It is getting increasing harder to justify a $3.99 price point on 20 pages of content of increasingly predictable material. (In my case, the rather pitiful exchange on the Canadian dollar inflates it to around $5.40 before sales tax.) I mean, Marvel replaced Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, and Thor Odinson in their respective roles in the 80s, Thor again in 90s with Eric Masterson, Steve again with Bucky/Winter Soldier in the 2000s, and again in 2010s with Sam Wilson and Jane Foster. The entertainment media is not really helping and are more or less acting as a public relations appendage for the big two, the Outhousers notwithstanding. For the most part, they act like cheerleaders in trying to convince the public that it is completely groundbreaking when it is completely old hat.
That said, at least the superhero genre seems to be doing all right. Do you have any thoughts on the Flash/Arrowverse, PB? The second season of the Flash as completely reeled me in with the Zoom and Earth-2. I nearly exploded when they made a visual tribute to Flash (vol. 1) #123 in "Flash of Two Worlds." The crossover with Constantine in Arrow was pretty enjoyable too and though it's not part of that universe, Supergirl has gotten better in my view with last night's episode with Livewire.
As for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I'm trying to figure out how this show matters in the MCU. I mean, the films don't even acknowledge its existence, and the plot threads the involving the Inhumans feels forced because Fox has the rights to X-Men. I have not watched Daredevil, have no interest in Jessica Jones whatsoever, and probably should catch up on Agent Carter.
My problem with the price of comics is not just the price, but that comics are now written in graphic novel format, so there's no point in collecting single issues anymore. Even with that, I just find it hard to care at the moment. It's really not a good time for the medium and I'd like it to change before I get back into it.
As for me, I absolutely love the Flarrowverse. Flash is my spirit animal and this season of Arrow is one of the best, as I love happy Ollie. I doubt anything will top my love of The Flash, cause it literally gives me everything I want from my 2nd favorite hero of all time. As for Supergirl, I do like it. I understand why it is going the route it is, regarding trying to get rid of somewhat sexist tropes, and I applaud it for that. It is a bit too preachy and in your face about it though, but I think it'll subside over time. It just needs to breathe, like any show, and find its footing. The same was true with both Flash & Arrow. People hated Cisco in the beginning (I didn't) and now they love him. Arrow doesn't even really hit its mark until Felicity shows up and becomes a regular. Mind you, I think Supergirl will be cancelled because CBS is not the CW. It has a hire standard of ratings. Which is sad because Supergirl is infinitely more [tornado fang]ing watchable than Gotham is.
As for SHIELD, I've admittedly been behind. I still need to watch all of Season 2. Agent Carter is far, FAR better than SHIELD is though. The problem with SHIELD, in addition to things you mentioned, is that it's too long. Agent Carter is shorter and more gripping, as is Daredevil, which is hands down one of the best things Marvel has ever done. (Except the final costume is a bit off). I've seen the first episode of Jessica Jones and it left my mouth wide open at the end of it with how [tornado fang]ing good it was. It's an amazing piece of neo-noir film making with incredible usage of color, and it makes me no longer think of David Tennant as the 10th Doctor. I'm going to binge the hell out of it when it comes out in 3 days.
The thing is, you really cannot compare DC's Flarrowverse/Supergirl to Marvel's SHIELD/Defenderverse. One is meant to be campy & cheesy and the other is meant to be dark & gritty (especially Jessica Jones, cause hooooooooly [parasitic bomb] that first episode). I love both equally cause they both explore different aspects of comic book heroism in a unique way. It is for that reason why I hate Gotham so [tornado fang]ing much, because it explores nothing except shoving Bat-villains in your face and going "HEY. LOOK. LOOK WE HAVE BAT-VILLAINS!" all the goddamn time.