"Many fans and fans turn pro seem to forget that all of Hank's mental problems were the result of being accidentally exposed to experimental chemicals after his lab accidentally exploded."

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I'm almost ashamed to recall this but, during The Crossing (which ended up giving us Teen Tony), wasn't it revealed that Hank's mental issues were caused by Kang trying to mind control him over the years? He failed and turned his attention to Tony who ended up betraying the team.

One thing that's been lost about the character of Peter Parker is that he's really a great guy but the rest of the world simply doesn't understand how awesome he is.  It's a great representation of the adolescent ego and it's pretty stark when that dynamic is forgotten or screwed up in the many, many knock off characters like Rich Ryder (The Man Called Nova).

Mike

Tony Stark has become an alcoholic. So has Hal Jordan. Hank Pym has become a wife-beater. The Hulk eats people. Batman is psychotic. Etc, etc. To the unsophisticated masses which seem to make up far too much of the audience these days, this seems "edgy" and "gritty". While all it really is is boring and redundant. And lazy. It's EASY to break the mold. Finding ways to stay inside it, and still be fresh and innovative -- THAT'S the challenge!

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Haen't really been keeping up with Marvel or D.C. for about twenty years  but . . . the Hulk eats people now?!?!?

Darren De Vouge wrote: "Marvel seems to have a thing now for characters with extended life spans. I guess it was so popular with Wolverine, they're doing it with everyone.   Even the Black Widow is written to have lived during WWII now."

And still the Merry Marvelites bleat incessantly about how unrealistic the JSA is and how they all just need to go away now... Ah, well...

The character whose story has been most recently bungled by the powers that be is Deadman, who is currently being written as a selfish, stupid yutz who needed to die and become a ghost to learn what life is really all about... This is no doubt born of his origin tale in which he walks around the fairgrounds with the circus owner insulting this person and that, accusing them of petty thefts and generally laying down the law that their crimes are tolerated only for the good of the circus in general and they're not actually fooling anyone.

In the original story, those persons he treats in this way are in fact petty criminals and louts and deserve what he says about them, thereby creating a long list of potential suspects for his murder. If we assume that he treats people this way in general, then there is no shortage of folks who would love to shoot him.

In the modern, up-to-date version, he does this simply because he is too stupid and dense to behave in any other way. He possesses no insight in the people he's insulting or the way in the circus works. He's just a vain dumbass who needs to learn How To Be Nicer To Everyone... Awww!

In the original, he was a fully-grown adult making his way in seedy business of hucksters and con men. His cynical, belligerent manner was a necessary component of keeping the circus running, and protecting the interests of the woman he cared about. That he included her in this was simply consistent. This wasn't an act he was contriving. He was serious, and so was the belief that someone would kill him for it.

This new thumb-sucking, toe-in-the-sand "Brightest Day" Deadman is an unimaginative, tone-deaf trainwreck...

Marvel seems to have a thing now for characters with extended life spans. I guess it was so popular with Wolverine, they're doing it with everyone.   Even the Black Widow is written to have lived during WWII now.

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And still the Merry Marvelites bleat incessantly about how unrealistic the JSA is and how they all just need to go away now... Ah, well...

***

True.  And it's kind of difficult to remove the war era from the JSA backstory, so at least extended lifespans serve some purpose there.  Giving the same treatment to the Black Widow doesn't add anything beyond:  "Wouldn't it be cool if..."