DC Comics has officially announced that Vibe and Katana are both cancelled. This should not be a surprise to anyone since the company tried to make third-string characters into ones which could carry their own titles. They tried to catch lightning in a bottle, but went about it the wrong way.
DC Comics takes out Katana and Vibe
Too Early
Both Vibe and Katana were given their own series too early in the New 52. DC Comics should have realized that. Granted, we are two years in, but the characters did not have time to develop their fan bases. Wonder Woman, Superman, and Batman have generations of fans to fall back on. Constantine and the Phantom Stranger both had cult followings which had grown over the years. Swamp Thing is a staple of the Dark Universe and will always have fans to call his own.
The Variance
I am sure some of you are going to try to counter by “too early” statement by pointing out how my favored Justice League Dark got a series very early and has been able to strive in the Diamond Top 100. The example is different since the JLD relied on characters on the team which had already gained a following over the years (Constantine and Deadman). DC Comics made the right moves with that title by inviting Flash, Swamp Thing, and the Phantom Stranger into the pages to bring in more readers early on.
Who is Next for DC Comics?
I see Pandora getting the boot within the next few months now that the Trinity War is over. I dropped it after Trinity War because her story was not strong enough to keep me happy over multiple issues. I see many other readers doing the same. I fully expect her title to be the next on the chipping block.
DC Comics has been playing this game for a very long time. It should know that you have to build a character up to great heights before launching a title with it. They could have launched Katana and Vibe at the dawn of the New 52 since most of the comics were starting on a level playing field (outside of those with decades of followers). Now was not the time for the two titles.
