ICv2 has posted their sales estimates for April, and The Flash volume three appears to be leveling out at around 55,000 copies an issue…just in time to get canceled for Flashpoint. Both issues landed in the top 20 comics for the month.
For comparison, Flash: The Fastest Man Alive bottomed out at 46K before climbing slightly to 47K, then getting a Countdown-infused sales boost for the final issue, while the post-Countdown relaunch dropped to around 26K before it was canceled to make way for Flash: Rebirth.
So despite the delays, and despite the Flashpoint-induced “cancellation,” this seems to be the most successful Flash relaunch in 5 years by numbers alone. Looking at sales rankings, it’s been consistently in the top 20 — something that hasn’t been true of The Flash in a long time.
I think the credit can be summed up in two words: Geoff Johns. The Flash vol.2 took a big hit when Mark Waid left, dropping from 40K to below 30K when this virtually unknown writer took over, but Johns slowly built up the readership until it hit around 50K when he left. (Then DC decided to cancel the series, printed a fill-in that had been sitting on the shelf and commissioned a 4-issue “finale” that dropped rapidly to 40K, thus giving legions of fans the mistaken impression that it had been canceled for sales.)
| Issue | Rank | Month | Units Sold | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flash v.3 #1 | 2 | April 2010 | 100,903 | |
| Flash v.3 #2 | 12 | May 2010 | 76,560 | (-24.1%) |
| Flash v.3 #3 | 11 | June 2010 | 68,799 | (-10.1%) |
| Flash v.3 #4 | 15 | July 2010 | 64,832 | (-5.8%) |
| Flash v.3 #5 | 14 | September 2010 | 62,063 | (-4.3%) |
| Flash v.3 #6 | 15 | November 2010 | 57,673 | (-7.1%) |
| Flash v.3 #7 | 12 | December 2010 | 56,304 | (-2.4%) |
| Flash v.3 #8 | 18 | December 2010 | 53,975 | (-4.1%) |
| Flash v.3 #9 | 9 | February 2011 | 55,980 | (+3.7%) |
| Flash v.3 #10 | 18 | April 2011 | 54,953 | (-1.8%) |
| Flash v.3 #11 | 19 | April 2011 | 54,633 | (-0.6%) |
In other speedster news, Velocity #4 sold an estimated 5,247 copies, almost exactly the number sold of issue #3. Apparently those who were reading the book were committed, regardless of delays.
So the new Flash book IS doing well…which explodes one reason I was given elsewhere for the lack of talk of a second Flash book?
Yep, the next six months are going to be pivotal as to whether I continue being a Flash purchaser beyond the Retro-actives and not just a nostalgic former fan.
Well, they had to stop if with all the Flashpoint related books and all 3 upcoming Retroactive Flash titles…
Despite the good numbers.
Plus we all suspect an epic relaunch under a proper numbering after this event, so..
Yes let’s give credit to Geoff Johns, but you guys also forgot Francis Manapul! His cover’s and art and overall ability to showcase the Flash and his speed was amazing! I’m still depressed he wasn’t onboard for the final issues! His ability is unrivaled I believe when it comes to drawing the Scarlet Speedster, here’s hoping he come’s back!