Part 6/11:
This pattern of stunt casting—changing key character traits to generate headlines—can be counterproductive. For example, transforming Tim Drake into a bisexual character after 30 years of narrative consistency feels inorganic and contrived. Fans often see through these tactics, which seem designed solely to appease social agendas rather than serve compelling stories.
Furthermore, attempts to diversify the roster by swapping race or gender on established characters—like reimagining Storm or Batwoman—tend to spark backlash when fans perceive it as tokenism or erasure of the original character's identity. The hope that such changes will be received as "organic" by the audience is often misplaced, leading to further dissatisfaction.