This change sparked fan backlash labeling it a pointless 'woke gimmick' that undermines the character. Ongoing race alterations persist, such as rendering core leads Mark Grayson half-Korean and Debbie Grayson fully Korean to match actors Steven Yeun and Sandra Oh, diverging from the comics' unspecified or different ethnic depictions, part of creator Robert Kirkman's explicit push for greater representation to address perceived lacks in comics.

Earlier swaps like Shrinking Rae (male to female) compound this pattern of modifying established characters. While the core Viltrumite War premise remains focused on interstellar conquest, heroism, guilt, and brutal violence—unmarred by overt lectures on systemic oppression or identity politics—these ideological tweaks in casting and character design intrude noticeably, diluting comic authenticity and fueling niche audience discontent without derailing the season's strong action-driven appeal.