In 1977, DC Comics proposed an offensive concept to Jenny Blake Isabella: a white man who turned black with superpowers. Isabella rejected it, giving life to Black Lightning. Decades later, the publisher sidelines its black characters under the excuse that they don't sell. It has been 1,171 days since the last ongoing series featuring a black hero in the main continuity, according to fan counts.
The Algorithm of Self-Imposed Failure 📉
DC justifies the absence of ongoing series for black characters with low sales data. But that argument ignores the vicious cycle: without constant promotion or long-running series, it's difficult to build a reader base. Meanwhile, Marvel maintains titles for Black Panther and Miles Morales without interruption. The only recent exception at DC is Absolute Green Lantern, but it's out of continuity. The rest are miniseries that don't allow for long-term development.
The Magician's Trick: Now You See It, Now It Doesn't Sell 🎩
DC seems to apply the logic of a carnival magician: it brings out a black character, shows them for a couple of months in a miniseries, and then makes them disappear. Then it's surprised that no one remembers them. It's like planting a tree and watering it for one day, only to complain later that it bears no fruit. Meanwhile, black fans keep waiting for a series that lasts longer than an editorial sigh.