One of the things that baffles me about the comics industry is the rationalization of editors to stick with tired, old comics (which are almost always more expensive) vs. more contemporary, higher-quality fare.
Is there another industry where higher cost/lower quality is accepted as rampantly as in newspaper comics? It's infuriating.
And I know all the "humor is subjective" and "editors are giving the readers what they want" arguments.
And, yes, humor is subjective, but there's a difference between "Calvin and Hobbes" and "Johnny G's Calvalcade of Hilarity" (which is a strip I'm developing in an alternate universe ... long story).
And readers hate change. So, saying you are giving them what they want is a cheap excuse for maintaining the status quo. Aim higher. Judge each comic on its merits. You are the editor. Now go forth and edit!
-JG