8 Ways DC And Marvel Make It Impossible For Fans To Read Their Comics

3. They're Unwilling To Experiment With Less Popular Characters

This one probably stings the hardest, but - for the most part - both big publishers seem reluctant to give some of their less popular heroes a chance in the spotlight. Having largely been raised on the all-star bonanza that was Justice League: Unlimited (a show that had an episode dedicated to Vigilante, Shining Knight, S.T.R.I.P.E. and Star Girl, to name but one), this has never really sat well with me. I mean, surely there's more to the medium than Bat-Symbols and Supermen, right?

For the most part, DC's slate post-New 52 and Rebirth has largely centred around the Bat-fam and the trinity, with only the occasional title really picking up on a less popular character. There was, most notably, a brilliant Swamp Thing revival after 2011, but things have remained relatively quiet since. Convergence briefly shone a light on some cult-favourite characters (like Renee Montoya), but again, it feels like DC are opting to play it safe with their relaunches, forming a line-up of books filled with the usual suspects and the usual creative teams to match.

The real depth and breadth of the DCU just isn't represented in these titles, and although a return to series like Secret Six have been flirted with on occasion, fans are ultimately left with half a dozen Bat-books and yet another relaunch of Red Hood and the Outlaws. I mean, I'm not going to pretend that there's a whole world out there waiting for a new Deadman series, or even a new volume of The Question, but it would be nice to see DC really push ahead with some lesser known characters - like they are with Tom King and Mitch Gerads' Mister Miracle - on a more regular basis.