DC are Killing the Justice League

Dear DC Comics,

I write this article with sincerity, and an inkling of exasperation cloaked behind my passion for the iconic heroes that you have given us. The immortals of our childhood - Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman - have been repeatedly put to rest and resurrected again in a cycle that feels all too predictable. Could it be time to find a different approach to stirring intrigue?

Their place in the hearts of the masses is well established, yet the recurring theme of killing off characters starts to taste a bit sour after a while. We as ardent fans recognise this tried and tested plot device as a bid for higher sales, and perhaps it works, given how attached we are to the characters. But we are not as susceptible to these classic characters being replaced by a fleet of newer, diverse characters which will fail to grab the readers.

Let me clarify that this outcry is not due to any disinterest in diversity. The grief we feel is for our stalwarts - the excellently crafted and deeply complex characters we've invested so much into. Kal-El/Clark Kent we know as Superman, Bruce Wayne, epitomizing the dark vigilante in Batman, and Diana, our beloved Wonder Woman. These are icons etched in stone, and any variations tend to dissipate into nothingness, for they are the first, the original and forever will be.

As DC loyalists, we peruse patterns and compare; we notice the rise of manga, a genre that has outsold DC and Marvel. We ask ourselves, "Why?" The answer, perhaps, is in the simplicity of manga narratives, filled with unadulterated fun and excitement.

The success you seek, in our humble opinion, does not require a complex algorithm. If you want comic books flying off store shelves, captivating narratives and high-quality artwork will do the trick. Quality alone can win back any alienated fans and create an ever-growing populace of new ones.

So as an appeal to you, the wizards behind this magical universe, please put the axe down. It's time to stop the short-lived gimmicks and give us what we yearn for - engaging, exhilarating and visually compelling stories that honour the legacy of our beloved characters.

Yours, for the love of comics.