And now, for your viewing pleasure, crunched numbers:

2013 Increase (Decrease) Over 2012   -12%
MA Sub-Mariner Volume 5 1017 Jan-14 1017 1017 -8%
MA Defenders Volume 4 1048 Feb-14 2065 1033 -7%
MA Captain America Volume 7 1091 Mar-14 3156 1052 -5%


Our more modest year-over-year decline grew even MORE more modest to just minus-5 percent. Last year at this time we were sitting at minus-17 percent after Amazing Spider-Man righted the ship after a pair of jungle titles almost scuttled it. This time around the waters appear much more calm.

As for ranking the 2014 releases by Diamond pre-ordered / shipped chart totals:

MA Captain America Volume 7 1091 Mar-14    
MA Defenders Volume 4 1048 Feb-14    
MA Sub-Mariner Volume 5 1017 Jan-14    


Things are slotting into place as anticipated. Thought Defenders would do better than Sub-Mariner, and it did. Thought Captain America would do better than Defenders, and it did. The nice, orderly clockwork universe unfolds as it should, as is evidenced by my volume placement projection:

PEAK NO MORE THAN 1200 COPIES

Avengers Volume 14
Amazing Spider-Man Volume 16
* Captain America Volume 7 (Prediction: 1,132 copies; Actual: 1,091; Off by +41)
Daredevil Volume 8
Fantastic Four Volume 16
Marvel Rarities Volume 1
* Defenders Volume 4 (Prediction: 1,094 copies; Actual: 1,048; Off by +46)
* Sub-Mariner Volume 5 (Prediction: 1,071 copies; Actual: 1,017; Off by +54)
Captain Marvel Volume 5

FLOOR NO FEWER THAN 900 COPIES

So next up in the batter's box is home run king Amazing Spider-Man, the top annual performer since 2009. Thus far I've been on the high-side for all my prognostications, so I've recalibrated and think I'll be closer to the money. I anticipate that Amazing Spider-Man Volume 16 will move 1,151 copies next month, which will open the door for The Avengers to narrowly claim the 2014 crown.

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