The general ASM sales ebb and flow with the creative teams and the degree of marketing Marvel do for it.

The problem seems to be that they aren't taking full advantage of their format, and the frequent 1/2 issue stories with different creative teams gives readers too many excuses NOT to buy it.

However, the payoff may be in the fact they can now put out a Spidey trade every two months, making it now faster than even most US manga releases.

Just can't shake the feeling though that if you could find a single creative team who could get 36 issues out a year there'd be better sales across the board.
Brack | Email | Homepage | 01.02.09 - 1:12 am | #

Here's the sales chart for ASM from "The Beat", starting with the issue put out in Dec 2007 (the last-OMD?) thru to Oct 2008. Sales more than dipped, shot back up with JRjr, then appear to be dropping again:

12/07 Amazing Spider-Man #545 - 129,085 (-18.9%)
01/08 Amazing Spider-Man #546 - 127,958 ( -0.9%)
01/08 Amazing Spider-Man #547 - 101,213 (-20.9%)
01/08 Amazing Spider-Man #548 - 97,959 ( -3.2%)
02/08 Amazing Spider-Man #549 - 101,112 ( +3.2%)
02/08 Amazing Spider-Man #550 - 90,874 (-10.1%)
02/08 Amazing Spider-Man #551 - 88,084 ( -3.1%)
03/08 Amazing Spider-Man #552 - 89,835 ( +2.0%)
03/08 Amazing Spider-Man #553 - 82,648 ( -8.0%)
03/08 Amazing Spider-Man #554 - 81,072 ( -1.9%)
04/08 Amazing Spider-Man #555 - 86,902 ( +7.2%)
04/08 Amazing Spider-Man #556 - 78,458 ( -9.7%)
04/08 Amazing Spider-Man #557 - 77,057 ( -1.8%)
05/08 Amazing Spider-Man #558 - 76,966 ( -0.1%)
05/08 Amazing Spider-Man #559 - 74,206 ( -3.6%)
05/08 Amazing Spider-Man #560 - 74,012 ( -0.3%)
06/08 Amazing Spider-Man #561 - 72,372 ( -2.2%)
06/08 Amazing Spider-Man #562 - 71,409 ( -1.3%)
06/08 Amazing Spider-Man #563 - 70,792 ( -0.9%)
07/08 Amazing Spider-Man #564 - 68,882 ( -2.7%)
07/08 Amazing Spider-Man #565 - 69,182 ( +0.4%)
07/08 Amazing Spider-Man #566 - 68,912 ( -0.4%)
08/08 Amazing Spider-Man #567 - 68,130 ( -1.1%)
08/08 Amazing Spider-Man #568 - 105,324 (+54.6%)
08/08 Amazing Spider-Man #569 - 86,432 (-17.9%)
09/08 Amazing Spider-Man #570 - 89,516 ( +3.6%)
09/08 Amazing Spider-Man #571 - 80,178 (-10.4%)
09/08 Amazing Spider-Man #572 - 80,220 ( +0.1%)
10/08 Amazing Spider-Man #573 - 82,550 ( +2.9%)
10/08 Amazing Spider-Man #574 - 69,069 (-16.3%)
10/08 Amazing Spider-Man #575 - 68,913 ( -0.2%)
Bryan | 01.02.09 - 3:13 am | #

Hey, Mike, long time reader, first time commenter (heh), and also one of the lucky people who have finally saw the light last year and fell in love with All-Star Batman and Robin The Boy Wonder.
It actually was the preview of the yellow paint issue that made me realize its brilliance.
I've never been a Batman fan before and don't think I'll ever like a sane Batman after witnessing the glory of All-Star.

As for Spider-Man, I haven't read Amazing since the fiasco, and don't plan on changing that.
I'm sticking with Ultimate Spidey, because the 616 one's backstory is far too embarrassing for me to handle and I have enough of a love-hate relationship with comic books without thinking about that.
Flipyap | Email | 01.02.09 - 4:42 am | #

Another long-time reader here. All Star Batman rocked my world. Every time I entered the local funnybook stores looking for the latest issue, I suffered slings and arrows from presumptuous proprietors and fatuous fanboys of ignominious ilk.

Proud of my purchase and heading homeward, I held my head high, knowing that I'd soon experience extreme excellence, as portrayed on the printed page.

ASB turned me into the exact opposite of poor old Doctor Bloop, sad in his study, as noted by Nancy. Neat-o.
roody kazootie | Email | 01.02.09 - 5:23 am | #

The strange thing about ASM is that after last year's fiasco, a lot of the stories lately have actually been pretty good. I deal with the excessive 3x a month schedule by following online reviews carefully, and only buying those story arcs that are well-reviewed and seem intriguing. I end up buying...about 1/3 of the story arcs. Hmm, funny how that works.

I predict in 2009 standard comic prices will go up to $3.99. I predict in 2009 I will cut back on my pull list. Hmm, funny how that works.
Thelonious_Nick | 01.02.09 - 6:46 am | #

The Amazing Spidey stories may be good now, I actually wanted to check some of them out, but I simply can't stand the character anymore.
Spider-Man is currently my favorite (Ultimate) and least favorite comic book character. Funny how THAT works!
Flipyap | Email | 01.02.09 - 7:17 am | #

And if you haven't been keeping up with it, and why should you, the newspaper comic strip Spider-Man has of yesterday adopted the Brand New Day storyline. Which so far in practice means that Peter does not lounge around and watch TV in his apartment but in Aunt May's house. Also so far no Mephisto. Apparently someone told Queseda the newspaper comic existed.
John | 01.02.09 - 7:18 am | #

More info here:
http://www.chron.com/apps/comics...& name=Spiderman
and here:
http://joshreads.com/?p=1835
John | 01.02.09 - 7:42 am | #

Now that shit is hilarious. No Mephisto, no in-story metaphysical continuity-wrangling, just BAM! Spider-Man is 22 and single again!

I wish the comic book had balls like that. BAM! He's 15!! Suck it, Fanboy!!!
Aqualad Knox | 01.02.09 - 7:58 am | #

I'm now wishing Lynn Johnston's FOOB reboot had involved a deal with the devil.
Brack | Email | Homepage | 01.02.09 - 11:37 am | #

I just don't believe a $3.25 price point; doesn't generate enough $$. $3.50, yes.
Roger Green | Email | Homepage | 01.02.09 - 12:46 pm | #

I wish the comic book had balls like that. BAM! He's 15!! Suck it, Fanboy!!!

I'm with you on this one.
Ken Lowery | Email | Homepage | 01.02.09 - 2:35 pm | #

I'm now wishing Lynn Johnston's FOOB reboot had involved a deal with the devil.

It did. Devil lost.
John | 01.02.09 - 3:52 pm | #

ASBAR is still stupid and you're stupid for liking it. And you're adopted. And no one likes you. Also you smell...
LurkerWithout | Email | Homepage | 01.02.09 - 11:34 pm | #