December 2017-2019 Top Sales & Trends

I’ve analyzed Titan Comics’ top sales and trends from December 2017 to December 2019. Sales reports are derived exclusively from Diamond Comic Distributors’ estimates of comic book shipments to North American comic shops.

Robotech led the pack with Issue 5 selling an estimated 9,501 units and Issue 2 at 5,598 units to US comic retailers. Robotech’s high retail demand is evidenced by its outselling other comics on the market, suggesting a robust fan base and ongoing appeal. The success of Issue 5, which marks the beginning of a new arc, could also indicate a strategic entry point for new readers, boosting both initial sales and potential for sustained future interest.

Retailers were excited to order new Tank Girl stories by Alan Martin & Brett Parsons, as Tank Girl Action Alley #1 became their best-selling comic in December 2018. However, retail orders for the current Robotech series decreased by 42% from the previous year, indicating a significant decline in demand. Possible factors behind this drop may include shift in consumers preference in story arcs. Meanwhile, Doctor Who’s 13th comic series saw a remarkable 107.3% growth from December 2017, remaining a top 3 seller. The growth is likely due to the massive media attention surrounding the debut of the 13th Doctor on television, which provided retailers with ample promotional resources to drive sales. On the other hand, Titan Comics faced a 33% reduction in comic book production during this period, which may have impacted the availability of titles and contributed to shifts in the broader comic market.

A clear pattern has emerged in the December sales changes over the past few years. Titan Comics’ top three best-selling comics consistently include Doctor Who and Robotech, highlighting their strong presence in the market. However, the excitement surrounding Doctor Who’s Holiday Special was unexpectedly low among retailers, despite the character’s widespread popularity. This lack of enthusiasm is reflected in a 19% drop in orders from the previous year, which could be attributed to factors such as a perceived decline in narrative interest or less impactful marketing. Similarly, the new ongoing series Robotech Remix struggled to match the success of its predecessor, with orders failing to surpass 5,000 units. This could indicate a weaker reception or challenges in maintaining the same level of fan engagement. In contrast, Blade Runner 2019 Issue 5 saw a strong order of 12,220 units, though these orders are subject to a return policy. Retailers likely adopted a cautious, strategic approach, ordering larger quantities in anticipation of returns to recover costs if the demand didn’t meet expectations. This strategy underscores the ongoing uncertainty in the market and retailers’ attempt to balance risk with potential sales.

Titan Comics substantially boosted its publication of pre-existing IPs from December 2017 through December 2019. A chart shows a steady climb in the percentage of publishing output dedicated to IPs, increasing from 30% in December 2017 to 62.5% by December 2019. This trend indicates Titan Comics intentionally aligned their strategy with popular franchises. The extensive universes of popular intellectual properties such as Doctor Who, Robotech, and Blade Runner maintain their appeal to viewers seeking familiar stories. Likely seeking better sales and reader engagement, Titan Comics strategically chose content already popular with fans to compete in the crowded market.

Resources:
Comichron: A Resource for Comics Research