Well DC Comics has made the pages of the NY Times once again. This time it's the Infinite Crisis Arc which jumps out at you on page E3 of the Arts section.

"Recalibrating DC Heroes For a Grittier Century"
By: George Gene Gustines

George has scripted an excellent article covering not only the survival of the trade in the sense that things must not only mature, but also evolve with the next generation of readers. "Readers are more savvy, and they're looking for more complexity and more depth..." Thus were uttered the most sensible and comprehensive words by Dan DiDio, the DC comics Vice President. "Everything has to evolve". Infinite Crisis is better explained in this article as well as a heads up to a new weekly series starting in May of 2006 titled "52".
Is DC comics becoming too dark a place to visit?
"I think people feel it's dark because it's so compelling," DiDio said. "They don't know how our heroes are going to get out of the danger."
According to Greg Rucka: "When they're saying it's too dark, they're saying, 'I'm scared' " It's not a crisis if they know they're going to win."
Industry estimates for August's market share, in dollars, placed DC at 38 percent and Marvel at 41 percent.
Last year, the comic book industry generated nearly $500 million in sales. And when you consider that about $290 million of that sum was generated by monthly comics you begin to realise that roughly $210 million was generated in Trade paperback sales.
- DC hopes to recreate a universe of superheroes more in keeping with the times - GGG
"A 12 year old 20 years ago and a 12 year old today are reading at very different levels. That's just the way it is." Thus spoke Greg Rucka. "Everything has to evolve."

If you get a chance pick up the NY Times 10/12/05, and get the whole article.
ADe.