They were trying to escape from Batman and Robin.
The only dark and gritty comic movies were X-men and Batman. Spiderman was not dark and gritty but at the same time, Raimi did not make spiderman like a Disney kids entertainment.
X-Men and batman films post 2000 never fully distanced themselves from the source material, yes Singer and Nolan desliked comics but they took what they felt were the best part of the comics and put it front and centre, for instance in xmen case as a stand in for racism and discrimination or in batman case, tackling crime with little heavy VFX and comedy.
Nolan films are still held High, its the shill media that wants to wipe it out. Please look at how they were trying to dismiss TDK as an Oscar contender in 2008 to favour Black Panther? its the same way they have tried to wipe out the earlier spiderman, blade and xmen movies.
I think its strange how the media and critics got so obsessed with making sure comic movies are light and funny.
Another media propaganda but more proof the media wanted to wipe joker out. DC is doing well right now. Joker is Bank. Matt Reeves Batman would and should be great, Wonder Woman 2 would likely make people dislike captain marvel more.
Its pro Media Marvel spin that DC is not doing well. I would want to be DC now than marvel. at least DC is not 100% manufactured and they have other great movies that is not part of the DCU.