I have been a comic fan and reader for close to 3 decades and thankfully I have seen my fair share of events and milestones. "Deaths" and story lines that when concluded will "Never Be The Same", reboots and other elements to create a good story. 
 
I have always been curious what the mindset is when trying to create change in comics. I can't think of one hero that has not received a tweak to their powers or a wardrobe change in the sake of creating excitement in he character or the book. But ultimately the creators go back to basics stating " The Classics element of the character is what I loved the best and I wanted to see him as I remembered him growing up. 
 
CHANGE 
Daredevil succumbs to the darkside 
Dick Grayson is The Batman and Bruce Wayne's Son is The New Robin 
The Teen Titans are on the JLA 
The Inhumans and Shi'ar at War 
 
All these changes depict a natural evolution of stories and characters, But why is it these things do not have lasting effects? When does a change become a Gimmick? 
 
GIMMICKS 
BRAND NEW DAY 
Red and Blue Superman 
Knightfall 
 The Clone Saga 
 
It seems the more iconic the character the bigger the gimmick and the backlash. Power Girl was de powered,The Flash used to run at half the speed he does now, and had to eat to maintain his energy. Firestorm had Cancer, Aquaman had a hook for a hand. Hl Jordan was once DC's greatest Villain, the Spirit of Vengeance and the greatest GL that ever lived. 
 
All of these events happened and had various degrees of success. But I though the reason for change is to make progress, not to merely try something for the sake of trying it. The one side of me says...If your going to do it, go big or go home. It makes for more interesting story telling and creativity if done correctly. 
 
But the other side says..Dang it..I miss the Scarlet Witch..Dang it..Simon should be an Avenger right now.Dang it...When is Beast Boy going to grow up and leave the TiTans?? 
 
I do believe their should be changes made for every character. But I believe these changes should be to advance the characters history not reduce them to sweep weeks headlines.  
 
What do you think? Change is good? or leave my comics alone and just tell better stories?