If there was ONE character that you could take back to their roots...

[Frontier]

As endless fandom debates can attest, ymmv on these
For Superman it seems post-Crisis depends on the story, but it's not consistent enough for everyone

Neither was the New 52 to be honest (and in my opinion).

And definitely, nobody can do argue that Tim wasn't successful with a straight face. He and Jason just don't really do much for me, that's all.
Bruce handling the baggage in often unheatlthy ways is unfortunately set in stone, but I could do without the tedious angst fests that Batman devolved into from the 80s onward in part due to stuff like TDKR, TKJ and Jason's death. I'd be happy with ditching the brat and his violent death altogether.

I mean, even with all that baggage he's had healthy or stable periods. It just depends on the writer.

[DrNewGod]

Cyborg. Well, at least bringing his history as a Teen Titan back.

I'm with ya!

[SiegePerilous02]

Neither was the New 52 to be honest (and in my opinion).

Beyond Morrison, perhaps not. It's an inherently good idea though, IMO, and I think at least early in the New 52 did it well.

I mean, even with all that baggage he's had healthy or stable periods. It just depends on the writer.

yeah, but it seems we didn't have to rely as much on "depending on the writer" to get us through it before the baggage started piling up. Part of a natural consequence of a denser ongoing continuity coming about with the gradual darkening throughout the Bronze age I guess, but I still can't say I care for it and wish DC had done things differently.

I mean, there really is no way to make Batman look good (IMO) when a kid dies on his watch and recruits more. I know a lot of fans can roll with it and they paid lip service to the Tim situation being different, but I just can't. It takes me out of the escapist fantasy. Dick making it to a successful adult and his time as Robin being during a more fantastical era makes his time ok, but Jason kind of casts a pall on everything after him and even on Dick's tenure. I care more about Bruce's integrity than I do about Jason and Tim existing, but again IMO. I know few would agree.

[Lee]

I have to agree with Batman and Robin. Batman in the Justice League is fine, but he shouldn't be having Justice League scale adventures in his solo titles, he should be fighting criminals in Gotham (and they shouldn't all be psychopaths - and neither should Batman for that matter). The first season of Batman: The Animated Series got it right.

Robin was at his best when he was Dick Grayson and Dick Grayson was at his best when he was Robin. It was a mistake to age him up to college, and then have a succession of replacement Robins. Robin should be a character, not a job title.

[bearman]

Agreed. Grayson’s unusual background, and particular skill set made him a unique addition as a crime fighter.
After that, we just got a mean kid, then a smart kid. Nothing to make them relevant in that world. I do kinda like the little ninja, Damian, particularly when he interacts with Dick.

[Lee Stone]

I have to agree with Batman and Robin. Batman in the Justice League is fine, but he shouldn't be having Justice League scale adventures in his solo titles, he should be fighting criminals in Gotham (and they shouldn't all be psychopaths - and neither should Batman for that matter). The first season of Batman: The Animated Series got it right.

Robin was at his best when he was Dick Grayson and Dick Grayson was at his best when he was Robin. It was a mistake to age him up to college, and then have a succession of replacement Robins. Robin should be a character, not a job title.

I'll pretend there's a 'Like' button here.
(And no, we're not the same person.)

[Talon1load]

Definitely Batman. Like others have said get back to fighting criminals and solving crimes. Less big scheme focus and more criminal underworld style stuff. Make he “worlds greatest detective” actually detect stuff. Stop with all the angst and just get back to being a crime fighter.

[Jon-El]

Katar Hol - none of this reincarnation nonsense. He goes back to being a policeman from Thanagar who travels to Earth and becomes the hero Hawkman.

And yes, I know you said ONE, but he brings his wife Shayera with him.

I’m really behind when it comes to the character but the version of Hawkman that’s just a policeman from Thangar is my absolute favorite. I tried to follow a discussion about the character the other day and realized I was clueless about his current story.

[Jon Clark]

Luthor.

I've come to really despise the post-Crisis take that Lex Luthor is a respected public figure. Give me the guy who was unapologetically a criminal.

No LexCorp. No puppet-master of Metropolis. No personal vendetta against Superman.

Just a two-bit arms dealer with a talent for building super-scientific stuff he uses to strong-arm cities, foment wars, etc.

[lucius121]

Superman - let's go back to jumping, no flying and much lower strength levels.
Batman needs to back to bat-man without the hyphen it just looses impact.

[Agent Z]

Cheshire - as more of a punch clock villain and less like the dragon lady stereotype she's been lately.

[SiegePerilous02]

I’m really behind when it comes to the character but the version of Hawkman that’s just a policeman from Thangar is my absolute favorite. I tried to follow a discussion about the character the other day and realized I was clueless about his current story.

Restoring the two distinct versions of the Hawks (resurrected lovers on Earth-2, space cops on Earth-1) and never again the two shall meet would be wonderful.

Luthor.

I've come to really despise the post-Crisis take that Lex Luthor is a respected public figure. Give me the guy who was unapologetically a criminal.

No LexCorp. No puppet-master of Metropolis. No personal vendetta against Superman.

Just a two-bit arms dealer with a talent for building super-scientific stuff he uses to strong-arm cities, foment wars, etc.

Yes, I have no use for public figure/evil businessman Lex. I'm not as familiar with the Golden Age version, but I love the Silver/Bronze age one and would love that take to come back. Post-Crisis Lex bores me to tears.

Veronica Cale fills the respected public figure niche, and especially since Rebirth, fills it much better. Helps that she doesn't have a more interesting old school counterpart to be compared with.

[9th.]

I say we take Black Lightning back to his roots. I'm talking waaaaaaaay back. That's right, it's time to bring in the BLACK BOMBER "It's C.P. time!"

/s

That's got to be the most embarrassing story in comics

[Buried Alien]

Barry Allen (the Flash). No dying in CRISIS. No dead mother. No FLASHPOINT. Comic-loving, always-late CSI with a nerdy love for comic books gets the ride of his life when a bolt of lightning endows him with superspeed.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[SneakyLookingSort]

Lady Shiva, to get rid of that League of Assassins/Shadows baggage. No need to make her another Ra's al Ghul.