Three Bat-Family books -- all heavily identified with writer Chuck Dixon -- have been canceled.
Robin ends at #183, Nightwing at #153, and Birds of Prey at #127.
Was it sales? Could secret Batman RIP plot developments (possibly hinted at by this io9 article) be the culprit?
Probably both.
Though the exact reasons why Dixon so abruptly left DC have never been disclosed, this latest turn of events must have had something to do with it.
Then again, all three titles suffered from multiple sudden changes in creative teams, destabilizing storylines and alienating readers. It might have been that these cancellations were planned all the time, and DC didn't care too much who filled in the gaps -- or that things were so messed-up, a sudden break seemed like the best option.
And as I wrote in a "sales commentary" post on Oct. 20:
"The formula (and I know I have written this before, so please bear with me):
1. Take your second-tier & some of your third-tier books and apply the Top 50 Test on them.
2. Top 50 Test: are these books starring your best, most licensable intellectual property making it to the top 50? If not: overhaul them.
3. Get top writers & artists for each second tier/third tier book. Carefully talent search for these titles. Pick teams that are willing/likely to stay for at least two complete arcs (if not a full year). <---- this part most important. 4. If the title had been hopelessly mired in bad creative decisions/fill-ins, cancel it outright & start from scratch."
While there is no question that starting these titles over again (or creating new, related ones) and slapping a "#1" on each will tremendously spike sales -- will the readers go for it?
Well, if the new books are really good, perhaps. If they are "Titans"/"Green Arrow & Black Canary" good -- perhaps not.
Oooooh, my "Oracle" post earlier today was so ironic!
Anyway, maybe we are looking at the beginning of a whole new DC. Can more changes be on the horizon?
