Captain Kal writesI think I can sum up the basic theme of your above post thusly: Accessibility.
Arrgh! Yep, you did it in one word. And here I sit with carpal tunnel syndrome! :lol:
Indeed, it's funny to hear fans say the "Crisis" was needed because old DC continuity was "so confusing." As if it could ever match Marvel's mixed-up history for sheer impenetrability.
I do think potential new fans are scared off by the increasingly self-referential nature of comics. I really do think DC did it right in the old days. I didn't have to know all the history to enjoy a story, but when the story was over I often WANTED to know that history. I had fun untangling all the twists and turns of the GA, SA and BA and the multiple Earths. But only because I could do it at my leisure.