Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-25734102-20141121005627/@comment-4651179-20141125221116

One of the problem is the sales. Even if they tried to push lesser know minority heroes, it will not be profitable. Yes, it's important to make a good story, but for Marvel, comics are also business. Their stories have to sell. All-New Captain America #1 will get second printing, Patriot #1 wouldn't even be in the top 20 titles. Thor #1 will get second printing, Valkyrie #1 or Sif #1 wouldn't.

They already are pushing minority heroes. Black Widow's new solo series was Marvel's best selling female title (until Thor, of course). The Mighty Avengers are a group composed mainly by minorities, with only two white people (and one of them is green all the time). Shang Chi has gotten a bigger profile in Avengers, and recently had a mini-series. Black Panther's popularity will probably sky-rocket next year.

Also, part of the story is not to open path for diversity of the sake of diversity. They're also telling a story. In this case, the story of one of Captain America's closest allies and friends taking his mantle. It's not only the story of a black Captain America. For a reason when they announced the new Cap, Marvel was "Sam Wilson is the new Captain America" and not "a black person is the new Captain America." Probably Patriot becoming Captain America wouldn't even sell that much, considering almost no-body outside of the Marvel fandom knows who is Patriot, and that he doesn't really have a bond with Cap a strong as Cap and Falcon's. Also, Patriot is currently retired.

The same goes with Thor. This new series is focusing in the story of the now-unworthy Thor, and a completely new character taking his mantle. It's definetely not as appealing as just another Sif or Valkyrie story.

In conclusion, you have to think that they won't be more diverse for the sake of diversity, that they have to make appealing stories, and to make money.