DC isn't just dark and brooding, just like Marvel isn't just bright and colorful. The difference between the two companies is that DC has characters that you look up to as a moral compass, while Marvel has more characters that you can relate to. Even then, there are characters in both companies that are exceptions to the rule. I implore everyone to read more DC comics than just Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen. Because, while good, they are not the end-all be-all of what DC is supposed to be.