An open letter on the state of the DC nation

An open letter on the state of the DC nation

We were big fans, the biggest. So, collectively, we have to ask, "What are you doing?"

Editorial Opinion
By CheckmateComics - Mar 18, 2013 11:03 AM EST
Filed Under: Animated Features
Source: Checkmate Comics Blog

Dear DC,
When I was younger, I and many others watched your shows religiously. From the old-timers who watched Adam West's Batman, or the Superfriends, to my generation's Batman The Animated Series, down to the new Generation's Young Justice. We were big fans, the biggest. So, collectively, we have to ask, "What are you doing?" DC Nation could be the largest, and best cartoon block on television. We know you can do better, but maybe you just need a push. So here are a few suggestions for you to build on.
I want to start by pointing out that not all your viewers are little kids. There are many, like myself, who have been enjoying your product for years. Yes, the kids will buy the breakfast cereals, and the Super Street Louge Batman figurines, and I understand that's where the money is, but the older generation still buys dvd's, hats, shirts, comics, figurines. We propagate the species, bringing in friends, relatives, and children. In the past, your most successful series did not need to be watered down for the kids, Batman the animated series was dark, gritty, and ran for over eighty episodes. It was so successful that you added Harley Quinn to the comic book canon. Justice League ran for 5 seasons. Static Shock, and Batman Beyond are still loved by many. Just look at the outrage over canceling Young Justice and Green Lantern. Something to think about while you read on.
Why only stick to an hour? This is the mighty DC Nation! Backed by Warner Brothers, you could dominate Saturday mornings. There's certainly no end to the list of shows in your arsenal. Look at the list of shows you could put into reruns, or work on new episodes for:
Teen Titans
Batman: The Animated Series
Superman: The Animated Series
Justice League
Young Justice
Green Lantern: The Animated Series
Static Shock
Batman Beyond
Batman The Brave and the Bold

And all the new shows you can bring to life:
Green Arrow: The Animated Series
The Flash: The Animated Series
The Outsiders
Teen Titans Go
Beware the Batman
Justice League International
Earth 2
Deadman
Secret Six
Checkmate

Many of these can be used to generate interest in the comic versions of the characters involved. (Something that might help in the war with Marvel). Some can be more kid friendly, some can be geared more for the older generation. Be creative. You may be thinking to yourself, "This is just some guy, it doesn't matter what he thinks." Well, it does, because I'm not alone. We are the DC Nation, and we are dwindling in number.

Sincerely,
The DC Nation

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RextheKing
RextheKing - 3/18/2013, 12:31 PM
My ideas for an extended DC Nation block:
Young Justice
Green Lantern TAS
Season 6 of original Teen Titans series
A JSA/JLA show
Heaven Sent/Dark Universe show

I'm keeping Batman off my list, we need to give some other characters some chance.
tonytony
tonytony - 3/18/2013, 12:40 PM
great article, DC f8cked up with Cancelling young Justice and Green Lantern. They could and propably should be doing more. They would easily dominate saturday morninings if they simply got there ass in gear.

bHrUuLcKe
bHrUuLcKe - 3/18/2013, 1:37 PM
I just wish the Batman: Animated Series was never cancelled and kept putting out season after season like The Simpsons does. Can't wait to watch them all again when they get put up on Netflix.
Minato
Minato - 3/18/2013, 2:12 PM

ToTheManInTheColdSweat
ToTheManInTheColdSweat - 3/18/2013, 2:27 PM
le sigh, levitikuz u are soo wrong its [frick]ing hilarious. thats a stupid way to run a business. making cartoons only to sell toys.

u know which shows didn't sell shit but were not canceled: b:tas, justice league, superman. didn't cn stop production for this cartoon BEFORE season 2 began, lmbo cn was gonna cancel this shit regardless of whatever merchandise busines model u are proclaiming, they had 4 cartoons but only space for two, what did u think they were gonna do? they pulled dis shit on samurai jack and i'ven't watched this [frick]ers ever since.
Hellsing
Hellsing - 3/18/2013, 2:27 PM
Well as far as I can tell the merchendising wasn't working(which is a huge deal) plus I don't it was ratings smash. Then again I don't know has the second season been any good, I just stopped watching after the first episode the time jump pissed me off, they took the easy route. I would have loved seeing Dick Grayson come in to his own as Nightwing and eventually the leader. I know its kinda a stupid thing to do but it just pissed me off. If it was good then I might give it a shot again or something.
TheSuperguy
TheSuperguy - 3/18/2013, 4:52 PM
I wish we could get a cartoon that becomes a huge cultural phenomena with tons of merchandise and then a movie franchise. I also wanna see a new Superman cartoon.
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 3/18/2013, 6:16 PM
You guys defend these shows with dedication worthy of Jean Valjean.


It is impressive, but some things just fall on deaf ears. I learned that the hard way with Shenmue. And the circumstances are comparable. The shows are expensive, and as popular as they are to US, they simply aren't that phenomenal to the age they are targeted for.

Kids don't run home nowadays to watch (Green Lantern) like we did to watch Batman, Spider-man, and Power Rangers. In the age of the internet, everything simply has less value.
CheckmateComics
CheckmateComics - 3/18/2013, 6:57 PM
It seems to me that the major counter argument here is that it is expensive to make a TV show and the revenue from merchandise doesn't cover the cost of the show. Now, I believe I addressed this lightly in the letter, but I'd like to look at another point here. Cartoon Network is owned by Time Warner, the parent company of Warner Brothers (And DC). So, DC does can choose any time slot they want for their shows, without having to pay for it. They still have to pay writers and animators, this is true. However, at the same time, Cartoon Network is selling ad space to companies in order to pay for these things. DC, is also generating outside interest in their comics and other merchandise. The most coveted time slot for adults is prime time, but the most coveted time slot for children is during "Saturday morning cartoons." I.e. such a company can charge a premium for ad-space.
scootaloo
scootaloo - 3/19/2013, 9:53 AM
Levi IS technically right. The reason DC Nation is turning to shit and theres still no JL movie is because Warner doesn't see any money in it. They're one of the biggest media companies in the world. Aint nobody got time for that.

And just for the record, kids would LOVE a Flash show.
SAT
SAT - 3/19/2013, 6:15 PM
@LEVITIKUZ I highly doubt tv shows, more specificly cartoons are made simply for toys... I have yet to see my little brother and sister play with a Spongebob, Adventure Time, or Pokemon toys and all 3 are pretty popular... When a tv show is cancelled it could very well be because the merchandise didn't sell, but there has to be more than that. What if all of the sudden Spongebob toys just stopped selling? Would the show be canned? Psh no! That's Nickoledean's child! It's

Please, just leave fans of the show alone. No one is having a sudden strike of knowledge from you coming and ranting everytime you see a dissappointed YJ fan's article.
scootaloo
scootaloo - 3/19/2013, 8:32 PM
@SAT
If the show aint that popular, its going to rely on toy sales. Thats what Green Lantern's problem was. Even though it was [frick]ing awesome, it only had a cult following.
fortycals
fortycals - 3/20/2013, 5:51 AM
Sorry fellas but cartoons have always been about selling merch. If the merch isnt coming off the shelves it is not going to last on air. Thats the way it works. A buisness get x amount of money for ad space, but that is limited buy a number of reasons(time slot, ratings), but the money they make off of merch is only limited by demand. If there is no demand for merch, a company is only making money of off add space. If said cartoon also cost alot to make, where does the profit come from. If a company can make more money on a cheaper to make cartoon, and sell more cheaper to make toys, they will do it.

Can anyone name one cartoon that was highly popular(and high quality) that didnt have a successful toy line that goes with it. Gi Joe, Transformers, XmenTas, Batman, TMNT, pokemon, or whatever you grew up with, all sold crazy tshirts, lunch boxes, not to mention toys. Thats is just the way it is.

Our best hope is for a continuation of these shows is on the straight to dvd/bluray market. That way demand controls the limit of money they can make. If they make a product we like we buy it and everybody is happy.



Hellsing
Hellsing - 3/20/2013, 2:47 PM
Honestly your an idiot if you think Cartoons and merchandising have nothing to do with each other.
fortycals
fortycals - 3/21/2013, 7:02 AM
Do people really think that Transformers introduced the dinobots because the story demands it. You really think that Ultimate Spidey needs a spidey bike, because he has trouble getting around. Hell most cartoons start out as toys before they are even cartoons. I love cartoons, but I can still see what its all about. Some of you guys at like the thirty year old wrestling fan who still believe that it is not scripted. Its ok to enjoy this stuff, but we should be wise enough to see through the bs.
CheckmateComics
CheckmateComics - 3/30/2013, 10:28 AM
I'd just like to say "Thank you, Bruce Timm and welcome back Justice League" Maybe they are listening.
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