I've been bitching a lot recently about the trend for comics to be a lot more mature than they should be. When looking through a recent Wizard article (which is my one guilty pleasure mag purchase–I don't know why I still buy the goddamn things) about the upcoming big "shakeout" that 52 is supposed to bring to the DCU, I was stunned about how much death, suffering and sex was involved.

I was reminded of this when I read the latest Comic Shop News. Here's Gail Simone talking about her upcoming Secret Six limited series, the follow-on to Villains United, which had an entire issue where the main characters were tortured:

"Plus, one of DC's most famous villains gets naked. In fact, lots of people get naked. Sometimes with each other…"

And it finally sank home. The reason why DC doesn't need to put a Mature Readers tag on comics that feature rape, murder, mutilations and torture, is because only mature readers read this shit. No kids pick up DC Comics anymore. When was the last time, honestly, you saw a kid with a DC comic in their hand? Or a Marvel comic, for that matter?

It's not that I mind characters getting nekkid. But do you remember when that was reserved for Vertigo? Instead, it's all over the DCU now. For all the whisperings about Wildstorm getting put into the DCU, I'm surprised they haven't dropped Vertigo altogether. After all, can you tell any difference between the imprint and the mothership?

Gail Simone knows she's writing for aging fanboys who have long wanted to see Cheetah and Catwoman mud wrestle naked. So sure, why not call it "Villains Gone Wild!" Comics have given up on trying to get an audience that will outlast this generation. So party while you can, people. Enjoy how cutting edge and daring you're being. You're digging the industry's grave.