This has been something that has brewing in me for a long time! I have had a history of bad relationships; the two most obvious ones are those with the Montreal Expos and now, DC Entertainment.
I pride myself in my loyalty. In the case of the two 'bad relationships', both were started and cultivated in 1976.
The Expos were an incredible baseball team that had the best up and coming players and despite their success in drafting and cultivating amazing talent (Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Larry Walker), they could never get it right. Granted the team had financial restraints that forced some bad trades, but they never treated their players they way they should have. You played for the logo on the front, not the name on the back. Great in theory, but not in business. Most of their seasons they would finish in second place.
DC Entertainment has had a similar story; they have never treated their talent very well and always seemed to be preaching the creations are more important that the creators. So much so they have alienated many of the industries top creators like Gail Simone, J.H. Williams III and Andy Diggle.
Following the 1994 baseball strike the Expos traded all the players that helped get them to what would have been their first World Series victory. Gone was Pedro Martinez, Moises Alou and John Wetteland! For the next few years, the Expos relied heavily on players they could afford and lock into long term deals with not so great results.
When DC announced the 'New 52' there were many creators like Jamal Igle and Sterling Gates who were lost in the shuffle and guys like Geoff Johns, Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire took on the bulk of the work load. I will admit that these three (possibly the three best writers working) are much better than Peter Bergeron, Henry Rodriguez and Dustin Hermanson were for the Expos.
Despite what they do to me, I still love them! Both my arms are adorned with tattoos that show my love and my basement backs up that point, but at this moment, I'm sad!
I never like to think bad of a love of mine, but DC... you are breaking my heart. The 'New 52' direction isn't holding my attention at all and every time you seem to get something going positive, you do something to ruin it. I'm sadly getting to the point where brand loyalty isn't cutting it anymore. Just because the book is called 'Teen Titans' and I have been collecting it since the 1970's, I will no longer have it on my pull list if it doesn't get better! I feel like you don't care about the characters, the creators and the fans like you used too. Breaking my heart!
When the Expos moved to Washington and became the Nationals, everything changed for the better. maybe a change of scenery will help DC to regain the true magic they once created. What I want DC to do is look at one of their 'starters', Jimmy Palmiotti! Jimmy is an incredibly talented writer but his true talent lies in the way he presents himself; class, a sense of humor and a love of funny books. This should be how DC presents itself. Decisions may be made in the boardroom, but comic books should be made from the heart.
Come back to me DC! I'll have dinner ready and draw you a warm bath.