DC has been earning a poor reputation amongst The New 52 as of late. Creative issues, firings, problems with Superman thus far, and many other issues have fueled their reputation problem. With the right creators and projects, DC could easily rebound over the next few years. Here are a few titles that would help DC refocus and get back in the good graces of its fans:

1. Neil Gaiman and Paolo Rivera – Death Ongoing 

Death is a character from Gaiman’s beloved Sandman series. She is a dearly loved and thought-provoking female character who is nothing, if not interesting. Nobody understands her as well as her creator, Neil Gaiman. She has a persona that is rather playful and spirited. Lately, DC has been endlessly criticized for not having fun comic books. While Death could at times be perceived as a horror book, there is no reason why the title would have to take itself completely seriously. Paolo Rivera is an artist that truly speaks the language of comic books. His art is refined and beautiful. The artist never takes the easy way out creatively and truly renders every character with love. Gaiman and Rivera would be a match made in heaven for DC as well as the industry.

2. Paul Cornell and Jimmy Broxton – Knight and Squire

 Knight and Squire would have to be a DC title published with nothing but love. because the title would not realistically sell very well. The passion for the characters by Paul Cornell would have to be real and enforced. While Demon Knights was a fun and more lighthearted take over most of the titles in the New 52, Knight and Squire is the change of pace that the industry really needs. One huge problem that would alter the cast on this book has just recently occurred in the Batman Incorporated series. With a resurrection for a truly unique hero or even a brand new take on an older hero, Knight and Squire deserves the attention. Paul Cornell enjoys writing the serious stories that still have emotion and with a vested interest in new material. Fans would be fools not too feast on the comic book risen from the ashes like a phoenix.

3. Sam Humphries and Bryan Lee O’ Malley with Sean Murphy – Aqualad  

Young Avengers is lightning in a bottle for Marvel Now! Two hip up and coming creators on some of the most special and exciting teens of the DC universe. Aqualad was a great character that was bursting with potential only to get shafted by DC in the New 52. In another more lighthearted and exciting book, Humphries could take Aqualad from dumb to exciting. While Bryan Lee O’ Malley may not be able to make a monthly schedule, the assists from artists like Sean Murphy creating the backgrounds could make the book incredibly beautiful. A fresh and new take on this current character would give fans something rich and truly unique in the middle of the New 52. The art from O’ Malley would have a quirk that would suit a new character in an interesting way. This approach has not been attempted since the inception of the New 52. Malley’s art is going to give this title the creative jolt necessary to sustain itself in the crowded direct comic book market.

4. Mark Waid and Ramon Perez – Ralph and Sue Dibney: Ghost Detectives 

Mark Waid is a true veteran of the industry he has tackled many heroes in all of comics. What Waid has never done is worked with an artist like Perez. Perez has immense talent for the absurd and surreal that would interest even the most jaded and old comic book writer. Waid, though a veteran to the industry, is not old and he is full of incredible ideas for a series like this. Killing both Ralph and Sue is a bold move on the part of DC, but giving Waid the creative freedom is what the company needs to get back in the good graces of fans. This book would have a lighthearted vibe, but it would still be able to show off human drama from the reader. Peeking into the lives of some of the more obscure DC characters would be the specialty of this comic, as many have been lacking in the current DCU. Utilizing the art and writing of these two fan approved talents would garnish a title infinitely special to the DC line of publishing.

5. Brian K. Vaughan and Darwyn Cooke – Flash Family  

Fan service is never a bad thing in entertainment. Vaughan is the perfect person to deliver this fan service to DC, because he is the odd choice in the room of DC writers. There are other DC writers who have touched and graced the character, but most of the talent has already been given to the title. Getting in a huge talent to sweep the floor and blow the doors off of the potential of the Wally West character is what DC currently needs. The fact is, with the Flash Family title, there will be two Flash books on the market so the second would have to be different than the first. Vaughan would bring a new approach to the beloved character. Darwyn Cooke is one of the most acclaimed talents in the industry and can draw an amazing Flash. Who better than a retro aficionado to uncover the spark that makes West interesting as a character visually. Under the keen eye of Vaughan and Cooke, West would be in truly great hands.   These titles would diversify the market and provide a way for DC to blow some of the market share away from Marvel. Top talent should not stay exclusively at Marvel when many individuals have such rich ideas for tried and true characters. With such a rich, diverse, and incredible cast of characters, DC should be honored to have creators work on their special characters and properties. Even if DC does not make these radical changes, fixing editorial and being loyal to fans will build support. These books are awesome so make them happen DC!