Manic Monday--Perhaps They Didn't Get The Memo

So, correct me if the company line has changed yet again, but DC Comics is renaming Captain Marvel as Shazam because "everyone already thinks that's his name," and they don't want to confuse new readers.

And yet...

And we've been told that Wally West had to go because Barry was more "iconic," and that having multiple Flashes around might be bewildering to the alleged new readers DC would be drawing in.

And yet...

And Donna Troy? Well, now, don't get us started. Too young for our new continuity, we can't seem to pay our writers enough to come up with an actual origin that sticks, and, once again, gotta make things clean and simple for those who might be checking into DC for the first time.

And yet...

And yet...

Two weeks ago, the Young Justice cartoon prominently featured Billy Batson, as Captain Marvel. No, not as SHAZAM (although he said SHAZAM an awful lot), He, and everybody else, referred to him as Captain Marvel.

DC Animated, it seems, is blithely unconcerned that their (presumably younger) audience will find the name confusing, or that they think he's called Shazam. Odd...

One week ago, Young Justice featured a Kid Flash solo story, starring Wally West. Yep, Wally.

DC Animated, it seems, doesn't think that the presence of Wally West takes anything away from the "main" Flash. Or that you need to completely wipe one out of the continuity in order to make the other work. Hmmm...

This weekend, the DC Nation shorts starred Donna Troy and, once again, Captain Marvel (and, once again, he was referred to as Captain Marvel).

DC Animated, it seems, is on a different page than DC Comics when it comes to how to deal with these characters.

DC Comics seems to believe that potential new readers (and remember, their coveted new demo is males 18-35) are dullards who can't comprehend the same comics stories we (and they) read whilst growing up. DC Animated, catering to a younger demo, trusts their viewers to be able to follow along, and indeed expects them to be interested enough to want more.

DC Comics wants to run away screaming from their back catalog. DC Animated respects DC's rich and glorious history, and even wallows in it.

DC Comics dodges questions, or gives coy non-answers, or insults the questioner, when asked about beloved character X. DC Animated respects the long-time fan, and seemingly isn't satisfied unless they're putting 5.3 references to fan favorites per episode (Rita Farr!!!)

It's as if DC's left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing, as if they're two completely different companies.

Then again, given the long lag time in cartoon production, maybe DC Animated just hadn't received the memo yet...