VALIANT August 2013 Sales Discussion

[Phoenix8008]

147 - Quantum & Woody #2 - 12,818
155 - Harbinger #15 - 12,086
161 - Bloodshot #0 - 11,303
166 - X-O Manowar #16 - 11,019
178 - Archer & Armstrong #12 - 9,971
181 - Shadowman #9 - 9,895

Total Valiant issues = 67,092
Share of Overal Units = 0.97 % (#9 after Zenoscope)


For reference, here are July's numbers:

Quantum & Woody 1: 17,622
X-O Manowar 15: 13,997
Harbinger Wars 4: 13,259
Shadowman 8: 10,089
Harbinger 14: 10,709
Bloodshot 13: 10,058
Archer & Armstrong 11: 9,880

Well, we have 2 titles under 10,000 sold this month. Can't believe A&A is one of them. Let the gnashing of teeth and the wailing commence. I'm still sure that VEI is doing fine though.

[FormerReader]

[Phoenix8008]

In case anybody is looking into the correlation of when books were shipped and the possibility of the earlier shipped books getting reorders that might affect the numbers, here is the release order for last months books:

August 7th: Shadowman #9, and Quantum & Woody #2
August 14th: Harbinger #15, and A&A #12
August 21nd: X-O Manowar #16, and Bloodshot #0

[Phoenix8008]

And here's the full market share breakdown for all the top dozen publishers.

1) Marvel --- 36.30%
2) DC --- 33.14%
3) Image --- 8.51%
4) IDW --- 4.98%
5) Dark Horse --- 4.80%
6) Dynamic Forces --- 2.93%
7) Boom --- 2.07%
8) Zenescope --- 1.03%
9) Valiant --- 0.97%
10) Aspen --- 0.65%
11) Avatar --- 0.59%
12) Archie --- 0.50%

[kjjohanson]

<rhetorical question>
How the hell are there nearly 150 book outselling every Valiant title?
</rhetorical question>

[MarkRoseHFX]

X-O Manowar vol 3 TPB sold 1,174 ranked #74 in the trades

[lorddunlow]

<rhetorical question>
How the hell are there nearly 150 book outselling every Valiant title?
</rhetorical question>

It boggles the mind.

[MoonChild]

Alot of closed minded folk out there apparently.

[Phoenix8008]

<rhetorical question>
How the hell are there nearly 150 book outselling every Valiant title?
</rhetorical question>

I'd say the two biggest reasons are exposure and momentum.

There are many who still haven't heard of Valiant I'm sure. Unfortunately for them they don't know what they're missing. This is why I spread knowledge of Valiant by word of mouth to anyone at all interested in comics. I've also made my own single copies of books into a lending library that I've shared with mutliple people at my work. They've all loved what Valiant is doing and some of them have started picking up at least some of the series.

The momentum is a function of people just continuing to do what they already are doing because change is uncertain and scary sometimes. If they're already collecting other comics, they may not want to change things up because they're used to what they've got.

Also, a third reason would be the economy. It's rough out there for lots of people and sadly comics usually fall under the heading of 'want', not 'need'. For those already straining to collect some comics they love, just adding a title or two may be too much, let alone all 6 to collect the whole universe (and soon to be 7 and then 8!).

Those would be my guesses.

[rkjock1]

147 - Quantum & Woody #2 - 12,818
155 - Harbinger #15 - 12,086
161 - Bloodshot #0 - 11,303
166 - X-O Manowar #16 - 11,019
178 - Archer & Armstrong #12 - 9,971
181 - Shadowman #9 - 9,895

Total Valiant issues = 67,092
Share of Overal Units = 0.97 % (#9 after Zenoscope)


For reference, here are July's numbers:

Quantum & Woody 1: 17,622
X-O Manowar 15: 13,997
Harbinger Wars 4: 13,259
Shadowman 8: 10,089
Harbinger 14: 10,709
Bloodshot 13: 10,058
Archer & Armstrong 11: 9,880

Well, we have 2 titles under 10,000 sold this month. Can't believe A&A is one of them. Let the gnashing of teeth and the wailing commence. I'm still sure that VEI is doing fine though.

I know we'd all like Valiant's numbers to be higher, but looking at other indie publishers, these are really healthy numbers. Additionally, keep in mind that VEI has additional revenue streams including multiple printings, reorders, international editions, Con sales, Amazon Worlds and TPBs. In fact, on the Collected Corner podcast, Warren Simons said VEIs trade sales have far outpaced thier internal expectations.

My only question is where did those extra 5000 Q&A copies.go? I know about standard first issue attrition, but I genuinely hoped to see new readers come in from that entry point. I don't get the impression that happened.

[tchalla8]

Harbinger is up

A&A and Shadowman are relatively flat.

It's not all doom and gloom.

You guys worry too much. Valiant isn't going anywhere.

[kjjohanson]

My only question is where did those extra 5000 Q&A copies.go? I know about standard first issue attrition, but I genuinely hoped to see new readers come in from that entry point. I don't get the impression that happened.

Maybe they read the issue? I know I'm in the minority here, but I wasn't impressed. I may give the second arc a chance, but if I don't see an improvement I'll probably drop it.

[lorddunlow]

I really think VEI is getting more trade waiters than monthly customers. That's definitely the case with my LCS. He only gets 1-2 extra copies for the shelf above the subscriptions. However, the trades are turning over like crazy. I would say if they can continue to sell trades at a good number, the monthly numbers will be a wash.

[jedimarley]

This worries me.....

XO MANOWAR #1 42,708

X MANOWAR #16 11,019

That's a 31,689 drop.

[kjjohanson]

This worries me.....

XO MANOWAR #1 42,708

X MANOWAR #16 11,019

That's a 31,689 drop.

All I'm seeing is numbers. Is there maybe some way you could visualize this to put the numbers in context?

[Phoenix8008]

This worries me.....

XO MANOWAR #1 42,708

X MANOWAR #16 11,019

That's a 31,689 drop.

That was the biggest single sold VEI issue so far. Standard #1 issue inflation coupled with the #1 issue of the entire line causing similar inflation. So, looking at those particular stats doesn't give any good data as far as I'm concerned. More relevant would be the nearly 3,000 issue drop since last month. But I'm still optimistic that VEI is doing fine overall. I'll reserve further judgement until after Eternal Warrior and Unity get going a little bit. Of course, by then, we'll be awaiting Summer of Valiant 2014!

[Phoenix8008]

This worries me.....

XO MANOWAR #1 42,708

X MANOWAR #16 11,019

That's a 31,689 drop.

All I'm seeing is numbers. Is there maybe some way you could visualize this to put the numbers in context?

[greg]

My only question is where did those extra 5000 Q&A copies.go? I know about standard first issue attrition, but I genuinely hoped to see new readers come in from that entry point. I don't get the impression that happened.

Shops order #2 before the #1 is out.
They haven't read it, the customers haven't read it, and they don't know how well it will sell.

All #2 issues (if they are the next month after #1) have a similar drop... no matter how good #1 is.

[GGSAE]

<rhetorical question>
How the hell are there nearly 150 book outselling every Valiant title?
</rhetorical question>

Well the vast majority of the 150 are the top two; two very-large, very well-established companies. The third being Image, that has produced some of the most popular comics in the modern era.

[GGSAE]

Speaking of image - 8.51%, wow! Slowly, and steadily, closing the gap.

[400yrs]

My only question is where did those extra 5000 Q&A copies.go? I know about standard first issue attrition, but I genuinely hoped to see new readers come in from that entry point. I don't get the impression that happened.

Shops order #2 before the #1 is out.
They haven't read it, the customers haven't read it, and they don't know how well it will sell.

All #2 issues (if they are the next month after #1) have a similar drop... no matter how good #1 is.

Yep. If there's an uptick, it probably won't hit until issue 5. That's why the #3 and #4 issues usually go for a premium on titles that get hot unexpectedly.

[CylonSteve]

Trades outsell comics in general. They are generally cheaper, and who knows Valiant could have the Vertigo effect. Vertigo would not be around if not for trade paperbacks.

[MarkRoseHFX]

Trades outsell comics in general. They are generally cheaper, and who knows Valiant could have the Vertigo effect. Vertigo would not be around if not for trade paperbacks.

Image is the new Vertigo

[x-omatic]

I am really surprised at the drop in Archer & Armstrong. It has become my favorite title and feel it has great art, story, and characters. I great mix of action and humor.

[rjrjr]

147 - Quantum & Woody #2 - 12,818
155 - Harbinger #15 - 12,086
161 - Bloodshot #0 - 11,303
166 - X-O Manowar #16 - 11,019
178 - Archer & Armstrong #12 - 9,971
181 - Shadowman #9 - 9,895

Total Valiant issues = 67,092
Share of Overal Units = 0.97 % (#9 after Zenoscope)


For reference, here are July's numbers:

Quantum & Woody 1: 17,622
X-O Manowar 15: 13,997
Harbinger Wars 4: 13,259
Shadowman 8: 10,089
Harbinger 14: 10,709
Bloodshot 13: 10,058
Archer & Armstrong 11: 9,880

Well, we have 2 titles under 10,000 sold this month. Can't believe A&A is one of them. Let the gnashing of teeth and the wailing commence. I'm still sure that VEI is doing fine though.

I'll wait to see the projections for next month, but is it possible 4 Valiant titles will be selling below 10,000 next month? Bloodshot undoubtedly got a boost from the #0 and Quantum and Woody will probably get the standard 3rd issue drop. It is nice to see Harbinger get a well deserved bump. Why did X-O Manowar drop so much after hold steady for so long? The leaving of Cary Nord? I wouldn't think the artist on a Valiant book would make that big of a difference since the incoming artist is competent.

Unity is shaping up to be a big deal for Valiant. I'm not proposing Valiant's demise is coming (or even close to coming) but when you have a big push like Unity, as a publisher, you have to hope this will raise the numbers for your entire line, not just in the short term, but for the long term. I'm sure Valiant has some more ammo they are holding back, but you have to admit, Valiant publishing Unity is a huge deal. I hope the approach they are taking pays off.