DC Comics wanted to permanently replace the Batman character with a different, black Batman, but was told by retailers that the company should expect a sharp drop in sales, an industry insider reported.

The source spoke to Bounding into Comics under the condition of anonymity and alleged that a contingent of DC Comics made the bold suggestion at the 5G Initiative summit in 2021. The summit was a forum where the company discusses the future of its fifth generation of characters.

This was the same rollout that included a bisexual Superman and a black, female Green Lantern.

The group's alleged idea was to take Lucious Fox, Bruce Wayne's business manager, and permanently have the ongoing Batman titles feature the new, black Batman as the lead.

A portion of the company reportedly thought the character would add an extra layer of diversity to future Batman book lines.