it depends on so so so many factors.

cost to make the book, ancillary sales (trade, foreign, digital, bookstore) all of which is COMPLETELY ignored by most of the know it all analysts (because they have ZERO access to that info because its literally no ones business but the publishers), if the creators or publisher think a book on the bubble and on the cusp of finding an audience, if the book might sell to hollywood…

creator owned books are a COMPLETELY different mode than work for hire. many creator owned books have the creators working at no page rate bringing the cost of production way down and the profit margin WAY up. its an investment but it can really pay off. or not. but at least you have a book.

or a book can get cancelled because it isn’t working creatively.  or it has run its story course.  that has happened. it happens all the time.

and i’ll yell from the rooftops till i am blue in the face but every chart, every column, every report about comic sales is bogglingly incomplete. most info, including EVERYTHING i mentioned above is never included. it is info that can add up to a HUGE percentage of a books profitability.  that is probably what is confusing you.  

you’re reading half reports. its like reading political poll numbers or domestic box office analysis :)

just enjoy your comics. comics are and should be fun for you.