The Top 300 Selling Comics For July 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 #11 $2.95 DC 143,712
2 SUPERMAN #207 $2.50 DC 138,984

And here they are...the top two comics, both of which are primarily selling on the merits of their art. It is also the first time in a long time that DC has the top three books of the month. Superman/Batman has been a solidly entertaining series where the art doesn't get in the way of a good story, but Jim Lee's Superman is frustrating, since the story never seems to really get going. Hard to argue with the sales, though.

3 IDENTITY CRISIS #2 (Of 7) $3.95 DC 129,852

I know this is getting a LOT of praise, but it's a strange one for me. It is a very well-drawn and written story, but the plot itself is one that I don't care for. Taking a batch of Silver Age characters and attaching a non-heroic motivation to actions they took back in the 60's just seems like re-writing a lot of old stories to give fans a big shock, and it doesn't fit. There is also a very sordid undercurrent to what is going on in the book that keeps me from recommending it.

4 ASTONISHING X-MEN #3 $2.99 MAR 129,362

Joss Whedon shows himself to be an AMAZING comic book writer with this series, and I really hope he is able to keep doing so, because his version of the X-Men is delight. He knows the characters, gives a solid plot, and the best dialogue the comic has ever seen, backed up with excellent art. Highly recommended.

5 AVENGERS #500 (#85) $3.50 MAR 105,617

And it all comes crashing down. This is the Big Avengers Event where there is a lot of death and destruction. I don't know how much I like it, but Bendis is a writer who often makes me like things I wouldn't have (Ultimate Spider-Man, Alias, etc..). I'm giving the benefit of the doubt here, but it sure looks like the story could end badly. Still, worth trying for all of the Big Event stuff.

6 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #62 $2.25 MAR 98,963

When Bendis is going to piss people off, he pisses people off. Still, this version of "Carnage" is more interesting than the tired "crazy serial killer" that Marvel did in the 90's, and the story is genuinely chilling. Highly recommended.

7 UNCANNY X-MEN #446 $2.25 MAR 96,961

Chris Claremont writing in his overly verbose style, Alan Davis being overinked to the point of making him look like John Buscema inked by Tom Palmer, and using an old Captain Britain villain is not a way to bring in the new blood. For Claremont fans, this is a coming home. For everyone else, it's back to the X-Men of the 80's and 90's, confusing, overwritten and destined to leave plot threads dangling for years.

8 ULTIMATE X-MEN #49 $2.25 MAR 93,572
9 X-MEN #159 $2.25 MAR 93,164

Chuck Austin finishes up his run, and takes this from a must read book under Morrison to wrapping up his plot threads from Uncanny, and pretty much a comic where you are either committed to reading it to see how he ties everything up, or one you ignore waiting for the new creative team.

10 ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #9 $2.25 MAR 92,923
11 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #510 $2.25 MAR 84,750

The "Ezekiel" story is over and plunge right into...Gwen Stacy may have had kids? The story is well-told, but doesn't make a lot of sense yet. Hopefully there is a decent explanation for it, otherwise they have just made Peter Parker a man in his 40's, and THAT won't go down well.

12 MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN #4 $2.99 MAR 75,508
13 BATMAN #630 $2.25 DC 69,026

The final part of the Scarecrow story, and it comes off fairly well. It's been a while since this villain has been used, so it was good to see his powers used in a way that made him more than the punching bag he's been over the past decade or so. This title is about to start another of the Big Batman Crossovers, so you can safely skip it for the next three months or so, and just pick up the Big Trades that will gather up all the issues from everywhere and put them in one place.

14 WOLVERINE #17 $2.25 MAR 66,589

Again, a great issue. It's too bad Greg Rucka is leaving the book, since it is the first time it ha been readable in recent memory. A simple story that plays off of Wolverine's origin without having bajillions of pages of backplot. Highly recommended.

15 TEEN TITANS #13 $2.50 DC 65,658
16 JLA #101 $2.25 DC 64,615
17 JLA #102 $2.25 DC 63,249

Chuck Austin is a guy who either does really fun work or really bland work. This is one of his fun ones, as it seems that each member of the JLA is having to deal with something traumatic. Each issue reads well on its own as he focuses on a specific character, but also appears to be building toward a larger climax. Recommended.

18 SUPREME POWER #11 (MR) $2.99 MAR 63,007
19 EXCALIBUR #3 $2.99 MAR 57,740

And with this, I have dropped the book. In three issues, not a lot has happened other the Chris Claremont undoing all the growth Grant Morrison put into the X-Franchise. It's funny to me that Morrison honored Claremont's work and Kirby's as well with his X-Men stories, bringing them into a modern context and freeing them from the rote comic book plotting that plagues the X-Books, and the first thing Claremont does when he gets back in the franchise is undo it all with rote comic book explanations and plotting.

20 VENOM VS CARNAGE #1 (Of 4) $2.99 MAR 56,795

If you put two characters I don't care about at all in a book, it means I can ignore both of them just by ignoring one comic. That is a time saver for me!

21 NEW X-MEN #3 $2.99 MAR 55,304
22 JUSTICE LEAGUE ELITE #1 (Of 12) $2.50 DC 53,847

This is a spin-off featuring the DC Universe version of "The Authority." I read the stories that led up to this mini-series, and didn't like any but the first one where Superman showed that his morality was more powerful than their willingness to do anything to win. I have hated all of the rest. I doubt I would like this one either.

23 DAREDEVIL #62 $2.99 MAR 52,936

Continuing Bendis's amazing run on this comic, and quite possibly the best super-hero comic on the stands. Art that looks like faded crime photos and an interesting, complex story that looks at what it would really cost, mentally, to be a super-hero make for some of the best reading on the stands. Highly recommended.

24 ARMY O/DARKNESS ASHES 2 ASHES #1 (MR) $2.99 DYN 52,004

A HUGE hit, and proof that a licensed comic can make a splash. I didn't care for it, but then again, I don't care for many licensed comics. It didn't have that "do it cheap and make it up with smart dialogue" feel that the 2nd and 3rd Evil Dead movies had. For hard-core fans only.

25 SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #17 $2.25 MAR 51,335

This comic is just a horrid mess, and if you can figure out how it ties in with the Avengers crossover other than having Captain America in it, you're one up on me. I have been hoping that the fine writing that Jenkins did on the previous Spider-Man series would peek through here, but it isn't.

26 ROGUE #1 $2.99 MAR 50,727

That's right, eventually, every member of the X-Men will get a try at their own series. And all of them will fail unless they are Wolverine.

27 FANTASTIC FOUR #516 $2.25 MAR 48,580
28 FANTASTIC FOUR #515 $2.25 MAR 48,449

Highly recommended, a story that isn't up to the usual standards, but brings in the Frightful Four in a way that makes them into a decent opponent for the FF again. An old style entertaining super-hero story that is well worth the cover price.

29 CONAN #6 $2.99 DAR 48,339
30 PUNISHER #9 (MR) $2.99 MAR 46,882

An excellent example of why this book is mature readers. Not just because of the violence, but the sheer amorality of the main character. Ennis has gone from black comedy on his previous run on this comic to straight action and shows he is one of the best at the genre as well. Highly recommended for mature readers.

31 INVADERS #0 $2.99 MAR 46,537

The final part of the "Invaders" story from the Avengers comic, and a huge mess. The characters are unlikable, the plot is a mess and the art does nothing to help get the plot across any easier. It's too bad, since I was looking forward to an Invaders comic, as it was one of my favorites as a kid.

32 ACTION COMICS #817 $2.50 DC 45,178

Another of Chuck Austin's good stories, and while his characterization of Superman is a jolt from what readers are used to, I like the wise-cracking, seen-it-all aspect of the story. There's not a lot to the story otherwise, just fight scenes and set ups for other fight scenes, so if you like that sort of thing, this book is recommended. If you are looking for something literary or deep....WHY THE HELL ARE YOU READING SUPER-HERO COMIC BOOKS???!?!?

33 INCREDIBLE HULK #74 $2.25 MAR 43,383

Near the end of Bruce Jones's run, and while I have liked his take on the Hulk, he sure had no idea how to end his run. His using the Hulk as a horror comic was a needed shot in the arm, but it's pretty clear now that he had no idea where he was going with it.

34 MARVEL KNIGHTS 4 #7 $2.99 MAR 43,010
35 OUTSIDERS #14 $2.50 DC 41,954
36 JSA #63 $2.50 DC 41,595

A comic that get the idea of a super-hero team right. Big enough menaces that it seems like there is no way for the heroes to win (and yet they do without cheating the reader), interesting and diverse characters and ongoing plot threads that reward long-time readers rather than scaring off new readers. Highly recommended.

37 MARVEL KNIGHTS 4 #8 $2.99 MAR 41,312
38 ADVS O/SUPERMAN #630 $2.50 DC 40,725

Greg Rucka's take on Superman, so it's a bit more plot heavy, and a bit grittier than the other two books. Rucka is an amazing writer, and his tenures on Wolverine and Batman have been some of my favorites, but on Wonder Woman and Superman, he seems a bit limited in the stories that he is able to put together. Not a BAD comic, just not a very good one either.

39 POWERS #1 (MR) $2.95 MAR 40,387

First issue under Marvel, the highest selling issue ever, the launch of a new publishing line and even with all of that, the comic is still a great read. The art is still cone in a clean style that reminds me of animation, and the story is better than the story arc that finished off the run at Image. This comic, a police procedural in a super-hero world is highly recommended, even if you hate super-heroes.

40 CAPTAIN AMERICA #29 $2.99 MAR 40,221

Robert Kirkman takes over the writing. His comic "The Walking Dead" is one of my favorites, so I was willing to take a chance on him here. He tells a story that seems on the surface to be a standard super-hero story, but there is a recognition of what makes the character of Captain America interesting that flows through the comic, and gives it a resonance it has been missing for a while. Rather than hold Cap up as an Icon, it shows him as just a person who is a genuinely decent human being who tries in every situation to do the right thing...and that is where the story's hook is. A nice start for a new creative team, and highly recommended.

41 FLASH #212 $2.25 DC 40,056

I am sick to death of every revamped villain origin being "He was beaten/abused as a kid and now he wants to rip the legs off of hero A." It's the new cliché that doesn't ever seem to go away, and this issue is another one of those stories.

42 PULSE #4 $2.99 MAR 39,883

Just a great comic all that way around. A series set at the Daily Bugle, but it's more than that as it seems to FINALLY be wrapping up the Green Goblin plot errors over the past 5 or so years without making it all go away. Powerful, well-written stuff and a highly recommended comic.

43 JLA ANOTHER NAIL #3 (Of 3) $5.95 DC 37,861
44 ROBIN #128 $2.25 DC 37,253

This was a quick little plot that is doing a "new Robin" story in a way that is fairly interesting without dragging it out for months on end. The villain seems to be a complete idiot, but the story works despite that. Mildly recommended.

45 EXILES #49 $2.99 MAR 37,184

The new creative team shows very little difference from previous creative teams, which is a good sign for this odd little series. If you are a long-time Marvel fan, this adventure series based on alternate realities is fun, and if not, you'll be completely lost.

46 BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHTS #55 (Note Price) $3.75 DC 37,019

Ending the "Hush" story, and it lost me as a reader. The art is sub-standard, and the story itself was horridly convoluted, hard to follow, poorly plotted and not worth a Big Event double sized final issue.

47 DETECTIVE COMICS #796 $2.95 DC 36,805
48 IDENTITY DISC #2 (Of 5) $2.99 MAR 36,335

Surprisingly good. I picked this one up when I was just looking for something extra to read, and got a well done mini-series focusing on a group of Super-Villains forced to work together on a mission that seems to be headed for disaster. It really feels like a Marvel version of the "Suicide Squad" series from DC in the late 80's. Highly recommended

49 TRANSFORMERS GENERATION ONE VOL 3 #6 $2.95 DRE 36,211
50 THOR #82 $2.99 MAR 36,094

The end of Asgard has been done before in comics, but this one seems to be a bit more serious. A adaptation of the Ragnarock myth by a team that KNOWS Norse mythology makes this a very well done "final Thor story", and it ties in to the Big Avengers story. The early issues will be bard to find, but when the trade comes out, snatch it up immediately.

51 GREEN LANTERN #179 $2.25 DC 35,562

Ron Marz is back, so anyone want to guess how many women will go insane, get killed or become total sluts? The count so far is 3, which end up being 1 an issue.

52 POWERLESS #2 (Of 6) $2.99 MAR 34,803

La la la la wait for the trade.

53 SPAWN #136 $2.50 IMA 34,617
54 IRON MAN #86 $2.99 MAR 34,520

Another series that is tying into the Big Avengers story, but unlike the Thor story, this seems like a forced "big Event" that comes out of nowhere. Iron Man has been a series without direction for about 40 issues, so hopefully this "break it down" approach will give birth to an Iron Man series worth reading.

55 POWERS #2 (MR) $2.95 MAR 34,361

It's back, it's at Marvel and it's still great. A police procedural set in a super-hero universe, this is just one of the better comics on the stands, although it's starting to get a bit too much backstory. Highly recommended

56 LOKI #1 (Of 4) $3.50 MAR 34,195
57 SUPERMAN BIRTHRIGHT #12 (Of 12) $2.95 DC 33,885
58 DOOM PATROL #2 $2.50 DC 33,595

The over/under on this comic is set at 16 issues. While the art is much better than Byrne's latest efforts, the story still reads as if it was written in the 70's and didn't get printed until today, and is a mish-mash of re-used ideas. It's a shame, since Byrne used to be one of the best in giving a fresh look at older concepts, now he's become just to opposite and makes interesting concepts seem worn-out.

59 DISTRICT X #3 $2.99 MAR 33,257

A surprisingly good book, which is strange, since Bishop is a character I have NEVER given a damn about. The plot is what is driving this comic, and is one of the more interesting concepts in super-hero comics around. Mildly recommended based on how they are able to flesh it out.

60 GREEN ARROW #40 $2.50 DC 32,635
61 CABLE/DEADPOOL #5 $2.99 MAR 32,594
62 PLANETARY #20 $2.95 DC 32,525

With months between issues, I buy it in the collected form, where it reads much better. One of the more interesting comics on the market, taking old ideas and concepts and treating them with a modern sensibility without resorting to shocking the reader. It's like Quentin Tarentino's way of re-doing old movies to pay homage to them without slavishly re-creating them.

63 BIRDS O/PREY #69 $2.50 DC 31,904
64 BIRDS O/PREY #70 $2.50 DC 31,683
65 CAPTAIN AMERICA & FALCON #5 $2.99 MAR 31,020
66 FIRESTORM #3 $2.50 DC 31,000
67 LOKI #2 (Of 4) $3.50 MAR 30,986
68 DC COMICS PRESENTS BATMAN #1 $2.50 DC 30,758

The DC Comics Presents is a series of one-shots to pay tribute to Silver Age editor Julie Schwartz by taking one of his classic covers and having a classic and modern creative team create a story using the cover concept. As a tribute, it's worth reading, but, sadly, all of the stories seemed to focus around Julie saving the day, which is interesting a couple of times, but gets pretty tedious after about 6 different variations on it.

69 NIGHTWING #95 $2.25 DC 30,392
70 TRANSFORMERS MICROMASTERS #1 (Of 4)* $2.95 DRE 29,743
71 EMMA FROST #13 $2.99 MAR 29,446
72 OFFICIAL HANDBOOK MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS 2004 $3.99 MAR 28,791
73 WONDER WOMAN #206 $2.25 DC 28,038

While I have never cared much for Wonder Woman, Greg Rucka is one of my favorite writers. So, the results are predictably mixed, with the stories being about as good as they can be, but not enough to grab me as a reader.

74 GI JOE #32 $2.95 DEV 27,907
75 BOOKS O/MAGICK LIFE DURING WARTIME #1 (MR) $2.50 DC 27,748

Starting this series for a fourth time, this time with creator Neil Gaiman co-plotting. A nice launch, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but if they can keep sales at about 20K and get some good trade paperback sales, Vertigo will have another solid series.

76 DC COMICS PRESENTS GREEN LANTERN #1 $2.50 DC 27,100
77 STARJAMMERS #1 $2.99 MAR 27,017

Already canceled with the 6th issue, and I'm a bit surprised that it got into print in the first place. The Starjammers characters have only been interesting when Dave Cockrum is working on them, as no one else seems to be able to pull of the "space pirates" concept the way he can.

78 DC COMICS PRESENTS MYSTERY I/SPACE #1 $2.50 DC 26,989
79 ALPHA FLIGHT #5 $2.99 MAR 26,879
80 MYSTIQUE #17 $2.99 MAR 26,706
81 Y THE LAST MAN #24 (MR) $2.95 DC 26,630

The best selling Vertigo book, but it's one that I buy as trade paperbacks.

82 SPIDER-MAN UNLIMITED #4 $2.99 MAR 26,506

I love this kind of series, even if it doesn't sell very well. Short stories by new-to-Marvel talent, and they are usually very well-done, as it is the creator's attempt to get noticed by an editor. A great anthology series, and even though it's not as solid as "Tangled Webs" or "Webspinners" (the two previous Spider-Man anthologies), it's still mildly recommended.

83 THANOS #12 $2.99 MAR 26,285

Last issue, which is kind of surprising, since these sales are not all that bad for a non-Spider-Man or X-Men series. However, the story wraps up nicely...but if you haven't read the previous 5 issues, it won't matter a whole lot.

84 BATGIRL #54 $2.50 DC 25,905
85 WEAPON X #26 $2.99 MAR 25,823
86 SHE HULK #5 $2.99 MAR 25,788
87 MAN THING #1 (Of 3) $2.99 MAR 25,685

Selling about as well as could be expected. A prequel to the movie, and written by the movie's writer, so it is really kind of another version of Man-Thing's origin (which isn't all that interesting).

88 HAWKMAN #30 $2.50 DC 25,402
89 DC NEW FRONTIER #5 (Of 6) $6.95 DC 25,333

A great series that I dismissed when I first heard it was coming out, as I am VERY tired of the "let's revisit the Silver Age" syndrome that plagues comics. It's not so much a retelling as a different version of the early days of the DC Silver Age heroes by Darwyn Cooke, one of the most interesting of the artists who have broken through in the past 5 years. Beautifully drawn, and using the history of the time to make the stories that much better. Highly recommended.

90 DC COMICS PRESENTS HAWKMAN #1 $2.50 DC 25,312
91 KABUKI #1 (RES)* $2.99 MAR 25,305

Probably the highest sales this series has ever gotten. I KNOW that I should like the David Mack stuff, but it's just hard to read, and seems to be straining at the boundaries of pretentiousness. As individual painted pages, it's interesting, but it just doesn't tell a story in a way want to read.

92 FABLES #27 (MR) $2.50 DC 25,146
93 BATMAN LEGENDS O/T DARK KNIGHT #181 $2.50 DC 24,960

Sinking lower each month, this Batman series seems to be a dumping ground for whatever leftovers they have around the office, which is exactly the opposite of what it should be. For YEARS, this series has been a missed opportunity, and this issue continues the feeling of "fill-in showcase" the book has become.

94 VENOM #17 $2.99 MAR 24,863
95 SCRATCH #2 (Of 5) $2.50 DC 24,532

Sam Kieth doing a Batman story that would probably sell a lot better if they said anywhere on the cover that it was a Batman mini-series. I have a deep love for Sam Keith's style of story and art, so I will recommend anything he does nearly sight unseen, but this is another of his better works. Highly recommended.

96 AQUAMAN #20 $2.50 DC 24,408
97 LEGION #35 $2.50 DC 24,207

Slowly sliding toward a conclusion, and seems to be going for the "Oh my GOD! Who is going to die next" that series tend to do when they are going to be ended. The good news is that Mark Waid and Barry Kitson will be working on the re-launch, and if Empire is any indication, they will make this comic readable for the first time in years.

98 CATWOMAN #33 $2.50 DC 24,007
99 LEGION #36 $2.50 DC 23,717
100 STARJAMMERS #2 $2.99 MAR 23,704
101 X-STATIX #25 $2.99 MAR 23,448

The readers are deserting this book in droves, which I really don't understand. The conclusion to the "X-Statics Avengers War" was just as brilliant as the other parts of the story, mixing satire with action/adventure so that it's hard to see where one starts and the other starts...in a good way. Highly recommended.

102 TRANSFORMERS ENERGON #25* $2.95 DRE 23,358
103 GI JOE RELOADED #5 $2.95 DEV 22,924
104 SPIDER-GIRL #76 $2.99 MAR 22,157

A solid series that reads like an older Marvel comic from the 80's, with a mix of soap opera and super-hero stuff. With sales this low, I have no idea how it is not being canceled, but I guess the trades are holding it up for a while. Mildly recommended.

105 WITCHES #3 (Of 4) $2.99 MAR 22,130

A bi-weekly comic of characters that I barely remember and I read a LOT of comics. Marvel is pretty much just throwing crap at the wall and seeing what sticks, which doesn't work if people have no clue what kind of crap you are throwing.

106 SILVER SURFER #11 $2.99 MAR 22,026

Done with the next issue, and I still don't see why this version of the character was brought into print. It seemed so different from previous Surfer books that it was almost as if they were doing a reboot on the character, and a boring one at that.

107 MARY JANE #2 $2.25 MAR 21,619

I read the first two issues of this, and if I was a teenage girl, I would be loving this comic. Since I'm not, it just didn't appeal to me. Kudos to Marvel for trying something for that audience, and I hope the trade of the first 4 issues sells well for them, because #4 is the final issue for now.

108 SWAMP THING #5 (MR) $2.95 DC 21,619
109 EX MACHINA #2 (MR) $2.95 DC 21,350

LOVE THIS COMIC!! The premise is something new (a super-hero becomes the Mayor of New York) and tells it's story with enough urgency that you don't realize until the end that you've read a political comic with very little action and none of the partisan stuff that fills the political sphere these days. Perfectly drawn and a joy to read, this book is Highly Recommended.

110 CAPTAIN MARVEL #25 $2.99 MAR 21,156

Last issue, and in it, Peter David goes all Meta and shreds the 4th wall by putting all of the characters back into limbo, and they comment on it. For people who read the book all the way through, it's great. For those who didn't, it's a head scratching mess.

111 WITCHES #4 (Of 4) $2.99 MAR 20,873
112 STAR WARS JEDI YODA ONE-SHOT $4.99 DAR 20,811
113 GUARDIANS #1 $2.99 MAR 20,528

Another of Marvel's series that have already been canceled, and to be quite honest, I have no idea where this series came from. It's not the Guardians of the Galaxy or a tie-in to any of Marvel's other series that I can tell. Seems like dropping a rock in a well to see how far it falls to me. But, then again, since Marvel does a crap job of promoting new comics, it may have had a great pitch and they just didn't let people know if it was any good or not.

114 TRANSFORMERS ENERGON #26 $2.95 DRE 20,321
115 CHALLENGERS O/T UNKNOWN #2 (Of 6) $2.95 DC 20,183

Sadly, another Challengers series that is great fun to read, and doesn't sell. Howard Chaykin is doing a great job on this book, and it's sly, snarky fun that very few people will pick up. Their loss. Highly recommended.

116 IRON FIST #5 $2.99 MAR 19,776

Yet another series canceled (with issue 6), and one that should have done much better. Mullaney's writing is the most interesting the character has seen since the 70's, and the art is a very pleasing manga style that fits the martial arts story. Mildly recommended if you can hunt up the back issues.

117 THOR SON O/ASGARD #6 (Of 6) $2.99 MAR 19,445
118 BITE CLUB #4 (Of 6) (MR) $2.95 DC 19,307

Chaykin does vampires, and Cory waits for the trade, since Vertigo Vampires always get collected.

119 STAR WARS EMPIRE #22 $2.99 DAR 19,286
120 FATHOM CANNON HAWKE #0 $2.50 ASP 19,113
121 MARVEL AGE SPIDER-MAN #7 $2.25 MAR 17,650
122 BPRD PLAGUE O/FROGS #5 (Of 5) $2.99 DAR 17,277
123 MARVEL AGE SPIDER-MAN #8 $2.25 MAR 17,243

I sure hope these are selling outside comic shops, since they aren't doing jack inside them. I like the idea of a Spider-man comic aimed at kids, and I also understand that kids look at the old Lee/Ditko stuff and think it's "weird" and "old", but these comics are just bland in comparison, and lack the fundamental joy/angst mix that made the early Spider-Man such a great character. The movies can capture that perfectly, but these comics sure don't seem to.

124 100 BULLETS #51 (MR) $2.50 DC 16,960
125 BATMAN ORDER O/BEASTS $5.95 DC 16,918
126 WITCHBLADE #77 $2.99 IMA 16,753
127 GOTHAM CENTRAL #21 $2.50 DC 16,704

A book that I have been pushing since it came out, but to no avail, I guess. A well-written police procedural set in Gotham City, and more entertaining than any of the Batman books, currently. Highly recommended.

128 DAWN THREE TIERS #4 (Of 6) $2.95 IMA 16,608

Linsner's art is always beautiful and his stories don't ever make any sense. But they sure are purty.

129 SEAGUY #3 (Of 3) (MR) $2.95 DC 16,601

Grant Morrison is my favorite comics writer, and Seaguy is one of those mini-series that reminds me as to why. Yes, Cameron Stewart's art is breath-taking, brilliant in its simplicity, and the story has more depth and creativity in 3 issues than most comics have in their whole run. Highly recommended, dammit! BRING BACK CHUBBY THE CHUNA!

130 WITCHING #2 (MR) $2.95 DC 15,772
131 TOMB RAIDER #44 $2.99 IMA 15,731
132 RICHARD DRAGON #3 $2.50 DC 15,441
133 30 DAYS O/NIGHT RETURN TO BARROW #5 (MR) $3.99 IDW 15,365

The first one didn't sell that well in comic form either, since the creators are more geared toward trade paperbacks for their storytelling. I liked the first one a lot, thought the second was a decent enough sequel, but it didn't thrill me, and this one looks pretty much like more of the same. Rather than churning out endless sequels, I hope their next collaboration is a different kind of horror story like the first mini-series was.

134 SHI JU NEN #1 (Of 4) $2.99 DAR 15,317
135 TOM STRONG #27 $2.95 DC 15,158
136 THUNDERCATS ENEMYS PRIDE #2 (Of 5) $2.95 DC 14,861
137 HELLBLAZER #198 (MR) $2.75 DC 14,772
138 TOM STRONGS TERRIFIC TALES #11 $2.95 DC 14,199
139 LIBERTY MEADOWS SOURCE BOOK $4.95 IMA 14,178
140 TEEN TITANS GO #9 $2.25 DC 14,067
141 HERO #18 $2.50 DC 13,826

Canceled with issue #24, and it's pretty obvious to me that the creators know it, since the series has shifted from a series of loosely connected stories to a Great Big Story that uses all of the characters from the series. Not really all that representative of the series, but decent enough. Mildly recommended.

142 WILDCATS VERSION 3.0 #23 (MR) $2.95 DC 13,481
143 TOMB RAIDER ARABIAN NIGHTS $5.99 IMA 13,288

I have heard that this comic is going to be put to sleep and started again when the new video games come out. Let's just hope that if the new games come out, they aren't as painfully bad as the last few games have been. Also, why is it so hard to DO a decent Tomb Raider story? It seems easy...Indiana Jones with breasts, but nine times out of ten, it's just sleep inducing twaddle, like this excuse to draw women in belly dancing outfits.

144 BLOODHOUND #1 $2.95 DC 13,094

Another half-assed launch from DC. If I was writing a new series for them, I'd shove Batman and Superman in the first 12 issues until they ran an ad for the damn thing.

145 MARVEL AGE FANTASTIC FOUR #4 $2.25 MAR 13,039
146 LUCIFER #52 (MR) $2.50 DC 12,956
147 PLASTIC MAN #8 $2.95 DC 12,784

A great, fun comic that is like nothing else out there. A humor book that is really funny, drawing on how the character was portrayed in the Golden Age without being a boring pastiche. Highly Recommended.

148 SMALLVILLE #9 $3.95 DC 12,763
149 SIMPSONS COMICS #96 $2.99 BON 12,590

Another great issue that is funnier than the show has been for the past few years. The strength of this comic is that it reads like a lost episode of the TV series instead of someone trying to wedge the characters into a story they don't quite fit into.

150 MASTERS O/T UNIVERSE VOL 3 #4 $2.95 MVC 12,542
151 STRYKEFORCE #4 (Of 5) $2.99 IMA 12,521
152 BATMAN ADVS #16 $2.25 DC 12,328
153 WITCHBLADE BLOOD OATH ONE-SHOT $4.99 IMA 12,183
154 CATWOMAN THE MOVIE $4.95 DC 12,183

Yes, all the pain of the movie in a collectable format. You can either see the movie and want to scratch your eyes out, or read the comic and think "Who in their right mind thought anyone would want to see this movie?"

155 SLEEPER SEASON 2 #2 (Of 12) (MR) $2.95 DC 12,114

A great, unnoticed comic that should get more attention. A mob drama disguised as a super-hero comic, with tight plotting and great dialogue. Highly recommended.

156 ACTION COMICS #775 2ND PTG $3.75 DC 11,935
157 JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVS #33 $2.25 DC 11,866
158 RED STAR VOL 2 #5 $2.99 ARC 11,845
159 LENORE #11 $2.95 SLG 11,438

A one joke comic that succeeds because it comes out so infrequently. This is one of those comics that mix horror and cuteness in a way that feels subversive...but after 11 issues, isn't really subversive anymore. Still, it's well-done and hits the mark more often than not, and because it is so infrequent, it doesn't wear out it's welcome. Mildly recommended.

160 WALKING DEAD #9 (MR) $2.95 IMA 11,286

ZOMBIE COMIC!! For YEARS I have wanted to read a story that takes place in a world like the ones George Romero used in his "Dead" movies. The setting is rich, and a perfect one for horror, action and personal drama (which is why I wrote a novel based on such things about two years ago and am writing a sequel in November). This one, with excellent writing and top notch art is one of the best comics on the stands and is Highly Recommended.

161 MONOLITH #6 $2.95 DC 11,265
162 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #509 DIRECTORS CUT $3.99 MAR 11,189

Yes, you too can pay double the price of the regular comic for a few pages of script, a couple of sketches and a new cover. HEY MARVEL! A DIRECTOR'S CUT MEANS THERE ARE EXTRA SCENES, NOT A BUNCH OF PRE-PRODUCTION CRAP, OK? Bastards.

163 NAIL #2 (Of 4) (MR) $2.99 DAR 11,017
164 FREAKS O/T HEARTLAND #4 (Of 6) $2.99 DAR 10,934
165 FRANK MILLERS ROBOCOP #6 (Of 9) (MR)* $3.99 AVA 10,899

Based on the script Frank Miller turn in for Robocop 2, which had one or two lines that made it into the completed movie. Sadly, it's drawn by a typical Avalon house artist, so it's poorly composed and looks bad in black and white. Pass.

166 TAROT WITCH O/T BLACK ROSE #27 (MR) $2.95 BRO 10,768
167 LOSERS #14 (MR) $2.95 DC 10,630
168 FALLEN ANGEL #13 (MR) $2.95 DC 10,299

Peter David's best book in years, and one that I don't understand why it doesn't sell better. It is a super-hero story set in a film noir world, and shows that PAD CAN do a story with mystery that doesn't feel like he's just stretching out a thin plot for way too long. Highly recommended.

169 VOLTRON VOL 2 #7 $2.95 DEV 9,995
170 STRANGERS I/PARADISE VOL III #67 $2.95 ABS 9,933
171 HARD TIME #6 $2.50 DC 9,353

Another book that DC just dropped on the market, and one that should be getting more attention. Steve Gerber is mostly known for his humor and weird writing, but this comic shows he can do any kind of story, and still be one of the best writers in comics. Highly recommended.

172 SINGULARITY 7 #1 (MR)* $3.99 IDW 9,284
173 SAVAGE DRAGON #115 $7.95 IMA 9,270
174 LAST TRAIN TO DEADSVILLE CAL MCDONALD MYSTERY #3 $2.99 DAR 9,215
175 HUMAN TARGET #12 (MR) $2.95 DC 9,139
176 FUTURAMA COMICS #18 $2.99 BON 9,111

Another TV tie-in that feels like a lost episode of the TV series. For Futurama fans, this is a must read, and for other people, it's a GREAT humor comic. Highly recommended.

177 ROB ZOMBIE SPOOK SHOW INTL #9 (MR) $2.95 MVC 8,960

I believe that this comic is shifting over to Image in an issue or two. For horror fans, this is probably the best comic on the stands, and uses all of Rob Zombie's different affectations (guys in Wrestling masks, crazy killers and big breasted women). The stories are continued, but it doesn't much matter as they tend to dismiss the previous parts of their stories as they do each issue. Not for everyone, but if you like the old horror anthologies of the 70's, or magazines like Fangoria and Famous Monsters of Filmland, this is highly recommended for you.

178 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #54 ARACHNOMAN VAR $2.25 MAR 8,739
179 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #138 $2.19 ARC 8,373
180 EIGHTBALL #23 (MR) $7.00 FAN 8,035

Getting great reviews from people who normally dismiss Daniel Clowes. I will not be one of those people. Clowes is an artist who, while I can appreciate his skill, I REALLY dislike his stories. He seems to hate his characters, and writes them with so much contempt that it is nearly impossible for me to make it through each story. This issue felt like more of the same for me, and I left it, unfinished, on the bookshelf in my room. I can't deny Clowes's talent. I just don't think he is using it to tell stories I want to read.

181 REMAINS #3 (MR) $3.99 IDW 7,910
182 GHOSTBUSTERS LEGION #2 (Of 4) $2.95 EIG 7,883
183 CAPER #10 (Of 12) (MR) $2.95 DC 7,676
184 MICHAEL CHABON PRESENTS ADVS O/T ESCAPIST #3 $8.95 DAR 7,565

A great comic that uses the comic character from the novel "The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier and Clay" and treats it as if it has been in comics since the 40's, having different creative teams do stories that are supposedly reprints of those fictional comics. A great idea, perfectly executed, and highly recommended.

185 KINETIC #5 $2.50 DC 7,531
186 CASEFILES SAM & TWITCH #9 (MR) $2.50 IMA 7,469
187 VAMPI VICIOUS CIRCLE #1 REG ED $2.99 HAR 7,123

I had forgotten all about this manga-style version of Vampirella. Looking at the sales, I think everyone else did as well.

188 24 ONE-SHOT #1 (MR) $6.99 IDW 7,041

IDW seems to have carved out a niche of books based on TV shows and are ridiculously overpriced. I don't watch this show, and with sales this low, I hope they are getting rack space in book stores and video stores to appeal to fans of the series. I tried reading it, but without a working knowledge of the TV series, it's pretty much impossible.

189 SHONEN JUMP VOL 2 #8 AUG 2004 $4.99 VIZ 6,827
190 USAGI YOJIMBO #76 $2.99 DAR 6,813
191 USAGI YOJIMBO #77 $2.99 DAR 6,771
192 FRACTION #4 $2.50 DC 6,606
193 CSI DEMON HOUSE #5 (Of 5) (MR) $3.99 IDW 6,599

CSI, I am a fan of, and I am a HUGE fan of writer Max Allen Collins, but $4 an issue for a regular sized comic is just too much. I'll buy the trades, and even THEY are overpriced. Drop the price a buck an issue, and I'd bet the sale would double, because these are good comics.

194 MILKMAN MURDERS #1 (Of 4) (MR) $2.99 DAR 6,578
195 TRANSFORMERS 2004 SUMMER SP $4.95 DRE 6,454
196 POWERPUFF GIRLS #52 $2.25 DC 6,054
197 STARGATE SG1 FALL O/ROME PREQUEL* $2.99 AVA 6,054
198 TOUCH #4 $2.50 DC 6,054

Another of the DC Focus line, which will probably be gone by this time next year. Not the comic, the whole product line.

199 KNIGHTS O/T DINNER TABLE #93 $3.99 KZR 6,033

You get the same review every month, great comic, very funny, 100 pages for $4, a must read for gamers and highly recommended for anyone who has been a gamer. Every month, these guys put out a quality comic that is simply fun to read.

200 IDENTITY CRISIS #1 (Of 7) $3.95 DC 5,902

Reorders. See my comments above.

201 REX MUNDI #11 $2.95 IMA 5,840
202 STRAY BULLETS #34 (RES) (MR) $3.50 EL 5,791

Much better in collected books, so that's how I read it. The creator is taking over Detective Comics with issue #800, so it will be interesting to see how he does on a mainstream book after being away from them for over a decade.

203 SCOOBY DOO #86 $2.25 DC 5,536
204 UNCLE SCROOGE #332 $6.95 GEM 5,405
205 NORMALMAN 20TH ANNV SP ONE-SHOT #1 $2.95 IMA 5,329

A lot of fun, but for a VERY limited market. Pretty much unreadable if you don't already have a working knowledge of the characters that have been out of print for at least a decade. That pretty much makes it "fan-wankery" doesn't it?

206 ALEISTER ARCANE #3 (MR) $3.99 IDW 5,267
207 OH MY GODDESS #110 $2.99 DAR 5,246
208 BLADE O/T IMMORTAL #91 (MR) $3.50 DAR 5,122
209 METAL HURLANT #12 (MR) $3.95 DC 5,039

I thought that having DC distribute this anthology would help sales, but it doesn't seem to have. Too bad, as it has incredible art and is a style that most Americans aren't familiar with. I would buy it for the Ladronn art by itself, but the other stories are beautiful to look at as well. Highly recommended.

210 DONALD DUCK & FRIENDS #318 $2.95 GEM 5,011
211 FIERCE #1 (Of 4) $2.99 DAR 5,011
212 SMALL GODS #1 $2.95 IMA 4,680

Little tiny Gods who have dominion over little, tiny denizens. Kind of like you when you play The Sims. Except smaller and less control over when they use the toilet.

213 MICKEY MOUSE & FRIENDS #267 $2.95 GEM 4,652
214 TALES OF TMNT #4 $2.95 MIR 4,404
215 WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #647 $6.95 GEM 4,300
216 NOBLE CAUSES EXTENDED FAMILY ONE-SHOT #2 $7.95 IMA 4,252

I don't know why this comic doesn't sell better. It is a solid super-hero series with soap opera elements, and sharp character based writing. For super-hero fans, this is highly recommended, and this issue is a good jumping on point, as it is written line an annual.

217 DUEL MASTERS #6 $2.95 DRE 4,238
218 KODT ORIGINS 2004 ISSUE $2.99 KZR 4,162
219 BART SIMPSON COMICS #18 $2.99 BON 3,921

As much as I like the Simpsons comics, I really dislike this one. Sloppy art and stories that could be told with any characters (but they shoehorn the Simpsons into them), it feels like the crappy TV comics of my youth.

220 DEMO #8 (Of 12) (MR) $2.95 AIT 3,803
221 GOLD DIGGER #54 $2.99 ANT 3,769

Yesh, Anna Nichole Smith has her own comic! And the people rejoice!

222 SUPER MANGA BLAST #43 (MR) $5.99 DAR 3,741

Another anthology, this time with some of the best manga series to see print in the US. Highly recommended.

223 OLYMPUS HEIGHTS #1 $3.99 IDW 3,714
224 SWORD O/DRACULA #5 $2.95 IMA 3,693
225 SOULFIRE #0* $2.50 ASP 3,645
226 GIFT #7 (MR) $2.99 OVE 3,603

If it is a gift, why is it $3? GIFTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FREE!

227 NYC MECH #3 (MR) $2.95 IMA 3,596
228 FRANKENSTEIN MOBSTER #4* $2.95 IMA 3,555

Aside from the great name, this is a solid, if unspectacular "high concept" comic. Mildly recommended for people who see the title and say "Now THAT could be interesting."

229 WARREN ELLIS STRANGE KILLINGS NECROMANCER #3 (Of 6) (MR)* $3.50 AVA 3,534

Cory's Law #1 about comics: If the creator's name is listed in the name of the comic, it will suck. There are exceptions to that rule, as there are exceptions to all rules. This comic is not one of them.

230 DORK TOWER #28 $2.99 DOR 3,493
231 YUGGOTH CREATURES #1 (Of 3) (MR)* $3.99 AVA 3,299
232 GHOST SPY #2 (Of 6) $2.95 IMA 3,272
233 LOONEY TUNES #116 $2.25 DC 3,203
234 GHOSTBUSTERS LEGION #2 (Of 4) BRERETON CVR $3.50 EIG 3,196
235 EL ZOMBO #3 (Of 3) $2.99 DAR 3,141
236 LUBA #8 (MR) $3.50 FAN 3,016

A Love and Rockets mini-series. As I said last month, it's not that I don't appreciate Love and Rockets, it's just that I don't feel the need to read a low key soap opera. It may be good, but it just doesn't appeal to me, and I have TRIED to read the books.

237 ARCHIE #550 $2.19 ARC 3,010
238 SABRINA VOL 2 #59 $2.19 ARC 2,947
239 AUTUMN #1 $2.95 SLG 2,927
240 PATIENT ZERO #4 (Of 4) $2.95 IMA 2,837
241 WANTED #4 (Of 6) (MR) $2.99 IMA 2,782
242 JLA #100 (Note Price) $3.50 DC 2,706
243 RUULE KISS & TELL #2 (Note Price) $1.99 BEC 2,692

This is the second time they have dropped the price on this series to $2, and it doesn't seem to help. Beckett (who is best known for sports cards price guides) just doesn't seem to know how to get people interested in their books.

244 BETTY & VERONICA #202 $2.19 ARC 2,664
245 ROBIN #127 $2.25 DC 2,644

Re-orders, which is a sign that the "female Robin" storyline has gotten some interest.

246 BETTY #139 $2.19 ARC 2,637
247 EX MACHINA #1 (MR) $2.95 DC 2,506

Re-orders for one of the best comics of the year. Read what I said above and this issue is also highly recommended.

248 NIGHTJAR HOLLOW BONES #1 (MR)* $3.99 AVA 2,485
249 DOGWITCH #12 (MR) $2.95 SIR 2,437
250 ASTONISHING X-MEN #2 $2.99 MAR 2,374
251 BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #149 $2.39 ARC 2,361
252 LOVE FIGHTS #11 (MR) $2.99 ONI 2,354
253 CARTOON CARTOONS #32 $2.25 DC 2,347
254 SERENITY ROSE #4 $2.95 SLG 2,319

Is this in any way connected to the Church that George's Father on Seinfeld was in? "Serenity Now! Serenity Rose!" Then again, if they get it any closer to Solitaire Rose, I'll sue! Oh, wait, with only selling 2300 copies, they have no money. DAMN!

255 SUPERMAN/BATMAN #10 $2.95 DC 2,299
256 KODT ILLUSTRATED #36 $2.99 KZR 2,292
257 GREEN LANTERN #178 $2.25 DC 2,271
258 BATMAN #629 $2.25 DC 2,264
259 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS WHERE SHADOWS FALL #5 (Of 5) $3.50 KZR 2,257
260 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #126 $3.59 ARC 2,209
261 ARTESIA ANNUAL #3 (MR) $4.95 ARC 2,154
262 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #509 $2.25 MAR 2,154
263 HOUSEWIVES A/PLAY #12 (A) $4.95 ERO 2,147

I have to wonder why this is the best-selling porn comic. Housewives hold NO appeal for me. Mostly because I have to deal with them at the grocery store with their annoying mini-vans, screeching kids and pissing and moaning that their husbands don't make enough money. HEY PORN HOUSEWIVES!! GET A JOB!!

264 ARCHIE & FRIENDS #84 $2.19 ARC 2,126
265 PALS N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #86 $3.59 ARC 2,091
266 JUGHEAD #159 $2.19 ARC 2,036
267 ARCHIE DIGEST #209 $2.39 ARC 2,029
268 DOOM PATROL #1 $2.50 DC 1,981
269 JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #105 $3.59 ARC 1,953
270 TOP SHELF CONVERSATIONS #1 $4.95 TOP 1,912
271 CITY O/HEROES #3 $2.95 BLU 1,891

Based on the computer game. And could not possibly have made back the money they had to pay for the license.

272 ANIMERICA EXTRA AUG 2004 VOL 7 #8 $4.99 VIZ 1,871
273 JLA ANOTHER NAIL #2 (Of 3) $5.95 DC 1,829
274 ASTONISHING X-MEN #1* $2.99 MAR 1,802
275 JUGHEAD W/ARCHIE DIGEST #194 $2.39 ARC 1,802
276 NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #118 $2.99 ANT 1,795
277 DFE SOULFIRE ALT CVR #0 $6.99 DYN 1,767
278 LAUGH DIGEST #195 $2.39 ARC 1,746
279 KODT EVERKNIGHTS #13 $2.99 KZR 1,739
280 LITTLE GLOOMY ADVENTURES #2 CRYPT cdew3 O/CREEPS $3.95 SLG 1,636

Little Gloomy was a decent enough comics, but it felt like a new version of those Harvey comics that had horror based characters in cutesy stories. Like Casper and Hot Stuff. And it sure wasn't worth $4, since you could read the comic in about 5 minutes.

281 SPIDER-MAN 2 MOVIE ADAPTATION $3.50 MAR 1,636
282 AMAZING FANTASY #1 $2.99 MAR 1,588
283 MILK #41 (A) $3.50 RAD 1,498
284 SEX WARRIOR ISANE #7 (A) $3.95 ERO 1,387
285 DICTATORS HITLER #3 (Of 4) $2.99 ANT 1,353

While I understand the idea of doing comics based on true stories, can we knock it off with the Hitler stories? If there is ANYONE who is looking to find out more about Hitler, there are bajillions of books, movies and the like. Enough with the Hitler already!

286 3 GEEKS SUPER SIZED SWIMSUIT ISSUE $4.95 3FP 1,305
287 JLA ANOTHER NAIL #1 (Of 3) $5.95 DC 1,298
288 FURRLOUGH #137 $2.99 RAD 1,298
289 SUPERMAN/BATMAN #9 $2.95 DC 1,298
290 DICTATORS HITLER #4 (Of 4) $2.99 ANT 1,298
291 WANTED #3 DEATH ROW ED $2.99 IMA 1,277
292 SYMBIOTES #1 (Of 8) $2.95 DRI 1,270
293 ANGRY YOUTH COMIX #7 (MR) $3.50 FAN 1,242
294 BLACK TIDE #10* $2.95 ANG 1,236
295 CLASSIC ILLUS JR #535 WIZARD O/OZ $3.99 JAC 1,222
296 EVIL EYE #12 (MR) $3.95 FAN 1,215
297 DRAGON ARMS CHAOS BLADE #5 (Of 6) $2.99 ANT 1,208
298 PANTHEON #13 $2.95 LON 1,208
299 FLASH #211 $2.25 DC 1,187
300 STUDENTS O/T UNUSUAL #1 $2.95 3BP 1,187

And that's it! Maybe I'll actually be on time next month!

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