Mr Lawson,

You ask, "So why can’t the producers of these series forget about the other, morally messy stuff and agonising over choices and let the action rip."

Well, I believe that's because the current crop of media 'creators' are all from the touchy-feely generations and must abide by the rules of post-modernism, a non art style, that focuses on the political and personal. And of course to pass muster and reach publication/distribution amongst the thought police it must have mandatory girl appeal.

Anyway, congratulations for holding the interest in super heroes. For myself, I prefer that super heroes and villains remain in the classic comic format that created them. Having said that, I confess I haven't read any of those lately and they're probably just as full of the same politically correct gumph as the movies are.

Speaking about comic book heroes and villains, of interest to some, might be this article by Noah Berlatsky at the following site -
(http://www.hoodedutilitarian.com/2013/09/the-joker-and-the-jokers-wife/),
who has had a related article published in (yuk) The Guardian at this url -
(http://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jul/29/the-killing-joke-batgirl-violence-against-women-men).

Thanks for a good piece of diversion. It is most welcome at the moment.

Wow I had better start watching more TV. Or do I have to go to the movies to see all this stuff I've been missing. I had no idea how exciting it had got.

I didn't even read all that much in comics back in my youth. I stopped buying comics with my pocket money, after I got a control line plane. All my money went to replace broken propellers & repairing wings & such stuff.

On the relationship thing, perhaps I'm just a cynic, but could it be it is cheaper to fill some time with talking, rather than spend big bucks on special effects, even if they are mostly just computer programs?

Mark Lawson here - took some time for me to come back. My apologies.

voxUnius - tnks for the links and I'm glad I could assume you.

Hasbeen - you're probably right about talking saving on money but I suspect its also an attempt to broaden the audience base beyond over-grown 14 year old boys.. sad but there it is..