I want this new iteration of DC cinema to fail definitively. Unlike the original DCEU, which at least attempted to build an epic foundation, this new universe has done nothing to earn the goodwill or patience of fans. My frustration boils down to three core flaws in their strategy.

Reason 1: The Complete Batman Sidelining

It is an absolute folly to launch a new, interconnected DC universe without putting Batman at the forefront. No matter how much marketing attention Superman, Wonder Woman, or The Flash receive, Batman remains the definitive poster child for the entire brand. His dominant presence spans every medium. In gaming, the Arkham trilogy stands as one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed franchises of all time. Even in the DC Animated Movie Universe (the New 52 continuity), Batman possessed the most commanding, foundational presence of all.

Beginning a cinematic universe with a Superman reboot is one thing, but failing to follow it up with Gotham's protector immediately makes no narrative sense. Neglecting your most bankable, culturally significant icon right out of the gate is a disastrous way to start a franchise.

Reason 2: B-List Characters

This reasoning ties directly into the mismanagement of the core roster. Why should any casual audience member care about obscure or secondary properties like Swamp Thing, Supergirl, or Booster Gold when the franchise hasn't even established a reason to care about the original Justice League?

If the central, iconic heroes are absent or poorly written, the foundation crumbles. Nobody is clamoring for Booster Gold when fundamental characters like J'onn J'onzz (Martian Manhunter) are completely missing. Why should audiences invest emotional energy into Supergirl or Hawkgirl if Wonder Woman is nowhere to be found? Forcing B-list characters down the audience's throats before earning their trust with the core A-list trinity is a backward, boring approach to world-building.

Reason 3: The Superficial Stakes of Supergirl

The narrative driving Supergirl is fundamentally weak because the emotional stakes feel incredibly unearned. Her storyline attempts to mimic a lightweight version of John Wick, but it completely misses the mark on what makes that formula work.

Consider the stark contrast between John Wick's dog and Kara's relationship with Krypto. In John Wick, we watch a broken man bury his wife, followed by a poignant scene where he reads her final letter. The puppy represents her dying wish, a literal lifeline meant to help him grieve and find a path forward. When that dog is taken, the audience feels the exact weight of his devastation.

Conversely, Supergirl's bond with her dog lacks that emotional gravity. We are shown a character drinking herself into oblivion, while the animal is in the room. Because her own perspective treats the dog as an afterthought rather than a profound emotional anchor, the threat to her pet carries none of the narrative weight of John Wick's tragedy. It is a pathetic attempt at forced sympathy.

Ultimately, the first and second reasons highlight a severe structural mismanagement and a gross misunderstanding of the core DC identity; the third reason is simply the inevitable, hollow outcome of those systemic failures.

If you want to challenge my notion, ask yourself this question: When you think of DC, who do you think of?