Fantastic Four #1 - Superheroes in tights fighting a supervillain in a cape.
That's as long-standing as the Marvel Universe as we know it.

I'm not saying that that was all the issue was, but for children at the time that was undoubtedly a highlight of the issue. Those children have now grown up and still read the same comics with the same hero v villain fights.

And again, not saying it applies to everyone; I specifically said the majority.

Established names and titles sell. "Fantastic Four" will outsell "Fearless Defenders" on name alone. Retailers trust the brand, habitual buyers buy it.

I don't want this thread (or any other) to spin off into the cliché that is me disagreeing with everything you put and having to be the only person to defend Marvel on every point so I'll leave my input at that.