FOUR #520 $2.99 MAR 51,685

Now that the Waid/Weiringo team is starting its last run of stories, they are going out with a bang. The current story, even while being a Galactus story, is a very personal look at the FF, and works because of the characters, not the grand cosmic stuff. Highly recommended.

29 DAREDEVIL #67 $2.99 MAR 51,347

Quite simply, this is the best run this character has ever seen. While Frank Miller's run was instrumental and amazing, this one is topping it because of the sheer complexity and skill at which the creative team brings to each story. Highly recommended.

30 SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #21 $2.25 MAR 50,633

THIS is what Paul Jenkins is good at. His run on this series has been bad at best, and incredibly stupid at its worst (the issue where Peter was mutating, and Mary Jane made him go to a party was the dumbest thing I have ever read in comics), but this issue focuses on a poker game, and highlights Jenkins skill with character interplay. Highly recommended.

31 JSA #67 $2.50 DC 47,725

Always an excellent super-hero book, this story arc deals with JSA history in a way that even brand new readers can understand what is going on in the midst of a time travel story. The best part of this comic is how well they get character across, even during Big Battle Scenes, and is highly recommended.

32 AVENGERS EARTHS MIGHTIEST HEROES #1 (Of 8) $3.50 MAR 46,877
33 NEW THUNDERBOLTS #1 $2.99 MAR 45,793

Being a big fan of the Kurt Busiek run (and not so much of anyone else) I wanted this book to be a good issue. It was confusing and a big mess, which is NOT a good way to start a comic series.

34 EXCALIBUR #7 $2.99 MAR 44,753
35 MARVEL TEAM-UP #1 $2.25 MAR 44,530

As a kid, Marvel Team Up was one of my favorite comics, since it would show off characters that I knew nothing about, yet I'd still get to read a Spider-Man story. Marvel has tried it a few times since the first series ended, and it has never lasted long, but this series has a solid creative team, and the first issue was a fun, interesting story. Hopefully, they'll keep it up and readers will give it a chance. Mildly recommended

36 FLASH #216 $2.25 DC 43,618

This comic is frustrating to me, as there are some VERY good things that go on in it, and the creative team is top-notch, but it just doesn't hold together for me. Plot threads are introduced and then dismissed later, the feeling of "constant threat" has worn out its welcome, and the writer seems to think that it's shocking for EVERY villain to have an abusive childhood. The bad and good balance each other out, and this is JUST a comic for hard-core fanboys.

37 CONAN #10 $2.99 DAR 43,216
38 THE PUNISHER #13 (MR) $2.99 MAR 42,088

More Garth Ennis goodness. I would venture to say that when Ennis finally leaves this comic, they should put it away for a while until someone else comes along who can tell great action stories. Highly recommended.

39 AVENGERS EARTHS MIGHTIEST HEROES #2 (Of 8) $3.50 MAR 41,864
40 X-FORCE #4 $2.99 MAR 41,533

That's right, Rob Liefeld has so far been able to issue forth 4 comics in less than a year. Of course, it IS Rob Liefeld, so it's horrid art, silly stories and endless fight scenes that make little sense. Enjoy!

41 VENOM VS CARNAGE #4 (Of 4) $2.99 MAR 41,526
42 THE PUNISHER #14 (MR) $2.99 MAR 41,514
43 PULSE #6 $2.99 MAR 40,895

Possibly the best Green Goblin story since he was brought back from the dead, and maybe one of the best Green Goblin stories of all time. While it is the last part of a six part story, it's still well worth checking out, since it will compel you to go back and get the previous issues. Highly recommended.

44 ULTIMATE ELEKTRA #4 (Of 5) $2.25 MAR 40,882

As I write this (and yes, I know I'm running late) this series is ALREADY out as a trade paperback. And the movie is out too, and it's probably the worst Marvel Movie since the Captain American movie of the early 90's. Do you need more evidence that it's silly to buy a Marvel mini-series?

45 NEW THUNDERBOLTS #2 $2.99 MAR 40,104

Two issues in a single month? Well, this issue was a little better than the first one, but it's still not anything for someone who isn't a hard-core fan of the first series.

46 PAT LEES TRANSFORMERS GI JOE #1* $2.95 DRE 38,899
47 ACTION COMICS #821 $2.50 DC 38,880

Of the three Superman comics, this is the one I like best. It is just a super-hero fight book, with short pauses for storyline, but not many. Chuck Austin is not a writer that internet people like, but I'm still of the opinion that on the right comic, he can put together a fun comic. This is my example. Mildly recommended.

48 SPIDER-MAN INDIA #1 $2.99 MAR 37,783

What if Spider-Man had been a youth in India instead of the US? This is a mini-series that answers that question, but it begs a different question: Why is Marvel doing so many out-of-continuity series?

49 MARVEL TEAM-UP #2 $2.25 MAR 37,515

The second issue was almost more fun than the first. I like Marvel's idea of two issues of new series out during a month, trying to get the fans a bit more excited about it, and also because all Marvel first issues are now the first part of a six issue story. For super-hero fans, this is highly recommended.

50 NIGHTCRAWLER #2 $2.99 MAR 36,533

I am not a big Nightcrawler fan. The changes made to the character over the years have not sat well with me, and I liked him better as a swashbuckling adventurer than a angst ridden devout Catholic, but this series offers some of the best art in comics, and the story is good enough that I'm willing to give it a chance. Mildly recommeded.

51 CATWOMAN WHEN IN ROME #2 (Of 6) $3.50 DC 36,106
52 ROBIN #132 $2.25 DC 35,927

An issue that deals with both the aftermath of Identity Crisis AND War Games. I'm not happy with the amount of angst that has been piled onto the new Robin, and the fact that his father was alive was one of the things that made the new Robin interesting. I'm going to take a wait and see attitude to the book, since it is crossing over with Batgirl to establish the new status quo.

53 JUSTICE LEAGUE ELITE #5 (Of 12) $2.50 DC 35,258
54 BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHTS #59 $2.50 DC 35,252

The one Batman book that I just can't force myself through. It's also the Batman comic that doesn't have as much of a reason to exist as it used to, since it was supposed to be the comic that focused on how Batman interacted with his supporting characters, who have all now been sent away from him.

55 ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #634 $2.50 DC 35,118

Greg Rucka can be one of the better writers in comics, but his Superman stories just haven't worked all that well for me.

56 ARMY OF DARKNESS ASHES 2 ASHES #3 (MR) $2.99 DYN 34,627
57 MARVEL KNIGHTS 4 #12 $2.99 MAR 34,525
58 EXILES #54 $2.99 MAR 34,180

The new creative team has a good handle on this comic, which really surprises me. Still, this comic has a very limited audience, and if you LIKE stories that jump around in alternate Marvel Universes with obscure X-Men characters, you're already getting this comic.

59 HULK & THING HARD KNOCKS #3 (Of 4) $3.50 MAR 34,129

When I read through this comic, I wonder why people think that Jea Lee's art style works on mainstream super-hero books? His impressionists and "scratchy" style is good on horror comics and other comics where a non-realistic style works, but super-hero comics already ask a reader to suspend their disbelief, to add art this stylized makes the whole house of cards fall apart.

60 NIGHTWING #99 $2.25 DC 33,708

Heading toward the Big Conclusion, which has taken WAY TOO DAMN LONG. I don't understand why writers get the urge to do a long, drawn out stories of a hero falling apart, so that they can then do long, drawn out stories of them coming back. It inevitably loses readers, since they go on so long that the fall seems to be the status quo, instead of a tight story arc. Avoid.

61 RISING STARS #22 (Of 24) $2.99 IMA 33,536
62 SPACE GHOST #1 (Of 6) $2.95 DC 33,032
63 GREEN ARROW #44 $2.50 DC 32,159

This comic has drifted toward mediocrity. Judd Winnik is becoming a placeholder writer, which is a shame, since he does have it in him to do great comics. This isn't one of them, though.

64 INTIMATES #1 $2.95 DC 31,578
65 TRANSFORMERS GENERATION 1 VOL 3 #9 $2.95 DRE 31,272

And, as I write this, the entire company that publishes this has gone under. Hate to say it, but when you base your company on a fad (80's nostalgia), it usually isn't around when that fad dies. Case in point.

66 BIRDS OF PREY #76 $2.50 DC 31,126
67 BATGIRL #58 $2.50 DC 31,056

Crossing over with Robin and I NEVER EVER understand why comics that directly cross over with another don't sell as well. Do people not want to read the other half of the story? This is my first real exposure to the Batgirl comic, and it's a pretty solid comic.

68 POWERS #6 (MR) $2.95 MAR 30,431

Highly recommended! Finishing up the first story arc, this comic is a great mix of crime drama and super-hero comic, with some of the best dialogue in comics. If you haven't tried this book because it look too "independent", give it a try.

69 GAMBIT #4 $2.99 MAR 29,385
70 BATMAN LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #185 $2.50 DC 28,741

This is the highest this comic has been on the charts in years, and I don't think it is because this is their best story in ages. It is a good Riddler story, and this has been one of my favorite Batman series, due to the "story arc" concept. Mildly recommended.

71 SABRETOOTH #3 (Of 5) $2.99 MAR 28,581
72 CABLE DEADPOOL #9 $2.99 MAR 27,612
73 SPAWN #140 $2.50 IMA 27,376

Now that Spawn is no longer soliciting almost a year in advance, we've got a much better idea of how it's selling. I STILL maintain that the people buying it don't read the book...but then again, why should they be any different than Todd McFarlane?

74 GREEN LANTERN REBIRTH #1 2ND PRINTING $2.95 DC 27,127

A second printing of a comic that sold about 100,000 copies already? DC has figured out how to make some books big sellers, while most of their new characters just die on the sales charts. This is a good comic as well, with some of Ethan Van Scriber's best art ever. Highly recommended.

75 GI JOE VS TRANSFORMERS VOL 2 #3* $2.95 DEV 27,102
76 BLACK WIDOW #3 (Of 6) $2.99 MAR 26,840
77 Y THE LAST MAN #28 (MR) $2.95 DC 26,770
78 POWERLESS #6 (Of 6) $2.99 MAR 26,439

I read the trade paperback of this one already, and I have to say that the ending was a mess. A VERY good idea, with a lot to recommend it for Marvel fans, but the ending didn't hold together and made me think that the writer had no idea of where to go with his ideas. Too bad.

79 CATWOMAN #37 $2.50 DC 26,107

Ed Brubaker has made this a comic worth reading, and the stories are solid, tight and entertaining, but I miss the animation inspired art that was on the first two years of the book, and Paul Gulacy's art just doesn't work for me, making the comic a mixed bag.

80 WONDER WOMAN #210 $2.25 DC 25,699
81 DISTRICT X #7 $2.99 MAR 25,488

One of Marvel's hidden treasures, showing the downside of mutant powers in a hard-boiled crime series. This is the start of a new story arc, and is Highly Recommended.

82 EMMA FROST #17 $2.99 MAR 25,380
83 CAPTAIN AMERICA & THE FALCON #9 $2.99 MAR 25,380
84 BULLSEYE GREATEST HITS #3 (Of 5) $2.99 MAR 25,176
85 OFFICIAL HANDBOOK MARVEL UNIVERSE BOOK OF THE DEAD 2004 $3.99 MAR 25,131

It's pretty much impossible to review this book, which is just a catalog of characters and a bit of their history. What is sad is how many of Marvel's comics this sells better than.

86 FABLES #31 (MR) $2.50 DC 25,061
87 STREET FIGHTER #11* $2.95 DEV 24,290
88 GI JOE #36 $2.95 DEV 24,277
89 MADROX #3 (Of 5) $2.99 MAR 23,971

Peter David returns to his X-Factor characters, and tells a good story with wit and imagination rather than an action story with inside jokes and funny asides. Highly recommended.

90 AMAZING FANTASY #6 $2.99 MAR 23,913
91 SHE HULK #9 $2.99 MAR 23,869
92 JSA STRANGE ADVENTURES #4 (Of 6) $3.50 DC 23,779
93 INVADERS #4 $2.99 MAR 23,709
94 MYSTIQUE #21 $2.99 MAR 23,665
95 EX MACHINA #6 (MR) $2.95 DC 23,531

This finishes the first story arc, and while the subplot about offensive art wrapped up a bit too neatly, it was a well done mix of politics and super-hero story in a way that I didn't think could be done. This is the rare kind of super-hero comic that can be enjoyed by Super-hero fans as well as non-comic book readers and is Highly Recommended.

96 AUTHORITY REVOLUTION #2 (Of 12) (MR) $2.95 DC 23,282
97 WITCHBLADE #80* $2.99 IMA 22,746
98 TRANSFORMERS MICROMASTERS #4 (Of 4) $2.95 DRE 22,517
99 FIRESTORM #7 $2.50 DC 22,109
100 ADAM STRANGE #3 (Of 8) $2.95 DC 22,032

I didn't pick this comic up until it was pointed out in a rumor column that it was part of the kickoff for the Big Summer Crossover at DC. I have never much cared for Adam Strange, as the comic always feels like a 30's SF character, and not in a good way. However, this mini-series makes the character interesting, and has done a great job of making him a fish out of water by having him be a naive hopeful character in a cynical, manipulating setting. Not just a SF story or a super-hero story but a mystery and charac6ter piece all at once, this comic is highly recommended.

101 HAWKMAN #34 $2.50 DC 21,975
102 DOOM PATROL #6 $2.50 DC 21,841
103 AQUAMAN #24 $2.50 DC 21,605
104 QUESTION #1 (Of 6) $2.95 DC 21,471

The late 80's series by Dennis O'Neil was one of my favorite comics from that time period. It was a blending of philosophy and martial arts action that O'Neil has tried both before and since, but only on The Question was he able to make it work. This new series is good, but it doesn't live up to the previous run.

105 IDENTITY CRISIS #1 3RD PRTG $3.95 DC 21,388
106 TOMB OF DRACULA #2 $2.99 MAR 21,331
107 SPIDER-GIRL #80 $2.99 MAR 21,146

A solid little super-hero book that's written and drawn the way comics were done in the 80's, with little snips of soap opera inbetween the super-hero stuff. No one is ever going to hold this up as their favorite comic, but it's a good read for super-hero fans, month in and month out.

108 SPIDER-MAN UNLIMITED #6 $2.99 MAR 20,974

Spider-Man short stories by new creators, and usually a refreshingly different take on the character. I like "new talent" books, so if you are interested in that sort of book, this one is highly recommended.

109 ELEKTRA THE HAND #4 (Of 5) $2.99 MAR 20,801
110 STAR WARS OBSESSION #1 (Of 5) $2.99 DAR 20,514
111 ALPHA FLIGHT #9 $2.99 MAR 20,336

Canceled with #12, which shouldn't surprise anyone. They keep bringing this book back, and no one ever cares.

112 MAJESTIC #4 (Of 4) $2.95 DC 20,221
113 OCEAN #2 (Of 6) $2.95 DC 19,424
114 MARVEL HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2004 $3.99 MAR 19,245
115 GI JOE RELOADED #9 $2.95 DEV 19,092
116 SPIDER-MAN DOCTOR OCTOPUS YEAR 1 #4 (Of 5) $2.99 MAR 19,092

I can't help but think that if this comic came out last year (before the movie) it would have been a much bigger seller. Now, we've got a LOT of Doc Oc stuff available out there, and this story doesn't bring anything new to the dance.

117 STAR WARS EMPIRE #26 $2.99 DAR 18,487
118 BPRD THE DEAD #1 (Of 5) $2.99 DAR 18,091
119 TOMB RAIDER #47* $2.99 IMA 18,008
120 THOR SON O/ASGARD #10 $2.99 MAR 17,798
121 GOTHAM CENTRAL #25 $2.50 DC 17,683

Probably the best issue of this comic yet, as it tells the story of how the police feel about Batman after the big "War Games" crossover, which made him a solo vigilante again. The series has always been about the cops in Gotham City, now

Best comic of the month!

122 TRANSFORMERS ENERGON #29 $2.95 DRE 17,371
123 MAGDALENA VAMPIRELLA #1 $2.99 IMA 17,262
124 TOE TAGS FEAT GEORGE ROMERO #2 (MR) $2.95 DC 17,243

If you've read my Nanowrimo novels, you know that I have a deep love of George Romero, and I am having trouble waiting for the next Dead movie, which he's currently filming. This horror series came out for DC, and I was going to wait for the trade, but decided to pick it up on a whim. It's pretty confusingly done, and I don't know if that's because Romero doesn't know comics, the artist isn't grasping his scripts or the editor just isn't helping either of them out, but the story is a bit hard to get into. Still, I wish I would have waited for the trade, since it REALLY reads as if it would work better as a collected trade.

125 SWAMP THING #9 (MR) $2.95 DC 16,790
126 SECRET WAR BK 1 (OF 5) 3RD PRTG $3.50 MAR 16,178
127 100 BULLETS #55 (MR) $2.50 DC 15,929
128 SIMPSONS COMICS #100 $6.99 BON 15,898

A "clip show" of a comic book which is a satire of the device of a clip show by showing things that haven't been done in the comic before. Like most issues of the Simpsons, just as funny as the TV show. Highly recommended

129 MANHUNTER #4 $2.50 DC 15,808
130 JUBILEE #3 $2.99 MAR 15,770
131 DARKSTALKERS #1* $2.95 DEV 15,489
132 BOOKS O/MAGICK LIFE DURING WARTIME #5 (MR) $2.50 DC 15,477

Looks like putting Neil Gaiman on as co-plotter has not helped sales. DC has tried to make this book sell for almost ten years now, but it just never seems to get off of the ground.

133 JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #3 $2.95 DC 15,451
134 BATMAN STRIKES #3 $2.95 DC 15,305
135 TEEN TITANS GO #13 $2.95 DC 15,279
136 HELLBLAZER #202 (MR) $2.75 DC 15,254
137 WALKING DEAD #13 (MR) $2.95 IMA 14,590

Slowly working it's way up the charts, this is a very well done comic set in the months after zombies destroy civilization. It started as a character driven drama, but is moving into sheer horror territory, and shows that horror can still be done in comics. Highly recommended.

138 THE INCREDIBLES #1 NEW PRTG (OF 4) $2.99 DAR 14,565
139 WALKING DEAD #12 (MR) $2.95 IMA 14,539
140 CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN #6 (Of 6) $2.95 DC 13,704
141 SECRET WAR BOOK 2 (OF 5) 2ND PRTG $3.50 MAR 13,691
142 WARLOCK #3 $2.99 MAR 13,545

I don't know if Marvel has had a non-kid focused super-hero comic do this poorly and still be printed in its history. I remember when "Street Poet Ray" was considered Marvel's lowest selling comic of all time, but that was about 15 years ago, and it wasn't a mainstream super-hero book like this one is.

143 MARVEL AGE SPIDER-MAN #15 $2.25 MAR 13,079
144 30 DAYS O/BLOODSUCKERS TALES #2 (MR) $3.99 IDW 12,971
145 MARVEL AGE SPIDER-MAN #16 $2.25 MAR 12,862
146 METAL GEAR SOLID #3 (MR) $3.99 IDW 12,805
147 HERO #22 $2.50 DC 12,696

Last issue, and it's too bad that the creators couldn't keep up the quality of the first 14 or so issues. The last few issues were a Big Fight comic that really seemed like it was written to try and bring in people who wouldn't have picked up the comic in the first place.

148 TOM STRONGS TERRIFIC TALES #12 $2.95 DC 12,690

Love this comic. It has art by Art Adams, stories by Alan Moore, and should have sold better than this. I don't get why the ABC line didn't do better, since every issue was at minimum fun to read, and at best utterly brilliant. Highly recommended.

149 LUCIFER #56 (MR) $2.50 DC 12,677
150 VAMPIRELLA WITCHBLADE UNION O/DAMNED #1 REG CVR ED $2.99 HAR 12,365
151 MARVEL AGE SPIDER-MAN TEAM UP #3 $1.75 MAR 12,174
152 SMALLVILLE #11 $3.95 DC 12,103
153 SLEEPER SEASON 2 #5 (Of 12) (MR) $2.95 DC 12,046

Another comic that should sell better, but with the writer moving over to Marvel, I would imagine that the story will wrap up at the end of these twelve issues. Highly recommended.

154 WILDSTORM WINTER SPEC $4.95 DC 11,797
155 RICHARD DRAGON #7 $2.50 DC 11,733
156 TERRA OBSCURA VOL 2 #4 (OF 6) $2.95 DC 11,504
157 SLEEPER SEASON 2 #6 (Of 12) (MR) $2.95 DC 11,498
158 HUMANKIND #3 $2.99 IMA 11,364
159 WILD GIRL #1 (Of 6) $2.95 DC 11,364
160 STARJAMMERS #6 (Of 6) $2.99 MAR 11,153

Another series Marvel started, thinking it would be an ongoing, but it ended up being a six issue mini-series. It's not a shame that the comic didn't last, as it was pretty bland stuff.

161 WITCHING #6 (MR) $2.95 DC 11,083
162 MARVEL AGE HULK #3 $1.75 MAR 10,745
163 PLASTIC MAN #12 $2.95 DC 10,611

Another great issue by cartoonist Kyle Baker. This comic, although it sells poorly, is probably one of the best things on the stands. The art is brilliantly done, the story is funny and full of inventive sight gags, and the reason it seems not to be selling is because its aimed at a mainstream audience, and comic shops do not cater to that audience. Hopefully, DC can get it out to that audience with trade paperbacks soon enough to keep the comic going. Highly recommended.

164 RAZORS EDGE WARBLADE #2 (MR) $2.95 DC 10,598
165 GRAY AREA #3 (Of 3) $5.95 IMA 10,547
166 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #29 (MR) $2.95 BRO 10,535

That's right, there are still 10,000 comics fans who don't give a damn about story, character or plot as long as every woman in the book has breasts bigger than her head.

167 ANGELTOWN #1 (OF 5) (MR) $2.95 DC 10,350
168 FALLEN ANGEL #17 (MR) $2.95 DC 10,343

It's a shame that Peter David's best comic in years isn't selling. The setting is mysterious without being murky, and the main character is fascinating. This comic highlights David's plotting ability, and shows him to be one of the best writers in comics if he can restrain his bent toward goofiness. Highly recommended.

169 IDENTITY CRISIS #5 (Of 7) $3.95 DC 10,107
170 MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE VOL 3 #7 $2.95 IMA 9,910
171 LOSERS #18 (MR) $2.95 DC 9,897
172 BLADE OF KUMORI #1* $2.95 DEV 9,565
173 FREAKS OF THE HEARTLAND #6 (Of 6) (MR) $2.99 DAR 9,521
174 BATTLE OF THE PLANETS PRINCESS #2 (Of 6) $2.99 IMA 9,240
175 GUARDIANS #5 (Of 5) $2.99 MAR 9,202

Another of Marvel's new series that didn't take off, mostly because readers didn't know the creative team, the characters, the setting or why it was being published. Not that this was a great comic, but I think that comic companies need to start looking at what movies do to get people to know about upcoming movies, or they'll keep throwing stuff at the wall and complaining that it doesn't stick.

176 MARVEL AGE FANTASTIC FOUR #8 $2.25 MAR 9,202
177 INVINCIBLE #17 $2.95 IMA 9,055
178 BLOODHOUND #5 $2.95 DC 8,870
179 MEGACITY 909 #3* $2.95 DEV 87,274
180 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #142 $2.19 ARC 8,545

Is it just me, or is this comic going up in sales every month? Not bad for a character who was the mascot of a video game system that was discontinued ten years ago.

181 HUMAN TARGET #16 (MR) $2.95 DC 8,341
182 HARD TIME #10 $2.50 DC 8,284

A Steve Gerber written comic that should be selling better. Hopefully the re-launch will help, as it is a well done comic set in a prison that draws the reader in a little more each time. Highly recommended.

183 ULTRA #4 (Of 8) $2.95 IMA 7,799
184 MU #1* $2.95 DEV 7,742
185 FLASH #215 $2.25 DC 7,149
186 PVP #11 $2.95 IMA 7,015
187 CASEFILES SAM & TWITCH #11 (MR) $2.50 IMA 6,913
188 KINETIC #8 $2.50 DC 6,791
189 COSMIC GUARD #4 $2.99 DYN 6,632

The new comic by Jim Starlin, who is pretty much best known for retelling his Warlock story over and over again. Not one of his better efforts here.

190 USAGI YOJIMBO #80 $2.99 DAR 6,568
191 JINGLE BELLE #1 (Of 4) $2.99 DAR 6,268
192 VAMPI VS XIN #1 LAU CVR $2.99 HAR 6,033
193 OJO #3 (Of 5) (MR) $2.99 ONI 6,026
194 STARGATE SG1 ARIS BOCH #1* $2.99 AVA 5,854
195 TALES OF TELLOS #2 (Of 3) $3.50 IMA 5,835
196 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #97 $3.99 KEN 5,835

Love this comic! The comic book portion is about gamers, and has some of the funniest stuff on the stands. If you are a current or former gamer, this is must-read humor. For those who aren't, it translates fairly well, as each character is clearly defined and interesting, and the jokes arise from character, not gaming trivia. Highly recommended.

197 IDENTITY CRISIS #4 (Of 7) $3.95 DC 5,784
198 POWERPUFF GIRLS #56 $2.95 DC 5,586
199 SHONEN JUMP VOL 2 #12 DEC 2004 $4.99 VIZ 5,567

I say it every month. 250,000 copies sold on newsstands and through subscriptions. 5,500 sold in comic stores. THIS is where new readers would come from if comic publishers and retailers actually gave a damn.

200 DEFEX #2 $2.95 DEV 5,548
201 STARGATE SG1 FALL O/ROME #2 (Of 3)* $3.99 AVA 5,535
202 CSI DOMINOS #3 (MR) $3.99 IDW 5,510

I'm a huge CSI fan, but when I can get a full CSI novel for the price of two parts of a five part story, I'm gonna go with the novel every time. At $4 a pop, these comics have pretty much priced themselves out of the mainstream.

203 THE GIFT #8 $2.99 IMA 5,503
204 WARREN ELLIS FRANK IRONWINE #1 (MR) $3.50 AVA 5,318
205 UNCLE SCROOGE #335 $6.95 GEM 5,306
206 SCOOBY DOO #90 $2.95 DC 5,280
207 STRAY BULLETS #35 (MR) $3.50 ELC 5,261
208 UNCLE SCROOGE #336 $6.95 GEM 5,184

$7 for 48 pages? ARE THEY INSANE?!?!?!

209 SECRET SKULL #3 (MR) $3.99 IDW 5,076
210 DETONATOR #1 $2.50 IMA 5,038
211 GREEN LANTERN REBIRTH #1 (OF 6) $2.95 DC 5,038
212 DONALD DUCK & FRIENDS #322 $2.95 GEM 5,012
213 BRIAN PULIDOS LADY DEATH DEAD RISING COMM ED $2.50 AVA 4,955

How many companies will this character kill before no one publishes it any more?

214 BLADE O/T IMMORTAL #95 (MR) $2.99 DAR 4,942
215 HAWAIIAN DICK LAST RESORT #2 (Of 4) $2.95 IMA 4,917
216 LURKERS #2 $3.99 IDW 4,872

Finally, a comic about people who read on message boards, but never post. The world has been waiting for this since AOL started up!

217 IDENTITY CRISIS #3 (Of 7) $3.95 DC 4,859
218 MICKEY MOUSE & FRIENDS #271 $2.95 GEM 4,617
219 DEAD AT 17 REVOLUTION #1 (Of 4) (MR) $2.95 VIP 4,585
220 GRENDEL DEVILS REIGN #6 (Of 7) (MR) $3.50 DAR 4,515

Reprinting the final story arc from the Comic series, and yes, it costs this much because they have to remaster the art from published comics. A GREAT series, but you should wait until it's a trade, as it doesn't read well as individual issues.

221 WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #650 $6.95 GEM 4,432
222 ANT #4 $2.95 ARC 4,394
223 VAMPIRELLA HALLOWEEN 2004 REG CVR ED $4.95 HAR 4,381
224 WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #651 $6.95 GEM 4,349
225 CHOLLY & FLYTRAP #1 (Of 3) $4.95 IMA 4,324

Reprinting stories from late 70's art comics. Yes, the world has been waiting with baited breath for this.

226 ALEX ROSS BATTLE OF THE PLANETS ARTBOOK ONE SHOT $4.99 IMA 4,260

The only reason Image DID a Battle of the Planets series is because Alex Ross said he'd work on it. I never saw the cartoon, and after reading an issue or two, I'm glad. This is how you can get all of his comics and other art in case you want it.

227 GOLDEN PLATES #1 $7.99 AAA 4,190

Not very good for serving fajitas, but they look nice coming out of this dishwasher!

228 BRIAN PULIDOS KILLER GNOMES #1* $3.50 AVA 4,145

OK, someone needs to smack Pulido upside the head with a shovel and get him to quit. GNOMES?

229 MARVEL MUST HAVES AVENGERS #500-502 $3.99 MAR 4,139
230 HARDY BOYS #1 $2.95 NBM 4,049

I hope they have distribution outside the comics market, because if they are hoping to make a profit on this book, hope has died.

231 TEEN TITANS #17 $2.50 DC 3,922
232 TALES OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #6 $2.95 MIR 3,877
233 FIREBIRDS ONE SHOT $5.95 IMA 3,762
234 GOLD DIGGER #57 $2.99 ANT 3,577
235 GHOSTBUSTERS LEGION #3 (Of 4) $2.95 EIG 3,565

I take it that no one was really ready for the big Ghostbusters nostalgia craze? And by not really ready I mean not giving a damn in any way shape or form.

236 RADIOACTIVE MAN #197 $2.50 BON 3,539
237 YOUNGBLOOD GENESIS #2 $3.99 JAY 3,526
238 POISON ELVES HYENA #2 (MR) $2.95 SIR 3,514
239 NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD BARBARAS ZOMBIE CHRON #2 (Of 3) (MR) $4.95 DEA 3,444

Oh, how I wanted to love this comic. I LOVE Night of the Living Dead, but the first issue of this comic spent 5 pages dismissing the end of the movie they purport to be continuing. Pass.

240 FORSAKEN #3 $2.95 IMA 3,367

By readers, apparantly.

241 CVO COVERT VAMPIRIC OPERATIONS ROGUE STATE #1 (MR) $3.99 IDW 3,354

Now, is this a bunch of military types who hunt down vampires or military vampires who work in covert ops? I can't tell by the title, and don't care enough to find out.

242 THE BALLAD OF SLEEPING BEAUTY #5 $1.99 BEC 3,316
243 SYLVIA FAUST #2 (Of 4) $2.95 IMA 3,284
244 DORK TOWER #29 $2.99 DOR 3,233
245 DUEL MASTERS #8 $2.95 DRE 3,220
246 WARREN ELLIS STRANGE KILLINGS NECROMANCER #6 (Of 6) (MR)* $3.50 AVA 3,182
247 SMALL GODS #5 $2.95 IMA 3,150
248 LOONEY TUNES #120 $2.95 DC 3,150
249 JLA #107 $2.25 DC 2,857
250 SABRINA VOL 2 #62 $2.19 ARC 2,825
251 OLYMPUS HEIGHTS #4 $3.99 IDW 2,812
252 WARREN ELLIS APPARAT PREVIEW $1.99 AVA 2,793
253 CATWOMAN #36 $2.50 DC 2,672
254 ASTONISHING X-MEN #4* $2.99 MAR 2,666
255 WANTED DEATH ROW ED #4 (MR) $2.99 IMA 2,640
256 WE 3 #2 (Of 3) (MR) $2.95 DC 2,595
257 BETTY & VERONICA #204 $2.19 ARC 2,595

Most of the books down here are re-orders, but this is the first Archie comic featuring the Archie characters on the list. Do kids still read Archie? Does anyone? And why did Archie last and Harvey went under? And where is my lost youth?

258 BONEYARD #16 $2.95 NBM 2,551
259 CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #3 $2.95 DC 2,512
260 STREET FIGHTER CVR C POWER FOIL #10 $7.50 DEV 2,500
261 BURGLAR BILL #1 (Of 6) $2.95 IMA 2,487

Any bets on if all six issues make it to print?

262 BETTY #142 $2.19 ARC 2,404
263 NODWICK #26 $2.99 DOR 2,379
264 MISPLACED #4 $2.95 DEV 2,359
265 BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #68 $2.19 ARC 2,347
266 HELIOS #1 (MR) $2.99 DAK 2,308
267 IDENTITY CRISIS #2 (Of 7) $3.95 DC 2,245
268 NEXT EXIT #1 $2.95 SLA 2,219
269 WOLVERINE #21 $2.25 MAR 2,175
270 SOULFIRE #2 $2.99 SP 2,136
271 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE ILLUSTRATED #40 $2.99 KEN 2,136

As much as I love Knights of the Dinner Table, I don't much care for this comic, which tells the stories of their characters in the RPGs they play. It's almost a case of taking the joke too seriously, and is for hard core gamers only.

272 GHOSTBUSTERS LEGION BRERETON CVR #3 (Of 4) $3.50 EIG 2,124
273 ARCHIE & FRIENDS #87 $2.19 ARC 2,117
274 JOE LANSDALES BY BIZARRE HANDS #5 (Of 6) (MR)* $3.50 AVA 2,085
275 FRANKENSTEIN MOBSTER CVR A WHEATLEY #6 $2.95 IMA 2,072
276 WATERLOO SUNSET #2 (Of 4) $6.95 IMA 2,021
277 PAT LEES TRANSFORMERS GI JOE #1 DF ALT CVR* $1.48 DRE 1,996
278 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #129 $3.59 ARC 1,958
279 UNCANNY X-MEN #451 $2.25 MAR 1,913
280 RUULE KISS & TELL #6 $1.99 BEC 1,913
281 AUTUMN #2 $2.95 SLA 1,805
282 BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #152 $2.39 ARC 1,773
283 TEEN TITANS LEGION SPEC #1 $3.50 DC 1,754
284 OR ELSE #1 (MR) $3.50 DRA 1,747

Or else what? You talkin to me? You want a piece of me? You want to take it outside? You want fries with that?

285 FADE FROM GRACE #3 $1.99 BEC 1,741
286 WOLVERINE #20* $2.25 MAR 1,722
287 FIRESTORM #6 $2.50 DC 1,709
288 ANIMERICA EXTRA VOLUME 7 #11 NOV 2004 $4.99 VIZ 1,703
289 PALS N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #89 $3.59 ARC 1,645
290 TEENS AT PLAY HOLIDAY SPECIAL (A) $4.95 ERO 1,632
291 ARCHIE DIGEST #212 $2.39 ARC 1,632
292 NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #121 $2.99 ANT 1,620
293 FLARE #2 $2.99 HER 1,613
294 WE 3 #1 (Of 3) (MR) $2.95 DC 1,569
295 WESTERN TALES O/TERROR #1 (MR) $3.50 HOA 1,556
296 ADAM STRANGE #2 (Of 8) $2.95 DC 1,550
297 OCEAN #1 (Of 6) $2.95 DC 1,524
298 CITY OF HEROES #7 $2.95 BLU 1,505
299 BATGIRL #57 $2.50 DC 1,505
300 JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #108 $3.59 ARC 1,505

And that's it! Only a month and a half late!

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